Happy 17th Birthday, Kyla.

I never get tired of telling this story, probably because it's too funny not to be told... plus I still am not over leaving my halo-halo behind :p

17 years ago today at around 12:30pm(Phil. time), me and my now ex-husband were at the food court of SM North Edsa. We went there because I badly wanted to eat some halo-halo from Sandosenang Sarap. With a wide grin on my face, I got ready to eat my bounty. As I lift the spoon to my mouth, a sharp pain stopped me... ooppss, I said, I'm having contractions. So I put my spoon down and did some deep breathing while massaging my tummy. After a few minutes, the pain went away. I happily picked up my spoon and was about to place my much awaited halo-halo in my mouth when again, pain kicked in... with dwindling patience, I put my spoon down again for the second time, did some more breathing exercises, etc... again, after a few minutes, the pain went away. And so, I got ready to eat (again). As the spoonful of halo-halo neared my almost watering mouth, a third stab of pain hit me. By this time, both my ex and I are getting worried that I am indeed starting my labor pains. He decided amidst my protestations that we should immediately leave for the hospital. Obviously, I don't want to do that, not when my halo-halo is still left untouched. He prevailed, and bundled us off in a taxi headed for PGH.

Once there, I was admitted and was taken to the labor room. No offense, but I did not particularly liked my stay in that room. What with women shouting all sorts of obscenities to their husbands for putting them in this situation, not to mention the fact that at that time, there was a hysterical woman who kept shouting because according to her, it was too painful. Now, imagine that, and it's your first time to give birth... scared to death was how I felt with all the ruckus going on. Luckily, I was given an intern to monitor my progress. He's gay, and quite frankly, I was very thankful for that because he took my mind off the pain and the horror that was going on inside that labor room, by being... well, gay and very funny. He even taught me how to push when the time came... now this came with complete instruction plus facial expression (imagine what a raisin looked like and imagine that looking like someone's face)... so you see why I was laughing the whole time I was in labor.

Seeing I had to leave my halo-halo behind, I was getting impatient, but my baby decided not to come out till the early hours the next day. I couldn't remember the exact time (old age), but it's either 1:11am or 1:21am of August 1. At the delivery room, everyone was placing bets as to who will give birth first(there was another woman giving birth in the adjacent room). And the race is on... celebrity gossip was the topic of the day (I think it was Maricel Soriano and Edu Manzano at that time).I wasn't sure who won the race for giving birth, I was pretty much out of it by the time the baby came out. There was one thing I had to do first before I totally relaxed. I had to make sure how she looked like, I was weird that way, I had to make sure the name will fit the baby. It took me months to decide on her name and I had to make sure the name becomes her.

My mothering skills were far from orthodox. That's why I am so lucky to have a daughter like you. I know I've made decisions that were not popular, but luckily, they're turning out to be the right ones. We won't always agree, the mere fact I am your mom will see to that ;p plus you have a lot of me in you (something you believe otherwise... well, maybe not the "bitch" part, you're way to good to ever be that), but you are after all my daughter.

And so, here you are, 17 years later. A beautiful young lady, slowly realizing your own dreams, struggling to find your niche, sometimes still unsure of yourself, but nevertheless determined to make it. You are your own person, and you will become what you make of yourself. Family, friends, collegues, acquaintances and even a special someone, they will all be part of your life, but remember, through everything, it is YOU that matters. Live life to the fullest, experience everything, shy away from nothing, dream... never stop dreaming, learn from your mistakes, but most of all, do not regret life. Accept, learn and rise above every challenge that comes your way and become what you have always been meant to be, your very own self.