Days later, the hut burned down. Nothing was left for him. The man was angry and cried to God, "I worked so hard! Why did you do this to me? How can I survive?"

Next day, much to his surprise, rescuers came to the island!

"How did you know?" he asked. "We saw smoke from the island!" they said.

He realized that God had not forsaken him. The hut burned down for a reason.

In life, everything happens for a reason, even the tragedies, he learned." — Krissy of TeleTech

****

After the launching ceremonies of PINOY M.E at Tiendesitas, I met Consuelo "Baby" Valenzuela, the winner of the MicroEntrepreneur of the Year.

Petite and feisty Baby, 33, from Baler, Quezon, has a very exceptional story. She is the 11th child in a brood of 15 children.

Her father was an occasional carpenter, while her mother was a vendor who peddled anything, from charcoal to food stuff.

Baby remembered sleeping like sardines with her siblings in their one room hut and going to sleep hungry. They would be awakened in the middle of the night when their parents came home with something to eat for them.

She worked as a housemaid during high school just to stay home. In college, she continued to be a working student while taking up a secretarial course.

Her determination to succeed made her finish a commerce course, instead.

Then, she learned the business of weaving hats, mats, and other household accessories from the soft "sambutan" seeds.

Baby started her business with a R20,000 loan from a micro-financing institution. She now has 150 workers operating out of their own homes.

Sometimes, when she joined trade fairs, she had to bring home "unsold" products in public transport vehicles. But she never gave up and plodded on, trying new designs and colors, and determined to make her small business grow.

Eventually, she bought a second-hand vehicle. Now, she can join trade fairs and deliver her products in good condition.

Her only regret was her mother died without enjoying the modest fruits of her success and hard work. She still speaks high of her mother’s sacrifices. In fact, her mother was her model.

"She made night into day, worked so hard for us. I wanted to be like her, that’s why I work really hard. Some of us didn’t finish college, but we graduated in high school because of her. She sacrificed so much for us."

Baby feels good everytime she starts her daily routine for her business.

"It’s wonderful to know that I can help my workers and their families. They can buy the things they want for their children, send them to school, and live decent normal lives. I still work very hard to make sure that my little business grows so that I can help more people in Baler."

I was really inspired by Baby’s story. I’m, quite sure, there were many more success stories like hers.

Her "PaKunsuelo" products were readily snapped up by buyers at the exhibit. I bought a fan–shaped sambutan bag in pastel colors and slippers to match.

Mabuhay ka, Baby and other PINOY M.E heroes! I hope more people will realize the importance of microenterprises and their contributions to the PINOY M.E program.

****

Notes… Last Tuesday was the 3rd anniversary of LRI Plaza at 210 Nicanor Garcia St. (formerly Reposo), in Bel Air ll Makati.

Highlight was the launching of "the good guru" George Sison’s book "Feng Shui of the Mind," at Galerie Astra. Artist Ernie Garcia opened his exhibit, "Women on Fiberglass," at the LRI Art Space.

Jeanne Goulbourn of Silk Cocoon had a fashion show, dubbed "Beam Me Up"; while Arch. Alice Erfe of Erfe Furnishings and Pinky Cruz Peralta of The Room Upstairs had an exhibit.

There are many trendy stores, surprises, and happenings at the LRI 3rd anniversary. Of course, there is my favorite Ricco Renzo restaurant–cum–gallery!

Go and feast your eyes, soul and stomach at the galleries on Garcia street.

****

My Maryknoll College classmate and dear friend Corazon Mendoza Farolan was buried at the side of her beloved Sonny Farolan last week.

Her two daughters, Francesca and Cathy, traveled with her from San Francisco where she lived a full and happy life, and from Seattle where she breathed her last surrounded by her two grandsons, her son-in–law and the two girls.

It was a long and courageous battle against cancer, and according to her daughters, she died peacefully with her favorite symphony playing in the background.

She will be remembered, the girls wrote in their "thank you" note, through family gatherings, gourmet meals and long-lasting friendships.

Our gangmates were there — Alice Canlas Avancena, Dr. Chona Relloza, Mitos de la Riva Prieto from Australia, Beth Javier Africa, Aida Sevilla, and Mila Lejano Santos — at the mass and later at the scrumptious breakfast at the home of Cora’s eldest brother, Simeon "Boy" Jr. and his wife Inday.

It was a time for nostalgia and a firm decision to hold more reunions. We Filipinos really love to get together as well as good food that truly makes it memorable.

Life is short and sweet. Friendships should really be cherished. Don’t put off that reunion you and your friends have been talking about!

I was so happy I made an effort to get in touch with Cora (who was my seatmate in grade school and high school and my neighbor in Paco, Manila for many, many years ) when I was visiting my son Junie in Vancouver last August.

We immediately set a date to meet in Seattle where she was temporarily staying with Cathy and her family.

Cheska, who was on a break from her office in SF, drove her to our meeting place while Junie took time to drive me across the border for that breakfast.

That last meeting was short but happy. See you up there, dear.

****

Notes… I so much idolized Mercedes "Baby" Poblador whom my uncle Flavio Intengan courted upon his return from his law studies in Washington, D.C.

She was smart and "cool," drove her own car and seemed so independent and determined to stay single. Well, my uncle won her over and she gave up her single-blessedness to be his life-long mate.

They had three children (Ditas, Gabby and Danny), the only first cousins on my mother’s side of the family.

Her only sister Nelly Jhocson was childless; her brother, Jesus, who died in the war (he was associate editor to Carlos P. Romulo in the old Philippine Herald and vanished without a trace after the death march.) also did not have any children with Carmen Rosales Llamas.

Anyway, my uncle has sinced passed on to the Great Blue Yonder, and Tita Baby turned 82 last Wednesday, still in the pink of health despite some creaking bones and aching knees.

I missed the birthday dinner which her daughter Ditas dished up, but I heard raves about it from my son David. Here’s to you, Tita Baby! Cheers!