Reminiscing With These Old Photographs

My bandaged hands

Looking at this photograph

is a reverie of the past long gone

More than four decades ago

an accident burnt my hands.

I may not remember anything

except for the stories repeatedly told

The scars that are still visible

remind me of the pain so unbearable.

Her Curly Hair Makes Her Prettier

We dotingly call her Aya

her eyes are chinita

and her hair has natural perm.

She always wants it longer

Effort and time are essentials

to get these perfect curls.

Having this type of strands

somehow makes this 

young lady wander...

How she wish to have 

a healthy silky

black straight hair.

A ROSE for my Birthday

My birthday fell on a weekend 

but I was surprised to receive 

a rose from my son, Kurt. 

When he got home from school

afternoon of June 28... he handed me 

with a shy-mannered gesture,

 a single stem with a red rose

 in full bloom and greeted me in advance.

He said, he wanted to buy a bunch

 but his money could only afford one. 

I felt so touched with this simple 

yet meaningful expression of love.

Getting Older Gracefully

From left to right: Marri, DL, Malu and Mahlen

Being the eldest of four siblings, I became responsible at an early age. I took charge of the house when our mother was out and since our father was then working as an overseas contract worker in the Middle East, I had to be emotionally and mentally matured.

As I grew up, I learned a lot of things which made me a better person... An obedient daughter... a loving sister and a trusting friend. I remember, my mother would always tell me that I have to take care of my sisters, be dependable and lead by example.

At first we were only three with age gap of two years. We were fondly called “tatlong maria”  (three Marias ) because our names start with Maria. When our father decided to stop working abroad and stayed home for a while, mother got pregnant and after thirteen long years of patiently waiting , their prayers had been answered. They were blessed with a son…

NANAY - The MOTHER Who Started It All

JOINED ME in this journey was...

ANASTACIA O. ACIERTO
- Nanay Tacing, as we called her, a native of Bicol and was born April 15, 1928. She faced the challenge of married life at a young age of 14 to ARMANDO ACIERTO and had blessed with 6 children, two older boys; Dante and Danilo (both deceased) and four girls: Lourdes, Teresita, Aida and Gloria, who are now living her legacy as devoted, loving and hard-working mothers...

"Being a mother is the noblest profession but the hardest of all."

Nanay Tacing with Tatay Narding and their 4 daughters

She was our beloved Nanay who dedicated her whole life in guiding not only her children but her children's children. I am her eldest "apo" (granddaughter) with her eldest daughter, Lourdes (my mother) and when I gave birth to my firstborn she was there to assist my mom in taking care of my little Aya when she was barely one. I could hardly find a nanny but she's there to take the place. My daughter is fortunate enough to feel her warm embrace.

I remember when my cousins and I were still young, we used to visit her house every Sunday. It's always bonding time... We would play all day and just hang out and had fun. She cooked for us and during occasions like Christmas and New Year, we gathered together for simple celebrations. We really developed such closeness that gets stronger through the years.

October 26, 2009... was the day Nanay Tacing left us to join her Creator but her memories will linger in our hearts for the rest of our lives. She may not be with us physically but her spirit will still guide us in this journey through life.

Her four daughters LOURDES, TERESITA, AIDA and GLORIA will remain committed in pursuing what she had started...

From left: Aida, Lourdes, Teresita and Gloria

See how our family is bonded with love deeply rooted from our NANAY TACING... the MOTHER who started it all.

I made this video last 2011 and now, I wish to share this with you on MOTHER'S DAY. I believe that every mother has a selfless heart to sacrifice for the welfare of her children.

HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY 

to Nanay Tacing
 Mommy Lourdes (my mother)
Mommy Marina (my mother-in-law)
and to all the mothers out there!

This PISCEAN is Now A THOMASIAN

JOINING ME in this journey is...

PATRICIA MICHELLE D. MAGOS
- A Piscean, born March 7,1997. MITCH, as dotingly called by relatives and friends is the eldest of three siblings by parents, Charlie and Mahlen Magos. She just graduated secondary school last March at La Immaculada Concepcion School (LICS) in Pasig City and is an in-coming first year in University of Sto. Tomas pursuing her dream course, Architecture. She has shown great interest in this academe through her artistic and creative inclination. Her enthusiasm in designing and her unique vision for style are overwhelming.

Patricia is my niece and she practically grew up with my daughter. They attended the same schools in primary and secondary but now, they will be burning eyebrows in different universities.