On my birthday, I am thankful for all the people that have touched my life - one way or another. They are those who helped mold me into what I am today. I am the sum of all the people I have met - my family, my friends, my acquaintances, my mentors, strangers that I have talked to and the list goes on.
On this special day, my youngest sister, Iris sent me an e-mail that I couldn't resist not to share with you (with her permission, of course). It is by far the best birthday gift I have ever recieved in my entire life. I am counting that you agree with me. Here it goes.....
My Ever Dearest Sistarling,
You might wonder why I wrote this kind of "essay" thing exclusively for you. Well I want to give a special gift for your birthday but since material things are out on my list because I would want to present it to you personally. 
---Which I can't because we're world's apart. And ahem..money is kind of very impersonal and might I say "coldish"? hahaha..It's my way of saying "na nagkukuripot ang lola mo ngunian. Bawi na sana ako next time". 
hahaha. I want it to be something meaningful. 
so...here it is!
MY STUPENDOUS ATE
We know very well that you played a humongous part in most of my life. You've been my "yaya" when I was very young. Of course I didn't know that but you and Mama keep on telling me. You often told me that when I was very young Mama will go to Tabaco (beacause you stayed with Tia Andre to save money) just for me to see you-obviously I missed my Yaya!) hehehe..I also remembered the pencil you bought me from National Bookstore (it's the very first pencil set that I'd owned other than Mongol of course). I can still remember the cute little gold patterns and it's brownish red color. I also remembered that you always told me to brush my tongue right after I brushed my teeth which became a habit-and it's the reason why I have a perfect smile! ahahaha! We used to take a bath at the river and you used to carry me at your back while swimming. And that was the time I learned how to swim and you're the one who noticed! It was like I've won a trophy without knowing what game I'd competed!
We, the four of us used to take a bath together and you'll lift me so I can almost touch the shower head and it feels like we're just bathing in the rain. 
Then come summertime, all of us (together with our cousins) went for an excursion-be it pabarasugan sa salog, karigos sa dagat kan matalibong pagkatapos sa bunsuran naman, o kaya sa amater. 
. Then when we got home we're super nognog and that's how I got my other nickname. well, it really suits me! hahaha!. Elementary/High School Days: I often anticipated weekends to come so all of us will eat dinner together and talk about everything we did during weekdays. Sometimes you were very funny that you imagine yourself being famous and used to "perform" on top of the table and Ate Waldz, Manay and I pretended to be your fans! hahaha
. Before my graduation in Elementary, you and Mama accompanied me to Luz Hair Salon to have my hair straightened. I remembered I never combed my hair because it was soo kinky! And I have all these "ticks and fleas" in my hair! hahaha! I was kinda super lazy to take a bath and even brush my teeth back then. hihihi..Having my hair straightened was very much of an advantage because it helped me get rid of my super duper kadakol na kakutohan! hahaha..Garo baga ako ayam na hinaplusan ki tinultog na alkampor! hahaha.. You're the one who taught us PROPER HYGIENE-ta kun dai baad ngunian nunuon pa kami..hahaha!!
I also remembered the time when I studied at Aquinas University Science Oriented High school (That was a nightmare!) I was bullied there. Everyone seemed to be very smart and talented-except me. In short, na shock ang byuti kez! Ta kan elementary baga dai man ako nag-aadal. haaay.. But then I was very lucky to have you as my "private tutor"kuno..hehehe. There was this one night that I have an assignment that I totally had a hard time understanding and deciphering what it really was. I've waited for you to come home but it was very late that I fell asleep. Then suddenly I jerked awake and very nervous because i haven't done my assignment yet. You might not understand but I was dreading to go to school without any preparation or else i'll be a laughing stock again. So I ran into your room and woke you up in the wee hours of the morning and you were so grumpy but still helped me with my assignment. I know I'm not that academically smart like manay-who doesn't have any problems at school. But well, i got it through right? hehehe.. You were very fair with us - you know -you never compare us with anyone like "he or she is smarter than you" kind of thing.
I also remembered the time I took entrance exam at BU and my classmates were like "Is she your mom?" then I proudly answered them, "no she's my sister!". But when you found out about that you were very pissed off!! hahaha..Remember the time when we were living at Naval Base Apartment and someone knocked at our door and asked you if you are Mrs. Cruel?! That was hilarious!! But come to think of it you are the one whom we can depend on. The one who gave us advises about everything. You are a mom, loving sister, adviser, motivator, disciplinarian and bestfriend all in one. You were there with most of my first times: first time to eat kiwi fruit, first foot spa, first straightened hair,first to buy red shirt, first time to eat pizza at greenwich, and so on and so forth. And oh wait! First one to give me money so I can go to a Dermatologist to get rid of my yucky pimples!-which I'm very grateful because my confidence level at that time was almost below zero. ( And sad to say that it's all coming back again!! aarrrgghhh!!) You were the one who encourages me to take up architecture. Then after College and a little experience, I decided to try my luck in Manila. Even after I already had a job, you still keep on sending us money. You keep on worrying about us (mas sobra ka pang magworry kesa kay mama). You are the most responsible person I know.When I decided to work here in Singapore you were a little worried at first but you supported me all the way. Giving me advices on how to nail a job and you keep on calling me everyday to ease my boredom and worries.
There's a helluva lot of things I want to mention but I'll stick with whichever came first into my mind. But you know what i really love? Walking late at night at the silent and peaceful road with rows of pine trees at naval Base after watching a movie at Bichara Silverscreen. Where all the four of us lift our chins and smell the fresh salty air of the ocean and the musky & sweet scent of pine trees with mild smell of carabao grass. Then we all look up at the sky and gaze at the stars. (Wara pano akong nahihiling na stars digdi sa singapore dawa pahuruhalabaon ko pa an liog ko! hahaha)
It's just my simple way of saying I Love You Dear Sister and I treasure every moment we've been together and the wonderful memories that come with it. I can't thank you enough for all the things that you've done for us. I always pray that God may give us good health and of course wealth! hehehe..and...lovelife for me! nyahahaha!! May you have more birthdays to come. We might not be able to celebrate it with you but at least we are making efforts to make it special for you.
HAPPY 36TH BIRTHDAY!!!
I love you always!! Muaaah! Muaah!
P.S. Gusto ko kutang isurat sa papel ini buda picturan before i send ko saimo via email..kaso kakatype pa lang ngani napapagal na ako..nyahaha..buda nadrain so utak ko kakaisip na english! nyahaha!! 
She made me laugh, she made me cry but all the same... she made me feel that I am loved..... :)
