After the Storm

Several super typhoons have hit the Philippines in recent years causing so much devastation in properties and agricultural land. The latest Typhoon Ondoy that hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces caused the same flashfloods that hit Panay in Western Visayas in 2008 due to Typhoon Frank. People were caught offguard due to the rapid rise of floodwaters that resulted from overflowing rivers.

My heart went out to the victims and at the time I was monitoring the news as it happened on TV, I also got worried about friends and relatives in the affected areas in Luzon. I have my own experience with floods when I was younger and I must admit it can really bring trauma to affected people especially those who have lost family members and relatives as well as their homes.

Natural calamities like these make many of us sad but life has to go on. Filipinos are a unique lot and they know how to stand up after a fall. I salute those who helped other people during the flashfloods whether they know each other or not, to those who gave their time to help pack relief goods, to private companies that donated hundreds of thousands or even millions of pesos worth of their products and to private citizens who donated cash and used clothings for the victims. This bayanihan spirit of cooperation is so alive in most Filipinos during tragic situations and this is what makes me proud to be a Filipino.

I'm a Proud Mom

I feel so proud today for the recent achievements of my two kids. First, my eldest James or JP as what we call him at home who is now in Grade 6 was a Champion in their school's Spelling Bee as part of their Communications Month culmination program last September. He bested the topnotcher of their class but my son was so humble about everything. He didn't even brag about it at home. I only discovered it when I saw a pin bearing "Certified Speller" on his backpack and a certificate inside his notebook later when I checked his belongings. James has been a good speller and he also got a citation from their Language teacher last year.

My younger child, Charlotte, on the other hand is the top 3 in her Kinder-I class. She shows much interest in her studies and according to her teacher, she works independently in class. She also learns fast and does not hesitate to recite when she feels like it.

My two kids are exact opposites just like me and my husband. James is the silent type while my little girl is a vocal type of individual. But despite their differences, they both do well in school and I feel so blessed that they are.

These are the rewards a mother can be proud of. These achievements of James and Charlotte are what inspire me to do my best as a mother. It does not matter whether I raise our children singlehandedly while my husband works overseas because what counts most is a mother's constant support and love to her children. The hardships and pains that we go through are not that important because they are part of our journey through life. As long we continuously gain the strength and we keep the faith in God, there will always be blessings coming our way.