Laong nila an taga Tago kuno para-away pero hanugay. Mamingawuni naman ganahani mandahap-dahap nan notisya. Naman ini na pabyon inhimo para kita na mga Tagon-on magkasinusihay, magka-binayluay nan mga gilaong, nan notisya, nan kaayuhan.
E post ko na ini kay silom wa nay chance namo kay birthday isab ni Mana Em, may misa sa ila.
The 18th of November, 1991, at 1:15PM- Delgado Private Maternity Hospital in Quezon City, a young 26 year old mum brought into this world a baby boy who to everyone was a replica of his dad. This gorgeous little boy was born by caesarean section as he was transversely positioned in his mummy's womb. Caesarean - the reason why he was named Angelo Ceasar Quiňonez Gran - my eldest son. At home he is called Gelo/Gel but he could also be known Adobo, all because for his ravenous yen for the food.
Everyone who sees him would say "Angelo you look like your dad". However, such pronouncements carry a pinch to my heart. Why? It simply connotes that in spite of my agony and discomfort going under the knife of my delivery, not even an infinitesimal physical feature of Angelo would indicate that he does have a share of my "distinct" (naks ha!) features. Yet, whatever Angelo has become wouldn't have been possible without and a good credit from me. To all the mums I solicit your support in this area, ha ha ha ha ha ha.
My constant visit to my ob-gyne produced dismal result. I was advised that propagation of my husband's race would be bleak. It was impossible for me to get pregnant due to an unhealthy condition of my uterus. Yet, with obstinate mind and strong will and determination, I defied my ob-gyne's prognosis. I had Angelo on the aforementioned date. Not only did I have Angelo, I had Isiah Francis (a.k.a Teriyaki) as well after just a span of 18 months. It was a gut-wrenching defiance that brought worthy result. It was a miracle! Thus, Adobo and Teriyaki are so special gifts from God that nothing could ever replace. Wait til you know my gruesome delivery with Teriyaki that almost costed my life.
On Sunday, the 18th of November Angelo will celebrate his 16th birthday. As his mum confronted with an enormous challenge of having him, I brave myself to share with you my message to him. This has come out of me with so much emotion involved and as I secretly typed this at work gatabisay an ako luha and had to go to the rest room to conceal it.
Message to Gelo:
Gel, still fresh in my memory, you were 4 years old then, at Northgate. Mummy was washing plates in the kitchen and you wanted to help. I said to myself “why not"… in a childlike and fun manner, after all you were a child having fun. With the aid of a green plastic small chair, you hoisted yourself so you could reach the sink and you started washing few pieces of plates singing ba ba black sheep..... Suddenly, two of my friends came and witnessed you doing such. They were thrilled of what they saw. Days later rumours circulated that I was doing a cruel thing to a child. At that time, I was badly affected by it for I knew it wasn’t my intention to let you wash plates at a young age. But now it doesn’t matter anymore, what matters most is you have become professional in doing that job - a big help to mum and dad. You then passed it on to Aiah.
In Philippines after we eat, you and Teriyaki would always attempt to bring and wash your plates to the kitchen sink of Lola Sering in Manila. However, I would stop you and allow you and Teriyaki to savour the moment of our being royalty-like for it was temporary. We don't have it in Aust.
Now, when I come home from work complaining of sore head, you have been accustomed to say “Aiah mummy’s hormonal count is up again, it’s time to wash plates and wash our clothes†which you always do every Friday night, otherwise we would be late for your sports activities on Saturdays. See what it has done to you. SIKIRA MGA ALO DILI KAMO MANGA UTRO.
I could refresh you of our experience with the tuli (circumcision) thing but I know you’re uncomfortable with it. They could laugh to death.
Gel one time you were teasing me to buy a very expensive thing for you. At that time I was slow on the uptake not realizing that you were just tricking me. Then with a cultivated shiver of distaste I said, "aduy, aduy, aduy I am collapsing"- an indication I was not in agreement with what you asked for. You shot me with a mischievous smile. I then showed you the array of bills that were conspicuously hung in front of our fridge. You stood unperturbed and continued to smile, then, darted hurriedly to your room. When you came back I found myself blinking in sheer amazement as you handed me $700. I asked you where the money came from. Isiah then loomed from the distance and together you two told me that the money was saved residually out of your weekly allowances. I was reduced to tears and hugged you both while you too felt the warmth of my embrace. I wanted your dad to witness the moment of my emotional disbelief, but daddy was outside at that time mowing the yard.
Just the other day similar scenario happened. When the 3 of us were doing our weekly grocery shopping at Taigum, Teriyaki whispered to my ear. "Mum can we have the video game worth $60, it was down from $120?" I said, "not now son, as we are still waiting for the last debit of your tuition fee from my bank account". You suddenly left to be with Teriyaki. I was talking to a friend. Suddenly, in a flash you came back and handed me $250. You then said "can we have the game mum, we won't bother you for that for we have saved again". What else would I say but to follow your wish. You then bought the game and handed me the remaining amount for me to use for my grocery shopping. I was deeply touched but survived to contain my emotion for we were surrounded by shoppers. Instead, I gave you back the remainder of the amount for you to put in your alcansiya.
As you and Teriyaki contemplate to have summer jobs, please carry on the trace we have once set for ourselves. Continue saving so when the time comes for you to buy your car you have something to use as deposit if not, use for something else, vacation perhaps.
Today marks a milestone event in your life as you turn 16 years old. And as your proud mum, let me be a herald by saying; to date, the pinnacle of my, and certainly your dad's pride is being able to witness how you blossom into a very refine, responsible young bloke. Your physical and mental dexterity applied in your school works and your sports is indication that you can achieve whatever you desire if you persevere, put in a lot of effort and follow the good road in life. You have proven this by your recent award from both, in spite of your long absence from school due to our homecoming caused by your Lolo's death. Your hard labour earned you an achievement beyond our expectation given that circumstance. You don't only know how much it means to me and your Dad receiving fine adulations of you and Teriyaki from Brother Pritchard and any of your teachers we come across. You Gel, exemplifies what a student should be, what a good brother should be and what a young teenager should be. Please continue to live up to the expectation of everyone. Don't forget that you have God's guidance that would help you go through in any life's situation. You are always assured too of my and your dad's love and support in whatever undertakings you ought to pursue.
In closing I sincerely thank the Lord that in spite of my imperfect uterus I was able to have you. I thank Him for your good qualities, shortcomings and afterthoughts that are slowly coming to into view from you now. I thank God for the pride and laughter you have brought us. But most of all, I thank God for simply having you.
Happy, happy 16th Birthday son and enjoy the moment of this momentous chapter of your life.
From: Dad, Mum and Aiah
Happy Birthday sab sa ako sis silom.
Last edited by Insomada on Fri Dec 14, 2007 2:22 pm, edited 4 times in total.
ay na gatabisay an ako luha ako gayud inpauyangtan. batchmate ay ay kibali isab inkumut an ako heart. bravo..well done and my salute to both of you. and to the kids who turned to be almost perfect especially to the birthday boy, ay ay alo panga lucky niyo na yakaparents kamo nan ako batch hasta c Palang na waray sama. Praise God.
Happy 16th birthday Adobo!
Pacensya na speechless na ako.
Happy birhtday sab kan Mana Em.
Remember, each of us is a vital thread in another person’s tapestry; our lives are woven together for a reason. One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend.
AY,AY SIN-O NANAYA AD-ON DI MATANGKUG NAN ININ IMO MENSAHE NGANHI PARA SA IMO ANAK. AKO GANI NA GABASA GASUGOD NA PAGHIBI. KA SWERTEHI MO PANGA BUOTAN NAN IMO MGA ISO....
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADOBO!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADOBO !! True meaning of life can only be found in God. Find Him and learn from Him and you will become a partaker of the glorious life He prepared for you. He said in John 10:10( NIV )" I have come that they may have life and have it in full ( abundantly ) in KJV.
Insom,
Who can fathom the love of a mother? It made my thoughts go back in time, when Jesus was hanging on the cross. He was despised,mocked,spat upon and beat up. Almost everyone had forsaken Him but not His MOTHER, who stood beside Him 'til His last breathe. I can imagine what a horrible sight it was for a mother. This account in the bible resonates a message that there is no greater love than a mother's love to Her child.
happy birthday to you! happy birthday to you! happy birthday happy birthday, happy birthday to you....happy 16th birthday GEL. That's our birthday song to you. We couldn't really believe that you're now "ULITAWO" (big boy). Time seems to run fast. You were just a little boy before who never let go of his gameboy on his hands, hehehe. You're now 16 right? A time for seeking girlfriend? hehehe, just kidding. We know that its part of a teen's growth but always remember to finish first your studies and fulfill your objectives in life. We're 100% sure that would make your parents proud. HAPPY BIRTHDAY again! regards to all.
as i started reading, di ko gayud maimagine an ato feelings having a child like that, yakatiyahoay gayud ako, because i remember mikah (my eldest daughter) while she was in grade 5 she really wanted to have a celfone kay amo say lagi taraw uso, and it is bob's (my husband) attitude not to give immediately what they want kay basin lagi agaw ma spoiled, and to mikah's longing to have a celfone, while we're lying down, she told me, "mommy maghinang dakan kaw nan puto cheese kay ako ibaligya sa school kay para an ganansya akon ipalit nan celfone" i couldn't describe my feeling whether to laugh or cry..... thus your message to gelo touched me so much.......
to gelo,
have a wonderful birthday celebration.......continue to be a good son.....
Ako dakan an magpasalamat in behalf of Adobo kay permi intawon busy ton bata.
Hapit ako magbasol why I posted my message for my son. It did seem I was so self-serving. But honestly, it was the first thing that came to mind. To do something different that would leave a mark for him. And it did leave a mark on him! In the early morning of his birthday I turned on our computer and showed my message to him from the web. As I was reading with him my tears began to fall and so did he. Abay niya ako hapuwapon sa likod while gatiyaho isab siya. I then took the opportunity in giving advice to him. He then went to his room kay ya emotional isab siya. Ako dayon pagapasod an tatay para estoryahon isab siya. Sorry guys ga drama na isab ako but this is really what happened. In times like this ag sa gayod ako ma emotional kay grabihi sa gayod an ako inagihan nan pagkabdos/panganak ko sa ila ni Teriyaki. Sila isab aware gayod nan kaagi ko kaya very considerate sila kanako.
We didn’t have an elaborate celebration even if the significance of the event required it. At 16 dapat dako garo na party. May Filipino Community mass sa tuho nan adlaw gayod nan birthday niya amo na adto dakan isab lamang kami ga celebrate.
Kalipay sa gayod nato mga ginikanan witnessing our children doing great in whatever they do. Kami ngadi na adi sa laing dapit doble gayod an effort to guide them kay sayod na kamo na makusog an influence nan environment kaysa heredity ug mahamok pa na factors. Dili gayod kami makapanigoro na dili sila ma change labi na kon magsugod na pagka in love. Isalig lang nato an tanan kan Lord.
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
Yet, whatever Angelo has become wouldn't have been possible without and a good credit from me. To all the mums I solicit your support in this area, ha ha ha ha ha ha. 
