‘ARE you Ochie de Vera? My best friend from QC Hall?’

For years, I frantically sent this message to strangers who had the same name on Messenger.

For what felt like eternity, I searched for Ochie or Josie and longed for her comforting and ‘feel good’ company.

Ochie, or Josephine de Vera-Corrales, and I met while we were both applying for jobs at an RTC court presided by Judge Felix de Guzman. We were both law students bold and fearless. Youth and ambition were on our side.

After submitting our applications, Ochie and I spent the rest of the day cracking jokes, laughing and exploring the shops at a nearby mall.

The rest was blissful friendship.

Ochie is a character hard to miss and impossible to forget. Underneath her radiating charm is a fierce female who definitely knows and fights for her rights. But boy, does she love with all her might and heart.

I witnessed how she took care of her loved ones, particularly her mom.

Ochie was the silent crush of clerks of court and male staffers. They were naturally drawn to her raw fierceness and Pinay beauty. But they kept their professional distance, knowing she wasn’t one to mess around with.

We were secret partners in our girlie crimes. Yet despite our menacing aura, people from all walks of life cherished us our company.

I remember restaurant servers and waiters refusing to take our tips just so we would return to chat with them and brighten their day. How people from court employees, clerks, to mall employees and waiters enjoyed witnessing our laugh trips over the most trivial and silly things.

For Ochie and I, life is pure and happy, period. There is no room for nega vibes. Thus, even when things went wrong, Ochie would simply go to the mall and eat away our woes. When money was scarce, we would split our last P100 bill between us then head again to the mall.

We were the dauntless duo.

Fast forward.

Ochie migrated to the US together with her wonderful, loving husband Tony. They raised wonderful children Tristan, Jerry and Tricia.

That was when we lost contact and the search for my soul buddy began.

To my delight, Ochie managed to call me one day and we reconnected. Like me, she had been looking for information about her long-lost pal. Or any sign that I was alive. It was one of the happiest days of my life.

We chatted as if it were only yesterday when we saw each other last. Time and distance failed to break our rare and special bond.

The name Josephine originates from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning “God will add or increase.” And the image of something that expands and increases our world is comforting.

Like her name, Josephine or Ochie, uplifts and serves as a constant blessing to her family, friends and all the people around her.

On your birthday, Ochie, I specially wish that you continue to inspire, uplift lives and spread sunshine. May God shower you and your family more with success, happiness and good health.

And may our shared laughter and hilarious joke trips never stop. We love you!

Cheers!

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