The Boarder

The Boarder


Independent. The right word we can associate for our fellow, “boarders” . How does it feel? Being alone, away from your parents and siblings? Usually, a typical adolescent would wake up in the morning, eat the breakfast his/her mother/nanny have prepared, take a bath, and then off to school. Everything is being provided to us. We don't have to worry with our allowances, 'cause surely, if we're out of penny, we could just simply ask for another to our parents. And most of all, we get to have our OWN PRIVACY with which “the boarders” couldn't have.

I was only 16 then, when I decided to study here in Davao. I really want to have independence at that time. And so, when I finally moved out from our house, all I know at that time was that I am so excited to be alone, to start on my own, and to start college far from home. But, what I didn't expect is that, being independent entails A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY.

My mom came with me when I transferred here in Davao just to help me out fix my stuffs so that afterwards, she could immediately go home. And when my mom finally said she has to go, tears started to flow on my chicks. I was such a cry baby. But call me a cry baby, I really didn't expect that things like these really do happen. It's as if I don't want my mom to go yet. Then, that's the time I told myself “I can't do this, I can't stand to be alone”. If only I could just cling on to my mom's leg like a panda, or beg her not to go first, and stay with me just for a couple of days, I would really do that! But my mom told me, this is what I asked for, and now, they're giving me the right to become independent.

My first semester here was tough! Tougher than I thought. Almost every night I would cry myself to sleep.

“Nostalgia” This is the common enemy of “the boarders”. Once it started to crawl on your veins, expect the unexpected, just like in my case. When I feel like I'm in a state of nostalgia, no one can really stop me to pack my things and go straight home.

I don't mind traveling all the way from Davao to Cotabato, be it in the morning, noon time, or even at night. Almost every week, I go back to my hometown. Only then did I realize, that even though how many remarks others would put into my hometown “Cotabato”, for me there are still many great things it has to offer. Becoming a boarder, opened my eyes to everything. But being a boarder also, made me do stuffs I don't, I can't, and must not do. Usually when I was still in our hometown, my curfew time is 6p.m., for safety purposes. But when I moved here, the earliest time I could possibly go straight home is 8 in the evening. And I think only “the boarders” get to have a night life! I for one. Going home 1 in the morning is pretty much earlier when you are out for a gimmick.

But also, being a boarder, you don't have privacy at all. It's not that I'm in conflict with my co-boarders, it just that sometimes, we are not meeting half way through. Others may like this and you don't, others tend to be a slow foot and you're not, and others may be so time-consuming when using the bathroom, and you're not. Becoming a boarder, you really do have to increase your patience, just like what they say “Patience is a Virtue”.

But I never regretted being away from home, because being far away from home and becoming a “boarder” taught me so many lessons in life that a four-walled classroom cannot offer. It made me know myself more. And most of all, it made me independent, the thing I was asking for my whole life. But don't get me wrong, I do still miss my folks way back home, and I'm glad that finally this semester is about to end, meaning, I COULD FINALLY GO HOME!!!!

Now what?

AT THE BEGINNING

We were strangers, starting out on a journey
Never dreaming, what we’d have to go through

Now here we are, I’m suddenly standing

At the beginning with you
No one told me, I was going to find you

Unexpected, what you did to my heart

When I lost hope

You were there to remind me

This is the start

And life is a road and I wanna keep goin’

Love is a river I wanna keep flowin’
Life is a road now and forever wonderful journey

I’ll be there when the world stops turning

I’ll be there when the storm is through

In the end I want to be standing

At the beginning with you

We were strangers, on a crazy adventure

Never dreaming, how our dreams would come true

Now here we stand, unafraid of the future

At the beginning with you

And life is a road and I wanna keep goin’

Love is a river I wanna keep flowin’

Life is a road now and forever wonderful journey

I’ll be there when the world stops turning

I’ll be there when the storm is through

In the end I want to be standing

At the beginning with you

Knew there was somebody somewhere

I need love in the dark

Now I know my dream will live on

I’ve been waiting so long

Nothing is going to tear us apart

This is the song I would like to dedicate to the decoys. I know things are not the same anymore as it was before. We even hardly talk to each other. Yeah, you might say that we do still see each other everyday, but we're just contented with the "his" and "hellos", unlike before that we even google each other.

If there is one thing I am praying to God right now, that is to turn back the time. The time when we used to laugh together, make funny moments together, cry together, share our problems together, even up to the smallest thing, basta WE ARE TOGETHER. But I know that's too impossible now. I know, I cannot anymore turn back those times.

But if this is the road you wanna take, you won't hear any "buts" from me. If this will make you happy, then I will be happy for you. I won't force you to stick around, I just hope, that someday, you will never forget all the memories we shared.

Never did I regret that I became a part of you. I'm happy to be one of the decoys. You made me laugh when I'm down, you made me act like a child when I never acted like one in my entire life, you made me eat spicy things when in fact I hate spices. And above all, you made me realize how important I am. With you I was able to know more of myself.

I'm happy that once in our lives, our roads had crossed. You are a part of whoever I'll be in the future, that's for sure. And I know you will still meet a lot more people, new faces and new names, but I hope, I had made a unique mark in your hearts that you will never forget.

"Thanks!" guys! :-)

Three craziest things I've done in my 17 years of existence

Well, I'm about to turn 18 this May 19, and just in case you do have presents/gifts for me, feel free to give. (Ha-ha-ha just kidding!) Before I would turn 18 this may, I would like to share with you first, the craziest things I've ever done in my entire existence! (So that you'll know the real me)

Here's now my top three:

3. A childhood friend of mine, Jason (I hope he won't read this because for sure, he'll get mad) was really close to my family. Since we're just neighbors, sometimes, we would be having dinner into our house, or into their house.. He was like a brother to me already, since I still don't have any brothers nor sisters at that time. I was used that he was the only one I get to play with. And so one time, I went to their house to play “baril baril”, I don't know what's with him that morning when he slammed the door into my face. I was so humiliated and angry, I don't know where to pour all these madness I was feeling, and I swore to myself never again to play with him, (kids stuff). When I was about to go home, I saw all their shoes and slippers outside their house. There was a nearby creek, and with all my might, I gathered all their shoes and slippers, and I threw it all in the creek. (The good thing is, no one ever saw me do that, so that made me still an innocent one.)

2. Annually we're having a reunion in my mom's side. So, all my cousins are present. And we usually stay at my lolo and lola's house in Tetuan Zamboanga. Usually, when we have nothing to do, we would just simply watch TV in the sala with my lolo sitting in his folding chair. If I would remember, I think there were 5 of us in the sala at that time watching TV, my kuya allan, me, ate neysa, shan2x and Kyle. My kuya allan was tickling my foot, and I can't bare those anymore I immediately stood up. I think I pressed something and there was a loud “aray!” I heard. When I turn around to see who it was, it was my lolo! I accidentally pressed the button of his folding chair! He was stuck into his chair (naipit siya kumbaga sa loob ng folding chair), And I was so surprised when he went straight to Shan2x, my younger cousin, and he scolded him instead of me. (ha-ha that made me innocent again).

1. And the most craziest thing I've ever done in my entire life, as of now:

I was still in 4^th year highschool at that time. We really hate this particular subject and the teacher as well. That day our whole section planned something. We know that by the end of the discussion, that teacher of ours will be having another nerve racking quiz, and so, our plan was to postpone her quiz. We hid 5 cellphones in every corner of the room. We had some friends in the junior level, and since they don't have any classes yet, we asked them to text and call those particular numbers we gave them. Our plan actually did not succeed, which was postponing her quiz, but at least, even though it turned the other way around, the whole classroom was so noisy filled with different tones coming from the 5 cellphones we hid, which distracted and annoyed her. She roam around to see who's cellphone it was, but she had no luck at all. And so, she ended up the class earlier, because she couldn't bare anymore the ringings of the cellphones.

And that's it folks! Hope you learned something! And before I go, here's a saying I want you to remember, “don't take life seriously, it will never get you alive”.

Behind this pretty face

Hayley Nichole Williams (lead vocalist of Paramore) was born in December 27,1988. When she moved in to Franklin, she met there the Farro brothers while attending a private school.

As you can see, she has a vibrant red hair (but actually she's blonde). She's pretty simple, and make-up and music are the things she is really into. Well, she's also pretty obsessed with taking photos and making memories.

She looks like a twig, but she ain't no like any other girls who are very particular with their bodies. She loves to eat Mr. Farro's Walnut chicken, BBQ and Salmon & Tuna Sashimi. She also loves to eat anything with cheese. But unfortunately she can't just eat anything, due to her voice. A little after she moved into Franklin, she started having vocal lessons with Brent Manning.

Based from my further research her parents are already divorced. She has two sisters, Erica and MacKayla. This is a picture of Hayley and her cool mom:

Just so you know, Hayley has a septum piercing (nose) and a razor tattoo near her ankle just to remind her to shave.!

(Way freaky, isn't it?!)

She was also named as the second sexiest rock singer, second to Amy Lee of Evanescence. It really took her by surprise, for she doesn't find herself as sexy. She even find it to be ridiculous.

Hayley and her band Paramore was also nominated in the 2006 Grammy award as the Best New artist of the year.

But behind this pretty and tough out-going girl, who would have known, she is scared of spiders, and getting sick!

I guess, this is all for now guys!!!!

Call me whatever you like, but that won't stop me from being a huge fan of Hayley Nichole Williams!!! Ta-ta. . .

a sweet new blossom of humanity..

"ate, this is just between you and me first. See, I'm already 40, I know I'm way too old for these stuffs. But I'm 2 months delayed now, I took a pregnancy test this morning, and it was positive", these was the words my mom told me when I was still in 2nd year highschool.

I really don't now what to say at first. For some point, my emotions were all mixed up. Yes, I was happy, happy in a sense that there would be a new baby in the family, and that, I'm going to be an "ate" for the second time around. But, a part of me is also unhappy. Unhappy in a sense that, the life of my mom would be at risk.

From that day on, we were so attuned with the condition of my mom. I was nervous, honestly. I don't know how to handle such situation. I don't even know what to say to my mom, I don't know what word should I utter just to soothe her whenever her tummy contracts that made her so much in pain.

And as her tummy grows, also was her agony. During her 1st tri, she had spottings, which made me and dad so worried, that even up to using the bathroom, we would accompany her just to be rest assured that she's in safe hand.

Her 1st tri had passed. I thought everything would be back to normal. As she reached her 2nd tri, her 'spottings' became severe. We rushed her to the hospital. And right there and then, my dad and I cried. We asked ourselves, is this the price we ought to take from having a new member of the family? Ten years since the last pregnancy of my mother, and to think, we never thought that it would still be possible. The doctor said, we almost lose our angel (which by the way was a boy). The doctor also added that my mom needs a 2-week bedrest, which means, she has to stop working for the mean time.

Thank God, after this, no more spottings, and no more unusual pain in the tummy of my mom. But little did we know, there is a much bigger problem, that awaits us.

It was May 17, 2005, we were in Zamboanga then, having our annual reunion in my mom's side. I was still in my Aunt's house, while my dad and my 7-month pregnant mom was still at my lolo and lola's house having their breakfast. At 12 noon, I had a phone call coming from my lola, saying, my mom was rushed to the hospital, for she was having another massive bleeding. It took me a minute before those words finally sunk into my seemingly asleep mind.

I was white as a ghost, I couldn't speak a word. They said that the baby was already out from the placenta, and he could have been intoxicated already. When my aunt and I finally reached the hospital, I was relieved that my mom was in good hands and that she had already delivered my baby brother through a Cesarean Section. The doctor said it was really a miracle for my brother to survive at that point in time. I get to see my mom when they transferred her already from the DR to her room.

But what really broke my heart, was when I finally saw my brother. He was as tiny as a bottle of coke (1.5 L). And there were lots of tubes that was inserted to him. I can't even dare to look. He was premature, therefore he needs to be incubated.

For 1 week, me and my family couldn't touch him. We're only allowed to look at him through the windows of the nursery room.

And after, almost 1 month, my brother was finally released from the hospital. And we named him "Terence Cesar".

It was all worth the sacrifices. With Terence, it's like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of POSSIBILITIES.

And just so you know, I've added latest pictures of our miracle baby.

(He's fast asleep)

(Photogenic, isn't he?!)

He's about to turn four this May!! ;-)

One of his favorite character in TV, Barney.

A picture of us three (Me, at the left side, my sister Kakai at the right, and our miracle baby, Terence).

Terence, a sweet new blossom of humanity..

iT's all in the bag!

What sacrifices would you have to make to afford Miu Miu's gorgeous Coffer bag - all butter-soft leather, ruches and gold hardware, and a hefty worth Php 50,000?




If you ate beans on toast for a month, could you stretch Php 63,000 for Marc Jacobs's delicious plum metallic Mariah?




The "it Bag" is the ultimate 21st- century object of desire, not just for models and celebrities, but for working women from all walks of life. These days we're prepared to spend more on a handbag than a holiday or even a car - and we want the rest of the world to know it.

They say, "it's the handbag that makes a woman". No wonder, other girls would really have some cash to throw or burn just to carry one of the most expensive designer bags and handbags for that much coveted fashion extravagance! But why do we find bags so desirable? It's partly because they've become a unique outward statement of a woman's status, fashion savvy and earning power - and the rising popularity of handbags over the past 100 years has followed the increasing social independence of their owners.

If guys are obsessed with an exquisite car or upscale shoes, it’s the most expensive designer handbags for the ladies. If you don’t have the cash, don’t worry, you are not alone.

Another vital element of an "it-bag" is its glamour. Most women would feel, naked without their bag. As they say, "it's all in the bag" that would make a women stand out from the crowd.

(The Hermes Kelly Bag was named after the actress Grace Kelly. Her husband, Prince Rainier uses it to hide her bulging tummy, for she was pregnant at that time.)

It's no accident that many of today's most luxurious handbag design houses, such as:

Louis Vuitton

Gucci

Prada

and Hermes

all originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as travel became more common.

And even some of our famous celebs also have their "it-bags", just like Ruffa Mae Quinto, who reportedly had a bag worth of 1 million pesos.

Our very own mega star, who also had a bag, which is thrice expensive to that of Ruffa's bag. And last night, if you happen to watch SNN, hosted by Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda, the mega star had a dozen of that bag already.

Others may not understand these people who are willing to throw some cash over these luxurious and expensive handbags. Let's not judge them, I mean, not all of us have the same passion for a thing.

It's all in the bag, and for a true bag lover, that is almost beyond price.