July of this year, I had the chance to visit my native country, the Philippines as I am already residing in the USA. Though it has become infamous in CNN, Yahoo, Reuters and other news media in recent years as a nation with corrupt government officials (with the exception of President PNoy perhaps) and a country often visited by the most devastating typhoons in the whole wide world to date, (God bless the Philippines as I am writing this as Typhoon Hagupit ripped through the land.) I still believe (and would continue to believe) that it is a place where a lot more people are truly kind and caring to each other, that smiles and gratefulness abound especially in difficult moments, that the family is their most important treasure, and their faith in God holds supreme no matter what storms wreak havoc in their lives and in their land.
High school friends. Clockwise: Nenita Yumul (with glasses), Melanie Libatique, Angelina Mirasol, me (with the peace sign), and Marie Grace O. Ramos.
The visit gave me the chance to see my family and friends, and especially take care of my aging mom even for a few days . I thought it would be nice to come out of hiding (No! I was not hiding. Just really pressed for time.) and just to squeeze in a few hours of me and my friends time since I haven’t seen my elementary/high school friends for so long. Plus, we were all turning 50 this year. So, why not?
The entrance to Café Sweet Inspirations located at 311 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Hts. , Quezon City
We met at Café Sweet Inspirations. It is owned and managed by the sisters Marie Grace and her older sister Marie Joy. While waiting for our other friends to come, Grace and I chatted. She told me that she wanted their business to be a way to minister to others, a place where workers and customers alike can share their faith and a familial atmosphere is fostered. What a splendid idea Grace! No wonder, the restaurant is thriving and being continually blessed. Sweet Inspirations has been making great food and providing outstanding service for more than two decades! Delicioso!
Later on, our other friends came—late as usual because of the late afternoon traffic congestion. Nothing new about that. But here’s something new about my friends. Nenita or Nenette to friends works as an accountant with one of the agencies of Opus Dei, an organization that exhorts personal sanctification through living your everyday life in whatever vocation you practice. I’m proud of you Nenette for living what you believe in! Angelina is now an internist with a subspecialty in Hematology. Yay! And still single and available. Do we know of any single, professional, of certified good moral character individual whom we can introduce to her? Please send me your recommendations! Then, there’s Nina, who didn’t share her Math homework with me in fourth year high school. She said, she couldn’t. She didn’t do it either!!! No wonder she specialized in Fine Arts. Lol! But kidding aside, she is one of the finest artists/professors in Kalayaan College! Marvelous, job Melanie! With regards to me, I’ve chosen a different path. After educating children in public schools for close to a decade , I am currently taking care of only one child– a five-month old baby. I am teaching him how to talk, how to turn and roll, and how to sit by himself. But most of all, I am already introducing him to Jesus because I want them to become the very best of friends. While doing this full time, it gives me a chance to pray and intercede for other people, read God’s Word more often than before, and write God’s wonderful stirrings in our lives.
I am really thankful for the chance to have met again ol’ friends who have stayed down-to-earth and without an air of arrogance ( pataasan ng ihi or mayabang in Filipino parlance). We exchanged life stories, status updates, and encounters with God. Later, one of them said (I couldn’t remember who.) that angels must be with us. And everyone agreed. The Scripture says, Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2). Well, to me everyone on our group seem to be angelic and it actually lifted my spirits as we talked. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence (Acts 2:28).
Thanks friends for the wonderful memories, the delicious bangus (milkfish) and gulay (vegetables), the decadent desserts and the sweet inspirations. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth (Psalm 119:103)!
Cakes and mousse complete the dinner theme…sweets, sweets and more sweets.
