Why does everyone keep asking me if Xyzha and I are friends again? My answer remains the same: Xyzha and I are not friends; we're sisters. And no friendship can ever compare to that. There's no need for apologies, for forgiveness, for a major maalala-mo-kaya-moment. We're sisters. And that should explain it all.

Originally posted March 1, 2007.
[reposted because of this]

Let me take this opportunity to blog about one of my biggest fans, my gorgeous baby sister, Xyzha.

The chocolate cake she gave me yesterday as an anniversary gift was enough of a surprise. But an even bigger surprise came about a year ago -- her shocking admission (confession, if you will) that she (sort of) envies my relationship with Mark. I believe her exact words were, "Te, if I'm gonna have a relationship, I want it to be just like you and Mark."

Allow me to contextualize that statement.

Xyzha was Mark's biggest detractor. She detested him, and during our first years together, she was vocally campaigning against my relationship (though not as much as my mom - hehehe). Her reasons are her own. But suffice it to say that during those rough years, almost everyone in our family did not take kindly to my decision to (er, uhm) co-habit with Mark.

And now, fast forward to today. Mark is everybody's favorite. Xyzha's included.

How he did it, I have no idea. He's just being himself, I suppose. And I certainly can't take credit for his natural likeability.

The point of this blog entry is this -- It was never easy for Mark and me. It was never easy for Mark. But after everything has been said and done, we both proved them wrong.

That being said, I would like to thank my beautiful sister (who, by the way, loves to tell everybody that she looks like me...puhleeze! hehehe) for the cake, for the support, and most importantly, for the love.

Mark and I love you very much, Xy. And you know that we will always be here for you, no matter what. :-)