I woke up knowing I already have spent most of my life. Looking back I came up with the best and worst moments I lived through, the sights I remember most, the emotions I will most definitely never forget:

25. the day I cut my hair. 20 years ago I was already headstrong. I had a way of looking at things and that was it.

24. my first and only dog, whom I named cracker because he was a cocker spaniel

23. the lopsided pig tails my dad did on me


22. my pre-school days when I spent most of my time not having an idea why I was there

21. our playground set. It was mine actually.

20. the first time I tried the slide. My dad carried me up and I refused to let go.

19. my first pair of school shoes. The reason I stopped playing "habulan"

18. deo, my first crush.

17. there was a time I pondered so deeply about the measurement of time and I wondered if a week was always 7 days. This was the first time I ever meta-theorized.

16. my first dream car…Karo ng patay

15. the day I asked our school guard to help me cross the street so I could meet up with my mom but ended up being scolded and sent up for my afternoon siesta with no lunch.

14. michelle, the first mean girl I met.

13. the earthquake

12. the aftershocks

11. my first ride on an airplane

10. the first time I went overseas.

9. shamu and the dolphins

8. my CISV summer camp in New Zealand

7. brett my first boyfriend, who made realize that I have a predilection for long distance relationships.

6. my first smoke and beer.

5. the first time I wondered "where does this all lead to?" and asked "how does one know there is a God?"

4. the first time I fell in love

3. when I learned that life doesn't hand you apples just because you asked for it; most of the time it hands you lemons as a joke.

2. my first semester of college, when I wondered if I was cut out for a UP education

1. the day I walked up that stage to get my diploma and turn my sablay.


The rest really is history. If you're reading this Katie, you pretty much know what happens after.

I finally got my chance to pack my bags and start MY life. After college I started to work enthusiastically. There was one day when I stared up the PSE Tower and thought to myself I'm going to work there and I did. And, I fell in love again – hard.

I forgot that when you get used to getting what you want, life pulls the rug from under you and hand you lemons.

The last three years have been such a trip. I've gone from being really happy to being downright miserable. It was a test of character-a tough one. Friends have faded in the horizon and love… love changed everything.

Indeed, over the years I grew up and have gone a long way from young girl I was. Knowing that I might not have another 25 years ahead of me makes want to re-live the old days and get in touch with the girl in my past. I'd like to know that if I met the 6-year old me she'd be happy to see the person I have become.


It's been 25 years and I hope that the road ahead isn't as rough as it has been.

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