The Unimaginable Birthday Extravaganza

I WAS SUPPOSED TO CELEBRATE A SIMPLE BIRTHDAY, but the most unimaginable surprise happened. From left: Sen. JUAN MIGUEL ZUBIRI, Gov. JEORGE "E.R." EJERCITO ESTREGAN, and Mayora GIRLIE MAITA EJERCITO.

When I was young, I would love to spend my January 10's with a bang. I love being surrounded by the people thaat matter to me. But when I hit puberty, things have changed. I already preferred simple and quite celebrations without any hassle. As years pass by, I enjoyed my peace and quiet. I got used to the idea of enjoying simple family dinners. 

But this year's January 10 is different. Though I was truly stressed to the bones, I enjoyed every single time of it. I felt the joy that I forgot to feel for many years.

To begin with, thank you Almighty. You and I know that I don't deserve any of this, you see the darkest part of my heart. But still, you have blessed me infinitely. I glorify You.

Thank you Dad and Grandmama, for the unconditional and gratifying love. About your request of having a grandson in the near future, why not save for his future first before I actually make him? Then I will look for his porcelain-skinned, chinky-eyed, long silky black-haired Chinese mom with a 36-22-26 vital stats.

To Ate Breean, for the trust and love, Kyle, and all my cousins. Thank you for filling the empty spaces in my heart as an only child.

To my first overseas greetings which cheered me up so much, Ate Lizette Sta. Ana and Amwe.

To the one and only Gov. JEORGE "E.R." EJERCITO ESTREGAN... thank you for your trust. I know I am not the best man for the job, but you keep on hoping that one day I will become good, at least, with what I do. My loyalty is forever yours.

To Sir Carlos Dolendo, my one and only mentor, who makes the extreme sacrifice of reading my works, and patiently teaches me better ways to do things, with the hope that one day I will finally improve; who ironically intimidates me yet makes me feel safe when he's around, thank you. I hope that you will open your heart to receive my gratitude. 

To Madam Gina Tiu, the one and only Queen, no words can express the love that emanates from my soul towards you and your family. You always hold a steady hand on my pillar of hope and make sure that it remains intact. Thank you for the love. I receive it. I recognize it. I know what it is.

To my G.O. siblings, Ilonah and Nhery, my immortal allies, constant photographers, providers of joy, springs of hope; to Mariz, one of the few snakes I trust and love (you know what I mean) who comes out of her way to show her sincerity and appreciation; to Klyde for exuding a recognizable wavelength echoing from a parallel universe; and to the one and only Queen of Pun, Ate Grace Geronimo, for the genuine concern, the sincere joy, and from the jokes that make me feel somehow intelligent.

To Ate Julie and Candy, the whole world knows what we have. No words are necessary to explain our deep affection for each other. Without you, life will seem like a secluded room, resembling a lifeless tomb.

To my friends, LASER SQUADRON JAILGUARDS, without you, the simple feast we had this afternoon would be impossible. Thank you Kuya SILVERIO, Kuya Guico, Kuya Espinase, and most especially, Kuya Tobias. Salute to you!

To my officemates Kuya Totoy, Kuya Rey, Duday and Kuya Angle, Ate Giselle, Ate Lynn, the Immortal Sea Princess Mama Rely, Ate Dora, Bogs, Kuya Boris, thank you for all your support. Hope you had fun today.

To all of my friends from other departments, Edward Aquino, Hart Cabuhat, HRMO's Ate Jo, Ate Gina, Ate Athena, and especially to Admin Office's very own, the Wonder Girls, Ate Michelle, Ate Jenn, Ate Donna, and Ate Shellie. I love you so much.Thank you for being my extended family outside G.O.

To my UPCBS contemporaries, Atsi Joizee, Ecca, Anly, Ace, Edz, RJ the ultimate gelled crooner, Choleng, Em, my UP CBS family, and most of all, my sister Meara De Guzman, whom I offered one of my twenty-five birthday wishes- a safe, virtually-painless (whatever that means) delivery and a blissful married life.

To my South Greenville School family- Ma'am Cita, Ate Cha, all the teachers and my former students, especially RD Silang, Roselyn Santiago, Faye Cruz, Lois Castillo, Arnold Canceran, Ica Torrocha, and JV Vinas.

To Gov. ER's eagle squadron, most especially to the most wonderful and rich KUYA COSIO.

My core family, the LAGUNA SECONDARY SCHOOL PAPER ADVISERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Your surprise visit has given me way too much happiness. My love for each of you is more than my love and passion for Campus Journalism itself. Kuya Mark, my brother, Mama Flocy, my vivacious and beautiful Journalism mama, Ma'am Nadine, who revived my dying Journalism career in 2009, my COUSIN Ate Delia and her new Amor Powers hairdo, Ma'am Jonna, my good friend and chatmate, Ma'am Mercy, the Queen of the Laguna Alps and my spiritual inspiration, Ma'am Evelyn Navia, who was the first to trust me as a coach for RSPC, to Sir Jonathan, the Fountain of Kindness and Positivity, and of course, the One and Only Queen of Campus Journalism, Her Highness Belen Calaylay, it is a great honor to have a royalty attend my birthday celebration.

To Kuya Rommel and Sir Matrin, Ma'am Ces, Ma'am JQ, Atsi Cathy Macabasco, and Oscar Queen Ma'am Ness Cuevas, my love love love for you.

To my mentors, the miners who unearthed me, Ninang Virginia Virtucio and the one and only National Champion and the Queen of Feature Writing, Ma'am Aida Penaredondo. Your perseverance in unleashing my talent, i will forever be grateful.

To the biggest star that greeted me this morning, Madam Stargazer, which gave me an electrifying energy and a hunch that this would be one of the most remarkable birthdays I will have in this lifetime, up to Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who indeed was the most overwhelming presence in my celebration today.

Most importanly, I pay highest gratitute to Sir Mike and Albert Abarquez, who has made today, and past days that preceeded it from that life-changing day of September 16, 2010. You will always be the wind beneath my wings and the spirit that soars in me. There is nothing that I will not do just to say thank you eveytime I have the chance. I love the both of you.

And to all of you whom i can no longer mention due to stress and seemingly-returning fever, those of you who have rendered a few minutes of their time to post on my wall, tell me that I matter, and that there are people who actually feel that they love me, there is no higher compliment that what you have told me.  

I won't say thank you, I'll say... until my next birthday. May the Lord bless us all!