I haven't been allowed to announce it before the issue came out, but now that the Jan-Feb edition of Women's Health magazine is finally available in bookstores and newsstands, I can say, "WHEEE!!!"
I'm featured in their You Lose, You Win section, featuring moms who fought the fight vs. the preggy pounds and triumphantly won! I'm proud of this achievement because it highlights the commitment I've made almost a year ago to be fit and stay fit. Yup, not skinny, but FIT and STRONG! All the hard work paid off, and what an awesome reward!
And if that's not awesome enough, I've got another feature in another magazine! The Jan-Feb issue of Good Housekeeping is also out and I'm in it, too! They also have a weight loss feature and it was such an honor and pleasure to also have been chosen to be part of it. I have yet to get myself a copy but I guess now I can finally post photos from the shoot we had in November. Thank you, Kate (WH) and Nina (GH), for the fantastic articles and for the chance to be able to inspire other women who are also wanting to lose weight the right, safe and healthy way.
What a great way to start 2014! I'm so ready to conquer the New Year! #CommitToBeFit
If there's one word that would best describe my Daddy, it would be Generous. My Dad was a very generous man.
Generous with his blessings. He was always ready to share his blessings with everyone who needed his help. A relative who needed to buy medicine or needed to be hospitalized. An employee who had a family emergency. A friend in a tight situation. The children being cared for by the Rotary. Hindi niya pinagdamot ang blessings niya. Daddy would tell us all the time to share, to give, to help, because God will give back everything a hundredfold.
Daddy generously gave good advice. During the first few days of his wake, some of the visitors would tell me - ang dami nilang natutunan kay Dad. They appreciate all the advice my Dad gave them, advice sa family, advice sa business. It was my Dad's way of showing people that he cared for them. Genuine concern. Genuine love. Hindi niya pinagdamot ang mga nalalaman niya. His knowledge and skills, the things he learned from many years of experience, all those he wholeheartedly shared.
One advice from Dad that I will always remember is this: sabi niya sa akin, always put God first above all else. Before heading for work, Dad would stop for a few minutes in front of the BF church to start his day with a prayer of thanks. If he wasn't in a hurry, he would even go inside the adoration chapel. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all shall be given to you." Yun ang turo ni Dad. And that's why everyday I would pass by the Church first before driving to work, and pray for guidance and protection.
Also another advice na hindi ko malilimutan is when he saw my credit card bills and discovered that I have a bit of a spending problem. He talked to me without judgment, without making me feel small or terrible. Tinuro niya sa akin what to do, the meaning of miminum payment and finance charges. For me, honestly, it was like confessing my sins to God, and He listened and forgave without judgment or criticism. Yun ang pinaramdam sa akin ni Daddy during that time. And I will never forget that, Dad.
My Daddy is generous with his time. Every week, inspite of the weather or any circumstance, kahit puyat or pagod, he would drive to Pampanga for his weekly Rotary duties. You should see my Dad's daily schedule. It's packed with things to do and things to accomplish every single day. May alarm pa yun to remind him of important things or deadlines. But despite his very busy schedule, he finds time for important things outside AICS, like the Rotary. He joined all the meetings, the programs, the conventions, etc.
But most importantly, he always had time for family. I don't recall a single moment when he had no time for us. He was always there for me and my siblings, and especially for my mom. And I think, in order for one to become a really good husband and father, you give your family not a huge amount of material things, but a huge amount of time and attention.
Daddy was generous with his smiles and laughter. I think all who knew him would agree na laging naka smile si dad, always ready to crack a joke, always ready to do a funny face pag wacky shot. And pag nag joke siya, kahit corny, bentang benta pa rin kasi pag tumawa na siya, matatawa ka rin. His favorite lines - Whattaheck! Or Ketchup to you. Yung mga saleslady automatic ang tawag niya "Stephanie " or "Balbina." We were at Enchanted Kingdom once. Nakapila kami sa bump cars tapos may mga batang sumingit. He pointed at them and with his booming voice said, "Psst! Get out!" And takbuhan yung mga bata. And then nung pumipili sila ng colors ng bump cars, my husband said "wag yung yellow. Pambakla yan." My dad replied, "oo nga pambakla yan!"
Then when we rode the carousel and all our horses moved up and down except for his horse, siya na lang ang nag up and down movement with his arms wide open while shouting, "yahoooo!"
If you haven't seen that funny side of my Dad, sayang. Ang saya kaya kasama ni Daddy. His laugh was contagious.
And lastly, my Dad was very generous with his love. Ask anyone who knew my dad - people from Aics, people from the Rotary, relatives and friends - they would say ang bait sa kanila ni Sir Asis, ni Manny, ni Boy. Bakit? Kasi mahal niya kayo. He gave his love away without expecting anything in return. Kahit mga taong sinaktan siya, inaway siya, binetray siya, he lovingly forgave and embraced. Because my dad was full of love, not hate or resentment. Sa totoo lang, ako pa ang mas galit sa mga nanakit kay Dad. Napatawad na niya, ako hindi pa. I guess I have to work on that, Daddy.
But he is a man who radiates with love. And I cannot even begin to tell you how much he loved his family. There's a popular quote that goes, The Best thing that a father can do for his children is to love their mother. And sobrang mahal ni Dad si Mommy. Even after four kids and one grandchild, HHWW pa rin sila. Holding hands while walking. You'll always see them holding hands, magkatabi, magkayakap, minsan nagsasapakan... but in a playful way of course. Minsan nagtatampuhan, pero laging nagmamahalan. Dad has painted for us a beautiful picture of how marriage should be, how a family should be. He was the perfect example of a really good family man. He loved my mom so very much, and when you love your wife incredibly, that already speaks volumes about how much he loved his children. He loved us so much, and raised us well. If you want proof, just look at me and my siblings. Ayan. Ang gaganda namin. :)
But seriously, as the Head of the Family, he built the foundation with love that is so strong it continues to stand the test of time. Our family is so close and tight-knit, not even death can shake the very core of this foundation that my Dad built. Our family is built on Love. Because my Daddy was full of love.
And that's why, kahit ngayong wala na siya physically with us, with you - he will forever live in our hearts and our memories because he has touched our lives in such beautiful ways. Napakaganda ng remembrance na iniwan niya sa ating lahat. And at the same time, we filled his photo album with happy memories that I'm sure he's sharing now with the angels there in heaven.
We will never forget the incredibly generous man that was Manny, your friend, your best friend, your boss, your mentor, your tito, your brother, your Kuya, Aria's most favorite lolo, my mommy's labiduds, and my Dad. We love you, Daddy! We will miss you every single day of our lives.
Daddy's been in the hospital for two months now. His condition isn't so good. He has myelofibrosis. And his leukemia is starting to come back. His body is no longer able to produce red and white blood cells. So he undergoes blood and platelet transfusion almost every day. Everytime we need to look for donors, we all panic because when he needs transfusion, it's always a serious situation, a matter of life and death.
But inspite of all this, my Dad's will to live never falters. He may be too weak to even sit up on his hospital bed without support and without his heart rate shooting up, but we all see him fighting, struggling, to live, holding on incredibly tight to what little strength he has left to make it through every single day without giving up.
A reflection of our unwavering faith in God. We firmly believe that God is far greater than any disease. He is a God who makes miracles happen everyday. He is the Great Healer. We know that the Lord's healing is already working in my dad's body. This is His promise of life and healing that we all believe in and will continue to believe until the very end. We know that my Dad will regain his strength and health, slowly but surely, so he can eventually go back to the US for continuous care. In fact, I even envision him sharing stories with a very animated 5-year-old Aria. With God, absolutely nothing is impossible.
Please pray for my Dad. And for those who are willing to donate (Type A) blood/platelets, you can drop by the blood bank of St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City. They are open 24 hours. Kindly mention that it's for patient Manuel Asis. Thank you and God bless your good heart.
To all those who have donated, who are regularly donating, and those who have helped us get platelets from other hospitals (Thank you, Chiqui and Dr. Lacson!), my family and I can never thank you enough.
A song that my heart sings endlessly is this: God will make a way when there seems to be no way... He works in ways we cannot see... He will make a way for me.
I believe. I love you, Daddy!
My Dad is in the hospital again. This time it isn't just for a blood transfusion. He got an infection that made his throat and right arm swell. The antibiotics are helping. Hus throat is better now, so he's now able to eat a little. The doctors are waiting for the meds to take effect on his arm. And he still has fever after almost a week.
He was diagnosed with leukemia this year. After six months of treatment in the US, he's healed from his cancer. But he continues his chemotherapy, and this is what makes his blood count drop. His level of white blood cells is dangerously low, which makes him susceptible to infection.
Right now we need blood/platelet donors for my dad. He's an A+. If you are willing to donate, you may do so at St. Luke's QC. My dad is confined there. Send me a message so I can give you details. Thank you in advance and God bless your good heart.
Speaking of good hearts, it is so amazing how kindness can come from the most unexpected of people. Acquaintances continue to express concern and offer prayers, and some are not even close friends. It's heartwarming. It's like God is showing us that we are not alone in our prayers.
Thank You, Lord, for Your Goodness and Your Gift of Healing.
...staying together through thick and thin.
...laughing together at the silliest things.
...holding each other close just because.
...kissing each other like it never gets old.
...holding hands like teenagers.
...facing life bravely, side by side.
...coming home to tight embraces and warm meals.
...understanding each other even without words.
...knowing that, for the rest of your life, you are loved, needed and wanted. You have a permanent place in this world, and in that person's life.
...simply being with you.
Three years since that wonderful day, and I've never stopped thanking God for giving you to me. Happy anniversary, Sweetheart! I love you forever! ♥
My video is out! Here's a look at my fitness journey from flab to fab. I hope that somehow it'll inspire fellow moms who are struggling to get back in shape to just keep going. It's difficult and challenging, but it's not impossible. You can do it, too!
Watch "Get360fit Ambassador: Anne" on YouTube
#CommitToBeFit #get360fit
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| Photos from Aria's 1st birthday party April 14 McDonald's ABS CBN |