Ever wondered what's taking so long for Prince Charming to find his way to you? Errr, let me re-phrase my question, "have you even let a day pass not asking the universe where could he be at this time?!" (Por pabor! #angtagal #daratingpakayasiya #anongpetchana) uhuh. and the next question would be "what's taking him so long??" blah blah blah and like I can hear a number of other questions running in your head now.

Ok, well let's try to re-make our favorite fairy tale with a twist:

Once upon a time there lived a young lady, Cinderella. One day, the king announced a grand ball in search of the fairest maiden in the kingdom to be wed to his only son, the prince (e sino pa nga ba?). Upon hearing this, Cinderella wasted no time. And with the help of her fairy God-mother she made it to the ball dressed beautifully with her entourage. 

As soon as she set foot in the palace, she went straight and presented herself to the prince. As expected she charmed the prince so they went to dance alone in the garden. While dancing Cinderella started telling him about herself, what she likes and dislikes, where she lives and even told practically almost her whole life story in just 30 minutes. Come midnight, the clock bell rang. And she had to leave. The prince knowing where to find her didn't bother much and didn't even chase her up to the carousel. He just kissed her hand and off she went.

Princess Fiona from another Fairy tale

Hmmmm... I can imagine Cindy spending sleepless nights wondering when will Prince Henry ring her. Yeap, she gave her mobile number she'd written on a piece of paper on their way to the palace. (#hindisiyaprepared!)

Have you ever felt that you needed to do the first move yourself because the guy seems to be not doing anything at all? And you answer me back with "C'mon, 1 subtle move shouldn't be too bold and obvious." Well, maybe we have to remind ourselves ladies that - Men are born hunters. (Real Men, that is!) They're all for the chase. They want to have some mysteries to unravel. No wonder, the ending to this tale remains to be the perfect one still - that is, the prince had no clue about her person and he desperately searches in every household in the kingdom for her. And when he finally found her, he feels more grateful to have her.

How did I know this? Well, I used to be a boy before. #joketyne I am no expert on this but yeah cliche as it is, I was guilty of making the first moves before. (dami ko lang moves!) I remember I was the one who called my ex to ask about our homework. Hellooo!!! There's like madami akong classmates to call kaya. Oh my G to myself! Yeah, and like I didn't even give him time to court me. I was like, "tayo na?" Shucks! Insert face-palm here. I believe women are more empowered these days to pursue what they want. Yet, I find that traditional still works better. Lesson learned: Let the guy pursue you. Give him time to discern. E what if the guy is like taking a decade to decide who to court or when to court? Well... that's another story. #literal

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Once upon a time, in a far off land, there was a young lady named Gigi. Everyday she would stay by their window overlooking the alley outside where visitors from neighboring villages would pass by. Deep inside her, she had been wishing for the man of her dreams to come and find her. One day, there was a group of travellers passing by. She saw Roman, a young neat-looking man. He smiled at her flashing his charming smile. (#yannatalagaangkillerweapon #pafall-looks) Immediately her heart skipped a beat and then she fell in love. And so everyday she would stare outside the window waiting for Roman to pass by. 

1.. 2..3 weeks had gone by and no shadow of Roman was seen. Gigi felt desperate and sad. She had sewn him a beautiful white handkerchief to give to him when she sees him again. One night, she overheard a man singing outside their house. It was Roman! But Alas! He was serenading Lina instead, her neighbor. Poor Gigi, her heart was broken. She wept and dropped her white handkerchief. 

A passer-by named John, a handsome young man picked it up and reached for her face as she was sobbing uncontrollably. He wiped her tears dry. And that was the start of their love story. By the way, Roman works as the Principal Assistant to the King - who happens to be John's father.

ayun naman pala oh!

See! God gives only the best! No less! Oh well, this may just be made-up stories but I know there is a Cindy and Gigi in all of us. And as always, there is a BIGGER PLAN, a SWEETER LOVE STORY for each one of us. We may have wept for some people or felt rejected or waited like forever for the right person, I still believe that when God gives, it will be to our heart's content or even exceedingly. He is the ultimate story maker!

So chillax there princesses! In the meantime, keep yourself beautiful inside and out. Do what makes you happy. Treat yourself to a spa. Eat more. Shop your heart out. Tweet every second. (guess in which order this is) Travel the world. Watch a movie alone. Pray unceasingly. Stay more in love with life. 

Remember you are God's Princess: A mystery to be revealed; a Relationship to be pursued; and a Beauty to be unveiled. You are His priceless possession. 

Your worth is so hidden in Christ that a man would have to seek Him first to find you. Believe this! Tell yourself (and I will tell myself too!) that "I am God's Princess." After all, as they say, you have to treat yourself like a Princess in order to attract a Prince. :)

A Mother's Day Tribute to the World's Greatest Mom - Emy

Republishing my article for my dear Mama written 7 years ago. 

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I remember an article back in college (AdZU RS 101 – the BEST!Ü) where it says that in one feature of the National Geographic Channel there was a forest that was engulfed by a wild fire somewhere in the USA. The once haven-like habitat turned into a place of inferno. 

The following day, the authorities visited the place and were all saddened by the massive devastation brought by the razing fire as if no life of any form could ever survive. While rummaging around, teeny sounds were heard. The sounds led them to a dead bird. Underneath its burnt body were its hatchlings crying and seemingly grieving for their lifeless and unresponsive mother. 

What a poignant scene, isn’t it? Imagine, the mother-bird has sacrificed herself and shielded all her children not minding her impending death. This scenario doesn’t come as a surprise to me anymore or to anyone else, for that matter. This is the very instinct I have come to witness with my beloved “Ishpamp”, my mama. 

You see, we are four siblings in the family and since our father’s death some 22 years ago, she stood as the father-mother-in-one to all four of us! She never remarried. (Imagine how many lonely, cold nights she’s had! Oohh.. That’s quite a sacrifice, really, huh? Tsk..tsk..Ü) But my mother didn’t really quite feel the loss of a bed-mate (?) since I have been sleeping beside her for the first 21 years of my life. (Thanks to me?Ü) 

My father was an official in the PC (PNP now) during his time. He and my mother had often been active in social gatherings with equally socialite officials along with their wives as well. They would party until the wee hours of the morning. I remember how mama would look like every time they’d go out then. She’d be the most beautiful wife among all the rest of the gentlemen’s wives. But her elegance and sophistication faded after my father’s death. 

The once socialite “wife” has now been abased to just a plain housewife left with four little orphans to care for. If before, she comes to a party all dressed up with fine clothes and jewels, now she goes to social functions bringing along with her tocinos and raisins to be sold to her once party-mates. (I can’t imagine now how much she earned from those thingamajigs.) I was barely four-years-old then. But mind you, at my early age, I have been already a witness to many of her “worst” humiliations/sufferings. (Redundancy emphasized.) I have been “there” with her. 

Despite her solo parenting, she was able to raise four fine children. (fine, as in ok fine!) But all her hard works and sacrifices took their toll on her health when she was hospitalized for heart ailment. That was the first time, I saw her at her weakest. She was almost at the brink of giving up. All the time, I thought she's firm and without infirmities. It was only then I realized that my mama is not some superbeing or so. Yet, she fought relentlessly. I have seen her wept, painstakingly bearing all the burdens and persisted in her FAITH. 

Amidst all our despairs and ordeals, she stood firm with her FAITH. Looking back, I feel honored to have witnessed all the different seasons (sunny, catastrophic typhoons, winter, etc.) of my mama’s motherhood. (Fatherhood as well.Ü) More importantly, I realized that the fine clothes and jewels didn’t bring much beauty out of her. Instead, she’s now even more beautiful than ever. 

After all the hardships and struggles she’s been through, she emerged to be a more adorable and lovable mother to us, her children. And no matter what, mothers won’t run out of aficionados because they will always look beautiful in the eyes of their children. You are God’s greatest gifts to the world. Yours are the hands that molded a lawyer, a nurse, a doctor, an engineer, a banker, name everyone. The world has become a beautiful place to live in because of the love you give out to your children. Mothers are the wind beneath our wings. We soar because you love us. We are what we are because of your love and care. Thanks to you, my supermom! You are the best! And I will never stop thanking God for the GIFT of YOU, EMELINE COLLADO. (Super emphasized!)