The Sister I Prayed For

Today we celebrated my sister, Naina.

Not just for her birthday, but for the beautiful, chaotic, answered prayer she has been every day of my life.

I made a video tribute for her — you can watch it below.

And if you’d like to read the full words behind it, you’ll find the transcript right after.

Thank you for letting me share a piece of our story.

 

Surprise, surprise! Something unpredictable for the most unpredictable person in my life.

Today, I offer you this very public shedding of my dignity on social media because it's your special day. 

So this one's for you. 

To my sister Rona Joyce 

aka Joyce Kaiju, Nana, Tita Nana... 

Mahal to her husband.

Mommy to my precious niece.

But first — and always — you were my very first answered prayer. 

See, I was an only child until mommy and daddy taught me to pray. 

And the very first thing I asked for was, "Lord God, please give me a baby sister." 

I think God said, "Sure, but just so you know, she's going to test your patience for the rest of your life." 

I was three. I wasn't paying attention.

So when you were born, I was so proud. Like, "Yep, that one. That's mine. My sister. I ordered her straight from heaven. You're welcome." 

But I should have read the fine print because what I got was this adorable, clingy, persistent little shadow — always there, like a popup I couldn't close. 

And now, plot twist: I became the clingy one. 

You started making your own decisions. I gave unsolicited advice like it was my full-time job. 

Ate mode activated. 

Did you listen? No. 

Say thank you? Definitely not. 

Your go-to was, "Yeah, yeah, yeah..." And then do exactly what you wanted. 

Meanwhile, I'm spiraling:

Why would she listen? I'm not judging. I'm scared. I love her too much. 

But what probably came across was: 

I am Ate and this is my TED talk on your boyfriend and why is absolutely not the right guy for you. 

Well, we've always been different. 

I plan everything.

Colour-coded. Spreadsheet energy. 

Even my downtime is scheduled. 

I Google Map places I've been to a hundred times! 

You? You live by the sacred rule of:

"Ang natutuloy lang naman ay ang hindi pinaplano." 

Loosely translated: No plan, no problem. That's the plan! 

And the thing is, it works. 

The last-minute magic, freebies, parking... Everything falls into place. 

Me? I planned my wedding for two years — and it rained.

But I ended up marrying the one guy you actually approved of — which says a lot. 

About him, of course, but especially about you — because you you're impossible to impress. 

You've grilled every guy I've even thought was cute. 

You have a radar for red flags even before I know there is a flag. 

So I basically accepted no one's going to pass your standards, until one day you gave me a box of Ferrero Rocher. 

Ferrero. My favourite. 

So naturally, I was like, "Oh, for me?" And then you said, "No, that's for my favourite kuya, but you can ask him to share with you." 

Excuse me, what? 

Back then he wasn't even my boyfriend. Still courting. And suddenly you're calling him your favorite kuya?

 

You've never referred to any of my suitors that way. 

Never gave chocolates. 

Never gave titles other than "That One." So in that exact moment I knew — that was your stamp of approval. 

You didn't say "I like him" — you said it with chocolate. You said it with Ferrero. 

And let's be honest. It means more. 

It was such a tiny thing, but it was such a moment because with you, that's how it always is. 

You don't say a lot, but when you do, it means a lot. 

We clash, we tease, we say too much sometimes — but when it counts, I'd still choose your voice in the room. 

And then came motherhood. 

You stepped into this new version of yourself — not just as a parent, but as a woman. 

A fierce, steady force.

Loving your family with all your heart. 

Now, I look at our three girls — my two, your one — and the age gap between our firstborns? Exactly the same as ours. 

Now, tell me that isn't wild. 

It's like God handed us a mirror and said, "Here, do it again — but this time, do it with awe, not fear." 

And I see them together and I just know what's coming. 

The laughter. The drama. 

The "Do I really have to share?" fights. The loyalty. The forever kind of bond. 

So, happy birthday, Naina!

My answered prayer.

My last-minute queen. 

The "yeah yeah yeah" to my long-winded concerns. 

I love you.

Clingy-ly. 

Emotionally. 

Full volume. 

Even when you don't say it back.

Even when you pretend not to hear it.

I know you love me, too. 

You just say it differently. 

And I'll always be here, over-worrying, overthinking — and loving you through it all. 

Because honestly, 

you turned out even better than I prayed for. 

Happy birthday, Naina!

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If there’s one thing life has taught me,

it’s that the best gifts aren’t the ones we plan for.

They’re the ones we’re given — loud, unexpected, messy, beautiful —

and somehow, exactly what we needed all along.

Happy 34 years of constantly challenging me to love more and be patient, Naina!

You’ll always be my first answered prayer and forever gift.