“Yes, i could have done all those things that win wide acclaim, exiting as grandly as any president could wish. But while my power as president ends in 1992, my responsibility as a Filipino for the well-being of my country goes beyond it to my grave. A great part of that responsibility is to do the best I can today, according to my best lights, while I have the power to do it.

I hope that history will judge me as favorably as our people still regard me, because, as God is my witness, I honestly did the best I could. No more can be asked of any man.

Maraming Salamat at Paalam.”

Prayer  for A Happy Death by Cory Aquino 2004

Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So, remind me each day,
most loving Father
To be the best that I can be.
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient, to be true.
To embrace what is good,
To reject what is evil,
To adore only You.

When the final moment does come
Let not my loved ones grieve for long.
Let them comfort each other
And let them know
how much happiness
They brought into my life.
Let them pray for me,
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray
for each other.

Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered to our world.
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Our Father in heaven,
You alone are my hope.
You alone are my salvation.
Thank you for your unconditional love, Amen.

 Tita Cory, you have changed our lives, you have been a good model for us mothers,

caring for your husband , family  and caring for a nation in turmoil.

Thank you Tita Cory, you will live in our hearts forever.

One of the most awaited board examinations results finally after 48 days of agony the results are out. There were 32,617 out of 77,901 who passed the June 2009 Nursing Licensure Examination with a national passing rate of 41.87%. One of the lowest passing rates since June 2006.

I was one of those who patiently waited for the results because it involves many people close to me, my former students and most especially my eldest daughter, Dianne Kristin G. Pena. It was one of those very meaningful feeling that you could ever experience, knowing your daughter is now a registered nurse. A very rewarding feeling, more than what I felt when I passed my own CGFNS and NCLEX exams. Today, your name is all over the papers as one of those newest nurses.

To my eldest daughter Dianne, my congratulations, you made me proud. Twenty years ago, I was at the hospital, bringing you to this world, the 24 hours pain was unbearable, but today, this is so much joy for me. Happy birthday!

The Philippines’ National Hero

“I was born in Calamba on 19 June, 1861, between eleven and midnight, a few days before full moon. It was Wednesday and my coming out in the vale years would cost my mother her life had she not vowed to the Virgin of Antipolo to take me to her sanctuary by way of pilgrimage”. From Jose Rizal’s writings Memoirs of a Student in Manila.

At 16 years old, he graduated from Ateneo Municipal with the degree of Bachelor of Arts

At 26 years old, his book Noli Me Tangere was published in Berlin.

At 30 years old, El Filibusterismo  was published in Ghent , Belgium.

At 35 years of age he was executed at Bagumbayan, Luneta.

The essence of being a woman is motherhood. From Day 1 to Day 252, she carries her child in her womb, though sometimes it becomes uncomfortable or at times, she may be in the brink of death in the course of her pregnancy.

Conceiving, and giving birth is considered as a natural thing for women , are bodies are designed to carry and eventually nourish our babies.

But why do 230 women die for every 100,000 live births in the Philippines (WHO , 2008)? It means that 230 babies in every 100,000 babies born alive will be motherless and will be left to the care of a surrogate mother. These mothers die due to complications related to childbirth.

I am glad I am still here for my children to celebrate Mother’s day. Its my 20th year of
celebrating mother’s day. My own mother is celebrating her 49th year of being a mother. Like me, she has not stopped on being a mother to us her children though we have our own families to care for.

To the other mothers who may be biological mothers, adoptive mothers, or foster mothers, this is our day. We just cannot stop caring and nurturing our children in their life journey. May God always bless us give us good health and peaceful life with our children.

In 1962, Havaianas was made to fit the beach-loving, easy-going and confident mindset of a tropical culture.

Over three billion pairs of Havaianas Flip-Flops have been sold all over the world.

Havaianas Flip-Flops is Made of 100% secret rubber formula, Havaianas distinguished itself from other flip-flops which used EVA and PVC.

With its secret rubber formula, Havaianas Flip-Flops boasted extreme comfort, reliable durability and the ability to retain its original shape.

Havaianas Flip-Flops Symbolize the ease and comfort of fashion; authenticity, anchored on its heritage of comfort and durability,

Havaianas Flip-Flops Classic and basic or bright and bold, has struck a chord among the fashionable set that cannot erased.

Havaianas Supports Rock Ed

As a service to the community Havaianas is supporting Rock Ed, a youth oriented, non-profit organization that encourages and supports alternative education, Rock Ed’s Original Grant—a project designed to encourage socio-civic support from the youth.

Havaianas was interested in Rock Ed’s particular initiative that basically gives kids a blank canvas to think of unique and original ways on how to make a difference.

Parties interested in receiving the Original Grant can send their original project ideas to myidea@rockedphilippines.org on or before April 4, 2009.

Pledge your support for all things original: original thought, original works, and original creations at www.havaianasphilippines.com/original.

PINOY Native Tsinelas

Once you are home, the first thing to do is to take off ones shoes and wear the tsinelas. For Filipino families its sometimes a form of welcome especially for a father to have his tsinelas taken to him by his son or daughter upon reaching home.

Our parents used to wear some native tsinelas made of abaca and cloth with beads. My mom says its called a “cocho,”, my sister really took time out to search where she can buy this cloth type tsinelas, because my mom has some form of allergy to sysnthetic tsinelas. Luckily it’s still available in Quiapo.

The new generation would go for the Havainas type flipflops. However these native tsinelas are now worn as part of costumes during school presentations when performing native dances.

Excerpts from my love letters collection circa 1982. It speaks of how a love one who is far away feels during times of loneliness.

Sometime I wonder where would I’d be, and its only you that says that I’m always with you.

Of great love, everything abstract had a definite form because of you; that I cannot afford loosing you.

Of passion, I may be so much controlled by emotions of which I feel guilty if I do offend you.

Sweetheart, I’m getting too much dependent on your love which can surely kill me if I’m times I feel that you do have some heartaches caused by a fool like me.

I am a fool because you have been doing things easy for me and in return I make things hard for you.

If at times, I do act like a fool to you, it would only mean I’m running out of ways on how to please you. Sometimes I’m helpless, sometimes I’m confused, sometimes I do not know what to do for I’m conscious of everything for the thought I can make love full of happiness. 

Oftentimes, every actions I do would be so weak that will only lead for you to be sad.

This shall be a “long distance love affair” if our duty calls for. It will be nice to hear from a far away sweetheart whose only wish is to be heard and be remembered for always. We are then to be engulfed by miseries and worries, though those things abound, love conquers because its that enduring faith and trust for each other that matters, no way to worry any further though we seem afar.

When ever I’m away to find refuge over strong winds that blow, I can only find those branches of yours to cling on that I may not be blown over with the dust and never be far away enough when we’re down. I can easily go back and fly over you, for your branches seek to spread out and call me.

Whenever time would tend to bring me somewhere, I always seek out for the moments, so the ticks would speed up for me to reach you.

A shelter indeed, I found when rain falls so hard that I cannot spread my wings to fly; you have those large leaves of yours to keep me dry. Yes, when sorrows surround and tears do fall. I can let every drop to dry for your comforting ways keep me going.

When I am blinded or don’t know where to go, especially on times when darkness do catch me when I used to be on the other side of the world. I can always smell your fragrance and guide my home back to your loving arms

A letter saying hello and reiterating one’s love and hoping for an answer soon, it somehow revealed some form of restlessness on his fate about his love.

. . . . . . .  you may wonder why I cared much for you than my own, its more than what I really have to. The kind of friendship you have for me is enough to make me happy, too, and its there where I find fulfillment.

I just wonder why I need to tell you what my feelings are, towards you. It is so powerful that I cannot keep to myself and my mind will not cease bothering me without telling you.  

. . . . . .  with this I am nearing the pinnacle of my intentions to tell you “I love you “. This feeling for you is so unique in every way; I was struck by love regardless of anything. I have just exceeded the limits of friendship of what it is ought to be, not knowingly, yet so calm that I never had the guts to tell you.

Being so serious in talking with you, I cannot just spell the right letters to tell you personally, what I feel towards you.

Sometimes I feel that I should have not told you so, because it will only be a way to make you think or decide as what I might have a place in your heart; or it is just a reality that was a dream for me.

I shall be always ready for anything you say and wish the way you have treated me before will not diminish and so do I remain as to what I am.

I do not know when I will meet my greatest joy: to know whether I have a place in you. It will be soon and I wish to know it.

I love you,

D J R

Just to let pass an idle moment and try to express his thoughts of a loved one in words. Sometimes seeing each other creates trivial conversations and silence. However, love letters can reach out and one’s presence could be felt even when away. (circa August 1982)

My dearest sweetheart,

Like the bee, that keeps on buzzing the blooming rose in the garden. I find myself to keep on telling you how much I love you. It’s the same sound that pleasantly tickles your ears every now and then, but I wonder why this thing called love never fades unlike the fragrance of those flowers that when withered, the bees won’t buzz.

Its raining and the fog do surround. Whether rain or shine, sundown or sunrise, love always find its place, like the one we have.

Words do fail out us these days, whether each one have something to say or none, the meanings implied therein in our letters spells out a huge and infinite message which always speak of love and care.
I know Ii have many things to say, but how to write comes out sometimes to be a problem. As a result, neither one of us could write the usual as we had before. I doubt that it is harder now for I know love has grown.

I am really running of words to say, nonetheless, I deem it necessary to write you. At least for a few minutes, this letter would feel your hands even if my presence is out, you could sense me.

There is still a lot to do today… so to add a little challenge to the worthiness of this day, I rummaged to some place but my sense of direction, mislead me. Just to bang my head in thoughts of remembering, I would not miss the chance of writing you a note to remind you that you are always a part of the cobwebs that crowd my thoughts and to tell you, too, that I care and love you so.

With love.
D J R

A love letter that speaks of a loved one’s worth in one’s life, as someone who leads and lights the way. At the brink of a misunderstanding one-summer day circa 1982, a lover expressed his emotions, as there was not enough time for a talk to iron out the differences.

This day got to be the worst day in my life; I don’t know whether I still belong to somebody I really love: A  love that I called my last love.

There was faith that when I found you. I shall never be in a life full of miseries, of frustrations, and of dim directions.

I thought my days ahead would bring an everlasting brightness where I could find a hand to lead me the way where my life would go.

It’s the life that I would treasure for I know somebody cares, somebody loves, and somebody to share with.

My life before was destined to be always down and I don’t know why I still have to live with it.

There you came by my side and tell me it’s wonderful to live this life of love.

Now I know life has to end soon when I know I am out to live by my own. I have learned and find out the essence of love and without it, I would rather die.

You are my everything…

My greatest fear could not fear me the way I do for I still know there remains one last being to be with me, our love.

Crying could not best describe this feeling inside me, for dying remains above all.

Maybe I feel I’m about to leave you now and you seek out all the best that is not in me.

I know I’m not worthy anymore to belong to you and I must not try to live this life to be the best for you.

You are so good to me, you did bring me into a world I know worth living. With a few months with you, I’ve learned to love life as it brought meaning only when there is love.

Maybe I find more love in Him that I’m to go and reach for Him.

In this world, I found Him through you, and without you; I’ll go with Him.

I don’t want anymore to feel the pain of loosing somebody who is loved like you.

You’re so great, I’m grateful that in one way or another I was with you.

Thank you for everything, but before I go, I would like you to know that I LOVE YOU

Valentines Day will be the next big affair for lovers and loved ones. I am sharing with you some of the love letters and love poems I have received when I was young, independent and single. My youngest daughter already posted one of the first love poems I have received one Valentines Day circa 1982. It was a hand written poem with the theme of expressing an ardent love but a love that is away most of the time. It was handed personally on Valentines Day eve after a dance party.

What Is Love…

Grieve not when I am away, for my absence brings more glory for my deeds.
The good seems to be clearer than true failures we shared when we are together.
It is just like a mountain you can’t climb, but you can see its beauty from below.

Love does not rely on pure companionship, for distance brings in a spiritual inspiration for the thought of existence.
It makes achievements for a ones love, whom for his return will share its fruits together.
The thing of existence does not depend on the outstretched hands of a love once alone,
For you love him not for the presence of his deeds, but for the rearing, he does during his absence.

Being away is just like a teacher to you.
He implicitly tells you what to do when he is gone, for when absence becomes permanent, you can stand alone.

Togetherness is more of a physical comfort to a love one that needs to be gratified, but remoteness is more of an emotional comfort to a love one that fears not that you are fine when he’s away.

Love is like a sunshine that comes out of your eyes and tells the world that you care for someone and he cares for you. Just like the flowers that needs it for living and the beauty it shows when blooming.

Like the sea, it shapes your destiny, as the tide strikes the shore, new lands come into existence. It forms valleys, rivers, and streams; like love, it brings in more beauty for ones being.

Love does not come from you alone, but from what it makes you out of it. It is not you are you, but also for what you are making out of myself.

Love comes in complimentary, you have it and I have it not. This brings in harmony where both will meet towards their goals. Symmetry comes, where beauty does not rest on you alone, but also mine.

Actions and words cannot speak for what love ought to be, it is how you perceive it beyond your senses. No one can tell, for it is more in the heart than in the mind.

Man cannot compare love with anything else – he does only to make a picture of what it is, but looks at it more abstract: like the sea, the sunshine, and the mountain.

Flowers speak less than a heart, numbers connotes much than words, a touch appreciates much than a smile, and love endures much than friendship.

Love sees nothing, but goodness, for it comes more than the lesser side of you. It covers your weaknesses and heightens you greatness. It does not change yourself, but rather cultivates your real you.

Love brings in creativity where you can see how powerful it does to the hidden talents of man. It speaks of your inner feelings that respond much than any other catalysts.

If you think more of the other than your own, then love is not selfish for it does not mean to possess someone for your own but rather for both.

If you see in you what he has, where everything goes in common, then you love yourself not the other. For love comes in, in unexpected places and time.

Compatibility does not mean love, for likings does not depend on anyone else; you like it, he likes it,; it is better, if you’ll like it because he likes it.

Giving and sharing comes in both ways, you give it all and he completes, then you share. There is more joy if you will find fulfillment with the help of the other where both had done something for the success.

There is nothing more to say of what love is; passages, quotes, poems, and songs; are just so human to comprehend. Saying I love you does not mean anything if nobody feels it.

There is nothing wrong if I tell you what I feel, for it gives meaning only when understood, and when you are actually experiencing it.

So, I tell you, “I LOVE YOU.”

More to come of my love letters collection!