Friends Are the Family We Choose.

With every trial that each one of us is going through, having trusted friends around is the greatest blessing one could ever think of. This entry is my way of appreciation to the best people around me who stuck with me through thick and thin. I have lots of friends SOBRA, some have disappointed and hurt me, but these people stand out among the rest because I have done the worst in the land and they still embrace me with so much respect. They are the people I know will never turn their backs on me the moment I tap them. I am so so proud and grateful for them. :)

Here we go!

Marie Katherine Anne Navarro – Kathy is my very first friend in the land. We’ve known each since I was four and she was three. As a kid I’m a really shy person and she’s the outgoing one. I can’t imagine my childhood without her! We went through a lot of hard times together, partly because we are somehow related (her brother and my cousin are married) and she’s practically a sister to me. She used to be immature (she admits that), but now we’ve taken our friendship to the next level and I just know that she’s that one person who’ll stand by me no matter what.

Dunn Hill Malait – I met Dhan back in eTelecare more than 3 1/2 years ago. I admit I’m a snob when I joined our team back then but Dhan was the one who made me feel welcome along with Roselle, our kikay friend. Since then we’ve become inseparable; he’s one of those friends you would totally love to have because he never fails to make you laugh every single day you’re with him! We rarely see each other now because both of us have different careers already but it never stopped us from communicating every once in a while to check how each one is doing. Our friendship is really EPIC. I love him to the bone.

Ann Borbolla – She’s the epitome of what you call a TRUSTED FRIEND. She is never plastic, tells you right as it is, and a really really bubbly person too. I love talking to her all the time because she always makes me feel good about myself even though I have done something awful. Ann knows most of the trials that have come my way this year and she never gets tired listening to my woes. She’s the one I miss the most when I left eTelecare, because our working relationship plus the friendship is really great and is something that I will not trade for anything else in the world.

Marvin Legayo – We got close more than two years ago when we found out that we shared the same birthday, and we were inseparable ever since. Marv went through a lot of trials during the first few months of us being close, and I served as his Safeguard conscience to put it simply. Hehe. We might not talk that much this year, but I know he will always be my “kakampi.” To be honest I sometimes don’t like talking to him because he always makes me feel guilty about myself – he can see right through me and it can get freaky sometimes. Still, I trust him and he’s the best berdey ever.

Jevriel Baes – This is Jev, and I’m so grateful that we are close. He’s the type of friend who has complete balance over his friends. Some people might get stressed that their friends are not okay with each other, but Jev is not. He respects every one as a person and does not makes things worse by spilling each one’s secrets. Trusting someone is by gut-feel, and with Jev, I know I made the right choice. His simple “Hi friend, how are you?” at least twice or thrice a week means a lot to me, because I feel that I am never alone. He has this weird vibe going on wherein he always knows that I’m not okay and then suddenly texts me with feel-good quotes. If I have to grant total nirvana to one friend for a lifetime, it’s gonna be him.

Alain Guinmapang – He’s everybody’s friend. And I’m not exaggerating. I guess he’s the most liked person I know because he’s sincere with everything he say or do. I will never forget our one on one drinking session before and I just poured everything to him – and he listened like an older brother. What I like about him is how everyone thinks that he’s a role model, but he just laughs and tells me his flaws – making me feel that it’s alright to make mistakes. I idolize him as person – Alain has a good heart.

Jann Benedict Ty – Meet my most complicated best friend in the world. Jibay (or Bene) is one of the oldest friends I have, knowing him since fourth grade. We just got close few years ago and we share a lot of kabaliwan together. He must have known the MOST STUPID and UNACCEPTABLE things I did and he always just laughs at me like it was the most normal thing in the world. He goofs around a lot, but when he’s serious, he has the most sensible advice to give each and every time. I admire his maturity in life (even though people think otherwise) and his ability to treat the girl he loves like a princess. His happiness is addicting.

Marie France Castillo – Neng and I have a looong history together as friends. What I love about her is that she’s probably the most thoughtful friend I have. When she moved to France back in 6th grade, she would snail mail letters to all her friends and tell us how sad she were being away with us. She’s the type who’d rather listen to you than talk about herself. Our friendship has moved up a notch especially that she’s now carrying my godson. Through my best times and worst times, Neng never left the picture – and I know she never will.

Mhia Malang – Mhia is a loyal friend. When she say that she’s your friend, trust me – she will stay true to that. The word friendship really means a lot to her, and she is never plastic. She’s really makulit and can get irritating at times LOL, but I’d rather have a makulit but honest friend rather than miss tahimik but talks trash behind your back. One single text to her that I am depressed and she’s on my way to my house to bring me my happy food. It sucks though that her good intention over the people she care about sometimes get misinterpreted. I’m lucky that I am one of the very few people who saw the best in her.

Kristian Joyce Antonio-Jaraplasan – And lastly, here’s Nene. She’s my sister, my confidante, my personal shopper, my best friend. We used to fight like crazy but I guess our maturity knew better than that now. I can’t imagine my life without her – she knows me to the bone. I am grateful to God that she is my sister, but more so, I am grateful that she is the mother of my most beloved godson Kiann. She looks out for me because she knows that I have the most unfortunate love life in the world, LOL. Every friend of mine can vanish BUT her.

Having these guys around is enough reason for me to feel truly blessed. Do you have friends whom you’re confident that will never turn your back on you too? Feels so good right? :)

TTYL!