I still believe

In my heart’s calendar, November holds as many red-red letter days as December holds to a child smitten with the glitter of Christmas. It was on a clear and nippy November day 17 years ago that I got married. And it was also on a clear and peaceful day in November exactly 10 years ago that I lost my second child and only daughter, born three and a half months premature.

Thus November, to me, is a microcosm of life, for it has distilled in its 30 days the happiest and the saddest days of my existence. And so when November approaches, it is as if the fates taunt me and test how I stand up to the winds of fortune and misfortune.

My faith in God or the lack it, in the meaning of life, is also stuck in front of me like a billboard on EDSA every time November approaches.

Shall I look at November for its joys, for that day I married my one true love? Or shall it always bring back memories of that one day in my life when I felt that God did not answer my prayer–a prayer to let the little girl I carried in my womb hold on till she was old enough to be born? When I watched my tiny baby girl breathe her last 10 years ago today, I felt that life had dealt me its worst blow, for I was the only human being my baby could depend on, and I failed her.

So after November 1999, each time November approached, I would be wrapped in bittersweet anticipation. First would come the rejoicing, the candlelit anniversary dinner. And then would come the mourning, the heartbreaking visit to the memorial park where she rests. November would bring back good memories, and then the memories I wished were obliterated from my personal radar.

But one of the marvelous things about life is that it equips us with an infinite number of emotional springs–much like those in a sturdy but comfortable mattress–that cushion our heart and insulate it from hurt. I find myself blessed that my heart is wrapped with those springs.

It took that one November in my life for me to taste a bittersweet potion of triumph and tragedy. November 1992 took me to life’s highest peak and lowest valley. But you know what? I remembered the view from the peak more.

I write this also to reach out to those who mark a sad and happy occasion in the same day, or in the same month. Some people lose a loved one on their birthday, or on Christmas Day, but they refuse to make this alter their lives for worse. Life goes on, and they’re taking the first step.

Despite everything, I look forward to November. If November were the proverbial glass of water, I see it as half full, not half empty.

That the two days in my life–Nov. 16 and Nov. 26–that so spelled the difference between joy and sorrow had to happen in one month was my fortune. That I continue to look at life as good more than bad, as a lot more happy than sad, in a month where happiness and sadness were made to duel–is my good fortune.

The Sigma Deltans: Women of substance

What do the late STAR founding chairman Betty Go-Belmonte, SEC’s Lilia Bautista, former Transportation and Communications Secretary Josie Lichauco have in common? Aside from being known as women of substance, all were members of Batch ’52 of the Sigma Delta Phi Sorority of the University of the Philippines which by the way, will celebrate its 70th anniversary next year.

Belmonte, Bautista and Lichauco and other members of Batch ’52, the Golden Jubilarians, will be honored in the general membership meeting on Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dusit Thani Hotel.

A special award will be given to Belmonte who was charter president. Bautista and Lichauco were the ones who wrote the charter that led to the incorporation of the alumni association in 1985. Members of Batch ’62 who are celebrating their ruby anniversary will also be honored.

Founded in 1933, the sorority has one living founder, 92-year-old Gloria Lucero-Monzon who was one of the pioneers of the ikebana floral society in the country.

Some notable Sigma Deltans are painters Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Cheloy Dans and Ofeli Gelvezon-Tequi; broadcasters Ces Oreña-Drilon and Ida Firme-Vargas; journalist Llita Logarta; writer Felice Sta. Maria; cultural writer and STAR columnist Baby Orosa; stage actresses Joy Virata and Celia Diaz-Laurel; food writer and critic Nancy Reyes-Lumen; culinary expert Nora Daza; publicist Mila Alora; economist Winnie Monsod; art director Lynette Villariba; Justices Ameurfina Melencio- Herrera and Flerida Ruth Romero-Pineda; architect Tina Turralba; talent managers Sandra Chavez and Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano; Judges Leonor Ines-Luciano and Jane Lantion; Antique Gov. Sally Zaldivar-Perez, Rep. Criselta Lagman-Javier; entrepreneurs Chit Juan of Figaro and Yolly Bello- Pajaro of Via Venetto; Advertising Foundation executive director Linda Gamboa (present president of SDPAA); former Social Welfare Secretary Estefania Aldaba-Lim; and social scientist Virginia Miralao. They, among others, have made substantial contribution in their chosen fields.

For more information and reservations, call Fellowship Committee chair Ligaya Lualhati-Tankeh at tel. no. 826-8952; Golden Jubilee coordinator Bel Benzon-Poe at tel. no. 810-7251; ruby anniversary coordinator Tessie Nicolas-Dimagiba at tel. no. 812-6051 and SDPAA public relations.

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(You may e-mail me at [email protected])