True Love

It is deeper than words.

It can be easily experienced but hardly defined.

You know it when you feel it.

It is indeed the greatest emotion of all.

This is Me, AIMEE

JOINING ME in this journey is,...

AIMEE HIZON-SARMIENTO
- is an Advertising Executive who loves good food, slightly bitter but definitely aromatic coffee, a wife and mom to two of the most wonderful, loving people in the world.  Being a working mother demands both her physical and mental efficiency but at the end of the day, she feels more rewarded going home and spending precious time with family.

She's the eldest of three children by Arturo Hizon and Aida Acierto, born and raised in Sagad, City of Pasig, an alumna of University of Santo Tomas with a degree in BS Advertising. She's blissfully married to AJ Sarmiento for more than seventeen years now and a proud mother to 16-year old CJ and 13-year old Basti.

Aimee at home with her family

AJ and Aimee during their Bohol trip

Aimee loves to cook and bake. At first, she used recipe as guide but now, she can create delectable dishes not by the book but by using her own judgment. Seafood Paella, hot and sour soup, braised ribs, clam chowder, cheese-stuffed pan fried chicken and clams in oyster sauce with mushrooms are amongst her specialty dishes. She's usually in-charge of the kitchen whenever our clan holds reunion parties. 

Acierto Clan Christmas Party 2013

BANDING TIME is what she calls when the whole family enjoys a moment of music. They always grace our parties with their versions of Linkin Park's and The Script's songs.

Parokya ni AJ (on drums: Basti, on keyboard: AJ,
on guitar: CJ and on vocals: Aimee)

AIMEE being a wife and a mother
There are moments that she thought of giving up her work over family because she can hardly find a good balance between having a career and being a mom. But opportunities come her way and she has goals to achieve yet, so she's left with no other options for now.

She's a committed wife to a loving husband who supports her in every endeavor. She's a helping companion in raising their children and providing for their needs.

Fortunately, she has her parents around her to back her up in daily chores especially during week days. Their humble assistance makes everything easier at home.

Aimee maintains a blog site that serves as her outlet in relieving stress, voicing out her silent sentiments and this particular post terribly hit me straight to the heart as well, entitled.. " I am Always Working".

“There was one weekend when I had to spend the entire two days working on a presentation that I have the following Monday. I was using a new program for my presentation and, aside from being slow because I was still trying to learn the ropes, it really fascinated me and made me want to finish my presentation quickly so I can view it. 

Every now and then I would stop to take care of some household stuff: check my son's bag and notebooks for any project or assignment, prepare the uniforms of my kids for the entire week (I do this all the time because I get home late from work and I don't want to worry for some missing socks or hanky needed the next day), prepare food for my husband and kids, ask my daughter if she needs anything for school. And then I would go back again to my computer to work on the presentation. 

Come Sunday night, I was already in bed but  still busy typing on my laptop. My son and my daughter were in our bed watching TV. There was this commercial where kids describe their moms when my daughter blurted out "my mom is always working, if she's not working she's cleaning". 

That made me stop from whatever I was doing. I actually felt lumps of solid something creeping up my throat that I know will turn into a sob had I not controlled myself. 

I told my daughter that I am so sorry that I was working the whole weekend and we barely had time to do anything together, promised her that I will not do that again especially on a weekend. Asked her what she wants to do for the following week, "we can just lie in bed, eat ice cream and watch TV" she said. 

All my kids want is me, my time, my time with them. And I am making sure that I will spend those time with them. 

If I have a choice, I would like to be at home, not working. I would prepare my kids baon (food) for school.  I would wait for them to come home. We will study together, prepare projects together. 

We can just lie in bed, eat ice cream and just be together.”  

CJ and Basti with mom, Aimee

AIMEE being a Teamleader

Being in the corporate world, advertising industry in particular, Aimee is a team leader. She believes that jobs aren't about companies or paychecks...

".. they're about people that you see everyday, spend more of your waking moments with than your loved ones, so it's vitally important that you play for the right team. People who've got your back, who won't waste your time with petty politics or passive-aggressiveness, and who you feel comfortable being your fullest self with because that's how you can be successful at your job. And when you are with a team that allows you to be successful, you will find yourself learning, smiling, getting paid and generally kicking ass! -- (lifehacker)"

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Aimee with colleagues and friends

Four decades are behind her now and she's proud to have reached this milestone in her life. She's grateful for the experiences of the past that brought a lot of good things.. thankful for all the challenges that she'd encountered but survived that made her stronger and better person.

This, she has to say to herself when she turned 40 last 2012...

"And I am looking forward to, hopefully, 40 more. 

 I have so many things to still accomplish.  For me, for my kids, for my family. Those are my immediate and primary concerns. But with these primary things I have to fulfill and accomplish, I am also hoping that along the way of accomplishing these, I will also be of help to my community and my country. 

 I want to still learn and better my craft. To share my talents and knowledge to the young ones in the industry.  To impart the values I believe in when it comes to my work and profession. 

 Above all, I want my kids to grow up as responsible, loving and God-fearing individuals. Who values honesty, integrity and equality. 

 At 40, may I be the person that I have always dreamt of -- cool, calm, collected; experienced and mature; just and fair; loving and understanding.  Someone who accepts her mistakes and uses it to better herself; someone who accepts criticism with an open mind. Someone who not just hears but listens; someone who not just gives but shares willingly; someone who not just likes but loves."
 

Miles Away

The future is promising

And blessings are abundant

Working hard to provide

Even it means being away... miles away from home.

There are moments of joy

We're not able to share

There are moments of worries

With no shoulder to cry on.

There are times of sickness

I feel not your warmth

But I have to be strong

for our kids and their future.

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!

ILAW ng Tahanan

Nagsimula ang lahat 

sa kanyang sinapupunan

Ang binhi'y inaruga sa loob 

ng siyam na buwan

Unang sulyap sa liwanag

ng sanggol na iniluwal

Pag-asa ng buhay

para sa 

ANAK

 nyang mahal.

Paggising sa umaga

paslit na ang kanyang gagap

upang malusog na gatas nya

ay maipalasap.

Habang lumalaki, 

siya pa rin ang hanap-hanap

Mainit nyang pagmamahal

at mahigpit nyang yakap.

Living LIFE's Difficulties

JOINING ME in this journey is,..

ALFONSO YLAG
- Witty and funny according to himself, but actually he is a real jerk sometimes especially when he's with close friends. Alfie or also known as PINGGOT, is currently residing in Rego Park, New York and working in Best Western. He came from a failed marriage but is blessed with two sons and a daughter. Being the father who should provide, he's constrained to stay in the US for a job opportunity.

He is single but not available... saving his love for that someone whom  he considered LOVE of his life. Quite complicated relationship... nevertheless, hopeful that GOD will hear his heart's desire for a lifetime partner. Being alone, away from his loved ones is the saddest part of his journey through life and trying to earn decent income to support and provide his children the best education is the main reason why he had to work overseas. He wants to have financial stability.