Feb 20, 2016

My Last Night With You

Our last night together keep playing on my mind.

For the hundredth time, I feel grateful that I spent that moment with you. At least now, when I miss you, when I feel troubled, I go back to that night and I could be with you again. Though it makes me so sad when I think about it....

I was showing you pictures of your room, and telling you about the improvements we made while you recuperated. You were looking forward to going home. Your mood was light and calm that night. Calmer than I was, though I tried my best to push my fears away. We talked about the fistula for your dialysis and I told you the good news that we could get the treatment for free. I knew you were worried about that.

I laid down beside you on the hospital bed as we talked, and you put your arms around me. It has been so long since I laid in your embrace. I shared with you my plans for the future. How we're going to make you better. I tried to assure you that everything would be alright.... Or maybe it was you who tried to comfort me that night. To this day, I can't say for sure.... You knew me well. You knew I was just acting brave....

Aug 2, 2015

20 Things I Remember About My Mom, Zeny Cenzon

Today would have been your 68th birthday, Mama. I though I'd celebrate it by going through memory lane. Someday, I will be old too, and I might forget. It's best to write it down now while I can still remember.

Our life has been one hell of an adventure. It wasn't always easy, most of the time we were struggling to make ends meet. But, we made meaningful memories.

1) In Elementary, Mama was very active in my school. I was a participant in every school program, and she fussed over my costume and make-up all the time. My sister-in-law Anna Segui, reminds me of her in that sense.

2) We went through my homework everyday. She did the same for my nieces and nephews.

3) She enrolled me in Hawaiian classes when I was around 7, I can't remember exactly. That's why I'm so good at booty shake. Shakira is an amateur compared to me. smile emoticon

4) My earliest memory of school is a Xmas program where we danced to the tune of "Merry Christmas Polka". She was putting on my make-up.

5) I wasn't allowed to read "Tagalog" Comics. But I loved the horror comics and I hid them under my uniform so I can read "Bruhilda" in my room. I got spanked when she found out.

6) She would bribe me with 10 pesos to sing in front of visitors. As I got older, it increased to 20.

7) She taught me broadway songs and watched broadway movies with me. Annie, South Pacific, Sound of Music. The first song she taught me, that I could remember, was "Happy Talk."

8) When we joined excursions in school, she followed the school bus in her car.

9) Until the 4th grade, I would cry and make a scene in school when she tried to leave me. I was very famous for that. So, the principal allowed her to sit outside the classroom where I could see her. Once I got comfortable in class, I allowed her to go home.

10) She looooved getting a massage. She had her own masseuse, Aling Letty.

11) She owned a business called LZDC Enterprises when she was about my age... maybe younger.

12) She was always in the parlor. I considered the hairdressers my second family.

13) We frequently had dinner at Zamboanga Restaurant where we watched cultural shows.

14) She was very intelligent and sophisticated in her taste in music and literature. Not so in men. LOL.

15) She had a very beautiful voice.

16) She and my dad named me after the song, "My Cherie Amour." The nurses spelled my name wrong in my birth certificate. My dad always spells my name as Cherie Ann.

17) She kept a beautiful house, no matter where we lived.

18) She loved to drive her Celeste. Weekend trips were normal as I was growing up.

19) She loved food and was a great cook. A skill which I unfortunately didn't inherit. It went to my brothers Emman and Yayie.

20) She always, always did her best to provide for her children, and it has always been a hard road since she was alone.

When I was younger and more rebellious, we argued all the time. And I of course never listened to her. Only as I settled down and matured did I start to appreciate her as a woman, not just as a mother. No mother is perfect, and there is no formula that can ensure successful parenthood. But if your children can look back at your life and think of you with love and gratefulness, then you would have done a good job.

Thank you for the beautiful memories, Mommy. For the training and the lessons. I didn't turn out so bad. and I owe that to the way you raised me. Your love was the secret. You were always there. I hurt you so many times, but you forgave me over and over. Knowing I had you gave me strength to get up each time I fell. You were my rock. Thank you for remaining strong until the end.

Happy Birthday to You. I Love You. Wish you were here.


Aug 3, 2014

I Don't Want To Be Sad... Happy 67th Birthday, Mommy Zeny!

I Don't Want To Be Sad... Happy 67th Birthday, Mommy Zeny! If you were here, I'd be asking you, what do you want for your birthday Ma? But you're not here... and I know that if you could tell me what you're wishing for today, you'd want to be with us. You never asked for more than that even when you were alive...




I don't want to be sad. I want to remember and celebrate your life with your progenies. Most of them were here and Jecko blew your birthday candle for you. Emman cooked our favorite Sweet and Sour Meatballs and Kendz cooked delicious Afritada and your favorite poison, Minatamis na Saging. Anna bought

Jul 3, 2014

When You Passed Away, Mama

When You Passed Away,Mama
If I never hear your voice again, will the words you left me stay?
Will I wonder what you're saying when I find I've lost my way...
Will I always long for you to smile and tell me it's alright?
When I find myself in darkness... and I'm searching for your light...


1st Year Death Anniversary of Zeny Cenzon

It's our Mother's first death anniversary tonight and I'm creating a collage for her.. just like I do on the 3rd of every month... This is my time to think of her and go back to our memories.

May 17, 2014

Last Conversation with Mama

The evening before the day she passed away, I got to spend a night with her at the hospital. I'd feel guiltier than I am now, if I hadn't taken that time to watch over her. It was a beautiful night, and we spent it talking about the future. Where she will go for dialysis... the renovation going on in her room at home.. She was in a hopeful mood, and weirdly calm and peaceful.

She was happy that her legs were no longer swollen, and she said they looked like they did when she was younger. Our conversation was light and positive. She was raring to go home...

That was a very rare moment for me... I can't remember the last time I laid in bed with her, feeling safe in her embrace.. just talking. I was always busy doing other things, you know. That night with her was precious and I want to give it it's place in the ether. I deeply regret that nights like that were far and few.

Mommy-Missing Feelings

Ever since I opened my eyes to this life, Ma was there. She's always supposed to be there to listen to my problems, wipe away my tears, give me strength, help me with anything I need, scold me when I'm being bad... I took it for granted that she will do this for me forever. Isn't that a really selfish thought which you can only expect from your children?!

Sure, I knew that wasn't true. But nevertheless, I wanted to believe it. I won't accept any other truth. We can fool ourselves that way. We do it all the time. Hurtful truths are left at the back of our minds... we can examine them in the deepest darkest hours of our solitude, but in the light of day, we shove it at the back of our consciousness. Ma dying? Nah! Are you crazy!!! Don't speak of such things! - Total denial.

Apr 20, 2014

My Mom: As a Woman

Ma was born in Baguio in 1947 and grew up there. You'd think she'd be Ilocano, but she's actually Kapampangan. 

Zeny in Aurora Hill
Born to Illuminado Cenzon and Barbara Joaquin on August 2, 1947, she was the 8th child and the youngest daughter in a brood of 10! Her siblings were Nads (RIP), Leony (RIP), Nining, Perla, Bishop Carlito Cenzon, Roger (RIP), Ed, Larry & Raffy.

She studied at St. Louis University, Baguio but she never finished college cause my very handsome Dad swept her off her feet, they got married, she went to Manila to start her married life and had me.


Apr 19, 2014

The Worst Day...

Last July of 2013, before her 66th birthday, my Mother died. After a week in the hospital, her heart just gave up and she slept forever. She has been struggling with her Diabetes for a long time and was injecting insulin daily... there were a lot of complications and her heart problem was one of them. On her last hospitalization before she died, she had End Stage Renal Disease. Her kidneys have failed and she will be requiring Dialysis 3x a week - if she lived, that is. But i guess, it was too much for her, the Dialysis. How i hate that word. When she found out that the D word was in her life, i know she got sad at that, but she was a fighter til the end and never showed me her fear nor her sadness. But i know they were there.

What a Peaceful Smile, Ma.
My Mother died. These 3 words have the power to shake the ground you walk on.. to shatter the very fabric of your life. You see it happen to other people, you see people die - but when the tragedy happens to you, you're still not prepared for it. Who can prepare for something so painful? Our minds have a way of protecting itself, that even when you foresee the possibility, you refuse to accept it. You will fight it so it doesn't happen.. so it doesn't become real.

Apr 18, 2014

Mama, Thank You For Who I Am...

On her funeral, my brother played this song for her... It's a beautiful song that speaks from the heart... 

Mama thank you for who I am
Thank you for all the things I'm not
Forgive me for the words unsaid
For the times I forgot...

Mama remember all my life
You showed me love,You sacrificed
Think of those young and early days
How I've changed along the way...

And I know you believed
And I know you had dreams
And I'm sorry it took all this time to see
That I am where I am because of your truth
I miss you, I miss you....


Mama forgive the times you cried
Forgive me for not making right
All of the storms I may have caused
And I've been wrong,
Dry your eyes...

Mama I hope this makes you smile
I hope you're happy with my life
At peace with every choice I made
How I've changed along the way...
And I know you believed in all of my dreams
And I owe it all to you, Mama...


We Love You So Much... and Miss You Everyday...