Oras na ba talaga ni Kuya?

We have been aware of Kuya Laleng's condition since November 2018. We are aware na nakapila na sya for operation but due to COVID na-halt ang mga operation sa heart center (if I remember it right). And 2022 November may magandang balita ang kanyang may bahay na di na muna sya isasalang for operation. 

Magandang Balita

September 18, 2023, I am packing our luggages for our upcoming trip when I received a message from Ate Sol, sinugod sa hospital ang Kuya Laleng due to severe backpain. Immediately I video called Ate Sol. 8:38pm Kuya Laleng already asked for a pain reliever which is very unusual sa aming magkakapatid. We have high tolerance of pain. So alam na namin na talagang nasasaktan sya.

We called Ate Abigail, as always, our prayer warriors. Asking for prayers. Ate Abigail and Nika hanged up 2AM and 2:34AM of September 19 I received a message from Ate Sol “Wala na si Kuya”. 

I am shocked. No tears left my eyes. 11:47AM I called Hannah(bunso nila Kuya), wala akong nasabi, iyak lang ako ng iyak. Parang gripo yung mata kong walang tigil ang tulo ng luha. May tanong ako, “Bakit ang unfair naman po? 17 lang si Hannah. 17 years is not enough to spend time with her father.” 

Then nasundan yun ng iba pang mga questions…

• If we extended our family fasting ay madadagdagan ba ang buhay ni Kuya?
• If we continuously pray and pleaded for his condition na pagalingin syang tuluyan ay mapapagbigyan ba kami? 
• Kung nagkaron ba siya ng sapat na pahinga at sumunod sa bawal ng doctor ay magkakita pa ba kami? 
• If he didn’t push his Cebu trip okay pa kaya siya? 
• Talaga bang hanggang dun na lang si Kuya?

September 20, sa eroplano palang nagpipigil na ako umiyak. I arrived at the wake. I can’t fathom why my reaction is to cry… no wailed! I wailed. It seems unreal. Unacceptable. I let my repressed grief flow. But then my composed father hugged me and sabi nya “Wala na tayong magagawa”. 

Lalong masakit pero kailangan ko tumigil umiyak. Tama wala na kaming magagawa pero the question na bakit ang aga mawala ni Kuya still lingers. 

Pero... ang hatol NIYA ay matuwid. Sino ako para magtanong? 

Ngayon, pare-parehas kaming kailangan mag-move on magkakapatid. Lagi kong inaalala ang sabi ni Ate Sol at Kuya Ric, wala ng sakit, wala ng pagod, wala ng problema si Kuya Laleng. On that, ok na ako. Mas okay na siya dun. Mas maginhawa si Kuya dun. 

Don’t worry Kuya Laleng, ipagpapatuloy ko pang-aasar kila Kuya Ric and Ate Sol! Para may spice ang buhay namin dito. I will move on with your memories ng pagpalo mo sa akin at paglinis ng mga langib sa sugat ko. Huhuhu!

Our Last Family Photo (w/o Nanay) 

Learn From My Mistakes: SP401: Dashboard and Drill Down Analytics

This course is all about unlocking the true value of data, which is super important for us data analysts. In this course, it discussed KPI’s, metrics and we'll learn how to draw meaningful insights that can make a real difference in any company. 

Now, I want to share my very first dashboard with you! As I started my journey of upskilling, I must admit, I learned a lot from my experiences. Looking back, I can now critique my own work, and it's kinda funny too. Haha! 

Learn From My Mistakes: SP401: Dashboard and Drill Down Analytics

Here are three important lessons I learned from my first dashboard: 

1. Research on Color Palettes: I realized that choosing the right colors for the dashboard is crucial to make it visually appealing and easy to understand. 

2. Tell a Story with KPIs: Instead of just showing raw numbers, I should focus on identifying related KPIs that can help me craft a compelling story or insight. That way, my data presentations will be more engaging and impactful. 

3. Embrace Different Charts: I could have done it better if I learned about different charts, it's usage and explanation it is portraying. 

As I recall, I didn't use any pivot table/chart in this dashboard. Even though I didn't use those in my very first dashboard, it was still a great starting point for me. I'm eager to enhance my skills and become more proficient in using various data visualization tools. 

Well, that is my first and I am glad I do start. This skill is an additional package of what I am now and I am grateful to SPARTA for giving out this kind of FREE education for all. 

If you want a copy of my Excel dashboard, feel free to drop us a message on our Facebook Page. Keep learning and enjoy your data analytics journey! Happy Learning!

Life reflections at 40: GENUINELY GRATEFUL!

On my 39 years of existence I am always grateful for all that happened in my life. Good things that I truly enjoyed and bad experiences that served as hard lessons. 

These are my life reflections. Wink-wink. 

Health: My memories are still vivid na karga ako ni Nanay and tumatakbo papunta kay Dr Almazan. It’s clear in my mind nung ang daming tao lagi sa bahay namin because suddenly I can’t stretch my legs and can’t walk. Asthma attacks? Yes I have those until college days. Very flimsy creature ako ano? Haha! 

But now, you can challenge me to walk 20k steps for days. I can do HIIT for 90mins and jog 5KM. I can say that I am healthier than my younger years. But syempre since I am ageing I am taking extra care sa mga buto-buto ko and extra effort to know ang wants and rejections ng katawan ko. 

Money: Dahil natapos na ang una naming goal for HOA mas nakakaluwag na kami ni Abbey ngayon. Dati cut-to-cut, walang malalaking travels..umaasa sa mga pa-contest and freebies para makanood kami ng sine. Lahat yan ay para makaipon, ngayon may kaunting room to wiggle na para sa susunod naming goal and we alloted funds to enjoy life. 

Now we are looking forward to more opportunities where to invest para sa HOW. 

Career: I am thankful to every boss and everyone na nakatrabaho ko. Madami akong natutunan sa inyo. This is my struggle now. Confusion that I need to clear out para sa sarili ko at ikakatahimik ni Abbey. Haha! 

Friendships: Salamat Elite. I realised na mahal talaga namin ang isa’t-isa. Ang problema ng isa ay problema ng lahat. Ang success ng isa ay success naming lahat. 

I am opening up myself for new friendships. Sa mga introverts na tulad ko, nakaka-relate kayo? Ang hirap diba?! Out of the box. Haha. So please bare with me.

Relationship: Dahil wala nga akong trabaho since 2020, 24/7 magkasama kami ni Abbey nung pandemic era. Di kami nag-aaway at ang matindi di kami nag-kakasawaan. Lalong nagkakilanlan at lalong tumibay. Ang cheesy! Hehe.

Family: We lost Nanay and somehow it gave us an emotional turmoil. Hanggang ngayon there’s a longing na sana andyan pa sya. 

But we do not have time to delve in that past, so here we are making new memories with Tatay. 

Selfcare: I have personal battles that I know I have won. The key thing for this is to know what triggers it.

Knowing yourself is not an easy job. There are lies you are telling to yourself that became your truth. Accepting my flaws, limitations and when to stop the fight is the best thing I have learned before hitting 40.

Spirituality: I am always sticking in my beliefs and glad that Abbey never bypassed those. 

Well that’s my life before 40. It is playful, painful, crazy, daunting, euphoric and hopeful life! 

Happy 40 sa aking mga ka-1983! Let’s all welcome our 40 with a grateful and blessed heart and mind! Kaya natin ito!