Oh Dear, Another Year

igShout!

Let me just say, I am so lucky to have a best friend/sister like you. Usa ka sa pinaka-special nga tawo sa akong kinabuhi. Siguro you’re wondering right now kung unsa na pod ning akong gimik diri, but this is my special way of greeting you a happy happy birthday. Sorry, Shout, if ingon ani ra akong gift nimo, pero I promised myself man gud nga dapat kada naay mag-birthday ninyo (LA CLANA), muhatag ko’g personal letter. Gisugdan nako atung birthday ni Ikling, Hazel, Aming, Madonna ug karon, imoha na pod. Dili sa ko atung mag-post post sa Facebook kay ganahan ko ikaw ray makabasa ani. And you know me, ganahan jud ko’g sulat-sulat, so I hope ma-appreciate ra nimo ni, Shoutylove. I know, OA kaayo pero I find it special man gud if personal letter.

So actually, nag-start ko’g gama ani nga letter sa August 20 pa kay I know imong birthday dungan ug fiesta sa Bacong, unya basin ug dili na ko kagama ana nga time kay busy na ko’g kaon. So layu pa, gahinay-hinay na ko’g sulat sa akong ganahang ipanulti nimo. Thankful kaayo ko, Shout, nga nagka-amiga ta. Dili man gani ta perfect as a person, pero para nako, perfect kaayo atung friendship. Kahinumdom pa ko sauna pag manglaba si Mama nimo sa amua, malipay kaayo ko pag mukuyog ka kay magdula jud dayon ta. Then kada muangat ta’s amua with the girls, ganahan jud ko nga naa ka kay go kaayo ka’s akong mga kabuang. Makatawa gani ko, Shout, everytime magkuyog ta kay muana na ni silang Auntie nga kita kunong duha ang magka-dayon hahaa! Grabe jud diay ta ka-close nu? Close jud kaayo nga to the point dili na ko magduha-duha sa akong mga ipanulti nimo. Bisag kabalo ko nga masakitan na ka, dili ra pod nimo ipakita. And I feel bad kay naka-realize ko, mura’g never ko nangayo’g sorry jud nimo. Thank you kaayo, Shout, nga wala ka ni-give up sa atung friendship, kay kung uban pa matuyawan nga dako’g lubot 😂, mangluod naman dayon, then friendship over na. But I hope you know, Shout, nga bisag sawayon namo imong lubot sauna, we also meant it in a good way. And I hope pod unta nga if nasakitan naman gani ka, mutug-an ka namo kay para aware pod me. I know, binuangay ra ng atua, pero usahay sakit pod baya, di’ba? Ikaw man gud tung akong best friend nga mura’g dili madutlan ug estorya. But I know, deep within you, masakitan pod ka. Sorry kaayo, Shoutylove.

Soon, mommy Shouty na ka and I know excited na kaayo kang mugawas si baby Vincenzo. Always know, Shout, nga happy kaayo me, imong mga best friend para ninyo ni Mark. And if ever man gani you’re wondering what kind of mother you’re going to be and if ga-wonder ka if you’re going to be a good one, I know for sure that you’re going to be amazing. I have no doubt about it. Ikaw tung akong best friend nga buotan, patient, loving and fun. And I know that you’ll be all these things and so much more with your baby puhon. You have the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known. Baby Vincenzo is the luckiest one.

I want to tell you that I am your family, Shout. Remember, kinugos na kong Mama ug Papa nimo, so technically, we’re sisters hahaa. I also want to tell you that we will always be us. Hilarious, ridiculous, fabulous us. Old enough to know better, but having too much fun to care. There may be more to us now, but we can still be you and me. So much about life is about to change for you. But one thing will remain the same. US.

Your igShout, Jic Jic 🧡

Another Year Older ...And Better!

Hi Shoutylove, Happy Happy Birthday!

So, mao na ni akong speech, Shout, hahaa! I know, sorry if I’m late but let’s just pretend that it’s still July 26. Just so you know, wala jud ko nalimot sa imong birthday, pag-tungtung pa lang ug July, I know nga ikaw ug si Aming ang mag-birthday arung bulana. And just like sa akong gibuhat sa birthday ni Ikling, Hazel ug Aming, mao ra pod akong buhaton sa imoha, which is ang muhatag ug message sa inyong birthday privately.

Sa tinuod lang, katung 25, gahunahuna na ko’g message para nimo para ready na pagka-26, but ga-problema pod ko kay sa 25 palang, wala nay connection and di ko ganahan nga dili ko kahatag ug message nimo kay nasugdan na nako sugod atung sa ka Ikling. Mahiubos nya ka, char! Hahaa! Kabalo diay ka mahiubos, Shout? Murag dili man, isog lang nuan bwahahaa! Kabalo ka, Shout, katung panahon nga niingon ka nga mularga ka, my heart want to selfishly stop you, I really don’t want want you to leave kay dili ko ganahan magkabulaag ta (and wala nay tagahagit namo’g laag bwahahaa) but at the same time pod, it wants to let you go to live life and breathe on your own. Proud kaayo ko nimo, Shout, sa imong pag-paningkamot diha. Di parehas nako nga my God, talawan kaayo. Unlike me, I know you are a strong person jud, always have been. I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll be great. But if naay mga times nga dili man gani, I want you to remember that I am just a message or a flight away. I want you to remember that when you are low or lonely, you have friends on the other side of the world cheering for you and and believing in you. Our memories will stay strong in my mind and heart. I LOVE YOU, SHOUTYLOVE!!!

PS: PAULI NA KAY MANGLAAG NA TA!

Your Lasti-Buddy, Jic Jic 🧡

And A Pinch To Grow An Inch

Hi Shoutylove,

Ingon sila nga a letter daw is more precious than any costly gift, so tagaan nalang pod tikaw ug message same nilang Ikling ug Hazel atung birthday nila hahaa! 😂

Una sa tanan, I would like to say THANK YOU, SHOUT for being not only my friend, but my best friend since mga fetus pa ta. You have seen me grow in ways that no one else has, and I have seen you mature into such a beautiful and classy person, and soon, mama naka puhon 😭😭😭. You have been an amazing friend and I just want to thank you for being such a great childhood friend! I had some really great memories with you jud. Dili ma-kompleto akong Princess Sarah, Star In A Million, Miss Universe, America’s Next Top Model ug Pinoy Big Brother kung wala ang Dazzling Cook Diva ng Baguio nga si Janet hahaa! Sa tanang mga girls, ikaw ug si Lica ang pinakauna nakong na-close. And ka-remember pa ko atung saunang mga bata pa ta nga ipakasal man ta nilang Nellie HAHAA! NGANO TU? 😂 Murag na question jud nako akong sexuality atung panahona. Pero soon, kaslon najud ka puhon sa imong real Prince Charming nga si Osyong. Makamingaw nu? Ang ka-simple sa life natu sauna compare karon. Tsada kaayos feeling tung the only problem ra nga atung gi-problema sauna is kanang musalop na, kay manawag na’s Lola ug maundang na atung dula, hahays! 😪 It’s also crazy to think that when our amazing friendship began, we didn’t have to worry about social media kay wa man pod tay mga cellphone sauna hahaa. I wish every child had memories like we do, whether it’s buying a chichiria and munching it all of the time, or playing hubunganay, kuyukok ug dakpanay. We could sit for hours and hours on end, playing games like The Sims, and we would just pretend like we had the ultimate life. But I didn’t have to pretend much at all, because being with my best friend was my favorite thing ever. Each one of our memories will always be cherished.

Our friendship is continuously growing stronger, and I am so thankful for that, Shout. We have had to overcome some pretty big changes, for instance, katung nag working student ka sa college nga talagsa na kaayo ta magkakita, and now nga puhon-puhon, ma-inahan namong duhang Maelen. And I know, musunod napod nya silang Ikling, Joy Joy, Madonna ug Hazel. Ako nalang jud magpabilin aning virgin hahaa! Pero okay ra, kay di’ba? Niana ko ninyo nga basin puhon, inyo na pung mga anak akong mga barkada puhon? Hahaa! I appreciate our friendship so much because it has always been based on something so innocent. You are a part of me, and our memories will never fade away from my heart charizz 😂. And bilib ko’s atung friendship kay bisag sauna magtapok ta, daghang muingon nga “kaning mga bataa ni, sayo ning mga nabdos.” Kanang feeling bitaw nga when the whole world judge us but we don’t care at all, we proved them wrong mga Marites hahaa!

Thank you, Shout, for showing me the beauty of friendship. Thank you for growing with me. You have truly become one of the most amazing people I have ever come to know. We always tell people that we are best friends, but you are so much more. No matter the distance kay layu-layo ra ba jud tung Magsaysay, I will always love you, and you will always be my best friend. Happy Birthday! 🎈

With Endless Love, Your Childhood Best Friend 😘

Aged To Perfection

Shout,

Well, I guess I should start this with a huge and warm HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Probably you have been receiving lots of Birthday wishes from all of your families and friends along the day, so I tried to figure out how to give you something special this year. Buhaton nalang pod nako same sa akong gibuhat atung birthday ni Ikling, which is ang muhatag ug birthday letter. Simple ra ni Shout, pero special ni nga letter kay akong isulti tanan nakong ganahan isulti nimo. Dili na ko mag-post sa Facebook kay ganahan ko ikaw ray makabasa ani. And dili ko ganahan mu-post ug mga lat-ay nga pictures nimo kay kabalo ko nga mas daghan pa kang collection of lat-ay nga photos nako hahaa! Please, ipang-delete na na Shout bwahahaa! And usa pod, magbisaya ra ko diri ha? Kasabot ra bitaw ka’g bisaya sa? Dili ra ko mugamit atung imong mga pa-esoteric terminologies kay wala kaayo ga function akong utok ron. Gapa-vaccine man gud ko gahapon, so I think nasudlan apil ug kagaw akong utok hahaa. Bitaw Shout, ganahan ra ko magbisaya ron kay para mura’g ga estoryahanay ra ta in person ba, di man pod ta tantong feelingera nga mag-englishanay jud mag-estoryahanay sa personal, diba?

So, humana ko’s akong intro. Magsugod nako.

Kabalo ka Shout, dugay kaayo ko nakatulog gabie. I don’t know if epekto ba jud tu sa vaccine kay medyo galain akong paminaw or tungod kay sige ko’g hunahuna sa tanan nakong ganahan ipagawas para ani nga letter. Gabie, daghan kaayong nisulod sa akong hunahuna kung mu-unsa ko nimo, pero gitapulan lang ko’g sulat kay gipanugnawan ko hahaa. Ug usa pod, walay suga, lisod kaayo isulat. But, I want to let you know nga wala ko nakalimot sa imong birthday. Sa mutuo ka ug dili, ga-look forward baya ko ani nga adlaw kay ganahan ko muhatag ug another message nimo. Kay ni-promise ko sa akong self nga muhatag ug personal message kada usa ninyo sa inyong birthday. Nasugdan nako ni Ikling, so karon, imoha napod. I woke up this morning, I knew exactly that today is your day, and actually, I planned to give you a birthday wish later today, on 11:59pm kay ganahan ko akoy last mu-greet nimo para maiba naman hahaa, but I just cancelled it. Since you know, naa na koy “early overslept” habit ron.

I hope Shout you’re having a really good birthday this year, especially with your beloved ones. And I know naa kay pa-spaghetti sa inyo ron kay nakabasa ko sa GC hahaa. Pero pwede pass sa ko ron Shout? Kay feel nako di jud ko sugtan ni Lola kay papahuwayon sa lage daw ko kay bag-o ra daw ko gi-vaccinan. Kabalo na baya ka ni Lola, Shout, wala sa gani ko niya pasilhiga ron kay pahuway sa jud daw hahaa. So, some other time nalang nya ha?

Thank you pod diay KAAYO Shout sa imong letter atong late-Christmas tradition nato nga hangtod karon, manimbalot ko everytime balikon nako ug basa tu. I don’t know if kabalo naba ka ani, but the first time I’ve read your letter, shock kaayo ko Shout—AS IN! Like, nakaingon ko nga manalagna jud kaayo ka. Especially katong sa part nga “I know you’re dealing personal struggles, you are battling secretly, you are battling personal issues in your own.” Natandog jud akong itlog atu nga part Shout, kay tinuod jud kaayo tu. I know nga kabalo naman ka sa uban nakong mga problema diba? Kay open raman kaayo ko ninyo about ana, but naa jud koy usa ka problema Shout nga dili pa jud ko ready i-share ninyo. And I know makasabot ra pod mo. And I also know nga kada-usa ninyo, naa puy mga personal problems nga giatubang karon, so dili pod ko ganahan idugang ning akong problema ron. And besides, kaya paman pod nako, and naa man pod si mama, kabalo siya about ani Shout and siya muy naghatag nakog kusog karon. Makaingon gani ko Shout nga tungod ani nga challenge sa akong life, mas ni tightened pa jud among relationship ni mama bisag layo siya nako. Aside ninyo ug ni God, si mama man gud dayon akong ma share-ran sa tanan. Time will come Shout, mu-share ra pod nya ko ninyo if ready nako. As what Big Brother always said, “Sa takdang panahon.”

I know Shout, that we don’t always have the same perspectives on anything, but thank you kaayo for being that friend who always gives me so many objective thoughts to think about. Kabalo ko nga you’re such a really busy person, but you’re always giving me your precious time whenever I need it the most. SALAMAT KAAYO SHOUT. I know that, as a friend, I can’t promise you anything, but you know you always have my back and shoulders whenever you need them. And I hope this year, all of your dreams in life come true one by one, less strees and depression, more smile, more laughter, more happiness. And Shout, please do me a favor to not forget to always take care and love yourself more than anything. Diri lang ko kutob Shout, and once again, Happy Birthday! I’m so glad that you were born and I’m so proud to call you as my best friend! And I hope best friends gihapon ta hangtod sa magulang ta. I love you so much Shout, I love you more than I love The Sims 2!

Lots of Love, Jic Jic

To Shoutylove Remart

Thank you Yotii, for visiting me always. You’ve always shown to be a true sister—ay, brother diay. Sige, sister nalang hahaa. Take good care of yourself always cause there is no one else in the world quite like you. I love you!

To Shoutylove Lyka

I wish you all the best in life BBgirl. May every day of your life surprise you with the happiness of smiles and the feeling of love. Thank you for the friendship and the memories we’ve shared. I love you!

To Shoutylove Zuriel

Thank you cous, for staying and being so strong despite everything that happened in the past (kabalo na ka). May you always stay vivacious, generous and healthy! You have my love, always.

To Shoutylove Maelen

Thank you Shout, for being you. I love you because you’re you and you don’t change for anyone. Thank you for all the laughs and memories. Always stay humble and kind.

To Shoutylove Madonna

Thank you for the love and support you give me every single day, Shout. You know when to check up on me when I’m down and you’re there when I’m at my happiest too. I love you!

To Shoutylove Jerra Mae

Shout, you are a beautiful soul and never fails to surprise me every single day in life. You have an energetic outgoing personality that draws people to you and all I ever want to do is give you that same energy back and some more.

To Shoutylove Hazel

Thank you Shout, for the constant support and genuine concern. For always cheering me up when I’m on my lowest point. I love you Shoutylove. You are amazing!

To Shoutylove Clariza

I’m so glad I met you, Shout. You make every day so special and I appreciate you so much. Thank you for sticking by me no matter what. I love you always.

To All My Shoutyloves

To All My Shoutyloves ❤

During a time of the year where we are all thinking about what we are thankful for, aside from God and my family, you girls (LA CLANA) are on the top of my list. Somewhere along the way, you became part of my family and I couldn’t imagine my life without any of you.

Knowing you girls was nothing short of a blessing and one that I will always cherish. Thank you for being the people I can talk openly with, who push me and encourage me to be my best self. No matter the conditions in my life or your life, I know you will be there and the same to you. If you ever need someone to cry to, to laugh with, go on an adventure with, I will be there.

This is starting to sound more like a love letter, but honestly, I think it’s better than one. Because I have people that will always be there. Through different stages of life, celebrations, disappointments, boyfriends, everything.

Thank you Clariza, Hazel, Jerra, Madonna, Maelen, Zuriel, Lyka and Remart for always sticking with me during hard times, and for loving me when I don’t even love myself. I can’t be more grateful for all of you guys!

I love you.

Kisses, Jic Jic ❤

To My Shoutylove, Clariza On Her 27th

Happy Birthday, Shoutylove 💐

I know this is not the usual greetings nga akong ginabuhat kada birthday nimo, kay usually, magpost ra jud ko dayun sa FB. Pero lately, narealize nako na mas better if inaniun nalang nako kada naay mag birthday sa akong mga best friends. Mas nice man gud if personal ang message kaysa atung pa kemi-kemi ug post sa FB nga gaapas ra sa mga likes ug reactions heehee. But don’t think Shout nga gikaulaw tikaw or kamo, ha? I just want it to be more personal and special, and I hope ma appreciate ra pod nimo ni heehee.

So, magsugod nako hahaa!

I know Shout nga gasakit ka ron, so my first wish for you on your special day, is for you to get better na. And if maayo naka, dili na unta ka magkasakit ever. I know dili lalim if naa tay gipamati kay ikadaghan nako naka experienced ana. I hope happy ra pud ka karong adlawa Shout miskag naa kay gibati. But akong advice lang jud nimo, is take ra jud ug meds (drink a lot of water), ug ayaw ra kaayo pakastress para dali ra kang maulian.

I know Shout nga naa tay misunderstandings before (which I do really hope nga dili na tu mausob). And I want to let you know nga dako kaayo akong pagmahay nga nakapasakit ko nimo sauna. Sige paman unta ko ug hinambog sa atung friendship kay wala jud tay mga away-away, but tungod ra jud atung panahona, naa na nuan 😂 I also realized Shout nga wala na kaayo ka kamention about sa imong love life, and I understand nga you decided to stay quiet nalang about it kay naa pod tay history ana hahaa! But I want to let you know Shout, na kung unsa man gani tung akong mga nasulti before (nimo ug ni Junry), tungod ra pod tus akong kalagot nga gibati sauna and nadala ra ko sa akong emotions. And now, bisag wala kay estorya-estorya na kabahin sa imong love life, I know nga kamo ra gihapon and ganahan ko na makabalo ka na nabalik ra akong support ninyong duha (so ayaw na’g pagluom-luom diha, mubuto nya ka hahaa). As long as happy ka, happy mong duha, happy na pod ko para ninyo.

You know my struggles Shout naman diba? Last year, for 5 months, perti jud nakong luyaha to the point nga makaingon ko ug mamatay na jud ko. But with God, kamo (friends) ug sa akong pamilya, naayo ko. Daghan kaayo kong mga realizations during those times Shout and usa na ana is to live peacefully and harmoniously. Nga walay mga kaguol, kasakit, kaaway ug uban pang mga ga start ug letter “K” 😂🙄

My second wish for you Shout, is for you to have a happy life always. In this time of pandemic, I know daghan na kaayo tang mga giagiang kasakit, so deserve natong tanan nga mupuyo nga malipayon. Unta, dili nako makakita sa imong nawong nga sigeng gamug-ot or gaisog hahaa. Trust me, mas gwapa ka pag naka-smile.

My third and final wish for you Shout (yes, tulo ra ha? Ayaw pag expect ug daghan kay dili ka hamis hahaa) bitaw, unta tanan nimong mga pangandoy sa kinabuhi, makab-ot nimo. Bisag unsa pa na ka-taas or if you think lisod kaayo makab-ot, unta maabot jud nimo, bahalag maba ka’g height, aw! ✌🏻 hahaa. Seriously Shout, basin ba makaingon ka nga imposible na i-reach imong dreams in life kay wala ka katiwas ug skwela ba. Kay ako man gani nga hapit na mahuman, makaingon man gani ko sa akong self na dili na jud nako ma achieve akong goals kay gulang na ko, but NO! Dili na ta maghuna-huna ana Shout, kay samtang gaginhawa pa ta, naa pa tay chance, naa pay chance makab-ot nato atong mga stars. And I know, one day, ma successful ra jud ta.

Sa tinuod lang, wala na koy sure if unsa ba jud imong pangandoy, kay wala naman ta naka-topic about ana everytime magkatabi ta, kay magsige naman laman ta ug panglibak. Pero kung unsa man gani na, surprise me and i-prove nako—namong tanan, na KAYA NIMO! Pasagdie na tung mga tawo nga muingon nimo’g “taman ra ka diha.” Basta salig lang jud ta ug ampo lang jud ta sa Ginoo, kay ang Ginoo dili magduhaduha ug tabang nato.

Ayaw baya ug kausob Shout, ayaw jud walaa imong pagkasiaw, imong pagkamaluluy-on (usahay 😂) ug imong talip sa paa 😂 kay mao nay imohang mga assets, aside sa imong kagwapa. But instead Shout, walaa na (bisag gamay ra) imong pagkamaldita 😂 kay ako, muamin jud ko, maldita man pod ko pero gihinay-hinay na pod nako ug wala hahaa. Magtinabangay lang gud ta para pod malangit ta hahaa. But ayaw ra atung pagkalibakira kay talent na nato, and mao ra nay atong kalingawan hahaa.

Daghan pa unta kong ganahan isulti nimo, pero ako nalang ning ireserve sunod birthday nimo 😂

Again, Happy Birthday Shoutylove and thank you for the unending freindship. Please do enjoy your day bisag gahilanat ka ron, kay gamay ra ng hilanat, dako atong Ginoo.

I Love You Always, no kemi ❤ — Jic Jic

PS: Ayaw na ug ka-pressure sa imohang tagaan ug letter para sa atong friendship tradition, panguha ra ug idea diri hahaa 😂 but piece of advice lang: make it more personal para lami 😁

Mini Me

Hi Shouty,

Ang akong nahibaw-an nimo nga imong pagkabut-an, ug misag stress ka sa imong life sauna, naa ra ka sa amuon nga pagkabarkada. Then kung wala koy money, ikaw dayun mu bayad sa akong mga utang ug imu kong gidala misag asa. Ug gapasalamat ko nimo nga ikaw ang akong nabarkada, ug sa mga marites hahaha chariz. Bitaw, sa mga Shoutyloves 🥰

Ug happy nako nga niayu na ka sa imong kaugalingon. Gapasalamat ta sa Ginoo nga niayu na ka. Ug ayaw usba ang imong batasan, Shout. Ipadayon ra ang imong pagkabut-an 🥰🤗 Ug mao ra na, Shouty and I love you more 😘

My Long Lost Forever Friend

Thanks for the message, Jic. Happy to see your efforts to get in touch with friends—your long lost friends, charot. Haha.

Life kicked us so hard after college. Maybe some are doing great and some are in a challenging state. Grabe nu? Dugay nata wala gakita and I’m happy to have spent my college years with you and most specially the friendship we shared. What struck me most was your letter in my red diary book. How optimistic you were sa mga dreams and mga payo sa lovelife. Hahaha na which until now, I’m still single and happy.

I hope you are doing well and I’m 100% not sure about your challenges now but I do wish that ma okay ra ka and I’m here to listen, and prayers ra gyud kanunay.

I wish I could share with you also the small and big victories you have won.

Life is so short and life is full of surprises. Now, I’m still in the adulthood crisis but nevertheless I am doing well and I can say, so blessed. So far I can remember you are energetic and optimistic, bisag naay mga challenges muabot. And game kaayo sa mga laag. Hahaha.

Haven’t seen the northern lights but we’ve got a lot of sand here.

Wish we could hang out sa personal and have a loooong chika. I miss you and Marc, katung imong amigo sa college.

Take care, okay? Happy New Year, Valentines, May Flower, Independence Day and all. Wish you all the best and know God loves you the most. 😊😘🙏🏻

To All My Friends Out There, Old And New

Hi! 🤗

I MISS YOU 😘 How are you? It’s been a while ❤

I miss those days when we used to receive handwritten letters 🥺 it’s much more personal and special and I used to keep them in a shoe box and rereads them over the years.

So, I have a request for all of my friends who sees this, and I hope this is not too much to ask, but if you can and if you have the time, can I receive a letter/message from you? 😁🥰 Even just here on social media. Tell me all about your life, did you finally see the northern lights? (choss hahaa)

I would be so HAPPY if I could receive a message from you, could you make my wish come true? 🙏🏻 HeeHee.

PS: Make it as long as possible hahaa! *demanding bitxh here*

Hugs & Kisses 💋 — Jic Jic