Arigatou!

Never thought I'd still receive gifts this Christmas. Age really doesn't matter! :)) Other than the gifts above, there are far more things I am really thankful for- my family and friends who's there through thick and thin, my new-found friends at Nihongo Center Foundation, Inc., and of course, for the gift of life. Thank You, Lord! Happy birthday, Jesus! :)

Joyeuses Fetes!

I just love the Christmas season, well who doesn't? So without further ado, here's how me, my family and some friends spent the most magical time of the year.

December 24

Misa de Gallo then Noche Buena at the old Sevilla home. Forgot to bring thy cam so no pictures for this day.

December 25

Had an early Christmas breakfast at home then went to SM North Edsa-Trinoma for some errands for my cousin's wedding, had lunch there with my aunt and uncle, visited the Hello Kitty Houses, then visited my grandfather's siblings and some relatives, had some drinks with cousins and friends, went to The Cabanas for some more drinks but it was jam-packed so we just went to Mcdo instead.

December 27
Get-together with my first UPLB friends at MOA, Saphie, Tony and Kevs. Had lunch at Yellowcab, tried the 5D Fun Rider at Timezone, bought our NBA friendship socks for some ice skating bonding and then more bonding at Starbucks before heading home. I really had a great tiiiime. :)

December 28

Galura-Dimagiba nuptials at Barasoain Church (see 10-peso bill). I was the lector, yay! Reception at Hiyas ng Bulakan Convention Center followed after. What I loved about this wedding is that it is a very intimate one. I think only about 350 people were invited. It was a traditional church wedding but I was surprised that they let butterflies fly free instead of doves. Best wishes, Ate Mel and her husband! ♥

Barasoain Church

Ate Mel with Tito Jaime and Tita Remedios

Second cousin, Jawo

Reception at Hiyas

With my grandmother

Cake-cutting

Proud DIMAGIBAs :)

Joyeuses fetes, indeed! Happy holidays, everyone! :)

To Papa Duck

Years ago when I was in my sophomore year in high school, I first met you at the Science Annex Bldg., II-2 room. You were our English teacher. The one who always asks us to write two-stanza-poems in a one fourth sheet of paper. I remember one time you asked me if you could keep my work and publish it in the next issue of The Republic. I was kind of giddy then, ha! Cos not everyone's given the chance to have their writings published. Come the end of second year, you grouped our section in tens for our last project, a newspaper dummy, complete with articles, photos and lay-out. You pointed me as the group leader. Did you know how proud I  felt then to handle the position? But it was nerve-wracking at the same time cos I got zero experience in newspaper-making, technically-speaking. But still you believed that I can. We named our dummy newspaper, La Gazetta, and fortunately landed on the second place past some ten others. I was very happy.

Come fourth year, after years of asking me to join The Republic as a staffer (and drop being a staffer from Ang Malaya, the Filipino counterpart of The Republic in our school), I took the staffer test which composed of on-the-spot news, feature, editorial and sports writing. And I, again felt very fortunate but a bit hesitant to accept the Editor-in-Chief position. But still you believed in my potential. 

I will forever remember the days I was excused in class cos we needed to attend a press conference somewhere in Nueva Ecija or cos of the dry run for the division press con wherein I opted to join the photojourn category, or cos of our newspaper-making duties in The Republic room in the old English Bldg. I will forever remember the day you helped me practice my craft, the torch fire as my subject, and of course, the day you handed me my I.D., with a big red PRESS printed on it. It felt magical.

Sir Bong, I owe you a lot. I wouldn't know my writing potential exists and maybe I wouldn't even have this blog in the first place, if you didn't push me to write and speak my mind out. More than that, thank you for being a father-figure to me back then. You know, I'll forever be grateful to you. I hope you can access my blog up there so that you can read this. Thank you, Papa Duck and may you rest in peace.