MY TEN DEAREST FRIENDS

Okay as I promised, here’s the list of my ten dearest friends. First, I apologize if some of you were not able to make it in this roll. Truth is, the list and the ranking were well-thought off. And yes, the majority is my girl-friends; maybe because they have impacted my life more than my male friends did.

And so without further ado, I am now presenting…

10. Arvien Medina - RV and I have things in common but yes, we also have our diversities; we have 5 years age gap and I guess it spells everything. While I am the picky one, he’s okay with anything that comes along his way. While I have resigned on dreaming, he remains to be idealistic. While I am the hard-headed, he’s the diplomatic. And when I want to be distant, he remains to be a constant companion. He has been my headache, and he knows it. It’s okay; I am also his big pain in the ass! I should have not included him here, but this one wouldn’t be perfect if he’s not listed. And yes, I am always proud of our friendship!

9. Dorothy Lim – This girl can read my mind so well. Maybe because I am her guinea pig; she’s a Psyche grad like me. Two words – SOUL MATE, she’s it! My journey to self-discovery has been super super smooth with the help of this girl.

8. Leslie Bañares – I owe her my beginnings as an HR person; Leslie has been a very good trainer. The way I deal with work right now ~ the commitment and the passion that I have ~ all came from her. When I become so grumpy at work, she helps me to re-focus. She’s very organized and always helps me re-sort my priorities, be it professionally or personally. Dear sister, dear daughter and yes, dear friend! We may have been separated by distances and years, but I know we will always share good stories when we reunite; and of course, our lasting friendship will spice up the would-be conversation.

7. Jenie Mercado – the bitch! One thing that’s surprising is that Jen and I are very much opposite. I am friendly, she’s a snob. I am loved, she’s hated. But yes, we’re friends. Give us a table and two chairs and we’ll have a day-long chat, be it over a cup of coffee, a pack of corn chip but we can also do-away without any. My Accenture journey was greatly impacted with this girl’s wisdom and yes, bitchiness! I missed how we’ll talk and fight in high strung; when our paper weights may fly anytime. Gosh, what are DGG’s billiard balls for?

6. Ryan Salamat – aha, my greatest critic! If you guys think I am the worst ‘okrayero’, I am just his second. Don’t put us in a table and give us the task of criticizing people, events and places and you’re up to havoc. We’ll have different perceptions, definitely. But surely, you’ll end up torn and wrecked. But behind this brat’s wickedness is a virgin soul, and a person who’s longing for that one great love. That's one thing I am willing to do a novena for hehehe, even if I do not pray anymore! I know I can always share my whole being with him, without any fear of destruction. Ganun nga ba ha, Rye? Hehehe.

5. Grace Naceno – the sister I wish I had, added to my two dear ones! Grace is the peaceful soul in our triumvirate (Ryan, she and me). She’s been through a lot but remains to be optimistic. There are times when her jaded thinking gets through, but since she’s very smart she can easily get her way out. We’ve shared a lot of sad stories when we’re walking along Ayala Avenue or Ayala Walk-Way and I am sure there’ll be more to come. But in spite of these, we both still hope for our individual sunshines. With our shared optimism, these will definitely come!

4. CLUB T – my girls hehehe. While my relationship to each of them varies, they all occupy a very special place in my heart. No matter how busy my schedule is, I always find time when these girls need me ~ be it their weddings, birthdays, christenings of their kids, etc. I love all of them and with that I need not give any explanation as to why they are here in my list.

3. Ghing Palmiano – my best friend. Ghing has been a very good companion during my teen-age years. She has seen me grow and mature to be the competitive person that I am right now. She’s been very supportive of my quest to self-worth, a constant believer of my hopes and dreams. Right now, we have soared our ways separately, but we always find a landing point ~ be it a common thinking or a common idealism. We both have seen our places under the sun and may no longer spend times with each other, but we’re both certain to say that we always carry a part of each other wherever we go, and those parts complete the person that we are.

2. Jean Batcho – First, Jingle was just an acquaintance ~ a classmate to my dearest friend. Eventually, we learned to realize our commonalities in ways of thinking and behavior. We’re strong-willed, hard-headed and competitive. We see the world as our platform to do well in all aspects ~ be it personally or professionally. We are trip buddies, and couldn’t resign from being fascinated on good sights and relaxing atmospheres. I know we still have more trips to enjoy and still have a lot of rides to do, so Jingle, here’s to a longer journey! With you I would always say that life’s definitely a beach!

1. Mayeth Bornolla – I always say Yeth may not be the best but is worth sharing my life with. I said before my nights are hers, now I can no longer promise the same. But what I like most with her is that, she’s the most available. In all my woes she listened. In all my angst she carried on. In my best she was delighted; in my worst she was supportive. I will not be the person that I am right now if Mayeth has not been my friend. I will forever be grateful of her love and friendship. With her, I am always home. And with her, my life is complete.

So there goes the list of my Ten Dearest Friends. Happy New Year!