Ma, Pa, Thank You!

I was not born with a silver spoon.

In fact, I wasn't born with any spoon at all. I remember being poor. But I don't remember how it feels like to be poor, I just remember being loved. Looking back to where we came from, I grew up with hand-me-downs and that being treated with a slice of pizza would already mean the best day ever.

We also didn't have a house of our own, so it's no surprise that we moved quite a lot. From one church parsonage to another to the squatters area in Claveria to the shady slums of Piapi Boulevard to the outskirts of Puan, it's not a wonder living in those dog eat dog communities that I developed this astig (badass) personality. However, I was raised well. My papa worked two jobs, he's a church pastor and also a government employee. My mama, a public school teacher, who had to work to a far-flung area also sold ice candies and yemas for extra. We definitely had tough times. We almost had nothing but like I said, we have LOVE.

We were financially challenged. My parents were even mocked for sending me to a good school knowing they cannot even afford a new pair of jeans. But it never stopped them from working hard in achieving their dreams for us. You know those rags-to-riches success stories? My parents' story is pretty much the same. Except we're not Henry Sy rich, not even close to a Bo Sanchez kind of rich. And it's not as dramatic as Oprah Winfrey's. But their hard work, sacrifices, determination, and grit definitely paid off. We were driven away from the slums and it allowed us to live a life in comfort.

But more than just providing us with the needs, wants, and luxuries any child could ever ask for, my parents never failed to teach us the value of humility and they have always reminded us to look back to where we came from. And I am forever proud and grateful for that.

Today, I found myself watching this video that tugged at my heartstrings.

My papa, who now works as a caregiver in California (who also happens to be a volunteer pastor there) and my mama, a public school teacher and an entrepreneur, are just like anyone in that video. Ordinary people who have done simple and ordinary things that oftentimes go unnoticed, and are honestly, not appreciated. Their day to day activities or those simple gestures may seem like "just an act of doing their jobs" to others. But for me, as ordinary those people are, I know each person is going through something and definitely has an incredible story to tell. So I guess it wouldn't hurt if we give a wee bit of a second of our time to thank those people around us for the little things they do, would it? AirAsia's #ThankYou video is moving and on point. A simple thank you lightens up the mood, transcends to the core, and uplifts the spirit. It definitely does go a long long way. 

We can find and give gratitude even in the mundane.

And just like AirAsia's low cost rates that provide world-class services, I would say my parents' ordinary lives and ordinary jobs also go way beyond the ordinary. Their steadfast dedication and hard work to be able to provide us only with the best despite all those hardships taught me to APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS, to always LOOK ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE, and to look back to our past as it has always, ALWAYS KEPT ME GROUNDED. 

Honestly, I am not even close to my parents to be writing this. But while looking back how we had a hard life about twenty years ago and how we've made it so far to the life that we are accustomed now, I realized that they deserve more than just a simple thank you for being my greatest inspiration and the wind beneath my wings, and this blog post will be my tribute to them.

Ma, Pa,

Thank you for showing me what hard work and dedication looks like. For showing me that nothing that is rewarding comes easy. For pushing me to my limits and encouraging me to never give up on my dreams. Those countless hours of blood, toil, tears, and sweat really does pay off.

Thank you for guiding me to where I am right now. For showing me what it is like to be loved. For giving me love in its truest and rarest form that no matter what obstacles and challenges come our way (not to mention how rebellious I was), love tramples them all. Words will never be enough to express how grateful I am to have parents like you.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I LOVE YOU.

Love,
The prodigal daughter you never gave up on

From the bottom of my atay! Because you know, my atay is bigger than my heart. :)

I know giving thanks is not just a once-a-year deal. So this holiday season, and even on every season after that, we can give love and thank people more often. And if we always do it, if we learn to appreciate the little things in life, gratitude will be a part of us and we become the most gracious and grateful person before we even know it.

Here's to a grateful 2017!