Gabi's Euphemisms

Here are samples of Gabi's euphemisms. Or as we call them in Filipino, palusot.

"I'm not lying. I'm just joking."

"I"m not a cry baby. I just like to whine a lot."

"I'm not eating the fat. I'm just tasting it."

OBF!

Every time Bela catches me watching basketball she breaks into this cheer. No prodding. No bribing. No kidding.

Yup, it's in her blood. Her blue blood. : )

Gabi Takes on Two Roles

So proud of Gabi! He took on two roles in his school's play Ang Barumbadong Bus.

Chewing Pork

Gabi recently discovered inihaw na baboy or grilled pork. And he loves it. Especially the taba, the fat. Who doesn't, right?

Well, Patty took notice of Gabi's preference for grilled fat and quickly warned him.

"Jut don't eat the fat, Gabi. It's not good for you."

"But it's so yummy, Mommy."

"Not everything that is yummy is good for you," Patty reasoned.

"Okay, I know what to do," Gabi offered a compromise. "What if I just chew on it but not swallow it?"

"That's the same thing!" Patty said.

"No, it's not!" Gabi argued. "You tell me to chew on gum but not to swallow it. So there."

Best Birthday Gift!

A song from my two darlings. The best gift any father could ask for.

Music to My Ears

There's nothing sweeter than a child's innocent laughter. : )

Halloween 2010

I don't know why Halloween is such a big thing in this country. To think that it's origins are pagan in nature. Well, we celebrate Halloween in the spirit of All Saints Day. To honor all our dearly departed.

Halloween is fun! Especially for the kids. This year alone they attended three Halloween parties and enjoyed all the candies and treats they got.

Bela had two costumes. She came as an ER doctor for her school's event and as a dog for the village's celebration. Gabi was an aswang all throughout.

A Pleasant Surprise

The First Trimester ended and Patty and I were called to school to get an assessment of Gabi's performance from Teacher Camille. We were a bit apprehensive. And nervous. Enrolling Gabi in "big school" was a gamble after all on our part.

Although he could have spent another year in kindergarten, we felt that he had already outgrown his old classmates there and may just end up getting bored if he had stayed. So off to a new school he went not as senior kinder but as a prep student already. He may be a bit younger than his new classmates, and he may need a lot of help with Filipino, but we were still optimistic that Gabi's self confidence would carry him past the transition period.

And we were right! Gabi did very well in the First Trimester. And he did well in subjects that we didn't expect him to. He was always good in English. And we knew he was interested in Science. But he got his highest grades in Music. And in Math!

Really goes to show you that even if we claim to know our children very well, we still discover new things about them from time to time.

Good job, my son. Now Papa has to brush up on his Math and maybe learn how to read musical notes to be able to help you with your school work. A syempre, huwag natin kakalimutin ang Pilipino.

Yaya Went on Vacation and We Survived!

Our nanny went on a one week vacation leaving Patty and I to take care of Bela and Gabi by ourselves. Yes, we still had a cleaning lady to take care of the other household chores. But we had to take care of everything else: feeding and bathing the kids, waking up early and getting them ready for school, bringing them to the park for play in the afternoon, putting them to sleep, cleaning up after them.

Okay, I admit it. We are spoiled. And privileged for having a nanny. And believe me, we now appreciate even more those who don't have nannies and who do everything themselves.

We not only survived, we enjoyed! Bela and Gabi seemed to enjoy having us take care of them. And they certainly took advantage of the situation by sleeping past their bed time and snuggle up in bed with us. They enjoyed the play sessions and the movie nights. And the frequent visits to their favorite restaurants.

And even if we are grateful that the nanny is back with us, we now make it a point to spend even more time with the kids. Even if it means allowing them to sleep past their bed time at night.

Small Nuances Mean a Lot

"I am not a cry baby," sobbed my 5 year old. "I am just a boy who cries a lot... There's a big difference, you know."

Yes, my son, I am sorry. There is a big difference. And I promise not to resort to name calling again.

Camp Mercado 2

The Mercado cousins went camping again. This time with Gio and Pepi who were here on vacation. August is not the best time to have outdoor activities. But the rain did not stop the cousins from having fun.

Gabi was braver this time around. He went up the canopy walk without much prodding. I guess Pepi's willingness to go through the activity himself made the decision easier for Gabi. Cousin pressure, I call it.

Not this time

I sometimes feign sadness, pretending to feel sorry for myself, just to get my kids' attention. Not really a good thing, I know. But hey, it works! Most of the time, that is.

A few weeks ago I came home from work to find a laughing Patty and the kids playing in the room. They were obviously having a ball. And there were burger wrappers and left over french fries all over the floor. I said hi but they were all having too much fun to notice me. So I put on a long face and  exclaimed, "I am so sad. Nobody left me fries."

Gabi came up to me, patted me on the back and said, "Papa, you shouldn't be sad. You have a wife, a son and a daughter. You are blessed!"

Yes, my son. I definitely am. 

Three Times for Emphasis

Bela mumbles and may be hard to understand at times. But question her repeatedly, and like the ancient Roman orator Cicero, she will answer you emphatecially, in tripartite phrases at that. 

Bela is articulate, Bela is smart and Bela is definitely outspoken.

Gabi and Bela Try Bowling

Ready for School

It was a summer spent well for Gabi. An hour of Tae Kwon Do, three times a week. And an hour and a half  of football on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

My father insisted that we be active during the summer breaks. And sports activities were always on the top of his list. My brothers and I were always enrolled in the Makati Football School summer sessions. We also got tennis lessons from the village club Maestro. One summer we also learned to play golf.

Summer, my father always insisted, was not an excuse to be idle. In fact, summer he believed, was a time to train, to get stronger, to get better. So as to be ready to get off the blocks once school started again.

I'm glad Gabi had a full summer. I think he's ready for big school now.

Belated Happy Mother's Day!

Simple Joy

Pinipig Crunch and Ice Cream Sandwich from Manong Ice Cream's Magnolia Cart. Taho served in plastic cups. Pork barbecue bought by the stick. Fishballs served in the village sari sari store. These were a few of my favorite eats back when I was still growing up as a child in Philam Homes in Quezon City.

Back then we were free to roam the streets. At least within the confines of the village. On our bikes and for the lucky ones, on their Minitrails.

Life was simple. Kidnapping was not a thriving business yet so our parents did not have to worry about where we were at all times. They knew that between 4 and 6 in the afternoon during school days, and most of the day during summer, we were just around the village with our friends.

Our joys were simple. No PSPs or Wiis to distract us. No cable TV with hundreds of channels. No cell phones that kept us on a leash. Hide and seek and piko and chinese garter were common fare.We also played soccer or basketball. Or tennis or pelota, which was a big sport then.

And we made kwento. Not the online chat that youngsters today engage in. But face to face communication with friends, talking about anything and everything.

I miss my childhood. I miss the simplicity.

Alea Jacta Est!

I have cast my vote. It took more time than I had originally expected, all of an hour an a half. I hope voters are more patient and choose to vote and not give up and go home. Now the task is to guard our votes. And pray for a peaceful proceeding and a credible outcome.

It's Summer Time!

Gabi in 2008

You know what they say about 2s and 3s. Here's a selection of Gabi's photos in 2008.

Computer Talk

Computer games have certainly influenced the vocabulary of the youth.

When my four year old Gabi wants me or his mommy to stop talking --- especially when we are admonishing him for a naughty deed -- he holds up his hand and says "Pause first, Papa, pause."

When he is too tired or just plain lazy to pack away his toys, his favorite excuse is "Wait, Papa, I'm still loading."

And last night when he was about to sleep, he snuggled close to me and whispered "Game over, Papa. I will shut down."

Beautiful Bela

At long last. The photos and videos of Bela's birth and early days.

BFF!

March 2010

They were born a little more than seven months apart, Beeto in September 2004 and Gabi in May 2005. And though they are opposite in character, the cousins are undoubtedly best friends.

Gabi is loud and gregarious. Beeto is quiet and circumspect. Yet they love each other's company and always seek each other out.

They see each other at least once a week. During family dinner in granny's house. They regularly have play dates. They swim in Woodside when Beeto comes over. And they play video games when Gabi goes over to Beeto's house.

They talk on the phone too. You should hear their conversations. Like two small adults talking about the pros and cons of the newest video game or disagreeing between themselves on who has the better toys.

Oh yes they argue. And fight. They've even come to blows a couple of times. But like true best friends, they always make up. And pledge that they are each other's best friend. Until the next fight, that is. Which could be as soon as ten minutes later.

May 2007

October 2007

September 2008

July 2009

Gabi Sayings

"Last one up is a rotten egg, papa!" Gabi screamed as he ran up the stairs. It was the first time he ever said that. He probably learned it from an older cousin since we had just come home from family dinner.

Of course, I came in last. It was just the two of us. And he had a three step advantage.

"You're the rotten egg, papa."

"Okay, Gabi," I said. "But if I'm the rotten egg, what are you?"

I wanted to know if he understood the expression.

"Hmm...," he struggled.

"I know, I know!" he finally replied. "I'm the normal egg."

Yearly Slide Shows

I'm posting three slide shows I made for 2005, 2006 and 2007. I found the files recently and now vow to work on the slide shows for 2008 and 2009. Watch for them soon.

Simple Joys

Round. And round. And down, Bela goes.

It's the simple joys, the silly, babaw antics that elicit the best fits of laughter from all of us.

While the cat is away ...

Patty has been on an out of town trip for four days now and so Gabi, Bela and I have been spending a lot of time together. Mostly in my room, after I get home from work, where we play and dance and sing.

And watch TV.

And eat.

Okay, I admit it. I have been lax with the rules. We've watched more TV than their allotted time. And we've snacked on more chips and junk that Patty normally allows us.

And we've eaten out three times in the last four days. To places that don't exactly serve healthy options. And we've even been to the big toy store in the mall where each got a small toy. Including  me.

We've been bad. I've been bad. Wish I could with a straight face say that we did it to make up for Patty's absence. But that would make the bad worse.

Plain and simple, we've been enjoying ourselves. I've been enjoying myself. A bit too much, I guess.

Tomorrow, Patty comes home. And tomorrow, sanity returns to the house.

That's one of the reasons why I love my wife. She lovingly brings sanity and order into our lives.

My life especially.

Bela Eats!

This little one likes to eat. And that makes us happy. And she eats anything. And everything.

So unlike her older brother who is more picky with his food. And who has to be given appetite enhancers.

Why, I always wonder. Is it because Bela was breast-fed and Gabi wasn't? Maybe the simpler answer is that she's a Mercado. And Mercados certainly like to eat.

Our Favorite Child

The feast of the Santo Nino or the Child Jesus  is celebrated every last Sunday of January in Patty's home town of Malolos, Bulacan. The highlight is the procession of the different images of the Child Jesus, all beautifully adorned as an expression of the owners' devotion and love for the Child Jesus.

The Child Jesus is the favorite patron of Filipinos. Many have their own images and own altars at home. And many customize their images according to their personal petitions and prayers. There are Santo Ninos dressed as policemen or firemen. There are Santo Ninos dressed as farmers or fishermen.

Gabi and I look forward to the procession. And this year we were not disappointed.

Of the more than 150 Images in the procession, here are Gabi's and my favorites:

Sunday in the Park with Gabi and Bela

Off the cuff we went on a picnic, Gabi, Bela and I . For once I was spontaneous. No planning was involved. I decided to go and in ten minutes we were on our way.

I grabbed our banig and a few toys for the kids, filled two thermos with water and bundled the kids in the back seat with Manang Tim. (Impromptu though my decision was, I was still not crazy enough to take both Gabi and Bela by myself in the car.)

To UP we went. In front of Abelardo Hall, to join other picnickers who were obviously more prepared. They had food baskets and stools and bikes and lots of toys. All we had was a toy ball and a small container of Bela's cereals.Yes, we went on a picnic without food.

Yet, what we had was more than enough. We had fun! Lots of fun!

Bela loved the grass. And the leaves. All she did was touch them, and play with and on them.

 

Gabi in turn loved the new setting for his role playing games. He had new bridges to cross. New  obstacles to overcome. And bigger dragons and aliens to slay.

And when I asked them what their favorite part of the picnic was they both replied unanimously, "the ice cream!"

It was truly an enjoyable excursion. Something we'll definitely do again soon. But next time we'll bring a bike, sandwiches and chips, a book or two for me...

Hmm, then again maybe not. Planning too much might just spoil it. We'll just wing it again.

My Brave Little One

A picture of strength and of cheerfulness you were, dear Bela, all throughout your five day hospital confinement.

You hardly complained and you did not cry, even when they put the IV needle through your tiny little hand. Papa and Mommy were more scared of the procedure while you were your curious self  examining the gauze, the needle and the IV tube.

And you remained in high spirits, despite the discomfort, despite the pain. Always greeting your doctors and nurses and the service staff with your smile, with your laugh and with your wave.

You my dear one, and your good health, are truly a gift to me, Mommy and Kuya this new year. We love you!