Fulfilling a promise...

...because some promises are worth-keeping.
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by PAM

For many years, my heart had been peacefully 'dormant'.  It did some flip-flopping when my youngest nephew, Lucas Antonio, was born more than three years ago, and it felt very good.  He literally lit up my world... well, our family's world, actually. And yet, for some reason, my heart still felt 'tired and old' from beating as steadily as an efficient clock's monotonic tik-tok. The familiar warmth from the love of family that envelopes the heart is comforting and reassuring, but it does not bring the world in a sweet 'chaos', sending the heart a-fluttering as thousands of colors burst before one's very eyes.  The fascination of God's gifts manifested in a rewarding life, both personal and professional, had been heartwarming, too... but it was miles away from the sweet dizziness that one feels as one's world swirls fast, getting thrown off in breathtaking spins that only being in love can bring about.    

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And love came around...

Almost two years ago, something caused the gears to click in my heart... they just did.  And before I could even figure out what sparked that lovely sound of churning 'engine' underneath my chest, there I was, being spun around by a whirlwind of a variety of emotions, mostly sweet and exciting kinds - and it felt good.  Ah, the world - my world - was alive again.  The dark skies were suddenly bursting with colorful a-twinkling lights... so cheerful and lovely, my heart raced like a frenzied llama. A realization struck me, I knew what it was... it can't be anything else. I was in love!   

About two years ago, I fell 'in love' again - with these kind, sweet and extremely lovely kids...

...those lovely faces and, oh-so-pleasant personalities - just irresistible.

After four-and-a-half years of hard toil and stressful daily grind in the Office that made my world oh-so-incredibly-dull, the sun finally shone again in my sky!  These kids brought sunshine into my world... with their kindness and sweet nature, the sincerity of most of them, and their desire to do well whatever the circumstance.  As I get to know many of them... and as they shyly share their thoughts, the more endeared they become to me.  Their sense of humor is irresistible, it just brightens up my day. Their sense of community and solidarity is impressive and inspiring. Some of them are trusting and sincere enough to allow me to take a peek at their souls... those beautiful, beautiful souls! They 'push' me to the 'edge' each time... helped me to see the beauty beyond the four walls of the Office that enslaved me for so long now... and I jumped - fell... fallen... in love.     

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This, I promise you...

One of the highlights of a graduating Class's final year in the University is their week-long International Educational Tour in a country of their choice.  As a show of solidarity with them, last year, I promised to join them, and be a part of this important milestone in their college journey. They chose to go to S. Korea, and they chose to go last week.  Even when I was totally harassed by so many pressing issues in Office that week, I endeavored to free up three days in my calendar - their last three days in S. Korea - but without them knowing it.  They left the country without me, and many of them, including the parents of some, were very disappointed.  

On their third day in S. Korea, after a full work schedule in Office, I went on a 'red eye' flight, which I booked merely 36 hours prior to departure, from Manila to Incheon.  I Arrived in Incheon International Airport at 4:40 am the next day, and travelled for an-hour-and-a-half by bus to Seoul to catch them there on their fourth day in SoKor.  I arrived in Seoul at 7:00 a.m., walked to their hotel from the bus stop with luggage in tow.  I barely caught breakfast in the hotel... and I missed their 8:00 a.m. departure for a tour of Nami Island that morning.   Having been up for about 30 hours straight at that point, traveling for five hours on a fully-booked flight with a budget airline, I was totally exhausted... and was hesitating what to do.  But I had a promise to keep. So, after freshening up, I hailed a taxi, and travelled solo to catch them at Nami Island.  After an-hour-and-a-half, my taxi got to the ferry station, going to the island, just 10 minutes before their scheduled return to the ferry station in the main land.  Moving in a flash, I bought my ferry ticket, and rushed to board the next ferry!

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Promise fulfilled...

They were on their way back when I took the ferry to the island, but their ferry was delayed.  And so, I caught them all at the platform of the ferry station of Nami island!  The moment I got out of my ferry, they were waving, cheering, screaming... just very happy to see me.  But no one was happier that moment than I when I saw them at the gate of Nami Island... fate was very kind to me, it allowed me to fulfill my promise.

These kids are love - the sweetest of all!

The next 36 hours after that were spent exploring soulful Seoul - with my kids.  It was truly special, I've never been happier in years!

A year ago, I made a promise... a week ago, I fulfilled that promise - no matter the circumstance.  And, it felt absolutely good!  I thought it was one of the best decisions I have ever made in so many years.  Love?  There cannot be another reason.  Of course, it is love!

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Photo credits: 
Photo 1:  Loaned by Miss Alyssa Tadeo of UST ChemE Class of 2019.
Photo 2:  Loaned by Mr. Jethero Abesamis of UST ChemE Class of 2019.

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