Tremendous rebounds 2005
By Tess Cusipag
Another year has passed and once again we contemplate of what we have done and what we have not done yet.
It is the perfect time to look at what this season means. We are all so blessed, but sure; there’s a lot more who are not. And those who have worked hard to be where they are now most certainly deserve all their blessings. The people who have managed to continue to receive blessings because they give more than they should, certainly should not be envied and attempt to destroy.
Balita is now 27 years old. It has gone through a lot of stages. It is a small newspaper that dreams and thinks big and makes these dreams realities. We have grown dramatically through the years with lots of prayers, hard work and lots of luck. Balita has become a big part of our lives and maybe the reader’s lives. We have chronicled its existence till now. The big difference is that the man who helps run it is now disabled.
He is the man who you have known to have had a drastic changed of life, from a very active leader and defender of the oppressed. Physical incapacity to do things you want is the worse thing that can happen to anyone but he struggled to get better to continue his good work. His struggle was tough but his goal to get ahead is always there, his disability did not stop him from aiming high. It took a lot of adjustments in our lives but we survived. That is the man, Balita itself, my husband Ruben Cusipag. There is little question in my mind that Balita would not exist today if not for Ruben’s desire to help and succeed. With the help of its volunteered writers who have become our best of friends who are always there and the advertisers who support us all these years.
I would like to think now that Ruben’s accident nine years ago is all behind us. We have closed that chapter and we are exploring other things and with God’s help we know the bigger world awaits us. He did survive that fateful night for a reason, to continue on with what he loves most and it is for Balita to keep publishing, to serve and become an instrument of exposing the ills of the community.
Ruben still needs a lot of help and attention but he is still on the continuous process of rehabilitation. He is no longer confined on the wheelchair and can walk short distance with my help. We still go the York Region Aphasia Center every Thursday morning and there, Ruben enjoys the company of others with similar disabilities. We found ourselves connected to these people now as we have been going there since 1998. The therapists at the Aphasia Center make everyone feel that in spite of disabilities, you are still a worthwhile person and they help you confront your condition.
We know that he is loved and we always make an extra mile to make sure that our newspaper delivers a great service. We continue to expand and increase our circulation for the benefit of our advertisers. The more people to read, the more exposure for their businesses. We are proud to say that we are now producing 15,000 copies that circulate around the GTA up to Hamilton. We are a lot happier but mind you, there was also a time when I asked God why, when I thought he was not responding.
Counting our Blessings
Christmas’ true essence lies not only on what we share with others but on how much we appreciate what is given to us. The most special gift that I have received for which I am very grateful for all my life is the gift of having a great family who gives me tremendous joy! We are very close and we truly love and care for each other so much in a very special way.
This year, there were ups and downs, yet the joys and blessings more than make up for the dull moments.
Our family has grown. My oldest child Michael married Melissa Clavo, the daughter of Domingo and Elsie Clavo of Scarborough and now with a newborn daughter, Caitlyn Melia, our first grandchild. (see cover picture) You can’t imagine the feeling of becoming a Grandma for the first time. Certainly this is the time where the wrinkles and prominent lines are starting to show but I feel young again holding this innocent tiny angel in my arms. They say not to spoil babies, but I want to spoil her, she is mine and I want to give her everything that she needs and will need.
My son is an executive of a big company, he travels on business constantly, and still working on his final exam for his designation. I watch him grow and mature into a very capable family man. They are moving to their new home not far from where we are so as parents, we try to ease their workload as much as we can.
My second son Anthony is graduating this year at York University with the degree in Mass Communication with honours. That has given me another wing to flap. He is back to books on September 2006 for his Master’s degree at Ryerson University. But before that, he wants to backpack to Europe for two months. I could not understand it but being a mother, all I can do is to support him and look forward to his phone calls while gallivanting in the continent to avoid having a nervous breakdown.
Edward is on his third year at York University and very active in extra curricular activities. He has the typical teenage life and enjoying it. He is traveling with the Fiesta Filipina dance troupe in Canada and the States and they are bound for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the summer of 2006. He surfs the internet, he attends Fiesta Filipina rehearsals, he goes out with his friends when not in school, he spends too much time on his cell phone and he is composing music.
I guess with my children, I can’t ask for more. They are all good students. Good family values and strong foundation keep them together and will be closer to each other when we parents are gone from this earth.
2006 will be better for Balita and us
We have abandoned the dreams of living again like before the accident. Ruben and I see things differently now and we are happy and content. I think this has been one of the most important realizations of my life. Our love for each other stood, our bond that some people underestimate and unsuccessfully tried to break became stronger.
We have become more blessed with other things and are now using it to the fullest extent. Balita will continue publishing and we hope to keep growing.
The magic is the many loved ones we are so fortunate to have in our world. It gives a bit of heaven in living in this earth!.
In the New Year, let us reflect on the many blessings in our lives, thank God for them, and try also to be a blessing to others.
Happy New Year everyone!
“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy—because we will always want to have something else or something more. ”
—Brother David Steindl-Rast