I Sat Beside a Convicted Felon.

T'was a workday, and I was eager to get off work early, when I received a text message from my friend RP. "Come. Get-together dinner with RM." RM works as a nurse in Canada and was in town for a visit.

I dilly-dallied and decided it was time to haul ass. I wanted to get home to the kids, but I needed time off. I finally had a maid and some me-time for myself. 

"Okay. Okay. Will be there in 15."

So I rushed and got to Rockwell in 10 minutes. No traffic. Lucky me. Yes, I'm a kaskasera, I take after my mom. Teehee. Got to A's diner and noticed everyone had their fill of dinner already. F turns to me and says, "Come, Kaye, dinner's on me. Order what you want." I had a hoagie.

Hubert comes along, hand in hand with his special someone, C. I turned to look. "He's looking good nowadays. Jail did him some, but he's looking good", I thought to myself. 

The mall was about to close and we had to move. We decided on a bar outside, where the shops stay open past curfews and what-nots. I dragged my feet, not because I didn't want to be there, but because my mind was elsewhere (R was in town and I didn't want him thinking I abandoned the kids to have a good time around town). I took out my iTouch and started playing Pretty Pet Salon. Next thing I know, Hubert is beside me. He passes me a glass. "Here, Kaye, drink." I stare at it, give the glass of red a whiff and I pushed it back. "Too bitter." 

He laughs. I see the lines around his eyes. 

So we sat around for some time, and the clock ticks away. I stare at them, and for the lack of topic and something worthwhile to do, I asked Hubert if I could ask him some questions. "Fire away!", he says.

"How'd you guys meet?" was the first Q that came to mind. And yes, I did say I was bringing out Tito Boy's Mahiwagang Salamin. LOL. We got to the serious questions. I was a bit hesitant to ask him, but I did ask about jail and how it was. What made it more difficult, what made it a tad easy. I feel for the guy, he's been through a lot.

Then we started talking about church and how he'd love to go to Victory someday. We talked about memories of Bilibid and what he did to while away time. He learned to play an instrument, watched movies, read the Bible, all sorts. We talked about God - a topic I noticed he loved talking about nowadays. We talked about how God takes care of everything when you've been wronged. Someone in the group asked about vengeance. And Hubert takes one long breath.

"No."

"What do you mean no?" That someone asked in reply to his adamant NO.

"I'm leaving it up to God. I do not wish the same for anyone. God wanted me there for a purpose. What it is, I do not know. But I leave it all to Him"

I stare at him with my mouth open. Wisdom from spending time in jail. Wisdom from spending time with God.

I told him about a pastor's daughter, who got raped by a bunch of cops back in the 90s. They never pursued the cops. The pastor-father gave it all to God. Hubert asked, "What happened to the cops?"

They're all dead. Sickness or something. Basta dead.

Hubert sighs, "Exactly. He'll take care of me."

I look at him with renewed admiration. This man couldn't have committed the crime. I've heard my friends swear Hubert was in the US during the massacre. Followed the case from day 1. Read through court proceedings, witness accounts, etc. That evening, it all came back to me. That urge to tell the world this man is a good man.

I sat beside a convicted felon, but knew right then and there, Hubert Webb never committed that crime.

Hubert Webb is innocent.




People lie; the evidence speaks for itself. Know the facts! Add Free Hubert Webb on Facebook. Or join the group Justice for Hubert Webb. Follow them on Twitter here.

Welcome to this Crazy World, Baby M!

My BFF cum partner-in-crime et confidante, J and her hubby RJ had the surprise of their lives yesterday! At 1am, their baby M decided it was finally time to come into the world by poking through his mom's waterbag. Roughly 8 hours later, and about 2 hours of pushing to no avail, baby M was born via C-sec!

Biggest baby in today's batch of new arrivals.

Weighing 8.3lbs, baby M is a big newborn! Adorable, nonetheless. Makes me want to have another one... sike!

I love the smell of babies. This one is no exception. I stayed with J and RJ the whole afternoon, and then some of the evening (I was sitting out the rain).

Adorable little bundle of joy. Congratulations, J and RJ!

Welcome to the world, Baby M! You are loved!

Father's Day

When I was 16 and studying in the US, I was made to list down 3 people who I am most inspired by. And the first person that came to mind was my dad. 

Photo from: http://imfaniey.blogspot.com

I was always Daddy's Little Girl... well, until the grandkids came along, but yea, my dad and I share a special bond only fathers and daughters have. The most vivid first memory I have of my dad is of him sitting beside me on the stairs at our old house, telling me how I should never try on my mom's bakya, since I always tumble and fall while wearing them (my mom had the nicest pair, it called out to me each time I passed the shoe rack, LOL). And I did fall a couple of times, and that was what led to that particular conversation on the stairs. I remember him telling me how I was precious and that he wouldn't be around all the time to protect me, but that I should listen to his reminders and learn how to protect myself.

I was told that when my mom was pregnant with me, my dad had wanted a baby boy. Baby boys were stars in Chinese families, and a first-born son meant the world to my paternal grandparents. My dad bought sets of Matchbox cars for his first-born even before I came into the world. Alas, God had other plans and I was his eldest child. That didn't change things. I was his little girl, and I had a mean collection of die-cast cars. LOL.

When I was 5, my dad took me on my first trip out of the country (to the homeland, of course). Just my dad and me. I will never forget that trip. He made me promise to remember where we were going at all times, what roads to take, which way to go, etc. And I guess that is why my navigation skills are top-notch. Haha! Seriously, he taught me how to study maps, figure out routes, find short cuts, etc. By the time I was 8, I was already planning and navigating US cross-country road trips! I loved it because I always got to sit shot-gun!

Now that I am older, I've realized that I've always wanted someone like my dad. My dad stood by me through every trial I've had to go through. He'd pray for me, and would always give me a ready-hug each time I felt down. His heart always had Christ's name written on it.

I now work with my dad, not as obligation, but by choice. We run the family corporation's ministry arm - a legacy left behind by my grandparents. Hard as it may seem to work with family, and I know this first-hand as I see how difficult it is for my dad to draw the line between us being his kids and being his employees, seeing my dad everyday has its rewards. We went through tough times together, and there are times when I feel he doesn't understand what I am going through, but I see in his eyes that he only wants what's best for his daughter - for his little girl.

Once, when R and I were having problems, and I was pregnant with RL, my dad saw me sitting in church, close to tears. He sat beside me, and literally just sat there. No questions, no hugs, no nothing. A week later, I found out from our Pastor that my dad had asked for prayers for me. He felt the weight of my troubles, and by sitting beside me, tried to carry all that with me.

I know that there are times when we've wronged each other, and there are times when I am sure he feels like I've outgrown him, but Dad, I will always be your little girl. And I love you with all my heart.

Happy Father's Day!

*This was meant to be a Father's Day post but I ran out of SmartBro credits right when I was writing this over the long weekend. Then I forgot all about it. Hehe. So here it is. ;)

Christmas in June!

Remember when my friend A sent us a package from Japan? Well this time, we received a package from my friend T! Her son is in town for the month, and she sent us this, all the way from the US, through him! Way too cool!

Special Agent Oso toys for RL, Minnie Watch, Blouses and TY Beanie for A, and a special gift for moi.

She even managed to send me a special birthday gift. Super thanks, T!

I have been scrambling around the city to get her and her kids some stuff as payback! I have filled a small box of Filipino goodies and sauces, a Filipino cookbook (her request), some cute anik-aniks for her girls, a pocket English-Filipino/ Filipino-English dictionary for her son, etc. I can't wait for her to get my package. Will post pictures when they finally get my stash as I don't want to spoil the surprise. 

Thanks, T! Next year, come home na!