It all started with a text one fine but gloomy day of August 2000...

I was quite lonely and disappointed back then [the reason, akin na lang yun! ask me personally]. So I went to the sidewalk within the perimeter of the grandstand [near the front of the church] and sat on one of the benches there to think things over. I felt alone, I mean my usual companions had their own businesses. Busy researching in the library, busy cueing their sticks at the billiard hall, or maybe busy snoozing at the comfort of their own homes. I was lonely and alone at the same time [tough,huh!]

All I had was my celfone [i left in the lib baggage counter my bag], and i need to talk to somebody, kahit text lang, ok lang!. Then I remembered I had a new number that I stored in my cel's directory... it was the number that i've long been waiting to know: the number of Anna's sister Ate Christine [yah! i thought at first Christine is Big sister's name. shameful me!] That's why I'm sooo thankful to Marquee for supplying me with the info [But I asked of course]. And the rest is history.

It was the start of something great and I thought that this would just be another short-lived textbuddy like "ningas-cogon"! It turned out to be the start of a new friendship that's bound to be filled with light, happy moments. In an instant, it's like my senses were revived from that sad state and I had company once again! Im glad she answered my text. And Im also glad that short message system was invented because without it, it would be a great loss on my part to not have a friend as caring, as cheerful, as interesting, as gorgeous, as smart, as funny and as Big Sister! And to celebrate the invention of text messaging, and of course, the Birthday of my Big Sister, I present to you the 10 most favorite text messages* sent to me by Big Sis [*personal or self-made text msgs not included]. messages that are meaningful, nakakagaan ng pakiramdam, and very true...
  

10. [Aug.29 08.57] another day, another chance @ life, another day filled with hope. may u hav a fine day! one fine day...

09. [Aug.30 22.47] life s not a brief candle. it s a splendid torch that i want 2 make burn as brightly as possible before holding it on 2 future generations-g.b. shaw

08. [Sep.15 07.51] ...the beauty of life does not depend on how happy you are, but on how happy others can be because of you.

07. [Sep.24 10.30] frnds r lyk d sun dey brytn up ur days & make u smyl alwys.. hav a nice day!

06. [Sep.25 08.41] "Evry mornin is a wonderful day 2 begin building 2morows future. just make use of ur day 2 glow lyk d sunrise & humble urself lyk d sunset."

05. [Sep.20 10.18] i wil never xchange u 4 anybody bcoz ders only one you in dis world. seasons may change bt our friendship will remain forever...

04. [Aug.29 15.32] take time 2 laugh, its the music of the soul happines s lyk manna, it s 2 b gathered & enjoyed everyday.

03. [Sep.20 08.34] belive dat u r always divinely guided. believe dat u wil always take the right turn on the road. believe dat God wil make a way wher there is no way..

02. [Aug.21 22.47] a heart truly in love never loses hope but believe in d promises of love no matter how long time or how far d distance

01. [Sep.06 09.43] take my hand,& no matter how dark the night, the light of day will come & we wil share the 2morrow. tnx 4 being a friend, any friend of my sis s a friend of mine.

Bonus [Sep.20 10.17] &al my days r trances.&al my nightly dreams,r when thy gray eye glances,&wher thy footstep gleams.in what etheral dances,by wht eternal streams..*Edgar Allan Poe (di ko kasi naintindihan e, hehe)