Happy 2nd Birthday

Dear GG,

I just finished listening to my recorded conversation with Arlene last May 9, 2009. You see my 2-year old cell phone has this feature that can record anything including telephone conversations. Anyhow, the last thing that I said in that phone conversation with my BFF was “Arlene, I am now appointing you to be part of my Search Committee”. Thirteen days after, she introduced me to you.

It was one of my goals for 2009 – to go and visit a new place every month. It started when we went to Sagada last December 2008. Since then, I had been to different places. For May, it was Cagbalete at Mauban, Quezon. I prepared for this trip. I was so excited to go somewhere new to forget the old.

You were such a snob when I first met you. You did not even look at me when I offered you some cookies. It was like you had a stiff neck or something – I was seated behind you, remember? During the whole trip to Cagbalete, you did not even acknowledge that I exist. But I did notice that you have a firm hand when you helped me get into the boat.

It never even occurred to me that you and I would become friends – much less sweethearts. And yet here we are... on our 2nd month already. It seems like I have known you for years! The Universe never fails to amaze me. Just when I was ready to give up on love, here it comes offering me something that I could not resist – your friendship and your love.

I know many people would not agree but, I want to thank you for being very kind to me and for being so loving. Probably it also helped that you are into explaining things. Not once did I feel that you don’t love me. And even for that alone, I am very grateful.

The other night, you were thanking me for loving you. I wanted you to know that I feel the same way with you - thank you for walking into my life, unexpected and unannounced, bringing in with you wonderful and (if I may say) out-of-my-world things. But most of all, I want to thank you also for loving me.

Looking forward to more days, more months, and more years ahead with you.

Mwah! =)

Hugging you tightly...

A Tribute to President Cory

I thank God for making me a Filipino. It is a privilege.
~ President Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino

Taken during the 2nd Anniversary of PinoyME last February 26, 2008 at the Inter-Continental Manila - GBRamos

I was supposed to go to Corregidor that day but as soon as I heard the news about the death of President Corazon C. Aquino, I knew that I had to totally forego the trip. My boss already alerted us that should this happen we would be requested to come to the office to help in the preparation for the mass (sponsored by the Foundation) for her. Even if it was raining hard that day, I knew I would not miss this chance to pay my last respect to the one who led us back to freedom and democracy. For the first time in many months, I became thankful to be part of the Foundation because of the privilege to be in the first night of the wake of the Former President.

During the next few days, I monitored almost all the media releases that I can get my hands onto regarding the Former President. Funny how one’s mind and heart works - it was once said that a person would only know the value of another person when she loses her. I do not know her personally but I joined her family in shedding tears for the loss of their mother. This time I know that I am not alone. This time I know that the whole country mourns for the loss of its mother.

I was so used to seeing her on TV praying the rosary and encouraging the people to stand up and fight for democracy. To top it all up is that she had been a good mother both to her own children and to the whole country. She was a woman of faith and a woman of strength and compassion. It was amazing how in the world of politics, she was able to incorporate her faith in her everyday life. My faith was renewed just by seeing how faithful she was from the time of her presidency up to the last moment of her life and many people were really inspired by it.

In the last mass offered for her, Father Arevalo (a Jesuit priest and family friend) said that the best contribution Mrs. Aquino gave to the Filipino people is hope. Hope that we are worth something more that what we could ever think of because we are children of God.

As thousands and thousands of Filipino paid their last respect to the Philippine Mother of Democracy, allow me, though this entry, to pay my last respect and salute to you Mrs. President for paving the way of freedom and democracy for our generation and the generations to come.

Once again, you made us proud to be a Filipino. Thank you.