To All the Women of My Life

On Sunday, March 8, the world celebrates International Women's Day. 

In honor of the women of my life who have been so supportive to me, never asked me to change the way I should become and never left me despite of the way I am behaving, I am giving them a special day. And a special love no other woman should deserve to be loved. 

I love you guys and thank you for being with me all the time.

• My mother- despite a painful past we had, still she is never remiss with her love.
  
• My sisters- they all love me. Special mention to my younger sis, Cecil, who indulged me with free airfare tickets.
  
• My lolas- who maintained that I am their favorite. Sorry for not being able to express my love until you were buried.
  
• My aunties (Iya Virgie, Inday Gloria, Manang Deny)- who believed I am still the best.
  
• My nieces and nephews- you are the best. Thanks for the love.
• The Ortega sisters (Glocel, Glee, Glenda, Gilda, Teray and Itin)- they supported me all throughout and they never abandoned me but strengthened the beautiful friendship we had until now. Special mention to Boktot who have seen me through it all.
  
• My girlfriends- Judy, Amay and Charlotte- they inspire me to go on with life. They are my support system. They encouraged me to move on. They never left me. To Judy who has been there and shared my sad and happy moments- thanks tiya.
  
• My Mama Nelin and Dang Maring and Tata and her mom- they are such a lovely bunch of friends. They accepted me and cry with me during my saddest times, not to mention feeding me when I feel like not eating at all.
  
• Mam Ynday- my constant guidance counselor and enemy. We fight over petty things and still are the best of friends.
  
• Girlfriends and girl friends of past and present- Thank you for making my life so beautiful.
  
• You- you are still my best girl friend the world has given me.
  

(Illustration from nenaoh.com)

SHE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN TO ME

(Billy Joel)

She can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child,
But she's always a woman to me

She can lead you to love
She can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth
But she'll never believe
And she'll take what you give her, as long as it's free
Yeah, she steals like a thief
But she's always a woman to me

Oh--she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh--and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind

And she'll promise you more
Than the Garden of Eden
Then she'll carelessly cut you
And laugh while you're bleedin'
But she'll bring out the best
And the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself
Cause she's always a woman to me
--Mhmm--

Oh--she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh--and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind

She is frequently kind
And she's suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases
She's nobody's fool
And she can't be convicted
She's earned her degree
And the most she will do
Is throw shadows at you
But she's always a woman to me
--Mhmm--