Today, my sister Ayette and her husband RG are on their way back to Australia. They’ll be having a stopover via Singapore and leave there tonight for Adelaide. Good thing, I got the chance to talk to her still even before boarding (flight was around 2PM). As I was talking to her, I was reminded of her first trip way back 2005 right after a few weeks of getting married to Kaye. I got a bit teary-eyed talking to her (good thing, walang nahulog na luha hehehe) as I checked on them and RG. Well, their vacation is one of those memorable ones since they got married lang last year. Why’s that?

You see, they really didn’t plan of coming home last December. Originally, my parents were supposed to go there and spend the holidays up to February. That is, if only the “stork” was kind enough to be patient with them at least for 3 months. Sadly, the “stork” was not. And so the plans changed. Anyhow, all is good pa rin because they were able to come home just in time for the Christmas merry making. And what’s more special with this one is because it was the first Christmas with the family as a married couple. It was more fun and happy because she was here, and not alone for the Holidays. Besides, it was also great to have a new “brother” in the person of RG. He had the first taste of the Plata Christmas tradition. Apart from that, they afforded time to stay with us overnight in our Sta. Rosa residence, spend time with Kara, Jeremy and Cassie (oo si Principal) to their heart’s delight! And thenof course, everyone got to relax and have some water fun at the Pool on The Hill in Pansol, Laguna just last weekend. Though Kaye and I, together with the kids, didn’t spend the night because of a prior arrangement, I saw how everyone enjoyed, especially the kulets, with all the splashes and tumbles in the pool, not to mention the videoke, and the XBOX sessions with RG, and my cousins Miah and Paolo. But more importantly, intimate fun moments are rare to happen nowadays since she lives abroad. So that was at least the only chance that everyone again had a blast with all the kulitan and bungisngisan on the pool and even during eating time. Their month-long stay was capped with a dinner despedida last night at Amici in DonBosco Makati. Sayang the kids weren’t around since no one can bring them to Makati for that, but at least Kaye and I were there. We had a simple dinner of some of Amici’s delicous menu (Amici is an Italian restaurant started by people behind the DBTI Printing press). 4 big pizzas, 5 different pasta dishes, and 3 pitchers of various Pepsi products were served and nibbled. We also had different desserts, which ranged from gelatto to the uber sarap Di Lusso ice cream cake!

And so and the last moments of the pichur-pichur and exchanging stories, we parted ways, saying our final goodbyes to everyone, especially to Ateyet and RG. Even when we reached home around past 11, I dialed Papa’s mobile so the kids can say goodbye to their Tita Ninang and Tito RG for the last time.

It’s almost 5pm in my watch (Manila time). Soon they’ll be landing at Singapore for a stopover before their connecting flight to Adelaide. But yeah, it will be a long while again before I see Ateyet again. Nevertheless, it has been fun that they were here. And hoping next time, if not this time soon, me, Kaye and  the kids will be the ones to go there naman for whatever the season or ocassion. Besides, am praying that this year, the stork will be patient with them this time around.

Thank Ateyet and RG! Will see you soon again! Ingats!

Now, before anyone thinks I’m creating my own billboard charts of the hottest songs in the country, I’m not. This one is actually a personal selection, the crème de la crème of what I wanted to happen given that my birthday is just around the corner (exactly 3 days from today). Besides, I haven’t posted anything latest nor even visited my blogsite for almost 2 months (my gad, sayang ang bayad sa GoDaddy!) siyet! Hahaha)

Anyways, so what is it with the Ultimate Ten? Well, let’s just say these are the top 10 things I wish to accomplish, either for myself or for my family in the coming year. Since I’ll be entering a new chapter in my life (turning 37 already! Wala sa hitsura noh? Haha) I thought it will serve as a gauge on how far I will achieve things without overdoing it or going over the top. I get that tendency sometimes, resulting to overlooking what else is to be done and just finishing a few. So… as I pledge myself to the stuff I will state here (and with a good financial back-up), I hope to get them all done, or 90% at the most,  and not get stuck  with some pending “targets” prior to the next birthday next year.

Now for my Ultimate Ten:

1. Creative Advertising books/magazines

Being in graphic design, it helps if you have inspiration (apart from Kaye and the kids) to come up with OTB ideas for my clients. Of course, I am not getting any younger and thinking sometimes is not as sharp as it used to be. So these books or magazines can help give me the craziest or most serious concepts I can cook up. These references are really hard to find, or even worse, expensive if available. But I guess, if I want it, I think I will get one or two given the budget. Sayang lang, there are places I’ve known where there are a few available. Kaya lang they’re either abroad or they have already vacated the place since they don’t sell as hot as FHM.

2. A New Laptop.

Prior to December, Kaye and I were scouting for a new laptop for almost 2 months since my 4-year old Dell Inspiron e1505 has been “electronically dead” from time to time. “Electronically” meaning 90% does not open, 10% springing back to life. I had it repaired once but then, they said it’s going to recur. In short, nagbabadya na s’yang mamaalam. Good thing (pating!) my sister Ayette, who’s in Adelaide, Australia, knew about it and said she’ll send financial aid when I find one. A few weeks after, Ateyet tried to reach me and ask the specs I want for a new laptop. There was an ongoing sale at their place and she thought of getting me the laptop there instead. I gave her the specs Kaye and I wanted,  but she got a laptop with much better specs. Kaya heto, wait na lang for December 20, since she’s coming home for the Holidays, and of course, to bring home my new toy! Isn’t it great to have a generous sister?!?

3. Bye-bye Utangs

Hmmm… well, this is really something I don’t think will end, not until 2013, especially with Christmas just around the corner, and other stuff to budget, this might not happen at once. But, at least, am hoping that 70% will possibly be lessened by the 1^st half of 2012. Just hope I can control myself and budget more wisely. Anyways, staying positive naman ako that this will happen. Ikanga ng karamihan, lotto lang ang katapat n’yan!

4. Baguio Escape

Been raving about this for so long. Yun lang, we haven’t found the right sked to set it. But definitely, I wanted to go there again real soon, maybe the first 2 months of 2012 is the ideal date to plan it. Venue wise, well, siguro meron na (what do you think Be?)  All I have to do is really be ready about it, finances, number of people, etc. Plus the fun thing, it’s going to be the kulets’ first taste of the cold weather of Baguio! If this pushes through, sana they will enjoy it! Well I know they will.

5. “Ako si McQueen!”

So far, I already have 3 versions, one (the original look with Rust-eze) which I already gave to Jeremy as a prize. The others I have are Radiator Springs and Dinoco McQueen. So far, there are still 7 or 8 (I think) versions of McQueen, including the elusive BluRay McQueen! Haay… wish I could complete them all…

6. Raketeer

I used to be a very active mangraraket. Copywriting, singing engagements, designing, account management, kahit ano! After I got busy with work, I laid low for a long time in most. The only one left was my singing invites on weddings. Kaya I am praying again that my wedding gigs will increase, my copywriting connections will be beefed up again, and I will be able to re-establish ties with past clients so I could get projects that would bring extra (big) bucks!!! Besides, I miss doing “rakets”, and the additional bucks for family and personal use.

7. Bonus, Bonus!!!

This one is really inevitable (Or I could be wrong!) Why? In my company now, we usually have these profit sharing come the start of the year. So whatever the company earns (net of expenses) that will be the employee’s share. Like a bonus so to speak. But not all of it will be shared kung hindi close shop kami bigla hahaha!!! It depends on what is written in one’s contract. The lowest given is 1%. For me, it’s… sikret muna! Hehehe!

8. Next Gadget?

Actually, since the time my Olympus camera’s battery got “fat” (sign that it was already defective) 3 years ago, I never got the chance to replace it ever since. I even learned that a digicam not being used for so long will develop moulds on the lens already. So I said to myself, if ever I’ll be getting one, no more digicams. Instead, I’ll definitely get a DSLR. Besides, I can improve my photography skills once I get to have the right tools for business. Afterwhich, I realized, why the hell didn’t I search the net for a battery for the old one? Kaya ayun! I’ll get a battery first for the old one. The DSLR can wait. Hehe!

9. Health mean Swimming

I used to be a good swimmer during my younger days. Yup I used to compete before, but that was ages ago. Now, I seldom swim, my muscles already replaced with flabs, and obviously, I’ve grown fat! Plus the fact that I don’t have much exercise, I have become more exposed to allergens that not a week passes by without me having an allergy attack (when before, I would seldom get allergies.) So this time, I wish to go back to swimming so I can shape up, and live again a healthier lifestyle. Am not getting any younger so better be wise about health. Besides, swimming is regarded as a total cardiovascular workout, it helps your lungs get stronger against respiratory illnesses like asthma. Which reminds me, dapat maturuan ko na rin sina Jeremy and Cassie so their asthma will go away for good, and toughen their lungs as well. Maganda ring channel ang swimming para sa kanilang kakulitan para pagod agad. Hehehe!

10. Australia

And yes! The elusive Australia migration. Ewan ko ba! The fulfillment of our wish to go there seems quite far pa rin. But I know that will still come. Probably when the time comes that Ateyet becomes an official Aussie resident, they can already sponsor me, Kaye and the kids to go there. Ikanga ni Ate, sayang ang opportunity because there’s a much better life waiting for us especially since it is a fact that the government supports families, including migrating foreigners who live in the Land Down Under, SA’N KA PA?!? Kung bakit naman kasi mailap ang mga professions namin dun. Anyways, we can still wait. No worries. Besides, when we leave, there’s no turning back!

So there it is! I guess, there are a lot of things still to consider to accomplish everything. But at the very least, this listing will be my guiding light for the next year. Again thanks for keeping in touch here. I know it’s been a while since my last post. I’ll try to write anew again, maybe one before Christmas and New Year na rin. Well, let’s see. Sana maalala ko hehehe…

Btw, Happy birthday, dear Jon and Lola Pem! Hope both of you will have a blast of fun wherever you may be celebrating our big day! Love and miss you both!

Alam ko medyo kalagitnaan na ng Enero. Actually, plano ko dapat mag-blog upang magpasalamat sa marami bagay na nangyari sa kin noong nakaraang taon. SO… without further ado, eto na.

Una… thank you kay Lord dahil sa maraming blessings na binibigay n’ya pa rin para sa king pamilya. Alam ko di ko ito matutumbasan ng kahit ano except for prayers lang and kung may chance ay pag-serve sa mass (kami ni Kaye ay cantor para sa salmo responsorio).

Pangalawa… salamat sa mga bumati sa kin sa aking birthday noon nakaraang buwan. Di man magarbo o kakaiba, makabuluhan s’ya sa kin ng sobra dahil kasama ko ang pamilya ko para i-celebrate s’ya ng matiwasay. Sorry kung ngayon lang ako makapagtenkyu kaya magmention na ko now — to my sis Ateyet, Mama ko, Papa ko, my darling Kara, Papa Melo, Mami Minda, Kuya Anne at sa butihing bf nit I o na si Onid, Iah (pinsan ko), Tita Meh, Tito Eric, at mga nakaalalang friends ko na nagtext, Karen, Ara, Genesis, Ai at ang future bayaw kong si RG (naks! actually magiging bunsong kapatid ko sya hehehe!) plus yung mga friends ko pang nagpost sa FB at lahat ng mga dablogkarda — daghang salamat sa inyong tanan! Pinataba nyo ang puso ko ng sobra sobra ng inyong pagbati! I love you all!

Pangatlo… salamat sa bagong trabaho kong pinapasukan ngayon. Nangangapa man ay alam kong katagalan ay kakayanin ko rin ito. Besides, alam ko si Kaye ay nakaantabay lang para ako tulungan. Medyo major shift for me kasi from copywriting ay mayroon na rin akong PR work, if not most of the time, yun ang gagawin ko. Basta, pagbubutihin ko na lang ‘to and I know I would eventually excel din sa bago kong trabaho later on.

And lastly, everyday na ako’y magpapasalamat sa aking Kaye na s’yang nagbibigay sigla at kahulugan sa aking bawat pagkilos sa mundong ito. Siguro iba talaga ang feeling ‘pag sinasabing sayong sayo na talaga s’ya. Oo talagang sa kin s’ya and am proud that nandun ako for her sa lahat ng kanyang pangangailangan. Sa lahat ng mga pagsubok, kasiyahan, di pagkakaintindihan, kulitan, kataimtiman, at pagmamahalan, ako’y taas-kamay na humahanga sa kanyang paninindigan at katibayan ng loob sa lahat ng aming nadaanan at dadaanan pa ng sabay sa darating pang mga taon. But most of all, sa pagkakaloob ng Diyos sa amin ng tatlong napakahalagang regalo sa buhay — si Kara, Jeremy at Cassie — wala na akong hihilingin pang kapalit sa D’yos dahil kinompleto na n’ya ang pinagka-asam-asam simula’t sapul. Sa ‘yo Be, maraming salamat at di ko ikahihiyang sabihin na Mahal na Mahal Kita ng sobra sobra!

Muli, Happy New Year sa ‘ting lahat at nawa’y maging masaya ang ating buhay ng buong taon!

Pahabol lang: Ma, Happy Birthday! (as in ngayon tlaga birthday n’ya that’s why I wanted lang a special mention of her here.) I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH and thank you for being my Mama!

I already read the one that my wife Kaye made on her Facebook account and reposted here at her blogsite. So as a challenge, I’ll try to come up with my own. I’ll see if I can come up with one similar to hers. Here goes…

1. I used to cook back home in Manila, as in not just heating water or boiling an egg. But not too major though ‘cuz most of the cooking I did were sautee-based dishes. And the only major dish I cooked with flying colors was my favorite… TINOLA! Now, I couldn’t even remember how to prepare it. Good thing Kaye is such an amazing chef for me and the kids.

2. Who’s not to love kissing all the time? Especially with the kids and of course, with Kaye, it’s one of the best ways I do express my love for them. So i don’t think I would give that up for a million bucks! (teka million bucks? hmmm… heheh just kidding!) btw, did you knowing that kissing helps you lose weight? They say each well-placed (and received) lip lock burns an average of 9 calories. With three kisses a day, every day, that amounts to burning 9,855 calories a year — totaling about 3 pounds of weight loss.

3. I’m not usually a cry-baby. I think the last time I did cry was when Jemy was being inserted with an IV when he was confined for high fever. It’s really different when a loved one is involved. Other things I get to cry about secretly are on movies, especially if it involves something about Dads. Hehehe

4. I thought of also pursuing Medicine right after I graduated from MassComm. I kinda envied my siblings who were both in the medical field — Ate Ayette as an ER doctor, and my late bro Jon as an Occupational Therapist. *sound of a stuck turntable* Wait a minute! MassComm? Medicine? No correlation! (Bakit ba gusto ko e! hahahah!)

5. I use to oil paint back then. Had a stint with National Museum before with their summer art workshop which helped me honed my skills. My last year as an advanced student won me a Gold Medal for the Intramuros waterfalls painting I made. Ironically, that painting was sold to my HS teacher for P500 only. Come to think of it, I still have a pending painting job at home. Just have to find time for it.

6. I am not usually confrontational with situations. But if needed be, especially for my family and those of my loved ones, watch out YOU! You don’t like me when am angry… (sans the green color hehehe!)

7. I have been a copywriter for more than 7 years now. I guess the challenge and the fun of coming up with something witty and creative for whatever product or service there is need to copywrite is something I have enjoyed all these years. Maybe I’ll expound more like into… PR? Hmmm… why not?

8. I used to work with UNICEF, first with Greeting Cards and then into the Private Sector Fund Raising Dept. Such a privilege to be there. Hope I could go back and work there again in the future.

9. I enjoy drinking coffee, usually in the afternoon. That keeps me awake actually. But also, when I drink coffee at that time, that means office dismissal is just an hour way. Yeah!!!

10. The best thing that came also from marrying my Kaye is that I now have a new and permanent duet partner especially with songs that requires one. Hope you can hear her sing beautifully with me. We do make such harmonious music together.

11. I used to have a crush on a couple of celebrities when I was growing up. As in not just crush ha? HD pa if you wanna put it. Locally it was Angelu de Leon (this was pre-Joko days) and foreign, it was Drew Barrymore in her Firestarter and Babes in Toyland movies.

11. I was once a member of the CCP Children’s Choir, which was under the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Foundation. We had couple of concerts at various venues like the CCP, Folk Arts Theatre, PICC and even abroad. Though we couldn’t join the trips abroad because we couldn’t afford the fares during that time.

12. Before I ended up in UP Diliman, I used to study in UP Los Banos as a Chem Eng’g student. I stayed at Men’s Dorm for half the year. The 2nd sem was uwian. Tiring? Nah! It was just a 2-hour trip one-way from Home to UPLB and vice-versa. Besides traffic then was very easy, compared these days.

13. I graduated from Manila Science High School with no honors compared to my siblings. But I was happy still since I finished high school having a good average (don’t know exactly but I know it’s 90+) and the pride of finishing in such recognized special science school.

14. I used to participate in competitive swimming in my hey days. Yup as in the whole shebang — crawl (freestyle), backstroke, breaststroke (my forte) and butterfly. Been in the loop for more than 10 years since Grade 4. Me and my late bro Jon almost made it to the National Team but we opted not to because of our studies.

15. I was turned down by Kaye a couple of times during and after college. But the funny thing, I still couldn’t get rid of her in my thoughts. Parang there’s always something left to be done. And then, after 9 years in the making, finally I had my chance and eventually we became a couple. Afterwards, I made a promise to myself of never ever letting her go forever!

16. I think I’m a good actor. I don’t know if this is true but in my college years, I used to be the “most sought” talent for a TV production in MassComm among other batches (I was still in Theater major in 1993 before I eventually shifted to MassComm).

17. I once came out in a TV series entitled Pira-pirasong Pangarap when I was 8 years old. My mom, who used to play a nun in Flordeluna starring Janice de Belen and was once a member of PETA (the theater group ha!), got the stint for me. I had that first chance to stardom but my acting then was consciously bad (I often look at the camera during takes. ngek!) So that was the end of my budding acting career. Sayang…!

18. I used to collect a couple of stuff back then. From stamps, bracelets, rings, even sugar sachets (which I still collect until now). The only thing I never collected were girls. Hehehe di tlaga! That’s bad. Wait! Does a number of crushes count as collecting girls din? Sana hindi.

19. I’ve seen 3 oblation runs in 3 different UP campuses — Los Banos, Manila and Diliman. Wanted to see sana the one in Baguio, but I don’t know to commute going there back then.

20. I used to be a mallrat prior to finally marrying Kaye. I guess I have a knack to window-shop all the time, or simply walk the corridors of Glorietta or Greenbelt for no reason. Maybe it was a way for me to relax myself after a long day’s work. Sayang I love doing this before with my late bro at the newly renovated Robinsons Manila circa 1998.

21. I was in a rush when finally I had my first front seat view of my son Jemy being taken out from Kaye’s womb. It was so unexplainable to witness such a fine child being born and was later tended by nurses. There were actually slight tears but I guess the excitement stop it from flowing. Ironically, I never had my digicam then so I have to make use of Kaye’s Nokia 6300 for the coverage. Suprisingly, the recording was superb. What’s more weird, though, was that Kaye was very conscious and awake and even had our first pic together with the pogi boy. Good thing the nurse took the pic well, not showing the red-colored bag that was outside Kaye’s abdomen (aka Kaye’s uterus! ngek!)

22. I am truly lucky because Kaye and I share the same faith. And because of that, our bond as husband and wife is always strengthened by the Lord every passing day. No wonder waking up with her everyday is such a blessing!

23. Upon learning about Kara and met her when she was still 5 years old, I’ve been telling my friends before that she was my daughter, or been wanting to be her dad. I even used the pics of Kara which Kaye sent me vial email as my screensaver in my computer. So when I got to finally marry Kaye, I realized not just one dream but two — to be Kaye’s forever and to be Kara’s dad! Sarap ng feeling!

24. I used to compose songs. These were mostly love songs, typically of a Martin/Gary V. type of genre. Sad, inspiring and even with depth. I don’t know how it started I just kept on writing and composing the music for them. I even had one song (composed in just 2 hours) arranged which I sang during my bro’s interment. To date I have around 9 -10 songs. And am still hoping to finish 4 more. I won’t reveal the latest 4 until am done with it. Stay tune!

25. Lastly, same as Kaye’s, I always wish of seeing my brother Jon again, even just for a short while. Maybe he could even meet my wonderful family. I just miss him a lot, not because our closeness was very short-lived, but because being his twin, I long for the part of me that was lost 10 years ago. If God would permit that, then maybe I could tell him “thanks for everything” and embrace him for one last time, just to let him know how much I love him dearly.

So that’s my version! If in case I couldn’t get to write another blog before the year ends, just want to say Happy New Year to everyone and may you be continuously blessed with God’s infinite riches as I have been everyday!

And Be, it’s been a wonderful year! Looking forward for more years with you and the kids! Love you so much!

‘Til then! Ciao!