Sixteen Going Seventeen

My love language has always been quality time and surprises (in a good way), which I think is why it’s natural for me to go the extra mile whenever the person I love is celebrating a birthday or a special occasion. Throwing surprises, writing handwritten letters, and making DIY gifts – you name it, I’ve done it! It just makes me so happy to see someone I love getting kilig over something I’ve done. For me, the thought, the effort, and the time I spend planning and doing these acts really say something about how much I love the person at the receiving end.

But somehow, it still catches me off guard whenever I’m the one being put at the receiving end. Surprise surprise! I’m 17… well, WAS. I know it has already been two years since my 17^th birthday but better late than never, right? For this blog post, let’s just put aside the fact that I’m turning 19 in two days and imagine that this is still the 17-year-old Michelle talking :)

SEPTEMBER 1, 2017:

To my friends, Joao, Meldrick, and Kyle – thank you for the unlimited KBBQ lunch and the Mary Grace cheesecake. Even though I was not able to eat that much because I just came from my friend’s house and had lunch, it still meant a lot to me.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017:

To my favorite duo, Linnel and Azel – you guys sure know how to make me happy. Thank you for going out of your way just to surprise me at my house… From the sunflowers, to the Conti’s cake, to the personal gift – a huge thank you. I must say, I’ve got to give props to the both of you for planning and executing the surprise so well!

SEPTEMBER 4, 2017:

To my SHS barkada or should I say, my PRAXIS family (Pat Lao, Pat Yu, Venice, and Hanson) – thank you for throwing such a wonderful surprise. I really appreciate how you guys came up with the idea of playing Marco Polo with the entire class and having me and Charles as the “taya” so that you could blindfold us :p The cake, the balloons, and the entire class singing happy birthday were definitely a 10/10!

And to Charles Maitland-Smith, if you’re reading this, happy birthday to you as well. It’s such a privilege to have the same birth date as you… yieee! Haha!


To my childhood best friend, Mika – thank you for the yellow cab pizza, the gift, and the banner. The thought of you going out of your way just to make me happy on my birthday really says a lot about our friendship :)

To Kyle – thank you for the seven gifts and the second cake you’ve given me for my 17^th birthday. I surely appreciated the uniqueness of your surprise, especially the concept of me having to wait at a specific time just to open your gifts haha!

To my partner in crime, Ria – thank you for sending over one of the best cakes I’ve ever tasted. I honestly did not expect it to taste THAT good <3

To my neighbor, Melissa – thank you for coming over just to give me a cute teddy bear and a box of custaroons to munch on. Thank you for spoiling me as always.

To my China tour roomie and bestie, Sharlynne – thank you for the artwork you painted just for me.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2017:

To Micole – I know distance has been a problem for all of us when I started transferring school, but I just want to thank you for visiting me in DLSU just so you could give me your gift personally. And to Khryza, here's a huge thank you for the EGG handbag you sent over :) I loved it with all my heart.

OCTOBER 17, 2017
To my FML buddies, Kristelle and Meldrick – even though your surprise came a month after my birthday (& last minute haha!), I still want to thank the both of you. Thank you for the creative friendship board <3



I remember years ago, I would always have these goals I dream of accomplishing by the time I’m 17, I remember saying it was the year I’ll be spending most of my time in TVC castings and VTR auditions. Fast forward to today, my life did not turn out even close to what I thought it would. Instead, I fell in love, transferred to a different university for Senior High School, and lost some people along the way (including myself). It was tough, and it challenged me but funnily enough, I wouldn’t change how things happened. For what it’s worth, my own set of misfortunes came a whole bunch of incredible experiences with new and amazing people and now, I can truly say that I’m happier than ever :)

SO HERE IS A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU. My dear readers, my friends, and my family - I hope you all know how much I love you. Thank you for all the gifts and the quality time you gave me instead of spending the day with your family or friends! But most of all, I want to thank all the other people I failed to mention for sending me their best wishes on my birthday. I know that not all people have the same love language as me, so that’s totally okay. I am, in fact, already more than happy to reciprocate any love in any form or shape.