Back To School

In the midst of our legal battle, our lawyer Rene (a good friend of my brothers ) have inspired me to consider taking up law especially when he commented " I should pursue law bec I can be one hell of lawyer".

Taking up law is one of my frustrations.... being a daddy's girl of one of the great corporate lawyers Philippines has ever had (daddy was former sec chairman during my highschool .days) I've imagined following his footsteps but along the way i got sidetracked and pursued writing instead. From time to time this idea crossed my mind but i usually brush it off because i need to earn a bachelor's degree first before i could step into the halls of college of law. So that would mean another year or two in college. And to make things more complicated, it was 14 years ago when i graduated from Miriam with an Associate Degree so i do need a lot of catching up to do.

Yesterday while browsing thru the net i toyed with the idea of going back to school thru open university and started doing research, and luckily came across with PUP's open university program. I wasted no time and gave them a call and guess what, i'm scheduled for an interview next week to evaluate my credentials. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that i can go back to school soon and who knows, a couple of years from now, i'll be signing off with a prefixed/title "ATTY before my name to boast!

JULIA IN THE RAIN

Took advantage of the rains and took Julia outside to experience a quick shower in the rain. At first she was uncomfortable and hesistant but once she got the hang of it, she was literraly singing in the rain.... Good thing her dad is in the office otherwise, we wont be able to enjoy this moment !

Sarap talagang maligo sa ulan :)

Wheel of Justice in the Philippines... A True Test of Patience

Last Monday, we drove 2 hours and a half for our NLRC hearing to submit our position paper which our lawyer and I drafted carefully and tediously. We couldnt wait to hand over said document to our "enemies" see the look on their face especially when they finally see the smart certification. But we were disappointed because after an hour of waiting, they didnt show up and had the hearing rescheduled two weeks after. So we had no choice but to drive back home for 2 more hours......

Indeed the justice system here in our country will truly test one's patience and pockets. We are hoping that this battle will end soon and victory will be ours !!!

JULIA IN JEANS

After 3 and a half years, we finally had my daughter wear jeans for the first time (courtesy of her Tita/Mommy Kathy ) . We usually have her wear skirts or shorts since its easier to put and more comfy. Benjie and I were so proud seeing her in maong and both commented ... " dalaga na ang prinsesa namin !!!"

THANKFUL FOR SMALL VICTORIES

For a year now, we've been carrying on a legal battle versus Benjie's former employer, 22nd St. Its been a long, tedious and not to mention expensive battle. (good thing our lawyer is a good friend of my bro and havent charged us anything yet) Admittedly, that one year has been one big roller coaster ride for both of us, mixture of emotions for both benjie and i ... there were days that we felt angry, disappointed and frustrated but we never stopped hoping and praying that one day this will end victoriously for us.... and we know slowly, we will get there.

Yesterday we scored another small victory when we finally received a Certification from Smart Legal Dept... a documentation we've been trying to secure for more than six months now. We tried several times requesting this from smart wireless center but we were always denied. Finally, as our last and desperated attempt, we tried to pull strings but asking all family and friends for people they know in the legal dept who could help us out. Luckily my sis in law Kathy had a friend who used to work for smart gave us the first lead...... And another schoolmate way back highschool days, Pam whom i havent seen or talk to for almost 20 years now gave us another lead.... Although we were not able to touch base with the people they referred, we were able to contact Ms Patti Aznar of legal department who was kind enough to assist us and finally issued us the much needed certification that will hopefully end our legal battle. For me, these are special angels sent by Above to help us out during these trying times. We wouldn't have gotten this vital document without the help of these friends.

I know its still a long way to go but now we are more confident that we can wrap up all the legal battles triumphantly and live a more quiet and secured life ahead....

And lastly.... God is really good.... in all ways, always !!!!!

PAYDAY TREAT

Last payday I did something for myself for a change... went to Taco Bell and decided to treat myself for working hard for couple of days. So I ordered their Mexican Pizza and cheesy potatoes for a quick merienda. Although i went a little overboard with my budget i left the resto with a smile and I promise that i should do this more often ... Reward myself for a job well done .

SPECIAL MOMS ...

Mother's Day have always been a big event for everybody and I dont blame them. For people close to me, they all know that my mom and I are like oil and water but over the years i have mellowed down especially when i became a mom as well. True, there's nothing like being a mom.... you have to be strong to overcome the challenges , yet you have to be gentle to show how much you love your offspring. Being a Mom is a full time job, no subs, no overtime pays or no VL but none the less, its the most rewarding job of all.

In my 36 years of existence, i am lucky enough to be touched by my "Special Moms" who have helped me become what I am today. These are the mothers who were there to guide me when I felt down and lost and never left my side.... and I offer this special day to them....

NANAY HERMIE AXALAN....

Who saw me grow up literally and figuratively along with her daughter, Ate Paz. Their family easily welcomed me in their household when i had problems in the homefront and when i came to their daughter crying in black and blue... (God that was almost 20 years ago!) I stayed with them for almost a month free of charge and later on moved to their apartments and still consider this abode my home for almost a decade now. Nanay have always been very understanding and supportive. To Nanay, thank you for giving me a home to stay with ...

TITA A

My Mother, My mentor.... i wouldn't have fulfilled my dream in seeing my name in the screen without the help of this remarkable lady. The Gabriella Silang of ABS CBN, she is always there whenever you need someone to lean on and need some sense to put in your head. Although she has her own battles to fight on her own, just call or text her and she'll always be there to be your "resbak". My discipline and writing skills are honed by this great writer and i thank her that.... nevermind the long and gruelling brainstorming sessions in her attic, the never ending arguements and crying sessions.... in the end it paid off. And although i am no longer active in the writing scene.... i still proud and happy that i grew up under her wing.

MS SHAI

This is my cool Mom and Mentor. Ms Shai's gentle and loving ways have touched my heart and my life deeply. Just like Tita A, what i am right now as a Writer and as a person is a fushion of their influence and loving ways. My five year stint with ABS was full hardwork, laughter and happy memories because of these wonderful moms.

ATE ELLEN ...

My First EP.... unlike the Ms Shai and Tita A, Ate Ellen is the quiet and gentle Mom every daughter would love to have. Ever patient and understanding, she'll just smile or give out a gentle laughter when she's happy , or cry a tear or two whenever things dont go as planned. I've worked with her for almost 4 years in different shows and i have witnessed how loving and care Mom she is to her three beautiful daughters... I know Ate Ellen is going through a though time right now and i'm always saying a special prayer for her. I hope she'll have the best Mother's Day Celebration today because she truly Deserves it.

ATE SONIA CRISOSTOMO

One remarkable friend/lady i have known and i will be forever grateful for her overflowing love and generosity. She is always there for me during our struggling days as a writer. Through thick and thin, she was there. I just hope she's okay and i truly miss her.

TITA NILS
Although technically, she isn't a mom (yet !) but she's been like a mother to me and to all her pamangkins during our growing up years. She's the cool and understanding mom i had during my growing up years :)

ATE PAZ

My dear sister, friend, confidante, partner in crime (hehehe) .... technically now that she's a mom too, this day is also dedicated to you. I love you Ate Paz, and i'm looking forward to seeing you again so we can talk and have coffee until the wee hours of the morning.

Eight (8) Years After

Today marks a Special Day for Me and Benjie because it our 8th Year Anniversary. Well honestly, we were never into anniversaries , neither did we get a chance to celebrate it but nevertheless, i couldnt help but smile and be awed that we lasted this long and still going strong despite the obstacles and challenges. All my close friends know that our relationship is "not your ordinary love story" and admittedly the first couple of years were really shaky but we manage to survive and be strong. And with little Julia in the center of our lives, that makes the relationship more special.

Here Comes the Rain Again......

For people in the 80's era, you're familiar with this Song I'm sure... i usually sing a line or two whenever the rains (or should i say typhoons) invades the Phil Area of Responsibility as PAGASA would often say....

I never liked the rains coz it makes me sad.... i dont know why but there's something with the rains that make my day sad and gloomy especially now that i'm off for a couple of days, i dont have much choice but to stay home. my little princess and i cant even go out for short walks to the grocery...huhuhu.... so in the meantime, here we are stuck inside the house, doing barney marathon and wishing the rains would stop and just horsing around.....

let me end this blog with one of barney's popular song....

"Mr Sun... Sun.. Mr Golden sun... hiding behind the Tree ..
Wont you come down and shine... shine down on me... "