Our class adviser sat us in alphabetical order and I quietly obeyed. When I was settled in my seat, I brought out my new pencil case from Gift Gate, of course. It was one of those pink, plastic-lined pencil cases that closed with a magnet. At that time, it was considered hi-tech because it was push-button and was complete with three doors and a built-in sharpener. I calmed myself from first-day jitters by looking at the pencils and the eraser I brought to school that day.
I was quite content in my own little world, sniffing my sweet-smelling eraser. You see, at that time, I was mostly into erasers than anything else. Ironically, I avoided using them, as I couldn’t stand to see them get dirty or worn-out. I looked to my right and much to my surprise, the little girl sitting there was doing exactly the same thing! I gathered enough courage to say, "Hi. Can I see your eraser?" She said, "Sure!" and passed it to me. "How nice. Thank you," I said, "What’s your name?" She answered, "Mae Reyes Cruz." We figured out that we had the same initials, as I was Mikaela de los Reyes Cojuangco.
We have been friends ever since. Through life’s ups and downs, through good times and bad. In high school, we kept some sort of a journal which we called our "doodle notebook," which had all our notes, letters and drawings we made for each other. Not to mention high school secrets.
I still have that notebook, in case you’re curious about what happened to my extensive ballpen, pencil, eraser, notebook, sticker and pencil case collection – well, so am I! All I know is that I came home from school one day, and most of it had disappeared. I have one sure guess. Little sisters – specifically, Mai and China, who suddenly had their own growing collections!
Not a typical 16-year-old, I spent my days in school and on horses. I had a very dark tan and didn’t care much about anything else except becoming a good athlete.
When the idea of appearing in an advertisement came up, I didn’t even know what to make of it. I went to what would have been the most important screening meeting with wet hair, shorts, sockless sneakers and an old T-shirt. Of course, I was wearing my Swatch, the only watch I owned then. Just one look at it and you’d know that it had weathered many nasty falls off horses with me.
The rest, as they say, is history. I cannot stress enough the many ways this opened up many doors and a whole new direction in life for me.
It took a while before my friends on the Gift Gate staff were able to comfort me. It was nice to know I had friends who cared and would come to my defense. It would also be nice to meet that mean person one day and say, "Hi! Next time get your facts right!"
He made many friends at the accounting department when he wasn’t in Tita Virgie’s office. If they had spoiled him any more he might have just wanted to live there!
Wally is now eight years old, and one of my little boy Robbie’s best buddies. We know it isn’t possible to teach an old dog new tricks but somehow he is learning to answer to Robbie’s "Wayee!"
That evening, I was sitting with Geneva Cruz, who was preparing for a performance at the Captain’s Bar at the Mandarin Hotel. I promised I would watch her but really wasn’t feeling well, so I went home.
Finally home in my room, it was time for a shower. I lifted my shirt and saw little blister-like looking things which I touched and started popping! Only then did I realize I had chicken pox. Great.
That night I said a prayer and asked the Lorrd to spare all those people at the Gift Gate event that day from chicken pox. After all, I wanted to spread happiness that day. Not chicken pox.
Tita Virgie Ramos learned about my predicament, and once again, her generosity prevailed. I certainly wasn’t expecting anything so I was pleasantly shocked when suddenly, my prayers were answered. I was going to have a chance to be a local champion again.
The choice was very easy for me because I immediately knew whom I wanted to bring home to the Philippines. I was riding a very pretty and well-trained horse that belonged to my coach’s husband, Wayne. Her name was Silky Oak. Definitely, she was good enough for any local competition and with a little haggling, she became more affordable. Soon after, Silky was in her new home and her name was changed to Gift Gate Silky Oak.
Today, Silky has two of the most beautiful babies you’ll see. One is a two-year-old boy whom I’m planning to call Mr. Snufflelupugus (the big brown elephant, who is Big Bird’s best friend on Sesame Street) or maybe Elmo because Robbie loves Elmo. She also has a five-month-old girl who has the brightest personality.
Silky won many local competitions for me and her greatest achievement was competing at the Southeast Asian World Cup Series and being on the Asian Games Show Jumping Team in 1998. I am planning a comeback for Gift Gate Silk Oak after I have my second baby, due on Christmas day of this year.
My suspicions were proven right as many of my friends came running to me showing off the Swatches they got!
I may be older and more grown-up now, but I will always be the Swatch Lady and a Gift Gate Baby. These memories have contributed to making me the person that I am today. And I have the Lord to thank for all the wonderful people who created these products and helped bring them into our lives. I’m sure that somehow, they have been a part of yours.
Thus, life continues with Gift Gate. And I sure am ready to go through more stages of my life with these old friends and companions, of course, along with the new.
In fact, I used to wonder how Robbie would blend in as part of this family. Proud to say, he’s starting early. He even has a favorite watch already! It’s a basketball Swatch (syempre!) which he loves to wear even when he’s taking his nap. But the most fun part of it all was when he had such a great time at the "Can’t Stop Christmas" launch. He was singing (well, trying!) and clapping along with everyone, without me telling him to!
Yes, I have enjoyed many wonderful seasons with Gift Gate. But this one that’s fast approaching is what I always look forward to with most excitement. With my Gift Gate family and the most wonderful one that’s my own, surely in my life, no one can stop Christmas. Most especially because Christmas lives at Gift Gate, and we invite everyone to share in this wonderful experience with us.