I'm still me

My outlook in life change for the better, but I’m still me. I’ve faced all the failures and mistakes, but I’m still me. I’ve encountered triumphs and successes, but I’m still me.

I know I am responsible for all my actions, good or bad, right or wrong. All the words that come out of my mouth, harsh or sweet, correct or incorrect, I’m still me.

Whatever I say, do, think and feel these are real. They represent who I am. But when I look back and I sounded or did unfitting, I discard the unfitting and keep the fitting.

I know there are aspects about myself that puzzle my friends, but I’m still me. I have dreams, hopes, fears, and fantasies. I feel anger, joy, frustration, love, disappointment, and excitement. I’m still me and I will stay the same. I’m happy to be me.

Salamat Kaibigan

On January 1, 2008 as the year began, we also kicked off our journey of good food and hospitality from the warmth dining room of the Lapus family to the cool breeze veranda of the Bagacina family.

Before we headed to Enrique and Noemi’s, Nelson and Zeny invited us for a quick nibble in their humble abode in Cainta. They served, which I considered, comfort food and great dessert. I tried not to eat that much to save space for the big meal at the Bagacina’s. And so I thought but failed. I sampled every food and dessert on the table. Because they were all very tasty and irresistible, obviously, I lost my table ethics and ate like a pig.
The winding road from Cainta to Antipolo gave me a little indigestion. I felt I was going to throw up in the van. But I kept my composure to avoid any delays. It was already late afternoon when we arrived in Bagacina’s. And I went straight down to the bathroom. It was false alarm.

Enrique and Noemi prepared us, rather Enrique said called in, plenty of traditional food. Too many they even let us took some on our way out.

I was also impressed with their passion for gardening. Their garden has a variety of beautiful flowers and the veranda is surrounded by such lovely tropical plants. It felt even more relaxing in a cool breezy afternoon sitting and sipping coffee with friends. It was a thankful day for the new year.

photos courtesy of Nelson.

28 Days

This is a picture of segregation; a picture of big empty space in the middle; a picture that used to be collectively one group of friends. Because of my recklessness and insensitivity, I’ve created a division among us. Or I must say me against the group.

It would not be this way if I had not been so selfish and thoughtless of my actions and if I had not written and published a blog that would hurt my friends - unintentionally. I admit that I made a major mistake that affected my relationship with them. Although I know in my heart, I had no ill intentions nor directly hurt anyone's feeling in spite of the emphasis on my blog.

In my own defense the things I had written were not all negatives (as most of them say). Because they only focused on the negative aspects, they neglected to see the whole picture. The positive point of views were apparently discarded in their minds. Luckily I have still a few true great friends who understood and believed in me.

Just the same, I've caused everyone a pain in their heart. So I've come to do the right decision to remove the origial write up of the 28 Days page. I want to bury that incident. I wish to forget it had to happen. But I've already lost faith to the group.

To avoid another misunderstandings and conflicts, I made a harsh decision to leave the Yahoo! Group of Class of 1979. It is the only way I can think of to continue my blogging. If I'm not connected to the group I will have the freedom to blog, which is my main purpose of blogging.

photo courtesy of Nelson.

True Friends

The hardest part is to say goodbye to your classmates/friends. These are the heartfelt parting words that they sent me through text messaging listed in order I received.

- - Bye friend. Salamat din. Have a safe trip. See you. u.

- - Same here! Many thanx also! See you around!

- - Till me meet again my friend and bro. Hope u wouldnt change. Thanks for everything.

- - We will mis u frnd ur laughter ur sadness in ur face d smell of ur breath bt most of all ur body language. Tnx 4 d tym n money u spend 4 us. Wag ka mkakalimot ha! Hapi trip! Sa muling pgki2ta. Saranghameda bo! God bless!

- - Thank you din, sa lhat ng tulong and wonderful happenings. May u always stay healthy…n . wealthy…(he he he) as u r. Asta la vista.

- - The joy that you gve to others is the joy that flows back to u. A happy heart makes a cheerful face. May ur stay be as happy as ur heart! c u again, bon voyage.

- - U too my fren..thnk u so much for giving us ur time & hope wil see each other again..khit super big time kna wag ka makaka limot sa amin…..thnk u & my god bles u & ur family always…have a nice trip…will be missing u..

- - Nag enjoy din talaga kmi. Sa na maulit muli. Sori we’re not able to join last night. Ingat ka & happy trip! Keep in touch ha?

- - 4me, no thanks yet, ds s jz d beginning…Our time has not lapse yet…Friendship 4me s lifetime, its jz a matter of communication & understanding 2 1 another…Take care always…Bye 4 now…God’s will, we’l c each other again…Von voyage!

- - Glad you enjoyed ur vacation u deserve the best. God bless your trip home. Have a good rest tonight. We will miss you Bff. Thanks very much!

- - Dont say thanks instead God bless u coz i know that u are truly blessed wd ur kind heart. I knw we seldom talk thru email or text but our friendship stays d same i cant forget d first time we talk remember? At first im hesitant wd d grp til now i come to knw whos really is true to u, haay nagdrama ang lola mo. Friendship tampo ako! Did you likd b my gift? Tama na ang pang drama mo dyan 10mos lang un mbilis u never knw pabalik ka na naman, von voyage im just a text away hehe...

2007 Christmas Party

The class of 1979 Christmas Party was held in Barangay Bagumbuhay Hall in Project 4, Q.C. on December 29, 2007. Dancing the Paper Dance Contest is with Rosario. We won with an exciting prize.

Advise from an expert, you cannot win a contest if you are both shy (Enrique and Jojo).

There's nothing to hide between these two (Lorna and Raul). They also won the egg contest (with obvious advantage).

Harvin is trying to fresh with Noemi?

Husband and wife team, Zeny and Nelson didn't take this opportunity to win. They both lost egg and paper dance contests. Too much public hugging can be bad for the contest?

Get ready, get set, go!

Hey wait a second, I need to adjust my pants. They're falling off.

Is this the right steps for cha-cha? Or are we dancing the Argentinian Tango? What the heck, I'll dance anyway I want.

I been on a diet for awhile so I should not be heavy.




photos courtesy of Joy and Nelson.

Tagaytay City

Tagaytay City tripping on January 12, 2008 (don't mind the date on the photo because that was an error) with high school friends from L-R (seating) Sophia, Brenda, Vangie; L-R (standing) Nelson, Zeny, me, Raul

In Taal View Heights with friends are L-R (seating) me, Vangie, Sophia; L-R (standing) Zeny, Nelson, Raul, Brenda

With friends and family in a model house. (Note: I'm staring at the chocolates lying under the center table.)

photos courtesy of Nelson.