It was Summer of 2008 when Kaye & I last went to Manila Ocean Park. That was actually our treat to Ate Kara for her 11th birthday. Also, Kaye was 7 months pregnant with Cassie then and Jeremy was barely 1 year old at that time, so he couldn’t enjoy much yet during our first tour. Even MOP was not as complete then. Being the first oceanarium stopover in the country, they had a soft opening at that time so Filipinos could experience what it was  like to see the underwater world for the first time. So the comeback trip (aka treat na rin) kinda made everything more exciting now that Cassie, Jeremy and of course Ate Kara looked forward to a more complete MOP last December 11.  Well, this birthday treat is more for my kids than for me. You see, we usually have lunch trips at Tagaytay every time I celebrate my birthday. So this time around, I would say it was a lot better! And I was thankful (even at first was hesitant since it’s medyo magastos) because we had a blast that whole afternoon. I even had to purchase additional tickets for everyone, including my folks to watch the Musical Fountain Show that evening. It was priced at P99/person only! What a birthday treat indeed!

Anyways, the day turned out to be a very tiring but worthy birthday celebration for me, because I got to share it with everyone that I cherished, especially with the kids, who appreciated more the fishes and the other underwater animals that they got to see for the first time. I, for one, was so elated that Kaye made me push thru with the trip, and in so doing, made everyone truly happy in the end. Sayang the piglets weren’t able to enjoy much the fish spa. Jeremy was so ticklish that he often took out his legs from the water, and Cassie  most of the time, was just  splashing, which scared the small fishes away. Aheheh. Well, there’s always a next time.

Ps. I’ll take this portion to thank those who texted me on my big day last December. To my cousins Chop, Miah & Iah, Melanie, Aloy, Grace (who recently got hitched), Ai, Ninang Soli, Lawrence, King (naks special mention), Anne (my close sis in law), and even my daughter Kara, thank you for making it always special every year. Not to mention of course those who greeted via Facebook, thank you so much also for remembering. It has been a wonderful 36 years and everyone has made my life worth living. You are all in my prayers always!

Btw, sorry if this post is 1 month in-the-making. Hehehe! Was savoring the long vacation that’s why.

And now, here are some pics for your viewing pleasure.

The Kulets

Mama & Cassie with Big Fish

"Daddy, ako naman pindot starfish."

My Pretty Girls with the piranhas

A manta ray (I think!)

Piglets with Mama

Jemjem All smiles with the sharks

My Chikitings in the Tunnel aquarium

Father & son bonding amidst the fishes

Fish spa time!

Go fish... nibble nibble nibble!

See how happy everyone is at the Sea Lion show!

The one the kids, even the yayas, enjoyed watching!

Last weekend, me and my family experienced the first ever cool breeze that swept the alley of our apartment compound. Clearly, Christmas is in the air! Apart from December was just around the corner, the coolness of the night reminded me of my childhood days when the Christmas season comes. That means I can ask for toys I’d like to have! Yeah, yeah, I know a lot of us were fixated to the idea that Santa did exist (of course, he was really a believable person to everyone. ang tumanggi, di ko reregaluhan?!?). Anyhow, there were a lot of stuff I really wanted to have, especially during the holidays. But of course, whatever’s given to me is truly enough, even if these were not the latest toys or the preferred things I wanted. Now that I am a grown-up myself (cue song here “My Grownup Christmas List by Amy Grant), I realized that there’s more than just toys and other stuff to receive. And believe me, these are things that are far more important to others than for me. So when Christmas Eve comes, and I get to see Santa face to face, here are a couple of wishes that I would want to happen, especially for my family.

1. That our precious kids will always be HEALTHY and be free especially from asthma. Ate Kara, Jeremy and Cassie are the best things that ever happened to me and Kaye, so we really hope that they will remain healthy and strong all the time. It’s just weakening to think when they’re sick…

2. That as parents, me and mommy Kaye will have more than enough financial backup for unexpected events especially when the kids get sick or for meds. Actually even for treating the whole family for leisure occasions can also be good. I kinda miss that for quite some time now.

3. in line with this, of course long life to everyone that we love, especially our parents, sisters, and close relatives! (isama na rin kami of course!!!)

4.  Win a lotto game, even if the prize is just a measly 50M (compared to the last one di ba). Actually kahit sa Scratch It lang which the prize is an instant 100k, enough for expenses and a little enjoyment on the side. hehehe

5. Better opportunities for me as a professional, preferably Alabang area (para magkalapit na kami ni mommy Kaye) or Laguna area (paging companies in the area. helloo!!!)

6. Additional for number 5 is that me and mommy Kaye can find good work in Australia real soon! Opportunities there are very much acceptable especially for migrating families kaya we hope to make it before September next year. Besides our IELTS will expire by then kaya kelangan na!!!

7.  Wii or XBOX 360 not for me but for the kids (hehehe pasimple pa ‘ko! ahahaha!)

8. A dream business that Mommy Kaye and I are wishing for which we intended to keep on a long term basis. Of course, capital na rin to support its startup and maintenance.

9. Plans of travelling again back to places me and mommy Kaye have gone before (Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Mindoro) so the piglets can also experience it and other places we still dream on going to (Palawan, Subic, Davao, Baguio, Pagudpud, Mt. Province, and list goes on…)

10. A long overdue getaway with mommy Kaye either local trip or abroad, kahit 3-4 days. It’s been a long time since magsolo kaming dalawa e. I know, I know nakakaguilty leaving the kids behind. But may kapalit naman sya — ultra daming pasalubong for them!!!

11. An oven for mommy Kaye which she has been asking for so long! If ever sabay na rito, a nice kitchen as well!!!

12. A clean slate for my credit card and SSS loan. These things also are eating up din my finances. Haaayyy…

13. My own mini theater room, with 20 people sitting capacity

14. To have an joint album with either Jim Brickman or David Foster. Sorry but I am really a piano addict, that’s why I chose them for that. Hehehe of course may duet kami ni mommy Kaye if ever.

15. World peace!!! (Just making sure at least there’s something I’m aspiring for the whole of humanity)

Wow! Really big dreams and requests from the big ol’ Santa! And I know most of these are not possible still even in the near future. But what the heck! There’s nothing wrong in aspiring, especially for this season! It’s the only thing that’s left FREE for everyone!

So… if Santa was here, what’s yours?

This post is made especially Para sa Make a Wish List Raffle ni Salbehe

And finally, the day has come! Yes! It has already been a year and thank God that I made it on my first! From stories shared to comments to kulitan and meeting new friends, I still can’t believe that I’ve reached this far. Of course, you, my blogger friends, are the reason for my home’s success. Frankly, am grateful to all of you. And hopefully for the coming months and days, I will try to continue on blogging for those who visit the site and sit for a chat and chichirya. So to those who shared their time and effort to come up with a fan sign for my anniversary, this is for you, guys!

To all my good friends at the Blogosphere, thank you! I couldn’t ask for more but for your unique friendship and shared moments (especially in the comments sections aheheheh!) I do look forward for more times of blogposting, shared thoughts and bonding times again.

Daghang salamat sa inyong tanan!!!

I remember last year when I first started my blogsite. Actually I started out as a nobody in the blogosphere. Learning about this from my wife Kaye (she was the one who influenced me to come up with one, since she had her own created also last year. Visit www.keekaye.com), I began to get interested and started my own. But not yet on the site. I actually disguised myself as a blogger when I began reading on Deejay’s site (who happens to be inactive for a long time!). I carried the name Bonggang Bonggang Bongoloids. I sported the old guy without teeth smiling avatar. Anyhow, for quite a while, I hid from the shadow of Bongoloids, until around November 15 last year, I decided to start my own blog site for good. Using the WordPress platform, there I created my very own site — Ang Aking Munting Bongkito.

I tried coming up with a few blogs from time to time, my first entitled “Ah Ganito Pala ‘Yun.” It was quite okay. Got to establish a few friends (of course, courtesy of Kaye) and made around 8 blogposts since the time I began, well, not bad for a first timer. Then, by February of this year, I decided to move to dot.com, again influenced by my wife and also suggestion of Madame Salbehe. So there. I moved to a new home, a home with my own personal identity. I called it TheGreenFrogCreations.com, which is actually my dream business company.

Today is already November 9. In a few days, my site will already be 1. Not much has changed though, but I guess the success of this site is primarily because of blogger friends like you.  So to celebrate this “momentous” occasion (momentous daw o!), I’ll ask anyone from you to help me dressed my blogosversary post with a fan sign (sorry I just want to ride the bandwagon hehehe).  But I’ll add a little twist. Since my site has a primary image reference which is the bench or bangkito, hope you can add that too to your fan sign as part of the design. However you treat it, it’s up to you.

But wholeheartedly, I thank you my blogger friends for supporting me and reading and commenting to posts for the past year. Hoping to share with you more stories and chitchats on my second year.

Just like what I always say, kitakits na lang ulit sa ating tambayan ha? And don’t forget to bring your fan signs as well! Tenchu, tenchu!!!!

Maraming pedeng pagkakahulugan ang mga salitang ito.  At sa totoo lang, marami din ang kayang maapektuhan ng mga ito, simple man silang gamitin o isipin. Heto at isa-isahin natin…

NAPUPUNO…

Ikanga kay da King FPJ, kapag napuno na ang salop, dapat nang kalusin. Pero higit pa d’yan ang mga kadahilan kung bakit tayo ay napupuno sa mga bawa’t dagok sa buhay natin. Sobrang dami ng kapalpakan, paulit-ulit na pagkakamali, katangahan, kabagalang sumunod sa mga patakaran, kulang sa katinuan, di nag-iisip at tira lang ng tira, at eto pa… kakulitan! Kung iisipin mo, maganda sana ang pagpupuno (hindi tree-planting ha!) kasi nabibigyan ng halaga ang mga taong tumatanggap nito, maging ito’y patungkol sa pagmamahal, pagtulong sa kapwa at kamag-anak, o kahit sa pag-iipon ng tubig sa balde o dram. Kaya lang, ‘kung pagpupunong taliwas sa normal na pamamalakad ang pag-uusapan, d’yan tayo mag-alala. Bakit? Dahil dito mo malalaman kung hanggang sa’n lang kakayanin ng mga taong naaapektuhan natin ang pagtitiis at pagtitiyaga nila, maging ito ma’y sa bahay, sa trabaho, mga kaibigan, kaaway o kakampi man. Nakaka-alarma pero ganito lang talaga minsan ang takbo ng buhay. Ang mga mababait, mga walang imik, risonable, at minsang inaakala mong “cool” lang sa mga kaganapan ay s’yang mas may posibilidad na sumabog na lang sa galit at inis. Pero para sa ‘kin, ang pinaka-aantabayan mo ay ang taong magmamanhid na lang sa ‘yo at di na mag-rereact pa makaraan sa sagad sa butong paulit-ulit na kamalian at kapalpakan na ginagawa sa kanya. ‘Yun ang klase ng pagpupunong di na maaaring maisaayos ng maikling panahon. At kapag nangyari ‘yun, well, si Lord na lang ang may alam kung ano ang mga susunod na kabanata. Suma-total, dalawang bagay ang naidudulot kapag napupuno ang isang tao — magsasawa na lang s’ya at magiging manhid sa mga susunod na kaganapan, o humantong sa mga di kanais-nais na katapusan. In short, patay kang bata ka!

NAUUBOS…

Maraming bagay o pangyayari ang nasasaklaw nito. Pagkain, pera, pananalita, kaibigan, sasakyan sa terminal, grocery, baterya ng cell, load, paninda, pasensiya, pang-unawa, pagmamahal… Kung tutuusin, meron pang iba. Pero sa tingin ko, ito ang kadalasan na nararanasan sa pang-araw-araw natin pamumuhay sa mundong ibabaw. Para sa ‘kin, lahat ng mga nabanggit ko ay posibleng masaid at maaaring makapagpaiba sa ating galaw at diskarte sa buhay. Kadalasan, di lang sa ating sarili ang epekto. Kaakibat ng mga nauubos na bagay-bagay ang s’yang sumisira rin sa pakikitungo natin sa ibang tao, mas lalo pa kung sila ang mga taong may malaking kaugnayan sa buhay mo. Tulad ng pasensiya at pag-unawa sa mga pagkakamali, sa umpisa’y kaya pang palagpasin pero sa katagalan, mawawala na lang s’ya ng kusa dahil di natin kayang punuin muli ang nabawas. Tulad din ng pagmamahal, na dating ubod ng usbong sa tuwa at pag-aalaga ay minsang madagok ng mga pagsubok sa buhay ay maari ding manghina at malugmok ng walang garantiyang uusbong muli. Nakakatakot isipin, pero sa buhay natin nangyayari ‘yan.  Ang tanong lang, kakayanin ba natin muling punuan ang bangang nasa napipintong pagkaubos at pagkatuyo? Dapat kayanin kahit ga’no kahirap pa ‘yan. Dahil sa nauubos na bagay o pangyayari ay walang kasiguruhan kung ito’y manunumbalik sa dating sigla at saya nito. ‘Pag ito ang nangyari, isang himala na lang ang maaari mong sanggalang para maibalik ang dati. Hirap no? Oo talagang mahirap… pero dapat kayanin ang lahat ng paraan para maibalik ang dati.

Napupuno… Nauubos… magkaiba man ang pagkahulugan pero magka-ugnay ang sinasalamin sa buhay-buhay. Andito ako ngayon. Minumuni-muni ang mga ‘yan… sana may pagkakataong pang maipuno ang nauubos na magandang simulain sa darating na mga araw. Dahil sa minsang tayo ay nagkamali, habang buhay ang ilalaan natin upang maitama at maibalik ang matiwasay at masaganang buhay na inaasam lagi para sarili at sa mga taong mahalaga sa s’yo.

Kung nais n’yo akong samahan, sige lang. Igagalak ko ang inyong pakikisama.

Bakit ganon?

Isang tanong na laging nabibigkas kapag tayo’y nailalagay sa isang matinding sitwasyon  na di natin alam ang kung bakit iyon ang kinalabasan o kinahinatnan. Marahil, marami sa atin ay naipit na, nadamay, naapektuhan o nagsisisi sa isang pangyayari o karanasan na, sa kaguluhan ng ating isip, ay ang naisasabi na lang ay “bakit  ganon?”

Nung ikaw ay nagsusumikap na mag-aral, nagsusunog-kilay, nagsasaliksik at nakikilahok sa mga recitation sa klase, at sa dulo ng semestre ay ang nakukuha mong marka ay di man lang sa inaasahan mong grado, di ba ang masasabi mo na lang ay “bakit ganon?”

Nung nag-aaplay ka ng trabaho, pinagbutihan mo ang pananalita sa una, pangalawa at huling interbyu, nagpasiklab sa mga possibleng maging bossing mo, at minsan pa’y mababalitaan mong ikaw na ang napupusuang makuha sa posisyong nakalatag sa harap mo, tapos di ka matatawagan at malalaman mong may nakakuha na ng pwesto mula sa kras mong receptionist, di ba nanggagalaite kang magsabi ng “bakit ganon?!?”

Nung naggagawa ka ng isang proyekto para sa kliyente mo, nakumpleto mo lahat ng materials at mga larawan na kailangan , naisumite sa mga “kinauukulan,” nirebiso, sinumite ulit hanggang sa ma-aprubahan ng lahat ng mga dapat makakita, nabigay ang FA (final artwork) sa kanila ng maaga,  tapos makaraan ng ilang araw na pagrerelak ay malalaman mo sa isang tangang miyembro ng grupo na biglang meron pa palang konting babaguhin sa ginawa mo, di ba nakakainis at wala kang magawa. Kaya tatawa ka na lang ng medyo naiinis  at sasabihin mo na lang na “Ngek! Bakit ganon? Labo ah!”

Nung minsan kang nagmagandang loob sa isang kamag-anak o kakilala, tumulong ng matiwasay at inakalang maayos ang lahat, tapos mababalitaan mong pagwala na sa iyong harapan ay may tinatagong galit o inis pala sa inasal mo sa kanila, susmaryosep, talaga namang, bakit ganon?

Nung sumubok kang magluto para sa iyong mga kaibigan, kapamilya o ka-irog, naghanda ka ng husto para maimpress sila, sumunod sa bawat hakbang ng gusto mong putaheng lutuin at nakita mong pagkatakam-takam sa paningin at amoy, tapos pagdating sa hainan ay nanibago ang panlasa ng lahat… nakow! d’yahe naman! tapos lalakad patago ulit sa kusina at iisipin “Bakit ganon?!? Tama naman yung nasundan kong procedure sa pagluto nun ah?!?”

Sa mga lalaki…

Nung mamulat ka sa mundo ng pag-ibig, makatipo ng isang babaeng nakikitaan mong maging potensyal na makasama panghabang-buhay, sinuyo-suyo ng sobra sobra, at ramdam mong malaki ang posibilidad na maging kayo sa huli, binigyan ng mga rosas, buwan at kung anu-ano pang pwedeng masungkit para lang makuha ang matamis n’yang “OO,” hatid-sundo kahit bumagyo, minsan pa’y nayayaya sa mga gimik kasama ang ibang mga kaibigan, tapos ‘pag malapit na ang hinihintay mong pagkakataon na kung pwede maging kayo ay biglang mong malalaman na di pa s’ya handang makipagrelasyon, o may asawa na pala s’ya, o di kaya’y di ka lang n’ya tipo at iba ang tinitibok n’ya, o sobrang basted ka lang talaga kasi kulang pa rin eports mo… hay susme!!! naman!!! Bakit ganon?!?

Sa mga babae…

Nung may ma-sight kang gusto mo na talaga namang makalaglag P (bahala na kayo manghula) at pinapangarap mo na s’ya na lang ang para s’yo, kayang magbigay ng ligaya s’yo sa lahat ng pagkakataon, magalang, misteryoso, malinis at swak na swak na ideal man para mapakilala sa iyong mga magulang, tapos malalaman mong magpapari pala s’ya o kabaro n’ya ang mas kanyang inaasam… hay saklap! Bakit naman ganon?!? (mas masaklap kung mas pogi pa sa kanya ang tipo n’ya)

Nung minsan ay maiisip mo na sana mamimiss ka rin ng isang taong inaasahan mong maalala ka n’ya ay s’ya pang di nagpaparamdam s’yo na miss ka n’ya, tapos makikitaan mo ng ibang kagalakan kapag kapiling o kausap ang ibang mga tao, di ba nakakatampo isipin at maramdaman na may mali ba sa sarili mo na ang tanong e “bakit ganon? di ba ako mahalaga rin sa kanya?” (baka siguro kailangan muna mawala ka para ma-realize siguro, di ko rin alam)

Nung madalas na gusto mong manahimik, huwag na lang umalma, o di kaya’y maging matiisin nalang sa mga bagay-bagay na sa tingin mong mali at di dapat gawin, ay s’ya pang pinagmumulan ng kaguluhan, o inis, o pagsisisi, at di pagtitiwala lalo sa yong kakayahan dahil wala kang ginagawa… e ano pa ba naman ang magagawa mo di ba? kaya lang… BAKIT GANON?!? Di ko naman kayo inaano ah!!!

Haayyy… di ko na alam kung bakit talaga ganon ang buhay. Madaya at minsan, walang pakisama. Kakainis lang pero kailangan mo pa rin sabayan. Kaya minsan dapat ride ka na lang.

Kaw, sa tingin mo, bakit ganon?!? Ah ewan! Basta ganon!

Hmph!!!

Photo from nytimes.com

Too late… to realize what things one may have done until only you see how other have reacted to it. It may become a dilemma in the long run, but at some point one has to rectify it.

Too late… to feel sorry of the steps one has made just to make things easy or appease people, presumingly things will be a lot better. Sometimes, we thought it right to do or say things but, on the contrary, it made situations worse, especially if those involved are people we can always depend on or we can rely in the long run.

Too late… to be able to restore things back when one should have made amends instantly as the issues are still “hot off the grill.” But you may not lose hope for each day that you wake up to brings you another chance to change things for the normal, if not the better.

Too late… to say “I apologize for small things I’ve said or done,” since we never see these small things we thought of “small” may turn out to be big things in disguise. Now, toppling or going over it may not be as easy as it looks.

Too late… yes, I guess it’s too late to move backward and wish one never really made those things…

But then again, well maybe I guess, it won’t be too late to restore things back… but as to how long, that is something one will just try to be patient with and live with…

Anways, let me think… for I’m about to trek that road again…

Like what the title says, this entry is just a short one that I want to share with you guys. Apart from Kaye and other family members, only a few (like some friends in the office) knew about the special treat I got for Father’s Day. Not only did I get to spend with the kids, the good treat I had that day was the anticipation of seeing the McDonald’s Father’s day ad published on three main broadsheets. The ad was sort of a tribute to all dads all over the country, but with a twist — images were caught in their most candid, uncompromising way while enjoying McDo treats.

Here’s the ad:

Can you guess where I am?

As an added surprise, a mysterious friend of mine (whose cell number I still haven’t identified. sorry and thanks ulit sa tip!) texted me that I also appeared in another front page of a famous broadsheet with no less than Fr. Jerry Orbos. To my curiosity, Kaye tried to find the page through its online version. And true enough, it was indeed ME on the picture… with Fr. Jerry Orbos! As I recall, the pic was obtained from this blogsite through a post I did a few months ago. Though, I felt violated for the writer (or someone from that publication) just acknowledged my site and not even bothered to ask permission or find out my name as proper courtesy of using and publishing the picture.  Though it was something unacceptable, I felt in a way cool about it nonetheless.

Anyhow, here’s the picture that came out with that surprise article below.

The feature article on Manila Bulletin

Again, Happy Father’s Day to me!!! Hahahaha!!!

We never expected her then, thinking that Jeremy was just 4 months old, and Kaye was still on recuperation stage. But as they say, our baby girl Cassie came as a good surprise when we least expect her to appear.  I was a bit scared then when Kaye felt she might be pregnant again that soon. So to settle our worries, we consulted to our OB-GYNE friend doctor Doc Joana Lozada in Manila for Kaye’s initial check-up.  Lo and behold, Kaye was confirmed pregnant! I saw this coming after Kaye guessed it. Actually, we thought of having another baby after Jeremy turns 2. But since the unexpected surprise is underway, it was just a matter of days and months ahead before the Cassie comes.

Of course the worries are back again. Knowing Kaye has APAS (Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome), she has to take again heparin shots for the whole duration of her pregnancy. Panic attacks were also a concern for Kaye (even me). Moreso was the stress of traveling, since Doc Joana’s is in Don Santiago Bldg in Taft Ave. So trips to & from her Manila clinic required longer travel time. But we were not complaining. After all, our level of excitement were at spiking points for the arrival of Cassie. Imagine, there will be another kid to arrive, and soon enough, we would now be five (Even before Jeremy, we had difficulties of conceiving our first baby). Talk about more bundles of joy!

A few months after, around May 2008, Kaye & I were already preparing for her eventual delivery. Doc Joana informed us that the only hospital she can deliver Cassie was in M-Tech Hospital, a medium-scale hospital located in Makati.  Since it was the only hospital she can operate on Kaye, we agreed on it.

By May-end, Kaye was already experiencing slight contractions and movement from baby Cassie, but it was nothing we were to be worried about. We thought that she may even the same date as his kuya Jeremy if that would be possible. But since baby Cassie’s growth is doing smoothly,  we weren’t surprised that Kaye made it tohru the first week of June, just finishing Jeremy’s 1st birthday. In fact, we could say that Kaye’s pregnancy with Cassie is considered the safest and I guess stable for that matter. But on the night of June 5, Kaye said that it’s more probable that Cassie is already coming out. So from our Sta. Rosa home, we traveled to M-Tech Hospital in Makati so we can already be admitted as a precaution for baby Cassie’s delivery. Doc Joana was tipped by our possible admission that night, though I know she was coming from a dinner party with his soon-to-be hubby Glenn.

By early morn of June 6, Kaye was already prepped for operation. I accompanied her, as the nurses wheeled her out to the ground floor of the hospital up to the OR entrance. After giving her a kiss, there she went inside, with Doc Joana already waiting to “dissect” her and bring Cassie finally out to the world. After a few hours, I was called for but not to join Kaye in the OR but just to view for the first time my bunso, Cassie who was already placed in the nursery.  I was speechless when I first saw her, sleeping soundly, not hinting a difference whatsover of her new environment. A few moments of watching her, she abruptly woke up and kinda looked at my direction. Of course, new born babies still don’t have eyesight yet, but seeing her look at me made me feel like she knew I am there, her one and only Daddy.

Cassie at the nursery

Since that day when we first brought Cassie home, it made me think. Cassie may have been unplanned, unscheduled when Kaye & I had her. But you know what? We were glad that she came that early. We may have missed a lot of fun, memorable and worth it times if ever she did come 2 years after. Besides, her beautiful face, charming smile, and energizing kakulitan (for lack of the right translation), I wouldn’t want to exchange those 2 years of waiting before enjoying and experiencing how Cassie lights up our spirits and lives everyday!

Cass, I thank you for being here with me and Mama. I know that most times you were overshadowed by your kuya Jeremy or even being bullied fo that matter (sorry anak!), to us you’re not one less of a precious gem to us. You’re truly the best bunso we could ever have and we thank the Lord that He did plan of bring you to us the soonest! Darling, we love you and we do hope to serve as very good role models for you as you grow in the years to come, with your ate Kara and kuya Jeremy.

To you, darling Cassie, Daddy loves you very very much!

Mama feeding baby Cass at home

Cassie at 4 months

Ate Kara & Cassie in Tagaytay

Cassie fun bonding with kuya Jeremy

Father’s Day ngayon, nabati n’yo ba mga tatay n’yo? Kung hindi pa, batiin n’yo na sa kahit anong paraan… itext, email, tumawag o i-Plurk nyo sila (kung tech-savvy sila ha!) para mapadama n’yo kung ga’no sila kahalaga kahit man lang sa araw nila.

Pero bakit nga ba may Father’s Day? Ang alam ko kasi sobrang angkop ito sa mga tatay na sobrang nagsusumikap at naging uliran sa bawat aspeto ng buhay nila — mapa-pamilya, trabaho man, kapitbahay o kahit sa pag-praktis ng pananampalataya nila. Pero pa’no yung mga di naging maayos sa buhay nila? Yung mga nanloko, nakasakit sa kapwa nila, nandaya o di naging uliran sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay? Tama rin kaya silang batiin ng Happy Father’s Day?

Mahirap mang isipin pero sa wari ko lang, minsan mapapaisip ka kung dapat ka bang mapabilang sa mga tumatanggap ng greeting mula sa kaibigan, kamag-anak, ka-opisina, kabarkada, kapamilya o kapuso, lalo pa’t kung alam mong sa lumipas na taon ay may mga pagkakamaling nagagawa tayo at umuukit ito sa karamdaman ng marami sa atin. Gano’n ang pakiramdam ko minsan, lalo pa’t nitong nakaraang taon ay sobrang maraming pagsubok at pagkakamali ang napagdaanan ko. At ngayong Father’s Day, napaisip ako… karapat-dapat ba talaga akong mabati?

Pero sa kabila no’n, malaking pasasalamat at kahit papa’no, andyan pa rin ang aking pamilya, kahit na isa sila sa mga nasaktan sa mga ilang bagay-bagay na nagawang pagkakamali ko sa buhay. Bilang haligi ng sarili kong tahanan, sila pa rin ang nagbibigay ng lakas at inspirasyon sa ‘kin upang maging mabuting ama sa araw-araw na ibinibigay ni Lord. Oo, maraming beses na akong nagkakamali, nakakasakit at nadadapa. Pero di ako tumitigil na magsumikap para mabago ang sarili ko, upang maging  isang karapat-dapat na kaibigan at karamay na mamamayan, at lalo pa’t isang matuwid at ulirang ama sa aking mga anak at asawa sa aking kabiyak.

Ngayong Father’s Day, sa wari ko’y di ako dapat nabibilang na batiin dahil sa mga dahilang ako na lang ang nakakaalam. Pero dahil sa pagmamahal ng aking pamilya at sa bawa’t pagkakataon na laging ibinibigay ni Lord sa ‘kin na mabago ang aking sarili, salamat pa rin at naging kabilang ako sa mga milyung-milyong ama, tatay, papa, daddies, ‘tay at kung ano pang tawag sa ‘min, na nabati ngayong araw na ‘to. Siguro, sa dami ng mga paglilihis, siguro may matuwid pa rin akong nadaanan kahit papa’no.

Para sa lahat ng mga ulirang ama na nandyan ngayon, saludo ako sa inyo! Sa ilang mga ama na nagkamali na ng minsan, mayro’n laging pagkakataon na baguhin natin ang mga sarili  kung mamarapatin natin. Dahil at our own right, ang pagiging uliran at modelo sa ating pamilya’t mga anak ay natututunan din.

Para sa mga kaibigan kong bloggers na tatay ring tulad ko, nawa’y maging maganda ang buhay sa bawa’t oras at pagkakataon na handog ni Lord para sa ‘tin!

Happy Father’s Day po!