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!

January 16, 1999, 4 o’clock in the morning. I was awakened by some strange moaning coming from my brother’s bed. Thought he was again having some bad dreams of sort. I rose and went up to him. He was actually within my reach anyways. I called  to awaken him up, but he was still in his sleep. I called again. Still no response. I tried slapping his face gently, just to inflict a little pain to wake him up. No movement. I became worried. Tried calling his name again and again. None. Was shaking him vigorously now, and making harder slaps. But only dull sounds and heavy breathing were all I got from him. Now I was really concerned. I don’t want to entertain anything at that point. But signs of Jon not moving indicated something was wrong. I tried listening to his breathing… same unusual pattern. Because of it, I already started CPR. Hoping that would help to wake him or revive him. Then I noticed the bed was excessively wet from his waist down to the edge of the bed. Now i was more than alarmed than the first time I saw him that morning. I instantly went to my parents’ room and woke them up. I said Jon’s not responding. Papa instantly went to our room and decided that we had to bring him to PGH. So we carried him down the stairs while someone was getting a cab. Boy! He was extremely and unusually heavy, like dead weight. I was afraid to think about it.

We arrived at PGH and instantly I looked for my sister, who was in her  1^st year then as resident. Fetching her, I told her what happened. She rushed to where Jon was, being revived by another doctor. After more than 10 minutes of CPR and M2M resuscitation, the doctor already made his pronouncement . Ate didn’t want to give up, and insisted that the doctor continue on for another 5 minutes. But as they were desperately trying to revive my brother still, my parents and I were already in tears. Everything all came as a shock, especially for me who was with him from the previous night until the wee hours of that fateful morning. Ididn’t want to think that it was really happening to us. You see, he was about to leave for the States already that same month to work as an occupational therapist.  He just delayed his plan to leave the country because he wanted to spend Christmas and New Year with us prior to his US work. But not like this. Especially at that time that we were getting closer as brothers, more so because he was also my twin brother. But that’s what maybe the Lord had planned for him. He wasn’t stricken with sickness… he wasn’t involved in any accident… he just slept and the next thing I knew he was gone. I couldn’t explain the pain that morning. Even harder was going home to change clothes, going back to the same room again. Was crying so hard… like my heart was about to jump out of me. I called a few close friends, even a friend in the states and Canada, telling them the sad news. Afterwards, I cried once more before I prepared again to go back to PGH.

It has been 12 years from the time Jon left us. Today is that day, his new birthday. Honestly, it’s not anymore as hard to think that he’s gone. But truly, I miss him a lot. The only time I get to talk to him is when I pass by South Cemetery and say hi or ask him in passing to pray for me for anything. I got to think that I know he’s just there, watching over me and my family, my sister who’s in Australia, and my parents who are now all alone and retired at our Manila home. I guess it’s also nice to know that he’ll always be my guardian angel (not because he’s my twin), always the Jon I knew who would stay with you and be ready to help you in any way he can. My only regret is that I never got to tell him how much I love him. But I guess as twins, he already knew that ever since.

To you, Jon, thanks for everything. Though, it may be too soon that you left, am glad that you’ve been a great part of my life. And I wouldn’t ask the Lord for anyone else to be my brother, whether here or the next life. Thanks again, Bro! We’ll see again soon… but not yet now… not yet…

Request: For those who will get to read this, can I ask you guys to offer him a short prayer? I will surely appreciate it. Thanks!!!

I am not much of an avid fan of big celebrities locally and abroad. But whenever I had the chance, well, I try to get a souvenir of whoever that personality is, if possible with me in it! In short, pichur pichur! But of course, I don’t always get souvenirs of all the celebrities I meet. In the same way, not all chances I get eventually to meet some have resulted to souvenir shots. I do have preferences too. And those I am sharing in this post are actually some of the people I aspired to meet  in my lifetime. In short, sometimes a busy person like me, can also become bakya, a bit jologs, or a mere follower of some of the world’s renowned people in the biz. But before I present you what I have collected so far, just a note: all the pics I have uploaded are genuinely taken and not photoshopped. But I won’t take it against you if you think otherwise. Besides,  I’m quite good at making two pics look like it was taken as one. Hahahah!

Now… On with the pictures!

Sari Yap is one of those people I've longed to meet before. She's the former Ed-in-chief, now president of Mega Publishing. She's also a devout Opus Dei, and single. This was taken during the 2003 AdCon in Baguio.

Had this pic taken during the Ad Con in Baguio in 2003. Sir Gabby was very accommodating and approachable in fernez! Plus, you seldom meet someone who heads one of the biggest TV companies in the country. That's why it was a privilege to have met him then. Daba?!?

Lucrecia Kasilag is the former artistic director and president of Cultural Center of the Philippines. She used to hear mass at the Adamson church where I serve. The country lost a great champion of the arts when she passed away in 2008. But I guess I'm just lucky to have met her and even see her every Sunday at church. Glad to have personally known you, Tita King.

One of my favorite priests, Fr. Jerry Orbos is the sibling of former Executive Sec. Oscar Orbos. When he heard mass at Adamson, I surely did not pass the opportunity to take this souvenir shot with him. Galing nga he was still in full vestments.

This was for a Samsung shoot in 2003 which I art directed. I was not starstruck but she was definitely nice and fun to work with. Imagine, Phoem was going gaga over moi! hahaha!

Really, am a huge fan of Jim Brickman! Meeting the guy in one of his radio guestings was really awesome! Am glad to have this pic taken (1997 i think) at KCFM during that time. After 2 weeks, we even watched his mini concert at Shangri-La, front seats pa! Hehe talagang idol ko 'to!

This was taken 1998 pa. This was in a event at PanPacific Manila where Gary V was formally announced as the UNICEF Ambassador in the Philippines. Being part of UNICEF then, I was proud to have met him.

Of course, Kara is one of my favorite idols in this lifetime. Apart from her being intelligent and all, am just proud to be her Dad, and will always support her in everything she does. No wonder am lucky to be there for her.

Of course, Kaye has become my obsession since college. As in sobrang taas ng hanga ko sa kanya. Di naman ako stalker noh, talagang love ko sya ever since. This was our first shot being a couple way back 2004. Ang sweet nya sa kin diba? Kaya sobrang love ko 'to!

This is my twin bro Jon. He's really one of those people who I was so proud to be with and share the good & bad times with since we started working. Sayang lang he left us early in life. But am happy where he is now. And he'll always be my idol for all time. The pic was taken early January 1999 in Paco Park while waiting for our singing gig in a wedding. It was our last pic taken together. A week after, he passed away.

Actually there are many others that I have not taken pictures with yet. But hoping to add more in my list soon. My next targets? Who knows? But definitely those next will be worth showing off to everyone who is also a fan at heart!

O ano pichur pichur tayo!

 

This is my first official post for my new home. Anyways, go… and read on.

If you happen to pass by Pasong Tamo cor. Estrella St in Makati (that’s right after 3 blocks from Buendia), you would notice that there’s this one building with the signage “Datronics.” So what’s the story behind this and why am I making a blog about it? Actually, wala naman. Hehehe kidding! The truth is, Datronics is where my Papa used to work way back when I was still in grade school. Yup! Pretty long time ago! And frankly, after 2 -3 years that Papa left the company, it closed shop. And it’s hard to believe that after all these years the signage is still there. I thought of making a blog in tribute to my Dad who worked really hard for the company he was once part of.

"it was there since my gradeschool days..."

As far as I know, the company closed in the early 1990′s because of financial factors and as always, bosses. It was managed before by a brother of Sen. “Manong” Enrile, who was actuallyknown in the elitist circle. They were, in fact, the first carriers of Compaq computers then, when Compaq was relatively new in the market. The company used to be housed at FM Lopez building in Legaspi village (Eurovilla area). When I was a kid, Papa used to fetch me and my late bro Jon from Don Bosco and then we go to his office to stay a bit while Papa finishes some stuff. Come to think of it, Datronics was just near the school so it’s easier for them to fetch us (Dismissal before was around 3pm). Another thing, Papa’s office is just one floor up from Mama’s office then CIS, where she works. O di ba very convenient indeed!

When we get there, of course, the first thing that we’d want to play on was the Compaq PCs then. To describe it, the PC is like a big rectangular suitcase, with the handle becoming the keyboard. So the rest of the big apparatus makes up the monitor, CPU, and all others. Do you get the picture? Literally, it’s considered the first Compaq laptop in a bulge. But mind you, I enjoyed playing Galaxians and the ever famous Pac-man game. I remembered once, Papa, being dedicated and all, sometimes brought one at home for him to continue his work as accountant. I never realized how much he did love working at Datronics. In fact, he was one of those employees who were given a break and if not, most trusted by the bosses. And in all those years, his dedication paid off in having us go to a nice private school (which I never knew that tuition was a bit steep) and graduate from it. I knew Papa was happy there. And because we were kids back then,  we never saw that, except the fact that Papa let us sometimes play Pac-man on the other units while he work at his station. After a while, he would already pack up and move to where we are so he would also have his turn to beat the 5 ghosts while munching all the pellets in the process. I even remembered Papa relating to us that they even came up with a Pac-man competition, where top contenders vied for something (sorry matagal na yun I can’t remember na yung prize). You see, Papa, even if he was busy most of the time computing numbers and all, was also a very good Pac-man player. He’s the only one I knew who brought the game to a whole new level.  Can you imagine reaching 60,000 points+ in just a single game? Talk about talent… and practice!

Anyways, when we moved from Don Bosco to MaSci, Papa was still with Datronics. A lot of good things were derived from his stay there. I knew we were able to have a car, got some extra furniture, and had an extra Compaq laptop to tinker and play with. But as years went on, Datronics’ performance was not anymore at par with its competitors. Apart from the rising competition, there were rumors internally. Then “Manong” bro resigned. The company then moved from Legaspi Village to finally in Estrella (see pic above). Of course, following suit were other employees who felt the company is about to “cave in”. Even those people who were kababayan of Papa from Batangas (whom he recommended for hiring) suddenly were retrenched. Eventually, Papa decided that it’s best for him to find another work because there were no more better opportunities the company would want to explore into. And so, Papa left the company. It took him a few months after before finding a new one. And then after a few years, Papa heard that the company indeed closed. It was a sigh of relief for him that he was already out of Datronics when it “rested in peace”. But i guess the memories and the good things that it gave him were something he would always remember. I for one am grateful to Datronics. Because it gave Papa a great sense of achievement and direction. And of course, for the good things it gave us when we were still growing and studying.

So that’s the story of Datronics. If ever you happen to pass by that area, try (as in try nyo lang) to take notice of the signage. At least now you would know the story of that company. The reason for the signage being there helped me remind of how far Papa have gone and been successful after that. It served as a landmark for me that makes me smile everytime just recalling of the good things I experienced then. For that I am thankful. But to be simple about it, I guess, the owner of the building doesn’t have the ounce of strength to ask someone to take it down, though the company has been non-existent for so many years now.

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!

It’s already 11 hours past since a new year has been added to my existence. And am not even sure what to write here. So I guess i’ll try to start off by recalling what transpired in the past years. Where to start, I don’t know… well, here goes…

In the previous years, the day usually started with a morning visit to the tomb of my twin brother Jon. He passed away 10 years ago due to fatal arrhythmia (this I learned just recently from my mom). A rosary and a prayer of remembrance, then afterwards, my parents and I would usually sing happy birthday to him. And i know he’d be delighted by it. From there, I go to work while my parents would go home to our house in Manila to prep for some handaan in the evening. When evening came, of course, close friends would be there to share some of the sumptuous food Mama bought from Meal To Go, or sometimes catered. I’d say oftentimes medyo bongga ang celebration since it’s not just me who’s celebrating or my late brother, but also my late Lola Pem! So triple the celebration, one is here, and the other 2 is “up” there! Ang eerie ng idea but equally fun! And I’m sure they have plenty of food to spare there because the Master usually provides a feast!

I usually love treating my family to something far different than just going to the mall and dine in. That’s why last year, I took my family and some relatives to a mid-morning trip to Tagaytay, just in time for lunch at Josephine’s. I had a blast celebrating then. Apart from the food, the place, and the cool weather, it was fun to see my former yayas become local tourists (first -timers po kaya picture at pose galore sila ha!). But more than that, I enjoyed the luxury of being with Kaye and my 3 kids, Kara, Jeremy and Cassie on my special day. My Ate Kara also had a share of fun, specially during the pichur-pichur moment with the Taal Volcano behind us and suddenly Cassie pulling her hair. Picture moment talaga!

And the fun didn’t end there. We still went to Residence Inn for the mini zoo tour. Ate Kara had been there a couple of times. But this time was different. She had a moment of feeding a baby tiger, and even had a corn python slinged around our necks. Jeremy and Cassie also had an immersion experience with the animals around the zoo with Kaye. And to cap the whole birthday treat, on our way home we passed by Mushroom Burger for some afternoon snacks and takeouts.

In all these things, I guess my idea of celebrating a birthday is not about me treating myself. But it’s a day where I consciously give back to people I most care about something that they deserve because of what they have made me become for the past year. So like instead of buying myself something, I buy something for Kaye such as a book or maybe a watch. Or wanting myself to have fun, I’d rather let my kids have all the fun they want. And it’s really a different kind of satisfaction I get every time this day comes. And frankly, I couldn’t get enough of it ‘coz every year, things just keep getting better and better! Blessed ba ‘ko? Maybe. But more than that, fulfilling is more proper because I always get to share my day with them.

So as half of my day has passed, am still thinking what’s in store later? Hmmm… still don’t know actually. But one thing for sure, I’ll be seeing my Kaye early tonight for a cozy, quiet dinner and hopefully catch the kids still awake back home so I could hear them again say “Happy Birthday Daddy! Yayu (love you ni Cassie) Ichu (love you ni Jem) and love you Dad (ni Ate Kara)!”