It has been and will be a pretty eventful week as it was my 26th birthday just this Monday and A and I just celebrated our 4th anniversary today. I've got lots of stories to tell.

For now, I leave with you the new testimonial I left for A on Friendster:

While ordering food at McDonald's at Makati Cinema Square tonight at around 10-ish, my sister Cami and I went outside while my other sister Ara and cousin Carlo were waiting for our food orders get processed. A guy wearing shorts, a shirt, eyeglasses and a heavy backpack walked by us, turned around, and headed straight to us. He said, "Excuse me, I hope you can help me." He was not a Filipino. He was a American with dark hair and a day old beard. I said, "Sure." He said, "Can you help me get to Subic?" I asked, "You mean you need directions to Subic?" He replied, "No, I know how to get to Subic. It's just that I lost my wallet in the jeep today. It got snatched and I lost my money and all my credit cards and my bus ticket." All he needs is P360 for the bus ticket. He doesn't care if he has to walk all the way to the bus station. He just wants to get to Subic.

By this time, my cousin Chino joined us heard the story. We found out he was from Sacramento, California. He is staying in Subic because his friend owns a hotel and his room is free. He has been in the country for 15 days and he's searching for his grandmother, Sigrid von Giese, better known as Paraluman, a famous actress from the 50s. I asked if he tried going to tv stations to ask for help and he said he went to GMA 7 but they told him to come back on a working day. Initially, I handed him a P100 peso bill. But as he told his story, my cousins and sister fished out P100 each from their pockets to help him out. He left with P400 and wishes of good luck.

I told my cousins that who knows, it may be a scam but we helped him out of the goodness of our hearts and we did it with good intentions. Besides, we really think it wasn't fake. The worry, tiredness and nervousness that he projected told us he was real.

After McDonald's, we had to pass by 7 Eleven in Pasay Road to buy ice for the wake. We saw him again walking down the street. Ara, Chino and I were inside asking about the ice when he passed by the car. He saw my other sister Cami and cousin Carlo and he waved at them.

I really hope that (1) he really is real.. because a tiny part of me still doubts him and think it's a scam, (2) that he got to Subic safely and (3) he finds his grandmother.

In my latest entries about family, I never mentioned the fact that 3 days ago, my great grandmother, all of 95 years old, was still alive.

I have vague memories of her. Memories of her being present in special occasions. Her walking in with her cane and everybody coming in to greet her. As the years progressed, the cane slowly turned into a wheelchair and then slowly, she stopped coming. I do remember talking to on the phone once. I think it was my first and last conversation with her over the phone and she was asking me the same questions again and again, forgetting that I answered her before. I do remember her bringing chocolates when I was younger. I remember her being quiet and regal at the head of the dinner table. I may remember a few things. But sadly, I never got to know her.

For four years, she was just bedridden, coming in and out of sleep. That's why she stopped coming to special family occasions. Many wondered why did she last long? Why didn't she just rest? And many guessed that maybe, she's waiting for something. Maybe she couldn't rest because her children couldn't get along with each other.

And so, less than a month, after her youngest son, the one who caused all these family problems, passed away, she finally rested.

Rest in peace, Lola Meds. You're finally in heaven with Lolo Max, reunited after more than a 25 years.

I'm rooting for them:

Not because I know them personally (Jeena is the bestfriend of my aunt and I've known her since I was a child and Ernie is a kabarkada of my aunt as well) but because they're totally capable of winning. They are a very adventurous couple. They go bungee jumping, mountain climbing, wall climbing, rock climbing, scuba diving, spear fishing... what else did I miss? I know for a fact that Jeena flies in and out of Boracay nowadays learning how to kiteboard.

While I was in Boracay a few weeks ago, I asked my aunt if Jeena confided with her who won and she said she wouldn't tell. That must a gazillion dollar contract because she wouldn't even tell her bestfriend.

Let's go, Pilipinas!!!