JELIENE ZAFFERA: HER NAME IS UNCOMMON BUT THE ORIGIN IS VERY POSITIVE

by: Norberto Betita

She is my fifth granddaughter---Jeliene Zaffera---born on February 17, 2010 in Surigao City. She is born of Kathleen Beth Sitoy Betita and Jesle Araneta Pedrosa. According  to names.whitepages.com  “very few people in the United States have this name---1 to be exact or 2 in every ten million” populations. Yet its origin is very positive. It is related to a very high level of creativity, imagination, self-expression and an ability to inspire others. Accordingly the abundance of creative energy combined with versatility and a good nature is likewise linked with the ability to communicate in all areas, making either writing or verbal communication easy. Such attributes are expected to lead one to become a poet, writer, actor, artist or musician. Its meaning is also associated with a very giving and generous soul who can find positivity everywhere around (see meaning.namespage.com).

As a young Mormon Helping Hands
Volunteer

This early in her life some of this attributes are already evident. Her verbal ability and creativity is showing up. Her very generous disposition is giving her mother budgetary dilemma. At church primary, she is a friend to all because she always has something to give; it doesn’t matter if nothing is left for her. During Christmas she didn’t want to give just a pair of biscuits for caroling children, but a pack for each. Hence, their budget for children carolers at Christmastime easily runs out, because more children are enthused to sing at their door for they are sure to have a pack of biscuits or a bar of chocolate each. Even her personal reserves are generously given. Some children according to her parents even extend their caroling beyond the Christmas season, until they have to tell them to stop.

While we were left together to watch over her younger sister at their rented apartment in Cebu City, perhaps realizing that I am a bit bored without anything to do while caring for them she was apt to offer and show movies which she said, “…would make me laugh.” She is not short of questions about anything. She always has something to ask and wanted to know until you become deficient of words to say. While at home she went into the room of her aunt Analiza and started some conversation which later prompted her aunt to come out and told us, “…this little girl is making my throat run out of saliva.” Her twelve year old cousin Keeshia also has the same observation.

With younger sister

Her name was also correlated to one’s interest to live life to the fullest with joy and imagination which sometimes result in living too much for the moment and forgetting about tomorrow. Of such appealing personality making friends will be easy. Understanding others emotions and putting them at ease is a natural thing. The name also denotes being an amazing communicator, bringing unique creative flair to everything one does. It professes one for the best work in artistic endeavors which express oneself be it in the field of writing, speaking, designing, illustrating, dancing or acting (see meaning.namespage.com).

Long before her birthday she had seen posts of beautiful cakes baked by her aunts Analiza and Lori Lynne. She wanted one for her birthday and therefore taking advantage of the scheduled vacation leave of her father they came all the way from Cebu City to make her wish come true that her Tita Analiza Garcia-Betita and Lori Lynne Betita-Preciosa will bake for her a frozen inspired birthday cake. And her wish was granted. The grandma was moved with great joy and love for the presence of all our eight grandchildren and their families and surprised her with a ‘litson’ (roasted pig) the size enough for the kind of Sitio Betita-Sitoy. There is no limit to the love that we as parents and grandparents could give to our children and grandchildren. Our family relationship is meant to be eternal and we have to live by the principle that will lead us to that end. And, the best binding tie that can hold us together is the unconditional love that we have for each other.

Family

I am profoundly grateful that my grandchildren have developed such kind of love towards each other as did their parents. Each was so excited of Jeliene Zaffera and Zaina Viveca’s coming to celebrate the formers birthday at home. There were no birthday gifts yet joy and love was felt ever in abundance. And their leaving home creates some moments of sadness to the cousins. Immediately upon arrival in Cebu City she called and invited us---grandparents to visit them soon and requested to bring with us her cousins.

Her name may be uncommon and not as popular as the rest, yet we are hopeful that in her growing up years she will be able to grasp the very positive meaning and origin which her name holds. This positivity if taken in its context will surely lead her life to a grand touchdown into the corridor of success. As grandparents that is our most ardent wish on this her fifth birthday and through all the coming years of her life. We love her very much as much as we love the rest of our grandchildren. While we may no longer be present as she reaches maturity, we are ever sincerely looking forward with faith for the attainment of such hopeful yearnings for her future triumphs in the continuing battles of life.