I.am.Me ChaChi

(April 14, 2012) I am now here in a dance studio watching ChaChi Gonzales of “I.am.Me” doing her signature steps.  Jolo is one of the “students” of about 100 kids/teens on this “once-in-a-lifetime” dance tour of this dance group in the Philippines… Jolo’s favorite.  We have signed up for this dance workshop since January (Jolo kept on bugging me for this). I gave in to his whim (again)… Anyway, this is yet again just a piece for the “memory bucket” of Jolo.

Jolo sure had a great time during this 2-day event, he met new friends, seen his crush (Chachi) and admired the dance moves of the rest of I.am.Me dance crew. The workshop was full-packed and tiring, but fun. I was there the whole time during Chachi’s time (she’s really an admirable, passionate, young, cute girl who knows her art!).  And for that “pricey” event, what’s left are the I.am.Me bowler, autographed cap and memories of fun time! (oh, there are youtube video with Jolo in it – just watching as audience “> here and here ).

 

The Hunger Games Trilogy

I have been lagging in my reading lately, finding so many excuses why i havent finished yet the bookssss i have started… Then here’s Jolo prompting me to read yet another book… This time, Hunger Games… I dont wan’t to touch it because i haven’t gone past the 2nd chapter of 1st Percy Jackson (he had already finished the series!)…
Then came the announcement of the movie of HG! Jolo asked me if we could see the movie together on its first day before his bday….. (which I gratefully agreed, for the fear he might bring someone else)…. BUT on the condition that I will read the book! Oh-ohh!
Since it was already 10 days before the screening, i reluctantly devised a plan to read 30 pages a day! In time for the movie day…. (Imagine that this is the busiest month of my life because of tax season!). Yes, I reluctantly started this book – this juvenile book!
Well, you’ve probably guessed by now what happened next!
I was hooked!
3 days after, done! (and if it was not really busy tax season, i could have done it faster)….
Then the movie….
Then on his birthday, eventhough we already have the first book, I bought the trilogy books (the only one available in bookstore)…
Guess what? i have finished the two books in record-breaking pace!
Now, i have to pester Jolo to read them too, and fast! Or else…..

Jolo at 14th, 14 about Jolo

My first son have way passed the kid-teen barrier… I was not worried last year on his 13th because nothing seemed much change… but then suddenly I thought i was prepared for this, him going through much adolescent changes, but I am not, between last year and now… the “transformation” seems abrupt too (or its just my imagination)… but then again, it amaze me how he handles and enjoys his changes….

This blog is intended to “freeze” this moment in this jolo’s stage. Eventually in the future, I will read this and smile… I just wish he will grow up more to be a fine gentleman. For now, these is Jolo at this stage…
1. He amazes me with his musical instincts, he can play guitar and piano without training or even a songbook/musical note.
2. He is now a choreographer to his dance group and being considered as fine leader.
3. He is now an avid book reader (ouch on my pocket)… but he have already read many great series, and is now seeking for my old classic serious books like “The Shack” and “Sophies World” (to think he got hooked to books only a year before in their school book fair)
4. He is still in rubic cubes, puzzles and magic. Mind you his rubic cube is now that pentagon shape, with 24 pcs per color.
5. Shoes and caps are his favorite collection now.
6. He is a food-picker, with only few favorites, nothing much change on this area, so I have to put him on correct diet.
7. Weights- he is now conscious about his body… well he is getting taller but not yet too lean.
8. Religion – he got so excited with the youth religious service he attended and begging to join again.
9. He is a fine artist, I suppose, he can draw and create characters. (he even “sells” his works in drafting -uhuh)
10. He can learn so many things easily by observing and watching, like pen spinning and that difficult dance steps, and that electric guitar piece.
11. He is a little “obsessed” with his hair… had to spend more time in the morning fixing it.
12. He is fun to be with, he shares funny stuff and laughs in small stuff.
13. He is not sporty… but as he claim, he is “artisty”
14. He is my fine, good, loving, funny, curious, compassionate boy who I believe will turn up to be a fine gentleman.

Hunger Games Advance Screening with Jolo

Saw it first on its premier night…. After reading the book for just about 2 days, here i am now with my new book mentor, Jolo, seeing the movie… Had a great time sharing stories and ideas and comments with my son.

JK’s Dreams

I have shown to Jolo a chapter in the book “You Have The Power to Create Love” by Bo Sanchez, about a teen who complains that she’s bored… the writer got a great idea of giving her paper and asked her to list down 100 dreams she wants to do before she die… I have asked Jolo to do the same…

Well he haven’t finished the “interview” (cause I was writing them down)…. and we came up a short list of 10….not bad… (but he promised to continue this later)… here it is: (good thing I found the paper where I wrote it down)

1. To learn and play electric guitar.
2. To become an artist
3. To see Hogwartz castle
4. To write novels like Harry Potter
5. TO become a great dancer
6. To create more Lego movie
7. To finish Percy Jackson Books series
8. To master pen spinning
9. To create an original console game
10. To have own invention

The conversation took place probably last August, and Im happy to report that he have already “achieved” already! how’s that for a “bored” teen…

TSP: Missing Our Old Habit: Hilot-Paa for Jolo

He is now 13! He is now taller than me… he is so awkwardly odd and handsome… he talks slangishly weird… he laughs like his father… he is now into piano, guitar, rubix cubes and skateboard… he is into Harry Potter books doing marathon reading… he worries about his pimples…he just had his hair “relaxed”… he shuns me from his room…. he “forbids” me to look at his cellphone… but last night, he asked me to “hilot-paa”*; awesome !

*hilot-paa used to be our bedtime ritual since he was two, for him to sleep (plus his tini-smelly pillow)… massaging, (tickling actually) his foot one at a time till he gets asleep…. until we “agreed” (or rather “fought”) to halt it by his 10th birthday. it was getting difficult for me to reach his foot, and for him to do some body contortion…

Last night, I willingly (and longingly) obliged! It doesn’t matter now even I have a long queue of things to do with my tax clients, it doesn’t matter even if it will mean I will fall asleep too, it doesn’t matter even if we do major body contortion! i love it, I missed it! We both missed it!

Happy birthday! Love you, Jolo… anytime, anak…

Oh, by the way, he is still playing with his Lego… :>

TSP: Harry Potter movie marathon with my son

Jolo grew up with Harry Potter… so am I. Love the movies… and very much the books… Magic!

Singapore Day 1 at Sentosa Island

We conquered Singapore on our first day-August 5! No time spared, after quick lunch, we went to Sentosa Island via train… Great place, it is “all-in-one” place! Since we will have the Universal Studio on the following day, whole day, we explored the rest of the Sentosa Island… What we did there? A lot!


see and almost touched the huge version of Merlion

up the hill (of course with stairs and escalator) to ride the Sky Tower, the 360-degree revolving viewing ride! So we have a whole glimpse of the City.


the kids are not yet warming up, so we see the Cine-Blast featuring the Log Adventure, a 3D simulated ride! Great… can always be remembered!


we should not miss the Luge ride (a cart down the winding hill), operated only by a little push and pull of the hand lever! wheee!


then the sky-ride up again the hill, a four-seater open cable ride… everybody’s getting sick of height? si Papi lang… Wheeh!

we rode the bus to the tip of the island going to Fort Siloso, Lean’s pick from the brochure. this is their one of the war history museum! memorable!
we rode the tram and explore the tunnels and played on the ground!

we rode bus back to the island center…. then we took the queue at Segway ride… I thought I couldn’t do it, but it was easy pala, Lean loved it.

so while resting, we took the tram to explore the stretch of Siloso Beach!

tired? who isn’t? We took the trains back to the city — Vivo City, Dhoby Ghaut interchange, then Bras Basah!
By the way, in between all those, Papi and Jolo are making fun of me , catching me on video in my moods…. hindi sila nagtagumpay!
ohh, we ate at Kopitiam foodcourt, near our hotel, Bayview Hotel….
Patikim pa lang yan… Tomorrow will be USS!!!it

Jolo is in High School Now

How time flies! Now Jolo is in High School, all grown-up and getting more “independent”… I’m having a mixed feeling of being proud and forlorn…Medyo nag-eemo ba. Haaaay, I still remember his first weeks in pre-school, when he didn’t want to be left behind (imagine how he cried hard!)… but now he even asked us not to take him to school anymore. I remember how he was adamant not to have a “cut” (tule baga) forever… but last summer, he practically prepared himself for it. I remember how I have to wait outside an open CR door while he is doing his pupu…. e ngayun, he keeps me out of his room while he’s changing. And how he clings to his old grumpy pillow since he was 4… but now he can sleep all by himself…. How can I forget every night since his year 2 to year 10 that i have to “hilot-paa” (massage) for him to get to sleep (nagpangakuan pa kami tigil na kami pag 8 na siya… but it lasted till his 10th year)…. and now i have to “bribe” him in order for him to sleep beside me…. haaaay… am I just getting old to feel this? Feeling grumpy again! Well, we are getting old,,, and so does the kids…

So much for that “emoting” …. Ang gusto ko iwento ay about our “quest” of choosing his High School…

He is now HS in Barcelona Academy, a new school run by veteran educators and preacher. I have a quite long list of schools to choose from and I actually had a hard time deciding. Jolo and I actually spent a pizza-moment one time to weigh the schools of our choice. BSU is on top of our list, but for some reason (probably a good sign), he was short-listed. It is quite far, and very tiring for Jolo to go to and from. We also have St. Mary’s and MC in our list. We almost enrolled in St. Michael. Barcelona Academy is in our list, but it is its first year to operate, so i have my hesitation.

Finally, while I was about to decide, I came across Bro Bo Sanchez blog, and he featured Barcelona Academy, telling the story actually of the humble beginning of its owner (wife) and the faith and mission of the husband… and it awed me… I texted the number with few questions and Ms. Tess Barcelona personally called me. I met the couple later and has finally decided that this might be the school that will help my son form his adolescent years….

As I look at Jolo, I know I am proud of him… (pero emote pa rin) and i trust him that he can handle what life will have to offer him… of course with our guidance… and faith and perseverance…

(101 note: #11 is now slashed-off)

Today’s Simple Pleasure: A Gift

“Nice Fuji camera from Ninang Verna”
(not actually the one in the photo, it’s Black Fujifilm A170 — Thanks! )

Today’s Simple Pleasure: A Rose from a Graduate

“Received a rose from grateful Jolo!”

- Filed under the page “My Simple Pleasure in Six Words”

101 Minus 15th – Bonding Moments with Ma & Dad

#23 of my 101 - Relaxed Moments and Adventures with Parents (Abroad or Province) – This time it’s Subic!

I have planned for this trip for multiple purposes. It was originally because the announced store opening of Puregold Duty Free Subic was March 15. I booked right away for the house of my dear former Boss Manny from SGV as early as February and I happened to secure the place. Great! It is also the birthday getaway of Jolo and Lean. And I really have to squeeze this gimick in my tight schedule because of my commitment (to myself) of at least 2 adventures every month. Plus, it can also be a treat to Mama and Dad! So, off we go!

I invited my parents to come with us for some meaningful bonding moments. With only us in the big house (of 4 bedrooms, 5 baths and one big play room), we watched there the Pacman boxing with Clottey and just relaxed! Or so I thought, because relaxing is not suitable if you have 3 kids in tow. So we went for a great fun at Tree Top Adventure! I think this is a must in Subic! So, we tried the “rides” if that’s what is called of tossing us between trees, sideways and upwards! Jolo and Papi did the “Interactive Tree Fall” and “Surfing” while Jolo and I did the “Superman” (read more here as this is also an accomplishment of one of my 101), later on Lean and I rode the Canopy Ride for 40-minutes cable ride (chair) atop the trees up to 150 feet. See for yourself, see this site. The following day, we went on beach swimming at All Hands Beach (which Aliya enjoyed so much) and sunset watching.

But the highlight of our escapades (at least for me) is our daily breakfast at the garden… Just the family and Mama and Daddy! relaxed talks and lots of laughters! Great, great weekend!

Did I mentioned that the store did not open on that weekend? so I just drop-by to see the set-up (while they watch the sunset….)

see pictures on my multiply site, and the sample below:

Remembering HK

Here’s the digital photo collection of Hong Kong Travel 2004, when
Jolo was only 6 and very cute! Sorry for the 6 years delay (woow… too long!)… there were only few photos, because I don’t think digital cameras were not yet invented (at least not for us!)…. (actually this collection was taken using a celfone…)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

See also other SmileBox creations at Digital Photo Collection at my page.

Malaysian Movie 2007 by Bong Ngii

Here’s our photos during our Malaysian travel in 2007. The motiff and theme and music of the Smilebox production is brought to you by Bong Ngii (no other than Lee Andrew – pen name of Lean)!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

See also other SmileBox creations at Digital Photo Collection at my page.

Goal #5: Lesson Plan for Kids

My goal is to have conscious effort to teach kids about life’s lessons. Teaching them, among others, Religion, Generosity, Finance, History, Art, Right Manners and Having Dreams….. I really made it sure to have moments with my two boys talking and making stories. Time is short and I believe that most of the lessons we’ve learned were gained while we were still kids….
For this goal, I will consider this complete if I have taught them (or at least, talked to them about) 101 things related to above areas in life and many more. So here is the partial list:

1. Recite “Ama Namin” (“Our Father” in Tagalog) – (Lean already knew the English version since he was 3)
2. Story of the Fisherman’s Wife who was never satisfied, a lesson about greed (Lean)
3. Playing fair and square (while we were playing chess) (Lean)
4. About winning/losing without cheating (while playing Snakes and Ladder) (Lean)
5. Reading aloud a book about “Beliefs” (Lean was having fun counting the word “beliefs” I mentioned)
6. About habit formation at around adolescent years (Jolo)
7. Taught Jolo to save money for something he really wants to buy.
8. About being generous (Lean brought a spare Lego for his friend Aaron)
9. Talking about the course they want to take in college (it doesn’t matter even if they change mind every now and then)
10. Doing the best he can in every project he handles (Jolo)
11. About working hard, and about sowing and reaping (as Lean play the “Farmer” online game)
12. Rewards and consequences in attaining goals
13. Helps Jolo form his habit to clean his face every night, among others.
14. Helps Lean form his “4-things to do” habits every night. (Toothbrush, take a pee, clean his feet, pray)
15. Washing dishes every weekend (Jolo)
(see as the list grow at “Lesson Plan for Kids” at “My Life’s List” widget)

For our future curriculum, we will include:
a. Jolo’s lessons in Civics and history (2 facts everyday)
b. Art attack with Lean
c. Generosity-in-Action, when they accompany me in distributing toys for less-fortunate kids this Xmas
d. More practice on Po and Opo
e. Read World History to Lean (his favorite)
f. loving siblings
g. open bank account in their name
h. about being a friend
i. buying and using money (Lean)
more…….
(see as the list grow at “Lesson Plan for Kids” at “My Life’s List” widget)

My Boy!

I am amazed (and a bit saddened) by sudden changes happening with my boy Jolo. He is not quite a boy now… and he’s not quite a teen yet! He is 11 and as if suddenly the transformation seemed “overnight.” Physically, he grown fast (he is almost my height), his voice became husky, his face is more “serious” and he now chooses teen’s apparel and stuff. His demeanor became more subdued (no longer the wacky guy who goofs around). It’s not that I really mind, it’s just that I’m not yet prepared….
But, what preparations do parents need really? I don’t know! But well, I know we have “experienced” his boyhood and growing up, without moments spared, so I think I have to embrace now this new phase in his life with same glee and amazement!

Jolo Before (one-and-a-half years ago), wacky, playful, rough and sweet!

My litte boy, Jolo! (just a year ago), witty, charming, full of delight, curiousity and awe!

My BOy! (just early this year), thoughtful, creative, still awes at nature, funny and adventurous!

Jolo, “raw and unwashed” (recently), subdued, camera-shy, mindful, artistic and still my boy!

Giving Up… Letting Go… Saying Bye… Moving On…

I am not a quitter!
But there are things, situation, habits… and people that we have to let go… for me (for them) to grow, to prosper, to live on!

This week and last week are just that:
saying bye (but not giving up) — to a favorite, good friend who will be going back to States, and we don’t know if it is (again) for good or she will be coming back here (also for good?)
saying bye to another favorite friend who will be leaving for San Francisco, too. The prospect of seeing him again is quite too far (again), say 2-3 years.
letting go – two good audit staff are resigning (as their mentor, I really want them to explore/grow more, but at the same time, I feel bad because of feeling of “inadequacy” by not providing them enough reasons to stay…)
giving up (but to where it goes, I’m glad)…. our clothes and things for the flood victims! (included there is my “benchmark pants”… the one I want to squeeze into someday…)
saying good bye to the things we’ve lost during the flood… we are not complaining! we are not badly hit and, thank God, we have no serious casualty from our family, friends, or people we personally know.
giving up the habits of unconscious credit card spending….
saying good bye to my 7lbs… (really!!!)
giving up the plan to arrange my “adopted” sister’s medication… because she is giving up HERSELF…. (this one I still have to reconsider… I should not really give up on her)
letting go of the concept and image of Jolo as just a kid… I have to accept that he is a “grown” boy now! (whaaahh).
giving up the thought of keeping these people, things, situation, habit… with full understanding that “giving up, letting go, saying bye….” is just a phase for us to move on, grow and have better perspective….

Life goes on and on and on….

This Week’s Inventory of Blessings

Witnessed history-in-the-making during Cory’s wake and burial
Chance to teach Jolo a part of Filipino history
Was helped by cousin Pentz buy tiles for mother
finally bought the tiles for mother (she’s been requesting a month ago)
busted ref (a reason to buy anew one – been in a plan anyway… )
had a spa treat again from sis Flor
opportunity to sell real estate big time! if only…..
got the ultra-courage to talk to boss about personal stuff (and on his 1st day of coming to office after a long vacation – which usually a bad timing!)
tackled/issued overdue memo and manual
Starbucks with co-managers
new store opening at Tagaytay
date with Papi at Tagaytay stomach ache all day
resigning staff, complaining staff
surprised Jolo with new camera stand, and Lean with 2 choco waffles (his favorite)
Aliya walks around the house, giggles, laughs a lot
with SVS partners, finalized our Mission, Vision, Core Values.. (finally after 8 years…)
eating a lot lately…

Picture Moment #15 – Way to go….

One of my life’s goals is to travel, travel, travel… and that is, with my family. It’s quite pricey and takes big chunk on our savings, but the joy and memories it bring are immeasurable, unquantifiable and lasting. Once we get old, these will be the moment we will remember and cherish most (because I guess we’ll have vague memory of our routinary working days! – and who would want to think about that?)
First picture shown was that of Papi in 2004 at the Peak, Hong Kong. We came back there in 2006, when Lean was already up for travel and the Disneyland had recently opened. Probably in 2011 when Aliya is about the travelling age, we will go back to Hong Kong.
Second picture was that of Jolo in 2007 in KL Tower, overlooking the Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpar. We just loved peaks and heights!
Life is short, and there are soooo many places to go!

Picture Gallery #14: Bora…Once Again!




Make a Smilebox scrapbook

My favorite pictures now in SmileBox... Been very excited doing this scrapbook... Napupuyat ako!