Memories in a Box

While I was cleaning my room I've come across to some old letters I received during my elementary, high school and college days. My dad would definitely say that it is just going to be a bulk of trash in my room and I should dispose it as soon as possible. But, I decided to keep it or maybe try to reminisce and visit that road down to MEMORY LANE.

LETTERS FROM MY SISTERS IN CHRIST....
Since I am the only girl in the family, I never felt what it is like to have a younger or an older sister. And so I was excited when I got into college and have the opportunity to stay in an all female dormitory. I told myself that I can't wait to get close to them and share secrets with them, which I haven't experienced because all my brothers would be so disgusted for sure.              

 It was really a blessing to have room mates who are christians, passionate and on fire to serve and to praise God. Through their never ending support and encouragement, my walk with Christ is now a lifetime bliss.

THESE ARE THE LETTERS THEY GAVE TO ME AFTER I TOOK MY VICTORY WEEKEND!!! Victory weekend was my life-changing experience that totally woke me up from 

the harsh lies that the world engaged me in. 

LETTERS FROM MY COLLEGE BUDDIES

 These letters are from Rachelle and Rose anne. We were tasked to give a christmas card to whomever we want in our Spanish class. They both decided to give me their creation and I felt special! Even though its an assignment I was thankful that they chose me to be the lucky receiver (hahaha). THEY ARE SUCH SWEET GIRLS and I treasure them deep in my heart. Upon seeing these cute letters I almost cried because I miss them so much, especially when we talk while Senior Escoda is lecturing in our Spanish Class and then get frustrated 'cause we don't understand any of his talks (or should I say SERMONS). We always end up listening to each other's sentiments and try to give advices that we ourselves cannot apply to our own selves. HAHAHA! Ironic isn't it. BUT I LOVE THESE GIRLS AND I MISS THEM SO BADLY.

Awww.... These are also my girls VIRA, HAZEL and JM. They are my close friends during first year college and second year. But schedules got into our way and we kinda go our separate ways, new "barkada", "groupie" or whatever you wanna call it. They gave me this letter on my 18th birthday but Jm failed to attend  my party (was a bit hurt but of course its all gone now). These girls taught me so many things about life especially when it comes to friendship. They made me realize that friendship is never about the proximity or the time we spend with each other, but rather a time when we aid a friend in need, sharing both happiness and loneliness without regrets and loving a friend sincerely that  no words can ever express. We might not get along sometimes but these girls never failed to make me feel that I am loved! :)

A POEM CREATED BY A FRIEND FOR MY BIRTHDAY

I received this poem last year on my 19th birthday, from my co-inter Mhel Lopez. A very kind, sweet and smart guy who is also shy but funny when you get to know him. This poem is excellent! Maybe he can be a playwright or a great writer someday! HAHAHA GO,GO, GO! This poem made me feel appreciated and I am very grateful and honored that some people sees my potentials and my unique individuality. 

" I still have lots of letters in my memory box, but I don't want to cry like a baby. So, to all those people who once received letters from friends, family and loved ones... Keep it and you'll never know, maybe someday it may strike something very important in your heart and remind you to keep following your dreams because some people actually believed in you. Someday you're going to remember all those people who have faith in you more than you have faith in yourself. It wouldn't hurt to be all mushy and sentimental, its a memoir that reminds us that we are loved despite our imperfections"

ONLY HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES: What's your sign?

Where else can you find a Catholic country in Asia that says “Beware of pickpockets”directly inside and beside churches? A sign saying “Full string to stop driver”, “No Stambay”, “For sale gift raffer” (wrapper) and “Don’t close to me, Close to God”. Welcome to the Philippines where everything can be as unique and exquisite as a pearl, radiant like the rays of sun and may I say amusing like no other. They say language barrier can create discrepancies, uncertainty and confusion, but fortunately we Filipinos are very sharp and clever to adopt in our environment apart from being creative.

You can only see signs here in the Philippines that may look strange but nonetheless fascinating and attention-grabbing. For an instance, a carinderia’s name “cooking ina mo” and another carinderia across the street answering “cooking ina mo rin”. Try stepping a foot on a road with a sign insisting “Bawal tumawid nakamamatay” and realize your still alive and kicking. On a flower shop in Rizal Avenue saying “we sell ARTIFICIAL FRESH flowers”, in one of Baguio’s grocery store “Fresh frozen chicken sold here” and a van not for hire saying “not for here”ironic isn’t it?. Scribbled in the walls of men’s public toilet “Hawak mo ang kinabukasan”, and in the walls of the women’s toilet “Don’t sit like a frog, sit like a queen”. A convent in baguio assisting visitors by putting signs saying “2nd floor upstairs” then an arrow pointing up, jeepney drivers hanging sign boards with a statement “God knows hudas not pay”, “bayad muna bago baba”and other funny stuff that one filipino can think of.

In spite of those hilarious grammatical errors and wicked statement written on different kinds of signage, Filipinos today are reinventing words that may look like a bogus sentence structure but is actually a trend that becomes a business attraction all over Manila. There is the Tapsi-turbi canteen meaning Tapa, sinigang, turon and barbeque that serves as their specialty in their menu. Food establishments like Tom Cruz Grill, taste their food and grasp the sentiment of being a Hollywood action star like Tom Cruz. Delight yourself in Entertainment establishments like Let the “pun” begin, Beery Good, Obeer time and Bill Gets that gives you fun and relaxation joined together equals superb pleasure and enjoyment. Other people may see it as dim-witted and dull, but we are what we are! Witty, adept and at the same time insane and outrageous all packed in one, hate it? Well, wear out yourself hating because you can only see and laugh at these things only here in the Philippines.


written by: Donato, Ma. Christine Isabel R.

A certified alumna! FINALLY!

After four years of hard work and heartaches, finally I DID IT! If you'll ask me what I have learn during those four years in college? I would say, "I LEARN HOW TO BECOME INDEPENDENT... Yes, I have family, professors and friends around me but in reality I have to work for myself and they're only there to support my endeavors. Good thing there's papa GOD who gives me strength to keep me going.

This award is dedicated to my Big brother Bobby Ralp for supporting me throughout my college years. You are truly an inspiration. To my family, daddy, gabo, kuya jp, tito dan, tita lai, tita vic, tita mel, who also supported me and gave me reasons to strive and be the best that I can be. To the whole Donato, Juan, Celestino,Revilla, Cruz (my bestfriends family), Pargas- Del Agua (oyong and ate cham's family) and Torres (kuya ali's family) thank you for being an inspiration you're all a blessing from GOD and I will never stop thanking HIM for that. To my friends, rachelle, aldrin, rose anne, joel, jm, kuya ali, vira, hazel, the whole block 401 and masscom society in Adamson, whether good or bad memories I wanted to say that you're all for keeps! you're all the best! :)) I Love you all!!!

The reason behind my success is not my skills nor my "awesomeness" (HAHHAHA LOL JOKE). The reason why I survived my college days is because of my supportive family, friends and ofcourse GOD. I got hurt and failed so many times, but they were always there to tap my shoulders and tell me "EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT", even if wounds and scrapes from the harsh reality is evident in my being. You guys never gave up on me even though I myself is ready to give up on myself. That's why I wanted to thank you for being my inspiration in this dark and crazy world that keeps me moving on. I could never repay your love and all the hard works you put on just to help me finish my degree, but I promise you guys that I will do my best to succeed and be a daughter, sister, friend and classmate that you'll all be proud of. Thank you for riding with me in my journey, but this is not the end my dear... We are going to have a roller coaster ride and I would like you to accompany me! hahaha Again, I love you all and Thank you

“LIFE THAT WE OUGHT TO KNOW”

Ma. Christine Isabel R. Donato

“You spilled it!!! You get me another one!”  The little girl shouting

 “Well, Get up and try to get yourself another one!”

“But it might spill again…” The little girl replied.

Imagine a little girl crying over a spilled milk and his big brother laughing hard about it. The boy started teasing and the little girl continued cursing and crying.  We may judge the brother as evil and despicable and sympathize with the tenuous little girl who had her eyes flooding with tears. But when we look at the brother’s intention, he actually laughs uncontrollably not just because of the funny scene in front of him but because he thinks that it is silly to cry over a spilled milk whereas the little girl could probably stand and get another milk rather than wasting time in crying and blaming. 

We are like that little girl, anxious and weary, blaming and complaining. And as simple as the story goes, that’s how we treat life. We blame others for our misfortunes and pretend like it was never our fault. We cannot even survive a day without finding an excuse so that we can save ourselves from the shame of our real inadequacy. The safe zone is always our dwelling place and the risk zone is an impossible detour. We tried all the easy stuff and skip the hard stuffs; we pick the colorful stones and throw the dull ones. We dreamt of becoming a doctor or a scientist but our intellect says otherwise, so we end up choosing the second best or worst we choose the least best. We get tired and give up easily even if we are destined to do greater things. Everyone undergoes a process, a process that both requires and demands for patience and actions. And our patience fails because we do not appreciate hardships and ignore wisdom from errors. We count our mistakes rather counting our successes. We quit when TIME is opposing and we wait for another chance that is unsure to come.

A coach can never know which “game play” to perform without knowing the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses as well as their own weaknesses. Whether we like it or not, life is a trial and error. The tragic truth is that, we win some and then we lose some it’s just a matter of perspective because a true winner gains even if he loses. Blaming doesn’t make you look smarter and stronger; it only makes you look pathetic in so many ways. Admitting our weaknesses is never a sign of inferiority but rather a sign of nobility in identifying one’s self and glorifying God’s beauty and kindness. No one achieves greater heights in life without risking anything and believing in something. Sometimes when time gets tough we tend to give up and accept that life without hope and inspiration is a rubbish and meaningless life. But, amidst those tough times comes a brighter morning and despite frailty and doubts shines a wiser being.

Trials were not made to punish us but to mold us and equip us for a bigger plan. A life that is indescribable and unfathomable is a life full of disappointments and uncertainties. Sometimes in order for us to see the stars we should embrace the dark. And whenever we stumble and flop like the little girl, we need to listen to those taunting voices and turn it into our own offense.  Remember that if we fall three times we should stand up five times. Life is never easy and we have to keep on moving, because if we stop trying then we stop living.