This is especially designed to  update my family in the Philippines and my friends all over the United States of America.

 

   Being the 5^th child of nine I learned how to be a big sister as well as the baby in the family.  My wonderful mother Maria Angeles is the 3^rd  child of Margarito Mendez and the late Dominga Carillo.  Papa always referred to as Engr. Digma, anative of Indang, Cavite.  Born of  Juana Vicedo and Anecito Digma.  They met in Marawi City while Mama was still incollege while he was a project engineer for the Department of public Highways. They did not wait very long to settle down and have kids.  Five beautiful baby girls were born between 1963 to 1969. Namely: Elaine,  Ann Blythe, Claire,Haidee Daphnee, and me.  Due to civil war in Lanao, Mama and Papa relocated to Padada, Davao del Sur where the Mendezes  were.  Three more kids were born namely: Ivy Faye, Modesto Allen  and Lee Mark. Then in  October 14, 1986 our precious baby sister was born weighing  10 pounds and we named her Janine Kate.

 

My Schools

  I basically grew up in Padada, the smallest town in the Philippines. Finished elementary school in Padada Central in 1982  as first honorable mention, High school from St. Michael School  Batch  ’86  as a Salutatorian.  I, then went on to Davao City  and obtained my Bachelors Degree in Nursing (1990) from San  Pedro College. 

 

My Accomplishments

After  working in Limso Medical Center and Padada General Hospital I was ready to face the challenge of coming to America for myself as well as to fulfill my father’s dream of having a child in the states.  And I gave him more, I got him an American born grand daughter.  I am very proud to be able to do all these again  for him, for myself and of course to my very good husband Santos (Sonny) Bravo Jr., the 2^nd child of Lourdes Canizares and Santos Bravo Sr.  also from Padada.

 

My Work

  At present I am working as a  Radiation Oncology Nurse with Texas Cancer Center based in Austin, an affiliate of US Oncology.  We deal with  patients and their families fighting  over all types of cancer.  The work requires so much from each employee  to be able to reach out each patient  to meet their needs as well as assure them that  you are always there to listen  or address their concerns , pacify their pains and treat them like humans whether  they have hair or not. 

 

Me, Sonny and Shannon

The best gift of life given to me is my darling baby Shannon Genevieve. She was born  on December 30, 1996.  Sonny and I as Filipino parents bringing up an American child are striving hard to instill in her the Filipino values.  She knows that she is both American and Visaya. We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary in Fiesta Texas, San Antonio.

 

My Growing-up Buddies

My sisters are my closest friends during my elementary years.  Ana Linda (Analyn) Gajonera Mingahis  was my best friend in highschool.  And of course I can never forget the others namely Wilma Putot, Edwin Bajenting, Orlando Basilio, Ellen Jane Cesar, Eligia Regidor, Dennis Adlawan, Jacqueline Suprente.  While the fun of college life was made special and shared with Belinda Bagarra Manuel, May Lou Naong, Alma Budiongan, Liza Lantayona, Bubbles Bandigan, Ruby Jane, Clint, Jessette, Marlene Lee, Jasmine, Shiela Dominic and Batch 1990 of SPC.