Ghost Stories

Filipinos are known to believe in ghosts, paranormal things, mysteries and other similar creepy stories that would make anyone’s hair stand. Neighbors said that before we moved in our house, the previous occupants died there. We blessed the house and somebody who has a third eye told us that there are ten elves living in our house. It didn’t bother us not until my father died.

In 2003, we invited my two cousins to spend their vacation here in Manila. Grace and Pong were about to sleep when they saw a white lady floating on air going downstairs. The lady passed my brother who was sleeping on the floor.

My frequent visitor is a man. Sometimes I could see him without a face in front of the mirror. Sometimes he is standing beside me on the sofa where I am sleeping. I also could hear his footsteps going to the comfort room. And the most unforgettable experience where I got really scared was when he tapped my back while I was doing my assignment in our computer. I was almost fall down and got really scared since I was alone in our living room. Last Wednesday night while making coffee, I saw him going downstairs.

My mom’s friend Ate Lucy also has a story to tell. She saw a man in a white barong went to the comfort room. She waited for him to come out so she could also use the CR. But minutes passed, the man was still there. Due to urgency, she asked mom who was the man. She was shocked to find out that no one inside the CR.

Even Rodel experienced unusual things in our house. The first thing he saw was a lighted candle floating on air. He also saw the man, the one who always visits me, looking on us while we were sleeping at the living room. The other week, while praying our novena, he saw this person in black hood, like the dress of Grim or a Nun and people who are member of a cult, looking at us.

Actually, I already saw this “Grim” last March 21, 2008. It was Good Friday. I was waiting for Rodel to come home. I can’t sleep that night then suddenly I saw Grim looking at me. I felt scary but I close my eyes and said a prayer. Then he disappeared.

Yesterday was our usual Sunday. Everything was fine and in order. While preparing our dinner, Rodel asked me if I moved our altar because I cleaned the room early morning. I said no. He called me upstairs to see that the image was already facing the wall. I didn’t even touch the image of Sto. Nino when I cleaned the room. No one came inside our room except Rodel and me. Before we sleep last night, we lighted one candle for their souls.

We don’t know what is their purpose of their appearance. We noticed that every time they appear, we received money --- a payment of something, bonus, etc…hehehhe! We sometime said that the next time they will appear, we hope that they will tell us the lucky numbers of lotto.

Songs of Love

Please put your headphone on and listen to the song “Ikaw ang Pangarap” while reading my blog.

Last Saturday, Rodel put the component inside our room. He asked me to bring my CDs in the office. He loves music. He even has a very good voice. He always teased me with my voice. Singing is one of our favorite past time. Right now, however, our magic sing is defective; our singing career was stopped for a while.

When the song “Ikaw ang Pangarap” of Martin Nievera was not yet released as official song of Lobo, Rodel already heard it was sang by the singer during his performance in Guam. Rodel asked me to look for the lyrics of it but couldn’t find it since it is new and not familiar to me. It was the 4th song he dedicated to me. Below is the complete list of songs dedicated to me by Rodel:

• So It’s You – Raymond Lauchengco
• Afraid For Love To Fade – Jose Mari Chan
• My Destiny – Jim Brickman
• Ikaw Ang Pangarap – Martin Nievera
• I’m Your Angel – R. Kelly & Celine Dion
• Hero – Enrique Iglesias
• My Love – WestLife
• Closer You And I – Gino Padilla

Trying to Patch Things Up

I was in a hurry to go home the other night. I know Rodel was waiting for me. I felt pity on him because of our situation. It was past 7pm. He was there, in front of the bakery, smiling at me as I dropped off the jeep.

Before we go home, we bought “isaw” and rice. He doesn’t want to eat any food prepared by mom. Mom and Mylene were having dinner when we got home. They invited us to eat dinner. We just didn’t answer. I took plates inside our room and there Rodel ate his dinner. I am not in the mood to eat.

We talked to Mom after Rodel finished his meal. We explained why Rodel don’t eat meals she prepared. Her “idea” of not including us in their meals really plus emphasizing her “pag-aabono sa pagkain” hurt us; that we felt total stranger in our own house. She said she’s mad at me coz I asked her to leave our room last Saturday. I did that because I was in a hurry and don’t want her to be inside our room. That’s the reason she’s trying to explain but that reason is not related to the “ideas” she said to me last Saturday night. We end up with no resolution. She left and went to my brother’s house. She’s avoiding us, avoiding discussing it.

Yesterday, my two brothers talked to me. They said we should just ignore mom’s idea and asked Rodel to eat. I cannot force Rodel. I know him. Except from eating meals prepared by mom, Rodel is still the same, giving respect to mom, talking and helping her in house chores. He just doesn’t want to add to the burden of Mom when it comes to money.

Sad Rainy Weekend

It was a rainy weekend. Together with the rain, my tears were also pouring. Yesterday was the saddest day of our lives. Mom talked to me last Saturday saying that me and my youngest brother should be sharing in paying our house rent so that it will not be hard for me. With the lessen expenses on the rent, however, she also suggested that we (Rodel and I) will not be included in the food she will prepare; that they will not share their food to us. She explained that it’s now hard for her to prepare meals in the morning. She explained that Reggie is seldom to eat at home so she is not be required to cook food. She will just eat at Kuya’s house.

Aside from the food preparation issue, she also asked me when Rodel plans to look for a job. I told her that we are just waiting for the money we will borrow from a friend so that we could look and move to a better house with space for the tricycle. I told her not to worry because we will be out of the house and start the business as soon as we have the money.

I was assigned to pay the house rent; Reggie’s share is for our food while Ramil is responsible for our utility bills. After talking to Rodel of what my mom said, lots of questions came to our minds… why she wanted us or Rodel to be out of the house. Why she’s doing this to me, to us? Did she forget that ever since I got a job, I was always the one taking cared of everything especially when Papa died. That I treated my sisters-in law and girlfriends well.

She said that she asked the comments of my brothers regarding her suggestions. They said that it was not a good idea. With her suggestions, we felt strangers in our own house. We ate our breakfast and lunch inside our room. When we ate dinner, we can’t hardly taste the food and it was hard to swallow (of course, it was their food!). I told Rodel that he could stay in his Kuya’s house for a while if he wanted to. But there were some reasons why he doesn’t want to go there. Aside from being far to me, he doesn’t want his family could think or say something negative to me and to my family. Before I left Rodel this morning, I made it sure that he has food for lunch. I know he will not attempt to go out of our room. I know how much the ideas hurt him. And I am still thankful that no matter how hard we are going through these days, he’s still there to love me.

My Love Will Always Stay

When I got home last Tuesday, I saw a piece of paper posted on the side of our cabinet. It was a poem written by Rodel for me for our 16th month anniversary.

My Love Will Always Stay

Think about the dreams we’ve shared
Believe they’ll all come true
Think about the happy faces
Immortalized in frames
Think about the gifts we gave
Our thought will never fade.
Think about the gifts you have
Treasure these the most
Think about the loves that born
Amidst all stripe and pain
It may be better or maybe worst
Live your life with faith in God
For love endures, our love remains
Love that bears all joys and pains
But one thing I’m pretty sure
Think about my love for you
And even if I’m gone away
My love will always stay
For you.

Sometimes Money Matters A Lot

When I got home the other night, I noticed that Rodel was so silent. I learned from Mom that he had not eaten his lunch yet. I asked him what happened. He said he was not in the mood. He also admitted that he feels out of place in our house because he noticed that my brothers seldom talk to him and even avoiding him. I feel so guilty for my brothers because I noticed that too. I know he wanted to cry and how sad he is. He said it is okay for him as long as I am with him because he knows that he will not be living with them but with me.

The following night was still the same. He was not in the mood. He was sad. Added to his sadness was the possibility of drawing back our dream business. We need to move house and find a parking space for the tricycle to be given by P&G. We have no money for house deposits. We agreed that if the business does not push through till end of the month, we will withdraw our money. If things don’t agree with our plans, Rodel will start looking for job.

One of the ideas that came to Rodel’s mind was for us to separate for a while. He plans to stay to his brother. I suddenly remembered when C and I was still together, money was the main reason why we decided to separate ways. There was this rich lady who was totally in-love with C. He owed her with a really “big amount” which he could only pay if he will leave me and be with her. Since I don’t have money, I can’t do anything. I don’t know now if they are still together. I'm glad I've discovered earlier that he is after for money not for love; although I felt that he and his family really loved me during our relationship.

Going back to Rodel’s idea, I cried a lot after hearing what he said. He smiled at me and said, he will not leave me because I am the only person he chose to be with for the rest of his life.

Keeping the Moment for Keepsake

Three things that keep Rodel and me busy are propagating Fortune Plant, Designing our Picture Frame and Scrap Book.

When we went to Mindoro, Aunt Aida gave us Fortune Plant (hoping we could be millionaires someday heheheh!). Using an old candle glass, Rodel put two stalks of the plant with rocks to keep it standing. He even tied it with red ribbon. I suggested the gold ribbon; he jokingly said “baka maging sobrang yaman tayo”.

The Fortune Plant

We have an old picture frame which is not being used for years now. When Rodel saw it on top of our cabinet, he suggested putting our pictures there. Since we have no 8’x11’ picture, we put 9 of our wallet-size pictures on it. He even designed it with gold tie to put some effects. He wrote our name on the lower part of the frame. Hanging on the side of our cabinet, everyone could notice it once they entered our room.

I named it “Sketch of our Life”. I started my scrap book last January. Although it is just new, all of our escapades were there. From Pangasinan to Mindoro. Rodel didn’t know about it until I showed it to him last weekend. I usually do it while waiting for Rodel to come home. He suggested including some of our usual activities of doing the laundry and cooking.

I am glad that Rodel and I could share some moments of designing simple things for keepsake.

Remembering Ikang

This morning, Mom heard the church bell. She wondered for whose necrological service it will be. She suddenly remembered what my brother Ramil had told her the other day “nakipaglamay ako kay Ikang”. Ikang, that’s everybody called her. I didn’t bother to ask her real name.

I just knew her through my friend Jen. During our high school years, Jen and I used to spend our afternoon at Aling Cristy’s Store. Ikang was also one of the standbys. She was a newspaper vendor. Actually, she gave me free newspaper everyday since she knew that I took journalism in college. Even with a small earning, she’s very generous to us. Sometimes, she treats us in movies or snacks. She was a friendly person.

When mother said that Ikang was already gone, I feel sad. I was not even able to visit her funeral. Honestly, I was not informed. I just saw her the other week. She fondly called me “Sexy and Cute”. She died with diabetes. Now, no one will call me with that name when I’m on my way home.

Guarding the Pest

Rodel woke me up early. It was just 5:30 in the morning. We suppose to wash our clothes last night but we fell asleep so it was not push through. It was also because I’m too tired from work and Rodel was complaining his aching feet. He asked me to prepare our dirty clothes. After giving him his coffee, I asked if we could finish the laundry within 3 hours. I was tasked to look over our office for its scheduled pest control service so I need to be at the office before 9 o’clock. So instead of doing our laundry, we decided to go back to sleep.

We were in the office at 9:30a.m. We waited for one hour before the pest control personnel came. They started their service at the ground floor. Since our office is in the 5th floor, it was their last destination. Accompanied by Rodel, we kept ourselves busy checking our mails and updating our friendster. I also asked Marifi if she could print our picture in their printer. The pest control personnel took only 15 minutes to spray. They advised us to close the office and be back after 30 minutes for the general cleaning.

Since we have nowhere to go and tomorrow is Fathers’ Day Celebration, we decided to visit Papa’s tomb. The cemetery is near the office. We also went to St. Andrew’s Parish to pray. We always dropped in at St. Andrew’s Parish whenever Rodel fetch me up. Instead of eating in McDo or Jollibee, Rodel suggested to buy noodles and coke for our lunch.

It was already 12nn when we went back in the office. I asked the janitress to eat her lunch before cleaning our office. It was already 1:30pm but the janitress was still out of sight. Rodel started to get bored. When I checked the janitress, she was just eating her lunch. She came back around 1:45p.m. She said she will not be long in cleaning our office. The pictures Marifi printed were already done. We plan to go home early so we could still sleep and later on, do our laundry.

Afternoon Hunger Fever

Out of the blue, everybody seems to be hungry. Mami said its time for coffee break. No supervisors around us so everybody was noisy except for Cherie who is busy with the presentation. Pretending to be busy too, I heard Juliard asking everybody if they have coffee. Eddie went back and forth at Juday’s area looking for food. I heard Mami and Mitch talking about oatmeal. Alex went to Joyce’ place for some chicha. I also went to Juday’s corner hoping I could find some biscuits but no luck for me too.

Suddenly, Joyce came with a dozen of instant coffee. Each was given with one sachet of coffee. I followed Joyce when I saw her checking our stocks of food inside the cabinet. I told her to check if there is century tuna. I asked Mami if she have biscuit in her locker. Thank God! She has 2 Rebisco biscuits. Everybody was so happy knowing that there is something that could relief our hunger.

We went to the pantry to microwave the tuna. Eddie and Juliard also microwave the Vienna sausage. There were left over rice at the table. With some exchange of stories, we ate the biscuits, rice, sausage and tuna. We asked Juliard to wash the dishes after.

This afternoon is one of the best days for us. We could be noisy, hungry and work without pressure coming from our boss.

Have a break, have a coffee!

Mindoro Escapade

I woke up early last Friday (June 6, 2008) to catch the bus for Batangas Port by 6am. While preparing my things, I can’t find my traveling bags. So I went to my Kuya’s house to borrow his bag. It was already 7:30am when I reached Guadalupe. I’ve waited for the bus for almost an hour but there was no bus passing by. So I decided to go to Jams’ Terminal in Buendia. The bus departed at 9am and I was in Batangas Port area at 11:30am. I took SuperCat to reach Mindoro Island fast and early. I don’t know the exact address of my Aunt but she told me to ask the jeepney driver to drop me off in front of OZ Mini Mart. Actually it was my second to go to Mindoro but I can’t remember anymore the place since there are new establishments in Aunt’s area.

It was 3pm when I reached the house. Everyone was waiting for me. My Aunt prepared food for me while Rodel took my things inside the room. Maybe because of stress and long trip, I had a terrible headache. They said “baka nabati or nausog ka”. After Kuya Rommel put his hand over my head, I felt some relief from headache. Maybe it’s true that Kuya Rommel had flatulence. The rest of the day was spent with eating, watching TV, telling stories and fishing at the pond.

Kuya Rommel fishing the pond

On the next day, everybody was excited because we will go swimming. When Ayzel woke up, she immediately wore her bathing suit and prepared her life buoy. It was 8:00am when Gervacio Family, Ate Arlene and her family came to pick us up. Sonny, the Indian national who is a close family friend, was also present. We went to Villa Bautista Resort which is located in Poblacion IV, a nearby barangay. It was like a fiesta. There was a lot of food. Kuya Rommel roasted his 2 ducks. Rodel and Uncle Dan broiled the fishes that we caught last Friday. There were lots of pineapples, dalandan, and guyabano. There was also a videoke which sometimes have technical problems on its sound. The kids swam on the pool from 10am to 4pm. We can’t hardly recognized Ayzel and Jaijai because of sun burn.

Enjoying the vacation together

Uncle Dan facing the challenge of videoke

Rodel and Uncle Dan broiling the fish

Group picture before we left Villa Bautista Resort

On the following day, instead of attending mass as agreed before, Rodel and my cousins went to Pola, the town of Vice-President Noli De Castro, to get some ingredients (I really don’t know its name!) being used for cooking a certain soup. Though I really wanted to go with them, I was left behind since they will just ride motorcycles. Instead of making myself bored at home, Ate May, Ayzel, Mira and other neighboring kids went to Fajardo’s backyard for a swim. Fajardo Family has a small swimming pool which being maintained by their maid since the family already moved to Manila.

Swimming at Fajardo's backyard with the kids

Before evening, Rodel and I was accompanied by Kuya Arnold to Ate Arlene’s house. She asked us to sleep over their new big house. It was 4 kilometers away from Aunt Aida’s house and located in the middle of their farm. There were lots of fruit bearing trees around it. The surrounding was so quiet that you could only hear the chirping of birds and insects. Ate Arlene cooked a delicious dinner. Kuya Rommel’s family, the Gervacio, dinned with us.

The next morning, Monday (June 9), we went to the Wesleyan Church to visit Kuya Rommel’s brother Ronald, who is a pastor. Pastor Ronald’s church was 4 kilometers away. Using motorcycles, we passed 5 barangays before we could get there. In some barangays, we could still see the mark left by previous typhoons wherein houses were washed away by floods. We also saw houses of Mangyan, native of Mindoro.

The beautiful sunrise to wake up with at Ate Arlene's house

It was already 10am, when we went back to Aunt Aida’s house; mom and Uncle Dan were waiting for us. Before we left for Manila, they prepared lots of “pasalubong” and “pabaon”. When we were at Calapan Port, we decided to take the Roro, the big boat, instead of the SuperCat. The Roro voyage took 2 hours but it was not a boring voyage because there was band singing during the trip. By 7:30pm, we were already at home. Back to where we belong. Back to reality. But it was a nice experience and happy weekend to be with relatives. We plan to go back on September in Victoria, Mindoro for the season of fruit-bearing trees.

Last picture with my relatives

It was an exciting experience riding the Roro

Aray ko!.... Ariku!

I've been tagged by Bhang. Tnx!

1. OSWALD - moarimeikatate (sounds like america and states. har.... har... har...)

2. JUNELLE - zudotokutataku (Thank God I’m a Filipino! sounds like sadako. nyay! hehehe)

3. Sanilisa - arikatokitakiarika (Good for tongue twister challenge...hehehe)

4. Jeanne - zukukatotoku (sounds strange hahahha........ )

5. Juliana - zudotakikatoka (oh boy...i am glad that I am not Japanese :D It is difficult name for Juliana....LOL)

6. Janice Ng - ZuKatokimiku ToJi (not quite used to name starting with Zuka...haha)

7. MARZIE - Rinkashizikite (WOW! Very hard to pronounce but love that my Japanese name starts with an R!)

8. JEAN CHIA - Zukukato Mirikika (I love Mirikika! So cute!! ^^)

9. EMILA - Kurinkitaka (Yummy! Sounds like a sushi dish!)

10.FARAH - Lukashikari (I hate this name, it sounds like 'lu kasik kari' translated: you gave curry) hahahahah

11. DEBBIE - teku tutu kiku (lol! Sounds like 3 kawaii characters of a very cute Japanese anime! Love it!)

12.RATU SYURA - Shikachido Arifudoshika (Try saying that 10 times in a row without twisting your tongue!!)

13. Sam - Arikarin, Not bad. Luckily it is not Tamagochi.

14. Liza - Takizika (hehe, sounds like a tamagochi or digimon character)

15. Imelda - Ki-rin-ku-ta-te-ka (Kirinkutateka) sounds awful to me, glad to have not been in born in Japan

16. Bhang - I've chosen to translate my nick over my real name. Here's what i got - turikatoji (do i sound like I'm casting a spell?.. lol.)

17. Se - my japanese name sounds like i was hurt... ARIKU!

What is your japanese name?

Holy Wednesday

Last Wednesday, June 11, 2008, Rodel picked me up to ensure that I could go home early. Wednesday is a special day for us because this is the day when we pray our novena to Mary Mother of Perpetual Help. Although it is not always, whenever Rodel pick me up, we drop by at St. Andrew Parish to say the Novena or simply say our prayer. Before, I never say novena to Mother of Perpetual Help. Rodel introduced me to Her. Some of our wishes, through Her intercession, were already came true. Mother of Perpetual Help is very famous for granting wishes of those who have faith. Every Wednesday, expect heavy traffic in Baclaran where Her church could be found. Aside from praying the novena, if Rodel and I have time, we read and share some insight about the bible. We are not religious couple. We just have faith that there is a God who will always be there to bless and protect us. And all our prayers will be answered through the intercession of Mary Mother of Perpetual Help.

The Miraculous Image of Mother of Perpetual Help

Mira the Miraculous Child

It was last week of May 2007. Ate May went to the hospital for her monthly check-up. She’s pregnant for 8 months. But the doctor said, the baby will be coming out soon so Ate May was advised not to go home anymore. She was caesarean.

The baby was smaller than the bottle of Coke and she weighed only 1.6 lbs. Nobody was hoping that she could make it. Developed within 8 months in the womb, no one we knew survived it. But the baby was strong. After a long one month at the hospital, you can hear Baby Armie’s voice. Instead of calling her Armie, everyone calls her Mira. Mira for miraculous baby.

Mira is now one-year old. She could walk straight without falling and assistance from anybody. When you ask her say “nanay, tita, lolo, tito and tita”, she could say it very clear. She could count 1 to 5 and can remember every word you will say. Every time we play “saw saw suka mahuli taya”, she will give me a broad sweet smile. She never cries when she bumped her head on the wall. Whatever her mood is, Mira will stop when you ask her of her “wow”, she will show you her little bangles. She is, indeed, a miraculous child.

The Power of Internet

Internet. This is where we met, where we started and where we decided to be together.

Maybe it was just a coincidence. But wherever I go (may it be yahoo or cupidbay), he was there too. So one time I asked him, "sinusundan mo ba ako?". He just simply said "no". He was snobbish. Always serious.

One night, when I went home late (around 2am) and open my computer, he was still online. I told him, "siguro marami kang k-chat kasi inaabot ka ng ganyang oras na nakaonline". He said "no, wala lang ako magawa." That night, he was so talkative.

Since then, we discovered that we have lots in common. That we love each other. Until he decided to come home, to leave everything just to be with me.

I am happy with him. We have lots of plans. We now plan to settle down. May God bless our love.

Goodbye Ate Glo...

On my way home last night, a neighbor said "neng si ate glo wala na, knina lang..." She died with cancer... Two weeks ago, when i passed on her nephew's house where she was staying,she called me... saying "neng daan k muna, bisitahin mo nmn ako, lge mo lang akong nilalampasan, baka d n tyo mgkausap pag nawala ako.." so i went inside the house and had a little chat with her...

Ate Glo or Ate Go was a jolly, warm person, intelligent.. although she was unemployed, there's a lot of people who are very generous to help her in all her needs... she has a beautiful daughter who she always worried about... not because the daughter is rebellious or something, but because the daugther is totally opposite of her mother...

Ate Glo fought her cancer for how many years... a samaritan doctor, who was based in visayas, took ate glo in visayas to help her in her medical needs... she stayed there for a year, and when she came back in makati, ate glo was full of life again... doing her routine of cooking, attending bible sharing, etc....

My mom and Ate Glo were good friends... when ate glo's illness attacked again, its now more painfaul, she can't walk, and very very weak... she always call my mom to cook for her... when mom was in pangasinan last april, i received a call from ate glo, saying if mom could visit her coz her time is near already. the doctor gave her 3 months to live... she was crying on the phone... saying "gusto kong makausap lahat ng friends ko pr maalala nila ako... baka d na nya ako abutan pgbalik nya"..God gave ate glo another month to live... but mom is in mindoro, before she left, she said she wanted to visit ate glo but ate glo was in quezon city... like what ate glo said, d n nga sya aabutan ni mami pagbalik nya from mindoro...

Ate glo's remain is in loyola now... but i don't know when she will be cremated... let us pray for her soul... she touched people's heart in simple way... may God forgive her soul and welcome her in heaven.

Secret Love

The most painful love there is
Is a love that is left unknown
A love that cannot be expressed
Affection left unknown
It's a love that hides beyond
The mask of happiness and glee
Yet all that's felt deep inside
is pain and misery.

It's a love
That tries to hide
How much it really cares
It keeps locked within your heart
The feeling glowing there
Afraid of letting it know
That the most painful thing
About this love is that
It never fades away...


About the poem.....
I wrote this poem when I was in 4th year college. I submitted this poem to Poetry.com as an entry to their contest. After a month, I received a mail from Poetry.com saying that my poem was included in their semi-final contest. This poem was also published in Philippines Star in 2001. Inspired by a friend who feel in love with someone she knew she could never be with, this poem was written for Jonalie Lorenzo, my bestfriend and classmate in college.