What I Would Say To My 20-Year Old Self

I just stumbled upon the idea while going around online. It's a simple title, but it struck me because it has been 12 years since I was 20 years old, and so much has happened since then.

I know I've done a lot of stupid decisions in the past, but I don't think I would like to take them back even if given the chance. I am who I am today because of what happened yesterday, and yester.. uhm.. years?

If I can say something to my 20-year old self, it's this..

Hey, next year you'll be graduating from college. It's not yet too late to work harder starting now so you'll have better grades when you graduate. I know that you've always said that grades are really not important when you apply for a job, but I tell you, sometimes they are. You won't lose anything if you just work harder, and you'll have a lot to gain.

Also, just a tip, since you will be working in a state college, do your best to behave. So many eyes will be on you as the youngest member of the community so do not give them reasons to talk about you because as you know, when gossip will spread, it will be blown out of proportion and you definitely wouldn't want that. You've always been mature for your age, so I know you understand this.

Lastly, just enjoy your life and appreciate everything that comes your way. After all, you will not be passing this way again.

I'm 32

Today would have been another ordinary day for me, but there were a few people who made sure this would be anything but ordinary for me. Yes, I turned 32 years old today.

My tita, who's like my second mother as she's the biological mom of my soul siblings, treated us to a super yummy early dinner at Dessert Factory. It was only my second time to eat there. The first time was with the Bisdaks a long time ago. After dinner, tita gave me a super beautiful Red Ribbon birthday cake from my soul siblings. Those alone already made my birthday special.

When we got home, a big box was waiting for me. Mom said it was delivered by 2 guys riding a motorcycle, and they said they didn't know who sent the box. It was a custom made box with custom designs that included my picture as Jean Valjean, a picture of Victor Hugo, and a lot of quotes and lyrics. Inside were a lot of things: a coffee mug, a smiley stress ball, a diary, an inspirational booklet, a desk clock, a keychain, a pen, a red cloth, and a copy of 'Footprints in the Sand'.

I went to the office with a smile on my face, and a smile in my heart. I never expected people to really remember my birthday, much more exert effort to make it memorable. I feel loved today. So loved.

Happy birthday to me.

Thank you, Lord, for another year.

20 Years in Theatre

People come into our lives for a reason,

bringing something we must learn, 

and we are led to those who help us most to grow.. ♥

Today, as I celebrate my 20th year in theatre, I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to the Almighty for giving the seeds to plant & nourish, and the passion to keep going; to my ever loving family who have always been supportive and super understanding through the years; to everyone whom I had the honor of sharing the stage with; to everyone who has never ceased to support the productions that I've been fortunate enough to be a part of, and most especially, to those people who unselfishly shared a part of themselves so I can be who and where I am today. I believe that I'm who I am today because I knew you.

Thank you for helping me grow, thank you for helping me change for good :)

Day 14: Something you love about yourself.

Something I love about myself is that when I love someone or something, I really give my all. Through the years, I've become more frank and brutally honest, sometimes bordering on being fearless, so I've come to a point where I can really give my all without thinking of anything else. Careless? Maybe, yes.

100 Truths - Part 2

Firsts:

52. First surgery — Wisdom tooth extraction.

53. First piercing — None.

54. First best friend — Ferdie, Elementary best friend.

55. First sport you joined — Soccer.

56. First vacation — Barili.

57. First kiss — My first girl friend.

58. First pair of trainers — My uncle's old Nike's - lasted 2 weeks.

Right now:

59. Eating — Anything.

60. Drinking — Water, Milo 3-in-1.

61. I’m about to — End my shift and go home to sleep.

62. I’m listening to — Martin Nievera.

63. Waiting for — Our short vacation to Davao.

Your future:

64. Want kids? — Already have one, want some more.

65. Get married? — Been there, done that.

66. Career? — Hoping to go back to the academe.

Which is better…

67. Lips or eyes ? — Eyes.

68. Hugs or kisses ? — Both.

69. Shorter or taller? — Shorter.

70. Older or younger? — Younger.

71. Romantic or spontaneous? — Both.

72. Nice stomach or nice arms? — Doesn't matter.

73. Sensitive or loud? — Sensitive.

74. Hook-up or relationship? — Relationship.

75. Devil or angel? — Angel.

Have you ever…

76. Kissed a stranger? — No.

77. Drunk hard liquor? — No.

78. Lost glasses/contacts? — No.

79. Sex on first date? — No. 

80. Broken someone’s heart? — Yes.

81. Had your heart broken? — Yes.

82. Been arrested? — No.

83. Turned down someone you love? Yes.

84. Fallen for a friend? — Yes.

85. Raison d’ Etre? — To fulfill my mission in life.

Do you believe in…

86. Yourself? — Yes.

87. Miracles? — Yes.

88. Love at first sight? — Yes.

89. Heaven? — Yes.

90. Santa Claus? — In the spirit of Christmas, yes!

91. Kiss on the first date? — It’s not something you plan.

92. Angels? — Yes.

Answer truthfully…

93. Do you still think about past loves? — If something or someone reminds me.

94. Did you start your day with a prayer? – Yes.

95. Did you sing today? — Yes, Kindred Hearts Theme.

96. Who was the one that got away? — Whoever that is, she got away so I can meet my present and future.

97. If you could go back in time, how far would you go, and why? — High school, I would want to be more serious  with my studies and my basketball career.

98. If you could pick a day from last year and relive it, what would it be? — My daughter's birthday, it's the day that she's happiest.

99. Are you afraid of falling in love again? — No. 

100. Posting this as 100 truths? — YES!

100 Truths - Part 1

Last Sunday, Ruffa Gutierrez had a '100 Truths' Interview with Ricky Lo for the Philippine Star, and I found it quite interesting so I'm adapting it here.

What was your…

1. Last beverage — Iced tea.

2. Last phone call — My mom.

3. Last text message — Ritchee, our "Bisaya Lessons".

4. Last song you listened to  — A Moment Like This by Leona Lewis.

5. Last time you cried — Last Tuesday, when I watched 'Tanging Ina Mo, Last na Toh'.

Have you ever…

6. Dated someone twice — Yes.

7. Been cheated on — Yes.

8. Kissed someone and regretted it — Yes.

9. Lost someone special — Many times (Death).

10. Been depressed — Yes.

List three favorite colors:

11. Blue.

12. Green.

13. White.

14. Pink.

This year (2011), have you…

15. Made a new friend — Yes, many.

16. Fallen out of love — No.

17. Laughed until you cried — A lot of times.

18. Met someone who changed you — Not really changed me, more of me changing them.

19. Found out who your true friends were — I already know who my true friends are, didn't learn that this year.

20. Found out someone was talking about you — People talk about me all the time. I’m used to it.

21. Any regrets — None. You can’t turn back the hands of time. I appreciate the person I am now.

General:

22. Prized possession — Old photographs.

23. Hobby — Singing.

24. Do you have any pets? — Dogs, but they're more of family pets, not mine alone.

25. Do you want to change your name? — I like my nickname, but I would want to change my real name.

26. What did you do on your last birthday? — Went to work, then went to a sort of surprise thrown by my Kindred Hearts Family.

27. What time did you wake up today? — 4:30 PM.

28. What were you doing at midnight last night — Tweeting at work.

29. Name something you cannot wait for — To go to Davao and Manila to relax.

30. Last time you saw your mother — Yesterday morning.

31. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life? — My weight, wish I was more disciplined then.

32. What makes you sad? — Hearing tragic news from all over the world.

33. Your happiness — Katrina Alyssa.

34. What’s getting on your nerves right now? — Like right now? My very young over-confident officemate over-teaching our new officemate who's way better and more experienced than him.

35. Most visited webpage — Twitter.

37. Food that I avoid — Really fatty ones and those high in cholesterol.

37. Nicknames — Sonny, Kal, Kuya, Tatay, Alki, Clark.

38. Relationship Status — Happy and Contented.

39. Zodiac sign — Scorpio.

40. What do you wear on a nightout? — Jeans and Dark colored shirt.

41. What do you wear to a casual lunch? — Whatever I can pull out from my closet.

42. What do you wear on a bad day? — Old shirt.

43. Fashion Icon — Not into fashion.

44. Hair color — Would like to try having a few highlights.

45. Favorite brother — Blood brother? I only have one and he's dead.

46. Height — 5'6"

47. Do you have a crush on someone? — Yes.

48. What do you like about yourself? — I know I can do a LOT of things.

49. Workout — Hiking around our village, going up and down the stairs.

50. Tattoos — None.

51. Righty or lefty? — Righty.

To be continued..

2. Who are you? In comparison to who you used to be. What made you change?

I have always been who I am. Maybe now that I'm older, I'm a bit wiser, a bit tougher (the world did this to me), and maybe a bit more confident than before, but still shy, and kinda insecure. I know I am this way because of my parents, that's why I'm trying my best to not do the same to my daughter, and so far, comparing her development from when I was her age, she's way better than me.

What made me change? The world. Society. The people around me. It's a dog eats dog world, and if you don't toughen up, you'll be eaten by other dogs. I know, I have been eaten many times before and left for dead.