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QTV Proudly Filipina and Charlene Gonzales

(Thanks to Jeric for this recording and also to Pinoy Biscuits for taping the episode as backup)

Welcome viewers of Proudly Filipina.

I really like how the writers and researchers prepared for the show. It was well-researched. Charlene Gonzales, the host surprised me as well with her research skills. The night before, Charlene told me that she read my blog entries. I was flattered. Usually hosts rely on their staff for the research. I also read about Proudly Filipina the day their staff called me. I wanted to know more about their show. During the taping episode at home, I learned that Charlene is quite hands-on. Aside from hosting and interviewing the subjects, the former beauty queen assists the staff of the show in research and pre-production.

During the break, I asked Charlene how she liked being the host of Proudly Filipina. She readily agreed to be the host because the show has a ‘pay it forward’ effect. You could inspire, change somebody’s life, and be optimistic is enough reason for her to agree to be the host. A segment of their show paves the way for anyone to nominate their Filipina who they are most proud of. She added that “It is more interactive with the viewers because they will be able to contribute what they want to see on the show. Not only that, other inspiring stories of other Filipina and successful woman of the country are also shown.”

If you want to nominate a Filipina for their segment , Pay It Forward, you can nominate at [email protected] or [email protected]

The questions dealt on the 5 deaths in my immediate family. Media often focused on Luijoe’s death but I have never been interviewed on the deaths of my two brothers, my mom and dad.

These are the sequence of events.

1976
mom
My mom passed away when I was 19 years old. Though I knew she was sick of breast cancer since I was 15, I never imagined she ‘d pass away.

1990

My 27 year old brother, Reuben died of fulminant Hepatitis A. His death was so sudden. Soon after his death, it was discovered that there was a Hepatitis A epidemic in our area. Four other siblings including Lauren suffered from Hepatitis A. We filed a case against Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) and won the case 12 years later.

1999
oscar
My 40 year old brother, Oscar died of leukemia (AML- 6) after an unsuccessful stem cell transplant in Bethesda, Maryland.

2000
luijoe
Six year old Luijoe died of accidental drowning in a beach resort at Cebu, Mactan.

2003
dad
My dad died of diabetes complications after being bedridden for 4 years.

I often asked God ““WHY? WHY MY FAMILY? WHY MY SON? ” for many years.

Much later in my grief recovery, I learned that my son’s mission on earth ended and the choice was for me to take over whatever mission I needed to do. The same goes with my family members who passed away too.

Every death is not an ending . It offers new beginnings, an opportunity to seek the meaning and purpose of the death.

We all must face death. Perhaps we can even find grace in it. If it is our time to move on , we need not fear death. If it is nearing the time to say goodbye to a loved one, then pray that their transition be graceful and peaceful. If you have lost a loved one, know that they live on.

As for me, I chose to be a better person instead of being bitter.

Some minor corrections though

1. In the end of my segment, Charlene said she hoped “time will come when there are happier stories. I guess she read the grief category only. Though I write about grief, this blog is not all sad and somber. I do write about my adventures, my joys as well as the journey.

2. I did not write a book but I contributed a story to the book, Fallen Cradle edited by Agnes Prieto.

fallen cradle

My story on Luijoe’s life and death is a part of , ““Fallen Cradle”“, a book of 22 stories by parents who have a lost a child. . Fallen Cradle can be bought at National BookStore or Powerbooks. (read more about Fallen Cradle)

3. My story does not make sense without my advocacy. They forgot to mention it in the episode.

grief support after the death of a child
Grief Support in the Philippines
After the Death of a Child

Behind the Scenes

30 thoughts on “QTV Proudly Filipina and Charlene Gonzales”

  1. hey!I’m Karla,17 and a college student at the moment.I’ve seen your blog featured on the television twice.The first time I saw it on the television,Im really interested on viewing it online so the moment I saw it on Proudly Filipina,I was able to see your web address.I really like your blog because you inspire many people a lot :))

  2. I love this interview than the other ones… it was really inspiring. For a while I got sad because I also remembered the death of my lolo and my cousin, but moving on, what we should do is to pray for them always.

    I cannot help but plug these best lines:

    Every death is not an ending . It offers new beginnings, an opportunity to seek the meaning and purpose of the death.

    Maki’s last blog post..Bend and Snap!

  3. Congratulations, Noemi! 🙂

    I am a new reader of your blog. Started reading this a year ago and I can agree with you that this is not all grief and sorrow. I learned so many insights and information through this blog.

    I also admire you for pulling it through after everything! Looking forward to more blog posts! 🙂

    Abbie’s last blog post..PAULA SHOULD GET THE BOOT!

  4. @karla- Yeah the other episode didn’t show the url

    @maki- initially it sounds sad but I look beyond the why question

    @batangueno- the prize for commenting is rewarding.

    @jeric- I am using it now. Wow what did you use to record ? so clear!

    @abbie- 1 year is a long time reader. Glad I gave you insights.

  5. Noems: Just to clarify about Oscar’s stem cell transplant. The transplant was a success but because of his weakened body through so much chemotherapy, his immune system could not handle it. In other words, sepsis is what killed him. I remember Belen explaining this to me. Oh well, my research indicated that Oscar could have had a bone marrow transplant when he first found out BUT he didn’t want to do it because he wasn’t prepared. Yes, it was risky. I guess what I’m trying to say is that for any AML-M4 patients, it is worthwhile looking at BMT as their first choice of treatment. Strictly my opinion even if many doctors say that there is a 50% chance of survival… So easy for me to say this — because truly, if I was faced with Oscar’s dilemma, I also don’t know what decisions I would have made… I really miss him!

  6. Pingback: A Mother’s Day Gift » A Filipina Mom Blogger »

  7. i always watch the show. im a fan, even when it was first launched with Ms. Daphne as its host. please continue inspiring Filipinas like us. As an avid fan and follower of the show, i would also like my fellow Muslim Filipinas to be featured on your show so that others will be informed of the other side of being a Moslem and not only with how harsh and mean we are featured on TV.

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