During one of our Maalaala Mo Kaya moments (dramatic episodes of relentless crying), Spongebob Squarejaw decided he will give me a journal in which I should write at least one thing to thank for every single day. According to him, the habit of verbalizing gratitude allowed him to ward off sadness even at the lowest points of his life. He hoped it would work for me, too.

It has been a little over a week since he handed me a blue, unlined notebook that should serve as my Salamat Journal. I was tasked by Spongebob Squarejaw to write up at least one small thing to be thankful for each day. I cannot help but be thankful for more than one thing each day. It was surprising, as I usually think of my days as uneventful.

When Spongebob Squarejaw gave me the journal, I was crying because I did not think he was serious about getting me a gift just to make me feel better. I knew that at that time, both our strengths were nearly failing us, and we were hanging by a thread to handle our sanity. When he handed me the journal, I cried. (Of course, I just told him that my eyes were burning or some lame excuse.) Then, he handed me a beautiful silver pen, with a message engraved.

Two words: "Be strong."