Bottled water

One afternoon, thirteen years ago, my sister bought me my first bottled water. I requested her to buy me one for two reasons. First, I would like to find out how water that is bottled would actually taste compared to our version of it at home.

Humba

I asked myself: "What do I want to tell the world this year?" While there maybe too many sad stories at my disposal, there are also those that made me wonder, smile and laugh. I am humbled and overwhelmed by the thought that there is beauty in the familiar, purpose for the pain and wisdom in the superficial.

Pocki-pocki

Pocki-Pocki was one of the four ducklings that almost failed to see the light of day if not for Gaga’s timely intervention. Their duck parents apparently abandoned them since their other healthy duck-siblings are already up on their webbed feet.

Harrington rod

My father was luckily spared from certain death despite not wearing his seatbelt. But aside from undergoing several major surgeries at the local hospital, he needed to be transported to Manila for a crucial procedure that had to be performed by the only spine surgeon in the country at that time. A Harrington Rod was attached to a portion of his spine because his T12-L1 vertebrae had a crack. Up to this day, it still is there.

Doughnut

I asked him where he lived. “Lorega,” he answered. “Layo na?” (Is that far?). I don’t know why I even asked the last two questions when I already knew the answers at the back of my head. I thought to myself that by continuing this small talk, I could ease the heavy pang of guilt that’s already chewing inside me.