Highlands: Starting a New Tradition
Posted by: gidday on: January 2, 2009
Inspired by BFF Blue Sneakers’ belief to spend the new year away from home (and so welcome a year of travelling and discovery), I scheduled an overnight stay at the Tagaytay Highlands for my family.
It was a lightning decision that ordinarily would not have cystallize into realization, given the Philippine holiday vacation madness and the exclusivity of the Highlands Country Club, if not for good friendships sewn along the way. (I would have loved to say that I walked through the exclusive gates of the Highlands by sheer charm and beauty but really now that would be stretching literary license far too much. 
)
And so, on the 29th of December, we found ourselves enjoying the panoramic site and the cool breeze of the Highlands…
Celebrating love…
Life…
Family…
And basically just having lots of fun!
We may just have stumbled on a new tradition!
Baptism 101
Posted by: gidday on: December 5, 2008
- In: Musings| Occasions| faith
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It’s the day before my daughter’s baptism (cum practice debut 
). I have a million things to do and some are not falling into place as I expected. I am suddenly jerked once again into the realization of what this affair truly is all about – my daughter will be welcomed into the family of Christians! Geez! Surely this is more important than a failed tarpaulin design?!?
About three weeks ago, I started reading on the catechism of the Catholic Church and brushed up on the Sacrament of Baptism.
“Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church: “For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justfied by faith in Baptism, they are inocrporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church.” “Baptism therefore constitues the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn.”
“The Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord (“Dominicus character”) for the day of redemption.” “Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life.” The faithful Christian who has “kept the seal” until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life “marked with the sign of faith”, with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God – the consummation of faith – and in the hope of resurrection.
Quite a mouthful there but basically, with her baptism, my daughter will now be an “adopted daughter of God”, who shall become a “partaker of the divine nature”, a member of Christ and “co-heir” with him, and a “temple of the Holy Spirit”.
Still lost?
Well, this simply means I should stop my frivolities and focus on the more important things.
I have gotten so caught up with the preparations – the church, the reception venue, the decor and the giveaways, etc., that I almost forgot the true essence of this affair.
We Filipinos have a habit of celebrating things on a grand scale. Events like this are treated like a reunion, with about 50 guests that soon balloons to 100 or more. It sometimes becomes a measurement of how far the couple has come in the social ladder instead of a declaration of the completion of their love and commitment to make a family. Godparents are selected with a view of widening their network or securing/paying back a favor. Indeed, some of us have even listed a dozen or so godparents with a view of making them “giftsparents” and somehow recover the cost of reception.
Incidentally, the role of godparents is to assist the parents in raising the child in her spiritual growth. Godparents are called upon to teach the child to develop a lifelong relationship with the family of Jesus fully aware of the gift of faith and redemption and the responsibilities that comes along with being a Christian. Thus, the Church requires that the godparent shares the faith of the parents of the child so as to enable him/her to fully comply with the obligation that comes with it. No wonder Jennifer Lopez is receiving so much flak for getting Tom Cruise as godfather for her twins! It will indeed be quite confusing for the Catholic twins to receive spiritual advice from their Scientologist godfather.
Somehow, I can feel Ninang Blue cringing in her sneakers. Haha! Don’t worry, there’s no such tall order here. It is sufficient that you be there for Nina, share her the world as you have shared it with me.
I intended to write letters to each of our chosen ninongs and ninangs – to let them know how each of them has been chosen with much consideration (not trivially nor by tradition), each of them embodying traits and a wealth of experience which we would like our child to draw from, each of them being so much “like us” that they can indeed stand as “second parents” to our daughter, but thought better of it. Suffice to say, ”Guys and Gurls, you are the Chosen Ones! Thank you very much for accepting to be Nina’s Godparents!”
This said, I must now go. As Cathechism or not, I still have that dress to buy!
And God Took Back His Angel
Posted by: gidday on: November 26, 2008
- In: Musings| faith
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It seemed like a scene straight from the movies…
A young boy lying on a hospital bed, his lifeless body unresponsive.
Except that this was no movie scene. He was my husband’s nephew and this after all is our life.
It was a shock to see him lying still on the bed, heartwrenching to hug him and feel him cold.
He was Manuel Carl or simply “MC” to us. He was fair, happy and it was obvious that he has gained some weight this past year.
Like every morning, MC drank his milk at 5 a.m. His mom happily put him to sleep, gave him a kiss and placed him in his crib. Four hours later, he has yet to turn or give a cringe in his crib. He has turned blue. A rush to the hospital proved futile, he was declared “dead on arrival”.
Doctors declared it was a case of “SIDS” – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. There is no known conclusive cause of it. It just happens. There’s a one and a half percent (1.5 %) for it to happen to a baby. It can happen to anyone.
But how can it happen to us, how can it happen to them.
My sister in law recounted the morning over and over again, trying to decipher where she has missed, where she has been mistaken or negligent in taking care of her baby. Hasn’t she been a good mother is a heart-wrenching question to hear. Her husband stood quiet and still by the hallway, his knuckles bleeding from the punches made on the wall. Has he not been a good provider that the Lord has chosen to take his youngest away, he asked.
All day long I listened to speeches of faith, prayer and God’s unknown design. I even gave my own. Willing for the couple to draw strength from these words and the family’s supportive embrace.
But how this can ebb the despair of a bleeding heart, I am not sure. No comforting words can ease the pain of a parent mourning over his/her child. No parent is suppose to mourn over his/her child.
MC will be laid to rest on Saturday, 10 a.m., in Meycauayan, Bulacan. He was 18 months old.
It’s a Rosey Rosey Pink World!
Posted by: gidday on: November 26, 2008
- In: Friendship| love
- 1 Comment
Text message: “Sweet Ilonggo Guy has finally won the lotto! Good luck to us both! :)
For a moment I wanted to ask how much millions, until comprehension finally dawned.
“Hahaha! How did it happen gurl? Kelan mo pa siya sinagot? Tell me the details!”
I pulled over as Sweet Ilonggo Girl poured out her heart, how she has fallen (unexpectedly) for our dearest friend. This after all is an emergency! A happy emergency which requires my full attention!
I laughed, I cried as she recounted how he, our groomsman, has swept off her, our bridesmaid, feet.
Over several “Aww…how sweet”, I marvelled at how remarkable life is. Except for the obligatory walk in the isle, they hardly noticed each other during our wedding. A chance meeting at the hospital, with them both welcoming Nina into the world, made their paths collide once more. Mr. P was acting the matchmaker for his “Bro” while I was clucking like a protective mother hen over “My Gurl”.
Three months later, this -
It’s a rosey, rosey pink world indeed!
Mr. P and I are still at loggerheads over whom credit should go. But suffice to say, we are extremely elated over this development. Our dearest friend has won our bestest gurlfriend! And we feel like WE have won the lottery!
Farewell to a Friend
Posted by: gidday on: November 21, 2008
Last night I bid farewell to a friend.
I arrived at home to discover that he was already gone, taking with him a myriad of happy memories…
He was there when I first saw Mr. P, his gleaming blue skin shining brightly in the sun, adding weight to an already good impression.
He was there when I finally gave my “yes” to a love offered, his approval roaring loudly in the air.
He was there during those cold Christmas nights as we cruised along canopies of christmas lights dreaming of a future of togetherness.
He was there when I sobbed my first cry, his chrome arms a welcome comfort. He lost his night-vision head then, adding to my despair.
Together, we enjoyed the kiss of the summer sun and breathe the cool air of the December sky.
We joined hands in prayer for every celebration and occasion – a wedding, a new home, a new baby.
He rejoiced with us, he despaired with us, he must have thought it will be forever…
Until yesterday.
The buyer called in the morning.
For the first time in 10 years, he fell.
Mr. P said his leg must have broken from the weight.
I said it was more like a broken spirit.
The buyer arrived in the afternoon.
He fell yet again.
He must have known it was the end of our relationship.
His way of saying goodbye.
I arrived at home to discover that he was already gone, taking with him a myriad of happy memories.
Farewell dear friend, you have served us well.
Future Lawyer
Posted by: gidday on: November 21, 2008
Wouldn’t it be nice if lawyers look as serene as this?
Inquisitive eyes interestedly looking back at you, instead of inquisatorial ones glaring back.
Then perhaps every controversy can be resolved with calm and equanimity, not raging heads and flying tempers.
Objections can easily be quiet down by pink pacifiers, damages reduced to bottle-filled milk.
Allegations will be musical sounds from stuffed alligators, motions the gentle rocking of the cot.
Its a dream I wish for my daughter, but a wistful and funny one.
But that’s alright as I’m sure she can always stare anyone down when need be.
Mr. Superhero
Posted by: gidday on: November 17, 2008
Kapatid,
Natanaw na naman kita ngayong umaga
Suot ang iyong bandilang kapang
Naglalayag sa ihip ng hanging umaga.
Bughaw at pula
ngumingiti sa gitna ng sikat ng araw.
Ano kaya ang sasabihin ng Inang Bayan
sa tagpi-tagpi mong kasuotan?
Kapatid,
Nasisilaw ako sa kinang ng iyong helmet.
Ukit na mga letra nito’y sumasayaw
sa bagsak ng iyong bawat yapak.
Kubli nito mga mata
na masusing nagmamatyag.
May hinagpis ba sa buhay
nakaraan ika’y tinatakbuhan?
At aba, Kapatid,
may dilaw na boomerang ka pa!
Sukbit sa dating taling
taglay ng iyong light saber.
Kapag hinagis ay bumabalik
bumabatingaw sa langit.
Ilang mga pagsubok na ba
ang iyong hinarap at nilagpasan?
Ahh, Kapatid,
Ako’y naiinggit sa malaya mong kaisipan.
Bulag sa hirap at sakit
sa mundo mong ginagalawan.
Hindi ko nanaisin na ika’y himukin
bumalik sa iyong kamalayan.
Sino ako para sabihin
Na ang mundo ko’y nakakalamang?
Sya, Kapatid,
Sana ay matanaw kita
Ang iyong tagpi-tagping bandilang kapa
Bukas muli ng umaga.
Trick or Treat!
Posted by: gidday on: November 3, 2008
What do you do the last Saturday of October when your husband is the President of the Homeowners Association?
You get up, leave the emergency room and organize a Neighborhood Halloween Party!
It’s my husband’s first year as President of the Homeowners Association, an association composed of 40 homes with more or less that much number of families. Halloween is one of the events the homeowners look forward to and, yes, one of those events a President will be known for and leave his mark.
And so for this occasion I played out my role as the dutiful wife, brought out my magic scissors and spruced up the house. Bats hang from the ceiling, cobwebs with crawling spiders cloaked the stairs, tombstones stuck out from the piano, a sinister creature welcomed visitors by the doorway and a witch with her broomstick was making her way by the fire escape.
Screeching doors, ghoulish laughter, screaming banshee, and other scary sounds blared from the sound system.
All done to make that perfect backdrop for a scary but entertaining halloween.
At 4:30 p.m. my nephews and niece started to arrive who along with Ricky’s friends joined us for some halloween games. First on the agenda was Make your Own Tombstone. I gave each child some construction paper and with crayons and colored pencils each made his/her own tombstone. This we later used for another game – the Musical Tombstone (ala Trip to Jerusalem). It’s amazing how creative the kids were - Anton placed “Rest in Space” in his tombstone while Gab spookily wrote “I am Dead…But I will kill you later.”
This was followed by Monster Lab during which each group, headed by the Witches of the East, West and South (my sisters and friend), had to appoint a representative and guess what’s behind the black box…by tasting it. All of them were able to guess the itchy worms (spaghetti in olive oil), cat’s brain (oatmeal), and dracula’s blood (strawberry juice).
Next was Boo is it?, which is actually a modified pictionary. The kids were shy but they readily acted out Frankenstein, a witch, dracula etc. for their respective teams to guess.
Last was Wrap your Mummy which is, you guessed it right, wrapping one of the kids with tissue paper to make him/her into a mummy. Special judge for this event was Mama Linda!
Tired, the kids settled down for some scary refreshment: itchyworms (spaghetti with meatballs), bat wings (buffalo chicken), wrapped intestines (pigs in a blanket), more itchyworms (gummyworms), downed with Dracula’s blood (strawberry juice).
But that’s just the beginning.
By 7 p.m. howling sounds called out the kids for some Trick or Treat…
And about 100 ghoulish kids came out and littered the streets!
Dressed in their scariest (and cutest) outfits they lined up and knocked on everyone’s home. Candies, cookies, sugary treats in every shape and color overflowed their pumpkin baskets. Fun and laughter filled the air. It was a sight to see!
There seemed to be no end to this as Mr. P finally called out the winners for the Best Baby Halloween Costume and Best Adult Halloween Costume.
All in all, it was a splendid Halloween party for the neighborhood!
Surely, not bad for a first time President.
Oh, and there’s one final treat…
Bumble Bee Nina came out for her first Halloween party!
Halloween Nightmare
Posted by: gidday on: October 26, 2008
- In: Musings
- 2 Comments
Found myself writhing in pain at around 4 a.m.
My breast had been hard-rock engorged since 1 a.m. and the milk cannot be expressed try as i might. My fever had swelled to 40.1 degrees and the chills rocked my body endlessly. It felt like New York in January!
Helpless, Mr. P decided to bring me to the hospital emergency room…
to experience an otherwise early halloween nightmare.
Me: Miss, I’m sick. I have a fever and I have been having chills since 1 a.m. due to my engorged breast. The milk wouldn’t come out. Can you please call my OBGyne, Dr. ____.
Intern on Duty: Bakit po kayo nandito?
Me: Nilalagnat ako at giniginaw. It’s due to my engorged breast. My breastmilk wouldn’t come out.
Intern on Duty: Bakit po kayo nilalagnat?
Me: Kasi nga my breastmilk wouldn’t come out, my breast is engorged.
Intern on Duty: Bakit po ayaw lumabas ng milk?
Me: Kaya nga ako nandito para malaman. Can you just please call my doctor.
Intern on Duty: Mam, kailangan po namin malaman ang vitals niyo.
Me: Cge, hindi niyo ba man lang ako pauupuin.
(Another Intern on Duty finally gets a chair)
Intern on Duty: Anong pong pangalan niyo? Ilang taon na po kayo? Anong oras po kayo nilagnat kahapon? Baka may nakain po kayo?
Me: Miss, hindi kahapon, ngayong madaling araw ng ala-una (1 a.m). Wala akong nakain, it’s my breast. My breastmilk wouldn’t come out. Can you just ask them to bring out an electric double barrel breastpump so my milk can finally be expressed. Hindi niyo ba man lang ako kukumutan? Hindi niyo rin ba ako bibigyan ng hot water compress?
Geesh! It felt straight out of a Lualhati Bautista film! I was Vilma Santos in Sister Stella L and Dekada 70 experiencing the degradation of Philippine health care. No, I was not being treated unfairly. No poor man rich man story here. It was just plain ineptitude, incompetence and negligence. I was in the damn E.R. for goodness sake! At a respectable hospital! And nobody even bothered to get me a wheelchair, let alone an ordinary chair!
Intern on Duty: Mam, wala po kaming electric breastpump.
Me: Meron kayo, nasa Nursery Department, Medela ang tatak, nakita ko.
Intern on Duty disappears for a while and comes back.
Mam, hindi daw po puwede ibaba yung breastpump, kanila daw po yun.
Me: Di ba isang hospital lang kayo, bakit hindi puwede? Emergency to di ba? Cge, kung ayaw nila ibaba, ako na lang aakyat.
Intern on Duty: Eh Mam, hintay po kayo, iki-clear pa po kayo bago umakyat.
Grrr!
At the Nursery Department,
Nurse: Mam, sira po yung electric breastpump namin.
Me: (Uuwi na lang ako!)
It was already 8 a.m. It’s been four (4) hours since I escorted myself into the emergency room. No medication has yet been administered to alleviate my pain. Only tests have been done – urinalysis and blood analysis. I have been self-medicating so far, shouldn’t have come.
My OBGyne suddenly walks in. All cheerful and sunshine. Where have you been?!?
She dismisses my pain and forces my milk out…manually. AAAAHHHHHH!!!
Milk surges out. Done.
I walk out relieved. Grateful. Amazed at her expertise.
Amazed that I waited four (4) hours for an easy 5 min. commonsensical procedure.
Amazed that no one thought of the solution, not even the resident physician.
Amazed that the emergency room didn’t give emergency treatment. But only added to my troubles.
Amazed that I had to pay for tests and procedures that had nothing to do with my ailment.
And I grew mad!
I grew scared.
A nightmare comes in so many forms. It doesn’t have to be all dark and ghoulish all the time.
Sometimes it happens within the confines of white sanitized walls with white-robed beings walking by.
Unsmilingly. Unconcernedly. Asking inane questions that saps the strength out of you.
About the Boy
Posted by: gidday on: October 15, 2008
“Nina’s named after me, right Tata Ging? Her name is Antonia?”
“No, but the Baby Book of Names says that Nina is derived from your name Anton.”
“She looks like me.”
“That’s because I love you. Remember, ikaw ang pinaglihian ko?”
“I love holding her fingers.”
“She likes you.”
“I have never felt this way before Tata Ging. I will never get tired of holding her.”
“Neither will I.”
