Diario de Mascarenhas

  I had a great childhood. I had fun and freedom to explore the world around me. And even though we did not have everything in life, we still enjoyed life the best of what we had. Davao and Tagum were beautiful homes for us. The rural life in Tagum was special and it helped us appreciate the beauty of living a simple life. It gave us wonderful memories which I treasure. I had memories of my childhood in Bajada, Davao. It was there where we played under the Mansanitas tree just in front of the rented house, we would play on Zamel’s toy car. The car was big enough for us that we could ride it. When I was little, I used to think the tree was so big. Everything looked so big when you are a child. When I see a Mansanitas tree now, I realise that it is not that big after all. I vaguely remember playing near the neighbors house where I would jump over the canal. It must have been a small canal but it seemed like a fun thing to do when you are young. I must have been under five years old...

  On my way to work every morning, I pray to the Almighty. I thank Him for all the blessings that I have received, I pray that He will continue to bless me. I ask for forgiveness for all the bad things I have done, and all the good things I have not done. I pray that He will guide me daily so I will do what is right and which is according to His will. I pray that He will keep me safe, Suz and Steve, my family and theirs. I pray that all prayers are heard. Particularly, I pray that He will grant a scholarship for Kiray and that He will give Ate Zaida the opportunity that she deserves, whatever it may be. I pray that all who are suffering and have physical pain ; Steve, Suz, Dad, Mama, Luke, Ate Zaida, Zharina, Ricson, Bradpit and all who need healing, may He send the Holy spirit to heal all of us. I pray that all who have passed on; papa, Mannmann, Mum Antoinette, Aunty Nene, all family and friends, may all be at peace. May they be basking in the glory of God the Father and may...

  I have always been interested about the past. I enjoy knowing history because our past and the people before us have shaped who we are today. It is interesting to know the personalities who may have contributed to who we have become.  The people, the places and and experiences are like patches in the patchwork of our lives, each little piece is important. Hence, it may help to know a little bit of our past to understand ourselves. Although it is difficult to trace all of my ancestors, I have some information about a few of my forefathers. From my father’s side, I grew up with stories about my great grandfather Lolo Catiben Moro. We were told that he came from Mecca on a flying frying pan or it could have been a saucer.  It was a fantastical story. Who was he? Why could he fly on a frying pan? Was he an alien or something else? Luis Matthew's interpretation of Lolo Catiben Moro Nobody knows what he did in Mecca. But he was not a Muslim. He was a Bagobo/Calagan, wh...

We had a few days off due to the Anzac holidays (Friday). I took a day off on Thursday so I had an extended break. On the last day of the break (Sunday), it has been raining and we stayed at home. I rummaged through some old stuff and found my old diaries, also this old reflection note from Steve and some old photos. Steve's reflection must have been dated in 2008 since I found it in the 2008 diary. As I went through the old diaries, I noticed that Steve and I had many misunderstandings throughout the years. It has taken us 20 years to communicate better with each other, and even then we still have our moments. I suppose the best thing is that, after all these years with our ups and downs, we can still be together and try to be better, together . I don't think it will ever be easier, but all I know is that we will try our best with each other. We may still be growing up as persons. Growing old together is what we wanted from the start. To love and be loved. And everything else ...