What Happened in 2012?

By: Ma. Cristina Lao

The year 2012 is the most controversial year of all time. Nostradamus, an expert in Judicial Astrology, predicted that earth will be struck with a comet and will end on December 21, 2012. The Mayans, Incans, and the Egyptians also indicated that the apocalypse will also occur at the same time.

Most people are skeptical about it but a little worried. News reports also revealed that around a thousand people in China and other parts of the world are creating panic and really getting ready and are preparing for a possible disaster. The good news is, it's not true. So, what really happened in 2012? Well, here's the real heartbreaking events that happened this year.

January 13, 2012: Similar to Titanic, a cruise ship Costa Concordia slammed into a rock and capsizes off the Italian Coast. Around 11 people died and 22 remain missing.

February 11, 2012: Pop superstar Whitney Houston Dies at age 48. The cause of her death was not revealed. The world mourned the loss of their favorite pop singing sensation of all-time.

March 2, 2012: Tornadoes hit 17 U.S. states that killed 27 people and injured hundreds.

April 11, 2012: North Korea attempted to launch a ballistic missile into orbit but blows up just seconds after the launch.

May 26, 2012: Thirty-two innocent children were killed in Syria after government troops attacked the village of Houla.  Syrian President Assad, however, blamed terrorists to be responsible for the attack.

June 3, 2012: A plane crashed in Nigeria that killed all 153 passengers and unknown number of people on the ground.

July 7, 2012: A massive flood hit Russia that killed 107 people.

August 5, 2012: A plutonium-powered rover named Curiosity successfully lands on Mars.

September 9, 2012: A lightning started wildfires in Washington State, USA.

October 29, 2012: Hurricane Sandy hits New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

November 1, 2012: China presented a new proposal to end the conflict in Syria.

December 15, 2012: An American madman killed 27 people including 20 children in an elementary school in Connecticut U.S.A.

Dec. 21, 2012: End of the world.... A hoax.

My American Stepfather

Written By: Ma. Cristina Lao

 

 

A Father's Past

My Papa, Franklin D. Peek, grew up in West Virginia, USA. His father was a miner, and his mother, despite the hardships of their life, always made sure he felt loved. She would even send him magazines from back home whenever he was far away, a small reminder that he was never forgotten.

Seeking a different path, Papa joined the U.S. Air Force and built a career as an airplane mechanic and technician. His military years gave him discipline, resilience, and a sense of responsibility—qualities he carried with him for the rest of his life.

Eventually, Franklin retired from the Air Force as a Sergeant and, in the 1970s, came to the Philippines. This new chapter would lead him to cross paths with my mother and, later, become the man I would grow up calling Papa.

My Mother's Story

  

My mother was only 16 when she worked as a clerk at Golden Dragon Hotel in Butuan City, Philippines. The hotel was owned by a Chinese man who had married her aunt. Coming from a big family of 13 siblings, her parents could not afford to send everyone to school. Most of her brothers and sisters worked on the farm, but my mother was determined to pursue her studies. She became a school scholar and consistently earned high marks in every subject.

One day, her school held a special “Valentine’s Day” party. All the young girls lined up, waiting for their prince charming. My mother, in charge of the attendance, sat quietly on the side when a handsome young man named Pablo Pernites caught her attention. He was standing at a distance, watching her closely.

Finally, he approached and said he wanted to ask a girl for a dance. My mother pointed at the line of girls and told him he could choose any of them. But he replied, “No, I only want to dance with you. Is that okay?”

That was how my real parents met. It sounds like a sweet love story, but as life went on, it was not as good as it seemed. Their marriage faced struggles, and in time, my mother found herself on a very different path—one that eventually led her to meet Franklin. 

Meeting My Stepfather

When Franklin came into our lives, I was only three years old. From the very beginning, he wasn’t just my mother’s partner—he became my Papa.

He wasn’t the type of man who openly showed affection or said a lot of sweet words. Instead, he showed his love through discipline and protection. He was strict, and at times, it felt like he was tough on us. But looking back, I realize that his strictness was his way of preparing us for life.

What makes his love even greater is that he didn’t just accept my mother’s three children—he also welcomed my mother’s sister, Yaya Sita, and my cousin Michelle. We were one big family during that time, and he embraced us all under his roof without hesitation.

Because of him, I grew up strong, independent, and resilient. His way of raising me made me the woman I am today—someone who can fight for her rights, face challenges, and keep moving forward no matter what. To me, he was never “just” a stepfather. He was my true father in every way that mattered..

                                                           

                                                  My Papa’s Legacy

Looking back now, I realize how much of who I am today came from him—his discipline, his protection, and even his strictness. He may not have shown affection in obvious ways, but his presence and firmness were his way of loving us.

Because of Papa, I grew up strong, independent, and resilient. He taught me—without words—that life requires courage, discipline, and the will to stand up for what is right. I carry those lessons with me every day, in the way I face challenges and in the way I live my life.

Family, I learned, is not always about blood but about presence, guidance, and the sacrifices someone is willing to make for you.

This month, I dedicate this blog to my Papa in heaven. You are not forgotten, and you never will be. I love you and miss you always. 💙 



 

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 

 

My Farewell Party

By: Ma. Cristina Lao, October 25, 2011

 

This was my farewell party taken a few days before I went back to the Philippines. It don't look like a party at all but we sort of got together to eat. It was a pleasure knowing the best doctors and nurses that I've encountered in my life. The Syrian and Egyptian doctors trusted me with their patients and was very friendly and never failed to share their opinions & knowledge with me.

 

I'm so thankful to be given the chance to work with the best Arab male nurses. They were always there to help me in times of need. They are very helpful people and very respectful. Because of this, I admit that I am more comfortable working with them than the Filipino male nurses.

Check out the Filipino dish. We have the pancit, macaroni salad, chicken with vegetables, chocolate cake and lumpia. The Arab nurses and Syrian doctors also liked it.

Wearing the Abaya

 

Abha Nursing Office Lounge; October 2011

The abaya is a robe-like garment worn by women in Saudi Arabia. I did not expect to wear this type of dress ever in my life. I was thinking that we can wear anything in the Kingdom as long as we don't expose our body. It was not what I was expecting. Every woman is required to wear the same kind of clothing and the color is all black. All the Arab men also wears the same white ankle-length garment with long sleeves similar to a robe. Well, imagine a world of black and white. It's not that I don't like it. I respect their culture but it's weird because it feels like I am living in a black and white world. I was also assigned in the mountain part of the Kingdom wherein I cannot see green grass. Every thing in the area looks pale and dry. Well, I miss my country. Though it's a third world country, everything seems so colorful and free.

Looking Back at APH

By Ma. Cristina Lao on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 2:58pm ·

The bell rang very early tonight for work. It's Ramadan so the drivers are always in a hurry to catch their meal. In the hospital I can see the empty beds. I really wish it would be a calm night. For the first 2 hours of our duty we were doing the routine tasks and bonding with my colleagues; revealing scandals behind the closed curtains. A scandal that concerns love, lust or deception, whichever it is. I can never forget such vulgarity. I have never felt so discouraged with my own race, until now.

Miss Josie told me she will miss me, as her tears started to show. I told her not to waste her tears, and just be happy for my freedom from this country. The Emergency Room is like the jungle. If you are not strong, you will not survive. I advised her to be strong in mind and in heart. Then suddenly it started to rain people. People of all ages. Why aren't they sleeping at this time? How can I give quality nursing care if I am always in a hurry to attend another patient? Is life all about rushing and finishing a task or is it about making a difference in this world? Well, I still want to make sure that my patients are comfortable and pain free during my care.

Anyway, I was running here and there until I realized its already morning. I can feel the rumbling of my stomach as I craved for coffee and bread. Miss Honey prepared our coffee and bread at the last minute, so it was a refreshment at least.  We have to go home unable to clean all the rooms before the next shift arrives. I felt bad for not finishing everything perfectly. I hope it would be better tonight.