MY ANTIPOLO, PHILIPPINES CLIQUE

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

It wasn't in my top most plans to visit Philippines last year but I'm glad I pursued it!

I purchased my return flights weeks before my arrival day and happily managed to send a balikbayan box, too. Flying over to my beloved country wasn't a plain vacation to relax as I had special reasons at the back of my mind. These reasons were successful and went well. Nowadays, I feel incredibly complete and a woman full with joie de vivre.

  

Year 2015 wasn't the best year of my life but it has given me a few things to remember and treasure. Such as my cheerful memories with my Antipolo Clique. They were beside me when I needed extra hands and showed love when I was down and almost losing hope. 

My charismatic sister BABANG who truly believes that I can do most things in life. You witnessed my struggles when I was in Manila like getting up at 21:00 or 22:00 in order to go to work on time. Thank you for forcefully pushing Tatay that I should stay with you when Kuya Boyet had to go back on board the ship. I treasure all the memories we shared especially the flood days at Cainta, Rizal and our 'love & hate' bonding as sisters. 

KUYA GODFREY who is now taller than me and was my helping hand from the day of my operation until my last day in the Philippines. I have to say that you have become smarter as shown in your grades and sturdier for withstanding the test of commuting, for hours, the busy metropolis. I was once a commuter in Metro Manila and you need to have a strong sense of yourself aside from your stamina in order to survive. Kuya, Thank You so much and I'm very proud of your achievements at school. 

You are my cousin and we didn't talk much when we were in General Santos City. Were you scared of me? You must have been but I was completely different all those years ago. Thank you ATE MAICA for helping me too, like when I needed your presence to change my bandages in the toilet. I remembered that we weren't talking much for a few days but our bloodline taught us how to become closer. You have to stay strong as being away from your parents will never be easy but it will yield something good for your inner self. I enjoyed and loved our Makati day/night out, especially our friendly yet flirty smile and hand waves to passers-by from Starbucks' glass window. 

The over-eager and loquacious Kate who was a bit aloof towards me for a few days and who later called me, MOMMY. You called me Mommy with your cute voice with a very warm hug too that made me closer to you. You have an advance brain and always made me smile when you conversed with me in English. I was very amazed how you correctly used each English word in a sentence. I have to say that I could even see myself in you when I was at your age. I love you articulate ATE KATE! 

I was able to breastfed you when you were a baby as you couldn't stop from crying. Can you believe it? You stopped, slept and I think that was the reason why we are so bonded until now ATE NICOLE. I arrived there a week after you were born and it was a very delightful feeling to see you grow. I will forever treasure your annoying behaviour (at the age of 3) every time you tried to wake me up in my room at Cainta, Rizal. You are no longer a baby but you will always be my baby and I will forever be your MOMMY. 

  

 

I traveled alone in reluctance and when I stayed there with you all, we shared memories of laughter, aloofness and even got very closer than years before. Then, the day I traveled back again to England you all made me cry but I was left with elated tearful eyes. The worst part was, you ruined my applied eyeliner (LOL!).

MY FATHER'S LOVE FOR MY MOTHER

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

 

We deeply know in our heart what love is and because of our beloved parents we felt the unconditional meaning of it when we were born. Our parents guided us all throughout our childhood and also, nurtured our mind to respect and understand the people surround us. Perhaps, all of us have experienced and felt at some point in our lives the unquestionable warmth of love.

I may not have the well-educated parents to share with you but I am proud to say that they are one of the best couples in the world.

(My Tatay & Nanay)

When volcanic mudflows converted into ashes, the properties of my father's parents were wiped-out and they were forced to move to the Southern part of the Philippines. They had no relatives when they arrived in the diverse city called General Santos City which would help find a place for them to stay for awhile. That was according to my deceased father but honestly, they didn’t need a hand that time. His parents had saved enough money to buy a new place and also for other things they need. A week after, his parents purchased a land within the periphery of the city where it was divided for the houses of their older children and later was called, David's Compound. They started life afresh and all concerned moved on after experiencing the bitterness of lahar (volcanic mudflows).

When my father was nearly 18 years old, he saw a beautiful face in the woods. My mother's innocence captured his attention and captivated his heart too. From that day, he stopped looking at women around the town and started pursuing my mother. My mother's parents were quite conservative and for my father to prove his true intention to them, he genuinely courted my mother in traditional ways. Every night or after work, my father visited my mother in their house to express the sincerity of his heart. Aside from his woo visit, on his time off from work he helped my dear mother to carry buckets of drinking water taken from a river. My father wanted to have a strong relationship with my late grandfather so he assisted and piled-up the chopped pieces of wood, which was used for cooking in those days. And also, he embraced the religion and learnt the culture of my mother.

He had proven his true intention and it yielded a favourable outcome. My grandfather baptised their relationship and accepted him as part of the family.

My father passed away in 2010 and those years of living with them as a married couple, has encouraged and inspired me. My father was a loving husband for he hadn't laid hands on my mother nor harmed her well-being. They were married for more than 50 years and are blessed with 10 'colourful' children.