A Martial Law Lovestory ( Part 1)

This has been in my draft box for 2 months now and I never got the time to finish this part 1 of the LABOY lovestory. I had to basically sat down with my mom over coffee to tell me their story. She didnt know that I had this plan of documenting their story. I remember that day, when I asked my mom to tell me their story-- she was in tears while narrating to me their lovestory.. Sigh!

To Dad-- I know you are there somewhere up above, watching us all and continuing to guide and love us. Your memories and love are so alive in each one of us. We miss you so much. I miss you Dad.. I miss our talks, your cooking, your sweetness and care - that you have never failed to show us the love of a father. Thank you so much for being such a GREAT FATHER. This is for you and Mom .

Most of the poeople who are very dear and close to us will smile if they hear the word " LABOY". It might be in the dictionary or in wikepedia but for us it is the combination of the name of my mom ( Lala) and dad ( Boy).

Their love story started when my mom just came back from her 3 years living in the US and pursued her college degree in Legaspi. My dad, was a military officer ( a Lieutenant) based in Tanay, Rizal and who happened to be on home leave and was visiting his Alma Mater. It was the season for intramurals game. My mom was a badminton player for the liberal arts department and had this long black straight hair that caught the attention of my dad. There my dad instantly got smitten to this free spirited woman. He then wrote a note and sent it thru my moms friend ( who was my mom's co-player). She caught a man on the second floor of the university building who was always watching her when she plays. Then one day, they finally met right after my mom's game.

After that meeting, my dad returned to his post but after two days he would come back to see her and this went on for a month. Martial Law was declared on the night when my dad was once again travelling back to Legaspi to be with her. Through his actions, my dad has already decided that she is the one that he will spend the rest of his life with. Two weeks after he met my mom, he woke his parents one night to introduce her to them as the woman that he will marry.

Unbeknown to my mom, on those days that my dad was away from the city, he had asked his intelligence contacts and friends ( and he had thousands of them) to look after this long black haired lady ( actually she was under surveillance!). So much so, that when my dad and mom met again, my mom was always shocked to know that my dad would always know what she did or where she went or who she was with outside of her home.! To give an example, my dad mentioned to my mom that he knew that my mom went to a discotheque place with someone when he was away. When asked why he knew, he admitted that the " balut" seller outside of that place reported to him ( least she didnt know that time, that seller was an intelligence informer).

Off note: ( It is indeed true, even during my college/highschool days, my dad would really go for background checks on my suitors or bf's! He knew as well all the things that I do in and out of school--:P- he sure was really a military officer)

Anyway to continue my story..

A month of courtship, my dad invited my mom to be his partner in a gala night and they both ended walking for several hours and there when my dad took her home, dad proposed to her and got marrried secretly in Malinao. They were married twice in a year. The first one was a secret marriage where only the judge was the witness and the last one was on a more proper cerimonial wedding in the church. A year after their first marriage I was born :)

For all the 26 years, I have witnessed a beautiful marriage of my parents. There were fights ( on a closed door) but as normal as it can be, they would always make up so sweetly. I used to remember how loving and caring they both have been to each other and that they are so inseparable. That I grew up having this thoughts of an ideal marriage-- of having witnessed the strong love they both felt for each other over the years. I can say that only a few are given the opportunity to find their true love and be with them for the rest of their lives.. But my parents, are one of the few lucky ones I guess. I knew right there and then that they are meant for each other. They compliment each other, they are like best of friends and lovers at the same time. I have so much more to say about the two of them but I would like to narrate it in my chapter 2 of this love story..

( to be continued Part II)

Love Knows No Bounds

They say in your lifetime, you would experience major problems and challenges besides the daily ups and downs and that qualify as part of molding you a better person from learning through mistakes or it could also put you in the pit of darkness that could make you a less better person. Retracing back my memory 12 years ago, I had experience the big turn in my life and that really drove me down to the brink. Through that, It has continued to remind me of a family's love.

I was born in a family with full of love, laughter and support for each other. Inhibitions and condemnation is not a well know word for us. Everyone is openminded to everything ( well, I am sure there are hidden secrets now and then) but as far as I can remember when that hidden secret is revealed, no one was outcasted in the family but instead supported with spiritual, moral, physical and emotional support.

My mom's family ( the Perez ) continues to amaze me. From the early marriage of my " Tay & Nay" and how they raised their 6 children. I loved hearing Tay's stories over and over again.. on how he had to go fishing to feed his family and Nay had to sell fish in the bigger city. Despite the hardships in the early years of their life, it didnt stop them from pursuing their dreams and become successful -- owning one of the biggest scrap and metal junk shop and an in demand meals from the eatery & catering of my grandma during the peak of their adulthood. The great skills of my titos being a gunsmith-- molding, designing and repairing guns of all sorts and that has taken them to meet top officials in my country but remained humble in their life. The rest have gone to other professions as teachers and government employees. They were raised in a way of God loving and fearing ( being Christians -- charismatic, strong conviction for the love of God) and nothing is impossible if you believe in God's love. Those values were then handed over to all of us. Being a close knit family, everytime we are gathered, there's always the never ending stories of their childhood and our childhood and the sumptous food that each one made..especially of my Mom and Nay ( grandma). There's also the big sense of humour that surrounds us all..no one is spared of being tricked or teased.. and sometimes if you are new in the family ( either a gf/bf, a guest, a friend)..you are already part of the family and welcomes you with loving arms..We are one rowdy gypsy bunch!!... soon you would here laughters, singing and on-going cooking and eating.

My dad's family ( the Borja) is where I basically grew up and I was the first grand child of this clan. My lolo Fred was a war veteran and my lola Felisa owns a small grocery store. They raised 6 children. Both my dad and my uncle went to pursue being a soldier and became high ranking officers but unfortunately was taken in this world at an early age of their life. The rest pursued to be a banker, a government official and a lawyer. I was 7 years old when my mom took the job and later on my dad followed in Morong, Bataan as humanitarian workers. It was the decision from my grandparents that I stay on with them in Legaspi to continue my primary school. They have shown me how a grandparents love for their children is beyond the love of a parent to their children. I was spoiled by them.. my lolo and lola , my uncles and my aunts. But mind you, even I was spoiled, I had my fair share of " old school punishment" from my naughtiness & stubborness ( and i will write more about it next time).. kneeling for several minutes with my arms raised and books in both hands, spanking my butt by using the dried long tail of a stingray! I was that naughty little girl. But those things does not comprise of the love I have felt from my dad's family. My lolo used to walk with me in the morning to school ( since my school was just a few minutes walk from their house), on how he would often tell me stories of his life, taught me life's greatest lesson ( which i believed he played a big role of my passion to become a nurse) and my lola who has given me so much love one can never imagine. My auntie Titing who became my surrogate mother and a best friend. She is the epitome of a woman --very caring and loving. Auntie Nene being the youngest became like my older sister, that until now, we treat each other like one.

My cousins and brothers have been my ever bestfriends-- each one of them has its own unique stories and memories of our childhood adventures which even now we are older, wiser and naughtier..there's always that strong unique bond of closeness and love.

Both of these family has given me and the rest of us the arms to survive in this world. One's problem is embraced by everyone. Although they would not meddle in your affairs or issues but when you needed them, they are there to give you all the support you need in different forms-- may it be praying with you, advices, making you laugh, a hug, long hours of listening to your woes, being just there when you feel that you are alone even there are no words said.We are not a perfect family, most of us has gone through worst moments in our lives.. but I have not witnessed or heard a word uttered that they have condemned the person or spiteful words that one can feel more demoralized in a troubled mind state. They will continue you to remind you of God's powerful love and thier love.

Thats where I survived and I continue to survive from all the troubles, failures and pains I have gone through in my life.When I fall and crumble and feel that everything fails.. I felt I was never alone. The love of my family never fails to linger in my heart and mind and that helped me slowly stand up with might and pick up the pieces again..that's what happened to me 12 years ago and I am what I am now because of them.

I also believed that because of them, I have learned the true meaning of love and loving is all about giving irregardless it could hurt you deeply and painfully or giving to the fullest but in the end, you will always have a smile in your heart because I was taught by them that love knows no bounds.

I am so blessed to have been given this family and I am so proud of them. My pride, joy and respect to the Borja & Perez Clan. Thank you to all of you. I love you all..

Two Hundred Dollars Worth and more

I left Philippines with emotional baggage and not enough sleep. The flight was uneventful, in fact I was able to get some sleep and mindless of what is happening around me- whether we encountered a strong turbulence or the stewardess was giving away immigration forms.. I couldn't careless. I was exhausted!

Landed in KL and left the airport at around 1 am to Tune Hotel ( air asia budget hotel in LCCT) which my cousin Jen has graciously booked for me. I found out that I could not be accommodated for that night. I debated till I became so bitchy . I was told that my room is only available 11 hours from that time! Imagine my rage! I argued and exhausted myself but in the end, what can the hotel staff do?-- they they were so booked for that night. They were offering me another cheap hotel 30min away from the airport but i declined. I said to the manager " I will write to your President and complain. This is a first for me to encounter a hotel that has a different understanding of a date of arrival! Book me a room in Pan Pacific now!.. . I don't care the about the price or how expensive it is. I am really tired". I am not like this bitchy but I was so hurt and frustrated.

I ended up alright in Pan Pacific at 230 am paying 200USD for a 9 hours stay. My most expensive 9 hours. Plus other incidental expenses that I wouldn't add up here or my mom will definitely raise her voice and eyebrows. But in the end, I was glad I stayed in Pan Pacific- after going through the fits and mishaps.. coming to a cozy, heavenly pillows et all.. I felt I was home and woke up overlooking the meadows and palm tress of KL and that made me smile. I'm sure my mom will have a big fit learning this and I can already vividly imagine her saying " Kristina, that's too much!"

Anyhow, six things I've learned on this trip:

1) CONFIRM ( ensure you got the right date - as per hotel's regulation)

2) TRAVEL with enough cash on hand ( or a credit card). You ll never know where you will end up staying or for emergency purpose!

3) PRIDE & DIGNITY. Never lose it in times of trouble.

4) 5 STAR HOTEL. Its still the best place to stay with all the amenities and buffet breakfast!

5) NEVER ask your cousin to book for you.. HAHAHA ( kidding cuz!) but thank you really for doing it for me.. love you!

6) My life is always a never ending adventure :)