To: My little sister

I’m not even sure you will be able to read this, but I’ll write it anyway.

I was ten when I badly wished for a little sister. And then one day mom told me she was pregnant. I was beyond excited. I prayed every night, before going to sleep, for a little sister. A day just before my birthday, you were born. Five pounds, six ounces. I remember waiting outside of our little apartment, by the gate, welcoming you home. 

We may fight a lot, and I usually bully you a lot, and you always give me that mataray look even if you’re ten years younger than I am. You are my complete opposite: you’re dark, I’m fair; your hair is black and straight, mine is brown and wavy; you’re thin, and I’m a bit on the chubby side; you’re good in math, while I’m attracted to science. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, you’re still my little sister and I love you. 

Here’s to more kisses and hugs, fights and quarrels, and loving each other. 

2012 letters

To: My shortest college friend

To: My most gorgeous college friend

To: The greatest Ed Westwick/Joe Jonas/Ian Somerhalder/Zac Efron fan girl in the world

To: The pogi-est, awesome-est college friend

To: The college friend who laughs like there’s no tomorrow

To: The best friend who gives me advice on my love life

To: The best friend who reminds me to believe in God and His ways

To: The best friend who also happens to be my baby

To: The best friend who has known me forever

To: The mataray kid who happens to share my DNA

To: Bebe

My soul mate since first year high school. 

We’ve been friends for the longest time. Even if I hardly ever saw you this year, you know I’ll always always be here for you and I know you’re there for me, too. 

I miss you like crazy. I miss spending time with you. We should really catch up soon, yes? 

You are the person who knows me a little too well and I don’t regret that. I miss our bonding moments, our silly games, and those super tight hugs you give me at any random moment. 

I hope you’re doing really well! I wish you success in the fashion industry because I know you will do great someday. 

I wish you all the best, beb! I miss you so much! See you soon! I love love love you to bits! »»:D««<

To: My baby

It’s been two years since you became my baby. You will always be. Even if sometimes you act more mature than I am, you will still be my girl. 

I can talk to you about anything under the sun. Our conversations just keep on going and going. I hope our friendship is the same – never-ending. Fab 5 will always be together, because you guys will be my bridesmaids, my ninangs to my children, and my kumares when we reach forty. 

I’m sorry if I ever interfered with anything. I hope you know what I mean. Maybe I should always keep in mind that you make your own decisions, too, and that you only try to take things more slowly with anyone. Good luck, though! I’m happy when you’re happy. 

I miss you to bits, baby. Update me about your love life soon, okay? *nudge nudge* I love you! »»:*««

To: Hannah Banana

Can you believe this photo is in our yearbook? :))

You’ve got a friend in meYou’ve got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead and you’re miles and miles from your nice warm bed. You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you’ve got a friend in me. Yeah, you’ve got a friend in me

This has to be one of the best messages I’ve received during my birthday and I always keep in my heart because I know you’re always there for me. 

I’m glad you moved closer to where I am but still I don’t get to see you often. At least I don’t have to go all the way to LB to see you! 

I miss you terribly and I wish I could come past chatting in Facebook and texting to actually see you. 

Thank you for still being there despite the distance. You know you could visit me anytime in Manila! 

I love love love you. Happy new year! *HUUUUUUUUUUG* 

To: The only person who calls me P.

Second year. Outside Fleming-II classroom. 

I met you. You were playing cards. It was awkward then but here we are right now, almost five years from that moment, and our friendship is stronger than ever. 

I miss you. Seriously. I know I don’t see you often but blame my tightly-packed schedule caused by my field. (And my mother.) 

You still listen to my love life-related rants. To all my kilig moments. You never get tired of all my stories. And that’s what makes you the best. You always have something to say, and some advice to give. 

I miss talking to you in person, with all those deep conversations. I’m still thankful that I can talk to you anytime, and update you with my (very boring) love life. Haha. Remember that I’m always here for you, too. I’m here to listen to all your stories, and remember that I will never get tired of them, too. 

I miss you and I love you!! 

To: Candelaria Elena

Freshman Welcome Assembly. You walk up to me and say, “You’re Princess, right?” I say yes and you walk away. I thought that was really weird and I thought you were the kind of person filled with enthusiasm which is still true, with all your arm flapping and never-ending laughter. 

I never thought we would be friends, really. Until the second semester of our first year. And then came our second year. And then now. You are the kind of person filled with emotions bursting out of her system. Dude, really, sometimes, you just. Need. To. Chill. 

Your eighteenth birthday would remain one of the best memories in college with the block, and I owe it all to you. You were there when I found out about my five, and you were there along with the tears. Thank you for being there at that moment, when I was at my weakest. 

The frog-loving, arm-flapping, boisterous laughing friend would always be you. I love you and your TAMIS! Happy new year! 🙂

To: Pogi

(Yes, I’ll still use this photo. Maganda kasi ako dito. Hihi.)

Asthma. Cariñosa. Your 18th birthday. 

I still don’t remember how we became close. I don’t even remember how we met. I do know this: you are seriously most awesome guy friend ever. Even if we have to put up with your Taylor Swift fanboying, I know you’d be there for all the it’s-great-to-have-a-guy-friend-right-now-moments. I can’t even imagine how you put up with our girly topics and girly problems, but you stick with us anyway. 

You are one of the most dedicated people I’ve ever met. You always strive to work hard and aim for perfection, and that is truly inspiring.

Even if sometimes you turn into Barney Stinson, your gentleman-habits and sweetness makes you a great friend to all of us. 

I hope you stay passionate with our field, and please, work out soon, okay? Haha. Happy new year, bro! Stay pogi! Love you to bits! 

P.S. You still owe me ten pesos and four hugs. 

To: Mrs. Ed Westwick

I’ve known you since high school, although I’m really not sure how we met. 

Freshmen Welcome Assembly. I was in a real hurry to get to the Film Center because I thought I was late, but then I was texting you back then and you told me that that moment would what make my first day in college memorable. 

You were my lab partner in Chem 14.1, and right now we’re IP 141 lab buddies. Somehow, we make a great team, and I hope this would last until the end. We will graduate together, Regina. I just want to let you know that I would never leave you behind. 

Your poker face would never hide your genuine heart. Smile more often! Sige ka, hindi ka papansinin ni Ck kung palagi kang nakasimangot. Haha. 

Kidding aside, you know I will always be here for you, even if you and Mk bully me. Every. Single. Day. But I think that’s what makes college such a blast for me. I am truly blessed to have you guys in my life. Thank you! 🙂 I love you! *huuuuuug*

To: Gorgeous

That navy blue dress from People are People. Freshmen Acquaintance Party 2011. 

For me, that was when this all started. 

You were that girl from Davao who has this really adorable accent. You’re so different from who I thought you were. You are confident and true to yourself and to others. You never let anything bring you down, and you don’t let anything come in your way.

You were there when I needed you even if I just needed to go to the restroom. You never fail to cheer me up when I’m down. You were honest and open-minded about everything and that’s what makes you a true friend. 

If you ever leave UP Manila, I know I’ll miss you. So much. We all know you didn’t want to take up our course, but you still work hard to get through. Go after what you really want to do, but don’t forget that you still have friends who will be waiting for your visit. 

You truly are beautiful, Mk, inside and out. If ever things don’t go your way, I wish everything turns out to be alright. I love you, bebe!