Gerald “Ge” Parra

I call Ge “Gekins”. I usually add ‘kins’ to my friends’ nickname that ends with a vowel because it sounds really charming, friendly, and cute e.g. Joysikins, Rinakins, Leokins, or Anakins. If you use to read Archie Comic you’ll remember that Veronica calls her boyfriend Archiekins.

First time I met Ge he’s really generous in offering his food. He has a sweet tooth too so he always share his chocolates. Creativity wise, I love his drawings and his talent in photography.

He’s a good listener even in wee hours (he has insomnia, I stay late because I just feel like it not because we’re forming the insomnia group wehihihi) and I’ll never forget how he made me laugh so hard. Thanks for being a good friend. Good luck to all your future plans, stay positive pare!

Josephine “Ping” Baay

I love Manang Ping, I usually write the real name on the title but I know how she hated her real name that’s why I used her self-confessed fake name (^_^). Since third year high school, she nourished my sister Jenny and I with delicious meal time after time, she also make sure we wear crisply iron and good smelling clothes, she offers moral support when we’re feeling blue, and most of all she acts as our mother when Mama left for abroad. She might be shorter in height but her heart is so big that it hugs our entire being and felt relaxed every day.

After the fruitful 8 years of taking care of my sisters and I, she finally decided to settle down. I pray that she’s happy with her new life, this time taking care of the man he loves with their bundle of joy. I just hope she’ll have the time to visit us one time so we’ll be sure she’s doing just fine.

As I compose this entry and got Josh Grosban “You Raise Me Up” on the background, I can’t help but miss her. She’s a real doll and a good big sister. She prays only the best for my sisters and I and so she deserves to be really happy. I love you Manang Ping and you’re one of the nicest extended family we siblings ever got; no one will ever exist to be just like you.

Daniel “Dan” Salunga

I am so thankful with this kid because he helps me fix my computer; he knows what to click when I ask something. He’s very kind and intelligent. He knows what career commitments mean, he’s truly admirable. I also like his closeness with his brother Emman. I love my two sisters too much and they are another example why it confuses me to know that other siblings don’t get along.

Connie “Ckim” Uy

I call her Ckim, auntie in Chinese (wife of my mother’s 4th brother to be exact), and she’s the one kind of a domestic goddess who offered herself truly for her family and closest friends.

I love Ckim dearly because of the following reasons:

• Treats my sisters and I as her own children
• Loves her husband and our cousins unconditionally
• Do domestic chores to make her family comfortable
• Respects and appreciates my mom
• Simple
• Great cook
• Kind

I honestly don’t understand how could she give up things just to take care of her family. I am no good at cooking or doing household chores but now that our help left to settle down and I am suppose to prepare meal if I wanted to for my sisters… I suddenly realize that if you love somebody you wouldn’t mind getting yourself dirty and doesn’t mind the fatigue for the sake of making your loved ones happy. Amazing how powerful ‘love’ is.