The Land Where You Once Walked, Where We Now Walk Without You By Our Side But In Our Hearts...

This is your farm, where you once walked. That is the front of the house we called our home, where you spent your days as a teenager and young adult until you moved in with Inday Ched. She was so happy when you kept her company. She no longer felt alone. Then there were six of us at U.P., so quiet while we studied, so noisy while we laughed and cooked popetchka. I was so happy and so proud of you when you graduated from law school. I was there! We climbed to the rooftop at dusk and we saw the sunset. You were there when I left for the U.S. Every time Inday Frey or I would come home, you always met us. When Inday Frey and I went home for Tatay's funeral, everyone had gone home but you waited for us because you did not want us to make the flight home by ourselves. The last three times Inday Frey and I came back you were no longer able to meet us or even see us go. Instead we saw you leave. We miss you so much. Everyday, in fact. We think of you everyday, several times a day. I think of you. I think of everyone. I cannot breathe when I do that. There is a lump in my throat. It hurts just the way it did when I saw you the last time. There are only 28 days this February but it feels so full. It is Mom's birthday anniversary. You and Tatay left in February. It is Inday Ched's birthday. I shall be happy for Inday Ched, yes I will call. And I will be sad because you won't be there. I miss you Inday Leah. Every time I blog I think of you. My heart aches. And you did not see my acorn blog! I know you would have been been tickled and delighted with that. I imagine you would have laughed and giggled. I love you.

I miss Mom. I miss Sammy. I miss Tatay. I miss Nanay. I love you.

Happy Birthday Inday Ched. You are the best teacher I ever had and the most beautiful; you are my favorite, ever! I love you. Happy Birthday!!! I shall eat chocolates for your sake. The things I do because I love you. Hehehehehe!

Ah yes, February is the month of love. Tsup!

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My Favorite Quartet And My Favorite Teacher

My Favorite Quartet

Archival pigment ink on 11"x14" Bristol Board

Has this ever happened to you? You are filled with so many conflicting emotions, you panic because you can't decide which one you want to express first? This is how I feel today. My children are laughing at me because I just discovered Amy Winehouse and I am so awed by her voice. I ran to the mall today to buy her CD albums and I have been singing aloud, the first time after several years. Then I catch myself being so happy and then I stop. I know about Amy's tragic life and that makes me sad. How could one who had so much soul slip like that? I feel so tender towards her memory. Then on my way home, I sent a text message to my eldest sister to ask her when she will be the guest speaker of the 100th Commencement Exercises of Negros Occidental High School. Today!!! The school opened on July 1, 1902 but wars disrupted a few years of instructions.   She was selected by the Alumni Association to do the honors and they also recognized her as an Outstanding Alumnus. Okay, so you say, it is only high school but this is a very special school. It is the oldest educational institution of the province of Negros Occidental when the island was a republic! (Oh yes, the island where I was born was its own republic during the Spanish occupation!) My sister joins the ranks of NOHS's outstanding guest speaker roll, together with former presidents, senators, Supreme Court justices, diplomats and other outstanding citizen-alumni given the honor. Anyway, I am so proud of my sister!!! So special - 100th Commencement Exercises. Our parents would have been so proud. I am so happy but I am also so sad. I am sad because I know if our sister Leah (also an NOHS almunus) was still alive, I am sure she would accompany my sister Mercedes.  

So I posted this photo on my Facebook page and so many of my friends had my sister as their teacher when she taught elementary school for a few years. It is wonderful to know that I am not biased in my assessment and to read their comments telling me she is their favorite teacher and they send their thanks and hugs makes me swell with pride. 

"The guest speaker for NOHS's 100th Commencement Exercises is none other than our Ms. Adorio, shown here with her 5th grade class in ETCS. I think this was in 1970.  Dr. Adorio (in black striped dress) was selected by the NOHS Alumni Association as the distinguished guest speaker for the 100th Commencement Exercises and also recognized as an outstanding alumnus. She is also an alumnus of ETCS. I once wrote this about her: "I think there is something wonderful about being a good teacher. You positively affect people's lives and inspire them. I think I may be biased now, but I have to say that she is one of the best  teachers I had. It was difficult for me because I had to prove twice as much that I deserved the grade I got and if I misbehaved, not only did I have to answer to her as my teacher but also as my sister and then our mother definitely had to hear about it! Ms. Adorio left LCC and ETCS for the University of the Philippines where she pursued her masters and PhD degrees and was invited to join the faculty. She taught at the UP College of Education for many years. She was a Fulbright Scholar to the U.S.A. and then a Fulbright Exchange Professor. She spoke at international conferences on Special Education. She currently teaches at several universities in Metro Manila, runs a special school and is the author of several books on Special Education on which she is considered an authority.""

I would like to add that she is a terrific sister. She holds our family together. She is a beacon for my brothers and sisters and we owe our success to her because as our eldest, she encouraged and supported us to do our best, nurture our ambitions, and follow our dreams. She always defended me when my Mother scolded me for drawing too much. She gave me my first set of professional colored pencils, charcoal and pastels when I was ten years old. She took care of my sister Leah when she became ill of cancer.

Thank you Inday Ched. I love you.

I am so happy and I am so sad. I miss my brothers and sisters...