Truly Rich and Blessed

Juday and Sarah’s "Hating Kapatid" – Disappointment, Gratitude and Prayers for OFW Families

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I had the chance to watch the latest movie starring bigtime local movie stars Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo with a dear friend (Hi Jes!). Before the movie, we had lunch at one of my alltime favorite places, the Pancake House (the food is good though their service STILL needs improvement after all these years, hehehe). We were both satisfied with our meal (I had my favorite pan chicken combo set! Yum! With a filling taco, spaghetti and iced tea! Jes had pan chicken too! Hehehe. 🙂 So satisfied and expectant, we went to the cinema. Even while waiting in line, we were still debating whether to watch “Hating Kapatid” (we both heard that “Inception” was good) but decided to go ahead with it.

Alas, almost 2 hours later, we came out of the cinema wishing we had gone ahead and changed our minds. Although we are both not BIG fans of Filipino/Tagalog movies, we both expected that this Juday-Sarah teamup would not disappoint (ok ok, I guess you could say our expectations were maybe a bit too high! Blame it on the media hype! Or our falling for it! huhuhu). Needless to say, WE WERE DISAPPOINTED! (We want our money back!!! hahahaha). Sorry to all the Juday (Hi Kaw! Miss you! hehehe) and Sarah fans out there.. but PUH-LEASE naman! What a sad state our Filipino film industry is in, if “Hating Kapatid” is something to go by!

The shameless endorsing, mostly by Sarah, for products such as Belo cosmetics, Extreme Magic Sing, Jollibee, Charmee, Cebuana Lhuiller, Globe Tattoo (these are the ones I can still recall), was, in my own opinion, totally uncalled for. But then again, I think this has been the trend for a lot of other Tagalog movies lately (though I haven’t watched any others yet, and after “Hating Kapatid” I’m sad to say I may not watch one again soon! Sayang, I’m so proud to be Pinoy naman! Kaya please naman, yung mga moviemaker diyan, WAKE UP! Especially Viva Films!!! Hay naku, nakakahiya na noh?!)

Another disappointing part of the movie was the scene where Luis Manzano’s character brought Sarah to a place where he said (and I’m trying to recall the actual words here but am having difficulty) was where he spent some of his spare time – he brought her to a wake, in a seemingly remote place (read: rural), like a barrio or something, basta, somewhere. The family of the deceased was depicted as poor, and Luis’s character was reading a prayer or novena for the dead. Nakakainis kasi parang ginawa pang parang joke joke lang yung part na yun. I mean.. “Hello??!!” “Respect for prayer anyone? Respect for the dead, maybe?!” Grrr.. makes my blood boil talaga… This and the poorly edited scenes (as in, like you really see scenes na parang cut off!) and so many other things (weak plot, etc etc) left me HUGELY DISAPPOINTED.

But as the title of my post goes, a sense of GRATITUDE also came over me as I was watching the movie. Since the plot was about Juday and Sarah growing up with their OFW parents absent for 20 years (STRAIGHT! Without coming home! My gosh! Can parents actually stand being away from their kids for so long without going home kahit paminsan-minsan lang?!) I could relate in a way, since my own parents were OFWs in Brunei for 30 plus years. BUT the difference was (and here is where my GRATITUDE to God comes in), they were blessed to have the opportunity to bring us kids along with them. My siblings and I grew up in Brunei and even if Ate and Kuya had to go back to the Philippines for high school and college (younger bro and I went back for college lang), Papa and Mama made it a point for us to have regular vacations together, either in Brunei, the Philippines or some other ASEAN country (though this happened only when we were younger and fares were cheaper hehehe), at least once a year. I remember how happy I’d be to have my Ate and Kuya with us, and how we’d try to copy the fashion “trends” from the Philippines that they’d bring along with them (does anyone recall the “socks with Berks slippers” trend?! LOL). Being an OFW family left me with many valuable life lessons, and exposed me to different cultures, nationalities and languages, which ultimately contributed to my being a lay missionary. Also, even though we grew up more “comfortable” than others, my parents instilled in us the value of hard work (do your own chores and don’t depend on any househelp!), discipline and service to others, which I consider important life skills that I intend to teach my own kids. They also taught us (and to this very day, still do! Love you Papa and Mama!) that FAMILY should always come FIRST, after God of course.

So in that sense, I am grateful to God for “Hating Kapatid” because it reminded me of the importance of FAMILY. And of how money or material goods can never replace the love and care and presence of parents. I’m not disapproving of our beloved OFWs and am really one with them in their hope for a better future for their kids. All I’m saying is if one IS an OFW and has children, then find ways to reaffirm them of one’s love for them. Save as much money as you can, find ways to make your money work for you (invest, etc) and if possible COME HOME NA. Because your kids are only kids once. It makes me even more committed to work together with hubby for our family’s financial freedom. To pray more, learn more, earn more. Included in my prayers are all of my fellow kababayans everywhere who have left the Philippines for a “brighter future” for their kids. That GOD will unite their families despite the distance. That He will touch the leaders of the Church and Catholic communities (like ours with the Migrant Workers Program) to reach out to OFWs and their families.

“Hating Kapatid”, though truly disappointing, at least left me with a sense of gratitude for the abovementioned reasons. Also, I am grateful for the time spent with Jessie, a sort of one-to-one time with her, after such a long time away on mission. What happened after the movie also left me deeply grateful! Hubby and I ended up visiting a very dear family friend, Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei! We had a great time catching up with him and always feel so blessed to count him as our friend! 🙂 At least, spending time with hubby and Bishop made me forget the disappointment “Hating Kapatid” brought about, hehehehe! 🙂 Here’s to FAMILY and FRIENDS, things I’ll always have gratitude in my heart for! 🙂

For other people’s reviews of “Hating Kapatid”, you may want to check out the links below:
http://www.reeladvice.net/2010/07/hating-kapatid-movie-review.html
http://www.viva.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1722:hating-kapatid-the-movie-reviewed&catid=1:news&Itemid=2 (of course, this may be considered biased! hehehe)
http://manila-life.blogspot.com/2010/07/hating-kapatid-movie-review.html
http://www.clickthecity.com/movies/?p=8454
http://elyvalendez.blogspot.com/2010/07/hating-kapatid-movie-review.html (in Tagalog)

Of Husband And Wife – A Truly Rich Love Story

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This one is dedicated to my hubby. I have been blogging since January 2010 about varied topics but this time I’d like to post a special entry for Bebs (hubby and I call each other “Bebs”. This has evolved over the years from “Be” [pronounced “Bay”] and we have our own funny story behind its “evolution”.) Anyway, I’m rambling a bit na so I’ll continue…

Earlier, Bebs and I were blessed to have a sort of “date” time when my parents unexpectedly took our kids along with them to send my niece and nephew home. There was no electricity at home and it was SOOO hot so Papa and Mama and our two little ones joined my Kuya and family for a “joyride” in the air-conditioned comfort of our family van. So hubby and I took advantage of the time and went malling (one of our favorite past-times when we were still single and childless 🙂

Even though all we did was look at a few cellphone stores in the nearby mall to see if there were any good offers, window-shop a bit for (what else?!) stuff the kids might need, and have dinner at one of our favorite Italian places (yummy!!!), it was a blessed time for us as husband and wife, and a kind of “day off” for me. Don’t take me wrong though, being a 24/7 hands-on mom is not something I resent, but having some time for yourself is important too right? And of course, time with hubby. I once read somewhere that the greatest gift a father could give his children was to love their mother (or something to that effect 🙂 And I totally agree! (hahaha biased!)

Anyway, while hubby and I were having dinner, I also took the chance to ask him about our finances.

You see, in our family, he’s the one who handles the budget (don’t be shocked! He’s much better at it than yours truly!). I was seeking his assurance and affirmation that despite upcoming major expenses we would still have money left over to save and invest. He assured me that we did. It is a great feeling to know that God, through hubby (and of course our families too!), was taking care of our needs!

I only pray that more than that, we would also one day reach our goal of making passive income through multiple income streams, so that we too could be more of a blessing to others. Just as God’s love makes hubby and I truly rich, we want to share His love and riches to others too!

Personally, I really thank God for my husband. Even though we have our differences and arguments, our faults and misunderstandings, I can really say that he is the one God wants for me. We complement each other and work together and are each other’s earthly reminders of God’s heavenly heart. We are imperfect as individuals and as a couple but are perfectly loved.

Bebs, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just as that unfamiliar to many E-Heads song goes:

I take one step away
But I find myself coming back
To you
My one and only
One and only you

For this truly rich wife, it’s only YOU. 🙂

I love yah Bebs! 🙂 Thanks for keeping up with my insanity! I am proud of you and am with you 100% of the way!

To all you WIVES out there, no matter what your husbands may have said or done, always remember that they are trying to LOVE you the best way they could. Even if they fall short so many times, and hurt us and disappoint us, we must never stop believing in their LOVE for us. And whenever times get tough, and the road is rough and bumpy and getting out seems the best way to go, STOP. Take time to PRAY. Never underestimate the power of a praying WIFE.

My prayers are with you. 🙂 Feel free to comment or contact me!
Our love story evolves around MISSION
(translation: MISSION FIRST BEFORE RELATIONSHIPS)

On mission as an engaged couple in Timor Leste (that’s the Cristo Rei statue up there). Before this, we had a long-distance relationship for about 2 and a half years, because he was assigned to Eastern Visayas while I was in Manila, then I was assigned to Borneo while he was in the Philippines, then he was assigned to India while I returned home to Manila. 🙂
We went home from mission in Timor to prepare for the wedding and by God’s grace were able to do so in ONLY 6 WEEKS! When you put God first, everything else will fall into place.

We didn’t go anywhere exotic for our honeymoon but spent quality time with each other instead. After a weekend stay in a hotel, we spent our “honeymoon” week at community activities, including a retreat in Baguio and our Annual Leaders Conference.

When we got back to Timor 2 months after the wedding, we were surprised to discover that our honeymoon had already borne fruit! 🙂 Look how precious and fully formed little Timothy Alan “Tim” is at 12 weeks!
Fast forward to four years, six months later…
Our family has been TRULY RICHLY BLESSED with the addition of our baby girl Rysse, who has just turned 1 last week. We have returned from our almost 5-year mission in Timor Leste and are now awaiting God’s next marching orders!
O what a blessed beautiful life we have! Thank YOU our Beloved! 

Truly Rich Reflections Of A 30-Year Old Single Mom

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Especially for all the single moms out there… 🙂 I’d just like to share with you this birthday reflection from my childhood BFF. We grew up together in Brunei and our parents were close friends. We had lots of sleepovers and bonding moments together, and were both devastated when her family had to migrate to Canada when we were about 9 years old. A lot has happened since then, and thank GOD for and e-mail, we have reconnected! J. will always be one of the strong women whom I am blessed to know, and I hope and pray we’ll be able to meet up somehow in God’s time! Here is her birthday reflection which she sent to close family and friends 🙂 I asked her if I could share this in my blog and she agreed. 🙂 Hope to be able to inspire you in some way, especially those single parents out there! 🙂
“…Family need not be defined merely as those with whom they share blood but for those for whom they would give their blood.” – Dickens
A fulfilled life is one filled with a range of people and community – friends, peers, neighbors, lovers, teachers, supporters…but most importantly, a fulfilled life is one filled with family. You are receiving this letter today, because you are one of those special gems that I appreciate and consider as my “family”.  Someone I’d do anything for, someone I have unconditional love towards, someone that I care about like my own blood. On my 30th birthday, I thought what better time than now to express to you how grateful I am to have you in my life.
A decade ago, I was just a girl who was trying to figure out life (through constant hair colors – bleached blonde hair anyone?) and make her place in the world, and on that journey made some good, and some not ‘so-good’ decisions.
Fast forward to July 7, 2010 – and now I have a beautiful child who radiates so much joy, a strong, loving relationship with my sister, a job that is rewarding, a career as a dancer that has branched off into several outlets, and a relentless strength and determination that can get through any trial or tribulation, because I already have during my journey to this point.
I look back and reflect on the woman I have become today – someone who is kind, smart, caring, dedicated, and committed to her family, and feel so appreciative of the women who helped get me here.
To my grandmother, Maria Bernardina Anson de los Reyes (Dina),  – Thank you for instilling in me the importance of family and to always have faith in God.  I miss your smelling kisses.
To my paternal grandmother, Milagros Pasion Cabalu (Mila).  – Thank you for showering me with encouragement and love, and for being a fine example of a working mother.  I miss your Birthday cards.
To my little sister, Joella.  Although I am older than you, and as much as you tell me in my Mother’s Day and Birthday cards that you look up to me, I also look up to you.  You are the woman I am the most proud of.  I admire you and have so much respect for you. Thank you for putting up with me, for being my sound board, and the Godmother to my child.
And to my mother, Maria Bernardina de los Reyes Cabalu (Maridin), thank you for getting me started in my love for dance and fitness by letting me “workout” with you to your Jane Fonda videos.  You have showed me that you can achieve anything if you work hard for it. I have you to thank for the artistic flair that lives within me.
One day, my child will read this. And when he does, he’ll know that as much as I am raising him, he is raising me. He’ll know that I am a better human being because of him. I even have a hard time remembering what my life was like without him (less toys, more sleep I guess!)  He is my heart walking outside of my body.  He is without a doubt, the best part of me.
I want to thank all of you for being a part of my life. I consider our connection a unique gem and in some special way, you have touched my life and changed it for the better. My last five years have been a long and hard journey. I’ve had mornings where I wanted to stay in bed, days where I refused to leave my house.  I’ve been judged.  I have experienced moments of despair and days where I admit, I didn’t know how I was going to make it. I would have never seen the light at the end of the tunnel or remembered to have faith as my compass if it wasn’t for the love and support you all have given me. At age thirty, I look back at the gems of family I have in my life, and feel so fulfilled and wealthy.
If I could leave off with one lesson I learned, it would be to follow your dreams and never give up on your passion. Even when you have doubts, or feel the world is judging you, even when you fall and don’t know how you could possibly get up, even when looking at tomorrow seems so dark and grim that you can’t imagine waking up to another day –  know that there is light, there is God, and there is love.
Whatever your passion is, do it.  Do it now.  What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

Thank you for loving me especially at times when I didn’t love myself.  On this day, I celebrate you. Thank you for helping me get to 30 years strong.
God bless and live well. I love you all.

J xoxo


July 7, 2006
July 7, 2007
July 7, 2008
July 7, 2009

Monster-in-law or Martyr-in-law? (The Mother-In-Law issue)

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Since getting married 4 years ago, hubby and I have always been out of the Philippines for mission. Therefore, we have never lived in our own home, since renting would not make any sense. So most of our married life, whenever we are in the Philippines, we stay with my parents or his parents. We are actually essentially “nomads” hahaha.


Anyway, as the title of this post probably suggests, I’m going to be writing about in-laws, specifically mothers-in-law (MIL). More specifically, my own MIL. (Who is definitely NOT a monster-in-law! Honest to goodness! And I’m not saying this just because other people will be reading this and may get back to my hubby or MIL about this – she is honest to goodness SOOO nice to me!)


Mommy (when hubby and I got hitched, we decided to call his mom “Mommy” and mine “Mama” to avoid confusion 🙂 is the mother of 5 grown children, 4 boys and 1 girl, of which hubby is no. 2. 2 of her kids (the remaining single ones) live at home with her and Daddy (I bet you can guess what we call my father then :). Even though her kids are all grown up, Mommy continues to take care of all their needs and is the all-around cook, cleaner, laundrywoman, cheerleader, prayer warrior and supporter for her family. She has no helper or kasambahay. She does everything by herself. And does not oblige those who stay with her in the house (us included, much to my chagrin.. nakakahiya noh?.. huhuhu) to lift a finger to help her (though of course we do, whenever we are around! However sometimes she still shoos me away, insisting that I focus on taking care of the kids.. Aaawww..). You could say that Mommy spoils her kids and us too when we stay with them. 


Some people may take this in a negative way, but I choose to see it in a positive way. In Mommy, I see traits of my own beloved Mama. Of course, just like any MIL-DIL (daughter-in-law for those uninformed readers out there 🙂 relationship, there are flaws in ours. But overall, I truly honor and respect my MIL, and love her dearly. In my eyes, she is a “martyr” in her own way. Why? Because she:


Makes everyone feel well-loved and provided for (especially when it comes to FOOD. You should see hubby and his siblings side by side! hahaha)


Always sees the positive things in life, and NEVER complains (well, at least I’ve never heard her do so)


Really loves her kids and grandkids.. nuff’ said. 🙂


Totally is selfless and thinks of others first


Yearns for the best for her kids and grandkids.. And strives to always do what is best for them 🙂


Really is resilient in every way. She is strong and very active and manages to run her household on her own while many of her contemporaries have household helpers.


For all these reasons and more, I can truly testify that Mommy is a martyr-in-law in her own right. 🙂 Definitely not a monster. 🙂 In fact, if there is a monster lurking around here in my in-laws’ house, it’s probably me and my occasionally-big mouth and proud demeanor. And so, Mommy, (and hubby) I ask for your forgiveness. For all the things I’ve said and done that may have hurt you (and Daddy). Thank you for your love and care, especially for our kids. We love you po!

  Mommy with her two favorite male “apos” (grandchildren)
 Mommy with Rysse, her first granddaughter 🙂


Do you have your own unique story about your MIL? I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to post a comment! And if you’re a fellow blogger like me and would like to be updated on my posts, feel free to add me to your blogroll: www.trulyrichmom.com 🙂

The FEAST – Celebrating Rysse’s First Birthday

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Our daughter and second child, Rysse, turned 1 yesterday (July 5). Our planned celebration, as simple as it was, didn’t turn out the way we had planned it to be. We were supposed to attend mass with my parents and brother at EDSA Shrine but ended up attending mass at the CFC Center because of the heavy rain, and also we weren’t sure if we would make it on time. So hubby, Tim, Rysse and I, along with my dad were at the Center, and my mom and youngest brother Jay were at the Shrine. But thinking about it now, I realize it was a blessing in disguise because we ended up celebrating Rysse’s birthday through the Celebration of the Eucharist, not just with immediate family, but with our larger family in CFC. And the highlight of it was getting to receive Jesus in BOTH forms, Body and Blood (not just the host, but the wine too)!!! What an awesome FEAST!

After Mass, we proceeded to Robinson’s Galleria for lunch with my mom and brother, and friends from IMO because we were also bidding farewell to our CFC Timor Leste fulltime missionary Francisco “Chico” da Costa, who had just finished his training. We decided to kill two, well actually three, birds with one stone i.e. celebrate Rysse’s birthday, say farewell to Chico and also bid Bon Voyage to the Tolentinos, who will be leaving for Kenya soon for mission.

After Galleria, we went home to my in-laws’ place and had a simple but filling dinner with my hubby’s family.

Celebrating birthdays is always lots of fun, and I’m glad and grateful that Rysse’s first birthday involved not just physical feasting, but most importantly, SPIRITUAL feasting as well! 🙂

Thank YOU Lord for Rysse! And Timothy of course! My little angels here on earth! Happy Birthday Babagirl! We love you to bits!

The Many Faces of Alyssa Therese “Rysse” Rodriguez 
Cutie-pie!
Model material 🙂
Playfully adorable 🙂
Water-baby! 🙂

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