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.
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.
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.
This is the exciting update for the Fair Play for All Foundation. Just a couple months ago, the foundation celebrated their one year anniversary. The celebration included the long awaited official opening of the new drop in center located in the heart of Payatas and home to Payatas FC and the FFA.
There is no question that I am a Moma’s Boy and a Grandma’s Boy. I used to love shopping with my mom and grandma. It was always fulfilling and meaningful to tag along while shopping, and it was really a fun excursion that allowed me to help and spend some quality time with them. The values of being raised by both my mother and grandmother in the same household is something that I deeply appreciate and am grateful for. So, when I was given a gift a couple weeks ago, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the special present.
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 the two game victory by aggregate, the team found themselves in a tough qualifying group alongside Palestine, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.Following a second place finish in the group qualifying stages, the team was in a spot in the AFC tournament.
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.
In the 2011 UFL Cup, Kaya FC faced Loyala Meralco Sparks in the Cup Semifinals for the first time since the revival of the UFL. With each team riding high on the wave of the football boom in the Philippines and recruiting big named players to the league, both have ramped up for the intense competition. Up until the semifinal rounds, the Loyola-Kaya match-up was one of the most anticipated games, as Loyola boasted Phil and James Younghusband, and Mark and Mathew Hartman. On the other hand, Kaya FC had our own set of National team players including Aly Borromeo, Anton Del Rosario, Jason Sabio, Nate Burkey and myself. Off the field, between the players that match was jokingly coined a “match between the Brit’s and the Americans.”
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.
