LAST SUNDAY VERSE READING

For almost more than a month, I could not attend church services because of my work. In that month was attacked badly by depression and guilt. Guilt of all what happened to me a year ago. Last year my divorce dilemma happened and I can say that God is so merciful because he helps me to able get through it. I have guilt because my ex husband who is acclaimed a man of God gave all the blame to myself why my marriage do not work. He make me believed that I am only a woman and a wife and I do not deserve a respect from a husband. This guilt was in my heart for long, there was a time that I blamed myself but thank God last Sunday verse set me free on that guilt. Our verse readings last Sunday is 1 PETER 3:7 (kjv) says “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered,”. God gave instructions to husband to give honor, respect because all wives are the heirs of the grace of life. Every husband in the meeting acknowledged that he need to give full respect and honour to his wife even the wife is not perfect. After every husband’s sharing about the verse, I had a teary eye, I feel the heaviness in my heart was lift, and thank God for knowing that even I was not a perfect wife to my ex husband I was entitled to be respected. Husbands., . Give honour and full respect to your wife so all your prayers will not be hindered.

YOU FEED THEM- A BIG PART IN MYLIFESTORY

As you pray for others' needs as well as your own, are you considering what else you might do, in addition to prayer, for those whose lives touch yours...particularly those in your church family? When I heard this shared story, I remember my own Mylifestory . I want to share with how God feed me through his people and I give back all the glory to HIM. “Someone once shared the most unusual reason for leaving a church that I had ever heard...one that touched my heart. She said, "When I moved here I was wounded and broken-hearted. I did not know a soul, and devastating family problems had torn me apart. Therefore, I joined a church. One evening they gathered around me to pray. They prayed, ‘God, heal her. Comfort her. Put your arms around her and soothe her broken heart.' But, not one of them put their arms around me. Not one took me out for coffee or asked, ‘what can I do for you?' If God works through His people, I sure didn't find Him in that place. I moved to another church." However, my experience is different from the above story. After the final divorce, we still living together still were trying to fix everything. After four months everything getting worse, he came home only once a week and sometimes not. That time I cannot asked him any question (like where have you been or likes). In January 2010, he told me that it is really over but he still came home occasionally. April 2010 he told me that he had to move out from our apartment and leave me completely. That time I am still struggling to find a job. When he completely left me, he handed me $ 20.00 and he told me that I have to pay my rent on the next month. I asked myself how could I survive for $20.00? After he left I cried to God, asked guidance, strength, and miracles. In that moment the only thing I had is my FAITH to God that he will never leave me nor forsake me. The next day I walked around the neighborhood, my feet directed me to this staffing agency, and I was hired as produce packer (part time for night shift). I know to myself this will be not enough to survive so I walked to the next hotel and asked for some job vacancy. Thank God, this hotel gave me a two-day housekeeping job. On the next day, I start working. I thank God for that because I knew he would never leave or forsake me. I decided also to transfer from another church; my old church is a good church also but for me that time I was not comfortable to be on that church where my ex-Mr. L is attending also. I find a new church closer to my place. My first day in my new church, the elders group talked to me to know me, they asked how I am, and comfort me. When they know what all happened to me they comfort me with their love and care. The next few days after the first day I attended to their church, some of the elders visited me in my apartment and brought me some foods, and things that I need to start my life. They prayed for me and really, I feel the love that Jesus promised me. I knew God sent them to me. I continue attending church, in spite of transportation problem, one of my brothers from the church pick me up and bring me home every Sunday. In that, time God starting to heal my broken heart. After two weeks, another job from Macys called me and I am so happy and feel so blessed. I reported right away in Macys for interview and after I finished the 3-day training, I started right away. I gave up my housekeeping job in hotel and continue only my (night packing job) during my day off in Macys. God is so faithful to me, he sustains all my needs to pay my rent, for food, and everything I need and even I can help back my siblings. I stop helping my siblings three years ago after I got married to Mr. L. . . I started to gain my self-esteem and self-confidence again with the help of all my sisters and brothers in Christ, they always reminded me that God loves me so much. Who will believe that I started my new life for $20.00? This reminds me of Jesus' command to His disciples when the multitudes were hungry.

But, Jesus said unto them, they need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

(Matthew 14:16-20 (King James Version)

This experienced is part of mylifestory and I shared it with you not for anything else but to glorify and praise God in what he did to me. I know God has plan for me., and I hope MyLifeStory will bless others especially those wounded heart like me. HEAR THE LORD as he says. “YOU FEED THEM, BRING WHAT YOU HAVE TO ME, I WILL BLESS IT, AND YOU WILL GIVE ABUNDANCE TO OTHERS. I am so thankful that God gave me opportunities to do good deeds for others.

MYLIFESTORY Post18

Apology to all my readers and followers of mylifestory.. I was not able to post the continuation of the due to some personal reason but now you can follow me again every monday….After few months of daily emails, communication, and my man decided to planned his visit to the Philippines to meet my family and me. I talked to my family that Mr. L.. is coming very soon. My family is not so excited about it; maybe they are worried about him, and probably not convinced that he is a good person. I mentioned it also to my best friend in work and she is excited but always reminded me what kind of life I will have with him. My best friend is almost a sister to me, our life both are open book for each other. We know each other ups and down, tears and laugh but she is there to support whatever decision I will made. September 2006 Mr L. informed me that he booked his ticket already going to the Philippines and I am so excited. In my part, I have to prepare also for his arrival. My first arrangement is to find somebody who will escort him from the plane until the arrival area so he will not experienced the hardship in immigration check. (That is how he is so important to me). I talk to my best friend about it and she mentioned to me that I need to pay some escort for him. So the night of excitement is coming… We rent a van to pick him on the airport with my two sisters. While we are in airport I am so excited and anxious what he looks like, and what I will feel when we meet in person. At 11:59 the escort guy call me informing that he find Mr L inside the plane but he do not want to go with him... Funny for sure Mr. L is probably scared heehaw... Therefore, I talked to Mr. L and told him that I sent that escort for him so he will not encounter any problem in immigration check . Finally, when our eyes meet, I almost melt where I stand. He is so cute, tall, and handsome and little bald LOL.. Overall, he is cute. He said hello to my two sisters and of course kiss for me LOL…While we travelling to my place, we feel so comfortable with our conversation. We feel that we meet already for a long time ago. I booked his hotel prior on his arrival and the next day we go directly to my house. NOTE: If you missed the whole old post about MyLifeStory click here.

MYLIFESTORY XVII

Every day I am so excited to open my emails and to have some sweet notes from my mahal . A letter full of different promises (most of them never happen). As our relationship grow fonder, we know each other more or less. We share our up and downs, our beliefs about marriages and faith. I told him all my happy and sad story of my life, all the ups and downs before I reach the place where I am in that time. All my perseverance being an orphan kid who strive and work hard to help my younger siblings, the up and downs of my love life. At the same time he shared with his ups and down when it come to his love life’s. He is a Christian (quoted as devoted as what he say) and I am so happy and glad to find a true man of God even in my mind there is curiosity why in the world this man of God was failed for 2 marriages already. I ignored this thinking and willing to know him better. After he told me that all what happen is all mistake of the wives, and I believed it,. But never come into my mind that whatever he complained about his ex wives is the same he complained about me to some women. (stay tuned to know the story behind in the middle). Our relationship is pretty good. Anytime he send me messages that he is in, I have to wake up anytime of the night just to talk to him. Almost every day I received email, from him, in every emails we have different promises to each other. The most memorable and maybe the most I love is his promise (quote) I WILL GIV YOU A GOOD LIFE THAN WHAT YOUR HAVE). For me it’s a bonus because I know I have a comfortable life already before I meet him. In returned my promise is so silly and maybe stupid that when I was not able to do it,, It become a big issue in the end. (stay tuned). My promises are , we will exercise, we will swim, I promise to love his parents as my own which I did.. because I always dreaming to experience how to have parents,(note. I lost both my parents when I am young) and to be a submissive plain housewife(this is my ultimate dream a plain housewife) Day pass and pass until he deiced to made his plan visiting my country.. And this is more exciting..stay tuned ..until next Monday.

MYLIFESTORY XVI

Before we meet me on June 2006, he had a friend a Chinese computer guy, they are close and this guy know him so well, this Chinese guy know most of his lifestory. In their conversation they talk about marriages and this Chinese guy told him that “IF YOU WANT A GOOD WIFE FIND IN THE PHILIPPINES” that he don’t have any idea about Philippines where is it, how safe to travel in this country. When I told him that I was from the Philippines he remember what the Chinese guy told him, and he start to make a research about my country. He search how safe is my country, what kind of religion we have in my country. He become more interested to have correspondence with me. On that month we start, exchanging emails, knowing each other. As the day pass by I always excited to go home from work to check my emails, and of course his sweet nothing..LOL with matching pictures. As we become close to each other, we become open to talk serious matter. About all our past, about all our future dreams, and what we want to be , and to have in the future. Ever since, after all what I have the only dreams that I want is to have my own family, To have a loving and god fearing man that will value a family most next to God. Family is valuable for me. We agree in many things we want in our life especially when it comes to family beliefs. In spite of the truth that divorce is rampant in US, even in Christian World, we both don’t believe in divorce and that is one “pogi points for me”. Every day we exchange different stories that we had every day. We become more closer and closer to each other even physically we are 8000 miles away.(to be continued..stay tuned)

MYLIFESTORY XV (REPOST)

APOLOGY FOR NOT UPDATING MY STORY, I WAS DEALING WITH THE BIG STORM OF MY LIFE AND I BARE ALL ON MY NEXT POST..

In 1990 patient bear fruit, finally I got my college diploma in Bachelor Degree of Accounting. After 3 months of looking for job I landed my first job. I don’t transfer job to job. After my first job I got a job interview call from Honda Cars , one of the prestigious company in the Philippines. I left my old job to accept the job offer. My job in Honda cars is like a dream job for me, the management are so fair, they always see to it that they gave fair accommodation to all employees whether you are in managerial or rank and file. But after 6 months contract my employment was screwed up by our company doctor.. Anyway after Honda Cars I find another job which I stay almost 11 years. I transfer to a Korean Company which manufactured apparel for export. We manufactured all clothing for export, like GAP, WALMART, KMART, JC PENNY, BANANA REPUBLIC, OLD NAVY, CALVEIN CLEIN, etc I stay with job until I resigned last 2007. Im working in this company for almost 11 years and I almost have everything. Good life, gown house, and I can help all my sibling to have good education. But inspite of a good life my next dream is to be a plain housewife. It become a joke in the office. They how can I find a partner if we work 14 hours mostly everyday, sometimes we have overtime work on sunday. One time one of my friend mention to me this one site , she said you can try maybe you can find the king of your life. So one day I because of curiosity, I tried this site..I know many of you there have beautiful exprience about this super technology. Some of us are happily married, some of us failed. After few days I received the first response to my shout.. "Looking for my king , next to God". He thought that I am from NY because during my registration I can't think number so I pick up a number in top of my head, and fortunately that zipcode number is the zip number of the city close where he live. It's 10 minutes away from where he live. By the way he lives in NY City. Is it co incidence , I don’t think so,, for me maybe we meant to be LOL… Anyway we meet on this site and he email me right away asking for dinner and I laugh at first. I replied to his mail and told him, I wish I can but I am 8,000 miles away from you. Next email I got from him is , Its ok I have car and I know your place … I laugh again and finally I told him to my next email that I am from Asia in Philippines. He don’t have any idea where is Philippines is. So he decided to search about my country. (To be continue..stay tuned every monday)

IM BACK....

I would like to thanks all myfriends in blogging world who always visit me, drop EC card and leave some comments.. Thanks all my friends who always there to give me some advice everytime I need somebody to talk to. I would like to thanks all my sister/brothers in christ who always there to give me some words that make me strong enough to face the giant storm of my life. And most of all Thank You Jesus for not forsaken me. Now I am back to continue the MYLIFESTORY.. don't miss the most awaiting part of my story..

MYLIFESTORY PART XIV

I am so excited to my first day in college. In first day I meet some group of freshmen students who are taking the same course as I am. All of us have the same schedule or we call it black section. All my classmates are so kind and down to earth, even they are from a medium level family not like me I almost can’t afford to eat snacks everyday because I had to save my allowance for other expenses in school. I am so honest with them with my status as a student, so most of the time they always pay for my snacks so I can go with them. I can say that my college day is the most hard of my life in that moment, I have to take care of my niece in the morning, do some household chores like laundry etc., and attending classed at 1pm to 9pm. There is time that I go home so late because we live in a place that not too much public transportation(jeepney) at night. My cousin owned a passenger jeepney so sometimes she asked favor to the driver to work until 10pm so before he parked the jeepney he can wait for me. I am so great full to the driver (RIP) who always waiting for me. There is time that I go home so late because of waiting for passenger jeepney who will go inside our village. And I alwaysendup crying when I got home. But every tears is a challenge for me to be more strong and focus on the dreams that I want to have my COLLEGE DIPLOMA . So as life goes on… mylifestory continues…

MYLIFESTORY PART XIII

It's Monday again and I am here to continue sharing MyLifeStory.......

After I graduated in high school I was so worried if I can continue my studies in college. Me and M my best friend always talking where we’re going to enroll. At first I really want to be a nurse but it’s quite expensive so I decided to take Accountancy. Before the classes begin finally my cousin told me that I can inquire on one colleges in town and I am so excited, happy, and thankful that my cousin will continue supporting my studies. After I submitted all my primary requirements and took the entrance exam I was so excited when I got the result that I passed the exam for Accountancy. I am so excited for the first day but at the same time nervous also. Thinking who will be my classmates, professors etc. My cousin always reminded me that college life has a big difference in high school life. She always reminded me also that I had focus more on my studies and be sure to pass all my subjects during the particular semester if I want to graduate in time. She warned me that once I failed any of my subjects, I don’t have any choice but to stop and go back to the province. I understand her, actually I am so thankful that inspire of having two kids in private school they still tried to support my studies. So even it’s hard for me to attend my school in afternoon session, no matter for me. All I had in my mind that time is to finish my college. The first day is coming pretty soon…

MYLIFESTORY PART XII

After I promised my cousin that I will study hard, and finally I finish my high school with flying colors. I graduated as salutatorian. Actually I almost hit the valedictorian position but because I am a transferee I can’t be a valedictorian. But I am so happy for it, also my cousin and mother as well. My cousin prepare a graduation celebration with so much food, with some of my classmates and secretly my MU (mutual understanding) friends. It will be more happier if my mother was around but it’s hard for my mother to travel because she don’t want to ride ship. After the graduation, me and M my best friends are always together , planning what school we are going to enroll for college. But one worries for me if I don’t know if I can continue my studies.

MYLIFESTORY PART XI

My first week in school is over. I adjust myself with all my teacher in different subjects and also to some of my classmates. Some boys always laugh at me every time I participate in recitation because of my accent. But after that week they are very nice to me already especially all those (bopol) or no brain, LOL they always want to sit beside me because they want to copy my exam papers. One time I share my answer to one of my classmate and our teacher caught us and she remind me that don’t tolerate some of my classmates, don’t be afraid of them and I asked an apology from my teacher for what happened. In the middle of the school year, I feel very confident already, I am one of the teacher’s pet (LOL) with my best friend M. We always together specially during exams. Before the class begun we always stay in a tree house in our school, reviewing all our notes for the exams and we never had envy to each other. Even some classmates told my best friend that I am a threat to her to become the first honor or valedictorian. My best friend is so humble and very understanding. Every Sunday we go to church together as what my cousin told us, we almost like gum that can’t be separated. We become the talk of our class because in every test or exam we had, we always in top if not we always have the perfect score. I enjoyed already with my school, all teacher are very supportive and the most important is I gave credit to my cousin who is supporting me on my school expenses. We joined all the extracurricular in school, like sports and even joining some declamation contest like what I am doing in the province.. At the end of the school year they announce the top 5 of the class and unfortunately I am in second place. And for sure on graduation I will be the valedictorian or salutatorian , as I promised my cousin to study hard.

MYLIFESTORY PART X

My first day for my new school come and the excitement turn into nervousness. But before the first day of school, my cousin talk already to our neighbor who is in the same school to help me to find my class adviser. And the new beginning began. My class teacher start to introduce herself and she explained to all my new classmates that they have new transferee classmate and that’s me. Everybody are starting to introduce themselves and when it’s my turn I feel very shy and nervous. First I had my province accent but I don’t have choice when it’s my turn to introduced myself. I know somebody are laughing at me because of my accent. (we all know some of us who came from the province one our difficulties is our accent , sometimes the (e) become (i) and vice versa. I meet my very first friend and become best friend over the years. Let’s call her M, she is the most intelligent in the class. We become good friends starting that day, she is very nice and accommodating. She always assisted me every time I need to know something and I am more happy when I knew that she is our neighbor and family friend of my cousin. In the end of the day I can say that everything goes well.. M and I left the school together and the night after our first day in school she visited me in my house and have some conversation. I told her that I am so nervous during the introduction because of my accent. She said no worries. Sooner I will be used to it. The next day we always together and I find out that she is a teacher pet because she is intelligent and one of the top of the class.

MYLIFESTORY PART IX

After I left my province I am so excited to see the city. We ride ship going to Batangas City and ride car to Calamba City and because I am a certified “promdi” (means from the province) I was so amazed with all the lights and all the cars on the road. After a day living with my cousin which I consider as my poster parents, I always cried every night. I missed my mother, my sisters and brothers. Another thing is I work more in the house doing some household chores which I never did in my province because my mother always do it. One time my cousin found that I am crying , she talked to me and ask me if I want to go back to province or to stay and continue studies. At first I don’t know what I want, I told her that I still don’t know. She told me that I have to find out to myself before the enrollment which is last week of May. So I had almost one week to make up my mind. And before the enrollment I told my cousin that I want to stay and pursue my studies. We go to shopping for my needs in school. We bought school uniforms, new shoes and socks, new bags and all school supplies. I am so happy because I never had all this in my province . My cousin accompanied me to the school during enrollment. She talk to the school adviser about my situation of being transferee. They check all my credentials and I was accepted. I am so excited to the first day of class.

MYLIFESTORY PART VIII

There is a big change in my life after my second year in high school. It was summer when my cousin and her family had vacation in our province. They live in Calamba City. My cousin is very close to my father when my father is still alive. Every time my father had transported some produce from our native province he always visited, my cousin who is on that time is in her college. When she knew that my father passed, away she is very sad and she always told my mother how my father is very uncle to them. So during their vacation they had family beach outing and my mother is invited. During that time my talked to my cousin about me, (that I never knew only when my mother passed away when I ‘m in college). My mother told my cousin that she is worried about my dream to pursue my studies in college. She beg my cousin if she can take me to the city and help me for my school. My cousin agree but she told my mother that they are not rich but they will try to help me but I need to help them in household chores and and taking care of their kids. When my mother got home that day, she told me about it. First I am so excited because I want to see what’s in the city but at the same time I am sad because it will be the first time I will away with my family. My mother explained to me that if I will go with my cousin there is big chance to reach my dream to finish my school until college. At first I am hesitate but when I think about my dream I told my mother yes.. Therefore, I prepared everything I need, my transfer cards, and everything I need in school. After a week, we go back to Calamba City, Laguna with my cousin family. The next school year I was enrolled in my third year as transferee...

MYLIFESTORY PART VII

Sorry folks for the late post of MyLifeStory series. I am so exhausted for three consecutive night shifts in Tomatoes Packaging Factory.

First day of my second year in high school. The same feelings, excited to meet new classmates, and at the same time my old classmates in my section. I have typical life as students, and of course starting to feel crushes with some cute classmates LOL. This time I joined some sports during Intramurals. I joined volleyball, and the declamation contest. This time my piece was titled “I KILLED HIM BECAUSE I LOVE HIM.” It is a story of an older woman that fall in love with a younger guy. She helps her boyfriend to go to college. But in his graduation another girlfriend get up on the stage for his diploma. So when they got home, they argue and she kills him. Finally, when the judge calls the winner I am in second place. I am so happy, sharing the award to my mentor and my classmates. At the end of school year, I got the second honor. Yes, my mother is so happy for me. Every time I got an award or honors in school, I always dream high to finish my school and to help my family. SO waiting again for my next school year..

MYLIFESTORY PART VI

It is Monday once again, here is the continuation of ...

I am so excited on my first day in school. My grandmother bought some school supplies like bags, papers and my slippers (we use slippers or shoes during that time in the province). High School is far from our place, it is on the other barangay, so every morning we walked approximately a hour before we get into the school. The first week is full of excitement, but after months, I feel it is tiring to walk every day. Some people ride motorcycle but for me I cannot afford to pay for transportation.(note: motorcycle only is the available means of transportation in my small town on that time). Sometimes I want to stop going to school, but my mother always remind me that she believed in me , that I will reach my dreams if I had the patience and dedication. Every day is always a new day for me. Sometimes I go to school with only rice on my lunch box. I really love to study. On high school days, even I am a simple student, my teacher likes ME as we call it teacher’s pet. Yes .. Especially when I joined some extracurricular in school. During my first year day, I am one participant in declamation contest and I got the second place. I remember the piece that I had, title Have Mercy on Me. This is the story of a blind man who wants to survive by himself. He never lost hope and faith to God. My declamation piece gives me boost to be stronger, and make me more perseverance to reach my goal to have my college diploma. It helps me develop my faith in God, starting that moment I told myself, POVERTY IS NOT A HINDRANCE TO SUCCEED. I finish my first year in high school with honors, and my mother is so happy with, and she said I am done with the first step and I have to study hard on the next step which is my second year high school.

MYLIFESTORY PART IV

After the death of father, everything changed. Our farm animals are sold one by one. I witnessed that hard life for my mother. As years passed, I witnessed how my mother dealing with our life. Every day, after she came home from farming, I always saw her crying. Every time my older sister asked her she just nod her head. In my young age, I start to dream not only for myself but also for my family. I continued to bring honor to my mother every year in school. One day I heard my mother, my older sister, and older brother talking. They telling my mother, they want to stop schooling because they want to help her in the farm. I remember I am the only one who does not want to work on the farm. I prefer to stay at home, reading my notes even Saturday (studios kuno), but really I am. In my young age, I dreamed to somebody, someday. Therefore, I start to study hard. After a year, my older sister got married in a very young age of 16 I think. I know, she did it because she wants to escape the hardship of our life. My older brother, work in the nearby city. Only my older sister, two younger siblings, and I stay with my mother. My mother is always happy every graduation day, she always come up to the stage to pin some ribbon and medals for me. On my graduation day in elementary, my mother is so happy and at the same time sad. Happy because she come up to the stage for nine times. Yes, nine times (medals, ribbon, special awards, and best mathematician after I win the provincial quiz bee). She is sad also, because, my mother is not sure what will happen to my dream after the graduation. However, my dream do not stop on that moment, instead that is the beginning of new dream for the next part of my life. I attended my high school in government school. It is free so not so much problem. So when my first day in high school come….

MYLIFESTORY PART III

After the burial of my father, the house is like an empty house. My mother are so upset and most of the time she is crying my older sister and brother are the same. I don’t know why I can’t cry. Maybe I still don’t feel the pains from the death of my father or maybe I was born to be a strong woman. My mother start to manage everything I know that it is very hard for her to handle everything especially she don’t have too much experience in dealing all those things. My mother start to works on fields, and every night I saw her crying. We start to sold some of our cows, goats on the farm to use for living. We are so thankful on that time because my grand parents (father side) are so supportive. Everyday they visit us and especially my grand father. He is a very nice LOLO(grand father). After some months my father passed away, my grand mother convince me to stay with them. I love to be with my grand mother, she is very lovable woman, and very kind. My grand parent love us all, especially they love my father so much. I enjoy my stay in grand parents house. They support me all my needs in school. My grand mothers love to buy me clothes everytime I have some program in school. From my very young age, I put in my mind I have to finish my studies no matter what. So I study hard. I get my very first honor award in elementary. My mother is so happy with me. Because it makes me more eager to have more honors, medals on the next school year.

MYLIFESTORY PART II

FIRST STORM IN MY LIFE After my father arrived from other town, he visits my grandparents. He visited our copra’s. He joined his friends in my grandparents house drinking coconut wine(we call it tuba) and when he go home he bring some food for us. At midnight my father feel stomach ache that make my mother panic. My older sister call our neighbor for help to bring my father in the hospital. My older brother ran to my grandparents house (my father parents) to let them know what happen. Everybody come to our house and helping to bring my father to the hospital. In our small town, there is only one public hospital, only in the town proper. They take my father to the hospital, and only my older sister and brother go with them. My mother had 2 months old baby, my youngest brother. The next day come nobody knows what’s happen to my father. Nobody come home from the hospital so we have our regular routine, prepare and go to school. At around nine in the morning, we just finished our flag ceremony in school my auntie showed up in my classroom door. She is talking to my teacher and she is crying. After a while, my teacher told me that I need to go home with my other older sister. My older sister who is in the same school was in Grade V. Therefore, we go out the room with my auntie. Both my sister and auntie are crying, my sister understand already what is going on. I am only 7 years old, let us say do not know anything about life. When we got home, there are many people in the house. A typical scenario in a province when somebody died (we call it burol). Everybody is crying, all my relatives are crying. Myself, my younger sister which is 4 years younger than me, we are just looking around to all the people who are coming and go. For what I remember, I never cried during the death of my father. I think I am too young to understand the situation. And after the burial of my father our life’s changes.

MYLIFESTORY PART I

This is my beloved birthplace Simara Island(corcuera) Romblon, Philippines. MyLifeStory begin here. Romblon is one of the three major islands of the Romblon Province in the Philippines; the other two are Sibuyan Island and Tablas Island. It is an island and the seat of government for the province, also named Romblon. The island is famous for its marble. Romblon, the third island in size, giving its name to the group on account of central location and mineral wealth. Romblon is lying midway between Sibuyan and Tablas, on-route of busy shipping lanes passing through San Bernardino Strait and Verde Passage; area is approximately 11,157 hectares located at coordinates 12°33′09′′N, 122°17′08′′E. A central mountain range traverses the island from north to south, with spurs extending toward east and west. The chief occupation of the people is cattle raising; valuable deposits of quartz, marble and slate are found and quarried; the marble is exported in large quantities. The province of Romblon is situated practically at the center of the Philippine archipelago. The Pueblo, capital of the province of Romblon, is situated on the northwestern coast of the island of Romblon, the second largest town of the province; it has an excellent harbor, one of the best in the Southern Tagalog region and in the Visayan group, and is the commercial center of the island. It has some old fortifications originally built to defend it from pirates. THIS IS MY TOWN SIMARA ISLAND (simara city hall) The ancestors of Simara were escapees from a group of Christian captives. When their Muslim captors were on return voyage to Sulu from southern Luzon, their vessels were overtaken by a storm and they were forced to seek refuge in a narrow bay along a narrow strip of Suba Valley now called San Roque. The captives escaped toward Pidapi where they met the first few primitive families of Simara. After the Muslims had sailed away, two groups of escapees moved further to a wider lowland. As years passed by, the population increased. Some families transferred to Guintiguiban which was absorbed by the barrio of Mabini and to the interior rugged highlands. In the book entitled "Naming the Province of the Philippines", revealed that in the year 1500, there were 150 existing families in the community of San Jose. During the short sojourns of the three Malays in Simara, the "Asi" dialect, a mixture of local and Malayan term began to flourish as the vernacular vehicle of communication. This dialect soon developed into common language spoken not only in the island of Simara but also in its sister islands of Banton on the north and Sibale island on the northwest. This was so because the earlier inhabitants migrated to Banton and Sibale from Simara and later on to Calatrava, formerly Andagao, San Andres and Odiongan in Tablas island. This disproved the allegation of another historical writer that Bantoanons did found the settlement called San Jose which later became Corcuera. Call me Jacky for short. I was born in a small town in Southern Luzon, name Simara Island, Romblon, Philippines. I am the fourth child of my beloved parents(rest in peace). I have two brothers and three sisters. My father is a very loving husband, loving father and a very good provider. My mother is a simple housewife. Serving her spouse and taking care of her children. My family own a small farm (horses, goat, some) this animals are one of the source income of my parents. Aside from this they have small plantation of coconut, rice, and corn. Our basic transportation to other town is motor boat (pump boat) as what we call lancha. My father decided to own our own pump boat to transport some their good in the nearby big city (Mindoro and Batangas City). I love my father. I remember everytime he came home from his trip he always have (pasalubong) gift to each of us. He is a very good provider, desciplinarian and he Loves my mother so much. He never let my mother work on fields. My mother is a simple housewife, she is very dependent to my father. I can say that our life is doing well until one day in my first grade (grade I) one of my auntie came to the door of my classroom. She is crying with bad news about my father. And this the start of MyLifeStory. (next part)