Ode to Uncle Ces, Defining moment, Pickleball journey, Superhost

Thank you, Uncle for the wisdom, wit, and unwavering warmth  

  

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Conversations with Uncle Ces didn't just flowed; they cascaded from one topic to another, all rich with wisdom, sparked by inspired ideas, and punctuated by masterfully delivered punchlines. Masterfully, Uncle steers conversations to offer equal airtime to every soul seated at the table. These meals and visits forged my fondest memories with him.

His life was a testament to hard work and commitment. His genuine humor and profound humility made him the perfect companion for any occasion.

Uncle Ces championed a healthy lifestyle, passionately pursuing good health and nutrition. His vibrant love for life and unwavering devotion to family inspired everyone around him. In the academe, his pioneering contributions to duck raising, he was an exemplary dean of the college of agriculture, set a standard worth emulating.

But above all, his boundless love and the full, open-hearted welcome he extended to Ma Dahls and her family truly completed and rounded out our home.

Thank you, Lord, for the enduring gift of Uncle Ces' legacy. He has now found his peace with you and our dearly departed loved ones. May we, too, carve out meaningful, well-spent days, just as Uncle Ces did.

Defining Moment 

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The Challenge: A college entrance essay. The constraint: a rigid 750-word limit.

The Context: This monumental task collided head-on with the his school’s summative exams.

The Style: True to form, it was a race to the finish—a classic, eleventh-hour sprint. But from that pressure cooker, an essay ignited.

My heart simply swells to see the quality of the work he wrested from the deadline's grip. He didn't just meet the requirement; he conquered it.

I'm sharing his powerful output here:

One experience that has helped define me as a person was performing as a bassist for the first time. I did not know it at the time, but playing instruments in bands would become a regular part of my life. It was all because of that first performance. In December 2019, there was a church youth event, and one of the people who was involved in organizing the event asked me and my friends if we could play songs as a band. At that time, I was just beginning to learn bass. I wanted to learn bass because I had watched so many YouTube videos of people playing bass, and I became inspired. To prepare for the event, we had practices where we would play the songs together repeatedly, fix mistakes, and refine our parts until we could play them well. During the practices, I realized that playing in a band was not just about focusing only on my own part, but about paying attention and listening to everyone else's parts so that it would sound good. We kept practicing until the day of the event, and when it finally came, we were ready. It was a small gathering, but some people cheered and clapped for the songs we played. The performance went well. It was something that I had wanted to do ever since I started playing bass. It led me to continue to play bass after that. I kept playing bass and started learning new songs. By learning songs, I discovered that if I put enough effort and time into it, I could learn and master things that I thought I could never do. Breaking down hard riffs and solos into smaller parts, slowing them down, and playing them over and over again until I could play them properly showed me that I could be patient and persistent--two things I wasn't good at being. After a few years, I became a regular musician at church, playing bass, drums, and guitar. I also then joined a band at school and made new friends through music by meeting different musicians who shared my musical interests. It all started with that first performance, which led to many experiences that helped define who I am. 

Trust the journey. God has already plotted the path and will anchor your roots deep within His purpose.
Forge ahead in your walk. Your faith is your compass.

And here’s to an abundance of great music—a lifetime soundtrack of praise that rings out for Him!

We love you, always. Budi!

 

 

 

 

Pickleball journey

One fine day in December 2024, I traded the corporate grind for something wildly unexpected, my husband’s beginner pickleball class.

I’d teased him for those suspiciously long “games with friends,” warning that his new obsession might have family-wide consequences. Who plays sports for six straight hours, anyway?

Then I picked up a paddle and that was it. The sharp pop of the ball, the rush of movement, the laughter on the court, the sleek gear, the surge of endorphins. Everything clicked. I was hooked.

Fast-forward: we bought a ball machine (now “for rent” to fellow addicts), I’ve played in tournaments, earned a DUPR rating, and found a sport I can chase, sweat, and grow in.

Here’s to a life of pickleball—thank You, Lord, for the serve I never saw coming. Here's to meeting new friends, reconnecting with old ones through pickleball games.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superhost badge 

Two homes. Two stories.
One in Bay, another in Nuvali. Both born for different reasons, both now thriving on Airbnb. And just like that, Superhost status unlocked.

Grateful for family and friends who made it happen. May every guest find the rest and comfort they deserve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Skills vs Academic Knowledge, Travel Goals, Embracing YOU

Are professional skills more valuable to graduates than academic knowledge? Does a higher degree get your foot in the door, or does your past work experience count for more? And beyond this, how valuable are professional skills vis-à-vis work experience or academic credentials?

I am having my first PhD classes this month. Despite my educational credentials and almost similar work experience vs. my partner who is into IT (I am currently in the education industry), our salaries have 8x disparity to his favor.

Education is very important. A degree is a winning ticket to turning lives around economically. More important than the school where you came from, is also the kind of degree you take as well as your character, goals and dreams.

An act of kindness can help you as much as the person you’re helping out.

Bucket List: Japan

Day 1: Tokyo Shinobuya
Day 2: Ghibli Museum
Day 3: Tokyo Dotonburi & Shibuya
Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto
Day 6: USJ
Day 7: Osaka Castle
Day 8: Airpot to Kanzai

God, when we focus on You things get alright.

In order to love who you are, you cannot hate the experiences that shaped you.

Patience, bes

“Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.”

― Molière

Best over good, Gatorade story, Writing a reflection paper

Choosing best over better over good
It's tough to become a good parent because kids force you to choose the best over the good and the better - when you feel like just sitting back and relaxing.

A lazy person like me makes a terrible parent. Instead of sleeping in the morning, I have to get up and help my kids prepare for school. Instead of serving my go to canned goods for a meal, I need to serve up healthy meals ideal for my active 8-year old boy. And so on.

I am so thankful for Ate Narcing. She has been making my life a heaven since she arrived.

How Gatorade Revived Itself

"This is my Jerry Maguire moment," she says. "I said, ‘It's okay if you want to fire me, but this is what we have to do, and we have to start saying no to a lot of stuff that retailers are asking us to do, that Wall Street is asking us to do, and we just have to serve the athlete and act like a sport-performance company. And it's going to be a long, hard journey.' And credit to him: He said, ‘Okay, we're in.' "

Read more here on how Sarah Robb O'hagan turned Gatorade into the sports hydration brand it is now. https://www.fastcompany.com/3018207/most-creative-people-2012/23-sarah-robb-ohagan

Writing a reflection paper
Enrolling in graduate school has me writing essays left and right. Reflection paper is a common type that I churn out regularly. The school has prescribed a way to do it:

1. Things you have learned from the topic
2. Way you have learned it
3. Things you learned which you were supposed to learn
4. How to apply things you have learned
5. Probable problem if you will apply it

Peer pressure and social norm captured in this video


BRAIN GAMES Hidden Camera: Peer Pressure from Joe Gabriel on Vimeo.

Open-ended questions, smart kids, traffic sensors, dream perspectives, PETA

Thanks Tito Danny! You will be missed.

Open-ended questions
Interviews encourage open-ended questions. They have the power to elicit deeper thinking and meaningful conversations. Parents are encouraged to ask open-ended questions to start family bonding.

One way we do this is through our daily roses and thorns. I found out about this from Pastor Herald Cruz who talked about parenting in my kids' school. He shared the Obama's roses and thorns which lets the kids share the best and worst part of their day. Every night, before we do our story time--we are in Book 10 of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events--kids have to share what was their most and least favorite parts of their days. Then we pray and give thanks for them.

My 8-year old boy never fails to give the answer: I am thankful for the computer. Day in and day out, believe me!

Our beloved pets: Sunny and Myeh!

Smart kids

We noticed that our 8-year old's best friends are the smartest kids in his class. We asked him and this was his answer:

I only befriend the smart kids at school because they are the only ones who understands.

Traffic sensors

Passing through an intersection, our 8-year old suggested to his dad that there should be traffic lights with sensors. So that when there are no cars on the other side, the green light for those with heavy traffic can still go on and drive.

Throwback photo of us fit girls trying to get slimmer

Dream perspectives

Our two kids were discussing their dreams last night. Couldn't hep but laugh when I overheard our 8-year old asking this:

Was your dream in 1st person or 3rd person?

Kids reaction to my blog
I told my kids that I keep a blog to house my journal of our experiences. I have been very forgetful, and the blog will remind us what those past years have been. I read to them several posts I found very funny. While I was already cracking up reading the first few lines, they were cringing.

Lenny Kravits 
One of the early video games we let the kids play is Guitar/Music Hero. Most of the songs were rock classics, and not the usual pop songs the kids know. One of the songs included was Lenny Kravits' Are You Gonna Go My Way. So imagine our amusement when recently, we caught our 8-year old humming to that song.

A very sloppy picture without much thought about composition

Peta Theater's Art Zone
My friend and I recently attended a PETA parenting seminar. It was my first time to be at PETA Theater's building. They are located at the back of Quezon City Sports Club, near St. Lukes. Their building was impressive. I know that was a product of much labor and sacrifice. It felt chilling being within a structure build by the country's geniuses of theater and music. Yes, I was able to spy several theater greats like Kuya Bodjie Pascua, Direk Soxy Topacio, musician Noel Cabangon among others. It was great that there's a place like that where enthusiasts can hang out and be in the company of these wonderful, talented and accommodating stars.

PETA or Philippine Educational Theater Association started as a Martial Law protest group, if I remember it right. So imagine my surprise, finding about their other programs which include theater acting for kids, writing as well as storytelling. They have regular weekly offerings. How come I didn't know about this when we were still QC-based?

How important is preschool education

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/preschool-waste-of-time-money-2016-8

A growing body of evidence suggests that preschool doesn’t offer kids anything they can’t get more easily — or more cheaply — through other means.

Chris Weller wrote about that and looking back, I agree. Finland starts late, schooling their kids at age seven. Yet their education remains top of the world.

Early childhood remains important development milestone that society especially families should protect and maximize. Yet as parents, we should not stress it too much. Life is a marathon after all. Starting strong doesn't equate finishing strong. Letting kids be is better than denying them of their childhood because of early schooling.

I fell into this trap once. I saw my kid's natural timidity as a weakness. We decided to send her to school early to address this. The extra three school years didn't change her into the spunky gal I wish her to be. Yet now that she's much older, I hear positive feedback about how she gets along well with all of her peers. Her mild personality allowed her to blend easily. She has been asked to lead too, both by her teachers and classmates.

Be your own you

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting. –E.E. Cummings

Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself. ~ Coco Chanel ctto

Everybody wins

Everything else implies a winner and a loser. But this is not a game. If someone wins, everyone does not have to lose. And if someone loses, everyone else doesn’t win. Instead, we need to figure out how to come together and reconcile with one another. — @glennbeck https://medium.com/@glennbeck/disagree-or-be-fired-a0ae2deca9b6#---54-305.ld8hbj7dz

As a parent and a wannabe educator, I would like to promote an alternative mindset much different from competition we are all familiar with. 

In competitions, contenders battle it out for the first spot.  Each prepares and trains, but only one one gets to be awarded the ultimate competition title. This works in athletics, in school competitions, in promoting excellence and hard work. However, the trouble begins when we adopt this competition mindset to our daily lives. On the road, we feel like we must beat the other car and drive ahead. In the office, we refuse to help others who may reach higher than us.

We fail to understand that life has its ups and downs. Life has opportunities and right timing (TAMANG PANAHON ala Kalyeserye style). No matter how good we may be, our preparations and skills will not land us to the top spot unless the odds favor us as well. Adopting the mindset that we can all win recognizes that our time has not come yet, and we must keep on improving and growing until it comes. We can begin to feel truly happy for others who reach this success, because their triumph is not deducted from our capabilities to win.

We must not treat one another as enemies fighting the same battle where only one wins. Instead, let us think that life is a battle, yet all of us WINS at our own right time.

It's all a matter of perspective.

To Label or Not to Label Reflection Paper on Totoy Guro’s Special Education Labels in the Philippines

ctto

Totoy Guro is a blog written by a Filipino teacher. It is a personal space on the Internet where he shares his insights, notes and personal experiences as an educator in the Philippines. The article listing Totoy Guro’s reasons for espousing the use of “labels” for children with special needs (CSN) is a good insight from a teacher’s perspective. Totoy Guro enumerated that using labels for CSN strengthens the teachers’ roles because labels identify the exceptional students’ needs in the classrooms. He also opposed the use of euphemisms for exceptionalities as this prevents people from truly understanding what needs understanding. He said euphemisms promote gossips and unfair labels among children, parents and even teachers. Instead, he recommended public and classroom discussions to educate everyone about exceptionalities.

Reading about students’ exceptionalities and special education (SPED) has opened my mind about the topic. The most experience and knowledge I have about it was a special classroom in my high school where the lone SPED teacher conducted lessons to students with disabilities. These students joined their class the same way regular students would, but gathered daily in the SPED room long after the regular students have gone home. Inside that room was a mystery unknown and uninteresting to me until now. 

Totoy Guro’s piece on using labels gave me an overview of what regular students, CSN, parents and teachers stand about exceptionalities. SPED and exceptionalities are facts of life everyone should accept, deal and live with respectfully of one another. As a parent and future educator, I know that having correct diagnosis of students’ learning disabilities is beneficial for the concerned student, parent and family of the student and most especially, the teacher. It is the start of addressing the necessary accommodations, therapy and changes in order to make the CSN succeed at school.

Totoy Guro has freely used the term label to mean this diagnosis. However, I understand also the possible negative reaction of those who oppose the use of labels for the stigma and wrong connotations they give. The same way that our society today has opted for politically correct phrases and terminologies in order to appease people groups coming from diverse backgrounds and concerns. Adopting politically correct phrases though is synonymous to watering down the issue, if not totally evading it. The problems with using labels then is miscommunication and lack of respect for those who are different from us. Job 6:25 KJV says, “How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?” Right words set us towards the correct path. Arguments divide people, familites and societies. We need and deserve truth all the time, but we need to serve it with love, respect, understanding and encouragement all the time too.

Reference/s

T. G. (2011, September 3). MY LIST WHY “LABELS” FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ARE GOOD [Web log post]. Retrieved June 19, 2016, from https://totoyguro.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/my-list-why-labels-for-children-with-special-needs-are-good/#comments

So what?

You failed your finals. You gained some weight. So what?

You’re single again. You lost your job. So what?

What now?

You live.

You try again. That’s what. 

Life Direction and Puberty

When life is gray, where do you turn?

High School Challenges

Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines awardee and Ateneo de Manila University’s first visually-impaired Filipina summa cum laude Roselle Ambubuyog summarized her life story in colors. Green for her childhood days, red when she became blind, white for that time when she has accepted her disability, yellow for those years that despite her blindness there are supportive people around her who helped her accomplish her dreams, and so on. For me, my high school years were gray. Gray because I have never been as unsure of my life as I was then.

I was clueless as to what to do with my life. I didn’t know what course to take because I didn’t know what career I would enjoy best. While my friends and classmates were sure as to the steps they want to take after high school, I was drifting along. I was copying whatever sounded great. I guess I was most hesitant to make the first mature decision of my life: to choose a college degree.

I was also most disinterested about life when I was in high school. Perhaps it was due to hormonal changes, but I was most sluggish then. Nothing appeared interesting to me. My days would be the same day in and day out. School was fun and I have numerous fun friends, but life was monotonous. Everything was boring, everything was gray.

Lastly, I remember that back in high school, during my third year, my father died. It was one of the saddest days of my life. My father, whom I love and respect very much got sick of emphysema and was in pain for quite some months. Several weeks before Christmas, my brother fetched us from the province with the bad news that our dad passed away. I was crying all throught our trip home.

It was amazing that high school life consisted only of four years, but led to more colorful and difficult yet rewarding life ahead. I am most thankful of God’s mercies on my life because looking back, it is clear to me that by His loving kindness I came out fine and triumphant after high school.

“People plan their path, but the Lord secures their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Childhood Unforgettable Experiences

Decades after, my wacky family!

From a small, rural town to the big city

My earliest childhood recollection was being with my mom who worked very hard, helping my farmer father provide the best future for me and my siblings.

I come from a big family, with five older brothers and four older sisters. My parents believe that education is the optimum ticket to better our lives. With all 10 of us attending school, my parents worked hard together to make ends meet. Both my father and mother had little formal schooling, but they were active in our community, with my father being a baranggay capitan for about 19 years.

I remember that aside from tilling the lands, my father drove a public utility jeepney for a living; while my mother organized housewives and gave them jobs as needlewomen. She would get contracting jobs from various businessmen, some of whom were foreigners, and she would sometimes bring me along to her meetings with them. There was one very vivid childhood memory I have of those trips when I got offered my favorite native delicacy of kutsinta. No matter how much I wanted to taste it, I was overcame with shyness. I regretted that and I told I myself that I should not be timid especially when I know what I liked.

At school, I enjoyed studying. It became my parents’ pride that I would be chosen as our school’s representative in declamation contests and win. I remembered my mother drafted her own poems for me to recite during family reunions and community programs.

When I turned nine, my parents decided to enroll us in Manila. My older brothers and sisters who were in college level were already studying in various universities in Recto and were staying in different apartments and dormitories. My parents were offered a tiny bit of land to build a small house in Sampaloc, and my parents decided that it would be best for all of us to live and study in Manila. They bought the land and built the tiniest house I have ever seen. A 26-square meter abode was to become my new home, far from the verdant rice fields and vast tree-lined playing grounds that I loved.

It was in Manila that I learned how to cross the busy, traffic-jammed streets, haggle in crowded public markets, and order fast food in Jollibee. My quiet, slow and steady life at the province was replaced with the congested city’s noise and quarrelsome, drug-dealing neighbors. So I turned to books, reading and learning. I enjoyed school more and was recognized for my efforts. When it was time for my elementary graduation practice, I had to rehearse with my teachers the speech that I was to deliver in front of our graduating class but I didn’t make it because I was feeling weak. During the actual graduation day, at the break of dawn, instead of wearing the white graduation dress, I was changing into a hospital gown. I was admitted for appendicitis and was operated on while my classmates were receiving their elementary diplomas.

Like a seedling removed from the plant nursery to grow in the open sun

Notes on Elisabeth Elliot's Love has a Price Tag

Elisabeth Elliot - missionary, mom, author

I first knew about Elisabeth Elliot from the movie Through Gates of Splendor. It documented their missionary days in a remote jungle in Ecuador and how their husbands were killed by the Auca people whom they have been praying for to share the gospel with - their husbands of barely five years.

Their story convinced me more to seek God's kingdom and live my life for Him.

Keep a Quiet Heart
Then I came across my sister's book written by Elisabeth, Keep a Quiet Heart. It is a compilation of writings on various topics like family, faith, even social issue commentaries. I read it three times from cover to cover and has been greatly blessed with her views and messages. Googled her and found out about her website which featured daily devotionals - http://www.elisabethelliot.org/.

It was sad to know she has stopped writing and speaking. She is a great blessing to the country of America, even to the world. So I decided to support her by getting another book: Love Has a Price Tag: Inspiring Stories That Will Open Your Heart to Life's Little Miracles. It will definitely not be the last book I will read by her.

Notes on Love Has a Price Tag

The purpose of life is to know God Photo credit:PraisePhotography.com

1. The purpose of life is to know God - we do this on our own. Others may point us closer to Him, yet the experience is all unique for every individual, personal.
2. When God made man, He made him in His own image. When He made the animals, His imagination roamed wide and free - The Adventures of Toby is an animation series that is not only top quality but parent approved.
3. If we give out love, there is ultimately no way on heaven or earth to avoid receiving and receiving far more than we could possibly give.
4. Life is full of things we can't do anything about, but which we are supposed to do so mething with. - My take on this, my son's special needs in class is NOT a problem but a purpose - to improve myself, that I may be able to love them more, and learn to trust God more.
5. Prayer is like incense. It costs a great deal. It doesn't seem to accomplish much (as we mortals assess things). It soon dissipates but God likes the smell.
6. Let thanksgiving be the habit of your life
7. God has no problems only plans. Corrie Ten Boom

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Which events and people will you remember 2011 for? 5-minute Bible stories for kids, Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook and Recipe for successful achievements

2011 has been a colorful and eventful year.



I would summarize it to be a landmark year when it comes to web development - my work. With the release of Apple's iPad 2, tablet and mobile use has spiked so incredibly that web designers and developers have gone BUSY. Personally, I started with developing ecommerce sites and that's AWESOME.

In terms of personalities, names like Steve Jobs Kim Jong-Il, Prince William and Catherine Middleton made the year that has been emotionally stirring. Even causing others to ask soul-probing questions about life and love.

Politically, the freedom riots in the Middle East are changing how the world works. It's getting flatter by the day.

Lastly, 2011 has been full of global weirding tragedies which claimed lots of innocent lives. The Japan tsunami, Thailand flooding, and Sendong typhoon showed men's feebleness vs nature's wrath. These same events, however, highlighted men's ability to be bigger than himself when he chooses to serve others before his own needs.


Closer note
We have adopted a Tuesday and Thursday family activity of singing hymns, praying and reading Bible stories. The two kids love it! They want to do it daily.

The goal was to enforce family devotion, and provide parent-guided communication about God and faith. It was heart warming to get this Bible passage in one of my devotionals:

1 Corinthians 3:7 NLT
"It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow."

Our two kids were gifts from God, and He himself will watch over them and raise them up in a way that will please Him. Praise be to God!


Book trivia

This year, I finished reading The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, a gift to my husband from dear friends.

Here are cool tips I got from there:

• Bees moving in large masses are called swarms.
• To survive a stampede, determine first where they are headed and then get out of the way. If you cannot escape your only option is to run alongside the stampede to avoid getting trampled.

From the email, tumblr and twitter world

I confess, I love reading heartwarming and inspiring literature. And I get that a lot from my email inbox, tumblr and twitter accounts. Facebook too. Sharing with you one of my 2011 favorites:

The recipe for successful achievements:

1. Enjoy your work.

2. Do your best.

3. Develop good working relationships.

4. Be open to opportunities.

Happy New Year!

Cars 2, Rooftop hydroponic greenhouses, Edouard Martinet, Steve Jobs, parenting tip from Dr. Kevin Leman and Pinto Art Gallery in Antipolo

Thanks to the long weekend from P-Noy, my kids were able to go on a date with their Ma Dahls to see Cars 2 in 3D. They love it, of course.

"Carlos was very excited he kept on jumping on his chair," my little girl told me about her brother.

They got tired from too much fun that they slept early that day. Good start for this 3-day school week. :)

Planting fun and nobility
The world is going back to agriculture. Noting organic as the way to go. As a lass from the province, I am at home with the land. That's why I want my kids to experience slow life in the rural farms. We haven't had the chance to do that.

I have heard of hydroponic farms in Tagaytay which supplies salad greens to five-star restaurants in the metro. Hydroponic started in the Middle East where they used water to hasten the planting cycle. Now, this practice is being implemented in New York on un-utilized rooftops through Bright Farms.

Edouard Martinet - sculptor
It would be really freaky to see crawling insects like these. Seamlessly sculpted from metal, these creations look like they are the real deal.

Artists are really innovators and dreamers. They see things that aren't yet there, and their eyes perceive things that are already there in a very different way.

Goodbye Sir Steve Jobs
People don't know what they want until you show it to them. ~ Steve Jobs

10 Laws of Steve Jobs

One shining claim of the US is Steve Jobs and Apple - amidst the gloomy picture their country is painted now. The world respects this guy highly, because he changed the world several times. His personality and attitude settle for none and that make him stand out.

We have shifted to the Mac experience slowly some two years ago. They say that once you've experienced it, you won't settle for anything less. From a single Mac laptop to all things Mac in our house, that's how we've been Steve-fied.

The world will need another fountainhead that will steer excellence and perfection now that he left Apple as CEO.

Unhappy parents 

Dr. Kevin Leman  advises parents to utter, a simple and calm "I'm very unhappy with what I see/hear "...turn around and leave.

It works with 4, 10, 17, not to mention the 20 year old. I call it " parental poker". Every parent has to learn to play those cards just right. It works. Kids don't like it when mom/dad are unhappy!

I have tried the Leman book Have a New Kid by Friday and I agree 100% with his sensible parenting tips. Though sometimes I forget, being reminded consistently of parenting the Leman way proves effective.

Take for instance a conversation I had with my daughter's classmates' mom. She told me that her son didn't want to go to school anymore. When she investigated, her son admitted that he fears school because the teacher might get mad at him when he fails to write his name. The boy said the teacher looked like ghost when she got angry. My daughter never mentioned anything about her teachers getting mad. She is, perhaps, used to serious looking mom when I deal with her the Leman way.

Pinto Art Gallery in Antipolo, Rizal
My share of the long weekend climaxed yesterday, when together with my small group, we went to the Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain near the Gozon compound in Boso-Boso, Antipolo. After having our lunch there - I ordered their famous arrozcaldo, we visited Pinto Art Gallery. It was a gallery and a private collection exhibit hall of Dr. Joven Cuanang, a director of Neurology at St. Lukes Medical Hospital.

The facility lies behind a famous restaurant named Laya. I don't know if the people who eat there know about this treasure tucked behind the gate inside the Sierra Madre Grand Height Subdivision.

The Mediterranean inspired design of the whole place worked around the natural landscape of the place. There were trees shooting inside the roof of the veranda. Huge boulders of stones were incorporated at the main art gallery as if they were in exhibit too.

I also liked that in between the art houses are green gardens with welcoming lounge areas. The garden used endemic plants - saw black bamboos there - both ornamental and palatable ones. I only found out that citronella leaves look the same as lemon grass there.

Pinto Art Gallery is a place I will go back to - bringing the kids with me next time. There was a pre-nuptial photo session ongoing when we had our tour. And yes, we were toured by one of the artists in display there too - Mr. Jim. All the featured artists are Filipinos and they are AWESOME creations there. More power to Filipinos supporting the Philippines art and nature.

Thinking of mommy, trouble with sending son to school, sardines and chocolate beddings, door made from color swatches

While washing the dishes, my little girl pointed out that her utensils need not be cleaned. "I didn't use them mom, because I don't want you to be tired. When I was in Laguna, I missed you."

Yes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I'm so proud of how my 5-year old girl thought about me. Thank you for being selfless, Lois!

Children listen
Careful what you say, children will listen - that song of Miss Barbara Streissand has never been truer than this time.

I talked on the phone about my little boy's lackluster efforts and interests in writing and the following day. My sister was on the other line. The following morning, my three-your old son uses that as the reason not to go inside their classroom.

"I cannot draw and write", he argues.

"That's the more reason you should go to school", I argued back.

Fast forward when we are at his school grounds, the bell rings for them to line up. With all his classmates falling in line, he fiddles behind my back. "I want them inside already, and then I will go and line up."

No one's left outside anymore. Teacher beckons to him again. He resists, as if finding protection from me. "Go inside when you're ready. We are waiting for you inside." He was told by the teacher.

He refuses, again. I try more convincing tactics - bribing, threatening, encouraging. Carlos doesn't want to go inside. I turn my back to walk back home. He follows. When we got to a private place where I can talk with him, I remind him that when we get home I will bring him to his room and talk with him - the usual punishment routine. He speaks some illogical words, but motions to go to school.

I walk with him again. When we get to his class' door, he tells me to knock. We wait. Growing impatient perhaps, he knocks now. Teacher opens the door and greets him the usual morning ritual. He gets inside. Hay!

This seemingly ordinary shoe may be zipped up on its own - swell for light travelers.

Loving school
Quite the opposite, my 5-year old daughter tells me one time that her favorite thing to do is to go to school.

"I love learning," she beams.

Good for you. She notes that job helpers, when teacher lets them report the weather, read the calendar, etc entice her to go to school every day.

This door is made from pantone switches which lets the light in.

Seeing through other peoples' eyes

I had to leave with Lois and daddy has to work. No yaya, only Kuya duds, who is helping us out temporarily, to look after Carlos. Gave them P50 for tokens and juice to buy from The supermarket - Carlos' favorite.

Six hours later, Lois and I came back. Carlos was deep asleep, obviously tired from his afternoon treat. The following morning, both kids ask me again to bring them to the game zone.


Why we went away
The kids will be starting school soon and I have extra hand through Kuya Jordan, so I decided to attend my small group, after more than six-months of hiatus.

My group is an all-women's group which study the Bible and organize travel, outreach activities and I missed them a lot.

Tinker Toys creation - helicopter

When they saw me again, they all said I looked fatter. Though more were commenting on my daughter whom they haven't seen for a long time. They all said she has grown to become a big girl. Most asked if she was already starting grade school because she looks so tall already.

Somehow, all of their comments gave me a different perspective of the my daughter. Yes! I see too, how big she now is. Far from the toddler that I used to carry. I don't need to mind her now anymore. She can handle her self. I can even give her directions!

Even the MRT agrees. Lois is 'required' to pay now, because her height exceeds the train meter's.

KLove promo
Husband loves KLove. He always leave it playing on for all of us to hear at home.

One ongoing promotion they have is to complete the sentence: I am a living proof of God's love (blank). Listening to the contest rules, I wondered what I would put in place of the blank. Does my life really prove God's love? Do my kids see in me a godly woman? I whispered a prayer and praised God for mini-moments like these which bring me back to what's important.

I am a living proof of God's love, my life now has meaning and fulfillment. Far from the empty, hard-to-fill cup I used to live. I know that I am here on earth for a purpose, and my every day unfolds that purpose.

Washington Sycip
One prolific organization that I admire, and wish to grow even more is HistokyKo.Org

One recent activity they had, which I missed was a talk given by great Filipino business sage Washington Sycip. When I saw a DVD of the event selling for P200, I bought it and learned a lot from the talk. Sharing the insights I have taken down:

1. KT Li of Taiwan introduced computer to all age group that's why Taiwan is what it is now, a small country giant in IT manufacturing. To learn more about his life and emulate him that husband may fulfill his dream of leveraging IT to reach the Philippines' poor.
2. A person who cannot read or write is 99.9% sure to be poor. - Washington Sycip
3. Asked what he taught his children, Mr. Sycip said to provide good education for his children, thinking that afterwards, they will not depend on him. He even relayed how his parents sent them to the public school, even if they can afford the private school; and make them walk or take public transportation, instead of being driven around. Further convinced to lead simple lives to empower more the kids. Thinking comfort and luxury spoil kids.
4. Examples of leadership, good leadership is lacking in the country. Reminded even more to model good behavior so the kids may see. I often require the kids to be cordial and respectful to  the elderly, while I myself am shy. Things like that.

Overheard
We have met up with Ninang Rachelle quite often this month. She drove for us. Some funny moments between her and Carlos:

Rachelle asking CD: Did you see that other car? Or are you near-sighted?
Carlos: Me, I am excited!
Who wouldn't we're going to the pool to swim.

Kids are pretending to drive while seated at the back. Ninang Rachelle was annotating her driving. Curious if the kids are following her, she asked:
Rachelle: I am going to turn left. Where are you going?
Carlos: We're left-ing.
Oh, he's going to turn left too.

Deciding to eat via drive-thru, Ninang Rachelle asked:
Rachelle: Do you want anything?
Carlos: Yes! I want anything.

Maybe they added 'anything' in their menu?

Sunday Morning Musings

“When your memories become more important than your dreams your life is over.”

—	Rozanne Frazee

“Education is both an investment for an individual and his country.”

—	Education Secretary Armin Luistro