April showers

Despite climate change, we can still count on April to bring in the first pitter-patter of rain; a cycle that ushers in springtime in the west and prods the blooming of flowers, in time for our Flores de Mayo festivities. But April is not just about rain showers. It is also about a shower of blessings.

For Raissa Posadas, Marisa Cojuangco and Berna Filart, April was a time to celebrate the gift of life once more and all the blessings that have come their way such as family, longtime friends and newfound ones, as well.

The best gift is having family and friends around. (First row) Johnny Filart and Ed Ramirez; (second row, from left) LilyAnn Favis, Mayte Lopez, the author, Marie Canivel, Emy and Dindo Barrios and Noel Canivel; (third row, from left) Ike Lopez, Boy Favis, Joel Ferrer, Benjie Guevara, Butch Meily, Chito Manalo, Monet Posadas, Deeday Concepcion, Bina Reyes, Marisa and Choy Cojuangco, Berna Filart and Raissa Posadas.

The birthday party was hosted by Monet and Raissa Posadas in their beautiful home in Makati. Upon entering, one is instantly drawn to their 8-ft. beautifully decorated Christmas tree, which has stood there undisturbed for years. Monet says that Raissa’s mom and sister have their own “perpetual” Christmas trees in their own homes, too. Regardless of the reasons for keeping it there year-round, it definitely sets the mood for a festive get-together at any time of the year.

Despedida for Dindo and Emy. (From left) Choy Cojuangco, Joel Ferrer, Ike Lopez, Ed Ramirez, Monet Posadas, Benjie Guevara, Dindo Barrios, Noel Canivel, Boy Favis, Butch Meily, Chito Manalo and Johnny Filart.

The celebration was a despedida party, as well, for balikbayan Dindo and Emy Barrios who are now based in San Francisco. In attendance were friends and classmates who have been together since their grade school days in Ateneo. If my math is right, that’s more than 50 years! In this age of disposables, bonds that still remain that strong can never be anything but a blessing! More of them would have been there, but it would have called for a ballroom to fit them all in. Surprisingly, this batch of Ateneans, who call themselves the King of the Blues and numbering about 200, still get together for whatever reason or excuse they can think of.

April is also the month of love. And why shouldn’t it be — instead of February? After all, April was named after the goddess of love Aphrodite.

Newlyweds Marq and Elaine Casipit.

Last April 22, my son’s classmate from Ateneo, lawyer Marq Casipit, married his longtime sweetheart Elaine Uy. What started as a barkada relationship blossomed into a beautiful permanent commitment to start a life of their own. Leonardo Uy, Elaine’s dad, was the punong abala during the reception; visiting each table every so often to see to it that the guests were enjoying. When asked why his eyes were red and a bit puffy in the lids (even before the wedding ceremony had begun), Leonardo (Totoy to his close friends) shrugged it off as an accidental bump. Hmm, I think I heard that before.

Such are blessings. Sometimes they come unexpectedly; at times, they unfold slowly before our eyes; and oftentimes, in God’s plan, they remain hidden from us for a reason.

Daddy’s girl. Marq and Elaine with her dad, Leonardo Uy (left) and family friend Jess Garcia.

Even though birthdays take us uncomfortably closer to the gray zone or friends drag us out from our cozy weekend couch or children leave us to be on their own, these are still blessings others have not been so fortunate enough to receive and enjoy. Is your glass half full or half empty? Today is a good day to start counting our blessings.

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