Kuya Perks

One advantage of having a younger sibling still in college is that you can have her and her friends 1) buy tickets for the game; 2) line up early to get in first and 3) reserve seats for you in the proletarian free seating section of the coloseum, while you sit pretty in a coffee shop nearby blogging about it.

I love you, Sam.

The More, The Merrier!

I've always wanted to have a big family. By big I mean four kids at the very least!

I have six other siblings. And if not for two unfortunate miscarriages, we would have been nine kids! And I'm sure my brothers and sisters would agree that our childhood was a lot of fun.

Sure, I had a late start. Gabi was born when I was already 40. My wife Patty is now six months on the way with our second child. Good thing Patty is much younger than me. Gives us a chance to have more kids. God willing, of course.

This summer we've been spending a lot of time with Gabi's Mercado cousins. Gabi is the youngest among eight cousins. And except for Paris-based Gio and Pepi, the cousins are constantly together now. Beach trips, birthday parties, baking sessions, swimming dates.

And they are constantly in each others' nerves. Which is really part of the fun! Teaches them among other things, what it means to share. And how to be patient. And how to survive!

No matter what population control advocates say, I firmly believe that having many kids is NOT counter productive, does NOT cause more poverty and hardship, and is NOT a manifestation of irresponsible parenthood.

Our Youngest. Our Dearest. Our Best.

Our youngest sister Samantha graduated from high school last week.

And I still can't believe it.

The same young girl who came to us as a most welcome gift almost eighteen years ago is now a high school graduate. I still remember bringing her to and from Casa Montessori for pre-school. I still remember fighting my other siblings over who would baby sit Samantha when Dad and Mom were out of town.

And now she is a bona fide high school graduate.

We all made the long trip to PAREF Rosehill School for Girls last Friday to witness Sam's graduation. All the kids went to see their Tita Sam: Therese, Luis, Rocio, Diego, Beeto and Gabi.

And we all wore caps that spelled out: "Congrats. We love you Sam!"

We also had banners with her baby picture.



Congratulations, my dear sister! You've brought so much joy to the family. And as you now enter college life, please know that we are here always for you and continue to support you in whatever path you choose.

We love you, little one.

In solitary confinement ...

I am. For at least the next seven days. Probably more.

I am now under room arrest. I've taken over Gabi's 3rd floor loft where I've temporarily set up shop. My computer and printer were brought in from the office together with that large plastic container of "urgent" work files.

Now I am beginning to understand the loneliness Erap went through while under house arrest in his palatial Tanay vacation house. It's not the lack of earthly goods that makes one lonely. Though I don't have Erap's swan pond and giant flat screen TVs, I do have the essentials: Wifi, my coffee press and accessories and my iTunes.

But being separated from Patty and Gabi, who are now confined to the 1st and 2nd floors. That is what really stabs at the heart.

I have the Shingles. Otherwise known as Herpes Zoster. Some form of adult chickenpox.

The rashes are all over my left back and extends to my left armpit and part of my left chest. (Pati ba naman sa sakit, e puro left side?)

To allay the fears of those I've gotten in touch with the past few days and to remove the naughty smiles and thoughts I'm sure some of you are now entertaining, here's a medical description of what I have. Straight from www.medicinenet.com:

What is shingles? What causes shingles?

Shingles is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus responsible for these conditions is called Varicella zoster. After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives in the nerves and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency (from AIDS or chemotherapy) or with cancer, the virus re-activates causing shingles. In most cases, however, a cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. The herpes virus that causes shingles and chicken pox is not the same as the herpes virus that causes genital herpes (which can be sexually transmitted) and herpes mouth sores. Shingles is medically termed Herpes zoster.

What are symptoms of shingles? How long does shingles last?

Before a rash is visible, the patient may notice several days to a week of burning pain and sensitive skin. Shingles start as small blisters on a red base, with new blisters continuing to form for three to five days. The blisters follow the path of individual nerves that comes out of the spinal cord (called dermatomal pattern). The entire path of the nerve may be involved or there may be areas with blisters and areas without blisters. Generally, only one nerve level is involved. In a rare case, more than one nerve will be involved. Eventually, the blisters pop and the area starts to ooze. The area will then crust over and heal. The whole process may take three to four weeks from start to finish. On occasion, the pain will be present but the blisters may never appear. This can be a very confusing cause of local pain!

Are shingles contagious?

Yes, shingles is contagious. Shingles can be spread from an affected person to children or adults who have not had chickenpox. Instead of developing shingles, these people develop chickenpox. Once they have had chickenpox, people cannot catch shingles (or contract the virus) from someone else. Once infected, however, people have the potential to develop shingles later in life.

Shingles is contagious to people that have not previously had chicken pox, as long as there are new blisters forming and old blisters healing. Once all of the blisters are crusted over, the virus can no longer be spread.

Happy birthday, Gel!

Thanks, Michelle! Thanks for sharing your Facebook note with all of us. Galing mo. You beat all of us to the punch.

Happy birthday, Gel! Thank you for still being there, after more than two decades. Still fixing things for me, like the first time 21 years ago when you came to the rescue -- okay, okay, we kidnapped you! -- of two clueless lads named Robbi and Bert and made their car work again.

We watched you tinker with the car --- was it the Mercado avocado green wagon? --- and dirty yourself while we watched. You made it run, which was more than what we hoped for, and we left you with a hasty thank you.

Only the following day did we realize it was your birthday! Oh man, how embarrassing.

And how touching.

We used you. We abused you. On your birthday too. And nary a complaint from TA's resident fix it man. A man we all christened Gelzon McGyver. A man who started the fatigue workman look that Ria eventually got "tired" of. (Thanks, Ria. We could never muster the courage to tell Gel that rebellious green was no longer the fashion.) A man who continues to be of Good Housekeeping-grade service, not just to friends who continue to abuse him, but more so to Ria, Isabel and Miguela and the extended family he has learned to love.

Thank you, Gel, for extending McGyver's run way beyond Season 24 . Thank you for being nerdier than me. (Believe me, it's a relief to know that I am somewhat normal).

And thank you for being Gabi's nonong and Patty's friend. You're a great friend, the best anyone could ever hope for. And what I will never forget is that when I was at my lowest, you and Bert were there. Always. And forever.

Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up always reminds me of the two of you. (Okay, not when I sing it. And don't you dare try to sing it! Si Bert pa, I'm sure can do justice to the song. Pakingan na lang natin si Bert.)

Happy 41st, my friend!

And dude... sira nanaman yung Montero. Baka naman ...

In sickness and in health (Part I)

Gabi has been sick on and off for the last couple of months.

It all started early December 2007. Patty, Gabi and I treated ourselves to a weekend stay in Renaissance Makati (formerly New World Hotel). It was our wedding anniversary and we had reason to celebrate. We originally wanted to run off to a beach resort. But just the thought of organizing the logistics of a road trip discouraged me from pursuing the sun and sand idea.

The Renaissance seemed like a good choice. It had broadband in every room so I was happy. It's right in front of Greenbelt and all the shops and restos we QCers hardly get a chance to visit and so Patty was happy. It had a nice pool ("Two pools, Papa!") so Gabi was happy.

I had a Plan. Everything was scheduled, down to the last minute. Patty was to drop me off in Jupiter St. for a 1:30 pm meeting, check-in at the Renaissance and then walk on over to Greenbelt 1 to buy tickets for that evening's performance of Repertory's Fiddler on the Roof. Dinner and drinks in Casa Armas was to be the night cap.

Gabi was to spend the night in his Wowa's house and follow first thing the next morning. After buffet breakfast, we were to spend the whole morning in the pool. Lunch in Emperor Court before checking out at 3 pm.

We never got to follow the schedule. On our way to Casa Armas Patty already got a call from her mother. Gabi it seemed was not feeling well. He was matamlay.

"Of course, he is!" was my instinctive reply. "He misses us!"

Turns out he was ailing from something more than papa and mommy homesickness. Mother-in-law dutifully reported his true state of health at 6:30 am the next day.

"He made suka twice last night and his poo poo is wet."

Now we were worried. We got Gabi on the phone and asked him how he was.

"Fine... But where are you, papa? I thought we were going swimming. I want to be with you and Mommy," was his weak reply.

"Come on over then, anak. Elias and the black car will pick you and yaya up and you can come here."

Patty and I quickly shifted to Plan B. The morning swim was definitely out of the picture. We went to Mercury and bought what we thought was needed: pedialyte, bottles of mineral water, fresh juice and a thermometer. The plan was for Gabi to be at our side so that we could assess his condition ourselves and then call his pedia for advice.

Gabi was asleep when the car drove up the hotel driveway. And the yaya was drenched in vomit.

I took him in my arms and we hurriedly brought him to our room. He was definitely matamlay. And was obviously in some sort of pain.

"Ouchy my tummy, Mommy," he didn't have to verbalize.

Patty quickly tried to cheer him up. "Look, baby," pointing at the complimentary fruit basket in the room. "Want some of your favorite oranges?"

"Yes, Mommy. I want." His face lit up at the suggestion of food.

And he quickly devoured three small slices.

We gave him juice to drink but he wanted water instead. He finished a whole bottle. We took his temperature. No fever but higher than normal.

It was then that we tried to contact his pedia. We sent her a text message. To both cell numbers she left in her calling card. And the long wait began.

Meanwhile, a somewhat revived Gabi sauntered to the window and saw the pools on the roof deck a few floors down.

"Two pools, Papa! Two pools. Let's swim!" he gleefully proclaimed as he scampered for his swim suit.

Patty and I just stared at each other. How do you tell an obviously sick child that he couldn't swim even if he was looking forward to family time in a pool much bigger than what we had at home?

We eventually came up with a rather foolish compromise.

"Okay, anak. We will swim. But only for a while. Because you're sick," was my Solomonic reply.

"I am not sick! Let's go."

Besides, the pedia had not replied yet. So might as well let Gabi have his cake.

So off to the pool we went. And had fun! For an hour, we played and laughed in the water.

We went back to the room, took quick showers, packed our stuff and informed Front Desk of our early check out. We had hoped that by the time we were on our way home in the car, we would already receive the pedia's instructions.

She never replied.

We got home, put Gabi in bed and shifted to Plan C. We called ER in Medical City and asked the resident pedia for advice. We were told to bring Gabi to the hospital for assessment. They would then text his pedia for instructions.

Huh? Text her? We already did! And we tried to call her but she wasn't picking up!

Did the ER have a special phone to contact Gabi's doctor? Much like Commissioner Gordon's red hot line to Batman? No use using the bat signal either. It was the middle of the day and the bright sun would have blocked off any SOS signal.

Time to shift to Plan D. I texted MY doctor, a cardiologist in Cardinal Santos who was my primary doctor and good friend.

He replied within 5 minutes.

"Bring him to St. Luke's. Not to the emergency room. Too much paper work. Straight to the lab and ask for a CBC. Bring urine and fecal samples too if you can. Do it at home so Gabi does not have to wait too long in the hospital. Have the tests done and bring Gabi home immediately. Just go back to get the results yourself. Have the pedia resident in ER interpret the results and then call me."

Huge sigh of relief. At least I now knew what to do.

We proceeded with Plan E and followed my doctor's instructions to the letter. I ended up going to the hospital four times that same afternoon. Once to bring the urine sample. Once to bring the fecal sample. And once to get the results. Gabi only had to go once, to have his blood taken for the CBC test.

That was gut wrenching.

Being a diabetic, I get to have blood extracted at least once every three months. And my stomach still turns and my heartbeat increases whenever I see the needle.

Gabi was very brave. He cried when he saw the needle. Mommy held his other arm and gently suggested that they sing the Moon song (Moonriver which is Gabi's favorite).

"No, Mommy, I want to count."

So count we all did as the lab nurse stuck the needle and drew blood.

"1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5..."

It was all over before the mandatory 8 count. Boxer Gabi who has always been a Manny Pacquiao fan won his first fight! By knockout too!

I returned to get the test results later that evening. My doctor had already called earlier to remind me to text him the results once I get them.

"Nothing to worry about", he said, a few minutes after I sent him the results.

"Continue with the fluid replacement regimen. Watch out for the signs of dehydration. And bring him to his pedia first thing Monday."

Relieved and suddenly exhausted, I said a quiet prayer of thanksgiving and drove home to be with mother and child.

I fell asleep right away. But not before already plotting Plan F...

More on Plan F, G and H in a later post.

(1) When I grow up ...

... I want to be a barista!

Everyday, at 7:10 am sharp, I help Papa make his first cup of coffee.

Sitting on our kitchen counter, I first heat up some water on an electronic kettle. Papa insists on only using bottled mineral water for his coffee. Not tap water --- which is potable in our village. Not even distilled water --- which is what we drink at table. Papa explains that he needs the "minerals" in his water to "allow the ground coffee to blend with and blossom in the water."

Huh? Whatever! Too BIG a concept for me. Water is just that ... tubig!

I then put three heaping tablespoons of ground coffee on Papa's French press. Since New Year we've been using this glass WMf press that Tito Miguel gave my Papa for Christmas. Poor Tito Miguel and Tita Armi had to rush off to Rustan's to buy the press and tea cups that Papa put on his wish list.

That's what I don't understand. Papa already has three French presses. And not to mention an Espresso maker, a drip machine and three different sizes of the oven top coffee pot variety.

And he asked for another press for Christmas!

Papa then pours the boiling water into the press and after 55 seconds -- no more, no less, he lets me press the coffee, ever so slowly until the plunger hits the glass bottom.

Papa likes his coffee and insists on making his cofee the same way all the time.

"Life is simple, anak" he always says. "Don't complicate it. Consistency is key. The best stress buster is a life of norms and regularity."

Papa and I then proceed to the living room, him with his coffee, me with my Yakult. We partake of the same pandesal and cheddar cheese breakfast. And we share kwento about yesterday, today and tomorrow.

When I grow up, I want to be a barista so I can continue to make Papa coffee for breakfast. And so that I can continue to share my mornings with Papa.

A funny thing happened on the way to Sweeney Todd

I was going on a movie date! It was a spur of the moment thing. (Which if you know me, a self-confessed creature of habit, is an achievement in itself.)

It wasn't in my schedule. I went to my Mom's house to pick up my sister-in-law Dana. We were supposed to go to Fr. Honti's wake. But she was tired. And her husband, my brother Paolo, was also too tamad to go.

And so I suddenly had four hours to spare before my next scheduled appointment: another wake this time in Araneta Ave. at 10:30 pm.

Dana suggested we go see Sweeney Todd.

And I agreed immediately. (Which surprised even me! I didn't even bother to first consult my schedule on my PDA!)

I love musicals! Ever since my Dad started to play Rogers and Hammerstein's classics on Sunday afternoons when we were kids. Sound of Music, Carousel, West Side Story ... And I'm a great fan of today's classics as well. Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Shonberg, Boubil and Mackintosh.

And I love movies! In fact, not too long ago, when I was still single, I would regularly go on movie dates with certified movie addicts, Kit and Elisa, Bert and Michelle, Gel and Ria, Rich and Kathy, Peter and Geli, and before they left for the States, Gonz and Sandra.

(Okay, I may not be as well-versed in comparative movie analysis like Kit, Gonz, Peter, Gel, Bert and Rich. I prefer to stay with the girls, making snide remarks like the Muppet Show hecklers and swooning at how guapo this or that actor is. But hey, I love going to movies. And the popcorn too!)

Anyways ...

And because my nephew Gio was a Stephen Sondheim fan like Paolo, Dana and me, we decided to take him along as well, and with my niece Therese in tow.

Fun! A group movie date! Like the Tweedle Bugs of Sesame Street fame, we all excitedly trooped to nearby Galleria to catch the 7:30 pm show.

Let's take the car to the zoo!, was my silent refrain as Gio and Dana began to hum the movie soundtrack.

My first mistake was not checking the movie rating beforehand. :(

To our horror, the movie was rated R-18. (And justifiably so, Dana later on confirmed. Disturbing, she said... Buti nga sa 'yo!)

It was 7:20. The movie was to begin in 10 minutes. So I made another spur of the moment decision. (The second in less than an hour! I must have been running a fever.)

"You and Dana go see the movie," wise Robbi quipped. "I shall take care of the kids!", he said with a wave of his hand.

So off they went to see the demon barber.

"So what do you want to do, There and Gio? Want to see another movie?"

Mistake number 2.

"Yes, Ninong Robbi! Let's go watch Alvin and the Chipmunks!"

So it was.

Well, the bright side is I did get to watch a movie. And it was a musical too.

And I got to spend time with my two eldest pamangkins.

And I did get a good hour's sleep before my next appointment.

"Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lang ..."

Father Eduardo Hontiveros passed away yesterday, 15 January 2008.

Fr. Honti was the well-loved great grand uncle of my nephews Gio and Pepi, lolo pari to my sister-in-law Dana, tito to Tita Ivi Avellana-Cosio, and younger brother to National Artist Daisy Hontiveros Avellana.

He was also my Theology 131 teacher in the Ateneo in 1988.

From Wikipedia:

Eduardo "Fr. Honti" Hontiveros (20 December 1923 – 15 January 2008) was a FilipinoJesuit composer and musician, best-known as an innovative creator of Philippine liturgical music.

He was born in Molo, Iloilo City, one of eight siblings, to Jose Hontiveros and Vicenta Pardo. He studied at the Capiz Elementary School and transferred at the Ateneo de Manila High Schoo, graduating in 1939. He entered the San Jose Seminary from 1939 to 1945, and entered the Society of Jesus in 1945; he made his first vows as a novice in 1947. He studied theology in the United States in 1951, and was ordained by Cardinal Francis Spellman in 1954.

With the Vatican II mandate of localization of the Holy Mass, Fr. Honti began to write liturgical hymns in the 1960's, where the mission of his first hymn was to provide a song that local people could easily learn and sing at worship, for the Jesuit-oversight parish at Barangka in Marikina. This brought about the tradition of religious music in the country which would later come to be known simply as "Jesuit Music".^[1]

His works include "Papuri sa Diyos", "Magnificat", "Maria, Bukang-Liwayway", "Pananagutan", among many others. His works have been published and sung in many parishes in the Philippines and in other countries as well; his "Papuri sa Diyos" has been sung at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.^[2]

Fr. Hontiveros suffered a stroke in 1991, affecting his mobility and his ability to communicate. He suffered another stroke in early January 2008 and died on January 15, 2008, aged 84.

From jesuits.ph:

When Fr. Eddie Hontiveros wrote his first liturgical hymn in the 60's, all he wanted to do was to come up with a song that people could easily learn and sing at worship. He had no idea that in writing that first song and in teaching it to a group of young boys and girls in Barangka, Marikina, he was actually starting a whole tradition of religious and liturgical music in the country--which would later come to be known simply as "Jesuit Music." Today, thirty years after Father Honti's first composition, his songs--as well as those of other Jesuit musicians that he has inspired--are sung in churches all over the country, as well as in other parts of the world, wherever Filipinos gather in worship and prayer.

Father Honti brought so many of us together in Masses all over the world where his hymns were sung. And Father Honti brought so many of us closer to God through his prayerful music.


Tayong lahat ay tinipon ng Diyos na kapiling niya.

Thank you, Father Honti.

Jose Luis V. Tantoco (29 August 1968 - 8 January 2007)

The last time I talked to Joel was late July 2000, outside Lola Charing's house on Pili. It must have been 2 in the morning.

Lola Pacit jut died that morning and it was the last night of my father's wake in San Antonio.


We were outside by the cars while the Soriano women were finalizing plans for Lola Pacit's wake and funeral.

Despite the obviously somber and even depressing circumstances, Joel was his usual calm and comforting self. We chatted for a while. It was not small talk. Light but not frivolous banter.

He did most of the talking. And he didn't speak of death. He spoke of life! Of what he wanted to do, of what he wanted to achieve. And he quickly got excited, becoming animated about his dreams. We ended up smiling. And laughing. An unspoken commitment to go on enjoying life despite the difficulties, despite even the possibility of an early death.

We parted ways an hour later. And I never saw him again.

Thank you, Joel, for that short talk we had. Thank you for being with me during a difficult phase in my life. And thank you for rekindling that love of life that I thought I'd never experience again.

Thank you, my friend. I will always remember you with fondness in my thoughts and prayers.

P.S. Thank you, Rica, for reminding all of us about Joel. (And thank you for the picture, which I grabbed from your site)

Ang Lolo … Bow!

Writing as Gabi (gabimercado.multiply.com)

Si Lolo Pete ay tunay na napakabait

Kahit ako minsan ay super duper kulit.

Mahal na mahal ako ni Lolo, ito ay totoo

Kahit ako ay pilyo at laging paroko-roko.

Buntong hininga niya'y lagi kong ginagaya

Tuloy si Maman at Wowa, tawa na lang nang tawa.

Itong maginoong ‘to na mula pa sa Malolos

Tahimik, simple at tunay na nagmamahal sa Diyos.

Payo niya parati ay “huwag padalos dalos”

Lahat ng mga problema namin kanyang laging tinutubos.

Maraming salamat, Lolo Pete, sa tuloy na patnubay

Idolo kita sa tamang pamumuhay.

Malugod na pagbati sa inyong kaarawan

Nawa’y manahin ko sa ‘yo ang mga bukod tangi mong katangian.

Lolo Pete is Jose R. Tengco, Jr., Gabi's maternal great grandfather. He celebrated his 78th birthday last 29 December 2007.

Tengco ... Tengco ... Ang Babait Ninyo. Tengco!

Writing as Gabi (gabimercado.multiply.com)

We had Christmas day lunch in Lolo Pete and Maman Zeny's house in New Manila.

For the first time in two years, everyone was present!

Wowa Corina, Mommy Patty, Nanang Paola, Tito Anton and Tito Miguel and Papa were present.

Wowa is the Ate of the family and Lolo Pete's trusted lieutenant. She takes care of everything! From Max's to Legacy to Villa Desta and more. Even to maintaining the houses in New Manila, Tagaytay, Rada and Malolos.

Wowa and Papa have similar jobs. Both are COOs of their respective families. COOs? Not Chief Operating Officer … Child of Owner!

Both are prone to stress. Both worry themselves silly. Both pressure themselves needlessly.

And like I always tell my Papa when he comes home ranting to Mommy about work-related problems ... "Relax, Wowa. Relax!"

Wowa's siblings and their families were present too.

Tita Mia was present!

My Tita Mia is cool. My Mommy says that she is a celebrity, lead singer of hit band Wake Up Your Seatmate. And she's a friend of my Tito Baba Gabe. So I guess she's famous too.

But to me, she'll always be Cuddles' Mommy.

I never got to meet Tita Mia's dad, Lolo Monching, the Kuya of the family. But from all the stories I hear, surely he must have been just as smart and just as cool as Tita Mia.

Lolo Tony, Diko to his siblings, was present too!

Lolo Tony is a health buff. He is always on the thread mill. He is always on a diet and he always tries out the latest weight loss fad. He even convinced Wowa and Mommy to try Xenical! You should try Lolo Tony's regimen, Papa! Might do you good.

Tito Jay, Tita Joanne and Cousin Dani were present too!

Cousin Dani and I are the only two great grandchildren of Lolo and Maman. We are the favorites! That's why we get to sit in front and on their laps too for the traditional picture taking.

Beat that, sipsip Papa!

Lolo Al was present too!

Lolo Al has always been Santa Claus to me. All year round! And to the whole family as well. He is very generous not only with his gifts (which I always look forward to!) but more so with his time and advice, especially to the many who continue to seek his help.

Lola Carla, Tita Amanda, Tito Sandro and my favorite Tito Xabi were present too!

Tito Xabi is my favorite Tito. It certainly helps that he's only a few years older than me. No generation gap between uncle and nephew here. Just as there is no generation gap between Lolo Al and my Papa. My Papa already knew of Lolo Al’s reputation as a funny man in college, as one half of the “Al and Ernest” tandem.

Papa thinks he’s as funny as Lolo Al. Now that’s funny, Papa!

Lolo Louie was present too!

“Louie” and “Lolo” don’t seem to fit. That’s because Lolo Louie is fun! He is the biggest kid I know and I like playing with him. But not with toy guns please! Or at least not when Papa's around. He doesn't want me playing with guns. “Only water guns,” he says... Papa's weird!

Lola Maite, Tita Cara and Tita "Nees-Nees" were present too!

Tita “Nees-Nees” I like. She’s my favorite Tita. Both Papa and I like making her inis. Miss Photogenic, she surely is!

Lola Rosanna was present too!

Lola Rosanna I only get to see once every blue moon. That’s because she and her family live in London. I must admit I did not recognize her when she first arrived a few weeks ago. It was Roger’s and Hammerstein’s “getting to know you” all over again!

But it was certainly worth all the effort. Now I know both sides of Lola Rosanna’s coin: as the soft-spoken pastor's wife and as the Papa-nominated fiercest Tengco woman shopping warrior.

Lola Rene, Tita Hannah, Tita Sarah and Tito David were present too!

Tito David I do remember! He who played football with Papa in the beach. He can probably run rings around Papa now that he’s all grown up.

Just stick to Wii, Papa. Pick your battles. Discretion is the better part of valor. You stand a better chance of beating Tito David in a video tennis court than in a real soccer pitch.

Christmas day lunch was so much fun! Not only because everyone was present but more so because I got plenty, plenty presents!

Thank you, Lolo Pete! Thank you, Maman Zeny! Thank you for the everlasting present of such a wonderful family.

Papa, Mommy and I will always treasure your God-inspired presence.

Champion Shoppers, Women All!

Writing as Gabi (gabimercado.multiply.com)

Ever since the doctor asked --- nay, ordered! --- my Mommy to stay home in bed until after the holidays, Papa has had to take over a task that he had always delegated to Mommy: Christmas shopping!

Papa faced the challenge straight on, mustering courage from unknown forces. "To Trinoma and beyond!" was his not too convincing mantra.

He brought me to Trinoma where he left me in my favorite Gymboree while he sailed off, braved the crowds and bought a number of gifts still on Mommy's unfinished Christmas list. You should have seen Papa go, Mommy! The same Papa who hates malls, the same Papa who usually brings a book to a nearby Starbucks where he waits until Mommy has satisfied her shopping itch.

Which mind you, can sometimes take two hours at least. I should know. I usually have two play time sessions in Gymboree or in nearby Kevin's before Mommy comes back to get me.

After an hour and a half, and with still two unbought items on Mommy's list, Papa stumbled back into Gymboree, ready to call it a day. But alas, I wouldn't let him off that easily. I wanted to join the art class and that meant Papa had thirty more precious minutes to spend in the mall!

Being the wise man that he is, Papa ended up in Bubba Gump. Reading a new book he had just purchased, sipping coffee and even trying the cafe's famous Mud Pie! Much to the dismay of course, of his already battered, diabetes-inflicted pancreas.

But to be fair to Mommy, she's the tamest among the Tengco shopping women!

Maman, all 79 years old, can still out pace many a novice shopper, even those a third of her age! My Nanang Paula is another certified long distance shopper. Wowa Corina always says she's not like "that" but still manages to "accompany" her mother, sister or daughters into the madding crowd.

And then there is my Lola Rosanna, who's back home from London on a short vacation. My oh so lovely, meek and mild, Lola Rosanna.

If there's an Iron Man competition for shopping longevity, I will put all my hard-earned piggy bank money on my dear Lola Rosanna. Blimey, she'd scare the socks of all comers before she's done strolling down the line of shops!

Be it in Shenzen, China, Mongkok's night market, 168 in Divisoria, the tiangges of Greenhills, the Ayala malls in Makati or the ubiquitous SM enclaves all over the metro, trust the Tengco women to be at the forefront of all shopping queues.

If only I could fill up a hundred more piggy banks I would put up a Starbucks-like cafe where all temporarily abandoned husbands and boyfriends like Lolo Pete, Wowo, Lolo Rene, Tito Raymond and Papa can just while the time, with good coffee and pleasant company, oblivious to the whereabouts of their warrior partners, unmindful of the time that quickly yet peacefully passes.

Me? I don't mind their shopping. After all, they always get something nice for me! :)

P.S. The picture was taken in Hongkong in December 2005. Notice that all the men are still smiling for the camera. Little did they know that soon after, the warrior women would troop to nearby Mongkok to invade the night market! With their unsuspecting male folk in tow to serve as carriers.

Hail to Our Queen!

She is Zeny to many but simply Maman to us family

A queen she truly is, especially to Xabi, Gabi and Dani.

Clad almost always in simple yet regal white

But always adorned with jewelry, sparkling and bright!

Her New Manila palace, she rules with a strong hand

Her “Inday!” summons leaves no doubt who’s in command

She’s been a good wife to a gentle and caring man named Pete

Together raising six good children, that’s certainly a feat!

To her many grandchildren, she is the paragon of discipline

"Be sure to leave the table, your plate empty and clean!"

A thoughtful and loyal friend to her circle, she is

She bends herself backward, just to help, just to please.

Fervently devoted to the Lord ever since she was reborn

She tries to share God’s blessings with the needy and forlorn.

She is indeed a queen, and like the Old Testament’s Ruth

Her mission is to bring all of us closer to the Truth

So happy birthday, and we all love you, our dearest Maman

Our prayer is that you forever remain happy, healthy and strong.

Maman Zeny is Zenaida H. Tengco, Gabi's maternal great grandmother. She turned 79 last 23 December.