Two of the best cousins a guy could ever had.It was around this time 5 years ago when I wrote about this. Back then, I just graduated high school and I was a 15 year old blogger who likes to whine about stuff and practically makes a lot of grammar mistakes (still does 'till this day, hehe). It was during that time when I was surfing the internet when I suddenly realized that the reason it was possible for me to surf the internet was because of my two cousins. It was the two of them that opened to me the gateway of the wonderful thing called the "internet". Years went on and I became what others would call an "internet junky". Anything that is to be seen in the internet, I've seen it. Anything that can be found in the internet, I found it. Any ways of taking advantage of the internet, I know how. Without them, I probably won't be here writing this and maybe I would have just become a "a guy who likes to watch TV and is a casual Facebook person" (really, Facebook is the only thing that non-internet people do).
But I am quite past to that point of being thankful to have them as my cousins because they've helped me used the internet. No, I've come to write here about another thing, a far much more bigger than then opening my eyes to the internet. I have come to write here to tell......how much proud I am to have them as my cousins. Well, not quite. I come to write here on how much I am very very proud of them to be my cousins, to be my family. Much more proud than I've ever been before to Angeli Olalo and Mikhail Olalo.
Angeli Olalo or "Ate Angel" as I have called her since birth is the eldest in their family. She is also the eldest in the Olalo Kids. She is a very pretty chinita and a smart lady at the same time. As a kid, I used to wonder if we were really cousins because by far in any reason we didn't looked alike. Whenever we were told to play together, I used to keep on staring at her because if I'm not mistaken, she's the 1st chinita I've ever seen in my life. She was very kind to me and lets me play with all the toys despite being a young kid herself. And even in a young age, she takes care of me whenever we played together. I've always called her "Ate" Angel because she has always been an older sister to me. Quite frankly, she is the closest "ate" that I will ever had. I can't remember a day that we fought or argued on anything. Despite her authority, she lets me decide on stuff and whenever I ask her a favor, she always do it. That's why it was quite nice when we end up being classmates way back in 1st year college. We got teased at first because it was just the two of us together (a lot of people didn't knew we were cousins) and they teased me a lot for still calling her "Ate Angel" despite our age and the environment that we were in. Even if being classmates with her only lasted for a year, it was still quite nice to see her at school during school days. Something so surreal up to this day since we spent our childhood days rarely seeing one another or being together in a short span of time.
Mikhail Olalo or what I call him by his nickname "Mik" is the younger brother of Angel. He is a good-looking timid guy that has a brain of a genius (and I'm not exaggerating). As a kid, Mik was already thin (though he got chubby in the later years and then slimmed again) and was the kid next to me in the Olalo Kidz line-up. It was kinda nice that at least in a sense, he wasn't much chinito looking but still, I still asked myself if we were related as he was whitish as a baby and I was brown-ish. I really couldn't remember this but my mom told me that I caused an incident to Mik for him to fell off his crib. My mom told me that I was just playing with him, but accidents happen (hopefully it was an accident and not me being a mean kid, hehe). Ive always enjoyed playing with Mik because he was a...boy. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed playing with Angel, but there's nothing really quite having to play with a "guy kid". Whenever we play video games, Mik was always Player 2 and it has always stayed that way. Whenever they arrived and I was playing video games with someone (usually my sister), I usually would waived them off and give the controller to Mik. Despite this, Mik has always been good in school. That's why I was suprised when he took nursing because I felt that he could do so much better in other courses. But just like seeing Angel in school, it was also nice to see Mik around when he chose ADDU.Together, it was fun having them around. Growing up, I never really had neighbor friends. My friends has always been my classmates only. That is why after school, it's always quite lonely to spend weekends without having no one to play with. That's why I always get excited whenever I hear news that they're visiting from Digos or vice-versa when we visit them. It usually starts with an awkward silence but after a few minutes, we just end up talking with one another and the next thing you know, we were sweating for how many hours playing different games. From "taguan" to "bilog-bilogan", it was always a great time being with them.
At one point in our lives, we were "martial artists". Do not be fooled by Angel's bubbly personality or Mik's simple guy personality, they both can whoop someone's ass! Since Summer of 2003 until 2005, we've spent summers learning the art of Moo Duk Kwan. We trained a lot together from kicking pads, to flourishing our Kata's, learning the basic art of arnis and having sparring sessions, it was always the best summer times that I ever had. And we were in the same ranks. From being white belt newbies who were shy in class, to being orange belters who initiated opening rituals in a class, it was a blast having to have them around at the same time with some of my cousins. Although it didn't last long as college was coming to a close, I could remember on the last summer of our karate days, I spent the last week of summer in Digos. It was quite nice because whenever we go to Digos back then, it was always a one day activity. It was great to see more of Digos and I even got to swim in one of the beaches there and also a resort. It was very nice to way to end the summer by being in vacation at Digos.
Growing up with them, I have to be honest, was quite pressuring at times. In one point, I was in the same level as Mik and then I got accelerated and I was starting high school at the same time with Angel. Truth be told, when it comes to studying, they are both hard working. They grew up always keeping their grades in the highest level. They both were studious. Even when in Moo Duk Kwan, when we were raising our ranks up, they both really studied the lessons and the moves that despite being summer time, I got pressured to study as well. At certain point in my "getting small grades" years, I got to be compared with them. I hated being compared with them because I felt that the reason why I get low grades was because I didn't study. It's quite unfair for me back then to be compared with them because they were smart and studious. In certain ways, I could have been like them. I had the smarts and I could have expanded more my study skills, but simply put, I grew up differently. Video games ruined me and I always had that pride that I was intelligent and I'll come through no matter what. But they, they were always hard-working, humble and responsible. Even with their smarts, they flourished it by being diligent in studying. That is why they've achieved what they have achieved up to this day.
Yesterday was the thanksgiving party for the two of them (actually three, I had a cousin who lived with them that graduated with a degree in education). Angel became one of the newest nurses this past February as she passed the December 2010 Nursing Board Exam. On the other hand was Mik, who became one of the newest graduates in BSN in ADDU. Not only that, but he is one of the few Cum Laudes that graduated. It wasn't a suprise that my Uncle Danny and my Auntie Ruth would make a big blow-out Thanksgiving party. It was, probably the biggest family party that I have ever been. It was really a great celebration. When we arrived, there was a program going on, and I got to hear all the messages dedicated to them. I thought I was going to get the chance to say something also, but I guess not, that's why I decided to make this, hahaha. And it was also nice to listen to their speeches. There were so many guests that came, from family relatives from both sides of the family, friends and even classmates, it was a great party. That day was truly dedicated to them. It was indeed their day.
And so comes part of the post where I'm suppose to say what I really wanted to say. You know, I really lost my smile this past few months, but I have always been an emotional person. So, I'll try not to be touchy or anything. But I just really want to say, I am proud to both of you.
To Ate Angel, no words could ever describe how happy I am that you have finally reached your dream to be a nurse. I could remember back in high school when we were talking on what course we would take and you mentioned nursing. You wanted to take it because you have always wanted to be a nurse. And I know your dreams doesn't end there, I know that you are bound for much more greater things. We stared the same road, took nursing in the same school, graduated at the same day, took the board at the same time. The road may have taken a different turn for me, but as long a I could see you still going on with that path, I am much more happy than anyone else out there. It doesn't matter if I'll ever have the RN in my name or ever get my license, I'll find a path that I could live by, nursing or non-nursing. Just promise me one thing, make your parents proud, make your family proud, go out there and became a somebody. Someone who could take a lot of achievements, reach new levels and become a nurse like no other. I am always thankful to the Lord that He gave me an "ate" like you. I don't know when will I drop the Ate, but deep inside, you'll always be my #1 ate in the world. I'm also quite happy that you are in a relationship now. I don't know that much about you when it comes to our personal lives, but hopefully you'll have a great relationship and be a great girlfriend at the same time, that I am quite sure you'll be. I can't find the right words to say everything I want to say, but as always, if you ever need anything, I'll always be here. Thank you for being a great Ate, classmate and friend. I am very proud of you and always will be.
To Mik, I just want to say that its quite funny whenever I wanted you to be Player 2 back when we were kids. Because as of now, you deserve to be Player 1. You know, I couldn't be much happier that I have a cousin that graduated with honors as a cum laude. I may have just said "Congrats Mik", but deep inside I wanted to say more and show more happiness when I found out you graduated cum laude. Mik, I have always been highly to you. There was no time I ever doubted you. Even when the time when we fought for the championship, despite my size and strength, I always thought you could maybe find a way to beat me. I know that you are capable of doing much more greater things. You've already accomplished a lot and I know you'll get more. I just want you to know that as of now, I'm congratulating you as a RN already because I just know you'll past the exam. I've heard that you wan to proceed to Med, and I hope and pray that you'll get the chance to live that dream of becoming a doctor. We have never really reached a personal level Mik, hopefully someday we do, but until then, I just want you to stay being who you are. You're a great guy, I know that. You seem to be a great and fun friend to have, so don't ever change. You have a long path ahead of you, and along that way, I hope you find yourself a girl too. I'm very happy that despite you got to be in a relationship before me, I'm very proud of you, in a manly way. Thank you for being a great cousin and partner to me. I am very proud of you and it will always stay that way.
Haaaaa. I don't know how many prouds I have to say more just to express I am proud to both of you. In so many ways, you have changed my life. In so many ways, I am grateful each day that I have cousins like you who I know are just around whenever I need your help. Thank you for everything, thank you. I wish and pray that you guys will succeed in whatever path or goal you'll want. I think I've said enough already. Nevertheless, NO blog could ever fit the memories that I had with you guys, the days that we shared, the moments we will forever cherish. And hopefully more to come (we still need to have a drink together by the way, haha). To Angel Olalo and Mikhail Olalo, I salute you both, not only for being kick-ass surfers, but for being two of the most amazing people that I know. I am forever proud to the both of you, take care always, aim high all the time and may the Lord look upon you and bless you both always.
It was quite difficult to think if I was really related to them. :D