The Official Drama Queen: everything i needed to know about life i learned from lola

from lola i learned all the fun stuff:
how wrestling was the coolest sport in the world. when i was a kid, lola would always allow me and my brother deo to stay up late every wednesday night and watch wrestling with her. she would be screaming her head off as we watched our favorite wrestlers like bret "the hitman" hart beat up all the bad guys. she also took me to my first live wrestling show, manila mania, back in july '94. lola was the ultimate wrestling fan.

how reading comic books can get you into the habit of reading. lola gave me my first archie double digest back when i was 7 years old. being a voracious reader, she wanted to instill in me the habit of reading. and looking at my crammed bookshelf at home, i am glad to say she succeeded.

how dancing is the best form of self-expression. lola was an avid dancer, and when my parents first enrolled me in ballet class, she constantly pushed me to practice so i can improve, and didn't mind when i rearranged her living room furniture so that i'll have space to practice. she was the one who encouraged me to apply for a ballet scholarship, and was on my side when i tried to convince my dad to let me accept the scholarship. she was my personal cheerleader.

from lola i learned all the kikay stuff:

the importance of moisturizer. way before belo and botox, i would always watch lola religiously put pond's cold cream on her face every night. she always had supple, soft skin and i always thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

the importance of investing in good, quality shoes. those who read my old entries know that i got my shoe addiction from my lola. to this date, she has 150 pairs of shoes (i counted). she always dressed simply, but her shoes would always be kick-ass. peep-toe, embellished, stilettos... she had it all. and every shoe had its own story. from her wedding day pumps to the peep-toes she wore to have dinner with the president, she told me each and every story behind her marvelous collection. she was a shoe queen.

the wonders of mascara. when i was 12, lola gave me my very first mascara. she told me that i could forget the makeup, but i should never, ever leave home without mascara, because it could instantly open my eyes and brighten my face. hundreds of tubes later, i never forgot her advice.

from lola i learned the tough stuff:

to put myself first before any man. lola was a feminist, and she always taught me that i should always love myself and live my life for me. should i find a partner in life, she told me that i should not base my happiness solely on him. she always said: "nobody could make you happy but you."

to pursue my dreams. lola was a hairstylist and was proud of it. when i was little, she always told me stories on how she was the one who gave former ms. universe gloria diaz her first haircut, and how much she loved her career. she always told me to pursue my passions and always said: "do what you love, and never work a day in your life."

to forgive. lola was the strongest woman i know. there was a time when someone hurt her so bad, and yet i never saw her shed a tear. that is why i was surprised when i found out that she forgave the person who hurt her. when i asked her about it, she just smiled and said: "who am i not to forgive? no matter how grave the mistake, everyone deserves a second chance." she always saw the best in people.

before lola got sick, i used to have conversations with her about life and death. she told me that when she died, she wants to be buried in her oscar dela renta suit and her pearls, and at her funeral, she wants everyone to dress fashionably, as if "going to a party".

we said farewell to our shoe queen last saturday, january 17 at the heritage memorial park in taguig. following her request, we donned our best white outfits and i'm sure we made her proud: