eyes wide open with poker

Sometimes it takes something so unexpected to make you come face to face with yourself. Something like poker.

The game that recently consumed me and the one I love to play over the internet is Poker Superstars II. According to the information provided, the game is called No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em, and it is the fastest moving, most exciting variation of poker yet.

And like a Montessori level 1 student, I am adding new words to my vocabulary. NO LIMIT means I can bet part or all of my chips at any time, called moving all in. ANTES are the most familiar forced bet in poker, but in No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em, there are also mandatory BLIND BETS. The player left of the DEALER places the SMALL BLIND, and the BIG BLIND, which is twice that amount, is placed by the next player. The blinds are also raised throughout the ROUND, which forces the smaller stacks into action, and that is going to drive up the betting.

Now here is the complete instruction on how to play: After the deal is made, and after the antes, each player receives two cards face down called Hole Cards. This will initiate the first round of betting.

Then three Community Cards are dealt out in the center of the table. This is known as the flop. After the second round of betting, the Turn Card, also called 4th Street, is revealed. It is followed by the third round of betting. Then the final cards, the River Card, or 5th Street, is exposed and the fourth and final round of betting begins. The players then combine the community cards, with the face down cards, to form the best possible poker hand of five.

The official ranking of winning poker hand begins with the highest card. But any pair will beat that high card. Then you have two pair, followed by three of a kind also known as a set or trips. A straight is five cards in sequential order. A flush is any five cards of the same suit. Next is a full house, or full boat, which is three of a kind and a pair. Then four of a kind, sometimes referred to as quads - then followed by a straight flush, all five cards in numerical order and of the same suit - and finally, and the best possible hand, the royal flush.

Since I brought poker into my life, I started to get to know myself better. I admit that I have accepted my quirks, but poker is teaching me a host of self-defining lessons and placing everything in perfect clarity for me. It humbles me when I am faced with weak cards and I am forced to fold and not join the hand. It challenges, excites, crushes, encourages, cautions, lifts, quizzes, depresses, taunts, and lectures. Alternately, I scream, churn, laugh, dance, frown and rejoice. And almost always, the question of - SHOULD I OR SHOULD I NOT? It's a maddening moment!

I was speechless the time I won a hand with just a pair of two when the others got their high cards of Ace, King and Queen respectively. I regretted not placing all my chips in, but then again, I knew that the confidence was just in hindsight, when all the cards are down. On the other hand, calling another's bluff when I held a pair of Ace and a three of a kind of tens was so exhilarating - such a full house indeed!

In the game, the number of times that I lose is way, way over the number of times I get a lucky hand. And I know that the losses are nothing though, because I am just playing with the computer and not with real opponents. But nudging at the back of my mind is the knowledge that I am liking myself, whether I got scared once there or cocky there too. And at the end of a round, the computer would ask me if I am the future of poker. Hahaha! Far from it, but to my future, where poker now plays a part, and with you real breathing partners soon – here’s looking at you!

But wait, let's stay away from strip poker and just start with marbles for chips, okay?

with xavier 4th year high

I am so honored to be here and make this talk with you. Like the fairy creature Donkey, I love to talk. I send text messages a lot, and my outbox is five times longer than my inbox. I chat very well through the internet messenger, but it seems everyone else wants to place "busy" in their status line. I talk quite much in graduate school, in your Corrales campus; that is why one of your professors who happened to be my classmate has invited me to be here. Finally, all my blabber has paid off.

It is a great pride to be in fourth year high. You go around the campus and feel so mature and actually, you feel like royalty. You see the freshmen and you say, oh we’ve been there and we’ve done that. Most of all, you are going to be graduating soon – and you will have your hand at being an adult.

You know, nature operates in a funny way, and you will find out that sometimes it is in the end that we start from. Your four-year secondary education will soon finish and your next higher education will define your career. Your choice for your education after high school will help you identify not only your course subjects, but also the course of the rest of your life.

Each day the world turns, you are affected by it and you affect it. The business trends in our country and the international scene are beckoning you to make your preparations as you will join it in the near future.

So in what manner will you touch the community where you belong? How will you do it? I read somewhere that “all serious daring starts from within.” I share in the belief that no matter how your life is right now, the process of getting clear about the direction of your future and your life starts with some serious self-reflection.

Search starting from the inside. Big chances are your declaration of “what you will be when you grow up” from way back in kindergarten will not work anymore. It’s a big bonus if you still want the same thing, but nevertheless, you need to do a process check and this will start from within you.

What do you love? The best and most enduring career decisions ever made are those that considered your motivation and challenges, your opportunities and vision, your interests and priorities. You may hear a few who claim that they became successful through mere luck, but what if you do not get that lucky? Your future is too important to be thrown to luck. Prepare by knowing yourself. What are you hoping to achieve? What is your dream? How do you define success?

Do you know what’s happening to you, the youth, these days? Almost all of you enroll in nursing in the hope of getting that job in a hospital abroad. No problem, as long as you do not forget that we also need those who will work on research to eradicate viruses here in your country. A number of you will study engineering to construct that building in that piece of land. No problem, as long as you recognize it is equally important for us to have smart farmers who will produce more than enough for the people. Some of you will be in a business course so you can land in a marketing job with a car plan. No problem, as long as you remember that we also need those who will be entrepreneurs and establish new companies and bring in more jobs - jobs that could be for the classmate sitting beside you now.

As you prepare for your career, be glad to know that gone are the days when it was expected of you to be a lawyer, a butcher, or a pilot all your life. Today, there are many ways to carry a career and live a life, and there are many paths that you can take. You can be a soldier who writes children’s books. You can be a teacher with a farm to harvest in the weekend. You can be a dentist who will join the next swimming competition. Why, just between us? I am a CPA who would rather spend and make those expenses rather than account for them into straight lines in a book. But it sure does help that I know against where and how they are deducted.

Keep your mind and eyes open. You will never know what lessons and decisions you are going to meet in a given situation. These will help you mold the career and the life that you want. But then again, there is one thing that you must face. You must not be afraid to make decisions. Some of those you will make may not be correct at the time. See those boys making hoops? I think they only make a basket in every ten attempts they make, and they do not get everything right. But they're at it, and those were decisions just the same - and as long as you learn from them and become wiser in the process, then taking the risks is all worth it.

Also remember, you are unique: in the same manner that I keep on remembering it through the various career moves I made in my life. You see, I am keeping a career mosaic. You know what a mosaic is? It’s those small pieces of colored glass or stone arranged to form an overall design. My career mosaic is the collection of all my experiences – and so far, the design that I’m creating is not so bad at all. I have experiences (and these are not in chronological order because sometimes they overlap) with a university, two car dealerships, a USAID project, a national government agency, a small-town concert production, a power distributor, a radio station, a church volunteer association, and now, a business organization.

Maybe I love too much - and too impassioned. But nevertheless, I am clear on what makes me happy, and what I do well. My competencies and my choices may appear incongruent and unrelated – but they actually fall together perfectly in the roles I play in my life – as an MBA student, as a creative worker, as a business planner, as a person. Again, just like a mosaic.

It is a real privilege for me to be here. My excitement for the past two weeks has all come to this – my pleasure of seeing you and knowing that you are in good hands. Your families, your school, your teachers, your church, your friends, your friends who are more than friends: they all help you become the best that you can be. They will help you to be strong when you fly to the skies. But remember that the most important thing in the equation is you. It’s only you that knows your heart well.

So young ladies and gentlemen, I would not tell you that you are the future. You have been hearing that and you know that. Instead I will tell you to prepare for it now, and rightfully claim your destiny. But more than that - work on that inspiration and turn it into something concrete and definite. I would not know if this talk at all has reached you. But if you have felt a bit of curiosity raise your brows, a flicker of a passion spark deep inside you, a small seed of action grow in you - then I shall have done my job.

To all of you – there is so much ahead. Be ready, the world awaits you. See you out there and thank you very much.


* An excerpt from my message to the fourth year high school students of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan during their December 15 career convocation.

Mosaic art courtesy of Therese Desjardin Studio

delivering on the promises

At the beginning of this year, the Board of Trustees and the Professional Team of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce had set the task for 2006.

We have agreed among ourselves that our commission for the next twelve months is not merely to hold office and make ourselves comfortable. We understood that we are here in order to enable the members and the business community of Cagayan de Oro to run their enterprises more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer spirit of cooperation, hope and achievement. Tonight we shall measure ourselves up against the agenda that we have established.

2006 has seen the chamber work up on its heels as we performed according to the 8-point agenda we have set at the beginning of the year.

We made stands on issues for Business Policy Advocacy. We helped set up the Family Welfare at the Workplace. We strengthened Small & Medium Enterprise Development. We pursued our Membership and Chamber Development & Promotion. We started the establishment of the European Chamber of Commerce Office in the Oro Chamber. We took the industry lead for Information & Communications Technology Development. We conducted various Business and Trade Missions with the City Government. We did preliminary work on the Oro Chamber Business Development Centre at Pueblo de Oro.

Policy Advocacy
The ORO CHAMBER worked for specific policy directions that would best serve its members and the business community where it belongs. We gave statements on issues and significant matters through its position papers, petition statements, and board resolutions. Among those we sponsored this year are the position papers on the full adoption of the full implementation of the Environmental Guarantee Fund mechanisms of DENR, the review on the procurement method of goods and supplies by the government through DBM, the minimum wage and the proposed Php75.00 across-the-board increase affecting Cagayan de Oro City and Region 10, and the review of the new BIR zonal valuation for Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental.

Enterprise Development TrainingsORO CHAMBER remained to be open for the conduct of enterprise development trainings. We partnered with other organizations and would continue to do so in order to be able to deliver capacity building activities to members and non-members alike. Not only are we looking outside of the organization, but our management and professional team also conducted an in-house chamber management workshop among ourselves last January.

Trade Missions
ORO CHAMBER moved for cooperation among chambers of commerce & industry and business associations in the Philippines and abroad. Trade missions yielded business inquiries for possible joint ventures and investment locations in the area. ORO CHAMBER partnered with the Cagayan de Oro City leaders and business leaders. This year we conducted foreign trade missions to India and Germany last June and to Australia and New Zealand last October.

Sisterhood Agreements
To pursue specific gains from missions, ORO CHAMBER signed agreements for cooperation with foreign chambers of commerce. It tied up with the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines for the establishment of the ECCP desk in ORO CHAMBER to boost business development activities. We also signed a chamber sisterhood agreement with the Australia Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Sydney. We are reinforcing our partnership with the American Filipino Chamber of Central Florida and we started to discuss about future ventures on establishing Cagayan de Oro as a retirement haven for Central Florida. We are looking forward to visiting them next year and strengthen this sister partnership.

Trade Fairs and Conferences
With the Premier Events Plus Group, ORO CHAMBER was a cooperator last June for the Mindanao 2006 Food Processing & Packaging Technology Expo which brought to southern Philippines a world-class exhibition showcasing products and services for the food industry.

We actively promoted Cagayan de Oro City as the ICT Goldmine of the country and hosted the most successful ever Mindanao Information & Communications Technology Congress. We worked starting January and delivered a full-packed 5th MICT Congress that could match a national congress with our roster of distinguished speakers, first-of-a-kind quiz show, exhibition and trade fair, job fair, and an extensive 2-day program. Partnering with us were the Mindanao Business Council, Mindanao Economic Development Council, Cagayan de Oro City Government, and the Regional Information Technology & E-Commerce Committee. Vice President for Chamber Relations Elpie Paras was our Congress Director.

We also staged the 1st Northern Mindanao Business Summit on ICT last June, and we plan to make this an annual event. Work has already started for the 2nd Northern Mindanao Business Summit on ICT and we look forward to be with you again on June 2007.

Business Development Centre
ORO CHAMBER has started its biggest project – the construction of the Business Development Centre. To stand in the 2,700sqm piece of land donated by the Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation, the Centre will be the chamber quarters and the venue for training and business development. We had the official launching of the area last June and the ceremonial pouring of the cement of the first columns last October 29, on the celebration of our Chamber’s 21st foundation anniversary. Vice President for Business Development Al Brito is our Chairman for this project.

Oro Chamber Bus
ORO CHAMBER acquired, through the assistance of the city government of Cagayan de Oro, a service bus which will help us service visitors and guests in their trips to potential investment areas of the city. We are still finalizing our rules and policies regarding the bus, as we plan to maximize its use, which may include future industry visits to our members.

The OBE Awards
Tonight we award the deserving winners to our Outstanding Business Enterprise Awards 2006 to cap an annual search as we recognize the contribution of homegrown establishments in the local economy. Trustee Bing Juarez is our Project Chairman for this activity and she will discuss this more thoroughly later tonight.

Academe-Industry Forum
With the economic revolution brought about by business process outsourcing, we organized the first Academe-Industry Forum in partnership with the Capitol University to provide the venue for colleges to discuss with industry players a possible linkage for an ICT incubation program for students. We gathered representatives from colleges and universities as well as from large corporations and ICT companies and together we discussed how to prepare our human resources for the ICT industry.

Workplace Family Welfare ProgramORO CHAMBER recognized employee productivity as an important component of business profitability and therefore identified this program. Implemented for the whole year of 2006, the program provide the needed training and technical assistance to 25 member companies along data generation and services delivery in their workplace family welfare programs. In partnership with PRISM, we were able to witness two member companies launch their family welfare programs. The Oro Chamber looks forward to expanding and this project next year.

CORE Project
We began this year the Creation of Opportunities and Resources Management for Enterprises or CORE Program. It aims to provide interventions along trainings, policy consultations, product development, and strengthening of our chamber organization. A component of this program is supported by the PROPEL Development Program of Senator Francis Pangilinan. Through the CORE-PROPEL Project, we were able to sustain our Good Business Forums. Geared to provide a venue for dialogue on current issues, Good Business Forums are conducted every third Thursday of the month. Offered free of charge as a special service to members, the invites notable speakers and discusses varied topics suggested by members.
Information Services and Assistance Desk
ORO CHAMBER released regular publications for distribution to its members and partners in order to provide the avenue for reporting chamber updates and developments. We are already preparing for the updating of our website which will bring ORO CHAMBER and its members to the world. We encourage you also to give us your email address – we have started our info dissemination system through the internet for faster delivery to you.

As part of our assistance desk to members, we provided services, free of charge, to our micro, small and medium enterprises as they file their requirements for registration to the Micro Business Enterprise Program of the government. ORO CHAMBER also continued to issue Certificates of Origin for exporters and we can pride ourselves for fast and efficient service.

Dynamic Chamber Management
To handle projects and provide services effectively, ORO CHAMBER is fortunate to have a dedicated management and professional team. Your Board of Trustees met once a month at the minimum, and special meetings have become a norm rather than the exception. Each quarterly general membership meeting of ORO CHAMBER had been organized for increased network and business opportunities for all members.

ORO CHAMBER continues to be the Voice of Business in Cagayan de Oro City and Northern Mindanao. As it is my pleasure to be presenting to you this annual accomplishment report, it is also my personal pride to be serving for it.

2006 has been a good year. To all the members of the board, the active and supportive members, our perennial sponsors and donors, our city mayor, and all our partners - thank you very much for being a part of it. Mabuhay tayong lahat.

* The annual report presented to the General Membership during the 4th Quarter Meeting on December 8 at the Grand Caprice Restaurant.

a year-end message

I used to play a little badminton. How little is not on terms of how often, but rather on how improved I became after three years of being at it. But the fast pace of the game and the skill and concentration required has piqued my curiosity and I became a fan. Add to that the wonderful company and the funny bets we made to provoke each other to playing well. It was exciting and inspiring.

Just like on the floors of Shuttle Square, Oro Chamber is a court where every day is a new and different day. We would sit there in the office with sometimes a leak on the roof, but incessantly, we planned and drummed up activities and services and ideas to better serve you, the members, and the whole business community. You see, the demands and expectations have risen up two notches for the Oro Chamber. But no matter, we are excited and inspired.

I found out that Chamber work is a consuming job. It requires your full attention, creativity, etiquette, protocol, control, people skills, technical knowledge – just everything you got in your bag of tricks. My kind of court.

As a year ends, I check out my score card and I hope that whatever the tally is, I shall have given my best to the various phone calls, trainings, inquiries, meetings, handshakes, conventions, vouchers, introductions, position papers, text messages, resolutions, accounting entries and emails that came my way.

Some people close the year with trepidation, some with regrets for what might have been done and accomplished. The year 2006 smiled for the Oro Chamber. Together we have set each point in the score card and we have seen what things we can do as partners.

I wish I can have time for badminton again. I do not know why, maybe because I have started to see what I can do. So stay excited and stay inspired. This is as much a wish for you as it is for me – when we close the year, and open another.

daughters, or didn't i know

It is a Sunday night and Nika declares she's Group Leader. And she is on the verge of tears.

I promised and promised her but it's not really true. Now everyone in class will call her irresponsible because I haven't really helped finalize the details of her research work. And she's Group Leader.

They will study birds. And she will bring them to the Aviary. Really. It's her idea. And it's only her group that's doing a field research. She informed her group mates her Dad will drive them there. And in the Trooper, not the Sorento. Her mom will prepare the materials. And maybe she'll throw a few hotdogs on sticks too.

The Dad hears none of it. Tears. The Mom has not the time. Tears.

Then it all pours like an avalanche: her classmates do not like her. They push her around and will not listen when she would talk to them. They say she's a noisy disturbance. They bully her around. She is a third grader thrown into a class of fourth, fifth and sixth graders. And she's Group Leader.

There is a lot more. But mothers, who are also secretary generals, graduate students, hopeless dieters, Quadra Pop crazies, struggling cooks, unknown speechwriters and music lovers - they sometimes blot out the talk and the whining.

Then I watch her hunched on the chair. Not the proud first born that I have, but with the look of someone who is already beaten before the race has begun. I cannot let that happen to her.

I wait when the crying stopped a little. Then I go to her and ask her what was needed to be done. Yes I can do this. If I can take battling event sponsors and beat staggering deadlines, then I must do this. Especially this.

We agree. I will prepare the research format. The driver will take her and her group. In the Trooper, not the Revo. There will be snacks. There will be a digital camera. She'll even have sunblock, don't you forget. And I promise to myself that I will talk to her teacher.

She nods. She finally smiles. I ruffle her hair. We move to the family room. I feel something fierce inside me that it seems to fill my heart.

We play Blue Moon in the keyboards together. I play badly, but Nika guides me and waits till I hit the right note. She's Group Leader.

reasons to be in love

These may be rational, logical, cerebral, sensible and reasonable points.  Or these may be irrelevant, ridiculous, foolish, absurd and impertinent issues.  Whatever!

1. Surprises
2. A stranger mistakes you for a movie star
3. Slow dancing without any music
4. You like it
5. You want to go to bed smiling
6. You feel giddy hearing him say goodnight
7. Operas, and movies with Tom Cruise in it
8. Classical music, to pepper your mounting MP3 collection
9. His smile
10. His laughter
11. Your laughter together
12. Someone sent you flowers with no card attached
13. He said the phrase
14. You kinda said it back, no big!
15. A full moon
16. The salary raise is still so far away
17. That fatal attraction
18. You won't find it in the duty free section
19. Your boss is not against it
20. He would recommend it, if he knows
21. Tradition
22. Super stylin'
23. It is allowed
24. It's expected of you
25. Holding hands
26. Confidence
27. Curiosity, maddening curiosity
28. The way you feel when he is near you
29. You deserve to
30. Your anniversary
31. Leaves of absence
32. Numerous endless long distance calls
33. Morning messages
34. Your bestfriend
35. The traffic light turns green
36. First dinner
37. Looking forward to your first shared Christmas
38. You don't mind reading chain letters
39. Wishes on a star
40. It's overwhelming
41. It's Thursday
42. He wears glasses
43. He looks gorgeous on khaki pants
44. He smells good
45. Winks
46. Second glances that last too long
47. Gravity
48. Decreasing your sugar intake
49. Fireplaces you dreamed about
50. Guitar solos
51. Piano solos
52. Singing for him
53. Someone unexpectedly has invited you to lunch
54. A politician's task is to search for the eligible man in town
55. You're already spoken for
56. Class reunions
57. You can't take it with you
58. You can't even blasted talk about it 24/7!
59. It has a lot of premiums
60. Spring
61. Cable tv
62. Clean white sheets
63. The world wide web
64. He is very sweet
65. Road trips to nowhere
66. Destiny prepared you for this
67. Bathing in the rain
68. Collecting memories
69. Modesty
70. Pizza with extra cheese
71. Casablanca
72. Staying unloved and uninspired is so - uninspired
73. Italian dressing in that salad
74. Trust
75. His flight has just landed
76. He is so different
77. There's nothing else to try after swimming and badminton
78. Lazy afternoons
79. Wishing, just wishing, you know French
80. Letting go of seatbelts
81. A prince is not necessarily a king's son
82. The idea of eloping and flying away
83. White porch swings
84. You're difficult
85. Office hours
86. Fireworks
87. Being called by a special name
88. A thousand times
89. Fantasies
90. Valentine's day everyday
91. Reading poetry aloud
92. Nice to be caught under a mistletoe
93. Icecream toppings with diet soda
94. You have gotten tired of being cynical
95. The thought of being awakened by a kiss
96. Nights out
97. It's payday, and you're getting the whole works
98. A dimmer switch in the piano bar
99. Topping the scores in Text Twist
100. You won't run since you can't hide
101. Picnics that you plan to have next time
102. Values
103. The distance between you is - what distance!
104. Champagne
105. He is the Viking
106. Lust
107. His mind
108. His corny jokes you laugh at
109. Romance
110. Bridges
111. You only live once
112. Reincarnation
113. Success
114. The blues and all that jazz
115. Honesty
116. Finding out his childhood games
117. Finding out his greatest obsessions
118. It's your birthday and it's your party
119. Time to give in
120. Your prayer gets answered
121. Car rental agencies
122. Acting silly for a change
123. Wind in your face
124. Staring at work
125. Multi-tasking at work
126. Emails
127. Conquering a hill
128. Climbing the mole hills you created
129. An attentive secretary
130. Being born too early or too late or in a wrong century
131. Birds on your window sill
132. Solitude is deafening
133. You are really allergic to coffee
134. Daydreams
135. You're not in therapy
136. You gained a pound
137. There are 365 days in a year
138. Love at first sight, though nobody won't admit to it
139. It's the greatest while it lasts
140. It's a gift
141. Hugs and kisses
142. The pink sunrise
143. Love

yes, you can say it

With all the fairy tales we tell our children, it is a big wonder why people intentionally miss out on the magic in life. I set to correct that with my wedding.

So six months before my altar date with Mike, with our pamanhikan already concluded - I just got enough time for me to go into the passionate preparation of the paper stuff. Do not be deceived by this so-called paper stuff. This did not only mean the singular license to marry, but it was everything and anything that I believed should be present in my wedding. Invitation letters that were to be sent before the invitation cards, the 5-page invitation cards, copies of the music sheets of the songs in the Holy Mass for the choir group, individually named place cards for each plate in the tables, the wedding script for the reception masters of ceremonies, the guide for the technical assistants for music and food and pictorials, the unpredictable guest list which must stick to the targeted number, and yes - the Missal.

I decided to prepare the Missal for our wedding. From the entrance of the bridal entourage down to the signing of the contract. I wanted to have it all covered. And Mike agreed that I could do it - and then he would have a look.

First, he found it too long. It seemed there were pages and pages of it. Then he claimed it had the makings of a grade-B movie production. And to top it all, did he really have to have a part in it? Why, guests would not really care much about the ceremonies anyway, and just look forward to its end so things would progress to the reception. That was mean and cruel. I listened to Mike alright, but by heavens, it was my wedding and I was getting this special day for me only once in my life and I swore I shall make it the way I wanted it to be. The long ceremonies stayed put on paper.

Then it was rehearsal time between the two of us. I wanted Mike and I to know the words before we are going to proclaim them in front of witnesses. When we went over them, his eyes grew big. Who would care what we will say? Why, do they really say that during the exchange of nuptial vows? No, I assured him that it was my idea. Will the priest officiating the sacrament of Holy Matrimony let me get away with it? Of course, I assured him again. Nobody gives that kind of a vow in church! Why not, it is really sane; it is the reason why we are marrying each other!

I can remember that our reading rehearsal was one of the few times Mike and I laughed during the last few days before our wedding. We would start reading the vows with our most serious faces, but that line will always break our resolve. We could not help smiling and grinning at each other.

We took one step forward with our nuptial vows. We vowed to love each other. So when we browse over our wedding pictures and see those shots where Mike was smiling and I was smiling - that was the time when he was declaring:

"Heidi, in front of God and this Christian community, I wed you to be my wife in good times and in bad, in joys and in sorrows, in sickness and in health. I LOVE YOU. I give and dedicate my whole self to you as your husband..."

What could get any better than that?

While I grew up with the stories of enchanted ladies who saw the sky weep and the unicorn fly, Mike grew up with visions of raging Indians and the World War II. He has been planted on terra firma on his own way, and he might have claimed that nobody vows I love you in front of a church congregation. But he did it just the same almost ten years ago.

After ten years, and you're busy proving it, it is nice to be reminded.

it's always a girl thing

We met and bonded in college. Impressionable young ladies with an attitude to boot. We were never with a lack of heart and gumption, and so now it would be best if I do it alphabetically.

The Ketchupp Sisters are Rachel Carbonilla, Chona Carmencita Dancel-Panes, Cecile delos Reyes, Ma. Carmina "Chola" Elayda-Bautista, Mary Joy Gundran (c'mon Chichi send me her married name please!), Jennifer Liu-Wu, Ma. Noche Miro-Vicente, Meloriza "Melon" Porras-Candelaria, Heidi Grace Pulido-Mendoza, Grace Henidina Torres-Belisario. And too, there is Ma. Conchitina Luces.

During those four years in college, we never went out to watch movies late into the night, but we chose the university library as our Mecca and the place to hang out. We did not have the pleasure of being proper debutantes and exchanging dancing partners, but we swapped answers in our homeworks. We were not a cluster of roses which lured a bevy of bees, but we were confident that we were marigolds under the sun.

As a group, we made a pact and considered ourselves as sisters. We were always ready for the other. Like a modern, enlarged, noisy female musketeer gathering. We considered ourselves indestructible then. We laughed together at the same boys in school. We forged our clique amidst burgers and catsup. Some inspiration.

Never to a fault, each one of us were always complementing the others. We never competed. At least not openly. To make everybody happy, we knew who we were: one was beautiful, the others pretty, dazzling, gorgeous, attractive, stunning, lovely, exquisite, charming and divine. Why alternately, we could be any of that any day.

We even had a Ketchupp Gazette. We planned it to become an international success beyond the four walls of our classroom. But all we got is a maiden issue and an uncompleted second issue.

Growing up is what happened to us. We ultimately became Certified Public Accountants all. And yet at the back of our minds, we long for a chance when we could bake some sinfully delicious cake with a foreign difficult name, or learn tango on a lazy afternoon.

Careers gave us a different kind of strength and freedom - giving each the push of the wind to soar, but with the tug of the string to come back to each other when needed.

Marriage claimed some of us, too. And work and distance can sometimes make you forget. But remembering is sweet. And it is never really difficult to meet and see each other again. You can grow a second chin, but you cannot grow out of a friendship which promised to be there in all kinds of weather. That pact? Oh, it's a girl thing.

now that i'm grown

There’s a blanket of mist on the dew covered fields
Far in the distance church bells peal
And a hazy white sunlight breaks through the dawn
Catching the cobwebs spun on the lawn.

And in through the curtains, a thin shaft of light
Capturing diamonds of dust in their flight.

In those days, long before you were born
Those days, when I was a child
As I look back it seems like only yesterday
When I was your age.

As a golden red sun sets in a mackerel sky
On long summer evenings in twilight
Riding home on your shoulders, holding your hand
Watching the hourglass filling with sand.

And I still remember the stories you read
And being carried back to my own little bed.

In those days, long before you were born
Those days, when I was a child
As I look back it seems like only yesterday
When I was your age.

And I still remember the stories you read
And being carried back to my own little bed.

In those days, long before you were born
Those days, when I was a child
As I look back it seems like only yesterday
When I was your age.