I could not ask for more.

Five years ago, mother and I went to Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine to ask for help and guidance as I am about to take my Nursing Licensure Examination. It was a long and exhausting trip because we just took the bus. At the end of the same year, I was able to pass and that made the pilgrimage worth it. We were planning to go back to give thanks to Mama Mary but we were not able to do so.

Until last April 22, Sunday, we revisited Pangasinan to show our gratitude together with our Urgel family.

                  

It was too early for everyone specially to my sister Kith. We woke up at 7am, took a quick bath and left right away.

It was almost lunch time when we arrived at last! The kids' tummies are already complaining for food but there was only one fast food chain near the church. As expected, the place was jam packed. TIP: It is best  to bring packed lunch and snacks. It took us almost an hour before we can finally eat.  

Because of that, we missed the 12 noon mass. It was already half past 12 when we reached the church itself. For future references, here is the mass schedule. Boohoo! :| We finished the mass though and went at the back of the church. We have to fall in line before we can go at the back of the altar, put our hand inside the small openings and then we can touch the back clothing of the image of Our Lady of Manaoag. That is what we really went for besides the mass of course.

I wonder what these kids are asking for.

The shrine is said to have miraculous powers that attracts Catholics to keep on coming back.

Thank you. I love you. AMEN. It should be quick!

Lighting candles is our tradition. Most people do this every time they ask for something. In my case, I got nothing more to ask for. To be honest, I feel like I have so much, making me able to give a lot too. Words can no longer describe how thankful I am for all the blessings I've been receiving all my life. Sure, there were  some downfalls but those are the things that keep me going. I thank the Lord for letting His will be done.

This is a semi-complete photo we had before leaving. It was hot hot hot that day but we managed to flash our best smiles. Family bonding is always amazing specially when we do activities for His greater glory.

Jhun Robbie Galicia, MD

Congratulations JR, MD! :) He is the 2nd Thomasian Physician among my cousins.

We grew up together and we were always compared with each other, that's why I'm quite pressured to level with his academic excellence. Jhun for his high school friends is the most diligent and dependable student since elementary. He is active in all extra-curricular activities. Reader during mass, student council officer, and volleyball player just to name a few. He even surprised his parents during his graduation cause they were not informed that they'll be going up the stage to receive an award with him.

Come college, he was asked by his dad to take up Biology as his pre-med course. Since we were only 2 feet short he knew that he wants to be a doctor. As a UST student he was exposed to heaps of organizations. He became a member of The Terpsichorean Circle - an organization of dancing medical students. On his last year, Jubie became the President of the said dance troupe.

He was just 1 month and 19 days older than me but I'm  taller even without  my  3 inched-heels.  He almost have it all - brains, talent, and Godly attitude. But there's one  little detail he lack, the HEIGHT! His cutesy vertical measurement makes him less than  perfect. See how fair God is? You can't have it all! Nonetheless, I'm proud of you J! :) 

A Family Affair - graduation dinner at Amici Tomas Morato

1st two prospect patients who are dying to taste all these gelatto!

Never-ending photo ops!

At last J, After almost a decade of hard work, and sleepless nights you made it! Your Urgel family never doubted you in any way! We love you JR and we are always here no matter what. Our home is always your home, open for your late night arrival and overnight stays. As long as you'll take up OB or Pedia for your residency. If not, NEVER MIND! Kidding! xo.

Dear Andi,

Andeng,

15 years from now it's either you'll regret or you'll be thankful that I am your Tita. I can tell stories about you all-day long and it is, was, and will be embarrassing at times. Whether about your out of this world hirits, crush stories about Enzo with matching beautiful eyes, adorable brattitudes, or just simply your thhh language that is exclusive for the people who loves you. Cause we are the gifted ones who can understand you. Now, I even posted a proof how in love you were when you were just 3 turning 4 years old. Babe, don't hurry to fall in love. I know a kid almost your age who had his heart broken this early (insert Min's baby boy) and hell, I don't want that to happen to you or Ate Avi. But for sure you'll thank me for posting this if you and Enzo will get together when you guys are already allowed to. We have this love-hate-love relationship that I discovered a year ago when your mum volunteered myself to tutor you and look after you when your yaya had her grand vacation. Whatever Biancs, as long as we end in love not hate.

I know you're amused with your lipsmackers and you girls can't wait to wear heels, but sweetie your age right now is the phase we adults would like to go back to. When we were forced to take the afternoon nap that we're deprived to do now, when we enjoy playing with our dangling feet cause we can't reach the ground, and when it was still cute to curse people and laugh afterwards. Enjoy your everyday baby. Don't rush! Don't get mad at me when that day comes, when you regret not making the most of your toddler years cause I did warn you. Well, I wrote this and you have to read it! (For sure you'll be like kjndwhfnfuhifycihnd niuagfwufhcfh ifiwhfmfj jdiwhdhfdopakfioy) (Insert cricket sound effects here)

Anyway, thank you for keeping me busy and happy Baby. Who needs a boyfriend when I got two of the sweetest nieces ever?

I Love you so much Biancs and Gelique!

Hugs and kisses,
Tita Kay

*Then you'll be like, TITA KAY NAMAN EH! Plus puppy eyes.*

Chillers on a FLAMing Day

catching up with my sisterettes

It was scourging hot in the metro and my youngest sister is in need of a conducive place to study. Right after lunch we jumped into the idea of spending the afternoon in a coffee place near home. While Baba is busy pretending to do her advance reading for summer school, Keiko and I tried to keep ourselves busy. Keiko is doing the usual, she was trying to fix her iPhone and as expected she just made the poor phone's condition worse.  While I brought the book that is already almost 4 months due. I haven't even finished a single page when we (actually I suggested to) do something silly. It was an old school tradition that girls do. I'll let you guys guess. Clue no.1 usong uso siya way back 1990's especially if you attended an exclusive school for girls. Clue no.2 it involves 2 full names of individuals (usually a girl and her crush). Last clue it is an acronym. Come on guys! I'm sure that you were able to guess that right. :) You can judge us on how shallow my sisters and I in making ourselves happy but that's how we define bonding. We love reliving our childhood days when everything was simple unlike today. SIRIT? FLAMES! Hahaha! I know! :)

Discovering the Roots

Great Grandfather - Pedro Royo Jr.

My great great grandfather is Don Pedro Royo Y Rincon from Malaga, Spain. He was a stowaway and worked his way up to become one of the prominent figure in Cebu. He used to own a cockpit then later became the first owner of a movie house. He married Maria Rubi from an elite family in Cebu. She is a combination of Filipino and Chinese. They had two sons, Juan and Pedro Jr.

Juan married Amparo Mellado, had twos sons and one daughter namely, Mario, Jesus, and Pilar.

We are descendants of Pedro Jr. His wife id Maria Gerozaga from Carcar, Cebu. They had eleven children namely, Primitiva, Rafael, Felix, Emigdio, Angeles, Perfecto, Eugenia, Ruth, Ernesto, Flora and Rosario. All are deceased except for Lola Flora who is in California right now.

Lola Ruth said that there is a book of the Royos owned by a relative living in Beverly Hills, Cebu, a place where rich people live. Unfortunately, no one knows who this person is.

Family Tree

I feel like a kindergarten student while I'm doing this. One of my mum's cousins started a group in Facebook and added up every Royo he knew. They are preparing for this grand reunion mid 2013 somewhere in the Visayas. My mum's parents are from Leyte and Cebu but they started their family here in Manila, while most of them are still in the Visayas. I was asked to make a diagram to introduce our clan. Meet the Royo-Urgel of Q.C.!