THE SYMMETRiCAL EYE

LUNCH TODAY

2008-01-26T06:17:00.000-08:00

KIKO AND HIS TEKKA MAKI

ANGELA AGAINST A COLLAGE

The city is abuzz with Dinagyang festivities today, but all we wanted was to find a quiet restaurant where we could eat lunch peacefully.

Bonding moments are hard to come by these days.

FLIPFLOPS

2008-01-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

Havaianas was what she wanted for her birthday.

TRIPLE CELEBRATION

2008-01-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

My 41st, her 14th.

Also my 1st as a cancer survivor.

CHRISTMAS IN POTOTAN

2007-12-21T01:37:00.000-08:00

That's as loving as they can get.

(Photo taken in Pototan)

SEASHELLS BY THE SEASHORE

2007-12-11T06:32:00.000-08:00

We took a quick trip to our beach property today, along with my brother and his family. Angela and Nadia did not waste a minute and rushed to the shore to gather seashells for dinner.

Sense the love and affinity that resonates between the two cousins/soul sisters.

SPECIAL STONE BENCH

2007-11-29T22:04:00.000-08:00

I visited my old high school today. Profoundly touched that this bench is still around, having sat on it myself some twenty-five years ago. I wonder how many secrets it has shared with many schoolgirls like me through the years.

Link here.

QUICK HOLIDAY

2007-11-02T16:42:00.000-07:00

We decided to take a break in between my oral chemo rounds. Walking through the shops of Boracay, savoring the indolence that only island living can bring.

(Photo taken by Kiko Mabilog.)

OUT OF THE WOODS

2007-10-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

Literally.

As we end the first round of chemo and radiation treatments.

And my bone scan is clear.

(Photo taken in DENR, Dingle, Iloilo during our field trip with high school students.)

FATHER AND SON

2007-09-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

My husband and my son doing what they love to do.

Preaching, leading worship.

It's a bonus that they can do it so well together.

HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC

2007-08-12T02:37:00.000-07:00

This photo marks the end of my radiation treatment.

I have been away from home for a month.

I am happy to be going home very soon.

ANGELA

2007-07-14T19:09:00.000-07:00

ANGELA THEN

My daughter at four, when all her world revolved mostly around me.

ANGELA NOW

At fourteen, here eyes are set on taking the world by storm.

PATRICK

2007-07-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

PATRICK THEN

At four, goofing around with his first guitar.

Adorable.

PATRICK NOW

At seventeen, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter.

Admirable.

VIEW FROM THE BED

2007-05-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

KILLER LIFESAVER

These meds cost a fortune. But they are supposed to keep me alive.

ELUSIVE SLEEP

2007-05-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

After every chemo session, I tried to sleep off the pain but restful sleep always eluded me.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER TALK

2007-05-04T04:43:00.000-07:00

Walking and talking with my daughter on a recent vacation we took.

Trying to squeeze in every word of wisdom at every chance I get,

just in case I don't make it any further than this.

FREE RIDE

2007-03-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

Hospital protocol required that I be wheeled into my hospital room during every chemo session, even if I could very well walk.

INTERMITTENTLY WAITING

2007-03-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

I have lost count of the hours I have spent waiting for results in hospital lobbies, doctor's clinics and laboratories.

If I am fortunate, this will be my life for the next ten years.

OFF TO COLLEGE

2007-03-13T02:59:00.000-07:00

ANTICIPATION

You can read the hunger in his eyes.

The future is full of possibilities as he embarks on college life in

the University of the Philippines, Miag-ao.

(story behind the photo via Root and Wings)

FIRST SHOT AT CHEMO

2007-02-14T16:42:00.000-08:00

Toxic Taxotere

GOODBYE HAIR

2007-02-13T16:18:00.000-08:00

Chopped off the hair for chemo that starts today.

Feeling empowered after the trip to the beauty parlor-this was a first for me.

TWO THINGS SHE LIKES BEST

2007-02-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

Shopping and texting.

The girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

(Photo taken at the MV DOULOS)

AFTER SURGERY

2007-01-15T22:00:00.000-08:00

The first comforting face I saw as I regained consciousness in the recovery room was that of my son. I was wondering though why he was in tears.

My husband was just above my head and I will forever remember the first thing he said to me. "They had to take everything out. It's cancer."

HEALING FLOWERS

2006-11-17T20:33:00.000-08:00

HEALING FLOWERS

watercolor on paper

This painting was exhibited, along with others, at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel last 2000. The reason why it is very memorable for me is that the person who bought it did so for his mother who was dying of cancer. The painting seemed to have a healing effect on her.

Little did I know I would end up in my own cancer battle a few years later.

A THOUSAND TEARS

2006-11-16T18:31:00.000-08:00

A THOUSAND TEARS

watercolor on paper

from the collection of Christina Angan

My husband's all-time favorite, this was made during a very difficult time in our lives, hence the title.

A FEW FLOWERS

2006-11-14T18:27:00.000-08:00

A FEW FLOWERS

watercolor on paper

from the collection of Dr. Wilma Ty

This was the banner painting of my first one-man show, entitled A Few Flowers, held on December 1997 at the CAP Art Center in Cebu City.

TWO OF US

2006-04-09T07:44:00.000-07:00

Eighteen years ago today.

STARSTRUCK BILLBOARD

2005-12-23T20:25:00.000-08:00

Joko's billboard behind the Victory Center.

Still can't believe that boy is up there.

BEFORE THE FAME

2005-11-12T08:54:00.000-08:00

STARSTRUCK 3 BOYS

Joko with roommates Chuck, Bugz and Marky during the early days of Starstruck Search.