photo journal: sunset

the weekend that was nov 21-22: overdue

Saturday. Had my first ultrasound. Yehey! Pinakita sa akin ni OB 'yung katawan ng baby at 'yung heartbeat nya. Happiness! Super happy din si Irvin :D

Sunday. We watched The Twilight Saga: New Moon at MOA with Agnes. Ang ganda, super! It's way better than Twilight! Still deciding whether I'm on Team Edward or Team Jacob. Pero si Irvin, Team Jacob!

the weekend that was nov 14-15: overdue

Naka-SL ako nu'ng last two days kaya long weekend for me, buti na lang okey na ako by Saturday dahil celebration ng birthday ni Irvin at anniv namin with his family. This time, iba naman, sa Tagaytay kami. Hahahaha! :P Gabi na kami nakapunta (as usual). We had dinner at Max's then coffee at crepe sa Cafe Breton. Yum yum!

Sunday. 8 weeks. It's Yuan Jacob's christening! Okey naman. It's Manny Pacquiao's day, too! Ang galing, proud na proud na naman ang mga Pinoy. Bonding lang with Kishie later that day, we watched MJ videos, Shaun the Sheep at Good Morning Mickey episodes.

Gusto kong mag-beach. Waaah!

the weekend that was nov 7-8: overdue

Toxic ang work nu'ng Friday, madaling araw na akong nakauwi. Na-miss ko ang videoke session with AmAsE. Haaay, so sad. Nakahiga lang ako buong morning, nagsasaulo ng mga song lyrics :) Later nu'ng afternoon, nagpunta kami nila Nanay at Irvin sa pinsan ko para maki-celebrate sa pagpasa sa Teacher's Board Exam.

Sunday. 7 weeks. Nagpunta kami nu'ng morning sa Cavite City para magdala ng food. First time ko din nakita ang soon-to-be inaanak ko na si Chloe. Tabachingching!

Bonding lang with Nanay at Tatay sa bahay :)

11 weeks

Yes, I am back! I've been busy with a lot of workload, which sometimes required me to spend extra hours at the office. I know it's not healthy, my bad. Every day, I wake up and wish it's Saturday so I could stay in bed for a few more minutes or hours. But then the alarm would sound again, and reality sets in. I just pray that God would give me a sign should I need to take a break. And I talk to my baby, too, that she let me know should she feel something terrible.

I've had my first ultrasound two weeks ago, the OB showed me the heartbeat and informed me that the baby's size is just as it should be. I was ecstatic. I'm not sure if I am overreacting. I think, from someone coming from a recent miscarriage, that is a normal reaction.

Procrastination has got its way to me. In my early weeks, I felt sleepy almost every two hours and I'm happy that I've gone past that stage now. And I realize how many blogs are yet to be posted, books to be read, DVDs to be watched.

Pregnancy symptoms? Well, luckily, no morning sickness for me. Fatigue, constipation and heartburn. All products of hormonal changes inside me. And I welcome them.

hear ye! hear ye!

Oct 17. Hindi pa ako delayed pero excited na akong mag-pregnancy test, bakit bawal ba?! Siyempre, as usual, nalilito pa din ako sa resulta.
Oct 18. Dahil nga atat ako, nag-test na naman ako, nakakalito pa din. Gimik ba talaga ‘to ng mga pabrikang gumagawa ng home pregnancy kit?
Oct 19. Delayed na pero pass muna, huwag ko naman daw araw-arawin sabi ng aking butihing kaibigan.
Oct 20. Pass muna ulit. Bukas na lang para sure na sure na.
Oct 21. O ayan ha, 3 days delayed na. Ganun pa din ang resulta, isang malinaw na linya at isang malabong linya. Nabasa ko naman na mas mataas ang probability na positive ‘yun kesa negative. Kaya go na kami ni Irvin sa OB sa Divine Grace. Nagpa-laboratory muna ko, “POSITIVE” na!

Opo, buntis po ako :D

Ngayon, nasa 9 weeks na ako at kasinlaki na siya ng grape. (Irvin says: Wow, anlaki-laki na ng anak ko! FYI, ganyan din ang sinabi nya nu’ng kasinlaki na ng sesame seed ang baby namin.)

Medyo mabigat sa loob ni Kishie, 3-year old pamangkin ni Irvin, ang tanggapin na magkakaroon ng bagong baby kaya nakakatuwa nu’ng isang araw bigla na lang siyang bumulong sa akin na “Ate na ako!”

Si Lex, kahit malayo, feel ko ang pag-welcome nya. Nang tanungin kung ano ang gusto nyang cousin, baby boy ba or girl, “Ahm…baby boy…tsaka girl!”

Muli nagpapasalamat ako sa mga nag-congratulate sa akin, sa mga nagpaalala na ingatan ko na ito, sa mga mothers na nagbibigay ng motherly advice at sa mga masasaya dahil magkaka-baby na kami. And to you, Bro, thank you for giving us another chance to care for someone whose more valuable than ourselves.

Please, please pray for my safe pregnancy.

And Bro, Ikaw na ang bahala sa amin.

the weekend that was oct 31-nov 1: overdue

Saturday. Rest lang throughout the day since alam ko mapapagod ako ng Saturday night at Sunday. I was not able to meet up with my friends sa SM pero natuloy naman ang videoke session, minus Sarah nga lang. Woohoo! Ang sarap talagang pagsamahin at kainan at kantahan.

Sunday. Araw ng mga Patay. Maaga kaming pumunta sa Love Memorial Park then dumiretso ng Naic para makipag-meet sa mga pinsan ko at makikain pero hindi na kami sumama ni Irvin sa sementeryo. Umuwi na din kami sa Rosario. Then pumunta naman kami nila Tatay sa aking balikbayan tita, kay Nanay Medoy, para tingnan ‘yung bahay nila at konting chika. Uwi ng Tanza at rest na kasi may pasok bukas kahit holiday :(

meron bang miss your family day?

Andito pa ako sa opisina, kasalukuyang nagba-blog pero dapat nagtatrabaho. Ewan ko, bigla lang akong nawalan ng gana. Buong araw akong nasa training at habang nasa training, naiisip ko na ang mga kailangan kong gawin pagkatapos. Stressed? Malamang.

Kakababa ko lang ng phone, nakausap ko si Tatay. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong nag-senti. Tumatawa habang umiiyak at umiiyak habang tumatawa…ng mag-isa. Hindi ko kasi alam kung nauna ba ang luha o ang saya.

Ako: Hello! Tay! Anu nah?
Tatay: Ano ba?! Kanina pa kami tawag ng tawag dyan ng Nanay mo.
Ako: E di ba tumawag na nga si Irvin na nasa training ako buong araw…
Tatay: E kaninang umaga pa ‘yun e.
Ako: E kadadating ko lang nga sa pwesto ko.
Tatay: Kadadating lang…’asan ka na ba? Tanza?
Ako: Hinde, dito nga lang sa pwesto ko. Andito pa ko sa office.
Tatay: Ano??? Hindi ka na dapat nag-o-OT e!
Ako: E kailangan e.
Tatay: E ano, saan ba kayo uuwe?
Ako: Dyan kami uuwi.
Tatay: A-yos! Ako ang nagtimpla ng manok e.
Ako: E baket, masarap ba ‘pag kayo nagtimpla?
Tatay: Siyempre, eto nga’ng nanay mo hindi pa binibitawan ‘tong manok hanggang ngayon e!
Nanay: (inaudible side comments)
Tatay: O sige na, sabihin mo kay Irvin dahan-dahan ha. At ikaw din, ‘wag kang magpapakapagod!
Ako: Oke! Babay!

Nothing special, normal na naming pag-uusap ‘yan.

Pero bigla na lang akong naiyak. Siguro, palagi ko lang silang nami-miss. Khit every weekend naman kaming magkasama. With them, talagang hindi enough na weekend lang kami nagkikita. At kaya naiintindihan ko kung bakit nalulungkot sila kapag nababawasan pa ang pagtigil ko sa kanila ng dalawang araw.

Nami-miss ko din ang ate ko at ang mga pamangkin ko. Two days from now would mean two years ko na silang hindi nakikita. Lumaki na ang mga pamangkin ko, pati ang katawan ni Ate at ni Norly, lumaki na din. Madami na ang nagbago. Kaya bawat chat at tawag namin nagsisimula sa “O ano’ng bago?”

National Miss Your Family Day ba today?

O inaatake lang talaga ako ng kaartehan?

this is it!

Two days before it is being pulled out of theaters, Irvin and I watched This Is It last night. Again, we were mesmerized by his timeless moves and his dazzling voice. We can’t help but sigh over his should-have-been performance for his 50 already-sold-out-concerts. It would have been another history for the music industry.

“It's an adventure. It's a great adventure. We want to take them places that they've never been before. We want to show them talent like they've never seen before.” - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

King of Pop

Love Lives Forever

thought for today

Thanks Bernadette!

the weekend that was oct 24-25: overdue

Just the usual Saturday.

Sunday. We held a bridal shower for Sarah. Medyo bad trip na ko dahil late na kami nakapagsimula, at bad trip na din si Irvin dahil bad trip ako hehehe. Ayun, kainan, games, video presentation, gifts at picturetaking!

the weekend that was oct 16-18: overdue

Friday. Nag-leave ako dahil for quite a while ay may nararamdaman akong masama, alam ko UTI ‘yun pero I have to be sure kung galing pa din sa kidney stones ko. Ni-refer ako nung kapitbahay namin sa isang doctor sa Korea-Phil Friendship Hospital sa Trece. After waiting for 2 hours, pagpapa-laboratory at lunch, dumating din ang doktor. Tama ako, a very bad case of UTI pero hindi na galing sa kidney stones. Bago nya ako bigyan ng gamot, nagbigay na ako ng disclaimer that I might be pregnant. Nagpa-laboratory ulit ako, negative. Niresetahan na nya ako ng strong na gamot, but being the paranoid that I am, hindi muna ako bumili. I just have to be sure.

After sa hospital, nag-SM Dasma muna kami ni Irvin habang hinihintay si Agnes. Magmi-meet kami para sa birthday ng Mama ni Sarah. So ayun, kain at gala lang kami. Hehehe. Pagdating ni Nes, dinaanan lang si Ate Sarah then punta na kila Sarah.

Ok naman, chicha at chika. Binigay na sa amin ang invitation. This is it.

Uwian na. Pagod na ako.

Saturday. Sale! Aga namin nasa SM para makaiwas sa buhos ng tao. Ang ending - nag-grocery lang kami. Wala ding nabili. Uwi na din. The usual Saturday except nung gabi. My gulay, mga 11 PM na un nung umalis kami sa bahay para pumunta sa Cavite City para sumalubong kay Mhay. Yey! Di naman masyado excited di ba? Nasa amin na si Baby Nayks, wow! (‘Yun nga lang naiwan pa sa US ung manual. Tsk tsk tsk. Hehehe.)

Sunday. Just the usual Sunday. Chat with Ate. And bumalik lang kami sa SM pra bumili ng 4-GB SD card for Baby Nayks.

the weekend that was oct 10-11: overdue

Sabado. Natuloy din ang matagal ng planong mag-shopping with Agnes. Sobrang dami ko kasing pera e, gusto kong magwaldas. Ahehehe! Nangarap na naman. Kailangan ko kasing bumili ng dress para sa kasal ni Sariray, lector ako. Juice ko, umaga pa lang laos na ang byuti ko. Bah naman e hindi na pala nagbababa sa Ayala ung mga provincial buses, naglakad tuloy kami. Anyway, ayun, SM tapos Glorietta tapos Landmark. Salamat at nakakita din ng okey na medyo mura. Tapos gumala-gala na lang kami, nag-Bo’s Coffee. Pamatay oras habang naghihintay kay Irvin na pinaayos si Naysen. Nung nagkita kami, kanya-kanya ng kwento, kawawa din si Irvin.

Haaay. Pag-uwi, plakda na.

Sunday. Da usual pa din. Sa bahay lang. Masaya dahil in fairness, hindi na tinotoyo si Fader :D

the weekend that was oct 3-4: overdue

Bakasyon muna bago sumabak sa isang panibagong week ng closing! Whew!

Sabado. Nakikiramdam kami sa magiging epekto ni Pepeng, luckily, hindi naman masyadong nagparamdam. Pumunta kami sa binyag ni Enzo, baby ni Ate Ianne na pinsan ni Irvin. Ninong at ninang si Irvin at ako, at si Kuya Bong at Ate Sette. Grabe, kinabahan akong magdala ng baby noh! (Wala pa yata akong maternal instinct :P) Sa Creekside ang reception. Kodakan lang at siyempre kainan!

Uwi na sa amin after. Wala si Nanay, natulog sa Cavite City kaya sumunod si Tatay. Kami na lang ni Irvin ang tumao sa bahay.

Linggo. Da usual lng. Tinawagan namin ni Tatay si Ate dahil sira ang computer ko at humihingi ng kapalit. (Hear! Hear!)

ninoy's letters part 2

Got this from an email: another heartbreaking love letter of Ninoy to one of her daughters...

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

August 26, 1973
Fort Bonifacio
11:10 a.m.

Miss Aurora Corazon C. Aquino
PERSONAL

My dearest Double Mommie:

I have just heard Mass with Senator Jose W. Diokno and I received my communion in preparation for tomorrow’s big show. Last night I wrote Noy-noy and explained to him the crucial and vital decision I made yesterday after a lengthy conference with my lawyers.

During the Mass, while Pepe was reading the prayer of the faithful, the last paragraph struck me: “For all our fellow men, who suffer: may they know that if a grain of wheat dies, it yields a rich harvest.’ Let us pray to the Lord.”

As soon as I got back to my room, I looked up the complete quotation from your Bible, which Mommie sent me sometime ago and in the gospel according to John, I found the following:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

What does this mean? Is it an invitation to suicide? I think it simply means that there is much more than earthly comfort, joy and carnal pleasure in this world. The message of Jesus, as I understand it, is that we must be ready to sacrifice for our fellow men at all time, and if need be, even offer our lives for them. Unless we are willing to suffer with, and share our love with our neighbors, then we are like the grain that does not fall into the ground… and will always remain only a grain of wheat. But if we pick up our cross, and in the spirit of self-sacrifice and self-abnegation suffer for our neighbors, then like the grain that falls into the earth and dies, we will grow and bear much fruit.

In a way this is the rationale behind my decision. I have no doubt I will be convicted to a long prison term. I am prepared to spend the rest of my natural life behind bars because I will not defend myself and will accept the “tyrant’s revenge.” This is my act of protest against the deprivation of our people of their freedom and liberties and this is my act of defiance against dictatorship. I have deliberately chosen a life of loneliness, separated from you my loved ones and turned my back on the gaiety and comfort of life in this world in the hope that by so doing, I might awaken some latent forces that will cause a chain reaction and that will eventually lead to an explosion of human atoms wanting to be free.

I have watched and observed you very carefully and all these years and of all my children, you are the most sensitive, the most emotional and therefore the most artistically inclined. You have a keen eye for details and you are possessed with a sharp analytical mind and intellect. Unfortunately, you have not used your talents to the maximum and have been content to coast along, a trait I hope you will correct in time.

You will recall I have often told you of your responsibility, at least to me, because you carry the name of the two greatest women in my life, your grandmother and your mother. Hence, you are my double mommie. I have always planned to discuss many things with you and Ate because you are now young ladies but unfortunately we never had the time during those days when I pursued public office.

Now that I have all the time for you, we are limited only to two one-hour visits a week. Isn’t this ironical? At any rate, I decided to put down briefly in writing some of the things I really wanted to tell you.

1. Never sell yourself short. You are pretty, talented and gifted. Believe this and make the best of your assets. As in the parable of the talents, one day you will be made to account God on how you used your gifts. Do not be like the man who merely hid his talent and never allowed it to multiply. Be like the one who invested his talent wisely and watched it increase tenfold.

2. Be more tolerant to your brother and sisters. Most especially to the two younger ones. I hope you will take time to be charitable to our baby doll, Krissy. She loves to hear stories, please accommodate her for me. Do not provoke Viel, our little princess, especially now that her protector is in jail.

3. You are sometimes rather high-strung and spirited. Properly restrained, these tendencies can well be the source of your inner drive and motivations. But there are times when your spirit turns to unreasonable rebelliousness and intransigence, especially with your superiors. Learn to give and take because life is a continuous compromise. We cannot always have our own way all the time. And the world is made up of all kinds of people. Some are wonderful and sweet, others are simply downright boring and sour. Learn to live with all kinds of people as God sends His rain to all men, to both the just and the unjust.

4. Listen to Mommie’s advice. She has your welfare at heart. She brought you in the world in agony and pain, risking her very life. Spent the better part of her youthful years trying to bring you up healthy and strong. She sacrificed her own comfort and curbed many of her desires to give you the best. The least you can do for her now is to love her with all your heart and mind. Search the whole world, you will never find a more sincere friend than your mother.

5. Learn not only to like but love Noy-noy. When I wan your age, I continuously fought with my sisters. I had daily battles with your Auntie Maur. Yet look at her today. Now that I am helpless, your Auntie Maur is showing such concern and love which I will never repay. It will be the same with you and Noy. I have not doubt Noy will be your “refuge and staff” in the not too distant future.

6. Please do this great favor for me. I want you to serve Lolo Pepe and Lola Ma in their declining years. They have lavished paternal love and understanding on your mommie and I through all these years. They went our of their way to get us started in life starting with the purchase of Magao through all my political battles. I had hopes of serving them in the twilight of their years, but this privilege is now denied me. I hope you will make up for your daddy’s inability to repay them for their many kindnesses. Love and serve them well!

7. I do not know what career you will eventually pursue. I wish you would finish your college education before thinking of marriage because the world is getting more and more partial to college graduates. The present trend is for both spouses to work and earn to meet the rising cost of living. If you have a career of your own, you will not only be an asset to your family but can always fall back on vital reserves in case of any unforeseen tragedy or reverses. One of my greatest regrets is not to be able to bequeath you with a modest inheritance to get you fully started in life. I squandered your legacies in the numerous political battles I was engaged in. And it is too late now for tears and lament!

Finally, please pray for your daddy, who loves you very much and whose sufferings will be greatly eased if your will grown up into a real fine lady whom everybody will be proud of. Your success will be the most soothing balm for my tortured heart.

I thought of writing you this letter on the eve of my trial to fill the vacuum of my loneliness. Alone with no one to talk to on a fine Sunday morning, I retreated into my little corner of make-believe and imagined that you sat in front of my table discussing with me some vagrant thoughts.

Never ever forget you are my double mommie and therefore my love for you is doubled.

Lovingly,
Dad

thought for today

Thanks, Bernadette!

our new baby

No, I am not giving birth :) Baby Nayks is coming to me on October 17. Giddy!

And thank you, Friendship Mhay!

ondoy

Another late post. This was seating in my Drafts for over a week!

Shockingly devastating. That is what summarizes my thoughts about the recent typhoon Ondoy.

It took just one day of nonstop downpour to flood almost the whole of Metro Manila. There is lack of food, clothing, medicine and water. Some places still experience total blackout. Others are still submerged in flood water. There are a number of fathers, mothers, siblings and children who are still missing. Houses, lives and dreams were corrupted.

But here we are, Pinoys, still moving on.

The Storm

I have my share of “being stranded” story when typhoon Milenyo hit Manila in September 28, 2006. Luckily, I was home when Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) displayed its fury. Ondoy made its landfall on the eastern part of north Luzon which brought strong winds and tremendous rain in the area. Somewhere, I read that Ondoy broke records in terms of rainfall (even that of Hurricane Katrina). Flood in some areas reached up to 20 feet nearly drowning a large part of Marikina, Pasig and Rizal. Landslides occured. Dams released water. Rivers overflowed. Roads became impassable. A large part of Luzon was placed under the “state of calamity”. To date, death toll here in the Philippines related to typhoon Ondoy rose to 240 (41 in Vietnam and 9 in Cambodia).

The Celebrities

We hear stories of survival of many celebrities. Among them are Cristine Reyes, Gladys Reyes and kids, and Carmina Villaroel and her family. But what touched me most is when I saw photos of Gerald Anderson with his brother and Jericho Rosales in his surfboard. Of course, there are other gallant stories like those of the couple Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo and Cesar Montano, but my favorite is that of Gerald and Jericho. Gerald Anderson, together with his brother Kenneth, braved the flood waters to check if his neighbors were okay. Jericho Rosales did a heroic act when he saved a boy, an elderly woman and a dog. Also, two thumbs up to Angel Locsin who used her Hummer just to help rescue Ondoy’s victims.

I had goose bumps when I heard about their stories. I mean, that really is heroism. Doing a selfless act without bragging about it.

Bayanihan

Both ABS-CBN and GMA launched telethons to accept donations, in cash or in kind. Many local celebrities helped in the distribution of relief goods. Hollywood celebrities and other prominent figures published announcements to help the victims of Ondoy. Kris Aquino knocked on the doors of the management of the products she endorse to spill some donations and asked other celebrities to do the same. Most private companies and schools made their own effort to help. Truly, the bayanihan spirit lies in every Pinoy’s heart.

And thanks to Facebook and Twitter!

Moving On

I remembered watching K Brosas, one of the celebrity victims of the typhoon, in SNN. In her interview, she was asked what lesson she learned and she said: Palaging iisipin na may bukas pa… At pagkatapos ng May Bukas Pa, Lovers in Paris. (Something to that effect.) I laughed so hard.

Cameras roll and Pinoys, with half of their body immersed in flood or mud, will give a big smile and an excited wave.

We do have a way of coping with disasters. Very strange. Very Pinoy.

Notes: Ondoy photos here. Also, Bianca Gonzales’ blog compiles a comprehensive list of how and where to donate to Ondoy’s victims.

photo journal: pink among yellows

the weekend that was sep 25-27

Friday. Feeling weekend na ako. Hindi dahil long holiday kung hindi dahil wala kami sa office, yehey! Tamang-tama, change of scene.

We had a team activity at the Batangas Refinery in San Pascual, Batangas City. Hindi R&R activity, intelektwal ito - knowledge sharing sessions. Nagkaroon din kami ng plant tour kaso gabi na noon at umuulan pa ng ubod lakas kaya ayun, hindi din nakapag-picturetaking. Sayang! Minsan lang ako makakita ng malalaking tangke ng krudo at gasoline, hindi pa ako nakapagpa-picture. Anyway, kumain kami sa isang Dampa-style restaurant kung saan siksi, liglig at umaapaw ang pagkain. Nagpaalam na din kami sa mga officemates naming uuwi. Me and some of my teammates opt to stay sa housing facility ng Chevron called Banaba.

Malapit lang ang Banaba sa Refinery, parang isang subdivision…na nakakatakot. Hehehe! Joke lang! Nakakatakot lang kasi gabi na kami nagpunta and since hindi naman lahat ng bahay may nakatira, medyo madilim and naligaw pa kami. Joy and I are supposed to stay in two separate bachelor’s quarters na medyo nakahiwalay pa sa house ng teammates namin. So we checked na lang muna ‘yung house and we found out na pwede pa kaming ia-accommodate (anlaki kaya nu’ng house). Yehey! Actually, kahit sa sofa set lang ako matulog basta may kasama lang ako sa house J Nakanood pa kami ng Florinda, SNN, Bandila, at SOCO (marathon ito!). Picturetaking!

Nalaman naming sa Bandila na naka-signal # 1 na sa Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite and other nearby provinces. Pero it was not enough para ihanda kami sa mga susunod na araw.

Saturday. 6:15 ako nagising, wala na si Joy sa tabi ko dahil nauna na sila ni Ruffy. Malakas ang ulan at hangin. Hindi makakapag-swimming sa clubhouse. Masyado pang maaga kaya nagbasa muna ako ng isang Bob Ong book. Naligo, nag-ayos. As scheduled, umalis na kami ng 9 AM. Kinausap na ng teammate kong si Sheila na sa Tagaytay-Dasma dumaan dahil tatlo kaming taga-Cavite na bababa doon. Ayos lang naman ang biyahe kahit sobrang lakas ng ulan kaso pagdating sa Lemery, biglang napahinto ‘yung van sa harap namin, tapos nag-U-turn. Uh-oh. Baha, bonggang-bonggang baha. Kailangan din naming mag-U-turn dahil sa sobrang lakas ng current, alanganin kung mag-take kami ni risk. And siyempre, safety first. Malayo din ang inikutan, madaming baha sa daan pero dire-diretso na. 12 NN ng dumating kami sa SM Dasma. Bumaba na din ‘yung mga kasama namin para kumain at mag-CR. Kawawa din sila, mahaba pa ang byahe nila.

Kumain muna kami ni Irvin, gutom na ko dahil hindi naman kami nag-breakfast. Nag-ikot-ikot bago umuwi.

Tumawag agad ako sa amin pagdating. Sobrang worried sila Nanay at Tatay. Nu’ng nanood ako ng news saka ko lang naintindihan. Grabe na pala ang nangyayari sa Metro Manila, to the point na mag-iisip ka kung Metro Manila nga ba ‘yung tinitingnan mo sa TV. Worried din kami kasi that time, nasa Marikina si Ate Sette. Nasa news ang TV most of the time. Ang masasabi ko lang: devastating.

Nakatulog ako ng 7-9 PM and then woke up and watched TV again. Grabe talaga, nakakalungkot.

Sunday. As usual, Sunday morning habit muna before anything else. Then news. Then umuwi sa amin. Lagi lang kami nakatutok sa TV for updates. So happy na marami ng nagko-conduct ng charity works.

May God bless us all!

the weekend that was sep 19-20: overdue

Last night, I went home having a real bad case of sore throat. So bad I was not able to talk for a few hours and that is soooo difficult for me. Luckily, Nanay is in her kwento mode so I just listened to her.

Saturday. Still has slight fever. My brother-in-law called and told us that we are going to Enchanted Kingdom tomorrow. I just spent the whole day lying in the bed, reading and watching TV. Bad news: my desktop crashed. Waaah!

Sunday. I am already missing my 3.5 year old-desktop, I have no other means to chat with my sister and see my pamangkins. Sigh.

Oh well, yeah, Enchanted Kingdom. We left home at around 3 PM, so yes, that is already late. We only have few pictures and few rides (The Grand Carousel, Flying Fiesta, Wheel of Fate - my first, Rialto, Flying Fiesta - again). We missed the fireworks because we are already inside the Rialto theater then. So sad that I was not able to have my Roller Skater and Rio Grande Rapids moments. Plus, I was looking forward to conquering my fear of Space Shuttle but unfortunately, the ride was closed. Till next time! (I will post the pictures in another post.)

Before going home, we dined at RSM restaurant at Tagaytay. Yum yum!

May nagpapa-cute... :P

backlogs!

1. Warning: super late post-birthday post (OMG, what happened to me?! *Sigh*) Thanks to my now ex-teammates (Bo Sanchez's books) and my friend Agnes (an Esprit bag) for the gifts.

2. I attended the SGV Alumni Homecoming last July 20, together with my then teammates Mike (from Tax) and Lems (from Cebu branch). We had a great time, enjoying the food and each others' company and picturetaking. We had an opportunity to pose with (THE) Mr. Wash Sycip and I had a few minutes with my boss, Boss JAF.


3. Last August 3, as Mrs. President Cory Aquino's remains were being transferred from La Salle Greenhills to Manila Cathedral, the cortege passed by Ayala Avenue. The nationalism in us urged us to go out of our building and pay our last respect to her. Never mind the heat and the crowd, we were thankful to be a small part of the Philippine history.

the weekend that was sep 12-13: overdue

Last night, I had a sumptuous dinner with friends at John and Yoko. It was raining so hard and I was not sure if I can catch the last Binakayan shuttle trip so Irvin fetched me at the office. We were home at around 1 AM.

Saturday. A day of disappointments. First, we were supposed to go swimming but the plan was cancelled. Second, we bathed in the rain but it didn’t rained too hard. Haaay. We were able to watch (for the nth time) Rush Hour with Tatay. Irvin had a boys night out at Island Cove while I stayed at home, catching up on some readings.

Sunday. Chat with Ate and Rush Hour 2 with Tatay. :)

thought for today

Thanks, Bernadette!

the weekend that was sep 5-6: overdue

Yes, weekend!

It's closing time and again, I've been harrassed by work. It's a tiring week for me. Irvin fetched me at around 4 AM of Saturday. Luckily, I got to sleep for 5 hours before going to Rosario. Just the usual family time. (I cried over an MMK episode starring Helen Gamboa and John Wayne Sace, it broke my heart.)

Sunday. I got to chat with Ate for 3 hours! Irvin and I went to SM to buy a DVD player for my Tatay :)

drooling over robin!

I still remember the day I bought this issue. I was calmly walking on my way to the office when I saw Robin Padilla on the cover of FHM in a magazine stand at 7-11. My feet dragged me through the glass door, my hands absentmindedly caught the copy. I paid for it and walked away with a huge smile on my face.

Haaaay! Excuse me, I need to wipe something off my face.

the weekend that was aug 28-30: overdue

Another long weekend for me!

Fiesta sa Tanza kaya naman kesa problemahin ko ang transportation papasok at pauwi, I opted to take a leave. Nagpunta kami sa Cavite City para pick-up-in 'yung in-order naming panghanda, nagpaluto dun sa caterer namin nung kasal. Pag-uwi siyempre tumikim agad kami, hehehe! Nagpunta kami sa Suzuki Service Center, malapit lang kila Irvin. Then, nag-goodbye na kami kay Paula. Flight nya today.

Smooth naman ang araw. Gabi na dumating ang mga visitors. Usually mga relatives ni Nana at friends ni Enald. Napagod ako kasi nakikipaghabulan ako sa mga bata, in short, nakikibata. Bad trip din dahil hindi ko naabutan ang fireworks. Okey naman ang lahat.

The usual lang ang Saturday at Sunday ko. I took the chance to rest because I know that the coming week will be a busy one. (In fact, August 31 is a holiday but I have to work. Waaah!)

photo journal: black forest

* Playing with monochrome effect :)

lex kulet 13

Nagpa-TFC na ang Hernandez family kaya naman isa sa pinakamasaya si Lex.

On Going Bulilit

Lex: Mommy, bakit si Dagul big boy na pero small pa din?

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

On Kokey

Tita: Lex, like mo ba si Kokey?

Lex: Oh noooooo!

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Kamustahan…

Tita (to Daddy): E kamusta naman si Cayon…?

Daddy: Yan ang piiiiiiinakamabait! (in a sarcastic tone)

Tita (to Daddy): E kamusta naman si Lance…?

Daddy: Yan, isa pa yan! Napakabait! (sarcastic tone ulet)

Lex: Bakit hindi ako?!

the weekend that was aug 21-23: overdue

Friday. Thank God it's holiday! This is one of the rare opportunities that I get to take advantage of holidays so I made this day a memorable one.

Paula will be working abroad and will not be back until after 2 years. She still has a week-long stay here in the Philippines so I grabbed the chance to be with her. I asked if she want us to have lunch at Tagaytay or if she prefers to watch Harry Potter 6, knowing that she still haven't watched it. She favors Harry Potter so Harry Potter it is!

We had lunch at Aveneto and went straight to IMAX after. This is a first for all of us.

We had a great time together. Old friends are really as precious as gold. Love you, Hips!

I had a usual Saturday - reading, ironing clothes, TV.

Sunday. Irvin, Agnes and I were off to Robinson's Imus early to watch And I Love You So (Bea Alonzo, Sam Milby and Derek Ramsay from Star Cinema). This is my second time to watch the movie, the first time was with my teammates last Wednesday. I enjoyed the movie so I don't have any uncertainties watching it again.

That afternoon, Nana, Enald and Hazel and Irvin and I attended Yuan's birthday at Amaya. We had real quality family time.

That evening, we Irvin and I accompanied Enald and Hazel to Cavite City to check out the laptop being sold by a friend. We went home with the Toshiba laptop. Good for you, Hazel!

Whew! This had been a eventful weekend :)

at long last...

At long last, I am back to blogging. What happened to me? Well, I really don't know. I think I just have to regroup my shattered thoughts and find extra time amidst the busyness of my schedule.

I just moved to another team where every month-end closing seems to be a challenge. For the past few weeks, I have been working late, loading information to my little timid brain and analyzing the increase and decrease of every account.
What about weekends? Weekends are the best times of my week. I get to bond with my parents and my husband so I don't waste so much time in front of the computer.

To my blogger friends, I am sorry that I have not been able to visit your sites for quite a while.

Oh well, I wish I could prove that I really am back to my blogging self.

ninoy's letters part 1

This is (allegedly) Ninoy's letter to his daughter Ballsy. I got this from an email sent by my colleague. I first admired Ninoy's writings back in college. I forgot the TV program I was watching then, it featured Ninoy's letter to Cory. I was deeply moved by his words, so moved that I cried.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

August 18, 1973

Fort Bonifacio

Makati, Rizal
Ms. Maria Elena C. Aquino
25 Times St. Quezon City

My dearest Ballsy,

I write you this letter with tears in my eyes and as if steel fingers are crushing my heart because I wanted so much to be with you as you celebrate your legal emancipation. Now that you have come of age, my love, a voice tells me that I am no longer young and suddenly, I feel old.

An old poet gave this advice very long ago “when you are sad, remember the roses will bloom in December.” I want to send you bouquet of roses, big red roses from my dreamland garden. Unfortunately for the present, my roses are not in bloom, in fact they have dropped all their petals and only the thorns are left to keep me company. I do think it is fitting to send you a thicket of thorns on this memorable day!

I am very proud of you because you have inherited all the best traits of your mother. You are sensible, responsible, even-tempered and sincere with the least pretenses and affection which vehemently detest in a woman. I am sure like your mother, you will possess that rare brand of silent courage and that combination of fidelity and fortitude that will be the life vest of your man in the tragic moments of his life.

During my lonely hours of solitary confinement in FortMagsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija last March and April with nothing else to do but pray and daydream, with only my fond memories to keep me company, I planned a weekend barrio fiesta for you in Tarlac for your 18th birthday. I fooled myself into believing that my ordeal would end with the fiscal year. I planned to invite all your classmates and friends and their families for the weekends.

The schedule called for an early departure by bus from Manila and the first stop will be Concepcion , where lunch will be served by the pool. And after lunch, you were to visit the SantaRitaElementary School to distribute cookies and ice cream to the children of that public school where you were first enrolled.

I guess sheer nostalgia prompted me to include Santa Rita. We were only three then: Mommie, you and I. Those were the days of happy memories little responsibilities, tremendous freedom, a great future ahead and capped by a fulfillment of love.. You are the first fruit of our union, the first proof of our love and the first seal of our affections.

From Concepcion we were to proceed to Luisita for the barrio fiesta. I intended to invite a friend who could roast an entire cow succulently. Swimming, pelota, dancing and eating would have been the order of the day.

Sunday morning was reserved for a trip around the Hacienda and the mill and maybe golf for some of the parents and later a picnic-lunch on Uncle Tony’s Island . Return to Manila after lunch. I am afraid this will have to remain as one of the many dreams I had in Laur.

Our future has suddenly become uncertain and our fate unknown. I am even now beginning to doubt whether I’ll ever be able to return to you and the family. Hence, I would like to ask you these special favors.

Love your mother, whose love for you, you will never be able to match. She is not the greatest mother in the world, she is your sincerest friend.

Take care of your younger sisters and brother and lavish them with the love and care I would like to continue giving them but am unable to do so.

Help Noy-noy along and pray hard that he will grow to be a real, responsible man who in later years will protect you all.

You are the model for your three younger sisters. Your responsibility is therefore great. Please endeavor to live up to our highest expectations. Be more tolerant to Pinky, more accessible to Viel, our little genius-princess, and more charitable to Krissy, our baby doll, and make up for my neglect.

Finally, forgive me, my love, for not having been an ideal, good and thoughtful father to you all as I pursued public office. I had hopes and high resolve of making up, but I am afraid my destiny will not oblige.

I seal this letter with a drop of tear and a prayer in my heart, that somehow, somewhere we shall meet again and I will finally be able to make up for all my lapses, in the kingdom where justice reigns supreme and love is eternal.

I love you,

Dad

the weekend that was aug 15-16: overdue

It's APE time! We had to fast for 10-12 hours so imagine the hunger after all those tests! (It's also my first time to undergo the pap smear test.)

Watched and enjoyed G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra, it is better than Transformers 2. Action-packed from start to finish! (In short, sulit!)

Sunday. After several weeks of rainy and cloudy days, the sun shone upon us and we took advantage of it by reviving our old weekends - jogging at Island Cove (with photo session :P). Rest the whole day, yipeee!

the weekend that was aug 8-9: overdue

Saturday. Woke up late. It was WD5 yesterday, the busiest and the most toxic among month-end closing days. Irvin fetched me (and my teammate Jabs) around 12:30 AM. Just the usual Saturday - iron clothes, read, TV, rest.

Sunday. Went grocery (and bra, hehehe) shopping with Nanay and Irvin at SM Bacoor. Just the usual restful Sunday. Another month-end closing battle again tomorrow!

cuties!

When will I see them again...?

photo journal: through the glass

corazon c. aquino (1933-2009)

My small tribute to Mrs. Cory Aquino...

the weekend that was aug 1-2: overdue

I woke up to the sound of a very, very bad news: Former President Cory Aquino passed away. My eyes were glued to the ABS-CBN's special TV coverage on her all morning.

Oh well.

It's John's despedida and Geh's birthday! We celebrated by singing our hearts and our lungs out and dancing 'til sanity escape us :) Harharhar! (Actually, it's just me and Geh.) Note: I have a new fave videoke song, Beer by Itchyworms.

We finished around 11 PM, had a good time and good laugh with friends.

More kulit (and love triangle) pictures!






Sunday. Watched TV coverage on Cory. Really, really sad. I didn't catch the whole of Kris's interview on The Buzz, but the latter part of that interview is really heartbreaking. I cried with her.