Sunday, September 27, 2009

When it Rains... It Pours!!!

When I was in my DL yesterday morning, it was still raining, but I had no idea I was going to experience the worst storm to hit Metro Manila in so many years. I am used to seeing floodwater on the streets of Fidel and Ambrocia when it rains.

I watched as the floodwater starts to creep near my DL's gate and I try to tell the kids who are enjoying the floodwater to back off. Kakatalon nila and swimming umaalon yung tubig and pumapasok na sa gate.
Then I saw Ate Neth, the Caretaker, dripping wet with rain water. She told me she was helping the apartment tenants save their things as the floodwater already entered their houses. I started to panic. I was monitoring the floodwater very closely. After a few minutes, Ate Neth came back and told me that the floodwater at the apartment is already knee-deep. I opened the back door to check and foul smell greeted me. I walked to the CR to turn on the lights but after a few steps, I felt my foot is already submerged in water. At first, I thought I forgot to turn the faucet off, but when the lights turned on. I was shocked to see black, dirty and murky floodwater!!! Oh my God! I started grabbing things and placed them on top of the chairs. As in shit, hindi ko na alam kung ano ang dadamputin ko. When I went back to the shop area, I saw the floodwater come in. I told the customers that I have to shutdown all the computers. Then I started to grab my things again. Mark, one of the customers offered help. And I'm so thankful that he did offer. I was able to save most of my things though we did it the hard way, I turned off the main switch to avoid short circuits. So imagine me grabbing things while shouting "Oh my God" and "Shit! Shit! Shit!" in pitch black darkness. When Rellie called, I was literally shouting on the phone... I didn't know how to explain what happened. Things happened so fast. As in, in less than 30 minutes, I found myself already submerged in knee-deep dark water. He couldn't believe it either. I saw some of my things floating but didn't care na to pick them up. I was tired and so stressed out, at the same time worrying too much about my computer units.

I went out of my DL and locked up the shop. It was still raining. I can't go home to MCB1 as the floodwater is waist high at Diego Silang. When I decided to brave the floodwater on Fidel street, I made sure I was holding on tightly to Kuya Alex (caretaker). The current is so strong I had to remove my Havaianas and walk with barefoot. I stayed at the caretaker's house, they are lucky to have a dry home. I was sitting there worried sick, couldn't believe what actually happened. Rellie would call from time to time. By 2pm he told me to go back and disassemble the monitors so I can place them in a safer place. It was tiring. One hell of a day! But my only consolation is that I was there when things started to happen, and that I was able to save most of my things, especially my computer units. And that I am safe. Thank you Lord!!!


Kuya Dennis picked me up from my DL around 4PM. Their home served as my evacuation center. The streets are still flooded. When electricity went back by 8PM, I watched the news updates. A lot of areas got flooded, some with waist high and chest high water. A lot of people were displaced, lost their properties, lost their homes, and some even lost their lives. Some are still stuck in the streets, some on the second level of their houses, and some are already on the roof of their houses. Typhoon Ondoy brought a month worth of rainfall in Metro Manila in just 9 hours.

Sunday morning was spent sorting and cleaning up. Thank heavens my computer units are dry. I didn't try to switch on the electricity yet, I have to wait until tomorrow to make sure the sockets are really dry. As I write this entry... I am renting a PC somewhere in the streets of Amoranto or Mayon (I'm not sure). I'll be spending the night at Rellie's home. I'm glad he's now in Manila because I do need a big, warm hug!


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

I Forgot To Remember To Forget

Okay. Is this weird because it feels really weird. I know this shouldn't be a big deal and I don't even know why I'm writing about this. Aaaaaaaaaaargh!

We had a relationship. We can't pretend that we didn't. But before that we we're really... really close friends. And there's no reason we can't have that again. I shared a big part of my life with you. I don't want to burn bridges.

And now this!?!


Sunday, September 13, 2009

Back from Pixie Hollow

It's ALX's 7th Birthday!!!

Celebrating in her cute wings and petal skirt, she invited her fairy friends, the pirates, the lost boys, the redskins and the sparrow men.

CREDIT:
FRAME by Danielle Engebretson Designs

Yesterday, we went to Dad's Glorietta to celebrate with Alx. Though puyat from attaching fringe trim to my costume, I was already at the venue by 10:30AM to help decorate together with Fe, Ric-Ric and L.A. I was also able to finish the AVP before the party actually started. Cramming!

The party was great. Alx' friends and classmates are in costumes too. Raven look good on his Pirate costume while the girls dressed up as Pixie Hollow fairies.


CREDIT:
TEMPLATE by Danielle Engebretson Designs
FLOWERS from Origami Kit by Akiloune
PAPER from Lemonberry Fizz by Kimi's Kreations
PAPER from Quincy Garden Club by Amanda Thorderson

I figured, even if I put on fairy wings... I don't look like a fairy, hahaha! Negra kasi! So I came up with this outfit and everyone loved it. I was able to pull up as Tiger Lily. To refresh your memories on who Tiger Lily is (lifted from Wikipedia)... she's the princess of the Piccaninny Tribe of Indians (Native Americans) living on the island of Neverland. In the Disney version Tiger Lily is kidnapped by Captain Hook and Smee. Hook threatens to kill her if she does not tell him Peter's hiding place. She remains silent, as she does through the whole movie, refusing to betray Peter. She is saved by Peter Pan and he takes her to her tribe.


CREDIT:
PHOTOMASK by Bouille

That's Tiger Lily with uhmmn... with a bystander! Rellie's supposed to dress up as Mr. Smee but he's LATE, thus, the tambay look, haha! I was looking forward pa naman to this photo op... boo! He knows I was disappointed at him for wasting the pirate props I bought him. But I can't afford to stay mad kasi he brought the (very long) feather (I placed in my head) to complete my outfit. As in binunot from his favorite panabong (fighting cock). So now he's forgiven.

Kakatawa talaga, even one of the waiters approached me and said, "Ma'am bagay po sa inyo ung costume nyo. Kamukha nyo po talaga si Pocahontas!" Hahaha, toink! Ayos!

The not so young ones are also in costumes. They dressed up as elements of the wild. Fab talaga!


CREDIT:
FRAME by Hannah

Here's Inang Elo, she looks young in her blouse with butterfly print.


CREDIT:
PAPER from Happy Birthday Harmony Kit by Melanie Ann Designs

We had fun at the party. More pics can be found here. Went home full of pixie dusts and happy thoughts!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Indian Pana Kakana-kana

Just got back from SM North and bought our gift for Alx. Nakabili na rin ako ng costume for Kuks. Hay excited na ako!!! I'm sharing this funny story so you'll have an idea kung ano binili kong gift.

TUYA RENEBOY: "Anong gusto mong gift?" (hugs Alx)
ALX: "Baby Alive!!!"
TUYA RENEBOY: "Baby Alive? Ano yun!?!"
ALX: "Yung doll na kumakain, nagsasalita tsaka pumupupu"
TUYA RENEBOY: "Meron ba nun!?!"
ALX: "Five thousand pesos kaya yun!"
TUYA RENEBOY: "Ang mahal naman. Pwede ba bigyan na lang kita ng P50 tapos sa iba mo na lang hingin yung P4950?"
ATE CHENELYN: "Hindi ba pwede CHICKEN ALIVE na lang!?! Madami si Tuya Boy nun! Tumitilaok pa!"
(Alx turns her back on us and pretends she's studying)

Hahaha! Ayos ba yun!?! Dinedma na nya kami, as in after that.

Tomorrow's gonna be a very busy day. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna love it. For now, I will have to practice my "♫♫ Indian Pana Kakana-kana... ♫♫ " and my Sun Dance as well. At sana makatulog ako... umeepekto na naman ang low EQ.


Monday, September 7, 2009

Tatay Rey at 65

A few weeks before Tatay's birthday, I was having this YM conversation with Ate Mi. She was telling me that she's feeling sad again, now that Tay's birthday is just a few winks away. I came to realize that I was not able to join any of Tatay's previous bday celebrations in the past years. Back then, I would just help Rellie find the perfect gift. I may be a little too late this year... but I hope Tatay enjoyed looking at the white flowers I brought him from Dangwa. I'm sure he is having a merry celebration up there with our Lord.


Happy Birthday Tay!!!


CREDIT:
PAPER from Emma Kit by Amy Watson
FRAME

After the 6AM mass, we went to visit Tay to offer flowers and prayers, and to simply just be with him though he can't be with us physically. Some of his Teacher friends were also there to celebrate with us. They also brought flowers for Tatay. It was really nice of them to still remember.


CREDIT:
PAPER by Rhonna Farrer
TAG by Rhonna Farrer


CREDIT:
FRAME by Hannah
WORDART by Choukette

Rellie has been putting up a strong front since Tatay died. Every now and then he would tell me he misses Tay and that there are time when he would just sit and think of him. I know how tough this is for him, being the favorite child... growing up close to both his parents... I know he hasn't healed yet.

That day when we visited Tay, he opened up to me about one of his dreams. One night, when we were still in Singapore, Rellie dreamt about Tatay Rey. The dream wasn't that clear but when he woke up, he started crying. Hearing this story really broke my heart. I remember that night, I was sleeping next to him. But I didn't know that he woke up in the middle of the night and cried.

Hang in there... everything will soon be alright.


CREDIT:
QUICKPAGE by Hannah


For now, all I can do is hold your hand...