Our World in Words

2013 Recap: A Year That Shines

2013 is a year like no other, full of bloopers and mishaps, and the Philippines was surely a great honorary in that aspect. ‘Twas a year of great exposes, cataclysmic super typhoons and mega quakes, and God-knows-what-else.

I had my fair share of the year’s karmic play. During the first quarter of the year, I lost my job. Second quarter, my daughter, now a toddler, began to exhibit progressive extravagant displays of autonomy: temper tantrums in a snap, rolling on soiled floors in busy malls, defying my every whim – the whole shebang. We lost two of our longest standing, well-loved pets. And towards the last quarter of the year, my stepdad, whom I have grown up with since I was three, passed away. That last bit left me scathed, emotionally and otherwise. 

It is seemingly, a very, very bad year.

But as the obligatory New Year countdown begins and I look back at the year that was, I see that much as it is disastrous, it was packed with many celebratory moments, where together with families and friends (or at least with their prodding), this mom gained ground in the oft-neglected area of self-confidence. 

Alas, I share with you, the year’s brightest highlights.


Bagging a My Favorite Book Awards win – March

Opening the year was an uber pleasant surprise of me receiving an honorable mention award for my essay “Becoming A Mother” for the My Favorite Book Awards 2012 along with seven other writers. During the ceremony, I had to read my thank yous from a digital notepad, for I was jittery as hell. I mean, if you had to speak in front of the Socorro Ramos, the Krip Yuson, the Butch Dalisay, the Jessica Zafra, the Igan D’Bayan and all the other important the’s in the literary circle, wouldn’t you be? 


As a writer, I have reservations about my literary capacity, but in that moment, despite the Alzheimer’s-like shaking, it felt that I have finally arrived home to cushy pillows stuffed with faith.

BUT, the cherry on top of the sundae was, six months later, I would receive an e-mail from the Asia Literary Review that says, ‘We would very much like to publish your poem, “Killing for Gourmet”’. Oh shoot. Just spoiled the news before the actual publication. Sorry about that.



Celebrating Lia’s First Birthday – April


I wasn’t sure if I would be excited with the fact that my daughter was turning a year old. Terrible twos are frightening. And turning one means there’s only one more year before she transforms into that destructive, self-governing, tiny creature of monstrosity. 


There are tons of times when doubt overshadows me as a mother. But as I began to craft ballerina-themed wreaths, table centerpieces, tokens and invites, I took a newfound excitement for toddlerhood. You are now officially a DIY mom, a fellow mom said. I take serious pride in that; I cannot even sew a proper running stitch to save my life. Being able to juggle all that exhausting home crafting with freelance writing, chores and a demanding toddler gave me a feeling that maybe I can do it. We – my little monster and I – can do it. Okay, maybe not always amiably, but it can all be done, with love. And I’ve lots of that for her. Cheesyyyy!!! 


Redemption in Bataan – May

More than its divine sunsets, Bataan – Morong, specifically – holds a special spot in my heart for it is where, after years of remaining excomunicado, my stepdad welcomed me back again into the circle. That go signal was crucial for me to finally move on forward without regret and gave me that extra morale boost.
We spent only three days together, but I wouldn’t trade those for any other time in history. As it turns out, they would be Lia’s first and last. Six months later, my stepdad passed away from multiple organ failure. And I am very grateful that amends were made in that tranquil place, amid sweeping views and water.


A First Teaching Engagement In Baguio – September


Teaching has always been a dream of mine. There’s that desire to do it at least once, but I didn’t think I have the skills and esteem requisite to teach. A group of MassCom seniors from University of Baguio thought otherwise and invited me to conduct a solo speaking engagement in their turf. 


I was incredibly nervous but nonetheless blabbed for two hours about online writing and blogging. And it was amazing. In those two hours, I have regained insight and confidence in public speaking, found great joy in exchanging ideas with students, and learned many invaluable things – and hopefully, they did too.


Summiting Mt. Manalmon – November


While my curiosity with mountains spans beyond the desire to ogle, I possess a terrible fear of heights above 20-ish feet. But the stubborn woman in me has, for years, been bugging me to just climb another darn mountain! 


The husband and I set out for the 555-foot Mt. Manalmon – a two-hour drive from home – a day before I turned thirty. The two-kilometer trail is relatively easy and left me brimming with giddy excitement – until I actually set foot on the summit. There are two peaks: the first, a steep, narrow and bald rock. My knees went feeble looking down at the ginormous rocks that await should I make a misstep. I hesitated traversing the path toward the second peak for about ten minutes. If it weren’t for our guide’s persistence and reassurance, fear would have deterred me from reaching the summit and I’d go home regretful. It was in fear that I learned to be brave and push the envelope. The thought of reaching that summit despite my acrophobia is a well where I draw the inspiration to pursue climbing other mountains, one weeny step at a time.

UNICEF Champ for Kids – November

Seeing crimes against children as an everyday news makes one feel the world is a wee bit hopeless. But one afternoon, after gorging on a free Vikings birthday buffet, I was ambushed approached by three UNICEF volunteers, encouraging me to be a champ for less privileged Filipino kids by sharing a nominal portion of my earnings – P500 a month – for their food and education. That’s about two months of our water bill, two McDonald’s delivery, or half-a-month’s WiFi service. But to seven kids, it is nourishment, school supplies, their future. 


Enrolling in a similar program (e.g. World Vision) has forever been on my bucket list, and the timing just felt right. Form in hand, one of the ladies asked when my birthday was, and I said, “Today. November 4.” Her eyes glimmered. “Wow. You chose to give on your birthday!”

I didn’t even realize that until she said it. It was the best birthday present I received, waaay better than the free cake and buffet pass. To be a positive influence in the lives of kids (and receive handwritten letters by the kids themselves!) is a gift.Maybe the world isn’t too messed up, and even ordinary earthlings like me can make a difference.



The White Hair Mania – November


One long-standing item in my 30 before 30 project is to dye a strip of my hair white. Pretty sure my aunts would hand me one of those she’s-such-a-loony look, but anyone who calls me by my nickname knows I can be quite complacent about external perceptions. 


However, at this age, I had doubts if I can pull such a spunky do. What if it doesn’t match my skin color? Will it mesh well with the freckles? What if my hair magically turns to blue?

You just never know until you do it.

So I did. And ya know, I’m happy, though I still have about three bleaching sessions to endure. This momma’s still got it, y’all! I decided that I will not be sorry for turning to the dork side in a small provincial town. A woman’s gotta do what she’s gotta do till it’s done right. 


Indeed, 2013 was a year that – Rihanna lyrics ahead – shines bright like sun rays. Just like the way Garnier Light Complete does to the skin. Enriched with active ingredients such as Pure Lemon Essence and SnowPine™ Whitesource, the Garnier Light Complete Extra UV Protection offers measurable fairness in 14 days and helps reduce 3 kinds of spots: acne marks, dark spots and sun freckles! Talk about complete, eh?




It also instantly makes complexion brighter. Day after day, the skin is fairer and dark spots fade out. These benefits are a result of the combined and proven power of:

  • PURE LEMON ESSENCE to gently exfoliate and help remove dead cells
  • SNOWPINE WHITESOURCE, a revolutionary whitening ingredient derived from a powerful molecule that exists naturally in pine trees. It has ten times more whitening efficacy than Vitamin C* to act on melanin synthesis at the source*.
  • SPF 17/PA++ to better protect the skin from further darkening caused by daily UVA and UVB rays.
Now, how’s that for shining at your brightest?

About the Author

Gretchen Filart

Gretchen Filart is a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and essayist from the Philippines. Her confessional pieces draw from love, motherhood, healing, nature, and intersections and have received distinction from phoebe’s Spring Poetry Contest and Navigator’s Travel Writing Competition. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok @gretchenfilart. She is usually friendly.

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