My Mom
They always say a picture is worth a thousand words… On this very special Mother’s Day, I found two timeless representations of beauty. If these images could speak they would tell two very different stories of a lifetime of struggle and triumph, devotion and dedication, self sacrifice and benevolence, persistence and perseverance, and unconditional love and undying care, but most of all it will reveal the quintessential components of motherhood.
I grew up in the small Chinatown apartment in the heart of New York City. Together, my older sister and I were raised by my parents and grandparents. With a close knit family, it was truly unique to experiences all the joys of having 3 generations under one roof. With this family dynamic I was nourished with the kind of love that could only be created by two very importantly different women. Their attributes, personalities, nature and unreserved affection nurtured me into who I am today. Together they made me strong, flexible, tough, and sensitive.
My Nge Nge (人人)
Their history of struggle, together with their relentless positive outlook, fostered my deep appreciation for hard working mothers to be and diligent mothers that are. Their stories are forever encapsulated in their experiences and their values are forever manifested in me. When you look into the eyes of these picture, you will see and feel an endless permutation of love. These two women I call Mom and Nge Nge (人人).
To my mom and to my Nge Nge, Thank You. To all the caring, compassionate, and kind motherly figures, who shaped my life, Thank You.
Recently, I have been publishing less of my experiences in the Philippines. With many thoughts, feelings and emotions that have come and gone, those that hurt and those that cheer, ones that linger and ones that bury deep, I still carefully record and document them. My feelings are mixed, but nonetheless bold. My stories and experiences flow strong and continuous, yet my voice run quiet. Restriction do not let me to passionately share my personal experiences and stories as I have originally planned, but the course of life carries on and keeps me from moving forward. To share this entry within this moment is my first in breaking the silence. This in itself is an adventure. Not by instinctual or compulsive choice, rather by moral reflection, it remains a path I need to take, and it is a path I can still discover, cherish and appreciate.
After the TOMS “One Day Without Shoes” Event I felt the strong urge to check out what really goes on behind the company’s motto of “One For One.” A couple weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to visit a very special organization. Along side the dedicated LBC Foundation, we headed to Maricaban in Pasay City, home to the SPECS Foundation. The company’s name spells out their devotion to the Spiritual, Physical, Educational, Cultural, and Social needs of underprivileged children.
When it was time to hand out the shoes, there was an overwhelming sense of joy, as we knew these kids wouldn’t have to go barefoot for months and years to come. What is a common misunderstanding with TOMS “One for One” motto, is that the children only get one pair of shoes. In reality, the selection process identifies those in need and shoes are provided every 8 months, so that the child continuously receives footwear to accommodate their growing feet. So, the feeling of security and consistency of TOMS was truly present when we assisted in the shoe give. It gave us a peace of mind, that something we often take for granted like shoes, would be provided to a child in need as a commonality, normality and an essential piece of healthy living.
I want to thank the SPECS Foundation for warmly welcoming us on such a significant day for their kids, and commemorate them for the tremendous job they do for their community. I also want to thank the LBC Foundation for bringing us to the shoe give and giving us the chance to partake in serving a community through TOMS Shoes.
In February of 2011, the Philippine National Football team started their quest to conquer the 2012 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.What was once glorious dreams of making it to the actual tournament held this year in Nepal were met with demanding tasks.Tackling Mongolia was first on the agenda to a long uphill climb.
After a long trip to Dubai and Qatar with the National Team, we returned to the Philippines to rejoin our clubs efforts in taking on the UFL League. Jason Sabio, Joshua Beloya and myself landed late Friday night with a couple things on our minds. With a 8 hour flight behind us, the main focus was rest and recuperation, but more importantly we had a very crucial Kaya FC match to concentrate on.
This January 24th, 2012, I turn 27 years old. Since I was a young boy, I never really put too much emphasis on my own birthday. It was never something I really looked forward to, nor did I truly ever buy into the day being all that special for myself. Perhaps it was the way I was raised or maybe I just didn’t like the attention of being the birthday boy. Either way, I always had this lingering question in my mind that asked, “Why should today be so special for me?” Who determined that on the day of my birth I or others should celebrate me? It has always made me feel a little awkward and out of place when I even consider doing something for myself or even have others do something for me, on my own birthday. But this year I participated in two particular birthday celebrations that truly change my view about such a day we label as “birthdays.”
Garlic Garcia chose her to call her birthday celebration the “Big Bawang Birthday Build.” Organized through Habitat for Humanity, she funded the birthday project to create homes for the less fortunate and invited stars from the industry along with family and friends for this great event. The rows of housing complexes will signify a site where new starts and futures can be realized and dreams can come true. To use this day for something more meaningful then just the day of her birth, truly inspired me. It really gave me an alternative view to the possibilities of what this day can be used for.
Later on in the week, we went to a very special Birthday celebration that further inspired me, and allowed me to view birthdays in a totally different light. Tim Yap, Manila’s most celebrated eventologist, TV host, and editor brought about his birthday celebrations with close friends and loved ones in a highly anticipated Mad Hatter themed ball. The star studded event displayed costumes, hats and head dresses from all walks of life and it really represented the multitude of cultures, characters and flavors that make Manila so vibrant.
Though the spotlight remained on the birthday boy, Tim reminded everybody, whom he calls “His Loves” that this celebration is meant to be shared with everybody who has shaped his life. As he looked across the room to see his many friends and close acquaintances, you can feel the inspiration that Tim has brought to the hearts of everyone. The mutual love for Tim and Tim to his friends collectively stole the night and it was clear that bringing people together is what Tim does best. Having people experience others and sharing a common goal to interact, to learn about, and experience the lives of other people, is what inspired such a magnificent person from the very beginning and his continual drive to share this message truly attributes to his major success today.
Yesterday marked the eve of Chinese New Year. As the day approached, I continued the tradition of cleaning the house and preparing for the New Year. With our Kaya FC vs Green Archers match to focus for, I was in the midst of thinking about family and home, and New Year preparations with the big game in the back of my mind. In many ways, the turn of the new year, really gave me an anchor and allowed me to feel grounded. Thinking about Chinatown, my home, my family and the things I was raised to do during this time of year, really made me feel quite homesick, but at the same it really allowed me to reflect and refocus the task as hand. In many ways, it gave me a chance to be reminded about where I came from and how lucky I am to have all the opportunities I have.
When tragedy strikes, it’s effects reach far beyond it’s immediate surrounds. The spirit of a nation is most closely tied to its effort to support it’s people. On December 16th the Philipines was shook by yet another typhoon this season. Its blow to the country hit far deeper than the Mindinao Region. Its impact effected people across the world and the cries for help were far more evident as the voices within were too moving to ignore. Contributions have been in the works and collaborations with companies, organizations and individuals have collectively contributed to the relief efforts. But much more can be done.
After years of playing with a unique group of Chinese players, my father and his friends had bonded over time and connected themselves to one another through a passion for soccer. This group was formed in a foreign country, in a far away place from home, by ethnicity, culture and love for the game. This brotherhood would soon find its way back to it roots in the years to come, reuniting with a past time through the very sport that brought them together.
After graduating university, I carefully chose to travel to Hong Kong in hopes to play on a football team in the first division. I signed first professional contract with Tai Chung Football Club and played one season in a city my father grew up in. With a dual purpose and a open eye for learning and exploring more than just my football career, I sought out family roots and uncovered more about myself, my heritage and my identity. My dream was to take the sport I loved and use that as a mode for exploration and a means for discovering my past, present and future.
As we entered the stadium for our first match in the 2011 Long Teng Cup against none other than the Hong Kong Representative team, emotions ran high. To play against former teammate, opponents, and friends from my first Hong Kong season meant a rush of excitement and competitiveness. To know that my father had traveled to Taiwan with other Chinese immigrants that reunited with a cultural past and represented a new era in Chinese accomplishment in a new country meant a surge of pride and triumph. To listen to the Philippines National Anthem for the first time in official competition in a loud stadium the echoed proudly, meant I was able to contribute to the identity of my mothers country and attribute my own identity to her unconditional and supportive upbringing.
