FIRST (AND SECOND)

I'm so into kdrama these days. The cuteness of the Korean characters and the unexpected plot twists just excites me and makes me happy.

Now I bet you haven't seen this one so I'm sharing this with you.

새로운 사랑 새로운 삶

New Love, New Life

행복한 (Haengboghan) and 동경 (Dong-gyeong) met when they both worked for the same company some 50 years ago. Although Haengboghan was 13 years Dong-gyeong's senior, they really hit it off well. They married and had 3 children and were never apart, always doing things together, getting through tough times and celebrating the good times.

After 47 years together, Haengboghan succumbed to liver cancer and Dong-gyeong was left with only memories of a fine marriage. She knew that Haengboghan has moved on, rejoicing in heaven with the Lord. And she has decided to move on with her life, too. That was what he would've wanted for her.

Wishing to realize an enjoyable retirement life, she left Korea more than a year later and met 멜빈 (Melvin), a man of integrity, kind and generous who was wishing to find a godly woman to spend the last chapter of his life with. He became Dong-gyeong's hand to hold, heart that listens and shoulder to cry on.

And so Melvin and Dong-gyeong have decided to love each other and get married.

That's not the end of this kdrama. It is only the beginning. The wedding will be on May 6, 2017 in Wooster, Ohio.

To Tito Melvin and my Mom, I only wish happiness for both of you. You are God's gift to each other after all that you've been through.

치하 (Chiha) (Congratulations)

I can almost see my Dad looking upon us now, slowly shaking his head but with a secret smile on his face.

"Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Second marriage is triumph of hope over experience."

~Oscar Wilde

FACTS

Eight years ago today, I wrote this note on Facebook and as I re-read it, realized nothing much has changed. Still holds true today as it did back then. So I'm sharing this with you. Read on if you're interested. 

 

I do think I should make a 2017 version of this. Next blog entry. Wait for it.

FATHER

My Dad was a SAGRADO KATOLIKO. There is no other way to state it.

One proof. I was named after Mama Mary.

He was a dedicated church worker along with my Mom. My childhood was filled with days when they would go out often, not to party or hang out with friends, but to get involved in different parish activities and endeavors. Their friends consisted of priests, bishops, nuns and other lay people all doing voluntary work for the parish. As young children, my brothers were altar boys and I was a member of the Legion of Mary. As teenagers, my brothers and I joined the church choir and youth programs. Our family always attended church celebrations and we would be part of the ceremonies one way or the other. Even as an adult, my Dad would always remind me to go to mass even if I always did. It even came to a point when he annoyed the heck out of me because I always went to mass but he kept reminding me, EVERY SINGLE week.

My Dad used to serve as lay minister in church. You know, those who assisted the priest in giving out Holy Communion. His last few years, he was assogned to the 6:30pm mass every Sunday. I always preferred hearing mass in the morning but when Dad got sick and had a hard time walking, the kids and I would drive him to church and hear mass with him.

A year or so before he got sick, Dad initiated the installation of the bells at the side of the church altar. It signals the start of every ceremony, every solemn moment of the mass, the Glory to God song, the raising of the bread and blood.

To this day, I get teary-eyed everytime I hear it. The clanging of the bells sound like my Dad telling me never to miss mass. To always be a responsible Catholic. To live like Jesus and Mama Mary. To be the daughter he has brought me up to be.

Someday Dad, I will meet you again and will tell you I did just what you wanted me to.

FAREWELL

Today I bid adieu my career as a Product Development Manager for folded&hung, that kick-ass Filipino fashion brand that I've loved for 10 years.

I always thought I would grow old in this industry. I thought that my career would be not without fabrics, sewing machines, denim washes, garment labels, pantone colors, moodboards. But here I am today, handing over my resignation letter, half-hearing that tiny voice in my head saying, The f--- are you doing????!!! It took me several hours before I finally hit the send button on my email -- that one click that sealed my fate for good.

One last look 

I started way back in 1992 after my college graduation. Fine, compute backwards and you'd know my age. No, make that 1988 when I finished high school and I was so sure I'd get into UP to take up Architecture. I ended up in UST instead taking up Fine Arts major in Advertising. But that's another story worth another blog entry. Wait for it.

After college, I was so sure I'd get into an advertising agency and become Art Director or something like that someday. I ended up in a local fashion retail company drawing jeans, skirts, tshirts and making mock-ups of labels and packaging materials.

Now don't get me started on what I was sure of when I got married.

You see, my life -- there was always something I was sure of, but it never usually turned out that way.

So today, as I close this door, I challenge life to open a new door for me and take me to where it wants to. I will receive with open arms what the universe will bring to me. I will decide to be happy and spread happiness wherever I can. Farewell, old self. Hello, new me.