I am wondering where you are and can hear my thoughts ?
Back then if there is something that I wanted to know or see another view I would sent you a message . I may often than not agree with your ideas but at least I can see the other side of the spectrum .
Remember in College when I refused to attend a lecture , you would always tell “pakadi na gad ako it bahala ha im”( come here I will take care of you) when we had that beautiful graduation solo picture of ours . We have exchanged without any cheesy dedication ..just a word of “para di ka makalimot ha ak ” (so you wont forget me)
Months have passed since you won your battle. I miss you, I miss that person whom I could talked asked and through your ideas I see mine, through your opinions I form my stand. I miss our friendship ..
In the journey that we partake we will always meet a soul that shines like a diamond in darkness of the night .
I have met ms Maruja early this year. She is the founder of Butuanon Choice award , one of the “it” event both on social media and for Butuan itself.
Butuanon Choice Award
As a starting non governmental organization, we aim to have a platform that could make our voice for our advocacy a little bit louder . Butuanon choice is one of those platform
I have shameless chased for this award , for this nomination just because I believe that this could shed light on the programs that the MOONWALKERS 1989 incorportated stands for .
In the process of this all ,I met ms. MAruja. A person with a beautiful face and a very humble heart .
Maruja
It all started with a short messenger call we chatted she expresses her points on how to become a nominee and more so to become an awardee ..
I should say it was love at the first call…we started sharing thoughts and passion for our beloved Butuan .
Ms. Maruja is an icon of her own right she have motivated the younger generations by recognizing their potentials .
She is more than just her name, for she carry her heart with kindness towards her family , friends and to those people that needed to be seen .
Butuan is lucky to have her .
Awardee
We, together with the MOONWALKERS 1989 incorporated eventually got the award . But in my heart I am awarded more than just a trophy.
The universe gave me a friendship , She showed me a beautiful being witha heart full of kindness
The universe showed me the soul of Ms. Maruja Maestrado …
A gift by a friend who see me through my soul , my being ..
There are moments that we keep close in our hearts . Moments that sparks of joy to our souls and bring a smile to our lips . .. These moments are not huge they are just pulses of life that we sometimes take for granted . A warm hug , a cake and good company.
The pulses of life
Cherish ,them took a portrait of that moment.
Portraits are the mirror of us in the eyes of those who loves us and despise us . Portraits reflects a moment in time. It brings us back to a nostalgic road of joy and at times path of lessons that have been resulted from broken relationships.
Broken relationships are not necessarily be a bad thing or a bad experience … it is a journey of growth and self development as we better ourselves.We change and we grow apart. I am thankful for the lessons for those who broke me ..For it is to them that I grow .. It’s with them that I become a better version of meyself.
As I walk in this path of cherished moments ,I will always take portraits of special moments.
I used to say to myself, “The detours that we took in our journey will armor us on the path that we will take and eventually achieve the outcome that we always hope for.” This is a story of the journey that my mother and I took early this year.
January 30, 2024
This all started in late January when the routine blood test of my mother came back. The result stated that she has a low red blood count. She told her doctor that maybe it’s because she does not eat too much meat as she used to. Her doctor shrugged off her reasoning and insisted on further laboratory tests. It was during this lab test that it was discovered that there were traces of blood in her feces, although it was still inconclusive.
Valentine’s Day 2024
On the 14th of February, a colonoscopy was performed and it was seen that she has one large “polyp” that can only be removed through surgery. A sample was taken for biopsy and we were scheduled for a CT scan.
Silver Lining Moment
It was in those moments when you entered a consultation room greeted with a very friendly face of the specialist until she would break down everything.
Her large polyps have turned out to be a malignant tumor and the polyps that were removed have also started to develop some tumors. Hence, on the 17th of February, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer.
BUT! It was caught on time. On the 21st of February, the cancer cells were all removed.
Cancer
This is an illness that we have heard or witnessed from afar; most of the time, it is very scary to hear all those stories or to witness how a dear friend combats this illness. My view towards cancer has changed. I am no longer scared of cancer, for I know that if we listen to our body and consider symptoms as the “shout for help” signal of our body, cancer can be curable. It’s a hard road at times, but there is always a bright light at the end of every treatment.
It has a different impact when you are in the eye of the storm. You have no time to process every single detail; all that matters is to get through this and be over it.
I gave no space for myself or my mother to question why it happened or to a moment of self-pity. This road becomes less scary and more heartwarming when you know that you are not alone, when you see those brave, friendly faces in the chemo center trying to tell their stories, giving each other encouragement and support.
Cancer has plenty of faces; no cancer is identical even if it has the same name. As the surgeon of my Mother said, “No diagnoses are the same.” It is always different, but there is one thing in common: JUST BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE THAT TEST TO SAVE YOUR LIFE like my Mother.
Road to Recovery
The surgery went well and we are now almost back to our normal routine. We are on our 2nd preventive chemo (4 more to go) and we are doing quite well except for those every now and then discomforts which can be treated with non-nausea medicine.
My Mother and I have a lot to be grateful for despite the early hiccups. We will get through this with flying colors.
We have always been a victors.. My mama and I have walked together the 110 km Camino de Santiago Compostella
Reflections
The detours that I made prepared me to take on this path. I am humbled and grateful to the Lord for He has armored me with strength, submerged me with knowledge through the experiences that I had. He made me a better support for my Mother.
The road to recovery is here and I would always tell my Mother, “Embrace your 3rd life, live with love, with no doubt of tomorrow, for every day is tomorrow and every day is a miracle to be thankful for. Let us embrace life with more passion, with more laughter, and joy.”
Our Support System
There is no path too steep or scary when someone is there to hold your hands, wipe your tears, and give you a knowing nod.
Whenever I am scared and feel alone, I’m glad that you are there to give me that “it’s all okay” talk. Mommy Nao, your calmness when I am crushed gives me strength; Titay, I am amazed by the maturity that you have shown me, you are my “it’s okay” person.
I am lucky to have amazing friends, especially to my Noonas Barbie and Charina, who have allowed me to vent out my paranoia during those uncertain moments. Noonas, thank you so much for listening without prejudice, thank you for gently telling me that it is okay what I felt but I need to face this with facts for my own peace of mind. To my bff Den, thank you for the encouragement to get tested and be over it. You guys restored my sanity. To Felda, Tots, Fatsie; Lore, Marelle, and the rest of my Moonwalkers, thank you for that silent support.
To my Irish family, Mumshies, thank you for those notes or calls to check up on me and mama.
Lastly, to DAD, you are such a wonderful person. Thank you for being the source of her smile and being her prayer partner from day one.
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”― Neil Gaiman, Coraline
An informal art installation in remembrace to those who were inflicted with violence.
Lost in the labyrinthine streets of Rome, our journey to the Vatican took an unexpected turn. Amidst the ancient cobblestones and towering architecture, we stumbled upon a haunting mural that stopped us in our tracks. The ‘Wall of Dolls’ stood as a changing art and memorial installation remembering the female victims of violence and murdered.
Each doll represented a soul lost, a life shattered by brutality. As we gazed upon the faces of the missing and the fallen, a chill swept through us, a reminder of the darker shadows that lurk behind Rome’s storied facades. In this city of timeless beauty and history, every corner holds a tale waiting to be uncovered, a narrative of resilience and remembrance.
We remember them
Rome whispers its secrets, urging us to listen, to learn, and to never forget.
I thank the universe for us, for this friendship , for YOU.. We have been through life, whether we sat on each others mud crying our eyes out or just simply smiling walking on the rainbow of life , we called them growing process. Distance is just a word for us … Enjoy life , love ,travel and let everything flow until it will falls on the right place.
I love you sooo much Happy 365 days around the sun
To share the little moments of life with you makes it more magical ..
MOONWALKERS 1989 incLaunching of our Program for our Elders
In the bustling heart of Butuan City, there exists a bond forged not just by time but by the warmth of camaraderie and the shared purpose of making a difference. We are the Moonwalkers 1989 Inc., a beacon of hope and positivity in our beloved community.
Our journey began not with grand ambitions, but with the simple desire to celebrate life and friendship. United by the memories of our high school days, we reunited after three decades with a shared dream: to mark our 50th birthdays together. Little did we know that this reunion would ignite a flame of service and compassion within us.
Our goal happy 50th to us
With each passing year, our humble gatherings evolved into something extraordinary—a testament to the power of unity and empathy. What started as a small act of feeding the hungry blossomed into a myriad of initiatives, from empowering indigenous communities to bridging educational gaps and promoting health awareness.
Our way of getting together
Yet, amidst our endeavors, it is the spirit of togetherness that truly defines us. Every project, every endeavor, is not just an opportunity to serve, but a chance to reconnect, to share stories, and to bask in the joy of friendship. For us, a meal shared is more than sustenance—it is a feast of laughter, memories, and love.
As we look back on five years of shared experiences, we are reminded of the strength found in diversity and the beauty of supporting one another through life’s challenges. Together, we have discovered the transformative power of kindness, proving that even the smallest ripple of compassion can create waves of change.
Today, as we continue to tread the path ahead, we do so with faith in our hearts and unity in our spirits. We pay homage to our alma mater, Agusan National High School, and proudly carry the banner of Batch ’89. Our journey is far from over, but with each step, we are guided by the values of respect, friendship, and service.
Our way of paying homage
To all who share our vision, we extend an invitation: join us in making a difference, in spreading love, and in building a brighter tomorrow for all.
Together, as Moonwalkers 1989 Inc., let us illuminate the world with the light of friendship and the warmth of kindness.
With love and gratitude, The Moonwalkers 1989 Inc. family 🌙💖
Step into the charming time capsule of Òbidos, Portugal, where cobblestone streets whisper tales of medieval romance.
The tourist in the quaint town of Obidos
As we strolled through its fortified walls, we were whisked away to an era of knights and fair maidens, surrounded by quaint shops offering treasures from yesteryears.
A picturesque town with lovely shops
But amidst the historical splendor, one thing stole the show – Ginja de Óbidos! This potent potion, served in chocolate cups, was both tempting and intimidating. With hesitant hearts, we pondered its strength until Mario from Ocean Clover dared us to take the plunge. And oh, how we soared on the wings of cherry-scented bravery!
The Kings Best Secret And the last but the best dare ..
With giggles and glee, we wandered, sipping on liquid courage, until we found ourselves posing for a picture-perfect moment outside the fort, thanking Ocean Clover for unveiling Portugal’s spirited soul. In the end, Òbidos wasn’t just a town; it was a whimsical journey through time, with a cherry on top!
I ran entering your door your eyes lit up and a faint smile broke your lips . I came near whispering to your ears “did you miss me this much that you have managed to go to the next level ?” You smile and nod faintly. “I miss you , you are my angel “ I sat beside you, cut your nails washed your hands, and told you stories that you used to love hearing from me. Every now amd then your eyes would open wide amd you smile .
Years ago I met death with resenment , I questioned him swore at him on why taking my brother away .. this time I meet death again , he is around lurking, waiting . This time death comes to me with compassion , this time death make me understand that loving is letting go , that loving is not allowing the person that matters suffer . Death showed me a new face. I know you are just standing at the corner, waiting for everyone to be ready .. I am ready , I will miss a Matriarch as she will take her rest but at the same time relieve that finally she can sleep without pain ..
Before the sun will totally stop from shining ..I will keep on making juice, wash your hands and whisper words that would make you smile .. I am your angel but one day you will be mine ..
To the woman that you are .. I will always remember you and the moments we were together
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