To my beloved, Maica

It has been a decade already since the day we first talked at one of the P.E. rooms in our university. I can vividly recall how you approached me and told me that it’s such a coincidence that my name is Rachel, since someone you know of the same name doesn’t bring a good memory to you. We kept on chatting in between breaks, almost sharing our entire lives, how we loved, and sometimes got hurt from it. It was sheer destiny, I believe, that we lived in the same barangay, so we used to hang out beyond school hours. There was never a day that we wouldn’t converse with each other personally. We would either spend long hours supposed-to-be studying at our favorite clean and well-lit place, McDonald’s Sheridan, or just chat non-stop at your house.

Do you remember the time when we were required by our Theology professor to participate in one of our church’s organizations? Though at first we were just forced to do so, we both know that it was one of the best decisions that we’ve made in our lives. We enjoyed serving God by interacting with kind-hearted and like-minded people. We had fun singing in the chorale during masses. We looked forward to attending church activities, especially during Christmas. We both developed hearts that are willing to give for the needy.

However, circumstances brought us apart. My family needed to move, so we stopped having those late-night talks and walk trips. There were instances that we didn’t understand each other too, particularly when the best of us consumed us. We either succumbed to our egos or immaturity. Yet, at the end of the day, sometimes a week or two, we still managed to let go of our pride and forgive. Early on in our friendship, I appreciated that we’ve been doing our best to not give up on each other and just move forward with a renewed mindset.

Time passed by so quickly, we then reached our senior year. We had a lot of things in our hands, that we just communicated during classes or when we were working on projects, assignments, and our thesis. But that didn’t mean we stopped having personal chats altogether because we were almost inseparable. Every group activity or requirement, we’d have ourselves as partners. I almost acted as your maternal figure, since you leaned on me in academics and every aspect of your life. Though at times it was suffocating (I admit), the love I had and have always had for you rises above it, every time.

We graduated from college. We had our own careers. We seldom talked. We loved, failed, loved again, failed once more, and so on. Yet, up to this day, the relationship we built and maintained keeps on getting stronger. We made sure to be there for each other both in our triumphs and defeats. One of the moments that I still cherish the most was the day you gave birth to RK. I was so excited to see her that I was already there just hours after your labor. I even keep track of my interactions with her starting from her birth through my Instagram stories. I have loved RK as much as I’ve done for you. And this was all possible because there wasn’t even a day that I felt not being your family, particularly at times when I stay at your place. I’ve appreciated how your parents have taken care of me, that even during times of distress, your family has become my home too.

Thus, on this special day of yours, let me celebrate with you even from kilometers away. I am dedicating this piece to express my gratitude for the 10 years and counting of us being together through thick and thin, highs and lows.

Thank you for not giving up on me, even if at times I isolate myself and do not share all of my worries with you.

Thank you for not giving up on yourself too, and for doing your best to weather all the storms that have come your way.

Thank you for praying for me and my family.

Thank you for being you, whom I’ve shared uncountable experiences with. At this point, I want to say that I’m proud of what you’ve become. I’m proud that you’ve transformed wallowing in pain into giving back to the deprived.

You’ve been such a fighter. I wish you more strength to overcome any self-doubt or dissatisfaction that you might still face.

They say nothing lasts forever. But, I beg to differ and prove it with the friendship and sisterhood I have with you.

Cheers to your life, girl! I love you, always.

Writer's note: Photos were taken in 2014 by our good friend, David Ceremonia.

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