Happy 60th of January 2023! LOL. 😆 

It was only during mid-January when I get to have time reevaluate and assess all the things which transpired during 2022. It was a year of hope. For almost the first half of the year, I remain hopeful - just as how my other friends were. When the campaign period for the 2022 Presidential elections kickstarted, it seems that all hands are on deck by each and every supporter, battling for disinformation and misinformation, attempting to have a fruitful discourse among those with different beliefs, desperately hoping that genuine change will happen. 💗 One of my highlights of 2022 is joining the Leni-Kiko rally in CAMANAVA area. My parents also attended the event - both wearing Kakampink shirts they bought online. It was truly a memorable experience for me and I appreciate how Mama and Papa stood there for long hours and waited for Leni and Kiko and the rest of the candidates. Nonetheless, it was all worth the wait. 💚 Unfortunately, our hopes were easily shattered when the election results came out... It was truly devastating, a lot of emotions surfaced, and a lot of true colors were seen as well. I was heartbroken for a time, but I need to be stronger than my feelings and time will not stop for us and so eventually we all have to "move on" and "accept the biggest mandate".

(Aside: You can also check out my other blog entry I just recently published about my thoughts on election results which are obviously subjective 😉)

ANG PRESIDENTE - LENI ROBREDO! BISE PRESIDENTE - KIKO PANGILINAN! 🎶

LOL. I didn't realized that I started my yearend (YE) blog with that sad event, hahaha. 😜 Reality hurts, I guess. But as I move on, of course I still have to give good credit to 2022 for a lot of things happened which are now part of my core memory. 

MARCH

Finally met Reese (owner of badass tote girl) and visited her shop, badass shop + cafe

I am very much delighted to see Reese (and her husband, Kim) in person since the pandemic. We all devoured the good food and drinks while catching up and talking about random things — from dogs to hamsters to deeper life/business conversations and reflections, it was never a dull and awkward moment. I came across BTG during the height of the pandemic and I am glad to have been a witness on how her business grow. So much love for this brand. 💖

MAY

Passed the written comprehensive exam!

May 7 is a memorable day because while it was Leni & Kiko's meeting de avance (MDA) in Makati City, it was also my WCE schedule 😝 I woke up early that day and ensure that I am ready before taking up the online exam. It took me more than twelve hours to finish since I have to rewrite my answers in the yellow pad paper and proofread prior scanning and submitting. A few weeks after, I received an email confirmation from our GS coordinator that I passed all subjects! THANKS GOD! Worth it naman pala kahit 'di ako nakatutok sa MDA noon because I was too busy taking my compre. 😂

JUNE

Staycation with my sisters in BGC

Mid-year catch up and celebration with Jassy (my best friend is finally a lawyer!), Jex, and Jia in BGC! We rented a condo place, ate at Mendokoro Ramenba (of course), bought drinks, and spend our first night catching up. The following day, we had brunch at Din Tai Fung and coffee at Because Coffee by Harlan + Holden. It was a much-needed break, never a dull moment with them!

Attending LIVE comedy shows!

We also attended live comedy shows last June and August 💥 THE BEST! It was 2021 when we first watched a virtual comedy show and it was a good timing to be able to watch them live this time just before JR goes to Canada. The stand-up comedy scene in the country is gaining more popularity and hopeful that the trend will continue because the humor is just so different from the typical and mainstream comedy that we're used to.

AUGUST

Bon voyage, JR!

A bittersweet day as we have to drove JR to the airport because he'll be studying and working in Canada. I know it may have been a long and tough process but I am very much proud of him for being brave enough in stepping out of his comfort zone by being away from us and trying their luck overseas. ☝ Of course, we have to bring in Koko with us too - he must be present to this family event hehe. 

OCTOBER

Salamat gid, Bacolod!

Bacolod was my first domestic flight since the pandemic and it is also my first time to visit the City of Smiles. It was truly one for the books as this is also our first travel together. 💜 We rented a car so that it is easier to drive around and navigate the city plus it is more convenient too. The Ruins became an instant favorite for me because it was so beautiful! And of course, we had to dine at Aida's in Manokan Country and taste the legit Bacolod chicken inasal. Legit na nuot sa sarap talaga!

DECEMBER

DECEMBER aka A MONTH FULL OF GANAPS and the moment my social energy was put to the test hahaha! Aren't we all, LOL. 😜 Kidding aside, I just happy to be a part of all these and it was just as timely too given that COVID restrictions are mostly lifted and we can finally celebrate and meet in person. It's always a better moment to have good company. 💯 It was refreshing too.

💙💙💙

Just as the previous years, 2022 is a mixture of emotions. But then, I believe I have finished strong, all thanks to my support system and to God for helping me survive this year.

There are specific events and conversations during the second half of 2022 which has been an eye-opener for me. I came to realize a lot of things and probably 2023 will unveil more things for me. I know it can bring a lot emotions (as what I am currently feeling) - it may be exciting, it may be scary, it may be hurtful... it may be just what I needed. Whatever it is, I pray that I can still manage to overcome and work around everything... After all, I intend to me more mindful in protecting my peace this 2023.

Hindi makakalimot, tuloy na magpapatuloy. 🌼

Kinabukasan (10 May 2022)

(unedited)

Martes.

I have never felt so hopeless for my country until now.

 

Kagabi, buong pamilya kaming nakatutok sa TV para sa partial unofficial results. Initially at around 3% election returns, Marcos Jr. leads almost half compared with VP Leni; ganun din si Sara kay Sen. Kiko. Within 30 minutes stats were updated and it still shows the same, nanlalamig ako lalo. I cannot explain but I am not feeling good about the results. We tuned in almost 2-2.30 hours until ako na lang ang naiwan sa sala, Marcos Jr. and his running mate are “winning by majority”. Pag akyat ni Papa, tinanggal na niya ang tarp sa harap ng bahay namin. It was a long night, I slept before 2am chatting with Jex, Jia, Jassy, Eunice, and Keene. Nag-aabang, naghihintay, nagmamatyag. Patuloy na umaasa na magbabago pa ang trend pero to be honest, given the faster turnaround of election returns, I feel defeated already. Sakto, while I was on Twitter, Fr. Fiel hosted a Space where we prayed the rosary, after praying the sorrowful mystery, nagpatugtog siya ng mga kanta, the second one was Rosas – doon hindi ko na napigilan umiyak. Hindi ko maintindihan, ako ay naguguluhan. Hindi ako makapaniwala na isinuka na nga ay kakainin mo pa rin. Walang pinagkatandaan, hindi na natuto. I am filled with rage and great disappointment because this is not the government I deserve. 

 

Nagising akong mabigat ang loob; pagtingin ko ay wala na rin ang mga pink ribbons na nilagay ni Papa sa aming gate at terrace. Mabilis akong kumain ng almusal at naglog-in (buti na lang wfh ako) habang nanonood ng pahayag ni VP Leni na ginawa niya noong madaling araw. It was so comforting, she looks calm pa rin kahit the odds are not in her favor. But most importantly… I feel hopeful again, she did not concede yet. Sabi ko nga, hangga’t hindi sumusuko si Leni, hindi rin ako susuko.

 

Nagpatuloy akong magtrabaho, I really tried but I am preoccupied with thoughts – galit, dismaya, panghihinayang, disgust, frustration. Kaya most of the time today ay babad din ako sa social media at nagbabasa ng mga iba’t-ibang viewpoints, madami din ang biglang nagpahayag ng kanilang suporta kay Marcos Jr. whom I did not saw before *surprise*. Sama-sama kami ng aking mga kaibigan na magpahayag din ng lungkot, galit, inis – well, we tried lifting up the mood sa group chat at times pero it is mostly us sharing our grief. I noticed that I usually my emotions/mood are in denial, acceptance, and anger… sometimes pity.

 

In denial because Leni is an obvious choice but we choose not to. She offered herself but to no avail.

Anger most especially to those like us who are “educated” and “professionals”. All the red flags are there pero bakit proud pa rin kayo? Why did you discarded the injustices transpired during their families’ time? Nagagalit. Nagagalit ako dahil hinayaan na naman nating mapasakamay ng pamilya ng diktador. 

 

Acceptance na I need to move forward and respect the “majority”. Sabi nga nila, people elect the government they deserve… so deserve nila ito. Deserve namin ito.

 

Pity especially to those from the lower classes who rooted for Leni because in a way we have failed them – the government failed us. Pity to those who continue to lambast and badmouth Leni and Kiko because that just goes to show how our society tolerated the disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda all throughout the years. It has been ingrained and infiltrated that they are continuously buying that information.

 

Nakakapagod emotionally at mentally. Parang ayoko na rin umasa sa totoo lang.  

Pero panghahawakan ko ang sinabi ni Leni, hindi pa tapos ang laban ang nag-uumpisa pa lang ito. Patuloy akong titindig sa tabi nila ni Sen. Kiko at patuloy na ipaglalaban ang katotohan.

 

“Ang mahalaga, lumalaban.”

“Mapapagod, pero hindi susuko.”

Magpapatuloy at kakayanin.