Dear Mama,
Happy new year!
I just finished washing the dishes, Mama. It's already 2:30 a.m. on the first day of 2025.
Because Edgar prepared our Medya Noche, I washed the dishes so he can rest.
I am also about to rest now, Mama. I just wanted to greet you before I sleep. I hope the new year will be better for us, Mama. Especially, the kids.
Please continue to guide us, Mama. And please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It's the last day of 2024. It's new year's eve, Mama. Although, it's still 10:14 am right now and it's hot. It's a bit cloudy, though. Sometimes the sun would peek, but most of the times it's hiding behind the clouds.
Edgar just arrived home from the wet market in Pampang. He insisted to buy our Medya Noche there, Mama. That's right, he's the one preparing it again tonight. We did not buy any noisemakers nor costumes for tonight, Mama. We will just eat later, probably earlier than 12 midnight.
I went to La Pieta early this morning, Mama. I walked, and when I got there I was tired. I'm not really the same anymore, Mama. I'm really getting old. I used to take long walks and they don't bother me. But now, that's no longer the case. I also feel a nagging pain on my left knee, Mama.
Anyway, I guess that will be all for now, Mama. I hope 2025 will be better for us, especially the kids. Please continue to guide us, Mama. Please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It's December 29. We are on the last 3 days of the year, Mama. I am not expecting anything grand or big, but I am hoping for a peaceful celebration and even more peaceful life in 2025.
It's not too much ask, right Mama?
Daddy
Dear Mama,
I got into another argument. I just arrived home, Mama. I went to SM Clark to have my Prestige card renewed. But they said they cannot renew it yet because I was not yet included in their batch, even though they can see that I am qualified to renew. They said I should wait for the text or email message they will sent me.
I was annoyed, Mama. My blood boiled. this was the second time I attempted to renew and they said the same thing! That was last October and until now I have not received any text message nor email from them. My card will expire on the 31st of December.
I can still feel my annoyance as I am typing this letter, Mama. I don't want to do this anymore. How can I control myself?
I'm tired, Mama.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Merry Christmas!
It's Christmas day, Mama. We had our Noche Buena last night, although it was a bit earlier. Then we exchanged gifts. It was nice, Mama. All our foods were prepared by Edgar - spaghetti, lumpiang shanghai, macaroni salad, ham, and he even made fruit salad. Although we were no longer able to eat that last night, Mama. There were a lot of food. Some we had for breakfast and lunch today, and some we'll have for dinner later.
Ralph is sleeping right now, Mama. He is not 100% well. He's been coughing hard, and he's taking his inhaler. I'm urging him to go out of his room every now and then. I think there are a lot of dusts there, Mama. I hope he gets better. Help me make him well, Mama.
It's quite a cold Christmas day, Mama. It was raining since last night until this early morning. The weather's a bit gloomy, and the wind breeze is soft but cold. It's like I'm having fever.
Ralph and Edgar will have their regular work tomorrow, and on Friday. Then next Thursday and Friday again. I'll go back to work on the 6th of January, Mama.
I guess that will be all for now, Mama. I wish you were still here. I miss you, Mama.
Please pray for my peace.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It's December 24, Christmas eve. It's 7:30 a.m. now, Mama. Ralph is resting, he just came from work. Edgar just woke up, and Angel is also resting. She did not sleep last night, Mama.
I still have no plans for tonight, Mama. I'm sorry. It's Edgar who is preparing for our Noche Buena now. We have no programs. I'm sorry I stopped with our family Christmas party, Mama. But our gifts are all complete. They are, however, less than the gifts we bought in previous years.
I still breathe anxiety, Mama. I know it has nothing to do with the holiday rush.
I wish you were here.
I miss you, Mama. Please pray for my peace.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Our children and I went out today for a last minute Christmas shopping. We just completed Ralph's gifts, Mama. Actually, I went out first in the morning for some errands and a bit of me time, then I met them at SM Clark in the afternoon.
As expected, the mall was crowded, Mama. A lot of people are in their last minute shopping. Good thing I was able to convince Ralph to buy at the SMX where there were less people. Afterwards we had our dinner, again, courtesy of Ralph. Then we already went home, Mama.
Angel wrapped the last minute gifts, and now, all gifts are complete, Mama. Complete in the sense that we bought less gifts this Christmas compared to previous years.
Angel said she's going to sleep now. Probably tired from taking care of the cats. Ralph was already asleep when I checked on him earlier while Angel was wrapping. Edgar, too, was already in his room. I hope he'll sleep early, too.
That will be all for now, Mama. I wish you were still here with us celebrating the holidays. Please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It's 5 days before Christmas. I'm not doing a Christmas countdown, Mama. You know I hate those countdowns. It's just that it's already December 20th, and it's 5 days to go before Christmas, and I don't like Christmas!
It's really hasn't been the same since you've been gone, Mama. How long was it? 16 years already?! 16 Christmases without you, and I still can't get used to it. I'm trying my best to make it special for our children, Mama. But it's just not the same without you.
I'm sorry, Mama. I'll stop here.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Ralph just left for work. I hope he'll be able to catch the bus, Mama. Hopefully there won't be much traffic today. He doesn't seem to be in a hurry, though. He never was in a hurry, Mama. I often nag him to move quicker.
Edgar just came from. He went out to buy some gifts after his work, Mama. That's why he came home late. Although it looks like he wasn't able to complete his list. He doesn't know what to buy his 2 godsons who are teenagers.
Angel is wrapping some gifts now. Her gift for her goddaughter and Ralph's gift for his godson. Maybe Edgar might ask him to wrap some of his gifts, too.
It was our last day of work for the year today, Mama. We will be having a holiday break, and we will report back to work on the 6th of January. I have no plans. I don't know what to do for our break, Mama. Probably, I'll just stay home, except for some occasional errands.
That will be all for today, Mama. Please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Our children and I went to SM Clark this afternoon to buy some gifts for Christmas. The mall was packed with people, Mama. In fact, it took us more than 30 minutes to get to the mall because of the traffic.
Once we were at the mall, I was overwhelmed by volume of people there, Mama. Because aside from the Christmas rush, there was a power interruption at a nearby city And whenever there's power interruption, people flock to the mall, Mama.
Edgar and Ralph were able to buy some gifts for their godchildren. The line at the cashier was rather long, Mama. I was trying to calm myself while we were at the line, Mama. You know how too many people make me anxious. good thing I was able to hang on.
Of course, after shopping for gifts we went to have our dinner, Mama. And then we had ice cream after dinner. After that we already went home. We reached home at around 9:00 p.m., Mama.
Right now, Angel is wrapping the gifts that Ralph and Edgar bought.
I guess that will be all for now, Mama. I wish you were with us every time we go out like this.
I miss you, Mama.
Please pray for my peace.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Last night, Angel and I went out for coffee. It was just the two of us, Mama. We left the house rather late, around 9:00 pm. Ralph was at work, and Edgar was invited for an overnight staycation by his friend.
We were supposed to get hot choco or suklati batirol at the Museo, Mama. But when we reached there, Angel said she cannot take chocolate drink, and also there were no chairs and tables there, the drink were just for take out. So, we walked around to look for another place to stay. We went to a coffee shop called Lilim,. It was a quiet place, because since it was late there weren't much people there. We stayed until around 10:30 p.m., Mama, then we went home.
It's only 11 days before Christmas, Mama, and 18 days before the new year. I still have no plans, no hopes, and no expectations. I don't know, Mama. I've really lost my zest in life.
I think I'll end this letter now. Please pray for my peace, Mama.
I miss you.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
I am at the office now. So is Edgar. Angel is sick, Mama. She has fever. Ralph is at home, but he needs to rest because he will be working tonight.
Please make Angel well, Mama.
I wish you were here.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It's a holiday today, December 11. It's Pampanga Day, Mama. That's why we don't have work. Ralph will also be not working tonight. Good thing they are covered by the local holiday. I thought that since he has as US-based client, they won't be following Philippine holidays. Edgar is also covered by the holiday, but he worked today. He is part of the skeletal force required to check in for today.
Ralph and Angel are sleeping right now. It's 1:30 in the afternoon, Mama. It's a rather gloomy day. I'm not sure if it's part of the Christmas season, or there's another storm brewing up there. It was drizzling a bit this morning when I was doing the laundry, Mama. But it stopped when I was finished, so I was able to hang the laundry outside. Unfortunately, Mama, the sun did not really shine hot today. There are too many clouds. That's why the clothes are not really dry yet, like they used to be during this time when it's hot.
Yesterday, I had my quarterly laboratory test for my blood chemistry, Mama. I picked up the results today. I am not sure. Some are good, some seem to be not so good since they are near borderlines. I'll just wait for the doctor's verdict on Friday, Mama.
That will be all for today. Please pray for my peace, Mama.
I miss you.
I love you, Mama.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Happy anniversary!
Today would have been our 33rd.
Can I go home now?
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
We went out today, Saturday, our children and I. We went to the Marquee Mall, Mama. Edgar got his bag from CBTL after completing the stickers required. Angel and I was supposed to get it yesterday at SM Clark but they did not have stocks there, that's why we went to Marquee Mall today.
Ralph also bought some items at the Korean food sale at the mall atrium, then Edgar bought a rice cooker for the house. Our rice cooker is already defective, Mama. Sometimes the rice don't get cooked, that's why we needed a new one.
After that we had our dinner at Kenny Rogers. We just got in time, Mama. Because after we gave our orders, people started coming in. Had we been a few minutes late, we would be standing in a long line, Mama.
After dinner, instead of coffee, we had ice cream today, Mama. Ralph liked to eat ice cream, so he suggested it. After that, we already went home. It took a while before Ralph was able to get a car from the Grab app. After almost 20 minutes, I think, he was able to get one.
By the way, Ralph and Edgar had their respective company Christmas party yesterday, that's why we did not go out. Unfortunately, neither of them was able to win a prize from their raffles. Well, that's luck, or lack of it.
That will be all for now, Mama. Please continue to guide our children. And please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Ralph left for work before 8:00 pm. I just received a message from him, he just arrived at the terminal and is already aboard their shuttle bus. He'll just wait a few minutes before the bus leaves, Mama. He's about to complete his first week in his new job. Tomorrow, Friday, will be their Christmas party, Mama. He's just in time for the company Christmas party.
Edgar is not home yet. He is at the mall, Mama. He said he'll be looking for something to wear tomorrow. It will also be their company Christmas party tomorrow. They have a theme, that's why he's looking for something to wear, Mama. He mentioned it to me, but I forgot. I must be really getting old, Mama.
Our Angel is already sleeping. She slept immediately after dinner, Mama. I hope she'll sleep straight until tomorrow morning. Oftentimes, when she sleeps early, she wakes up around midnight and will no longer sleep. She will then sleep during the day, Mama.
Right now we have 4 cats inside the house, Mama - Otis, Lulu, Ranma, and Sabby. And there are some in the garage - Tabitha (the newest kitten), Dopel, Sandayme, Mhey-mhey, Cotton, Roca. Cotton's companion, and another 1 or 2 more who come occasionally. Aside from Tabitha, those in the garage usually come only feeding time. Tabitha, or Tabby, also leaves occasionally, but stays mostly in the garage.
We also have lost a lot of kittens, Mama. They all have crossed the rainbow bridge. Lulu's siblings - Dalma, and Lily. Otis' siblings - Garfield, Alice, and one black kitten we were not able to name. Sabby's babies - Max and 1 more with no name. And of course, the lone kitten - Rocky. They all crossed the rainbow bridge within a span of less than 2 months, Mama. Baron, Lulu's brother, was adopted, and the first cat we had, OG has been missing for almost a month now, Mama.
I just want to tell you about the cats, because I don't know what to say, Mama.
Christmas is almost here. I don't know what to plan, Mama. I received our 13th month and used them all to pay for my debts, and they were still not enough.
Anyway, I think I'll stop here, Mama. Hoping things will get better for us. Please pray for the health and safety of our children. Please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Yesterday, Sunday, the kids and I went to Marquee Mall. We spent the afternoon there, Mama. We bought some items - personal items for the kids, and Ralph also bought 1 gift for his godson for Christmas. Then we had our dinner there.
After dinner, Angel and I went to buy a birthday cake for you, Mama. While Ralph and Edgar went ahead to the coffee shop. Angel and I proceeded to the coffee shop after buying the cake, Mama. We stayed there for a while, before we went home.
Of course, as we reached home, we sang happy birthday for you, Mama. Your birthday won't be complete without a birthday cake and a birthday song. However, since we were already full last night, we did not eat anymore. We just saved the cake for tonight, and ate some after dinner.
It's Ralph's first day at work tonight, Mama. He's on his way now, he left while I still writing this letter. He took a Grab car because he is still wasn't sure where their shuttle will be. Hopefully, tomorrow he'll be able to take the shuttle and save on expenses. He'll be checking out tomorrow at 6 a.m., Mama. I hope he won't fall asleep at work tonight. It's been a while since he worked on nightshift, although he sometimes sleep late, Mama.
This afternoon, while I was hanging the laundry, our neighbor knocked on our gate, Mama. They gave us a cake. That's why we have 2 cakes now - your birthday cake and the cake they gave us. I was surprised, Mama. Because it's the first time a neighbor here gave us something, after more than 15 years of living here. They are the newest tenants in the apartment in front of us, Mama. So, I guess that tells something.
Anyway, I'm waiting for Ralph's message that he has reached his destination. I asked him to tell me once he reached their office so I know he made it safely, Mama.
That will be all for now, Mama. Until my next letter. Please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
The kids and I went out yesterday to celebrate your birthday. We just had dinner, Mama. Like we have done in the past Fridays. We met at Marquee Mall where they attended the birthday party of their niece. I went there after paying the electric bill.
The birthday party they attended to was rather late, that's why we had our dinner rather late, Mama. We were not able to buy a birthday cake, Mama. I'm sorry. We'll buy tomorrow so we can sing happy birthday for you.
Yesterday was the last Friday we'll be going out, Mama. Ralph will start in his new job on Monday. He will be on graveyard shift, that's why we cannot go out anymore. Unless he'll take his dinner at the mall and then he'll proceed to work afterwards, while we go home.
I guess that will be all for now, Mama. Please pray for me. Please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It will be your birthday tomorrow. You will be 58 years old tomorrow, Mama. I still have no plans. I'm sorry, Mama.
Our children will attending a birthday party tomorrow. It seems they want me to meet them somewhere. They said they won't stay long at the party, Mama. It's a children's party and they don't want to stay long. They just can't say no to their cousin.
I'm still not sure what to do, Mama. I'm really sorry. It's like I'm dragging my feet again everyday just to survive. I don't even know I am able to continue everyday.
I'm sorry. I should not be writing in this tone. It's your birthday tomorrow. This should be a happy letter.
I miss you, Mama. I wish I can hold your hands and embrace you now.
I love you, Mama.
Happy birthday!
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It fills like my anxiety is consuming me again. I'm sorry, Mama. I really do not like writing letters in this tone, but I have no one to talk to. I've been feeling anxious since yesterday. It's our neighbors again. I don't even know if I should feel this way.
I'm really sorry, Mama. Maybe I should stop now.
I'm sorry.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
We came home tonight at around 8:30 p.m., the kids and I. It's Friday and we went to the mall, Mama. We had our dinner there, courtesy of Ralph. And then we had coffee, courtesy of Edgar. It's sort of something we had been doing for the last couple of Fridays, Mama.
It wasn't really intentional, Mama. Sometimes I would send them a message in our group chat that I won't go straight home after work. I'd say I'd to SM Clark or Nepo Mall in Angeles, since it's Friday and I can do the laundry tomorrow morning. And then they would meet me wherever I might be.
Next Friday will be your birthday, Mama. Although the kids and I might not be able to celebrate because they will attending the birthday of their niece who has the same birthday as you, Mama. You and your granddaughter share the same birthday, Mama. I'm not sure though if we're going to go out to celebrate on Saturday, Mama.
That will be all for now, Mama. I hope I can come up with something so we can celebrate your birthday next week.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Finally! Ralph received a job offer! After more than a month of sending applications and attending interviews left and right, Ralph finally received a job offer, Mama. It was the one I mentioned in my previous letter. They already got the necessary number of character reference replies, which was the requirement for Ralph's confirmation. He'll be starting on December 2nd, Mama.
As for me, I won't be getting anything this year. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to look for another job. I don't want to start again. I'll just wait for my retirement.
Edgar did not go to work today. He was not feeling well. He was tired when he came home last night. He had a slight fever, Mama. He's okay now. He's already preparing our dinner.
Angel is out now. She went out at around 6:00 p.m. Hopefully she'll be home soon. It's almost dinnertime.
That's all the update for now, Mama. Please continue guiding and praying for our children.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It's Sunday afternoon now. We had our lunch earlier. Of course, it was prepared by Edgar. It was pork and squash stewed in coconut milk, Mama. It was delicious.
Pampanga is already under storm signal no. 3, Mama. Although there isn't much rain now, but the weather is gloomy. Edgar is preparing to leave. I hope there won't be any strong rains later. Angel is sleeping now, while Ralph is in his room.
Ralph already received a job offer, Mama. Thank you for praying for him. He's just waiting for one more confirmation, which he hopes to get by this coming week, and he will start on the 2nd of December. The only thing is that it will be onsite, Mama. It's also on graveyard shift, which he is already used to, anyway.
As for me, nothing's new, Mama. Still in my job, not much happening. I'm just waiting for my retirement age. I don't see any opportunity anytime soon. I've also stopped attending Toastmasters. I can't remember if I've already mentioned that in my previous letters. I guess I'm really getting old, Mama.
I guess, that will all for now, Mama. I wish you were here. I really miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
I'm alone at home right now, and it's 10 a.m. Our children just left to attend the baptism of their niece, Mylene's daughter, in Friendship. They'll be back home maybe later this afternoon.
I planned a lot of things to do for today like cleaning and tidying up the house. But right now, I feel lazy, and I haven't done anything. Yes, Mama. I'm procrastinating again.
I got a lot of things on my mind right now, Mama. I'm overwhelmed. I don't how we'll be able to recover financially. Ralph is still not hired yet. Also, Angel doesn't have a job yet, and she's not actively looking for any, unfortunately.
I'm lost, Mama.
I wish you were here.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Dear Mama,
Dear Mama,
Happy Teacher's Day!
If you were only here, I know you will be celebrated by a lot of students who love you. That's because you were such a good and kind teacher, Mama. Even to this day, when a former student of yours would recognize me, or would learn that I am your husband, they would approach me and they only have good words for you. Probably, you are now teaching little cherubim in heaven, Mama.
I wish you were here, Mama.
Ralph still hasn't found a new job, but he's searching, Mama. He is applying left and right, and have attended a lot of interviews already. Hopefully he'll find a company that not only will pay him well, but will help him grow and succeed professionally.
I really wanted to say a lot, Mama. But it's your day. I don't want to ruin it. Happy Teacher's Day, Mama!
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Dear Mama,
Ralph, Edgar, and I visited the wake of Kong Berning last night. Angel was supposed to go with us, but she wasn't feeling well, so she opted to stay at home. From the incomplete stories I gathered, it seems Kong Berning had a heart attack, Mama.
Ralph and Edgar met their cousins, and also a few of their uncles and aunties, Mama. I was looking for the old folks so I can pay my respect to them, but it seems we are the old folks now. Tang Badong, I was told, passed away already last year. He was the last one from Ima's family. I was not able to ask from the side of Tatang's family.
I went to the my doctor today, Mama, for my quarterly check up. He said my lab test results are good, and even my BP is normal. He advised me to continue with my maintenance medicines, Mama. He also added Vitamin B complex in my prescriptions.
Ralph and I will be back at wake on Friday, Mama. I'm not sure if Edgar and Angel will come with us. The interment will be on Sunday.
I guess that will be all for now, Mama. I miss you.
I love you, Mama.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Dear Mama,
We are finally home, Ralph and I. We were discharged this afternoon, or should I say yesterday because it's past 12 midnight now. He is better now, Mama. His BP is going back to normal, although he is still getting occasional 130 and 140.
I hope things get better for us, Mama.
I wish you were here.
Daddy
P. S. I love you.
Dear Mama,
We are back at the hospital. Ralph was admitted again because of fever and infection.
I'm really sorry, Mama.
I think I'm losing it.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
September is not starting good for us. Although we went out last Sunday, the 1st of September, for coffee and dinner in the hope that it will bring better vibrations for us.
Last night, however, just the second day of September, Ralph got sick. He has fever, and although he was trying not to show it to me when I left for work this morning, I felt he was weak, Mama.
I'm not sure if it's the weather or his condition. He was already feeling cold when we left the house last Sunday. And since Sunday evening, it has been raining. Although it wasn't really that strong, it was continuous, Mama. And the wind was also blowing strong.
He was working when I left home this morning, Mama. He was already in his computer, as he is on remote-work set up. Which was actually a good thing because he can't go out.
Please make him well, Mama. I'm sorry he got sick again.
We are already out of money from a lot of expenses on the cats, especially Ralph who spent the most for them. I cannot help him because I am already depleted and I'm just making ends meet through borrowed funds.
I'm sorry I'm telling you this, Mama. I'll end my letter now.
I'm sorry for everything, Mama.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Just finished with our Toastmasters meeting, it's around 8:30 p.m. Ralph is still out, Mama. He went out with his friends. It was supposed to be last Sunday, but they were not able to push through because Ralph got sick then, he was not able to stand. That's why they reset it tonight.
It's the last day of August, Mama. Hopefully, September will be better for us - physically, mentally, and financially. August took a lot from us. I thought we'll never make it through. Yes, we did, but not really victorious. I've never felt more defeated. Ironic, considering I've finally won in a speech contest this month.
Edgar was also sick today, Mama. It started yesterday, actually. He said he feels acidic. Was that acid reflux? We went out for coffee last, Ralph, Angel, and I. Edgar was not able to come with us because of his condition. He was better midday today, but he still feels the acid in his stomach, Mama.
I don't know what else to say. Please continue guiding us, Mama. Please visit me soon.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
