Milenyo, our guard dog for years, has died.

Milenyo (who was originally named Tukmol)  was rescued by my sister and her boyfriend (now husband) during the height of Super Typhoon Milenyo (September 2006). You may all recall that Los Banos was one of the most devastated places. A flash flood carried Milenyo away from his home, then my sister and her boyfriend found him afloat through a chair. They took Milenyo home. His owners did not mind.

Since he was a survivor of the typhoon, we renamed him after it.

He was awfully traumatized when he was brought inside the house. Since my niece was in the hospital that time, I had to take care of him like a baby. He was shaking, maybe the thought of the flash floods haunted him.

I built him a small house out of carton and kept him warm inside the house as the storm went. He hardly ate anything but I was persistent. The dog survived a dreadful flood and so he must live.

He grew so fast. Mom had to take him outside the house to be with other dogs. When Spanky and Fitch died (two of our most loved dogs), mom had to train him to be our new guard dog.

It was evident that Milenyo has some sort of autism. He can hardly run fast, he had no sense of direction, he twitched a lot, but he was a fast learner. He and mom had a bond — just like our previous guard dogs.

There was once instance when Milenyo played dead upon knowing that he’ll be given shots of anti-rabies. We can’t forget it since it was a good sign that he has intelligence.

Dave would fonly call him “Meleni”. Whenever Dave and I come home, it was Meleni who always welcomed us first. If there’s one thing we loved about him, that would be his cowardice. He loved to bark like he’s gonna kill, but when the gates are open, he would hide under mom’s car.

Perhaps Milenyo died of heartworm. Mom said he loved eating soil. I think that in spite his immunity (he is a mongrel) he was still vulnerable to heartworm. For a month he looked dreadful, lost his appetite and became less agile.

Mom just found him lying peacefully in the garden. She was crying while she was burying him, and I can tell that she can hardly move on with his loss because she wanted to tell us stories about Milenyo, as if he were still alive.

Now mom is too scared to love another pet, or as she puts it, “best friend”. She still has a fat chicken (“Kokok”), a useless virgin monkey (“Dodger”), a white and furry Spitz (“Japoy”), our Shar Pei (“Val”), a temperamental Dachshund (“Bro”)  and a couple of dogs who love to hurt each other. She still has a pool full of Koi fishes, Japanese carps and white hammerheads. She still has three African Lotino birds. But nothing compares to Milenyo, her best friend.

I miss Milenyo. We all miss him. Maybe his service to our family is over, but we will not forget him, just like our previous best friends who have been of good service and have been part of the family.

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WHY NOT?

I won’t complicate my explanation. This partylist, although was granted a seat in the Congress late, has done many things — and not all of them were promised during the 2007 electoral campaigns. May I elaborate some of the major contributions?

1. The partylist was behind the extension of voters’ registry. Cong. Mong Palatino said it is just legal to extend the registration to the particular date. Now, many newly registered voters can vote on May 10.

2. Without much media exposure, the partylist helped victims of Typhoon Ondoy. Thousands of families were given aide.

3. The “Anti-No Permit No Exam Bill” was passed to protect students from the schools’ usual “no permit no exam” policy. The partylist believes that no student should be barred from taking examinations due to unpaid fees.

4. The partylist also lead the anti graduation fee for public schools.

5. Other than student rights and outreach, the partylist has also been acting on saving the environment. One example is the styrofoam ban on schools.

For complete information on what the partylist has contributed and the 2010 platform, visit the Kabataan Partylist website.

Personally, I admire this partylist since its aim is not mainly to chant on the streets and assert/fight for something; it also is committed to what politicians should really focus on: the citizens. Come 2007 I’ve had personal campaigns for the partylist, which mostly benefited the youth and the urban-poor sector.

Top left photo: Kabataan Partylist Southern Tagalog Wall Painting Contest (April 2007)

Top right photo: Kabataan Partylist Southern Tagalog Roadtrip for Employment

Bottom left photo: Me making a KP streamer during a workshop with ST people

Bottom right photo: my niece who campaigned for KP much harder than I did.

I learned a lot from this partylist. In 2007 if we’re not in a caravan campaigning, we’d be teaching the youth about music, arts and other things, or making silk screen shirts, wall painting, and basically making ourselves educated and productive by means of arts, literature and politics.

Our friends from the US even made a campaign video, summing up the youth’s activities during the 2007 campaign period:

So why am I for Kabataan Partylist? Need I elaborate?

Why should YOU be for Kabataan Partylist? After reading this, you’ll just have to say WHY NOT!

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For the first time in months (or even a year) I feel exquisitely great. Depression has its way of altering my thoughts.

Was chatting with Lee Ann a while ago about women stuff. It was so timely since I was in dire need of a good interaction with a friend. Now I call my high school friends. If ever I have the chance to go back to LB, I’d like to repeat the good old times: DVDs and popcorn.

When I feel really down (which happens more often now) I love to think of happy thoughts, which are mostly in the past. I like to think I’m holding my precious D80 once again, shooting models or landscapes, brandishing my drumsticks and performing in a gig, going out with friends, buying a CD at Odyssey (I swear I still think CDs are so pricey but I like to take the inlay).

Since I’m recalling my sweet past, might as well recall Aldo’s birthday come 2005. It was one of the best times. I gave him a “Models Wanted” tee, which fitted him so badly so I went to his living room with my face in my palm. Olga insisted that we add Mean Girls to our DVD list so we did, but what I enjoyed most is Buying the Cow. I feel so bad about losing the two memorable photos the morning after. Aldo, do you remember who’s missing? I’d still like to sprawl on the lawn and laugh out loud.

And since I’ve mentioned it, belated happy birthday, Aldo. My collection of your CDs is still in my rack, especially the one with “istupeeeed!”

Anyway, I’m on a self-therapy since I’ve no one to rely on. This depression will pass. For those who’ve known me for years. you also know how extremely sad I become and how happy I turn out the day after.

You’re the people I should stick with. I love you all!

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You guys know that.

It’s just sinking in to me. I’m getting married. Finally, I’m feeling the most exciting part of my wedding. Dave and I have been busy working on the wedding — from the souvenirs, the guest list, documents to our own jobs that fund for the entire wedding. During those times I just thought okay I’m getting married, but now I’m thinking, I AM FINALLY GETTING MARRIED!

I admit that it wasn’t easy preparing for our really simple wedding. It was stressful and fun at the same time. And now that the wedding date’s getting closer and the preparations are all done, I only feel excited for me and Dave.

Dave and I have lots of people to thank for. To start with, we thank Floyd of SEO Philippines, Enzo, Earl, Derek and his supportive teammates. Enzo and Earl have been keeping us company in our humble abode.

We also thank our former boss (whose name I’d rather not disclose) who has kept me busy with lots of tasks. Ninong!

To my Plurkmates who were nothing but supportive (Dyza, Niña, Irish, Ninyo, Mico, Brinks…) To my Facebook chums whom I haven’t seen in ages (Tat, Ronjoy, Vhin, Lee, Jonas, Marvi, Lorie Genn…)

I thank my high school friends Aldo, JB, Olga, Mark, Jan Allen, Paul…

We thank Dave’s clients who’s been very generous to him.

My sisters Sharon and Shelani, Zeus and Jelai (you keep mamu proud!), Jayson and Carlo.

I thank my mom and dad who’s always been supportive and insanely excited about the wedding.

To Lola Fely who gives Dave lots of love.

To Rev. Ben Garcia for giving Dave and I advices and spiritual guidance.

To God who has always been there (even though we often don’t notice it). This is all for you.

————————————————————–

On February 28, my surname will change (at last!) but above all, Dave and I will change our life as well.

So this is the feeling of getting married. Indescribable but exquisitely fresh.

Here’s to the future Mr. and Mrs. John David dela Cruz.

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Today is 21-Feb-2010. Last year’s 21-Feb, I finally decided to bury the hatchet, move the heck on, and love again. Last year’s February brought lots of pain for me, but it was worth it.

I now believe in the saying that “there’s gotta be one person in our life who is a match for you.” In Dave and I’s case, we’re a match. I finally found somebody who’d argue about the things I say, who’d comment on how I see things, and who would fight me when he thinks I’m wrong. Basically Dave and I were each other’s dream…and nightmare so to speak.

It took months before we realized that we needed each other to be with each other. I loved him so much that even during my hateful times, there was no person in this planet I turned to at the end of the day, except Dave.

Let us be specific.
November 27, 2008 was the day I first met Dave — a snobbish, moody and workaholic guy. I glanced at him thinking that he was sort of cute. He looked away.

Later in 2008 did I notice that he was a nice person. He was the first one who welcomed me in the office (by means of a group lunch?) It was kind of awkward for him to borrow my laptop in December but I didn’t mind — somehow I wanted to share a piece of me to a seemingly nice person whom I misjudged.

We became close as friends. I was with another guy that time and it didn’t cross my mind that Dave could want something more. He became my confidant, since apart from his being snobbish, he was also a bit mysterious.

He was the very first person I turned to when my previous boyfriend left me. All the way from Sampaloc he took a cab back to Kingswood just to hush me down. I cried it all out to him and he was just beside me, listening. I felt like I was talking to a long time friend.

He even left his iPod with me and strictly told me to listen to all the songs I was not familiar with. That way I will not remember anything about hurt since I’d feel like I’m in a totally new world. I willingly took his advice.

Since then I realized that he cannot be just more than a friend.

Dave and I have very little in common, but despite that incompatibility we still end up wanting, needing and loving each other every single day. It has been a year but really, time flies so fast.

Now I’m marrying the snobbish guy I first met in the office. He’s having my baby. I don’t know any other word to describe the feeling, except AMAZING.

Here’s to the guy I love, hate and love,
The one who always makes me cry
The one who loves my cooking that he blames me for his new weight,
The one who hates the way I hate,
The one who’s never too old to feel young,
The one who always like to give me everything,
The one I’d like to give me everything.
Here’s to Dave.

Happy first anniversary, honey. I love you so much.

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RIP, Johnny Delgado

Johnny Delgado was born Juan Marasigan Feleo on February 29, 1948 in Manila, Philippines.

Delgado was known for his acting prowess, both in television and film. He is a writer and a multi-awarded actor know for his usual kontrabida (villain) and father roles.

Since 1968 Delgado started acting in film, in movies like Ito Ang Digmaan (Solano Gaudite), Bawat Kanto Basagulo (Rizaldy), and Mali-Mali Meets Batangueno (Ben Feleo). His acting career began rising since then.

Delgado received awards such as Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) awards, Gawad Urian, Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), and Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Awards.

His role in the 2000 multi-awarded film Tanging Yaman is considered one of his most unforgettable and remarkable roles (he won Best Actor at the MMFF). His TV roles in the 90’s and 2000’s have greatly influenced Philippine television viewers, by being one of the best veteran actors who portray antagonistic and father roles.

Full filmography and works at his IMDB profile.

Johnny Delgado has been battling lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes), which was initially thought to be colon cancer. He died on November 19, 2009.

Johnny Delgado has contributed a lot to the Philippine film industry, therefore making him a big loss to such industry. Personally, I find his father roles really moving. There’s something in him both as a father and an actor that makes his roles persuasive, and yes, touching. He is one of my favorite veteran actors, whom, I never thought, would leave this year.

I felt the same thing when Francis Magalona passed away in March of this year: personal loss. For me, their loss means they will never be seen again, which is rather felt for an immediate family member or a really close friend. There’s something about father images that make me utterly emotional.

I looked forward to Johnny Delgado’s new television productions (after May Bukas Pa and Mga Anghel na Walang Langit). Nonetheless, he has been to many productions which will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Johnny Delgado.

Sources:

• Johnny Delgado on IMDb
• Johnny Delgado’s Wiki Profile

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