Gold Old Days (50th wedding)

A golden wedding anniversary shows us that there is still loyalty and commitment in this world.

Only 5% of couples make it to 50 years. In the world we live now where over 50% of marriages end in divorce or separation, 50th wedding anniversaries is a rare feat that deserves a big celebration.

 Im so proud to say that my parents in law are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today.  Their commitment to one another through good times and  bad…in sickness and in health…for richer and for poorer – had stood the test of time.

  They both served as beautiful role models to all of their family members and to the world of what marriage can be.  We love them and thank them for their inspiring love! Achieving a 50th wedding anniversary is a pinnacle that only few couples attain.

A little walk down the memory lane...

My father in law is the only brother to her three sisters for whom they devoted their  lives in single blessedness. He worked as an engineer in his prime.

 My mother in law worked as an accountant at the COA.  Though busy with her professional life, she was a loving and devoted wife and a dedicated mother to her three children.

 They have amazing 3 children  and raised them in such a way that their own families are now filled with the same love and respect that was bestowed upon them growing up.

Kuya Rollie and Ate Tatit are now living in Brisbane, Australia . Kuya Rollie graduated at the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree of AB Economics.

They were blessed with three wonderful and talented children...Bianca, Miguel and Bettina. Bianca recently graduated at the University of Queensland with a degree of BS major Chemical Engineering, cum laude.

Ate Cecille, the only daughter got married to Kuya Ricric Piscacio of Violeta Village Guiguinto, Bulacan. They are into landscaping and aesthetic gardening.

...they were blessed with three children Trisha, Gerard and CJ.

 My husband Ricky is the youngest ...he and I were married for 15 years and have 3 children too.

  Having them watched their children grew into such fine men and woman... then raised their own children in a way that mimics the way they raised them—I can’t imagine that there will be a more proud moment in a person’s life than seeing your own children raise THEIR children to be loving, caring, honest, God-fearing adults.

 They had been inspirational in showing me what true love and commitment means to a marriage when faced with trials and difficulties.  I have admired their simple ways of showing affection in their everyday lives.

 Today they can look back on 50 years and be very proud of all they’ve accomplished, and the incredible journey we’ve all been lucky enough to share with them.

  And being married to one of the fruits of their love.....i secretly wish  that we could follow their path.

 Your love, dedication and commitment to one another is truly an inspiration to all who know you.

 Yes, we are blessed beyond measure to have known the joy of happy marriages in our family!
They are, each one, golden.

Happy Golden Wedding Anniversary Papa & Mama!!!

Bali date

its school break once again and we usually spend our most awaited vacation at this time of the year.

 school break +  work break = vacation

though were both busy with our schedules (as always) my hubby said that we took a week off this april.

 i admire him for his belief that our kids will only be young once...  sooner they will have their own  worlds and even if we wanted to be with them longer during breaks they will each have their plans. so here we are ready to seize the moments...
we have to spend more time with them  before they treck unto their own life.

 and hubby  suggested bali. thanks to our ever efficient aloha travel agency run by a friend we were booked immedietely.

  it was also a memorable flight as it is the first time PAL flies to bali! we were given a souvenir  planner to celebrate such event.

 initially i was so reluctant to go to bali since we have our better version...boracay. but i was in for more surprises.

 bali is a travellers paradise. the sands of boracay is a lot better than bali but they have a lot more to offer...from beaches..
we had the great chance of viewing the east (Sanur) and west (Kuta) sides  of the magnificent island.

 to sightseeing places...

 to foods...(how spicy!)

 and pampering...nothing beats bali!

 the bonding, the jokes, the shouting, the singing, the reminiscing, the kulitans,  promises ... made our stay a lot more memorable.

 a dinner at jimbaran bay (though quite expensive) capped our four night stay.

 it fascinates me always to study ones culture and religion. though indonesia is predominantly a muslim country, it is only in bali where hindus were a majority.

 for as long as we can afford and my hubby is supportive ; ) we will have this annual vacation. for we build memories with them that would last a lifetime. after all, everybody deserves a break!

 have a hearty summer break...and its validated!

somewhere in summer

 my favorite time of the year ...when fruits are available in abundance thus cheaper ..

 ...   i can enjoy my favorite melon and watermelon all day long ...    and who wouldnt enjoy mango fruit shakes prn (as needed) 

..when flowers bloom ...i have spotted my favorite "april shower tree" again!

 ...when my kids tweet that it was a "boring" day when they stay in the house the whole day.

 ...when my lazy afternoon would not be complete without a tall glass of halo halo shared with my son..


..when all i could see at facebook updates were beaches and resorts and this is the only time of the year our  pool is full !

 ...when real summer vacations for my kids means out of town trips and abroad.

... oh summer...you are excruciatingly hot but i enjoy every moment because it gives me also the time to rest and relax with my family.

 .zzzzz.

DIAMOND MOTHER

For your birthday I have written this  ...to let you know...and the rest of the world how amazing person you are. And I speak for my other siblings too.

Seventy five years ago, on March 6, 1937, a girl named Rosalinda was born to Edilberto Fernandez and Veronica Santos.
She grew up in Sulucan Angat Bulacan.

her father was a farmer and a politician...Edilberto Fernandez

 while her mother was a full time house wife. She was the only child ...loved and pampered by her parents.

she graduated from High School at the Holy Child Academy in Bustos, Bulacan .

it was her dreamed of becoming a doctor hence she enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas and consequently graduated from college of medicine in 1962.

during her internship year as fate would have it she met the
love of her life our father...dr pablito v. mendoza who was incidentally from neighboring town bustos bulacan....and was a former school mate during high school!

after passing the medical board exam they decided to tie the knot. on august 23, 1964 they were married at the Sta Monica Church in Angat Bulacan.

they were blessed with several children. arnel, me...ma victoria, maria teresa, maria fe, pablito jr, victor, maria linda and edelfausto.
I think family planning was not popular during that time and they loved a big family.

in 1967 they decided put up a medical clinic in my fathers hometown ...  Sto. Nino Clinic was established

My father was a general practitioner while my mom pursued to become an OB GYN at  Bulacan Provincial Hospital.  They were busy tending their 8 children and at the same time establishing a private practice in their clinic.

Of the two, it was mom who was the more disciplinarian and stricter to her children. Her words were laws that must be obeyed or face the consequences. Papa on the other hand was a man of few words yet was a hardworking father.

At first we lived at the second floor of Sto Nino Clinic but five years later they were able to buy a house and lot near the municipal building of bustos where we have moved since then.

Mom was active in her childrens school activities and even served as president of parents teachers association of St Marys Academy where all of us graduated.
She was even the school physician during that time.

At summertime she would enroll us in piano, ballet, violin lessons and sports classes like tennis, karate and volleyball.  We were busy with extra curricular activities. She has given us the opportunity to choose what we wanted to pursue.

resthouse they built for us

My parents gave us a comfortable life but at the same time they also instill the value of perseverance and hardwork.

at an early age
i was exposed to their medical world particulary in OB GYN.
i used to tag along with her at the Bulacan Provincial Hospital whenever she has a case. My early exposure in the hospital fascinates me until I grew up that I decided to be like her.

In 1979 my mom worked as Municipal Health Officer of our town.  She was active in implementing preventive programs of the Department of Health the reason why she won numerous awards as MHO and our town gained several recognitions through her leadership.


i used to remember going with her to orchid shows as she is fond of flowers
like cattleya, cactus and  had some rare collections.


When my father entered politics in 1987 it was known that he has a secret weapon..and that is my mom. Through their partnership they transforned our town into what it is today.

After two decades of public service my mom retired to be a full time medical directress of our hospital.
though not active in her private practice she is visible in the hospital to make sure everything is in order.

sadly when papa died in  2010 she kept herself busy in our company and her 16 grandchildren. she loves to pamper them with toys or anything that she thinks would please them. shes remains what a loving mother is to her children...very supportive, generous and caring.

All the values, wisdom, strength and grace she bestowed in us were deeply embedded in our hearts.

Now that she is in her senior years she is still active in different socio civic activities of her town and in the medical field.

there is no dull moment to a very active woman like her.  ...forever a mother to her town, to her growing sto nino hospital family and her own children and
grandchildren.

happy birthday mama, without you i wouldnt be here. I hope you will have more years to come. never a day i would regret being you as my mom...you are irreplaceable and incomparable!

i love you!