tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post2630113335534111278..comments2023-09-13T17:18:31.708+08:00Comments on annamanila's: THE FRIEND I COULDN'T KEEPUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-90643867132649325452007-05-09T13:34:00.000+08:002007-05-09T13:34:00.000+08:00Hi annamanila.I have a 13 y/o niece with harelip. ...Hi annamanila.<BR/>I have a 13 y/o niece with harelip. Although she has had surgery, the scar on her upper lip formed a keloid and her speech is not as whole.<BR/>Just today I found out how she has been hurting all her life because of how people perceived her. She said she felt ugly and she believes that to be true. Everywhere she goes people gawk and giggle. In school she only has a handful of friends. At times even her own siblings taunt her. I'm really hurting for her. I hope people will be more sensitive. I also hope people will learn to look beyond the physical and see her real beauty. Hay, it's a cruel world really.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-17453879446847826182007-04-30T15:02:00.000+08:002007-04-30T15:02:00.000+08:00Ah, I met a wierd grade-conscious guy in college, ...Ah, I met a wierd grade-conscious guy in college, and everyone else avoided him because he was so grade conscious. But I was always the curious type who wanted to really know the person...so we ended up really good friends until now. :-) and he is indeed a friend worth keeping, kahit may pagka-weirdo sya hehehe.zahflohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02986322585092370270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-77934327301258763512007-04-25T00:06:00.000+08:002007-04-25T00:06:00.000+08:00Heart of Rachel!We win some and we lose some, we t...Heart of Rachel!<BR/><BR/>We win some and we lose some, we take steps forward and take steps backward. We just pick up lessons from our loses, gain humility from our wins. If we take a step backward but take two steps forward, we are still ahead. Ganun lang yun siguro. We dont have to pay our debts directly but pass on kindness to another. Then the universe will just even it up for us.<BR/><BR/>Yes, we blogged almost at same time about a friendship gone awry. :) So you had no luck googling or friendstring Pauline too. Well ... who knows that some kind of process has begun ... somehow. Good luck to both of us.Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-43889598201153164722007-04-24T23:59:00.000+08:002007-04-24T23:59:00.000+08:00Princess!Yes these are lessons that should be pass...Princess!<BR/><BR/>Yes these are lessons that should be passed on. TY for coming by and reading about the friend I couldn't keep.Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-13982256875322113512007-04-24T20:46:00.000+08:002007-04-24T20:46:00.000+08:00Hi Anna. I could almost feel the emotion you went ...Hi Anna. I could almost feel the emotion you went through as I read the words. I agree that everything in life happens for a reason no matter how hard it is to understand. Sometimes, life puts us in a crossroad with an option to choose only one path. It's always a risk we have to take but the decisions we make help us understand life more. I believe our decisions can make us stronger if we rejoice from the good ones and learn from our mistakes. <BR/><BR/>I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for your comment on my post regarding "Friends Gone Astray." You know, I've been toying with the idea that perhaps the incident was a sign of some sort. I never thought of Pauline after all these years but the chance meeting and the mistaken identity made me curious about her. I tried to locate her on friendster and googled her like what others have so kindly advised but didn't have any luck. I'm not closing my doors and perhaps I'll meet her again. I don't want to put my hopes too high but it would certainly be nice to see her again.Heart of Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07542152478039483575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-76004651449811055302007-04-24T06:04:00.000+08:002007-04-24T06:04:00.000+08:00For this your experience, your children will learn...For this your experience, your children will learn. That is good enough reason why things between you and Menchie happened. Oftentimes, we just have to let go.<BR/>Thanks for sharing.Princesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07768582598194163578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-13562064435566501082007-04-21T15:28:00.000+08:002007-04-21T15:28:00.000+08:00Thanks, Ms. Counsellor, for that brief for the def...Thanks, Ms. Counsellor, for that brief for the defense. :)<BR/><BR/>Yup, it's easier to say "yes" to compassion as an abstract, universal idea. But to be consistently compassionate when you go out into the world -- tall order. It is easier to help when we have surpluses (surplus time, surplus money, surplus resources) but not when we're hassled, feling broke or inadadequate, and "very much involved living our own lives" as you say. Siguro ... as long as we try ....Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-72273195637223996702007-04-21T11:54:00.000+08:002007-04-21T11:54:00.000+08:00Oh, that wasn't your fault. Going to college is h...Oh, that wasn't your fault. Going to college is hard enough. You couldn't be expected to handle other people's problems too. But you writing about it (and beautifully, I might add) - I do know that you have compassion in your heart and that is why you consider it a monster in your past.<BR/><BR/>I get that too. I feel compassion for other people... but I don't know how to put that compassion into action. It's not easy. We're all too much involved in our own lives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-32253436453610126502007-04-21T10:13:00.000+08:002007-04-21T10:13:00.000+08:00Auee!I am sorry that my post made you a bit uncomf...Auee!<BR/><BR/>I am sorry that my post made you a bit uncomfortable? Sobra bang private like? I tried to tone it down, and well, I didn't give her real name (neither do the readers at large know who i am). So, I intended for the post to come out as an abstraction -- an abstract slice of life with shadowy people acting in it but giving more or less concrete lessons. Hopefully. <BR/><BR/>I agree with you that Menchies shouldn't be that helpless and dependent. But who knows that my Menchie hasn't grown up to be more or less independent ha. Nice to think ha.Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-65853454259903422422007-04-21T10:07:00.000+08:002007-04-21T10:07:00.000+08:00Rhodora!Thanks for giving me a good excuse for wha...Rhodora!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for giving me a good excuse for what I did or more precisely what I didn't do. Sin of omission yun di ba?<BR/><BR/>I am gladder than glad you're okay now. Do you have a new, "out of the woods" post? Let me check as soon as I finish responding to the readers here. <BR/><BR/>God bless Rhoda.Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-68254309995498910442007-04-21T10:03:00.000+08:002007-04-21T10:03:00.000+08:00Gina!Its nice to think of that possibility - a sec...Gina!<BR/><BR/>Its nice to think of that possibility - a second chance with Menchie. <BR/><BR/>Yes, it has made me try to be closer to the marginalized around me. But I don't know if my (sometimes) limp efforts are enough. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for such an insightful response.Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-83564361617718924662007-04-21T10:00:00.000+08:002007-04-21T10:00:00.000+08:00Faith!Thanks for sharing about the girl who was di...Faith!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing about the girl who was different in your class. It is nice to know she had her own set of friends too and therefore wasn't really lonesome. Perhaps thats why you no longer felt any need to be closer to her.<BR/><BR/>I am trying to take my heart there -- to the right place. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail. I think yours is more or less in place na. :)Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-55471312646858070992007-04-21T09:56:00.000+08:002007-04-21T09:56:00.000+08:00Acey!Poetic ba? Medyo ganyan ang style ni ode20ld...Acey!<BR/><BR/>Poetic ba? Medyo ganyan ang style ni ode20ld eh -- archaic (hehaha) <BR/><BR/>Glad you found my site worth browsing. Will see you at yours soon.Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-64457508283386120452007-04-21T09:54:00.000+08:002007-04-21T09:54:00.000+08:00Vernaloo!Thanks for posting here and sharing a bit...Vernaloo!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for posting here and sharing a bit about the "Menchie" in your life. It is probably much easier for you to reach out to your menchie than it is to mine. Then how nice that you and she can make up for lost time. <BR/><BR/>Have a good weekend. I sent you that email I owed you; na-late lang dahil 'misaddressed.' So what is new? :)Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-11434534647623634562007-04-21T09:49:00.000+08:002007-04-21T09:49:00.000+08:00Sassy Mom!Here's to friendships -- friendships for...Sassy Mom!<BR/><BR/>Here's to friendships -- friendships for a season/reason/forever, broken ones, mended ones, ones one keeps and one blows. <BR/><BR/>May we all be richer and wiser with them.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing. It made me realize most of us have those "sayang" friends in our lives. Sana, in time, you can also forgive and forget and reconcile with the friend you alluded to.Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-52872863169437225172007-04-21T09:44:00.000+08:002007-04-21T09:44:00.000+08:00Sasha. Yes, I needed that lesson (among others) -...Sasha. Yes, I needed that lesson (among others) -- though it didn't impress on me immediately but took many years. Yes, I guess and i hope it is a lesson best passed on to others for whatever it's worth.<BR/><BR/>This post is touching my blog buddies and others too? :) Sana. Hope things turn out better with your two friends. Sometimes, it just takes a bit of reaching out, di ba?Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-67663907721711572112007-04-20T16:36:00.000+08:002007-04-20T16:36:00.000+08:00It took a while for me to comment on this post, I ...It took a while for me to comment on this post, I feel guilty just reading it. Parang confession that I'm not supposed to hear.<BR/><BR/>It's a good post though. But given you're age when Menchie came into your life, you cannot be expected to carry her around without other's help or even Menchie's help. She should have made efforts to include you & herself in the world around you. It can't just be you & her.aueehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13443487678723241658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-86542203122867574062007-04-20T14:54:00.000+08:002007-04-20T14:54:00.000+08:00Hi, Anna! You were very young then, you deserved t...Hi, Anna! <BR/><BR/>You were very young then, you deserved to twirl your skirt too! <BR/><BR/>Perhaps what the mom meant by telling you to take care of her daughter was - to just look after her, help her whenever needed - not naman that you would be with her all the time! You had a life to live too! <BR/><BR/>I'm okay now, Anna.... thanks for your kind words... :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-15858606460590390662007-04-20T08:02:00.000+08:002007-04-20T08:02:00.000+08:00Anna, I believe what matters most now are the les...Anna, I believe what matters most now are the lessons learned & the wisdom made richer with life's experiences...You met your first Menchie and were not able to give that friendship, I'm sure you have met more people like Menchie (may not have a physical drawback , but more like the underdogs,the outcasts,the abused) and you were compassionate with them and were able to help them in some way--in my humble opinion , you have redeemed yourself. Now, if ever there came a time that you two cross paths again, there's nothing wrong with starting fresh and have a second stab at a possible lasting friendship.Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01058517968742018210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-29646295470770524162007-04-19T17:02:00.000+08:002007-04-19T17:02:00.000+08:00Ms. Anna,There was a girl in our class from elemen...Ms. Anna,<BR/><BR/>There was a girl in our class from elementary to high school who was "different" too. Everytime she talked to even the smallest student, she had to look up but the effort always came with a bright smile. I always remember that about her, plus that we shared a love for the piano. She had her set of friends. Back then, I didn't have time to dwell on why I kept my distance. Until now, after reading this.<BR/><BR/>Such bravery to face old ghosts can only come from someone whose heart is in the right place.soloopshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16694181139874275321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-88812600095086655462007-04-19T16:23:00.000+08:002007-04-19T16:23:00.000+08:00hi, annamanila! what a beautiful post... i like it...hi, annamanila! what a beautiful post... i like it. it's poetic. it was fun looking around your blog, too. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-37063197600416803722007-04-19T16:05:00.000+08:002007-04-19T16:05:00.000+08:00I also have my "menchie perlas". She was my bestf...I also have my "menchie perlas". She was my bestfriend in college. Actually she was my first ever bestfriend but stupid me I took her for granted. Met cooler and newer friends that I slowly forgot about her. hayyyy<BR/><BR/>I dont know how she is now. I can get in touch with her and say sorry for everything but I just dont know where to start. Maybe someday...vernaloohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07653720128817138648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-22205345186018664212007-04-19T10:06:00.000+08:002007-04-19T10:06:00.000+08:00Hi, anna! I was so moved by your story. I agree th...Hi, anna! I was so moved by your story. I agree that nothing takes place by chance but everything has a purpose. <BR/><BR/>Sometimes we are so immersed into worldly things (looks, wealth, etc.) that we forget the real purpose we are here on Earth -- I am quite guilty of that. <BR/><BR/>But then, as we grow older and mature, we realize that we need to be a medium of blessing to other people.<BR/><BR/>I, too had just recently fall out of friendship but definitely not the same reason as yours but still I haven't got the heart to reunite with this friend for the reason that my heart is not yet ready.. Quite complicated.<BR/><BR/>I wish you and Menchie will have chance to renew the friendship that you once had. <BR/><BR/>Take care and God bless!SASSY MOMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12736667103408677536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-9304537654803540062007-04-19T03:45:00.000+08:002007-04-19T03:45:00.000+08:00Naiyak ako, naalala ko yung 2 friends ko na I have...Naiyak ako, naalala ko yung 2 friends ko na I have lost contact with. Something happened and it changed us forever.<BR/><BR/>Things happen for a reason, ate (can I call you ate?). Ganun naman talaga. That probably happened because you needed that lesson to be able to impart to someone else. Baka isa sa nagbabasa/nagbasa nito.<BR/><BR/>I pray that Menchie was able to move on and is now living a good life.<BR/><BR/>Take care po and God bless! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800590664272013743.post-61948105914335640952007-04-18T20:56:00.000+08:002007-04-18T20:56:00.000+08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Forever59erhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132767206301934794noreply@blogger.com