wonderwriters2024

[wonderwriters2024]

"SAUNANG PANAHON"

A mother of 4, A grandmother of 4 kids and also a father of her children. A story full of bumpy rides and journeys across mountains and oceans. She is Hermina, 72 years old from Mintal, Davao City. Her story started when her mother remarried her step father and she became the mother of her siblings. She would wake up at 2 am in the 1960's, cook breakfast for her siblings and then they would walk for almost 1 hour just to study in a school of their village. Typical story, right? But when she reached grade 5, she stopped or was forced to stop. Her mother can't provide financial support for 5 children so Hermina chose to sacrifice and helped her mother find money to survive and provide in their daily needs. She became a vendor, conductor of a bus, farmer and any work she could do at the moment.

Fast forward to her 20's, she became a mother and is a wife of a soldier for 3 years but her husband died in the war between soldiers and NPA. She didn't know what to do with her 2 children but she survived and met another man. A leader of an NPA, they aren't married but they have a child. They were happy not until her husband cheated on her multiple times with other women and then she decided to bring her youngest in Manila to find money to provide for her other children's education. The 2 children were left in her mom's care.

10 years in Manila was a struggle for her, she does not know anyone and at some point she feeds "white rabbit" candy to her child just to survive the day. "Lisud kaayong kinabuhi sauna, akoang anak mubaktas gikan Tondo padulong sa skuwelahan dyes kilometros ang kalay on para makaskuwela. Hatagan ra nakog 2 pang kaon pero usahay bubble gum lang ug asukar para naay pang kaon" she said. There were many struggles in Manila but the money she earned was given to her other two children in Nabunturan for their education. Not until, her 2nd husband died in an accident, they went home and found out there are plenty of other women and children linked to her husband and then she saw a kid crying in the corner and asked him who he is, the kid is the son of her husband from another woman but unfortunately the kid's mother was an addict and abandoned him so Hermina decided to adopt the kid and treat him as her own,that's when her children became 4.

She decided to work in Davao and brought her two daughters with her leaving her sons in her mom's care. They grew beautifully and gracefully and now they have their own family and children. She is thankful that despite the hurdles she faced, she survived.

"Sa kadaghan nakog naagian, nalipay nako nga naabot nako aning edara" she said. It was tough but she believed in God and that he will guide her no matter what.

" Sa inyong henerasyon ron ayaw mo pagdali, sulita inyong kabatan onon ug kalipay kay wanako na naagian. Dapat wamoy kamahayan sainyong kinabuhi pero dapat kabalo mo sainyong limitasyon kay kaisa rata mabuhi. Kanang uyab-uyab muabot rana ug pagpasalamat kamo sainyong mga ginikanan kay sila ginabuhat ang tanan para kaninyo ug ayaw kalimti ug pag ampo sa Ginoo kay siya ra ang magpabilin sa kalipay ug kaguol sa kinabuhi" she said before we said goodbyes.

As we listened to her talk about her past, we see her as a very strong person to survive life in the cruel path she entered but as they said ; there is always a rainbow around the corner. She deserves all the happiness after everything that happened to her and her story inspired us that having faith in God strengthens you in every aspect of your life.

[wonderwriters2024]

"A mother’s sacrifice is a lifelong act of selflessness, driven by love beyond measure." – Amelia Frost

She is Anna, 43 years old, living in Toril Davao City. A mother who sacrifices her time, her energy, and often her own dreams for the sake of her family.

In 2013, Anna took her biggest step for her family’s future: she went abroad to work. It was a choice made out of love for her children and the hope of giving them a better life. The decision wasn’t easy, but she knew it was the only way to secure a brighter future for her family.

"Grabe ang ka stressed nako ana na mga time, makita jud sakong lawas na namayat ko sigeg huna huna ug unsaon pag salba samong pamilya".

During those times, the stress weighed heavily on her, so much that it became visible in her physical appearance. She would look at herself in the mirror and see the toll her constant worrying had taken—her body frail, her energy drained, and her thoughts racing with the question of how to save her family from their struggles. The pressure of providing for her children, finding a way to survive, and ensuring their future leads her to decide to go to abroad.

"Niabot ko sa point na mag hinuktok nalang ko kay wala nako kasabot sakong gibati, bisag unsa nalang akong gina huna huna. Makabuang".

Her mind became her worst enemy, with thoughts looping on what she could have done better, how she could work harder, how she could escape the cycles of struggle. The pressure weighed so heavily on her shoulders that there were nights when the thought of ending her life crossed her mind. Also, she knew the path ahead would be long and uncertain, but the idea of escaping the pain and struggle through change kept her going. It was in this moment of determination that she made the life-changing decision to go abroad, to give her children a better life and to give herself the strength to rebuild, piece by piece.

"Pag abroad ka, dawat dawat nalang na mura jud kag piniriso"

When you're in abroad, you barely have time to take care for yourself and can't go out if you want. She faced challenges no one prepared her for—the loneliness of missing home, the anxiety of being in an unfamiliar place, and the pressure to send every peso back home. Every moment felt like a fight, every hour a reminder that freedom had come at a price. Though she always feel that way, she manage to handle it for the sake of her children. Every sacrifice, every tear, every sleepless night was a reminder of why she began this journey.

Anna’s story is a testament to the quiet heroism of motherhood. It’s a story of sacrifices made in silence, of tears shed in private, and of an unbreakable love that carries her through even the darkest days. Her journey abroad was more than just a physical departure; it was a leap of faith fueled by hope and love. Anna’s resilience reminds us that behind every mother’s sacrifice lies an unshakable strength. She didn’t just hold her family together—she built a foundation for a better tomorrow, proving that a mother’s love knows no limits and no boundaries.

[wonderwriters2024]

BUGSAY

Aljane, a vibrant dragon boat athlete and soon-to-be pharmacist, embodies joy and resilience. Behind her bright smile lies a journey of overcoming personal struggles, fueling her passion to help others. As a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy student, Aljane balanced academics with her passion for dragon boating. However, her path wasn't always smooth. She faced: Self-doubt and anxiety, pressure to excel academically, financial constraints, loss of loved ones. Despite these challenges, Aljane persevered, cultivating: Unwavering determination, strong support networks, emotional intelligence, empathy for others. Through her experiences, Aljane discovered her purpose "Ang pagpapadpad nako nagpapalinaw sa akong kaisipan, nagpaalala sa ako nga ang mga hamuboan sa kinabuhi mahimoong madaug sa pagtinabangay, pagpupursige, ug positibong pagtan-aw."

Surrounded by supportive loved ones and positive influences, Aljane overcame her traumas and challenges, cultivating a nurturing environment that fostered healing and growth. Food and sports are Aljane's haven, providing her with comfort and confidence to face challenges, learn from setbacks, and grow stronger with each step. Aljane's story serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth, resilience, and kindness.

Aj: "Ang mga kagul-anan sa kinabuhi, mga oportunidad kini para mag-eksperyensya ug magtubo. Naresete ko na akong mga kalisud, ug andam na ko tabangan ang uban na makapag-eksperyensya sa ilang mga suliran"

Our conversation with a med student revealed a remarkable balance between academics and athletics, illuminating that balance is not a static state, but a dynamic journey of self-improvement, where every step forward shapes us into a better version of ourselves.

[wonderwriters2024]

Looking back, how does it excites you to dress up on your own? to go out on your own? to decide on your own?

People often say that when you grow up, you'll be able to do anything you want—it's a promise of freedom and independence that adults love to make to kids. I bet you also heard that from your parents, and yeah, it's true. However, that “do anything” phrase are more about the potential to make your own choices and responsibilities to face rather than a life without boundaries.

Her name is Cha, a second year BSED student. A responsible daughter of her parents, an ambitious, and a hardworking student.

When we arrive on their place, we found her taking care of her cousin while folding their clothes. She was shocked because we arrive earlier that what we planned. She told us to sit first and make ourselves comfortable while she's in hurry finishing her work. "Ay hiii! hala wait sa ha, lingkod sa mo kadali lang jud. Pag pasensyahi na ninyo ang balay kay medyo kalat kay ako raman gud isa diri" - she said. We wave our hands to say hi and gave her a smile.

Before we started our interview she jokingly said that she might cry because when it comes to talking about her self/life, she's very vulnerable. With that, we make sure that if things get uncomfortable, we will not proceed on finishing the interview.

"Daghan kay kog insecurities sakong sarili, dili ko confident. Maka ingon nalang jud kog nganung ing ani man akong appearance oy, dapat ing ani, dapat ing ana. Masuya jud ko".

When she started having menstruation, she became more conscious about herself. Her face, her odor, her posture changes. She started being "maarte" to boost her confidence and to fit in with what she sees on other girls. But no matter how she tries, she feels like she can't keep up with others and instead of feeling empowered, she felt lost, overwhelmed by the pressure to conform. This made her lose her confidence and constantly comparing herself with others. Though she's aware that it's really bad and she need to overcome it, she can't help her self because her family would also compare her to others.

Her relationship with her family is pretty tough because she can't even decide for her own. Though she's already on the right age, she always need to get the permission of her parents before she proceed on doing things she wanna do.

"Maka sakal pud usahay na murag wala kay right mag buot para sa imong sarili"

This constant need for approval prevents her from learning how to trust her instincts and make decisions independently. She constantly seek advices to her friends, that made her second-guess her own abilities. She struggle with fear of making the wrong choice and feel uncomfortable making decisions without approval, even in simple situations. Because of her situation, she chose to focus on her schoolworks instead. She make sure to perform well at school so that she could have good grades—the only thing that she can make her parents proud. Imagine, how strong she must be for handling all of that? A very resilient woman.

"Source of joy nako ron is akong mga friends, may gani naa sila"

In a world where family is often seen as the primary source of happiness and support, some people find joy and fulfillment somewhere else. Cha, said that she finds joy when she's with her friends rather than when she's with her family.

Growing up, she have felt like an outsider within her own home. Her family doesn't understand her passions or the things that make her unique, or perhaps they’re simply too busy to notice her personal struggles because they always compare her with her cousin, Kathleen. For that reason, she barely attend family gatherings cause she knows that she and her cousin will always be the tea of the discussion.

This made her feelings distant from her own family and hold back from expressing herself, fearing that anything she achieved would still fall short of her family’s expectations. That's why she prefer more to be with her friends because with her friends, she feels appreciated, valued, and important. Her friends even surprised her on her 19th birthday last month. "Wala jud ko nag expect kay busy kaayu mi ato na time pero nag laan jud sila ug oras para ma surprise ko, gi agda ko nila mag dagat and gipalitan ko nila'g cake ug uban pa na pagkaon" - her respond when we ask her what someone did recently that made her happy.

Her story serves as an example of what others experience as well. That sometimes, family can unintentionally be the source of self-doubt, whether through constant criticism or unmet expectations. This shows that happiness doesn’t always come from the people you expected, sometimes, it's from the people we never thought would matter to us that'll bring us the most joy and understanding. Life teaches us that happiness can come from anywhere, often to those people we least expected.

[wonderwriters2024]

PADAYON

Life can be tough but it can be tougher for anyone. How will you deal with it? Does it motivate you to be stronger? Or just give up?

Here's a story of an intelligent, charming, achiever and happy kid named Blissy. An 11 year old girl who lived in Mintal, Davao City who faces life with bravery, compassion and a positive mindset. An only child by her beloved parents and an artist and performer in school.

Confidence? She has it all.

But what pushed her to go beyond all those pain and motivate her to be who she is today?

Her life begins at 5 am, she would do her chores, eat her breakfast and get ready for school. She's an honor student so basically, she is a star student at class. After her normal classes, she has Japanese classes in the afternoon and goes home at 5pm. She would be greeted by her dog, Bella. Played with the dog for a few minutes and did her chores again. At 8 o'clock, she's already eating dinner with her family and talking about their day and ending the night with her studying for at least 1 hour and afterwards going to bed. That's her daily routine.

Are you wondering what makes this story unique?

Well here it is..

Blissy found out that her parents aren't her biological parents. And she just overheard them talking about it but her parents never told her.

At first, she got mad and questioned who she really is but as time went by, she accepted and was thankful for the parents she had.

But she regretted telling her best friend about her situation, her best friend used it against her and it turns out, the issue spreads and kids at school bully her. She thought that her best friend would comfort and be with her through her darkest days but it turns upside down. Bullying is everywhere in school and Bliss is not exempted from it. She said, " muhilak lang ko sa cr te and didto pud ko mukaon sa baon para dili ko nila makita". It was heartbreaking to know that there are still kids who endure this kind of situation.

We asked her if her parents knew but she immediately told us that she doesn't want them to worry about her. When that topic came, she became more vulnerable and we asked her if she wanted to continue the interview but she insisted on finishing because she agreed to it and sometimes she became emotional if a certain topic was brought up but she assured us that she was okay. To lighten up the topic, we diverted it to her physical appearances hoping that she would describe herself, what are the changes in the past years?

But even in every part of her body is judged by other people as well. She was bullied for her body hair, teeth, forehead and anything that someone would see negatively about her appearance. She said, " Daghan na kaayo silag ginaingon saako te, maanad nalang ko pero ma sad gud gihapon".

We listened more about her sufferings and me and my partner discussed that she's a tough kid to deal with these situations alone. Kids her age are playing, having friends and carefree but she chooses to befriend the books because it's the only thing that makes her happy and feels like she has a friend and she can imagine other places and people who are happy to have her. After the interview, we gave her a thank you gift and she was delighted to see what was inside of it, she thanked us because it was the first gift she received from other people aside from her parents.

We were about to enter the vehicle to go home when she said, " ayaw ka worry saako te, mupadayon gihapon maski unsa ka lisud ang life ug maski unsa ilang iingon kay mas importante saako kung kinsa tung naga love saako. Thank you kay wala ko ninyo gi judge and naminaw mo saako". She bid goodbye and gave us a beautiful smile before going back inside their garden and hugging her parents. She also said that whatever reason her biological parents have she is thankful that her " mami & dadi" is her parents in this life.

My partner and I reflected on the interview that even if kids have a difficult situation most adults can't handle, She was brave to conquer it all by herself. We really can't underestimate people by age because we don't know what is happening in their lives. We hoped that Bliss gets the life she deserves and happiness in the world.

[wonderwriters2024]

Deciding to have a child is like signing up for the longest, most unpredictable road trip of your life, buuut there's no GPS. Are you up for the ride?

---------

First word, first teeth, little steps. These moments might be insignificant to us, but for a mother? it is a fulfilling, magical moment we would never understand until we became one. Though, it may be portrayed as a beautiful journey filled with love, joy, and fulfillment, the reality can be quite different, as it comes with this profound responsibility and commitment along the journey. It's like getting a tattoo…on your face. You better be committed.

Yzza, a 3 years old girl is a blessing in disguise to her parents. Her mother, Ms. Yvonne told that after a tough time bringing their first baby boy into the world, Yzza decided to take the express route and zipped right into her mom’s belly! She's like "ohh, lemme show you brotha how to swim fast like an Olympic gold medalist swimmer".

"Dili nako gina pugos akong sarili na mahimong productive everyday".

With a 3 years old child around, it can feel like as soon as you clean up, there’s a new mess to deal with, making it feel like an endless cycle. Therefore, you really need to create strategies to manage your time and energy effectively.

For Ms. Yvonne, her strategy is when she breastfeed her child to sleep, she would also sleep. When her child's awake, she would do the chores and take care of her child. This makes her multi task chores because she has adequate energy she got from sleeping. Her husband also doesn't pressure her to be a "mom" who does everything in the house, he would also help her take care of their child when he has free time. In terms with her physical appearance, she's not even bothered or insecure with the way how she looks, as long as she's taking care of her children well, that makes her beautiful as a mom.

"Mentally tiring kaayu jud siya super! Ma mentally tired naman gani ta sa atong sarili lang samot na anang naa nakay mga anak gina huna huna".

Children in their early childhood development are naturally curious and want to understand how things work. They often ask questions, wanting to do things by themselves, or combine words into phrases. This acquire a lot of energy to mothers to stimulate the physical demands of keeping up with their toddler, this can lead to exhaustion not just in physical but also in cognitive aspect.

According to her, when her daughter ask questions she always answer it but when the questions are something like a 3 years old kid couldn't understand the answer, she would explains that it's not the right time for them to understand it or to know what is it about. Also, she added that they don't practice baby talking when communicating with their child so it normally encourages her children to use real words and develop better communication skills early on, rather than relying on simplified or altered versions of words.

As she's working now, balancing her duties as a mom and as an employee is really difficult. With all the responsibilities, continuous cognitive effort can be mentally exhausting. It is very important to take breaks and free your mind sometimes. There's nothing wrong about having a me time after a long exhausting week(It doesn't make you less as a mother). Whether you go for shopping or go to your favorite coffee shop to drink some coffee, as long as you're enjoying the things that you do and you give importance to your own happiness, it will give you balance in life that refrain you from thinking that you're trap with your responsibilities as a mother.

"Dili ko gina bawalan sakong partner makig bonding sakong friends, as long as madala nako ang bata and mabantayan nako ug tarong, walay problema".

The demands of caring for a child often mean less time for socializing because as a parents, you often find your focus has shifted towards family life. Some might find this a problem but for these couple, balancing parenting and friendships also means taking care of their selves, allowing their selves to have "me time" to relax, recharge, and enjoy with their friends nurtures their both social and family life.

According to her, when she was a teenager she's really an outgoing person so she promised her self that she would find a parter that won't forbid her to go out even when she already has a child. Luckily, she found one! Upon observing them for hours, we really noticed how kind her husband is. He even encouraged us to eat lunch with them (of course we want to join because hello? who would refuse adobong baboy paired with coke in lunch time? - _ - but we refuse cause missss, yo baby girls are shyyy).

Having a supportive husband who recognizes the importance of individuality and encourages you to enjoy life despite the demands of parenting, demonstrates a healthier family unit. This dynamic creates a more positive home environment for the child, which is very important for their development especially now that they can already understand and perceived the world around them. This highlights how important to find a husband that will view and prioritize your needs as an individual, a parter that let's you enjoy things that you already enjoy even before having a family.

Looking back to the first question on the top, I think it doesn't matter anymore if there's no GPS. What matters is choosing the right driver with you! Someone you can trust to drive safely and guide you through the twists and turns. Someone who makes your journey happy no matter how unpredictable the road ahead may be.

[wonderwriters2024]

"Bye Achi"

(Continuation)

As we continued to talk in their living room, Jj appeared in front of us holding his bottled milk and gesturing his hand to his mom for them to walk around the house again. His mom said that Jj has back problems where he is late to develop his skills to walk and crawl because his spinal cord has malfunctions in it and they were so happy that finally, he learned to walk bravely by himself last month (August). As we watched them move in their house, we realized he was a mama's boy. Even though he had a nanny, he would always go to his mother and demand her do everything (we assume that's how much he misses her). After walking around, she allows Jj to play with some toys while we continue our chat.

We asked her how Jj's eating habits evolve as he grows older and how do they keep the children safe in the environment? " My son has been very picky with the food that he eats especially when he's teething. But all we do is offer him anything that is available and try not to force him to eat and we try to keep a safe surroundings as he reaches different stages of his physical milestones. Now that he's walking, we always keep an eye on him as to where he is going" She said.

It was lunchtime when we decided to leave so they could have a Sunday family lunch. When we said farewell to Jj, he said "Bye achi" with a small wave and smile. He was adorable, so we waved back and smiled at him and his sibling. We noted how daring and outgoing their family is; we consider them a sports family. The children's father has been racing triathlons since college, and the rest of the family will wait for him at the finish line, kissing and hugging him. A lovely family indeed. We thanked their family for hosting us and making us feel welcome, they even permitted us to use social media photos to be posted in this blog "para hindi halata na haggard sa totoong buhay" the mom said.

As we walked out of the neighbourhood, we talk about how our interview went and realized how time allows generations to grow for the better. It was comforting to see such supportive and understanding parents in this environment. Parenting is difficult, but as we watch them? It was similar to a monopoly game in that you would lose and win at times, but overall it would teach you patience and to trust that there are opportunities to try again.

"If I had another life, I would find and chose them again. "They are the treasures that bring out the best in me," Jj's mother added.

"hindi halatang haggard sa totoong buhay"

[wonderwriters2024]

"Bye Achi"

"He is the source of happiness, the one who will take away the stress, and a cute but stubborn kid" his mom said.

Jarl Janus (JJ), 1 year old little boy. The task is to interview and observe the routine and behavior of the child and the family. We felt very nervous but at the same time in awe because of the new environment that we saw right before our eyes. The observation lasts a half day and we interview his mom in between the rest of Jj. In the morning, Jj's routine first thing in the morning is to wake up at 6 am then walk around their garden for several minutes with his nanny. After walking, Jj plays with his cat and when the time strikes at 7 am he will eat his breakfast at the table practicing eating by himself but of course with the of his nanny also. After eating, Jj went to his favorite place in the house: "The bath" he would say "Ba-bath" and drag his mom with him. He would usually take around 20 minutes to bathe because they let him play and swim around the bath tub. After bathing, around 9 am he would take his morning nap and so we interviewed the mother while Jj was sleeping.

We asked her several questions and was in awe at how open minded their family is. Or we're raised differently in our generation? She said that " I value the opinion and decisions of my kids at an early age, to guide and support them in any way possible for them to feel the love and care from us and for them to become independent". Come to think of it, A 1 year old kid gets to decide what he wants or not, it was amazing how parenting evolved as time passed by.

She also added " I try my best to be a good example to my children. Kids in general tend to copy everything that they see and observe from their environment. It's not enough that I will only tell them how to do and act a certain way. As a parent, I should also show them how to behave properly."

Despite the situation they have in the family ( going back and forth at Gensan to Davao beginning from monday and going home to Davao on Friday from work) her partner fills the gap whenever she's working miles away from home. They also have rules for the children like: 1 hour gadgets for the whole day in the weekdays and 3 hours for the weekends, lights off at 9 pm then story telling until the kids fall asleep and lastly they religiously do some stretching or yoga for the kids every morning to make them more flexible and healthier.

Jj's Favorite things to do : Traveling and Sleeping.

Part 2 coming up!

[wonderwriters2024]

I DON'T GIVE A FU---

A warrior? A teacher? A nurturer? A protector? A best friend? A comforter? A foundation? How would you describe a mother?

A symphony of moments, both big and small, that shapes a mother’s love and the life of a new soul.

_________________________________________

Have you ever think of living a life for the sake of your children and the convenience of your husband? Setting aside your own personal happiness and go with the flow of life you never wanted?

She is Jazel , a 35 years old woman. A pretty, cool, and strong mom of 3 children and currently 5 months pregnant with her 4th child.

According to her, before she got pregnant, she spend her time wandering around from place to place, doing the things that makes her happy the most. However, one day at the graduation of her youngest child she felt this sensation of the surrounding spinning around and fainting any moment.

And there she is! After 11 years of not using contraceptives she found out that she's pregnant! Again.

She felt grateful to have another gift of life but at the same time devastated because despite having 4 children, the missing satisfaction she ever wanted to feel at the very beginning of her parentinghood is hunting her... that even a new blessing couldn't mend the absence of it in her life.

"Grabe kaayu akong suffer ani, tanan tanan sakit sa lawas kay dugay kay siya nasundan."

Pregnancy is an unforgettable journey about profound physical changes, a series of transformation, and new discovery of uncomfortable physical demands.

The progress of her 4th pregnancy is quite different to her previous pregnancies because she had given birth 11 years ago and with that length of time her body adjusted so much or let's just say that she felt new to something that she get used to. Right now, she's been experiencing excessive physical aches all over her body, she felt very weak and sensitive compared to her previous pregnancies. According to her, the only thing that she does is to sleep and to always drink water as her sensitivity prevents her to take any medications. Aside from that, she felt more comfortable by staying at her room, lounging around her bed, and scrolling through her phone.

She finds herself lacking of motivation to engage in physical activities, not because of the demands of pregnancy but becau----

Honestly, we also don't know. So what do you think might be the reason of it? Take a guess.

"Wala, wala koy labot unsay masulti sa uban, kani lang jud siya ang importante sako karon."

The moment you got pregnant, it's not just the body that changes but also the way how you think. Some might remain normal and some might change, should we call it pregnancy brain? Nevermind. Anyways....

According to her, she doesn't feel any adjustments in terms with her memory and focus however when it comes to her decision makings, she often think indecisively. This behavior causes her not to finish any task, or worse, not to start any. She is mentally established in a way that she doesn't care about what other people say, what other people might think of her, or what other people expect her to be. All she prioritize is the welfare of her child, nothing less, nothing more.

That mindset shaped her strong personality, enabling her to think positive regardless of what others say. But, how come there's a lot of people gives a damn about her life? meddling about her situation? as if they're involve?

You know, this is confusing. What's happening to her? What truth is hidden in the rumors swirling around about her life choices? Take a guess.

"I don't give a fuck. Kung mag paka weak ko, ma weak pud akong baby. Dapat strong lang, negativity pahawa."

Pregnancy is often romanticize as a moment of gratitude, happiness, and fulfillment. Yet, the socio-emotional reality is far more complex. Imagine being pregnant and not having the socio-emotional support you needed? Frustrating right? How did she even manage that?

From her perspective, her husband lacks of support on her. Instead of giving the utmost support she needed, she's been receiving disappointments and problems. Even her "paglilihi", she never receive any of those. Rather than insisting, she would just "tulon laway" and go to sleep. She never felt the support of having someone who would really put an effort to satisfy her pregnancy cravings. Adding to that, are those people who has side comments about her life. Questions, expectations, and judgements about how she settle with her life. However, she remains strong and surround her self with the people that makes her genuinely happy -her family and cousins. Hanging out with them provides her the most joyful and comforting moments of her pregnancy.

She's beyond excited of welcoming a new life, the most profound emotional experience a mother can endure.

Ohh wait, you think that's it? I bet you think that's the ending, didn't you? or maybe you're the one who's up until now wondering and confused on what's happening about her and what drives her to be who she is right now.

Here's the thing, there's more than what meets the eye. The truth is, every twist and turn you've seen so far has been leading up to something far greater, something that will completely change your understanding of her journey.

For a mother of 4 and in a relationship for 15years? it's actually a roller coaster ride. It's happy in a way that you raised your children well, you fulfill the needs of your partner, or let's just say you function well in the family. But despite the fulfillment of being a mother and a partner, the weight of this unmet expectation she keep holding was an instrument to lessen her motivation during pregnancy. Though, this missing piece shaped her to become the best version of herself, the puzzle of her life remains incomplete because the missing piece she desire doesn't match with the plans that he has.

Above all, she just wanted to be complete, to be a wife, to be married.