Mr. and Mrs. Jose Regala Banting
Thirty nine years ago today, my father and mother got married despite the odds. My maternal grandmother’s strong opposition posed a lot of obstacles to the romance between the handsome Kapampangan and the lovely Ilongga, but the trials only made their love stronger. Continue reading
Dearest Papa Joe,
How are you?
Is it fun being in heaven?
I just want to know (I am not in a hurry to go).
Today is special.
It’s your 65th birthday, your third up there.
Are the angels throwing you a party?
Dearest Papa Joe,
The silver tree is up.
The lights are on.
But you’re not here with us to fill the air with Christmas carols.
I can still recall your reaction when you saw my golden hair for the celebration.
You smiled and affirmed my boldness.
And yes, I can still recall how you giggled when Mama kept teasing you about your receding hairline.
I never thought I would welcome the first day of December
with nagging thoughts about you.
I never thought that December 2007 would be our last year of celebrating Christmas together.
I never thought I would be this sad even with all the red trimmings around me.
I miss you so much, my hero!
Christmas will never be the same without you.
I may be crying a river but I am not depressed.
As I promised you, I will be strong.
I will be a joyful channel of God’s love to the people around me.
I will honor you by being passionate in everything I do.
Opo, Papa– bigay todo ako sa buhay, habang may hininga…
Forever your baby girl,
Gigi
