I RECEIVED a poignant message of thanks from a dear friend who is now based in the United States and who has embraced Thanksgiving Day, not just as an obligatory US holiday but as a chance to say thank you to those who have touched his life.
Thanksgiving is celebrated every fourth Thursday of November to commemorate the first harvest by the Pilgrims when they first landed in America. Although it may be far from becoming one of our adopted holidays, it is fast catching up as evidenced by the Thanksgiving sales in our malls.
So allow me to join the Thanksgiving celebration today by paying tribute to the people who matter to me, to these wonderful gents and ladies that have played a big role in my life, to these dear friends that have opened their doors for me and have been there constantly through good and bad times.
First off is my own family. My father passed away a few years back and now it’s just my mom, me, and my younger brother, Norman. Though undeniably we have differences, family will always be family and I am thankful that we are still together, trying to draw strength from each other, making the most of the little time we have left in this world.
There too are my other families – these are the ones that have openly shared their homes with me, treating me as their own, giving me great comfort when I needed it most. These are the people that exemplify there is real love, too, outside one’s own family.
Tito Diotay Lopue and Tita Virgie (whom privately, I call my Prime Minister), have mentored me through the years and for whom I shall be forever grateful, as well as their children - Anne, Honey and Kim. I’ve seen many parts of the world in their company and have kept these memories alive through the beautiful photographs captured by the lenses of Tito Diotay. I can perhaps encapsulate this relationship with the Lopues to that breathtaking moment when we silently witnessed the Aurora Borealis in Iceland—that even in silence, there is that comforting warmth that says, you are not alone for I am with you.
There, too, are the Garriels –Tito Angge and Tita Angie and their wonderful daughters – Tiffany, Bgirl, Niña and Maan. These are the very people who will not hesitate to give me comfort, enfold me in their arms especially when the walls are crumbling around me, and yes, will not mince words as well to berate me when they think I’ve done something foolish.
And then there’s the Espina Family - a huge clan that has not stopped counting the many others, including me, as part of their family. They provide the laughter, kept me grounded, and have unabashedly adopted me as one of them, sans my talent for music and the arts. Strange bedfellows indeed with this artsy family but the humanness in all of them have kept me coming back for more love than they can ever provide.
Lastly, my friends – Martin Baylen, Roy Hilado (my official shopper) and Rick Carlson (who i fondly call, Daddy) - happy Thanksgiving to these three gregarious travel mates I have in the US. My ever loyal high school friends Marivic Tan Watson and Isper Resuma Crissey - thank you for giving value to our friendship. My partner in crime, Clifford Nolido, my ever slave driven boss, Yasmin Pascual-Dormido and my ever gorgeous PA, Jonie Lacson, I will be forever grateful to your friendship. My eating and chika buddies – Mate’ Espina, Lulu Abelido and Toks Lopez and of course, my other wanderlust friends - Ally Araneta Alindao, Martin Yee and Nico Badayos and my ROAR team – Maylyn Obordo-Calansingin, Pinky de los Reyes, Jarlie Rosario Clemena, Ma. Theresa Bayani, Glia Gayona-Mabag, Liza Masicampo, and again Mate’ who is in all categories because obviously she is my BFF (bwahahaha)!
Gratitude knows no bounds. It transcends distance, time and space. Whether they are here in Bacolod or across the Pacific, I often do, not just try, my best to remember how blessed I truly am with family and friends who have made my life a real adventure. So, no matter how small or short it may seem, messages of thanks are heavenly notes to me and I cherish them dearly. It always reminds me that there really are something we should be thankful for and that we should always be very generous in gratitude and thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!!!