Keekaye's sketches

Random-randoman

Posted by Kaye | Posted on 05-11-2010

Category : family, life outside work, musings, Work

Tags: Ate Kara, Bong, Cassie, Jeremy, random, random thoughts

Dahil mahigit 140MB ang dini-DL kong file galing sa agency na gumawa ng Employees’ Yearbook namin na siya ko namang mamanipulahin dito sa pc ko, meron akong panahong magsulat. Actually kung tutuusin, dapat pala e naglelayout ako ng weekly publication ko na nung isang linggo ko pa hindi naaupdate dahil sa gabundok na trabaho para sa musicale namin sa 25^th. Kaya lang, habang nagaupdate ng links sa Adobe InDesign yung malaking file na padala ng agency, inutil din ako sa paglelayout dahil wala akong mabubuksang ibang file, kaya eto magsusulat na lang ako. Ng ano kamo? Ng mga kung anu ano lang. Masyado na kong napepressure ni Lio na magsulat kahit alam niyang marami akong ginagawang trabaho.

So anong mga narealize ko? In no particular order, ay:

Talagang matandang matanda ang turing saken ni Lio. Pag nagtetext kasi siya ng kung anu-anong shit (excuse my French) e gumagalang siya saken. As in. Eto ang example: “At bkt wla kaung bgong post eh ngaun p nmn aq ngkron ng time para mgbloghop?” Notice the ‘kayo’ in reference to me? Sa halip na sabihin niyang “At bakit wala kang bagong post,” e ‘kayo’ talaga ang ginagamit niya. Haha! Sorry, Lio. Naaaliw lang talaga ako. Di ko alam kung magkasingedad kayo ni Vajee, pero si Vajee, kahit mommy ang tawag niyan saken, hindi niya ako iginagalang. O iyan ba e dahil di ako kagalang galang? (napakamot ng ulo sabay napaisip sa tunay na sagot)

Masarap kantahin ang Telephone ni Lady Gaga. Naappreciate ko lang siya nung kantahin yun nina Charice at Lea Michele Sa Glee. Kaya ngayon yung version ni Lady Gaga at Beyonce, lagi ko na ring pinakikinggan.

Nagugulat ako sa mga pagbabagong nagaganap sa kapatid kong si Jeson. Pero palagay ko, mas nagulat si Cassie nang minsang napanood niya ang pagkanta ni Tito Jeson ng Fireflies. Natutulog siya nun sa tabi ko nang maisipan kong panoorin mula sa FB ang video ni Jeson. Namangha ako kasi anlakas talaga ng loob niyang irecord on video ang pagkanta niya. Ayun, ang perfect pitch na batang si Cassie ay nagising, at nakinood. Pero nung tinitingnan ko ang reaction ng muka niya, parang di niya gusto ang napapanood at napapakinggan niya. To think na hindi pa Halloween nung mga panahong iyon.

Kahit na ang dami dami daming trabaho ngayon sa opisina, narealize kong mahal ko talaga ang trabaho ko. Hindi lang dahil ito ang isa sa pinanggagalingan ng resources namin ni Daddy Bong, kundi dahil kahit anong dami ng reklamo ko kapag napapagod ako sa tambak at gabundok na kelangang tapusin, papasok at papasok pa rin ako para gawin ang trabaho ko. At sa gabi bago matulog, nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord dahil sa mga bagong natututunan ko sa trabaho araw-araw.

Hindi lang pala ako ang nakapansin na magaling kumuha ng tono si Cassie. Nung Sabado, sinubukan nina Bong at ng mga in-laws ko ang magkonekta sa Skype para makausap ang aking hipag, si Ateyet, isang doktor ng medisina na ngayon ay nabibilang sa mga makabagong Bayani ng Bansang ito. Oo, isa siyang dakilang OFW sa Australia. Sa isang ospital sa Adelaide siya nagtatrabaho bilang isang Emergency Medicine doctor. Kasama niya doon ang kanyang asawang si RG, isa ring doktor. At dahil sabik sa pamilya lalo sa kanyang mga pamangkin, minabuti nilang subukang mag-Skype (ako, kasalukuyang nanonood ng homecoming concert ng Philippine Madrigal Singers sa CCP kasama ang pinsan ni Daddy Bong na si Iah). Hindi sila successful sa pagkonek sa Skype. Hindi tuloy nakita ni Ateyet ang dalawang piglets. Pero kinantahan pala sila ni Cassie. Ayun, sa text niya kanina sa akin, sinabi niyang magaling na rin palang kumanta si Cassie, tamang tama ang tono, at pati si RG na kumakanta at tumutugtog (ng piano, gitara, sax, drums—isa siyang alien, hindi nyo naitatanong) ay ganun din ang puna. Sabi ko sa kanya, si Jeremy, magaling din kumuha ng tono. (Pinagkakatuwaan namin yan ng kapatid kong si Anne palagi.) Sa aking palagay, may pagmamanahan naman ang mga anak ko kung lahat sila may sinabi pagdating sa musika. Si Ate Kara ngayon ay parte ng gifted group ng kanilang school choir. Alto ang boses niya, na sa palagay ko, kung mahahasa pa ay maaaring maging soprano. Si Daddy Bong, makailang beses ko nang naisulat na magaling kumanta. Classical voice din ang training nilang magkakapatid at pwede siyang magtenor o magbass. Sa totoo lang, ako ang kanyang number one fan. Ako naman, noong college ay nag-aral ng voice lessons sa College of Music extension program, at matapos iyon ay naging bahagi sumandali ng UP Singing Ambassadors. Pangarap kong magkaroon din ng magandang background sa music ang aming mga anak. Malay mo, balang araw, maging bahagi ang isa sa kanila ng Madz…o kaya’y maging bagong discovery ni David Foster…parang si Charice lang. Hihihi!

Narealize ko rin na hindi kami nakapagdasal ng rosaryo sa buong buwan ng Oktubre. Tradisyon namin yan ni Daddy Bong. Alam kong hindi ito tamang rason, pero nawala na marahil sa aming gunita ang magdasal nito bago matulog dahil kadalasan, pareho kaming pagod na pagod galing sa trabaho. Pagdating pa sa bahay, kukunin na namin agad ang mga bata mula sa mga yaya. Ayun tuloy, hindi pa man lumalapat ang mga likod sa kama, naghihilik na. Pareho kami. Hihihi!

Masarap pala ang Magic Creams chocolate flavor. Nung isang araw nakita kong kinakain ito ni Daddy Bong at ni Jeremy pero di ko pinansin kasi…wala lang. E pinabaunan ako ni Daddy Bong dun sa baunan ko at kanina mineryenda ko yung Magic Creams. Masarap pala. Nakain ko yung dalawang pack na pabaon saken. Thank you, Dad.

Tagalog ang post ko ngayon. May nakapagsabi kasi sa akin na kaya daw di niya ako madalas puntahan dahil English ang mga posts ko. Anuver. Nalungkot naman ako. Di naman hi-fallutin’ ang English ko. Pinagsisikapan ko lang na maging grammatically correct ang mga entries ko kasi nakakahiya naman sa trabaho ko kung di ko itatama ang grammar ng sinusulat ko. Pero kahit na. Ayan, sa Tagalog na ako nagsulat. Siguro naman hindi na niya ako iisnabin. Teka, sino nga ba yun? nakalimutan ko na. Sana puntahan niya itong site ko. Haha!

At dahil hindi pa tapos ang trabaho ko. hanggang dito na lang muna ang blogpost ko. Narealize kong walang tamang closure ang sinulat ko. Ibig sabihin, may kasunod pa ito. Sana masundan ko agad bago ako mamatay sa pagkakadagan ng sangkaterbang trabaho ko sa opisina. LOL.

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My love (sometimes, hate) affair with Yayas

Posted by Kaye | Posted on 17-09-2010

Category : life outside work, Motherhood and parenting, musings

Tags: Bong, Cassie, Jeremy, yaya

I’ve been having a love- (at times, hate) affair with yayas for 3 years now, from the time Jeremy was born. While Ate Kara is my eldest, I’d say she is the luckiest since it was my mom who took care of her. She did not have a yaya, and that’s largely because my mom was much younger then, and therefore, she caould still take care full time of babies. Besides, she was just too happy to have a baby to take care of since our youngest, Anne, at the time, was already 14 years old.

Anyway, back to my love affair with yayas.

Yaya no. 1 was a teenager who, at her young age, was able to take care of Jeremy, who was already 3 months old at the time, very very well. She only lasted for 4 months because her parents decided to take her to her aunt so she could go back to schooling.

Yaya no. 2 lasted for three weeks only because on her third and last week (even if I didn’t like her because she was always texting), during her watch and while Bong and I were in the office, Jeremy, who was already 8 months then, fell off the bed, face down. (Imaging going home and finding out your baby did not just have a large bukol, but a black eye as well)Yaya no. 2 was nowhere in sight. Where was she? Beats me. So she had to go right there and then.

Yaya no. 3 lasted for 6 months. She was the second eldest daughter of our own yaya who hails from Samar. Unfortunately, her parents decided to just take her home when my mom refused to lend them money (Oh, they always “lend” money from her…wala na nga lang bayaran.) That was their way of getting back at her, I guess.

Yaya No.4, who was Cassie’s first ate, was also a fresh high school graduate when she was brought to us. I did not know if it was wise to trust her with a newly-born (Cassie was, at the time, only 1 month old), but she also did well, taking care of Cassie for 10 months.

Because Yaya no. 3 left, we had no recourse but to get Yaya No. 5, a young girl who, at the onset of her stay with us, clearly did not want to work for us. She told us she was just forced by her aunt to work. And since she was not doing well, we had to let her go after just a few days.

With Yaya No. 5 gone, Yaya no. 6 arrived from Butuan. She was the sister of my in-laws’ kasambahay. She was heaven-sent, too, because, as she was already a mom, she knew how to take care of the little hyperactive boy and I saw that she truly loved him. Unfortunately, her own husband, who was the jealous type, decided to make her come home because his own sisters were feeding him with malicious stories, so even if yaya no. 6 and we, Bong and I, did not want to let her go, we could not do anything but let go of her.

At about the same time, yaya no. 4 left us, telling me her mother wanted her to go home. A few months after, I found out she went to Samar to pursue her soldier-boyfriend. This really broke my heart because of all my yayas, I loved her the most. I sent her to a vocational school, paying for her tuition fee, because I told her she will not be a yaya forever. When the time came that she had to go home, we even bought food and stuff that she could take with her home. But even if she wasn’t honest with me, we still kept in touch. At one point, I even offered to give her money so she could return to her mom since I knew nothing would happen if she would stay with her boyfriend. But I guess, that’s the life she already chose for herself. I just asked her not to get pregnant right away because having children at a very young age will only hinder her from ever accomplishing more things in life.

At last, Yaya numbers 7 and 8 came from Davao. Yaya No. 7 was a 40-something woman who told us her age was only 38, while Yaya No. 8 was 18 years old. They were sort of related. For 8 months they were with us. At first, we had personality differences since Yaya no. 7 had the tendency to do things her way even if we asked her to do something the way we want it done. But she was the “malambing” type. She would always hug me and even kiss me on the cheek whenever she’s happy. I did not mind these at all since a happy yaya means happy kids, as well. Yaya No. 8 was also ok since she did not say much. Come December, they asked if they could go home to the province for Christmas break. They asked for two weeks, which we granted. Apart from their December salary, we gave them their 13^th month bonus, and a one-month advance. In turn, my mom gave them as Christmas gifts, P1k each, while my mother-in-law gave them P500 each and grocery items to take home. For our part, Bong and I also bought food they could take home with them, and I shopped for toys for their nieces and nephews. To our deep consternation, when they got back to Davao, they just informed us that they were no longer returning and that the money they took, obviously, would no longer be returned. Well, I should have expected this, because at about the same time, I found out that Yaya No. 7 had 6 kids, all of which, she abandoned. Three are in Davao, and the last three, are somewhere in Sta. Rosa. The two sets of kids have different fathers. And yes, her life story is what teleseryes are made of. But what she did to us, was another fodder for teleseryes.

With the two yayas gone, we were blessed when Yaya No. 9 ad Yaya No. 10 came. These are sisters in their mid-20s. We were doing well for six months, but during their last few weeks, they told us that an uncle called them to tell them of possible employment abroad. You know the drill…yeah, they, too, left us.

To the rescue came Yaya No. 4 who finally was back in her hometown temporarily. She promised to take care of Cassie until we were able to get her a yaya, as Yaya No. 4′s boyfriend from Samar was arriving to finally meet her mother. Taking care of Jeremy was Bong’s friend, who I refuse to call a yaya because she was really more a friend who was there to help us while she was, herself, waiting for notice from her employer to start working in a factory in Valenzuela. She stayed for a month and a half, after which, she had to go home on an emergency. Her husband met an accident and so, even with potential employment in a factory, she could not do anything but go home to Ilocos.

On the day Bong’s friend left, Yaya No. 11 came. She was a 22-year old widow with two boys of her own. Hers was another sad story, her husband stabbed and killed two years ago. Unfortunately, as it was her first time to be employed, she also did not know practically anything. You’d think being a mother to two kids would have already made her wise for her age, but no. We found out she didn’t know how to cook, nor clean the house. Somebody else does the laundry and ironing of clothes so while Jeremy is away at school, we agreed she would help clean the house (when she’s not having siesta, that is.)

At about the same time, Yaya no. 4 left us as her boyfriend/fiancée had already arrived, which was ok, since Yaya No. 12 had already arrived, too. Yaya No. 12 was a 39-year old woman whose family is in the province. Unfortunately, after a month and a half, she was asked by her siblings to go home as her mother, who was taking care of her youngest, could no longer do so after meeting an accident at home. Fortunately, she agreed to stay until we can find somebody to replace her.

Two Sundays ago, Yaya No. 13 arrived. She is now taking care of Cassie, and so far, so good.

But only days after Yaya No. 13 arrived, Yaya No. 11 received a call from her older sister telling her to come home as their younger sister was seriously ill. I did not want to believe her at first considering the abruptness of the call, and because she did not mention she had a sick sister at home. But since nobody would take care of her two boys, she had to go home. She was in tears when she asked permission to go home. This was just last week. I was reluctant to let her go even when I knew she was not a good yaya (she was actually the reason for Jeremy and Cassie’s asthma attack which started last week, too), because it would mean just one yaya left to take care of the two kids. But I did not want to be bothered by my conscience lest something bad happen to her family. So yeah, I gave her her last pay and sent her off. Last Monday night, I was informed that her bedridden sister finally passed away on Sunday. Yay.

So now, Yaya No. 13 is at home, with a temporary yaya who will be leaving us on Friday Night because come Saturday, tempo yaya has to be present for an early morning parade of basketball teams. What do you know, at 39 years old, she was asked to be muse of a team. Ang bongga ng yaya ko ano? Tinalo ang beauty ko. hahaha!

On the following day, Sunday, Yaya No. 14 is due to come. She is the sister-in-law of Yaya No. 14. We have agreed they would stay until April 2011 when they would go home to Tagbilaran for their town fiesta.

Hayyyyyyy…How I wish I could have a happily-ever after ending to this story, but for now, the only thing I can say, is that the saga continues.

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Hindi (pagmumuni-muni sa pagibig, sa ikalawang pagkakataon)

103

Posted by Kaye | Posted on 05-08-2010

Category : musings

Tags: Bong, Diwatang Gala, Kulisap, paligsahan

Hindi ko palaging naitatanong sayo kung anong nararamdaman mo lalo’t alam kong may mga problema sa trabaho.

Hindi kita palaging nayayakap kapag nagsabi ka sa akin na may masakit sa katawan mo at alam ko namang kelangan mo lang ng yayakap sayo para madama mo namang beybi pa rin kita kahit papano…

Hindi rin kita palaging nahahalikan kapag dumarating ka sa lugar na ating pagtatagpuan upang sabay na umuwi matapos ang isang maghapong pagtatrabaho…

Hindi kita palaging napasasalamatan, kahit na araw araw sa pagpasok natin sa trabaho, natutulog ako sa balikat mo habang humahalik ka sa noo ko at magkahawak kamay tayo.

Hndi rin kita napasasalamatan kapag gumigising tayo sa umaga matapos mag-alarma ang telepono ko at nakikiusap akong mauna ka nang bumangon dahil gusto ko pang matulog, kahit alam kong may mga panahong talagang pagod ka at kulang sa tulog dahil may nilamay kang trabaho nung nakaraang gabi.

Hindi ko rin palaging nasasabi sayo ang salamat sa tuwing babangon ka sa gabi para magtimpla ng gatas o magpalit ng lampin, o di kaya maglinis ng ating mga anak bago sila matulog.

Hindi ko nasasabi sayo kung gaano ko nararamdaman na maswerte ako dahil kasakasama kitang magdasal sa umaga at sumimba linggo linggo.

Hindi ko palaging nasasabi sayo ng harapan ang mga salitang Mahal Kita, kahit pa nga sa ‘text’ lang. At kung minsan, nakakakunsensiya kapag nagpapadala ka ng mga ganitong matatamis na salita, at sobrang abala naman ako sa trabaho. Pagkabasa, babalik na ang atensyon ko sa kung anumang pinagkakaabalahan kong gawin.

Marami pa akong di palaging naipadarama o nasasabi sayo…pero ang hindi mo alam… ay lagi akong nagpapasalamat sa Diyos dahil kahit ang tigas ng ulo ko noong mga panahong tinatanggihan kita (tatlong beses yun, di ba?) di ka pa rin sumuko. Pero ngayon, simple lang naman ang gusto kong sabihin sayo…Hindi ka sana magsawa dahil mahal na mahal kita.

——————————————————————————————————–

Ito ay isinulat ko noong huling kaarawan ng aking asawa, si Daddy Bong. Ito rin ay bilang suporta sa patimpalak ni G. Kulisap at ng Diwatang Gala.

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Kantahan, Inuman, Kwentuhan at Tarotan

225

Posted by Kaye | Posted on 28-06-2010

Category : life outside work, musings

Tags: Bong, Cassie, Duking, inuman, Jeremy, kantahan, Kikilabotz, Kuhracha, Salbehe, Shea, Tarotan, Vajarl, videoke

Nagsimula lahat isang Biyernes ng gabi, ilang linggo na ang nakalilipas, nang magkita kami ni Kuhracha sa isang kainan dito sa Alabang.

Sa paghuhuntahan namin, (pareho pa naman kaming madaldal at makwento), napagusapan ang pagkikita ng mga magkakaibigan sa blogosperyo. Ang setting? Videoke. Bakit Videoke? Bakit ba, walang basagan ng trip.

Gusto nila (itago na lang natin sila sa pangalang Salbehe, Vajarl at Shea) na magvideoke naman at napagusapang gawin ito sa isang resort. Sabi ko ok na idea ang videoke. Dahil kahit papano’y nasa tono naman ako at si Daddy Bong ay kulang na lang maging professional singer, mahilig din kaming magvideoke.

Ang sumunod na tanong ay saang resort at kailan? Biglang nagtanong si Kuhracha kung may videoke daw ba kami. Tamang tamang meron nga. Parang nagimbestiga lang ano? Napaisip din naman ako na kung sa resort gagawin, at overnight pa, baka malabong makasama kami nang di namin isinasama ang mga bulinggit na piglets. Kaya ayun, napagkasunduang gagawin ang videoke sa amin…aktwali, sa bahay ng aking mga magulang kung saan dati ako nakatira (shempre, saan pa ba?)

Kailan naman ang party? Hindi maaari noong weekend na iyon dahil nakatakda kaming lumipad patungong lah lah land. Ang sumunod na weekend naman ay kaarawan ni Rizal. Hindi din pwede. Bakit? Hindi ko alam basta naisip namin ni Kuhracha na hindi yun pwede. (napapaisip tuloy ako kung bakit nga hindi pwede.) At sa wakas ay itinakda naming gawin iyon sa sumunod na weekend.

At yun nga ay naganap noong Sabado. Pero ilang araw bago yan ay katakut takot na plurk private messages muna ang aming pinagsaluhan. Karamihan dito ang usapin sa oras ng pagkikita ng mga dadayo sa Sta. Rosa, kung paano nila pupuntahan ang promding sina Mami Kaye at Dadi Bong, anong mga dadalhin—shempre kaunaunahan ang alak at chismis, at marami pang iba. Maraming inimbita, pero marami rin sa kanila ang isnabero at isnabera (joke lang pero half-meant.)

Sa huli’y siniguradong darating ang mga sumusunod: Kuhracha, Vajarl, Shea, Kikilabotz, Salbehe at isang misteryosong guest na itago na lang natin sa pangalang Duking.

Pasado alas-5 na ng hapon nang timbrehan ako ni Kuhracha na nasa Sta. Rosa na sila nina Vajee, Shea at Kikilabotz. Matapos ang sampung minuto, naroon na sila sa tagpuan sa plaza ng Sta. Rosa. Doon namin sila sinundo ni Dadi Bong at Jeremy na biglang naging mahiyain sa mga tao…inaantok lang pala. Ayun, pagkasakay na pagkasakay nila sa aming sasakyan, sinabi rin nila agad na may kagandahan silang ginawa (read: katangahan) Ano yun? Naiwan lang naman nila ang French fries at hotdog na dinayo nila sa Festival Mall sa Alabang. Mabuti na lamang at yun ang eksaktong mga binili ko noong gabi ng Biyernes bago umuwi. Sana lang nakita ng driver ng van na sinakyan nila ang mga naiwan nilang epektos para naman mapakinabangan pa rin kahit papano.

Matapos ang ilang mga lakad pa ay umuwi na rin kami sa amin. Pagkababa ng mga gamit at pagkapahinga, sinimulan na ang pagkanta…sinimulan na pala namin ni Cassie. (mabuti na lang at naiayos na ng kapatid kong si Anne at ng kanyang nobyong si Bonid ang lugar kung saan kami magkakantahan)

Kinanta namin ni Cassie ang walang kamatayang Paparazzi. Gusto kong isipin na namangha sila sa galing ng anak ko. (walang kokontra. Stage mother din ako akala nyo!) At sinundan namin ng awiting inaawit namin sa aming pagtulog ang You Changed My Life in a Moment. Taob na naman sila kay Cassie.

Maya maya pa’y inumpisahan na rin nilang kumanta at kumain ng chichirya. Di kami makapaghapunan dahil wala pa noon si Salbe na kasalukuyang nagbibiyahe papuntang Robinson’s Sta Rosa upang katagpuin si Duking (uuuuyyy!) Isang oras lang naman ang pinaghintay ni Duking (na buti na lang e hindi naduling sa paghihintay).

Pasado alas-8 na nang magparamdam si Salbe at sabihing magkasama na sila ni Duking. Sinundo sila ni Dadi Bong habang ako ay naiwan para makikanta.

Pagkarating nina Salbe, nagkumustahan, pakilanlanan, at nagkayayaan nang kumain (tama ba ang chronology?) pinakahuling dumating si Salbe pero pinakamalakas at nangunguna ang boses niya sa pagsabing “sige” nung magyaya akong kumain na kami.

Habang kumakain, sige pa rin ang kwento. Kinuwento niya ng bonggang bongga ang istorya ni Roi. (Roi, kung mapunta ka dito sa site ko, patawad. Pinagusapan ka namin. Sabi naman ni Salbe, may bendisyon mo naman…di ko nga lang alam kung may bendisyon mo nung laitin ka namin. Hahaha! Biro lang, Roi.)

Matapos ang kainan, nagpahinga ulit sa extension ng bahay kung saan kami nagvideoke, at nagkaron na ng tarotan. Ako ang unang sumalang. Kakaiba ang tarot cards ni Salbe. Maganda, kakaiba, nakakatakot, at higit sa lahat, kulang! Pano mo naman mahuhulaan ng tama ang isang tao kung kulang ang tarot cards? Iyon lang magaganda ang picture ang dinala ni Salbe. Pero di namin alam yun shempre nung una. At dahil ako ang unang sumalang, mega shuffle ako ng cards at pagkatok ng dalawang beses. Ang maganda nito, me kasamang pagsambit ng Knock Knock habang kinakatok ang deck ng cards. May silbi pala yun. Dangan lang at basic service lang ang ibinigay ni Salbe sa akin. Pero dahil may baong panangga si Kikilabotz, ayun, may value-added service ang hula ni Salbe sa kanya. Kung ano yon ay di ko sasabihin kasi baka magpahula kayo kay Salbe at di na kayo maexcite. Ang totoo, exciting ang mga hula ni Salbe na lalo pang pinaexciting ni Duking.

Maya maya lamang, matapos hulaan ang halos lahat ng naroroon, ay binalingan na namin ang pagkanta. Hindi namin pinatawad ang mga bago at lumang kanta, at lalong mabili ang mga kanta ng Aegis, Air Supply, new wave, at higit sa lahat, ng palabas na Glee. Ang Videoke King award ay dapat kong ibigay kina Vajarl at shempre, kay Kikilabotz. Hands-down winner sana si Kikilabotz na talagang ipinagmalaki pa nila sa akin ang husay at talento sa pagawit, pero kelangan ko ring bigyan ng pansin si Vajee na kinabog si Chris Colfer at pati na rin si Dadi Bong sa pag-awit. At ang Videoke Queen ay walang iba kundi si Kuhracha. Kasabay ng pagkanta ay ang pagtagay…may beer at may tequila at ang tanggera? Si Shea. Sinabihan ko siyang huwag madudulas sa hagdan dahil kawawa na naman ang mga binti niya pag nagkataon.

Lampas hatinggabi ang inuman at kantahan. Mabuti na lamang at naisipan pa naming magkodakan bago magmukang “wasted” ang mga tao. Wala namang nalasing, pero kung narinig mo siguro kung paano ang kantahan, malamang di mo malalaman ang pagkakaiba ng lasing sa hindi lasing. (biro lang!)

Nang mapagod sa pagkanta, napagbalingan ang kwentuhan. Maraming maraming maraming maraming kwento. At sa palagay ko, kung ikaw ay isa sa mga blogger na mahilig magpunta sa mga blogsite ng mga taong nagkita kita noong Sabadong iyon, pihadong isa ka sa mga napagusapan namin.

Magaalas-4 na nang magpasya kaming lisanin ang bahay ng aking mga magulang upang lumipat sa maliit naming tirahan na walking distance lang din naman mula doon. Si Duking ay nagpasyang umuwi sakay ng kanyang motorsiklo, habang lahat kami’y naglakad na papunta sa aming tahanan. Pagod na ang lahat at antok kaya’t si Kikilabotz, paglapat pa lamang ng likod sa higaan, ay daglian na ring natulog.

Kami ni Bong ay naghanda na rin sa pagtulog at ilang minuto lang, ay tahimik na ang buong bahay.

Kinabukasan, matapos ang brunch ay nagpasiya nang umuwi ang lahat. Ayun, balik sa ingayna lamang ng mga piglets ang munting bahay namin, na sumandaling napuno ng halakhakan ng mga bisitang nagsipagbalik na sa kanikanilang buhay at bahay…

Anyare?

______________________________________

Update:

Dito ko na lamang ilalagay lahat ng mga larawang kuha nung gabing yun. Muntik na magkalimutang naghanda kami ng camera para may ebidensya ng pagkikita dahil nasobrahan yata ang lahat sa kanta, inom at chismis. pero narito ang ilang mga larawang naalala naming kunin…

Ayun ako sa likod ni Vajarl, si Salbe, parang modelo lang ng instant coffee, si Kikilabotz, parang mabait lang, at si Shea, na tanggera. Asan sina Duking, Kuhracha at Bongkito? Si Kuh ang photographer, si Duking, di ko alam kung nasan at si Bong ay umuwi sandali

Yun pa rin, umiba lang ako ng pwesto.

Ayan na si Kuhracha...si Shea naman ang nawala.

Si Dadi Bong at ako...ang sweet!

Mabuti na lang at may self-timer ang camera kaya kumpleto ang barkada.

Ang kulit ni Dadi Bong.

Ayaw humarap ni Duking sa camera. Ayaw mo bang makunan ng picture kasama si Vajarl?

Muka bang wasted na ang kilabot na nurse at ang tanggera? parang di pa umiinom ano?

Ito ang kuha bago magalisan ang mga bisita. Sumama sa picture taking ang mga bulinggit na sina Jeremy at Cassie, at shempre, ako e parang wala pa sa huwisyo kasi nagluto ako ng kinain namin at biglang napapicture taking. ayun tuloy...

Sana parang Facebook lang, na pwedeng i-tag na lang ang mga larawan kasi parang lasing lang ata ang naglagay ng caption. hehehe. Nagmamadali po ako kasi siningit ko lang ito. Dahil si Dadi Bong e kanina pa nagtetext saken at pinepressure akong magpost ng mga pictures dito.

Sa uulitin!

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Happy 13th birthday, Ate Kara!

121

Posted by Kaye | Posted on 19-05-2010

Category : family, life outside work, musings

Tags: birthday, Bong, Cassie, Jeremy, Kara, Residence Inn Zoo, Tagaytay

Ate Kara celebrates her birthday every 17th of May. This year, though, her birthday fell on a Monday, so we decided to celebrate it a day earlier.

We heard the 10am mass and then, we proceeded to Tagaytay where we had lunch. After lunch, we went to Residence Inn Zoo because it was Ate Kara’s request…she wanted to hold the tiger cub again and have her picture taken. We were pleasantly surprised, though, to find out that there were a couple of animals you could pet or feed. Without further ado, here are photos we took during that fun trip with the kids, the yayas, and my sister Anne and her boyfriend, Onid.

Taken before lunch...Cassie looks so cute here, talagang hinintay na makunan siya ng camera

Jeremy with Ate Lyn...malambing talaga ang little boy...

This was taken inside the Residence Inn Zoo. We had just entered the zoo and there was this little guy who was there specifically for photo ops with kids. As usual, Mr. Congeniality Jeremy David gamely posed with him. Eto pa, me kasama pang hug. Mananakaw talaga tong makulit na to eh.

The birthday girl with a parrot on her shoulder. Pang FB profile pic daw.

Group shot...mawawala ba naman yan?

The mucho guapito boy riding a horse

Feeding the goats...

Ate Kara posing below the white lion who just slept and didn't mind the many park visitors

Feeding the birds...

cold cold python...Ate Kara was actually scared, but we just prodded her.

shempre hindi patatalo si daddy...

muka lang cool but i was actually scared the whole time. However, this was to be the highlight of our trip to the zoo because it was Ate Kara's request...so sige na nga kahit nanginginig na ang tuhod ko diyan, especially since I was scared the little boy would pluck the tiger cub's hair and all hell would break loose. well, whatever. hahaa!

We went home tired but happy. After all, we were able to give Ate Kara what she wanted… The next day, during Ate Kara’s birthday, we just had dinner at home…with the proverbial pancit bihon, roast chicken, cake and ice cream. Happy 13th birthday to our darling Ate Kara! Daddy and I love you to pieces!

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Mother’s Day gift

122

Posted by Kaye | Posted on 12-05-2010

Category : family, life outside work, Motherhood and parenting, musings

Tags: Bong, Jeremy. Cassie, Kara, mother's Day, motherhood

My precious babies: Cassie, Ate Kara, and Jeremy

I would always say that my biggest achievement is having three beautiful kids. The medals, certificates, and commendations I got when I was still studying are nothing compared to the joy I would feel upon seeing my babies after giving birth to them. Never mind that I had to endure 15 hours of labor with Kara, a dangerous level of amniotic fluid and emergency CS operation with Jeremy, or the possibility of longer confinement for Cassie due to pneumonitis.

Never mind, too, if I had to have progesterone injections in my butt while pregnant with Kara and Jeremy, to ensure that they would stay healthy inside my body, or this APAS (Anti-Phospholipid Antibody Syndrome) condition which necessitated twice a day heparin injections in my tummy while pregnant with Jeremy and Cassie.

Never mind if I had to have numerous blood tests, costly medicines and weekly ultrasounds to monitor the growing baby inside me. Never mind if I had to endure more as they grow. Never mind all that because they’re nothing compared to the happiness I feel when I see them, or kiss and hug them. And those experiences are certainly nothing compared to how loved I feel when I am around them.

Last Sunday was mother’s day, and next to having these three wonderful kids, I got another bonus from Ate Kara. Her gift was truly priceless…one she made and wrote herself. She put these small rectangular pieces of colored paper in a brown envelope, and when I read them, I couldn’t help but feel that I am, indeed, the luckiest mom in the world. Here’s what she wrote:

Ate Kara's mother's day gift: Priceless, indeed

For the benefit of those who might not have the patience to look closely, here they are:

My Craziest and Sweetest Reasons why I love You. Happy Mother’s Day!

-I love you because you’re my loving mother. Happy Nanay Day

-I love you because You love us. Happy Nanay Day

-I love you because…you married Daddy Happy mother’s Day

-I love you because lagi mo ako binibigyan ng load Happy Mama Day!

- I love you because hindi mo kami iniiwan kapag nasa ospital kami Happy Mama Day

-I love you because you’re an excellent gift from God. Happy Nanay Day

-I love you because nagtatrabaho kayong dalawa para sa amin. Happy Mama Day

-I love you because andami mong “abubut” na binibili sa akin Happy your day

-I love you becuz andami palagi nating libro. Happy Mama Day

-I love you becuz lagi mo akong pinapatawa. Happy Mama Day

-I love you becuz iniintindi mo mga pagkakamali ko :] Happy Mother’s Day

-I love you becuz inaappreciate mo kahit anong bigay ko sayo. Happy Mama Day

-I love you becuz sayo ako natuto maging masungit Happy Nanay Day (see? masungit talaga ako. haha)

-I love you becuz andami mo palaging binibili na napkin para sa akin. Happy Mama Day (haha! this is really funny because that’s true)

–I love you becuz inaalagaan mo kaming lahat. Happy Mama Day!

-I love you becuz sumasakay ka na lang kapag inaasar kita. Happy your day!

-I love you becuz you give me random trivias about random things. Happy Mama Day!

-I love you becuz You taught me everyting :* Happy Mama Day!

-I love you becuz you sacrificed a lot for us. Happy Nanay Day!

-I love you becuz iisang beses mo pa lang ako pinalo. Happy Mama Day! (Kara was such a gentle kid and the first time I spanked her, I cried, too, so that taught me a lesson not to spank her again.)

-I love you becuz you gave birth to our little angels Jem and Cass . Happy Nanay Day!

-I love you becuz lagi mo akong binubusog pag may date tayo. Happy Mama Day!

-I love you becuz you are Amazing. Happy Mama Day

-I love you becuz You never fail to inspire me. Happy Nanay Day!

-I love you becuz you always boost my confidence with your Pep talks. Happy Mama Day. (this happens when she has exams, or when she has to compete, or when she performs in a school program…)

-I love you becuz you’re a wonderful woman and mom. Happy Nanay Day!

-I love you becuz ansarap mo na magluto. Happy Mama Day! (I was truly puzzled kasi ibig sabihin, di ako masarap magluto noon? hehehe. Most improved cook yata ako ah. haha)

-I love you becuz you taught me how to become a bookworm. Happy Mama Day!

-I love you becuz rinereport mo mga kinaiinisan kong mga teacher. Happy Mother’s Day (hehe. I only do this when I believe she is right and has a reason to be mad at one…case in point, her 1st year high school adviser who refused to accept their project unless they gave him a blank CD without telling them why. This was in violation of school rules and the teacher was reprimanded for it. Private Catholic school na yan ha.)

-I love you becuz You gave me life. Happy Nanay Day!

Dear Mama, unti pa lang po ‘yang mga reasons na yan. But, I simply want to say, I LOVE YOU. Happy Mama’s Day! mwaah!

Well, whose mama’s heart wouldn’t melt with these? My only answer is that, I wouldn’t ever regret having any one of my kids because they’re certainly God’s greatest gifts to me.

Happy mother’s day, albeit belatedly, to moms like me!

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The Fire

Posted by Kaye | Posted on 04-05-2010

Category : family, life outside work, Motherhood and parenting, musings

Tags: Bong, books, Kara, piglets

Cover of the Book, The Fire by Katherine Neville

The other day, I decided to make an inventory of the many books I bought but have yet to start reading, or if I have already started reading them, finish reading to the end.

The reason for this sudden urge was because I bought another nice book from an ebay seller, The Fire by Katherine Neville. Prior to The Fire, I read The Eight, also by the same author. And if Dan Brown, or my more favored author, Steve Berry excites you, then Katherine Neville’s novels would do the same. In fact, it was Katherine Neville’s The Eight, which she wrote in 1988 that probably paved the way for authors like Brown and Berry.

Anyway, after the inventory, I realized I have so many books I have yet to read, but which I bought because I liked either the synopsis of the story or the author. A few were either given or lent to me. But if there’s anything about me you should know, it is that I can live without tv as long as there are nice books to read. And I have tried to pass this on to our children. Kara has known ever since she was about two years old, that I won’t buy her the toys she likes, especially the expensive ones. Whenever we’re in a toy store, I would give her a certain amount of money she could spend for toys. But she also knows that I would buy her any book she wants however pricey it is, because I know she would read it. In fact, when we’re in malls, she still gets a kick out of staying inside Powerbooks. The two little ones, are fast catching up, too. We have stocked up on picture books at home, so it’s understandable the two kids also light up when they see a new book nearby. The difficult thing is, no matter how I give them two different books all the time, they would always fight over one of those books, leaving the other lying around.

But why, you ask, haven’t I read all those books yet? Because most of the time, I get guilty when I have free time and I don’t spend that with the kids. So rather than cozy up in bed reading one of those novels, I play with the piglets or teach them using those picture books, or do something with Ate Kara and Bong. On the off chance that I get some time for myself, I squeeze in some internet surfing at the side, or when I have really little time left, just solve Sudoku/crossword puzzles.

Yet, even when the pile of books is growing, I know in my heart I would still be able to read them. You see, I have this vision of me and Bong, retired and living on our own…the kids living their own lives, maybe with their own families. When that time comes, Bong and I will have a lot of time in our hands and during those times we’re not sharing meals or watching tv or movies together, or having long talks and all that, I figured, I’d be able to enjoy all those books acquired over the years.

But for now, my duties call, and they’re duties I love performing…being wife to Bong and mom to our three kids. The books can wait…or maybe not. I’m starting The Fire, after all.

———————————————————–

Books I have yet to read:

Clive Cussler

Lost City

Cornelia Funke

Inheart

Inkspell

Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, pray, love

Erma Bombeck

Motherhood, the second oldest profession

Aunt Erma’s Cope book

The grass is always greener under the septic tank

Just wait til you have children of your own

Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Jumping Jupiter

Fern Michaels

Hokus Pokus

Harvey Mackay

Swim with the sharks without being eaten alive

Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi

Spiderwick Chronicles

Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Jonathan Kellerman

The Murder Book

Jostein Gaarder

Sophie’s World

Through a glass, darkly

Karen Kingsbury

Summer

Forever

Michael Crichton

State of Fear

The great train robbery

Neil Gaiman

Smoke and Mirrors

Complete fairy tales of Oscar Wilde

Patricia Cornwell

Southern Cross

Scott Turow

Personal Injuries

The Laws of our Fathers

Stephenie Meyer

The Host

Steve Berry

Paris Vendetta

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Some of my favorite authors are:

Bob Ong

John Grisham

Richard North Patterson

Sidney Sheldon

Erich Segal

Erma Bombeck

Michael Crichton

Steve Berry

Dan Brown

Jostein Gaarder

Frank Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth (Cheaper by the Dozen)

JD Salinger (Catcher in the Rye)

Harper Lee (To Kill a mockingbird)

Jane Austen (Pride and prejudice)

JK Rowling

Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason series)

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Sing (A Song)

Posted by Kaye | Posted on 26-04-2010

Category : family, life outside work, Motherhood and parenting, musings, Work

Tags: Asian Hospital, Bong, Cassie, death, illness, Jeremy, Kara, singing, song, summer outing, Tito Nilo

Sing, sing a song

Sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing of good things not bad
Sing of happy not sad’t worry that it’s not
Good enough for anyone
Else to hear
Just sing, sing a song

(*) sing, sing a song
Make it simple to last
Your whole life long
Don

Two pretty kids (aged about 6, daughters of my officemates) were singing these lines, the song, popularized by Karen Carpenter. I was amused to hear them singing this particular song because simply put, it’s an old song, yet, they were both singing it beautifully. One of them was holding the paper containing the lyrics, while the other one was sitting opposite the other girl, happily and contentedly singing along. The little girl holding the paper with the lyrics asked me if I knew the song, and I said yes. After that, I found myself humming along while on my way back to my place.

I realized, it’s such a simple song with very simple lyrics, but when you think about it, its beauty lies in its simplicity. And with everything that’s happened recently, I started asking myself if indeed, I had reasons to sing, especially sing of good things, not bad…sing of happy, not sad…

You see, three weeks ago, my little boy, Jeremy, and my little girl, Cassie were both hospitalized and confined at Asian Hospital for pneumonia. They’d had fever a few days before that, and were both having severe asthma attacks. To make things worse, both didn’t have appetite for food and even water, and Cassie was having LBM. I was scared they would be dehydrated soon, that Bong and I decided to bring them to Asian Hospital. There, their x-rays confirmed that both had pneumonia, and had to be confined so meds could be administered intravenously.

I’d like to think I’m one tough cookie, but I easily crumble when it involves my loved ones, my kids, most especially. Bong and I watched helplessly as they were both inserted the needle. I could only cry silently and pray that things would be over soon. Suffice it to say that after 3 days for Jeremy and 4 days for Cassie, everything was back to normal. However, I couldn’t say the same thing for myself.

On Cassie’s last night at the hospital (Jeremy being discharged a day earlier,) I developed fever. The next day, as we were preparing ourselves to go home, I was having chills. Later that day, my fever shot up to 39.8. Fortunately, with my mom taking care of me, and Bong, taking over later, my fever went down to a manageable 38. This continued on ‘til the next day, so it was not until the day after that when I was able to go back to work.

When I got back to work after 6 days of absence, naturally, work had already piled up. But what made me sad was the fact that a dear friend and officemate had decided to leave the company for personal reasons. This friend was one of the few people who help me keep my sanity, but yeah, sometimes we just have to accept the fact that reality has a way of throwing things right smack at our faces.

That aside, I still had something to look forward to… the company-wide summer outing at San Juan Laiya, Batangas last Saturday, April 24. Bong, the three kids and the two yayas were, after all, going with me, so it would surely be fun. It turned out really well at first, with Jeremy and Cassie enjoying the waters, Kara getting her henna tattoo, Bong and I taking turns swimming with the kids, and the two yayas enjoying themselves. But towards the end of the afternoon, I was sent a text message by both my youngest sister and my mom that our Tito Nilo, husband of my Tita Oma (my mom’s sister), who was confined at a hospital in San Pablo, Laguna for complications related to his Parkinson’s disease, had already passed away. He might not exactly have been our blood relative, but our families are all pretty close. My mom has 9 siblings, all of them with families so you can just imagine what a happy, noisy clan we are especially during special occasions like Christmases, weddings, christenings, fiestas, etc.

I immediately wanted to rush to Calauan, Laguna, where they live, but we were too far. I just silently uttered a prayer of eternal repose for him and vowed that I would go to Calauan the first chance I get.

At 5pm, we all filed to our respective buses which would take us back to Manila (Alabang for us Alabang-based employees, and Makati for those who live in the north). However, just as we were about to board our bus, we were informed that the air-conditioning system bogged down, and that we either had to travel with the windows open, or be assigned to different buses. We opted for the latter, and as we were “squatters” in the other buses, we had to take the jump seats (those foldable seats in the middle of the aisle). With two kids who were fast asleep the minute we stepped on the bus, it was truly difficult.

But what could be worse than that, you ask? It was finding out in the middle of the trip that our bus driver had gotten lost. He missed the turn for the Star Tollways, making the usual 3-hour drive a 4 ½-hour drive instead. We reached Alabang dead tired, hungry and a bit grumpy at a little before 10pm.

We stopped over to grab something to eat at Shell SLEX, and then we proceeded home. At home, we found out that everybody, save for another Tita whose family lives nearby, had gone to Calauan. Kara and I decided to go to Calauan with our Tita’s family. I left Bong with the kids as they were too tired to travel with us.

At Calauan, it was very difficult to keep myself from crying because I saw how my Tita Oma was—sad, crying, disoriented. She told us later that she didn’t mind taking care of my Tito Nilo, herself already consumed by arthritis, if only he could be with her. It was painful to watch her and my cousins, but what could I possibly do, other than cry with them, and pray again and again for strength for their family.

Today, I went to work again with a heavy heart…but hearing these two kids singing a song so simple, yet made beautiful by their innocent voices, I am again given hope…that after all that had happened, I could still sing a song…and maybe, rejoice at the fact that my Tito Nilo no longer suffers…that the kids’ health has been restored, that we all went home safely despite the few setbacks…I must sing of good things not bad…sing of happy not sad. Indeed…and look forward to brighter things ahead…

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More weekends, please?!?

171

Posted by Kaye | Posted on 16-03-2010

Category : family, life outside work, Motherhood and parenting, musings

Tags: Alice in Wonderland, Bong, date, Jeremy, Kara, priceless, SM Sta. Rosa

“Di ba pwedeng dagdagan ang weekend?”

So goes my FB status message.

It was a Sunday, and naturally, I wished for an extension of the weekend. That’s because weekends pass by too fast. One moment you are spending time with your family, the kids, most especially, and before you know it, night has come and you need to sleep in preparation for the start of yet another work week.

That was how I felt last weekend (and the weekends of the past). Saturday morning was spent at home, after which, in the afternoon, we had to go to Jeremy’s OT session. You see, we’ve been bringing Jeremy to his therapist as advised by the developmental pediatrician we consulted months before. I was alarmed that he was too active and wasn’t paying much attention to what we tell or teach him, not to mention that I felt he was behind in speech development, hence, the need for him to be evaluated. After 6 months of OT sessions, he has improved so much, that now, neighbors tell us he is too talkative. Haha! The twice a week session has become just once a week, seeing that he has improved so much. Yet, we bring him to his therapist also in preparation for more formal instruction when he goes to school in a year. (He might not be ready for school in June, though Ate Kara started schooling at the age of three). But I am digressing.

After the OT session, we went to SM Sta. Rosa to do the usual grocery shopping. Before I knew it, it was already dark. Another day had ended.

The next day, it was off to cook almondigas so the kids could have soup, and then we went to hear mass. But what made me long again for a longer weekend was because later that day, Kara and I went to SM for an errand, and yeah, to have a date. Bong couldn’t join us as he had to stay behind and finish work for a client. So Ate Kara and I had the afternoon to ourselves.

We first went to buy her IamNinoy/Cory Myphone. She said she wanted one with normal keypads as using her touchphone has become a bit tiring. After we’ve bought the phone, I decided we could catch the next screening of Alice in Wonderland. It was already 4:25. When I inquired from SM Cinema, I was told that the screening started at 4:20. And because we were still a long way to the cinema, I decided we could just catch the next screening at 6:20pm. So we just whiled away our time, met her friend who was at the food court, ate sandwiches and takoyaki, drank fruit shake, listened to the showband performing at the food court, (ok na ang boses, I just had trouble with how they pronounced the lyrics of the English songs they sang) and then, it was finally time to watch Alice.

The movie was nice. But well, that’s what you get from Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton. (It also stars Anne Hathaway, and the voice of Alan Rickman)

But what made it doubly nice was the fact that I was having a date with my Ate Kara. It’s something we hadn’t done for a long time. Kara has grown up fast that at times I feel like I have to do a lot of catching up. She has her own set of friends and activities and more often than not, she’s too busy to go with dear Mama and Daddy. So I was pleasantly surprised when she asked me to go to the mall.

We ended the night at the mall by buying frozen yogurt (which was a tad sour for me, but which she thoroughly enjoyed). When we went home, we continued our merry-making inside her room by singing Glee OST songs at the top of our lungs (that’s what happens when you have earplugs on) until I allowed her some peace so she could sleep. But before I could leave her room, she said “Ma, thank you.” I asked, what for? And she said, “Kasi nag-date tayo…” awww…

So yeah, these are the reasons I would always go for longer weekends. The kids grow up so fast and before you know it, they are living their own busy lives and you are left to wait for the time when they would want your presence back. But then, when they do, that’s the time you realize that moments like these are truly priceless.

Hungarian sausage sandwiches: P156.00

Takoyaki: P50.00

Fruit shake: P95.00

Movie in 3D: P500.00

Opportunity to have a date with your daughter, see her big smile and hear her expression of gratitude: Priceless

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Trip na Trip: Museo Pambata

169

Posted by Kaye | Posted on 04-03-2010

Category : family, Motherhood and parenting, musings

Tags: Bong, Cassie, fun, Jeremy, Kara, kids, Museo Pambata

Museo Pambata has always been one of my most favorite places in Manila. I think the first time I went there was when I was in college. Our org, UP ICTUS, brought a few indigent kids there so they could enjoy the museum that was established with not just kids, but also adults in mind. You see, each corner of the museum is rich with information, a lot, historical in nature, and even if the museum is really for kids (hence, the name Museo Pambata), adults like me would learn so much.

And because I had always wanted to bring Kara to the said museum, one day 5 years ago, Bong and I decided to do just that. Kara surely enjoyed that outing. At the time, there was no Jeremy or Cassie yet.

When we were done touring the museum that day, we promised Kara we would bring her there again one day. But then, we got so busy with life and before we knew it, we already had Jeremy and Cassie. But at the back of our minds, we still wanted to go back, and this time, bring the two piglets with us, too. And so, last Saturday, knowing that Jeremy and Cassie would already be able to appreciate Museo Pambata, we, Bong and I, brought the kids (yep, including Ate Kara) to the Museum. Accompanying us were Paola, Bong’s 4-year old niece, and our two ates, Marechou and Mymy.

We arrived at the place a little after 2pm. After paying the P100 per head ticket (Manila residents are given 50% off), we began touring the place. I’m not going to put in detail what can be seen in each room we visited because the website already gives a brief description of what can be seen there, but let me just say that it was a wonderful feeling to visit the Museum again. And it was doubly wonderful to experience this with our kids. The three kids, Ate Paola, Jeremy and Cassie went running and jumping and screaming at the top of their lungs from one room to another, clearly enjoying everything they saw. They played, tinkered with whatever they could get their little hands on, and just had a grand time. Ate Kara didn’t do as the kids did, but I am quite sure that she also enjoyed being at the Museum.

As for me, it was a truly exhausting day, what with Cassie pulling me from one place to another while constantly running and jumping, but it was also one of the funnest and most memorable we’ve had with the kids.

Before we left, Kara and Ate Mymy noticed a digicam on the floor of one of the rooms we visited. When we looked at the photos taken, we found out it belonged to one of the large groups of kids we saw earlier. I decided to turn it over to the front desk, hoping that the owner would notice the missing camera and try to ask the Museum Admin for it. We left shortly after, before 5pm, the Museum’s closing, and returned to my in-laws’ place in Sta. Ana where we spent the night.

As I write this now, I am thinking of what to visit next with Bong and the kids. But maybe, we can go back soon to Museo Pambata…what say you?

Ate Kara poses beside the country's "Hari ng Kalsada"

Jeremy and Ate Paola with Ate Mymy and Ate Marechou hamming it up for the camera inside the treehouse

Si Ate Kara forever nakaproject...Jeremy and Cassie, in the meantime, are always looking somewhere. But Ate Paola is quite happy to pose with the fishes

Riding the tranvia. What a great experience it must have been to ride the tranvia during the time of our lolos and lolas.

Inside the replica of the Binondo Church. I was scared the kids would tear it down. They were jumping inside and squirming so they could run. Don't know if they realized we were not really inside the church. Hehe.

Can you see my pretty little girl? yung little boy ko, ulo na lang ang kita. teehee!

This was the same rocking chair Ate Kara sat on 5 years ago when we had her photo taken while she was wearing the baro't saya displayed beside the chair. Now, those dresses don't fit her anymore (how fast time flies!)

Optical Illusion...you have to step on the platform to see what would happen...the kids are trying hard not to be hypnotized

Who says music doesn't run in the family? Cassie is trying the giant piano and making great music! (I tried playing do-re-mi here. hehe)

Look how happy my little girl is!

Thought bubble: Which of these do I take with me? Cassie probably thought those were books because of the big drawings. The kids have lots and lots of picture books at home.

"Marketing 101" with the kids

Cassie emerging from the giant mouth

Ate Kara and Jem enjoying the view from the lady's big mouth

We ran out of digicam battery even before we were done with the tour, but what we were not able to capture through Ate Kara’s TX1, we were able to capture in our minds and hearts. It was just a pity that Bong didn’t have a single shot. You guessed it right, he was the photographer

Must plan next trip.

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	cheese on Rest in peace, Bonid.
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