(2) When I grow up ...

I want to be a professional soccer player!

I love sports! I like swimming. I like basketball. I even like boxing!

But one sport my Papa has always tried to teach me is soccer. From the time I turned one, Papa has tried to enroll me in a football school. Problem is these schools all have a minimum age for participants. And I've always been too young to join.

This summer Papa and I are resolved to finally get me into a football clinic. We even bought this new outfit!

We're no big fans of Chelsea. We are die hard Real Madrid fans. But unfortunately, the Chelsea blue was the only one in my size.

I can't wait to finally join a football school. Papa and I do play by ourselves from time to time. But I think I'm more than ready now for the big boys!

Go Paolo! Go Nestle!

After weeks of keeping things under wraps, we can finally let the cat off the bag: my younger brother Paolo is moving to Nestle head office in Switzerland!

This picture was taken late January this year during the Nestle Philippines annual sales force convention. Back then Mom was already convinced that Paolo would eventually join Nestle global. And she was right. Mother's instinct, for sure.

Here's the official announcement from Nestle's Tom Coley, head of Nestle's Dairy SBU:

I am pleased to advice you that Paolo Mercado of Publicis will join us on July 1st as our Communication Manager.

I do not think I need to explain Paolo's background, as he has been heavily and actively involved with the Ambient Team over the past years in his capacity as Deputy Worldwide Account Director (of Publicis).

Paolo will report directly to me and will be a permanent member of our EXCOM.

Please join me in welcoming Paolo and wishing him every future success with B-Dairy.

Best regards,

Tom S. Coley

Woohoo! Congratulations, Paolo. We are all so proud of you.

And just a friendly and brotherly reminder: when you and Dana go house hunting in Vevey, always keep in mind that you have a large family back home and that for sure, some of us will be knocking at your Swiss home in the months to come for a place to stay. :)

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.