It is a Devine Day, thank you for asking.

Today is my mother's fifty-fifth birthday. Had I a ready to post picture, you would see that she definitely doesn't look like a woman in her fifties. Been around this site long enough, you would know the history between my mother and me. Crazy. Insane. Abusive. Unhappy. But it has definitely changed. I'll say it again, my father's untimely death changed things between my mother and me. Unfortunate but true.

My mom, a native Filipina is a free spirit whose history and present are more colorful than most people can every dream or imagine. She comes from a very humble start with our family being very poor as are the majority of the natives. There are two classes on the Islands: rich or poor. Mom did what she had to do to survive; and I can testify that many of those things were not pleasant ones; and to this day she helps her family still on the Islands survive. To her credit, she is an extremely strong willed woman who belongs to that lot that doesn't believe in giving up. She is the quintessential survivor.

And for this reason....When you go out today and celebrate the magnificence of August 31, give a salute to the Filipina woman whose determination is inspiring. Raise a glass or two on Mrs. Devine Day.

Ninay....Happy Birthday. It's been a rough life between the two of us but I'm very grateful that we've made huge strides to change things between us. I don't say it enough but thank you for what you've accomplished for your family. I do appreciate what you've endured all these years. One of the things I admire in you. Happy Birthday. Mahal kita.