70

My father would have turned 70 today. It has been almost two years since his death and I still miss him. As Kris Aquino said on the death of her mother, "it would take a lifetime for us to be okay." So true. Happy birthday Papa!

Father's Day

Happy father's day to all dads! Below is the song which was sung at Papa's funeral. I miss you Pa! Happy father's day!

2,000

Today, April 4, 2009, I hit the 2,000 mark on page visits on this blog. I know this is a humble figure compared to other blogs but it means a lot for someone who simply writes for personal entertainment. Thank you my dear visitors and loyal readers!

Special shout out to my 91k co-bloggers Jasper, Edsel, Yeyen and Mark V. for the continued support. You guys have become my inspiration of sorts in keeping this blog. Keep writing! Gambatte! Or as Yeyen would say, "Aja! Aja!"

Me

I just felt the need to put a face behind this blog. So, here is a recent pic of me:

Happy April Fool's Day everyone!!!

Mamimoys

Today, February 11, 2009, marks the 20th anniversary of my high school barkada - Mamimoys. Happy anniversary guys!!! Allow me to take you down memory lane with these pictures... Enjoy!

Going to Masao (Summer 1989)


Anniversary 1991


High School Graduation (March 23, 1991)


Mamimoys Christmas party (1990's)


Mabel's birthday @ Matahimik (2003)


Lina and Dalsa in Butuan (May 2004)


With Lina and Anthony outside Big Joe (May 2004)


@ Kinabjangan, Nasipit, ADN (May 2004)


Saying goodbye to Lina (June 2004)


With Dalsa in Pampanga (June 2004)


With Docs Marc and Gaule (March 2005?)


@ Mark's wedding in Cebu (May 2005)


JJMM (Christmas 2005)


With Koko, Mabel and Janice (Christmas 2008)

November 5

Today we observed the 1st anniversary of Papa Mike's death. It was an emotional day for me as I recalled the moment when I heard the news one year ago. Scenes from the wake and the funeral flashed back in my mind. The skies seemed to empathize with me as rain pured down heavily.

The commemoration started with a mass at Papa's grave site in San Vicente Memorial Park, celebrated by Fr. Dirk. Merienda cena/dinner followed at the Flores residence. In attendance were Papa's close friends and our relatives from both sides of the family. Of course, my own friends also came in full force. I couldn't have gone through the painful emotions without them.

September 29

Happy birthday Papa! I miss you very, very much!

Papa Mike (1939-2007)

Papa's last birthday @ Masao beach
(with co-celebrant Tito Jody and Lolo Tarudo)

Death in the family

It's sad that my 2nd entry is about my father's death. He died last November 5, 2007, almost two years after I last saw him. Cause of death: massive gastrointestinal bleeding blah blah blah. In short: abdominal aneurysm. He spent less than 24 hours in the hospital. I didn't know about it until an hour after he died. I didn't even know that he was brought to the hospital the night before, at midnight.

It is now March 23, 2008 and I am trying to move on. I still cry most nights. I think of him everyday.

They say that when dealing with death, one goes through the following stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. I would say I went through these stages rather quickly. From denial to depression in two weeks. Acceptance is the sucker. It is knowing and understanding that you have lost someone forever but it does not stop the tears from coming.