23/06/2026
I came across a post on social media that said:
“Be kind to your eldest sister, kasi walang ate si ate.”
And somehow, those words hit deep into my bones.
All my life, I have always been the ate.
The one call away.
The breadwinner.
The backup plan.
The one everyone runs to when things are falling apart.
But I never had an ate of my own.
I never had someone I could call when I needed something. I never had that safety net that says, “Okay lang magpahinga, nandiyan naman si ate.”
I never really allowed myself to fail, to get sick, or to simply stop for a while, because who would do what I do if I did?
Until yesterday.
I had a fever and a bad cold, so I went to the clinic. I don’t usually post when I’m sick, but I accidentally uploaded a picture of me in the clinic bed. Honestly, it looked more like I was in the emergency room.
After a minute or two, I got a message from someone very dear to me, someone I’m not related to by blood.
She asked, “Hospital ni ateee???”
I realized then that I had accidentally posted the picture. I told her, “Nipahuway ra clinic ateee hehe”
She replied that she got nervous when she saw it and then said,
“Gae ko gcash nimu librehon taka matcha sa SB hehe ikaw na palit unya inig out nimu”
And I cried.
Not because I can’t afford a Matcha in Starbucks.
God knows I can.
But for the hundred times I thought about buying one, I would always say, “Idungag nalang ni sa padala.” For the thousand times I passed by Starbucks wanting my favorite drink, I could think of a million better ways to use that money to support the people I love.
Yesterday was different.
Yesterday, I had an ate.
Someone who told me to keep my money because my favorite drink is on her.😭❤️
Later that day, I went to the hospital alone, but I had my Matcha with me.
And I enjoyed every sip without guilt.
A Matcha that reminded me that I deserve little joys too.
And maybe that’s one of God’s sweetest ways of reminding us that even the strong ones deserve to be taken care of too.
So to all the eldest daughters, the breadwinners, the backup plans, and the ones who always make sure everyone else is okay…
I pray that one day, God sends you an ate too.
Someone who will look at you and say,
“Ako naman. Pahinga ka muna.” ❤️
And to that ate who doesn’t want me to mention her name, thank you. 🥹
May your pockets never run dry, and as generously as you share your blessings with others, may the Lord return them to you a million times more.
May He bless the work of your hands, protect your family, grant the desires of your heart, and surround you with the same love and kindness that you freely give to others.
You may not know it, but yesterday, you gave more than a Matcha.
You gave comfort to someone who is so used to being strong.
You reminded an ate that she, too, deserves to be cared for.
And for that, I will always thank God because…
May ate na si Ate. 🥰🤍
