people i miss...

Since I became pregnant... there's this LIST of people that I often times MISS. When I got pregnant, I was required to stay at home for almost 6 months, bed rest. I couldn't go out of the house or if I would, my Dad, Mom or Perx will drive for me. Meaning, I stopped seeing these people, whom I use to spend so much time with...

As I was seated in the bus this morning, I was contemplating on how different my life is now. Having a family indeed change me. My priorities changed. Time for friends now is less, but my care for them? NEVER.

Here is the List of the People I often miss. They are the ones who really know a lot about my life. They are the people I gladly shared most of my time, efforts and lambing"editing" my story. They are the one who often gets into my mind with the thought of "kumusta ka kaya si?" They are the ones who I send a text message to, once in a while, in order for them to feel that I am reminded of them. They are the people I genuinely loved before and would choose to love until I grow old. when I was still single. The ones whom I share my UPS and DOWNS --- without any effort of "editing" my story. They are the one who often gets into my mind with the thought of "kumusta ka kaya si?" They are the ones who I send a text message to, once in a while, in order for them to feel I am reminded of them. They are the people I genuinely loved before and would choose to love until I grow old.

[ Ethel Ocampo Montemayor ]

"Ate Ethel"

The word "best friends" has been given so much meaning because of My Dear Ate Ethel...

I can still remember how we first met at Ma Gym. Basically,  Ate has always been so warm, sweet and friendly to everyone. Back then, I can remember how shy Ate was --- haha --- of course, I am the talkative one and she seems to enjoy that. Kuya Zoi, her husband, also celebrates his birthday on the 24th of May --- magka-birthday kami --- and according to Ate, Kuya Zoi and I share a lot in common. Ate Ethel's sons used to be my "Kiddos." Zedrick Paul (who is now in High School) and Ezekiel (soon will be graduating from Elementary. I was their "Tita EM," and Tita Em always plays with them; takes them to McDonald's on weekends; sleeps with them; fools around with them; eats those Pillows, Choco Mallows and Stick-Os with them. I was always with Ate and the Kiddos every time I am free from work. I remembering passing-by their house before I go to Quezon and it is their house where I immediately head to, upon my return.

Ate is the person who taught me to always have my nails done. We were the tandem who are very frustrated of getting slim. I remember that we use to drink almost any medication, coffee or tea that will make us loose pounds! Haha. We use to spend nights at ICs drinking coffee and eating Quarter Pounders. We go to salons together, as well as to the Spa. We often have things in terno. Ate Ethel was the Big Sister I never had; that is also the reason why I really grew close to her; she was really like my very own "Ate." She would give me freebies all the time, like 2-pc bikini, shirts, slippers, whitening  capsules, papaya soaps, body scrubs, lotions etc etc. We were so close that in days when I don't go home, she would allow me to stay at their house for as long as I want --- free of charge, free of good food! haha... Her family always makes me feel so welcome. She would always make me feel loved and parang baby nya.

 Ate taught me to always say "I Love You," and of how important it is to be expressed. As I see myself as a mother and a wife, I know that Ate Ethel instilled a lot in me. I know that my sweet gestures towards My Boys were acquired from her. She is just very loving. If there is one person who can prove that I am a changed person --- it is her. She saw me as a college student, as an employee, as a Tita Em and now, as a Mom and as a wife.

Ate Ethel and I in 2004 (taken at their apartment in Demarses).

We were always mistaken as Sisters. Shempre, pareho kaming sexy at maganda.

Although we very seldom see each other now, I know that our bond will never be broken. It will always be there. Ate Ethel will always remain as the sweetest soul *teary eyed* alive! I will always be her Kiddo's "Tita Em." I do wish for some time of get-together. I just miss her so much. I love you, Ate.

[ Karen Elipse - San Diego ]

"Keiko."

That's how I call Kay, and we have a special story on how I came up with that nickname. Kaye nya and Kay ko --- Keiko. I can't remember when I first met her. Charina --- haha, Chachi --- is a close BIPHI friend, who happens to be her first degree cousin; my closest counterpart, introduced me to her. On when was that, I can't recall. It is probably one of those LB Nights in ICs with Kuya Dondee. We had the same area in 2006 (San Pablo), but we rarely talk. We just greet each other with smiles and nods.

In an August night in 2007 at the Quezon Memorial Hospital, Lucena City, Kay and I were together because Didoy (Chachi's Husband) got into an accident. Kay and I shared stories while waiting for Didoy and the rest was history. This was followed by daily night-outs spent at our favorite hang-out place --- Mug Cafe or at Reinier's. Tambay time! At this point, I can not imagine how changed our lifestyles are now.

We used to spend so much time at MUG, yes --- we can stay there for like 8pm until 1am. hahaha. I can't exactly remember what she was ordering (Tea rin un e. Chamomille ata), mine was Hot Strawberry Tea Latte. I can remember our favorite waiter --- Jerry. Our favorite buddy --- Jason. We talk about EVERYTHING. There has been no secrets between US, until now. Although we seldom talk, we always try to catch-up. Kay can spend the whole night reading her books or e-books. At that time, she was going gaga over the Twilight Series. Try to imagine that; we were together for hours and she was reading; I was --- what? doing my OPTIMA REPORT. Hahaha...

We love Singing over a bottle or two. We would hang-out at Reinier's for hours of Videoke fun! There are many songs which I am reminded of her; but In My Dreams of Reo Speedwagon greatly reminds me of her. When I hear that song, it will never fail --- I will send her a message.

When we're in Laguna, we will usually hang-out at Coffee Blends or at Big Dads. It is just so weird that all the places were we use to hang-out before are now closed.

Just yesterday, she posted on my FB wall saying that she had a very bad dream about Marc and I. When she relayed the story to me, it was really bad indeed. Anyway...

The last time I saw Kay was in September last year, 2012 at the Total Gas Station, SLEX. Just like the usual, we talked over coffee but for only about an hour. It was somewhat different from how we were. It only took us an hour of talking and tambay because she needs to go home to Makati and I need to go home to LB. Arkin wasn't feeling well that day so I also need to rush home. The site of Kay's car (ZEU 970) made me miss the old times. Seeing that car, even here at Calamba, makes me miss our good old times. I also missed her perfectly-shaped fingers, which to my opinion, are the best-shaped fingers and nails of a woman. We both have wavy hair and curly bangs --- which we conceal by the use of our powerful headbands.

One thing I like about Keiko is that despite her emotional/physical distress, she always reports to work. I salute her for her genuine passion towards work. Pfizer kase. Also, she is the type of person who rarely gets mad. She is the type of person who is "super-steady." It is like, everything is OK with her, even when it is already too irritating for me. I am so proud that we are both housewives now. I cannot believe that she was telling me that she now cooks! Kay rarely cooks before and I cannot forget the sight of a rotten banana on top of her refrigerator, which according to her has been there for days, when I visited her apt in Lucena in 2008. I am happy knowing that she is happily married to Dupong and I know that he loves her dearly too. Marc and I are praying that they'll soon have their little one. I would definitely want to see the genes of Keiko and Dupong. I would also want to see their new home, which according to Kay has an Asian-Modern finish.

Well sis, I know that you're steadily doing your thing there --- kung nasan ka man. I know that you are not a typical sentimental type of person, but just the same, I miss the good old days --- but I am very thankful that we are where we are now and that we are still good friends. Keep in touch, Sis... I love you (and despite my being malambing, Kay is the type who will seldom tell me that she loves me too. OR maybe she doesn't really love me at all. Ahaha)

There was a time some time ago When every sunrise meant a sunny day, oh a sunny day But now when the morning light shines in It only disturbs the dreamland where I lay, oh where I lay I used to thank the lord when I'd wake For life and love and the golden sky above me But now I pray the stars will go on shinin', you see in my dreams you love me Daybreak is a joyful time Just listen to the songbird harmonies, oh the harmonies But I wish the dawn would never come I wish there was silence in the trees, oh the trees If only I could stay asleep, at least I could pretend you're thinkin' of me 'cause nighttime is the one time I am happy, you see in my dreams Chorus: We climb and climb and at the top we fly Let the world go on below us, we are lost in time And I don't know really what it means All I know is that you love me, in my dreams
I keep hopin' one day I'll awaken, and somehow she'll be lying by my side And as I wonder if the dawn is really breakin' She touches me and suddenly I'm alive  

Oho, in my dreams

[ StEpHaniE NiCoLe QuEruBiN bAntOc ]

"Boonini; Ninerts; Booninai; My Baby Tab plus A"

I know that Boonini will hate me for posting this pic. Hahaha. She looks really funny and haggard here and gee, look at her eyebags! I can already imagine at this very moment how she would react on this picture; she will soon be asking me on where I got it. She knows that I have TONS of her pics --- quality ones --- and why post this? Haha. Gusto ko lang mang-asar...

And that is how she is. Sobrang mapang-asar at Pasaway.


But of course, this crazy little (oh, she's no longer LITTLE now) brat is very different when she is with me. Boonini and I were --- oh my... I cannot say that we are just sisters, sometimes, I am her "mother;" her make-up artist; her prom-dress designer; her driver; her "guardian" (when someone needs to go to her school because she was called by the school's guidance councilor); her "big" version (when she was small, I always buy us the same set of clothes); her taga-"load;" her kumpil God-mother; her confidant; her adviser; her SPOILER; her photographer; her TAB plus A.

I can still remember the day Boonini was born. I know then that this girl's gonna be one hot chick one day. I remember staring at her as an infant because her nose was really matangos... Noon 'un, na-damage pa ngayon! I can still remember how she smelled when she was young --- ung amoy panis na laway mixed with milk! I can imagine how fast she would run to our house even on barefoot; even when her Nanay (Ate Donna) didn't allow her. I can laugh with the thought of how she sings the song "The Promise" by Martin Nievera and of how big her voice was when she was still a kid. It is still very clear to me that she would wake me up at 4pm (yes, I'm still asleep) because she wants to play, but ends up going home again because I am so dragged to dreamworld. There are just so many fun memories of Boonini when she was still a child; and among all the kids I was with --- it is Boonini who I saw growing-up from Day 1; she is also the one who is very dear to me. She is the one I love most...

Oh how I miss Ni!!! I really spoiled her before. I remember that Nini is included in my spending plan. I buy her what she wants, esp when she was becoming an adolescent. I was the first person to take her to a salon to get her nails done and we even have the same polish (deep violet). I am also such a stage-mom to her; during school activities and when she's going to a party (even when she already lives in Umali); I see to it that she will be dressed well and that I will be the one to do her make-up. Now, my little girl is already a Lady of her own... she even dresses a lot better than I do.

Although soccer is not my thing, I came to a point of editing all of her crazy soccer gadgets' pictures and uploaded to her online accounts. If there is one thing that I failed doing for Ni, it is watching a single soccer game. Come 'on, she knows it, I am not a soccer person; but still the same, I send her good-luck messages when the game is important. She is now a Varsity Member of the UP Diliman Team and she is very skilled on her sport. Magaling sha.

Soccer Princess

And now I can still remember how she would tell me of her problems in different aspects of her life. How she thinks of things, people and situations. I miss it when she opens-up. Long before, I took her to IC's. She was only a High School student then. I can clearly remember that night --- of course, we took a lot of pictures. It was memorable. That was the first time Boonini opened-up, threw some questions and stories that somewhat blew my mind off. I told myself, "Lumalaki na si Ni!!!" I know that this girl needs a lot of loving, attention and care. She is like that. I know that she loves those people who gives her attention and does give credit to even a single thing she would do. She wants someone whom she could feel special with. She often times feel neglected and uncared for and she needs someone to explain things so that she will ABSORB (dahil kung hindi, shot to waste ang lahat. Pasaway kase si Nini at madalas ayaw makinig) and execute.

PROM --- it was in Feb 2009 when Nini had her 3rd Year Prom. Definitely, I want her to win the "prom queen" title. I was so "hands-on" during that time. From the gown's design, color and couturier. I was just so stupid for over-sleeping and woke-up at 4pm! Nini was already dressed-up when I came to their house. She was just beautiful! Dalaga na ang Baby ko :) During that same month, I met Marc and fell-in-love; that was the last time I was there for Boonini. Uhm, the night of her prom to be exact, when I took pictures and edited it too, for her Friendster's sake because she bagged our "Prom Queen" title home. I was one proud ATE that night even making her picture my profile picture at Friendster.

When I got pregnant, I do not know how I'll tell her too. I was close to being the perfect role model then woahlahhh ---- i'm conceiving. I wouldn't want her to get upset, I know she'll be. While I was in Pagbilao for Nanay's wake, I was chatting and saw that Nini was online and there, I told her that I am pregnant. I know from the other line that it come to her as a shock, even changing her YM status to "Do know what to say..." I assured her that she would still be my Baby. I always tell her that. Deep inside, I know that it would be very life-changing to both of us. We use to be together most of the time and I know that I will not be able to give her the same amount of time and attention when I am already a Mom... and yes --- the inevitable happened.

Now, I only get to talk to Boonini thru text and man, I tell you, she lost quite a number of mobile phones and even replied to one of my message with "Who's this?" During important occasions, she is always there. She was also one of my bride's maid during our wedding...

Whenever I see Boonini playing with Arkin, I remember the days when Boonini was still as small as my son. I would want them to have the relationship Nini and I experienced. 'Un lang, baka maging lasinggero ang anak ko.

It really flattered me when Nini asked me one time, "Buntis ka ba?" I answered "NO!" Then she will again say her piece... "Oo nga, 'wag na. Mabuti nga at si Arkin lang ang kaagaw ko!" Pasaway as she is, Boonini will always be my lil' sweet brat. I will always be her "Ate Em." With all the changes that happened, the bond we made can never be changed, it took us more than 15 years to strenthen that...

See how beautiful Nini is :)

I miss you so much, Ni!!! I am always just a text away... I hope you will find time to read this. Let us catch-up one time. Ate Em Love you Boonini *hugs*