Happy 41st birthday to me!

This day is so special because it's my 41st birthday! I still feel younger than ever! I didn't have a cake, but it's OK. Anyway, I have my family with me the whole day. We were complete, together with friends. That is more than enough. Thank you Señor Gómez for the birthday treat! =)

David's Tea House, Makati Avenue.

Birthday dessert at La Lola, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell.

To GOD Be The Glory!!! 👼 ❤ ☺
—Yeyette—

A day with Señor Guillermo Gómez!

We have known Señor Guillermo Gómez way back in college because he was our teacher in a couple of subjects. But being naughty students back then, we rarely paid attention to him. I actually received a low grade in one of his classes: 3.00. The highest I received from him was 2.5, LOL! And my hubby Pepe? Believe it or not, Señor Gómez gave him an incomplete grade in a Spanish class (4.00) because he was always absent, LOL!

Who would believe that Señor Gómez would become part of our life? He and my hubby became staunch partners in their advocacy to bring back the Spanish language to our country, he ended up as our compadre when he stood as godfather to our eldest son Mómay (whose real name, José Mario Guillermo, is a combination of Señor Gómez and Pepe's names), and he also became our wedding godfather in our Traditional Latin Mass wedding more than three years ago!

During our early years of living together, my hubby Pepe never had a permanent job. Señor Gómez took him in as his editorial assistant in Nueva Era, the last Spanish-language newspaper in our country. His main job was a typist, and he worked in Señor Gómez's house in Makati City. It was there where my husband learned how to type fast using Spanish accent marks. At the end of each day, he would go home with an allowance from Señor Gómez. It was during this time when my husband's knowledge of Filipino History and the Spanish language has grown. Pepe owes his love and deep regard for the Spanish language because of Señor Gómez. Without Señor Gómez, our family would not have discovered our national identity.

Last month (February 12), Señor Gómez invited us for lunch at the Casino Español de Manila. We haven't seen him for more than a year, and we heard that he is already using a wheelchair because of a struggle against gout. But he was still his jolly old self.

Señor Gómez (with his assistant Jeffrey Vecina) arrives. Junífera Clarita gave him a violet-colored flower which she had picked from the garden (Señor is holding that flower at right photo).

That Saturday lunch was so sumptous. Señor Gómez treated us to Spanish dishes such as paella and fabada. Before we even started eating, Junífera Clarita was already enjoying glasses of margarita. Maybe that was the reason why I think she fell asleep after our lunch, hahaha!

The best paella I have ever tasted is in Casino Español de Manila. I think one serving is good for three. During the meal, my dad and Señor Gómez chatted about their favorite topics: politics and history. Señor Gómez also advised my hubby to go back to blogging. Daddy Pepe already stopped blogging last year when he closed down ALAS FILIPINAS and FILIPINO eSCRIBBLES, mainly because of a nerve problem (and since then, I have been the one managing this blog). Señor Gómez told my hubby that he also suffered the same problem many years ago, and that he also stopped writing for about two years. Señor Gómez thinks that my hubby must have suffered from some sort of nervous breakdown, and that he just didn't know about it. That is why he advised us that I, as a mother, should take care of our kids full time, and that my husband should just focus on his work or advocacy so that he would not be prone to stress. Great advise, Señor. Thank you. Because many times Pepe becomes so stressed out with our children particularly when he comes home from his night shift, and that is one of the major reasons why he gets stressed out. Better take Señor's advise, Daddy Pepe. 😊

I have been to Casino Español de Manila many times already. Instituto Cervantes de Manila used to be beside it but has already transferred to Makati. Whenever there were events in Instituto Cervantes de Manila, many guests go to Casino Español de Manila to relax and dine. Casino Español de Manila is not a place to gamble. Casino is a Spanish word which means a social club. My hubby told me that the place is for members only. We are thankful because we were privileged to have visited the place many times, mainly because of our Spanish circle of friends. Whenever we are invited there, we feel as if we are already members, hahaha! The warm welcome of our Hispanic friends is so touching and muy intresante. ¡Mil gracias amigos y amigas!

Aperitivo: pan con mantequilla.

Fabada is a rich Spanish bean stew. It has blood sausage (morcilla) which reminds us of dinuguán.

Paella.

¡Buen provecho!

After our heavy Hispanic lunch, my husband and Señor were still chatting over important matters. Krystal was listening to them. They haven't seen each other for a long time. Since I couldn't relate to what they were talking about, I just went outside to the garden to take pictures and a video clip of the place while our three boys and Junífera Clarita were running around the grass and played with the piano by the hallway. They really enjoyed the place. It was not their first time to be here, that's why they were already familiar with the place, as if we are already members, hehehe!

In the afternoon, Señor invited us for a car ride in the old districts of Manila. He toured us to Ermita, Binondo (Chinatown), San Nicolás, Quiapò, Pandacan, and Santa Ana. Too bad our camera's battery power got drained, but I was able to record a few video clips (you may view them by clicking here, here, here, and here). Anyway, the best things in life are not captured on camera, hehehe! Señor shared to us historical tidbits during the tour while he's driving... and he's already 81 years old! He is a good driver for his age, and he still has a clear vision! 😊

Click here for our complete photo album!

Parroquia Basílica de San Lorenzo Ruiz y Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario.

Before we went home, he brought us to a mall near his house and treated us to some ice cream and KFC meals. We were so stuffed that we didn't eat dinner at home anymore!

We parted ways at the carpark. We did not want him to drive us to the nearest road where we could commute so that he could relax because of his age and he has driven a lot the whole afternoon. But despite his age, we know that he will never grow old. He feels and acts young all the time. He laughs with us, cracks jokes with us, and takes time to talk to our kids. His vast knowledge of historical information is still intact. And he could still give me advice on how to take care of our family. He still wants to teach Krystal Flamenco although he couldn't anymore. He just advised us to enroll her in a Flamenco class under one of his former students. He may have stopped teaching flamenco, but we are still hoping he could dance once again.

Señor Gómez is not just a former teacher, nor is he just a friend nor a compadre or padrino. We consider him a part of our family...

Thank you for always being there for our us, Señor Gómez... I am teary eyed as I write this. And as I wipe my tears away, I would like you to know that we love you so much and we are very thankful and grateful for having you in our life! We pray for your good health, and may we have more parties, events, and travels for us and our family to share. ¡Muchos besos y abrazos! =) =) 😊 😊

 -Yeyette-

—Yeyette—

DID YOU KNOW? General assemblies of the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española and awardings for the Premio Zóbel are always held here in Casino Español de Manila.

¡Feliz 15º cumpleaños, Krystal!

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Krystal! Esperamos que tu solicitud de pasear a BGC valiese la pena. Y qué tengas muchos cumpleaños felices por venir. ¡Te queremos mucho!

Con su Tita Jennifer (mi hermana) que le sorprendió con un pastel de chocolate. Tomada en Moshi Koshi Noodle Boss.

Un cumpleaños lleno de cultura

En la esquina superior izquierda, en la dirección de las manecillas de reloj: 1) Krystal, Anne Gómez, y Anne Marie Andaya bailan una danza flamenca en Rockwell Club bajo la clase del destacado "maestro flamenco", el Señor Guillermo Gómez Rivera. Al fondo son el resto de La Familia Viajera. 2) La Familia Viajera, Anne Marie, y el Sr. Gómez almuerzan en Kenny Rogers Roasters, Power Plant Mall. 3. En Ayala Museum para asistir a una exposición de fotografías del siglo XIX por Félix Laureano, el primer fotógrafo filipino. 4. Ese soy yo, llevando Junífera Clarita, durante la exposición. 5. Una merienda en Museum Café con Anne Marie, Javier Ruescas (vocal de la Asociación Cultural Galeón de Manila), y Sr. Gómez. Estábamos hablando de las historias tristes de España y Filipinas, y cómo debemos defenderlas. En nuestra discusión aprendí una nueva palabra: quijotesca. Gracias, Javier. 6. Con mi hermana Jessica en Pizza Warehouse, Glorietta 3. Es la pizzería favorita de La Familia Viajera.

Acabo de tener un cumpleaños más histórico y lleno de cultura (¡y comida!) en tiempos recientes. Y la mejor manera de celebrarlo es con toda la familia y amigos queridos. ¡Gracias, Señor Dios, por mis 36 años! ¡Me siento muy joven aún!

¡Gracias por la tarta, mi hermanita Jessica! ¡Fue una sorpresa reconfortante!

The colors of summer at Ayala Triangle Gardens

The rainy season may have already begun, but the summer bloom ain't over yet, at least in Ayala Triangle Gardens!

We chose this park mainly because of its numerous flame trees!

Ayala Triangle Gardens, commonly known as Ayala Triangle Park, is located at the heart of the Macati central business district. As the name suggests, it is triangular-shaped park located within Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, and Paseo de Roxas. At two hectares, it is easily the largest landscaped urban park in the city which is filled with ornamental trees and tropical foliage.

Many people enter the park through Ayala Tower One's Philippine Stock Exchange plaza along Ayala Avenue.

No smoking, please.

During our brief summer stay in Macati City last year, we were able to visit Greenbelt Park, Washington Sycip Park, and Legazpi Active Park. Ironically, we were just a few meters away from the Ayala Triangle Gardens but we failed to visit it. That's why we decided not to miss it this year, especially since its flame trees were in full bloom.

The flame tree, locally known as caballero (also known as "árbol del fuego" in Spanish), is a summer ornamental tree, at least here in Filipinas. The first batch of fire trees was brought to our country by Jacobo Zóbel Zangróniz, the first Filipino-born Zóbel and great great grandfather of famous corporate brothers Jaime Augusto II and Fernando Zóbel de Ayala. It was planted along the sidewalks of major thoroughfares of his era. Today, it has scattered throughout the country. From April to June, many parts of Metro Manila are beautifully tainted by these trees' fiery colors.

Some people refer to the caballeros as fire trees. Ayala Triangle Gardens call these fire trees as well. But the name is incorrect because a fire tree is different from a flame tree. A fire tree is actually an evergreen shrub whose scientific name is Myrica faya. On the other hand, the scientific name for flame trees such as the ones we have all over Filipinas is Delonix regia. The caballero is our favorite summer tree because of its flame-colored flowers that we enjoy so much!

We gathered flame tree flowers and a couple of interestingly shaped twigs that were strewn all over the grass and brought them home to eat. Joke. We just brought them home as temporary eye candies for the kids.

But the Ayala Triangle Gardens are known not only for its flame trees. Here are the other trees we encountered inside the park:

Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) — the national tree of Filipinas. The hardwood is termite resistant and a bit rose-scented. It blooms with slightly fragrant yellow to orange-yellow colored flowers from February to June.

Krystal beautifully surrounded by fallen narra flowers.

Banabá (Lagerstroemia speciosa) — an ornamental plant mainly because of its violet-colored flowers which bloom from late May to July. The leaves of this tree can also be used as herbal tea.

Mómay and Junífera Clarita underneath a banabá tree.

Bignáy (Antidesma bunius) — a fruit tree whose leaves, like those of the pandán plant (Pandanus amaryllifolius), can also be stewed with rice, though rarely. Its very small round fruits are borne in grape-like clusters. They are yellowish-green when immature and become bright-red to nearly black when ripe. We're not sure if the fruits are edible, but we had a fun time using them as pellets to throw at each other because their skin is as tough as pebbles (but no, they don't hurt as much).

We also saw hardwood molave trees (Vitex parviflora) near the restaurants which are now threatened by habitat loss. At least, those molaves we saw now have a safe habitat within the busy city.

The park can also provide its visitors with some lessons in local aviation history. Within its grounds (at the triangle's base, parallel to the Philippine Stock Exchange plaza) can be found the historic Nielson Tower, also known as the Manila International Air Terminal. Named after British businessman Laurie Reuben Nielson who established it in 1937, it was the country's first airport. Much of the park used to be an airstrip.

The main entrance to Nielson Tower is at its rear along Makati Avenue.

During World War II, the tower was seized by the Imperial Japanese Army. It suffered heavy damages at the close of the war in 1945. Airport operations continued right after but transferred three years later to Villamor Air Base in nearby Pásay City. The building was then used for various purposes throughout the decades and once housed the Filipinas Heritage Library (my favorite library). But thankfully, the heritage-conscious Zóbel de Ayala clan chose to retain its original architectural design. Since last year, Nielson Tower now functions as a first class restaurant called Blackbird, named after the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird aircraft, thus honoring the building's memory as an air terminal.

Restaurants are strategically located, on a spot where they cannot intrude the park's "green feel".

When we visited the park last June 11 to celebrate my wife's 39th birthday, a large part of it (the northern part surrounded by Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue) was fenced off. It turns out that the park was receiving a facelift. But we trust that Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI), the park's manager, will turn this one much prettier than before. After all, Ayala Corporation, of which ALI is a part of, has been known as the country's purveyor of social corporate responsibility since the Spanish times.

Ayala Land, Inc. promised a much better, more family-friendly Ayala Triangle Gardens that’s "actually bigger and more postcard-pretty" in the coming months.

"The Ayala Triangle Gardens is private property. The owner reserves the right to develop the same at any time and at its sole determination."

The earth-balling of various local trees was taking place during our visit.

Earth-balling of calumpit trees (Terminalia microcarpa Decne).

Good job!

We stayed at the park from morning till early afternoon and let our three boys run and roll around the grass, picking flame tree flowers and twigs to their hearts content. Krystal had time to relax on her own. Junífera Clarita, who was able to use her tram outdoors for the first time, tranquilly gazed at the flowering tree branches above her. And me and my wife had some quiet time on some tree-shaded bench while watching our kids enjoy and relax.

See more of the fun things we did at the park by clicking here. And don't forget to LIKE US on Facebook! ¡Hasta la vista!

Happy 39th birthday, Yeyette!

My beloved wife Yeyette is just one year shy before "experiencing life", whatever that means. Nevertheless, age is just a number. And she best exemplifies this.

Enjoying the sun on a bed of deep-green grass and lively fire tree flowers strewn about at the Ayala Triangle Gardens.

¡Feliz cumpleaños, mi amada mujer! Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made for the sake of our family. Please know that we always feel your love every single day. ¡Te amamos mucho!

Kenneth Gærlan's final dance

Me and Yeyette have never lost a close friend before. That is why Kenneth's passing last February 5 wasn't just a mere shock; it really felt like the wind was knocked out of us when Señor Guillermo Gómez told us of the sad news.

Yeyette and Kenneth at Señor Gómez's residence in Macati during the maestro de flamenco's 73rd birthday last 13 September 2009.

Kenneth Gærlan (1977-2015) was a dancer all his life. He started learning flamenco at the age of seven under the tutelage of the country's foremost maestro de flamenco, Señor Gómez. Kenneth also studied other dance forms such as ballet, tango, ballroom, and a host of others, including modern dance. Later on, he became a dance instructor and made a humble name for himself within Metro Manila's dancing circuit, especially among flamenco enthusiasts. He is one of only few dancers who had learned a huge bulk of Señor Gómez's repertoire of more than 200 dances. He was faithful to the "old school" of flamenco, shunning the lure of the confusing and rather modernistic compás style. In fact, Kenneth was already being groomed by Señor Gómez to be one of his replacement flamenco teachers when the veteran maestro retires. That is why his death, in my opinion, was a stunning blow to flamenco in Filipinas.

Kenneth was also fond of organizing parties for our flamenco circle of friends, including annual surprise birthday parties for Señor Gómez (I often joke that they were no longer a surprise since everyone was already anticipating it). The last party he had organized was another annual ritual: a Christmas party for Señor Gómez's flamenco clique which happened at the residence of Mary Anne Almonte in Sun Valley Subdivision, Parañaque City just two months ago (14 December 2014) and was attended by flamenco luminaries such as Cecile de Joya and Maggie de la Riva — all of whom were close to Kenneth. Little did we know that the simple affair was to be his last public performance. Here is a video clip of his dancing "Mosaíco" with Mary Anne...

La Familia Viajera and their flamenco friends at Mary Anne Almonte's residence after the party. Kenneth is standing at far right.

The last time he was with us was last January 17 in Rockwell, Macati. There was no hint at all that he was leaving us for good. He was his usual jolly self and looked very healthy. Humorously, on that chilly Saturday noon, he was personally serving me, Señor Gómez and his granddaughters, and Krystal our lunch as if we were royalty material. And while we were enjoying our lunch, we were chatting about our favorite topic: history, genealogy of old Filipino families, Filipino Identity, and, of course, his expertise — Filipino films. Kenneth's distinctive passion to and keen criticism on Filipino movies are simply remarkable. The brief articles he had written about recent movies he saw are enough for us friends of his to either watch them with gusto or forget them altogether. Makes me wonder why his not in the showbiz press industry. Sayang. In all honesty, there was HUGE potential for him to become one of our country's leading movie critics. He was virtually a walking Wikipedia of the local silver screen. It pains me now that I failed to deliver to him my promise — that I will create for him a blog where he can dance around with his thoughts on Filipino cinema (I was already planning to launch it this month).

And speaking of dance, well, that's another aspect of your his which we his friends are most familiar with. When it comes to flamenco, he is like Sancho Panza to Señor Gómez's Quijote. That is why his flamenco performances are always a sight to behold. In some weird way, he did inspire me to keep on pursuing flamenco even if flamenco pursues distancing itself from me (a brutal truth that he doesn't want to accept, hehe). Anyway, Krystal and Señor Gómez's granddaughters will continue the fire burning. They now have you in their hearts as added inspiration.

¡Te echaremos de menos, nuestro amigo Kenneth! Thank you so much for loving our family! Thank you so much for everything you've taught to our daughter Krystal.

Since Señor Gómez cannot dance full-time due to his age, Kenneth usually took his place. Here he is attending to Krystal (wearing the late Marién Gómez's "falda"), Señor Gómez's grandaughters Anne and Ysa, and Japanese student  Mariko Usami (hidden behind Anne) while the maestro de flamenco (seated) closely supervises the class (at Joya Lofts and Towers in Macati late last year).

Thank you for being a concerned and caring godfather to Mómay. Salamat rin sa lahát ng regalo, sa mg̃a payo mo sa amin ni Yeyette, sa pagcacaibigan. Sayang at hindí na matútuloy yung balac mo na ipasiál camíng familia at manoód ng película. You are a true friend. Our family feel so wretched and empty now that you're gone. The only compensation is the thought that you are now at peace with God, dancing for Him, to all the angels and the saints, with Ate Mayén...

And lastly, thank you for giving us the honor of dancing at our wedding reception last 2013. We will always cherish that precious moment!

At our wedding reception at Jardín de San Pedro last 13 September 2013. Left to right: good ol' Kenneth Gærlan, former beauty titlist and commercial model Maridel Coching (daughter of Francisco Coching, National Artist for Visual Arts), Señor Guillermo Gómez, painter Valerie Devulder (daughter of Maridel), indie actress Jam Pérez and her uncle Edwin Pérez.

Kenneth and Jam in a memorable and heavily applauded flamenco dance number.

¡Hasta la vista, Step Up Guy! ¡Te echaremos de menos! ¡Mahál na mahál ca namin!

¡Salamat, salamat, maraming salamat!

"I have lost the will to live," my husband told me one day while we were on a tricycle ride on our way home. Buntis pa ako noong mga kasalukuyan iyon. Paminsan-minsan ay ganyan po talaga mag-isip ang asawa kong si Pepe lalo na kapag may mga kabiguan siyang dinaramdam, o siguro sa sobrang kakaisip ng kung ano-ano. Sabi nga nila, "all writers are weird", ¡jejeje! Hindi ko alam kung serioso siya o nagbibiro na naman. Pero nung sinabi niya iyon, ang sagot ko sa kanya, "huwag naman, Daddy. May familia ka, kailangan ka namin. Nandito ka sa mundong ito dahil may misyon ka, at ang Panginoon ang dahilan kung bakit nandito ka sa mundong ito, dahil may misyon ka na dapat gampanan. Huwag kang mag-iisip ng hindi maganda." Tahimik lang ang asawa ko noon na nakikinig sa akin, at sinabi ko pa sa kanya habang hinahagod ko ang likod niya bago kami bumaba sa sasakyan: "Live with a purpose. You have a mission". At napangiti ko siya. :)

Nabanggit ko ito dahil sa nangyari sa akin may anim na buan na ang nakalipas. Iyon ay nang muntik na akong pumanaw dahil sa delikadong kondisyon ng aking pagbubuntis. Hindi iyon naging normal tulad ng apat kong nauna. A few weeks before I gave birth (that was last August 11), I was diagnosed with placenta percreta, a rare and life-threatening pregnancy disorder. Ito yung abnormalidad na dumidikit yung placenta ng nanay sa internal organs. Sa caso co naman, dumikit na yung placenta co sa pantog o bladder. Ayon sa mga eksperto, sobrang dami ng dugo ang nawawala sa mga nanay na may ganitong uri ng sakit habang nanganganak. Kaya talagang hindi ko alam kung makakaligtas ako o hindi.

Kaya bago dumating ang araw na manganganak na ako, ginupitan ko na ang tatlo kong anak na lalaki. Ayaw magpagupit ng anak kong babae, kaya di ko na kinulit. Pero sinabi ko sa kanya (habang nag-iiyak ako) na dahil siya ang panganay, na kung sakaling di ako makaligtas sa panganganak ko, itinuro ko sa kanya ang lalagyan ng mga paid at unpaid bills, at itinuro ko din sa kanya kung saan nakalagay ang título ng lupa ko na bigay pa sa akin ng lolo ko sa Mindoro. Nagpapaalam na talaga ako noon. Ang sabi pa ng asawa ko, huwag daw akong magsasalita ng ganoon.

Dasal ako ng dasal sa ating Panginoong Dios. Ilang gabi din akong nagno-novena kasama ang aking asawa't apat na anak. Halos lahat na yata ng mga santo ay natawag ko na din. Dito sa blog namin, sa Facebook, at sa Twitter, humihingi ako palagi ng dasal. Kahit noong mga unang buwan pa lang ng pagdadalantao ko na maliit pa lang ang aking tiyan, kahit sino na bumabati sa aking pagbubuntis, kilala ko man o hindi, ay humihingi talaga ako ng dasal. Kahit nung araw na manganganak na ako, yung mga doctor ko at nurses sa hospital ay di ko din pinalagpas. Humingi din ako ng dasal sa kanila. At isang linggo bago ako manganak, dumalaw ang buong La Familia Viajera kay Padre Jojo Zerrudo para sa isang ritual na tinatawag na churching before childbirth para ako at ang bata sa aking sinapupunan ay mabasbasan at maprotektahan sa araw ng panganganak/operasyon.

At dumating na nga ang bisperas ng aking panganganak. Araw iyon ng linggo, Agosto 10. Nung hapong iyon ay dumalaw kaming lahat sa mga milagrosong imahen ng San Pedro Tunasán: kay Lolo Uweng sa Iglesia de Santo Sepulcro sa may Barrio Landayan, at sa Banal na Cruz de Tunasán ng San Pedro Apóstol (kung saan kami ikinasal ni Pepe noong 2013) para humingi ng bendisyon at karagdagang pag-asa.

Imploring Lolo Uweng's aid at the Iglesia de Santo Sepulcro (08/10/2014).

At the historic and miraculous Cruz de Tunasán inside the Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol (08/10/2014).

Nagmerienda din kaming lahat pagkatapos. Iiwan namin ang mga bata sa aming kapitbahay dahil hindi sila puede sa hospital at may pasok sila. Iniisip ko din na baka iyon na ang huling merienda na makakasama ko ang aking mga anak...

Pagkahatid namin ng asawa ko sa aming mga anak sa kapitbahay namin ay lubos akong napaluha dahil hindi ko talaga alam kung makikita pa nila ako o hindi. Dumerecho na kami sa Saint Clare's Medical Center sa Macati kung saan ako manganganak. Actually, it is where I gave birth to all my children.

Admission at Saint Clare's Medical Center in Palanan, Macati City (08/10/2014).

Gabi na kami dumating sa hospital. Agad akong inihanda para sa operasyon sa susunod na araw. Bukod sa ika-limang caesarian delivery na pagdadaanan ko ay may hysterectomy procedure pa na gagawin sa akin para subukang iligtas ako laban sa delikadong placenta percreta. Talagang kinakabahan ako, pero nilaksan ko pa din ang loob ko.

Nang sumunod na araw, Agosto 11, nalaman namin na aniversario pala ng Saint Clare's Medical Center. At araw ng kaniyang patrona na si Santa Clara de Asís. Nagpamisa ang administrasyon ng hospital kung saan dumalo ang aking asawa pati na din ng nanay ko. Paalis na sana ang asawa ko para maghanap ng karagdagang dugo dahil kulang pala ang stock na dugo ng hospital na gagamitin para sa akin.

Fr. Cris Magbítang officiated that special day's Mass.

Dahil sa kinulang ng dugo ang hospital, kinailangan pa ni Pepe na makipagtulungan sa paghahanap. Sobrang dalang pa ng dugo ko dahil Type AB+ pala ako. Buti na lang at may nahanap. Pero dahil sa naghanap pa ng dugo, nausog ang operasyon ko ng a la una ng hapon.

Pagsapit ng a la una, inihanda na akong ipasok sa operating room.

Even before the operation began, an early blood transfusion was done because pathologists already detected that my hemoglobin count was low (08/11/2014).

Taken  a few minutes before I was brought to the operating room for my caesarian operation and hysterectomy. Acala talaga namin ay ito na ang huling foto na magcasama kami (08/11/2014).

Habang inooperahan ako, ang natatandaan ko ay naririnig ko sa operating room ang mga doctor ko na nagsasalita. May hinihintay pa sila na isa pang doctor na naabutan raw ng traffic, etc. Kahit groggy ako ay nagdarasal ako ng Our Father, Hail Mary, at Glory Be. Hindi ko pa nga natatapos ang Glory Be noon ay napapabalik ulit ako sa Our Father, at paulit-ulit iyon. Siguro sa nerbyos ko kaya ko nagawa iyon, o dahil groggy nga lang ako (half-conscious, ika nga).

This was Junífera Clarita's first appearance! After this, I was immediately placed under a hysterectomy procedure for my placenta percreta (08/11/2014).

Hanggang sa naguising ako at nasa recovery room na pala ako noon, napansin ko sa tabi ng kama ko ang anesthesiologist ko na si Dr. Gerald Vita. Tinawag ko ang pangalan niya at lumapit siya. Sabi ko sa kaniya, "¿Totoo ka ba?" Ang sagot niya, "¡Oo naman! Andito ako sa tabi mo. Ako ito." Tapos, tanong ko ulit: "¿Buhay pa ba ako?" At ang sagot niya, "¡Oo naman!" Kahit groggy ako ay sobrang sayang nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon. Pagkatapos ay nakatulog ulit ako.

Inside the recovery room, hours after I gave birth (08/11/2014).

Maya-maya din ay naguising ako sa recovery room. Hindi ko alam ang horas. Pakiramdam ko noon ay susuka ako. Humihingi pa nga ako ng sukahan pero wala naman akong isinuka. Minsan konting laway lang. Ilang sandali pa'y nakatulog ulit ako. At nang muling magising maya-maya lang ay at tinanggal na ang oxygen ko at dinala na ako sa maternity ward.

The morning after the operation. Here my loving mom is checking my condition (08/12/2014).

Nung sumunod na araw, dinalaw ako ng anesthesiologist ko na si Dr. Vita at nagkuwento na siya sa akin at sa familia ko. Siya kasi ang pinakamatagal kong kasama sa operasyon. Sabi ko kasi sa kanya, bago ang operasyon ko, huwag niya akong iiwan. Samahan niya lang ako. At ginawa naman niya (salamat ng sobra, Doc). Ang sabi niya nag 50, 40, at 30 na daw ang blood pressure ko, at namutla ako ng sobra. Maputi na nga ako, pero para pa daw akong gumamit ng glutathione sa sobrang putla ko ng mga horas na yun, at ang lamig pa na ng katawan ko. Si Dr. Vita ang nagtitimpla ng lahat ng tinuturok na medisina sa akin. Kuwento pa niya, dalawang beses na daw akong muntik mamatay. Kaya kahit pagod at medio ninenerbyos ay nabubuhayan siya ng loob kapag naririnig nya na umuungol ako habang inooperahan, at nakikita pa niya na nagkukusot ako ng ilong, kaya alam nya na may malay ako. Tinatago pa daw niya ang monitor sa dalawang OB-Gynecologist, sa surgeon, at sa pathologist ko para hindi sila kabahan o mataranta, at para focus lang sila sa ginagawa nila. Anim na horas ang operasyon ko at siyam na horas ako sa recovery room. Ganoon katagal akong sinamahan ni Dr. Vita. At pagkatapos nga ng lahat ng iyon, sinabi niya na dumerecho siya sa canteen at napakain ng anim na itlog, ¡jejeje!

Me and my hubby with veteran anesthesiologist, Dr. Gerald Vita.

Pagkatapos ni Dr. Vita, dumalaw din ang surgeon ko na si Dr. Rouel Azores. Sabi niya magpa-Misa daw kami bilang pasasalamat sa pagkakaligtas ko. Tatlo silang anesthesiologist, surgeon, at OB-Gyne ko na hindi ko pinapalitan simula noong una kong ceasarian, nung kay Krystal pa lang (taong 2000). Ganun ang loyalty ko, ¡jejeje! Hindi ako nagpalit ng mga doctor kaya pang limang beses na nila akong inoperahan. At nang dumalaw din ang OB-Gyne ko na si Dr. Catherine Pujol de Azores, ikinuwento niya na pitong litro ng dugo daw ang nawala sa akin. Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Kaya pala 12 bags ang total na dugo na isinalin sa akin: anim na fresh whole blood, apat na plasma, at dalawang red blood cells. Grabe pala talaga ang pinag-daanan ko sa pang-limang caesarian delivery ko na ito. Dugo ko palang, napakahirap nang hanapin: type AB+ siya at naaalala ko pa nga ang sabi sa akin ng esposo ko na pagkatapos kong masalinan ng apat na fresh whole blood sa operating room ay ipinatawag pa siya ni Dr. Azores at pinapahanap pa siya ng dalawa pang fresh whole blood dahil kinulang sila. Ganun kagrabe ang nangyari sa akin. Kung hindi ako nasalinan noon ay hindi na ako siguro nakaligtas. Mabuti na lang at nandoon rin ang kapatid niyang si Jessica Alas at tinulungan siya na makahanap ng dugo ko. ¡Gracias, Kaka! =)

My longtime OB-Gyne, Dr. Catherine Pujol de Azores between me and my mom. Siya lahat ang nagpaanak sa aking limang anak, mula kay Krystal noong 2000 hanggang kay Junífera Clarita (08/13/2014).

¡Totoong tagumpay ang ika-limang caesarian delivery! Ito daw ang isa sa pinaka-sensitibong operasyon na nahawakan ng mga doctor ko kaya tuwang-tuwa talaga sila at nakaligtas ako, lalo na't placenta percreta pa ang nakaharap nila dahil nga isa ito sa pinaka-delikado at malalang uri ng kumplikasyon sa pagbubuntis. Lima pa ang mga doctor ko noong araw na iyon. Nandoon din ang kaibigan na doctor ni Dr. Azores na si Dr. Orpha Montillano, pati na din ang mga pathologist at nurses para tumulong sa operasyon. Sa dami ng anesthesia ko, nalimutan ko na kung sino sa kanila ang nagsabi na palakpakan daw ang mga doctor at nurses noong naging matagumpay ang operasyon ko. ¡Salamat sa inyong lahat! Truly, a job well done! Grabe, ¡ang gagaling ninyo! =)

Pero pagkaalis namin ng hospital matapos ang halos isang linggo, hindi pa din tinanggal yung Jackson-Pratt drain na ikinabit ni Dr. Catherine sa tiyan ko pagkatapos ng operasyon ko kasi dumikit na yung placenta sa bladder ko. I underwent a hysterectomy procedure to have this Jackson-Pratt drain attached to my stomach to prevent internal bleeding. Ang tawag pa nila dito ay "granada". And I still had to text my OB-Gyne everyday to report how much fluid was drained in 24 hours. Sa totoo lang, mas masakit pa sa sugat ng caesarian surgery kapag may Jackson-Pratt ang isang tao. Having a Jackson-Pratt drain attached to my insides is one of the hardest I have ever experienced. All the pain and suffering, both physical and mental and even emotional... Super... para kang nilalagnat tapos nanghihina ka na kinakapos pa ng hininga. Ang payat ko na nga pero mas nangayayat pa ako dahil sa nangyari sa akin. Pero salamat sa kapitbahay ko na si Flor kasi lagi niya akong binibigyan ng iba't-ibang ulam na nakadagdag sa lakas ko. At habang nakakabit pa yung Jackson-Pratt ko ay hindi ako naligo. I did not take a bath for 44 days, hahaha! Natatakot kasi akong mabasa talaga dahil delikado daw (kaya nagpalipas pa din ako ng ilang araw noon bago naligo pagkatanggal ng Jackson-Pratt ko, ¡jejeje!).

Bago mag-isang buwan si Junífera Clarita, tinanggal na sa wakas ang Jackson-Pratt na nakakabit sa akin. Wala akong anesthesia noong tinanggal ito. Pinagpawisan ako ng malamig habang tinatanggal siya dahil sa sobrang hapdi, at kung may masakit pa sa masakit ay iyon ang naramdaman ko noong tinatanggal yoon. Wow! ¡Sobrang sakit talaga! But I endured it all because all of your prayers for me and my new baby were so powerful, here I am now, blogging about my fifth caesarian delivery experience. ¡Salamat sa mga dasal ninyo, sobra akong naantig! =)

Salamat sa familia ko, mga kaibigan, ka-oficina, kababayan, batchmates at schoolmates, kakilala at di kakilala, na nagdasal at patuloy na nagdarasal para sa akin. Before, during, and after my operation. Salamat din sa mga taong nag-alala noong naghahanap ang mga miembro ng aking familia ng dugo na type AB+. Thank you to all the nurses who helped me when i was already inside my ward, to all who sent me text messages, facebook messages on my wall and even messages on their wall to ask prayers for my successful caesarian delivery, and private messages as well. hindi ko na mababanggit ang mga pangalan ninyong lahat sa dami, pero salamat, sobra... =)

At sabi nga, kalimutan mo na ang lahat, huwag lang ang mga taong ito, ¡jejeje! Salamat sa aking kumpanyang pinagtatrabahuhan ko. Special mention to Boss Karen and Boss PJ for allowing me to take an early maternity leave. Junio pa lang ay nakabakasyon na ako dahil nga sa aking sensitibong pagbubuntis.

Special thanks to Father Jojo Zerrudo and the "TLM Boys" of the Holy Family Parish Church (Jesson Allerite, Maurice Joseph Almandrones, Gerald Ceñir, Satcheil Amamangpang, Juhnar Esmeralda, and Miguel Madárang) for administering my churching before childbirth to protect me and my baby from any danger during delivery. Ito nga't nakaligtas kami ng baby ko at napasyalan na sila noong Noviembre 30. ¡Maraming salamat ulit!

Salamat sa aking kapitbahay na si Flor Junio de Pérez kasama ng kaniyang dalawang anak at mga kapatid niya na nag-alaga sa aking apat na anak habang nasa hospital kami ng anim na araw.

Me and my dad (08/12/2014).

Salamat sa mga dumalaw sa akin sa hospital, sa mga kapatid ng asawa ko na sina Jennifer Alas and Jessica Alas. It was my first time to receive flowers while recuperating in a hospital. Thank you so much for the flowers and your "pasalubong"! A nuestro compadre y amigo y padrino, Señor Guillermo Gómez, y nuestro otro compadre y amigo, Arnaldo Arnáiz: ¡gracias por vuestra visita! Thanks for the pasalubong, and for all the help and concern. Salamat sa prayer book, Ate Jene Alfaro, at sa pagdalaw at pag-aasikaso sa akin sa hospital. Sa mahal kong tatay, Jaime Perey, salamat sa pagdalaw sa akin. Naaalala ko pa nung binanggit mo na marami sa mga pinsan ko sa Indang, Cavite ang hindi din nakatulog at maya't-maya ang pagsubaybay sa Facebook para malaman ang kondisyon ko. Salamat sa inyo. At sinabi pa niya na di rin mapakali ang kapatid ko na si Kathleen Perey de Diezon. Dasal ng dasal kasama niya kasi nga inooperahan ako, at sabi pa ni Kat, kung nangyari daw sa kanya ang nangyari sa akin ay di niya daw kakayanin. Salamat, kapatid. Salamat din sa Mommy ko na si Teresa Atienza de Perey na muntik nang mahimatay sa nerbyos habang inooperahan ako, at binulabog pa niya ang mundo ng Facebook para humingi ng dasal sa akin. Sobrang nabagbag ang damdamin ko dahil sa pag-aalala mo sa akin, Mommy.

Recovering bit by bit (08/12/2014).

My sisters-in-law Jennifer and Jessica excited to see their niece for the first time (08/12/2014)!

I was very honored and grateful when the great Filipinista scholar, Señor Guillermo Gómez Rivera, and online historian Arnaldo Arnáiz paid me a visit. Dear friends, indeed (08/12/2014)!

Ang una naming pagkikita. Unlike in my previous deliveries, I was unconscious when I gave birth to Junífera Clarita. And I only got to hold her four days after her birth because I was still recuperating from my operation (08/15/2014).

Maraming salamat sa Familia Catáquiz: kay dating Mayor Calixto Catáquiz, Mayor Lourdes "Baby" Catáquiz, sa kanilang anak na si Aris Catáquiz, sa pamangkin nila na si Noel Buenavista, at sa nanay ni Noel na si Tita Carmi Capacete de Buenavista.

Ninang Baby, maraming salamat sa pagsagot mo ng cellphone ng 5:00 AM ilang Horas lang bago ako operahan. Alam ko po na tulog at puyat pa kayo noong araw na iyon dahil sa mga gawain ninyo bilang ina ng San Pedro Tunasán, pero gumising pa din kayo para lang sagutin ang tawag ko. Tuliro na po kasi ang asawa ko at di alam kung saan kukuha ng dugo ko kaya napilitan akong tawagan po kayo para magtanong kung may mga alam kayong mga taga Red Cross. Salamat po ulit sa tulong ninyo.

Paying homage to an image of Santa Clara de Asís before going home on the morning of August 17. She is the patron saint of Saint Clare's Medical Center since the hospital was founded on her feast day (and that's why the hospital was named after her). It was just a coincidence that our baby was born on the hospital's feast day. At dapat talaga ay Junífera La Bella ang ipapangalan namin sa bagong anak namin. Pero nagpasiya na lang kami na Junífera Clarita ang ibigay na pangalan dahil nga ipinanganak siya sa kapistahan ni Santa Clara de Asís.

Salamat din po Tita Sylvia Santos de Pineda sa tulong sa paghahanap ng dugo ko. Tito Ramón "Mónching" Alas, salamat po sa pag-aalala ninyo. Muchas gracias por la ayuda, Antonio Marques Sans, Diego Pastor Zambrano, y Luis María Cardaba Prada. Thank you also to Shee-Ann Meneses, José-Rodaniel Cruz, and Ronald Yu. Thanks to all my doctors: my OB-Gyne Dr. Catherine Pujol de Azores and her surgeon husband, Dr. Rouel Azores; my anestheiologist, Dr. Gerald Vita; Dr. Catherine Azores friend, OB-Gyne Dr. Orpha Montillano de Corrado, and; to all the pathologists, nurses, and orderlies of Saint Clare's Medical Center. A special thank you to nurse Jingky Sumañga for being so nice to me, and to Jennalyn Carmona of Saint Clare's Medical Center's billing department for her genuine concern.

With my new baby; my sons Jefe, Mómay, and Juanito, and; my compadre Arnaldo upon arrival at home six days after I gave birth (08/17/2014). My Jackson-Pratt drain can be seen right above my shorts. 

At ang isa pang tao na talagang pinakapinasasalamatan ko ay ang aking mahal na asawa, si Pepe Alas. Naaalala ko pa na sinampal kita ng konti sa mukha bago ako operahan noong naghahanap ka pa lamang ng dugo sa akin kasi nakita kita na namumutla at blangko ang mukha,. Mas kinakabahan kapa yata sa akin, eh, ¡jejeje! Kaya ginawa ko yun ay para matauhan ka. Hello! Ang ginawa mo pa nga tumabi ka sa tabi ng kama ko at natulog. Ang sabi ko pa sa'yo, "Daddy, ¡guising! Umayos ka, huwag kang ganyan. Maghanap ka ng dugo ko." At ang sagot mo, "Matutulog muna ako sandali, Mommy. Para pag-guising ko, may lakas ako na maghanap ng dugo mo." Ahh, naantig naman ako sa asawa ko. Salamat sa paghahanap ng dugo ko, mahal kong asawa. Dahil sa'yo, nakaligtas ako. Salamat sa pag-aalaga mo sa akin sa hospital na kahit puyat ka at hirap sa puesto mo sa pagtulog ay todo tiaga ka pa din sa pag-aalaga sa akin. Salamat din sa todong pag-aasikaso para makalabas kami ni Junífera Clarita sa hospital. Walang hanggang pasasalamat, my endless love, sa pagmamahal mo sa akin at sa lima nating mga anak na sila Krystal, Mómay, Jefe, Juanito, at Junífera Clarita. Salamat talaga. Te amo mucho, mi amor. ♥

At higit sa lahat, ang pinaka-importante sa lahat...

Salamat po Dios ko sa pangalawang buhay na ibinigay ninyo sa akin. Sa lahat ng mga anghel at mga santo na tinawag ko, salamat po. Noong araw na nanganak ako, Agosto 11, araw pala ni Santa Clara de Asís at Santa Filomena, kaya maraming salamat din po sa inyo. Alam ko po na ipinagdasal niyo po ako. Salamat at buhay po ako ngayon. 

¡Isa talaga itong milagro!

Aftes the thanksgiving Mass for my recovery and for Junífera Clarita's safe delivery. This was taken last 14 December 2014 (exactly 125 days after Junífera Clarita's birth) at San Pedro Apóstol Parish Church in San Pedro Tunasán, La Laguna.

Sinabi ko sa asawa ko na may misyon siya kaya kailangan niyang mabuhay. Ganoon din po ako, may misyon pa din po ako sa mundong ito kaya niyo po ako binigyan ng pangalawang buhay, Dios ko. Kaya gagawin ko po iyon at ipagpapatuloy. Thank you, Lord Almighty, for everything! Now I will get to travel again with my husband and our five kids, be with them, and enjoy life with them surrounded by our beloved family members, relatives, and friends. Thanks again to all of you! May GOD bless us all! =)

❤ YEYETTE❤

¡Pitó na camí! ¡Vamos a viajar! (Unisan, Tayabas, 12/28/2014)

¡Enaltecer la familia para la gloria más alta de Dios!