Dad, you were the strongest man I know. You were the man who can open the mayonnaise bottle when no one else could. You were the one who can fix my school carpentry project even when I already got the nails all crooked up. You can crack open the crab legs using only your teeth. You made it look easy how to change tires. But Dad, you no longer need to show us how strong you are. Letting go is no longer a sign of weakness. Your body can let go now but your strength we will always remember.
Dad, you always taught us how to be on time – on time for school, on time for mass, on time for work. You even wanted us to be on time for parties even when we tell you that 7 pm parties actually start at 8 pm. But Dad, it’s time to let go. We want you stay but we want your stay to be quality time for you. The past 3.5 years hasn’t been that way for you. We know how difficult it was for you to go thru your 2-3x a week dialysis sessions. No more of that Dad. It’s time to let go.
Dad, we know how stubborn you are. We know that you were stubborn enough to prove relatives and neighbors in your province that they were wrong for thinking Lolo and Lola were fools for sending their first born to Manila to study when they hardly make ends meet. You were stubborn enough to study and work odd jobs to finish your studies. You were stubborn enough to tell Mom not to work anymore even when you and her had to help send you and her siblings to college. You don’t need to be stubborn anymore. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone anymore.
Dad, you were our provider. You provided for all we ever needed. You didn’t let us go thru what you had to go thru when we growing up. Not only did you give us the material things but you also made sure that Mom was there for us while you were at work. You allowed us to play when it was time to play and allowed us to take vacations while you work for us. You’ve provided daily Jollibee breakfast for your grandkids the past 10 years. Heck, you even provided for whatever hospital expenses we need to cover when you go. Dad, you don’t to provide for us anymore. You have given enough for all of us that we can already provide even for others as you and Mom have.
We’re strong enough Dad. It’s time. Don’t be stubborn. You’ve provided enough. We’re ready. We love you Dad.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Despedida
This was the speech I had in my mind for the despedida given to me by my SMB friends. I didn’t get to say it because the mood was too fun to be ruined. Anyway, I’m sharing this to show how grateful I am…
Thank you MBB for the opportunity in working in SMB Marketing. I never had any Marketing working experience but you trusted me enough with my first brand. I am also grateful as it also gave me the chance to work with wonderful people – some of whom will be lifelong friends.
To my first brand team:
Miles, thank you for introducing me to the world of pinoy rock. I’ve never even heard of Slapshock nor Greyhoundz when I first started in RHB. I don’t know if you noticed how uneasy I was in my first Jam Tayo session in Dayo Bar. Look at me now, I can sing parts of Carino Brutal and one of the band managers regularly posts gig updates on my FB wall. You rock Miles! We rocked!
Elaine, I know we didn’t start of well with me trying to learn brand work on my own while you were more than willing to assist me. I am happy though that we worked better thru time. I respect how efficient you are and I truly appreciated our RHB-GEB tandem. I also admire your “unedited” view of the world which you share with your close friends of which I feel I am one of. Thank you as well for letting me ride and drive WGD and PQT. I will miss the story telling times with you, Jelle and Berna. They were good times indeed!
Jelle, thank you for being my “default” group secretary even as I was moved from Other Core. I will miss how you will listen to my simple joys like stories of my boys, “open season” and my “observations”& comments on how people look and or walk. Thank you for sharing your food (and even utensils!) and drinks (at least I know you don’t like sharing your straw!) with me, for buying me nail cutter during my first Muziklaban Grand Finals and for giving me feedback on the person behind your office when I need it. Don’t worry, we’ll still be friends
even if you decide to look cut your hair like Rico Puno circa 1970s or Katrina Halili. Peace! :P 
Julie, thank you for your sharing on your experiences in dealing with your Dad’s dialysis as I was introduced to the same situation in 2010. I also appreciate that during my last weeks at SMB, you always told me that you are saddened and that I will be missed.
Tita Nora & Tita Angie, thank you for the fruits, vegetables, bread, and the kamote. Thank you for telling me who to contact on various concerns across the different SMB departments and SMC divisions. Thank you for the feedback on when it’s a good time to talk to the MM and the GPMs. I am also thankful to both of your husbands who have been kind enough to take me home door to door. Lastly, I also appreciate that you took the time out to attend the despedida for me.
Joemar & Bert, thank you for being good examples of working hard but also having fun. Joemar, I will always remember the dance steps and your advise that our work maybe difficult but it’s nothing compared to the life and death situation that soldiers face. Bert, thank you for giving me the nickname Ray Pinoco and thank you for the various “updates.” May both of you continue to simultaneously bully and teach the younger people in beer marketing.
Barbie & Gab, thank you both for helping me with Muziklaban. Barbie, I admire and appreciate your quiet efficiency when I was starting out as RHB BM. Gab, I am grateful for your help and your presence when I was left without a BAT for the Muziklaban in Metrowalk and Pulp Summer Slam in Amoranto. I wish you both the best in your careers in Brand.
Erik & Gerry, thank you for sharing my interest in stock trading – it wouldn’t have been as fun if I didn’t get to talk to people who were also into it. I would also thank both of you for sharing with me some of my “firsts.” Gerry, thank you for working with me in my first Pulp Summer Slam. Erik, thank you for sharing with me my first experience in sleeping in one bed with a fellow grown man. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to Summer Slam nor will I share a bed with another man.
May God Bless Us All!
Thank you MBB for the opportunity in working in SMB Marketing. I never had any Marketing working experience but you trusted me enough with my first brand. I am also grateful as it also gave me the chance to work with wonderful people – some of whom will be lifelong friends.To my first brand team:
Miles, thank you for introducing me to the world of pinoy rock. I’ve never even heard of Slapshock nor Greyhoundz when I first started in RHB. I don’t know if you noticed how uneasy I was in my first Jam Tayo session in Dayo Bar. Look at me now, I can sing parts of Carino Brutal and one of the band managers regularly posts gig updates on my FB wall. You rock Miles! We rocked!Elaine, I know we didn’t start of well with me trying to learn brand work on my own while you were more than willing to assist me. I am happy though that we worked better thru time. I respect how efficient you are and I truly appreciated our RHB-GEB tandem. I also admire your “unedited” view of the world which you share with your close friends of which I feel I am one of. Thank you as well for letting me ride and drive WGD and PQT. I will miss the story telling times with you, Jelle and Berna. They were good times indeed!
Jelle, thank you for being my “default” group secretary even as I was moved from Other Core. I will miss how you will listen to my simple joys like stories of my boys, “open season” and my “observations”& comments on how people look and or walk. Thank you for sharing your food (and even utensils!) and drinks (at least I know you don’t like sharing your straw!) with me, for buying me nail cutter during my first Muziklaban Grand Finals and for giving me feedback on the person behind your office when I need it. Don’t worry, we’ll still be friends
even if you decide to look cut your hair like Rico Puno circa 1970s or Katrina Halili. Peace! :P 
Jules, I continue to have a high regard for your attempt to be low key and let your work do the talking. I also admire your strength when your Mom got sick and passed away. I’m sure she’s very proud of your attitude and your work ethic. Thank you as well for the chicken pies and the krupek. Continue to be extra strong ‘Dre!
Affie, thank you for showing me how to be generous with gifts. Thank you for the Zara polo, Ed Hardy shoes, etc. Thank you also for the privilege of being your confidante during the most trying times – I know you would have done the same for me if the roles were reversed. As you always say, no worries Bro!
to my carryover friends from Corporate Marketing:
Anne, thank you for being my first co-BM in Other Core. We’ve talked about “RL” since 2008. After 3 years I’ve finally done it! I hope you find the work-life balance that we are all looking for.
Stella, thank you for being one of the first persons to uncover my own naughtiness. Thank you for your unintentional (the waxing of our friend, the no _ _ rule before singing engagements, etc.) and intentional sharing of living and loving experiences. Thank you as well for putting together the “diveo.” Thank you for the art and the songs. Good luck on your singing career!
Marge, thank you for the gifts and especially for the hugs. I appreciate your confidence in sharing with me your challenges in work and your concern for my own issues, medical or otherwise. I know wherever you choose to be, you will continue to “razzle dazzle” people with the output of your work.
Nins, thank you for trusting me as you shared your life experiences with Andi and the “one” we will do a press con on. I will always be a fan of “the walk” but I’d rather forget “the run.” Thank you for being one of the few who came to Jack's baptismal party. Thank you as well for having a picture with me whenever you get the chance.
Au, thank you for the food (including take home!) whenever we’re near your hometown – Muziklaban in Balibago, Extreme Sports in SM Pampanga, Oktoberfest in Robinsons Starmills, Party All Night in Angeles, etc. Thank you as well for keeping me grounded with your after-6 pm rule, for being tough for me (vs. the other BAT Manager is an example!) when I become too soft or too kind, and for having patience with me when I always ask for the signing authority, per diem guidelines, car rental requirements, etc.
Ms. Vinky, thank you for all the lessons on event management and commercial production. My only regret is that I only got to work with you directly for less than a year. I admire your boundless energy in work and even in your exercise routines. I hope I can do the same. I appreciate your efforts of continually convincing me to stay with SMB up until my last week. Thank you as well for the animated stories and the daily dose of fruits.
Ms. Pop, thank you for always listening and for the friendly / motherly / professional advice. I truly admire your objectivity which I hope to emulate. I will miss your “thought balloons” and I am very grateful for the options you help me pursue.
to my fellow BATMEN, thank you for all the activations we worked on and for the last activation you, Au and Stella prepared for me…
Pao, thank you for showing me how to sweet and smooth talk our colleagues in sales and our different suppliers to get things done. I hope you can teach the young batmen this skill. Thank you for the light moments at work – for the one liners and the magic tricks. Do it! Do it! Do it!
Sherwin, thank you for the hard work you exerted when we launched Party All Night even though you were still a “baby” as per Francis. I appreciate your effort in doing your work with minimal supervision. I also am proud that you have come out of your shell and have become friends with our colleagues. Bottoms up!
Vito, thank you for helping me pull off my first major event as Marketing Services Manager (on your birthday!) and the biggest Muziklaban at that. We fully utilized our E52s on that historic day. Thank you as well for helping the rest of the team when I took my month long leave.
Migz, I am privileged to have worked with you and your trusted calculator in bringing the biggest Oktoberfest Kick-Off to date. I welcome your efforts to let go of your English “default language” to converse with our suppliers and our friends from sales. I can relate to your wanting to deliver results on your own but do seek assistance as we all can’t do everything on our own. Lastly, relax Migz!
Aids, even as I casually dismissed your effort to thank me on my last day, I truly appreciated the gesture. I hope you continue to prove to everyone that you’re “not shy” and continue to learn the ropes as you work in Marketing. Confidence Aids!
to my other Marketing friends:
Berna & Julie, thank you for all the research data which coincidentally was almost always in my brand’s favor during my stint as BM.
Berna, thank you for the company when you ride with me going home. It lessened the boredom of driving. I found comfort in telling you my work concerns as you were never in my group yet you were quite aware of the challenges and peculiarities that I face at work.
Julie, thank you for your sharing on your experiences in dealing with your Dad’s dialysis as I was introduced to the same situation in 2010. I also appreciate that during my last weeks at SMB, you always told me that you are saddened and that I will be missed.
Tita Nora & Tita Angie, thank you for the fruits, vegetables, bread, and the kamote. Thank you for telling me who to contact on various concerns across the different SMB departments and SMC divisions. Thank you for the feedback on when it’s a good time to talk to the MM and the GPMs. I am also thankful to both of your husbands who have been kind enough to take me home door to door. Lastly, I also appreciate that you took the time out to attend the despedida for me.
Joemar & Bert, thank you for being good examples of working hard but also having fun. Joemar, I will always remember the dance steps and your advise that our work maybe difficult but it’s nothing compared to the life and death situation that soldiers face. Bert, thank you for giving me the nickname Ray Pinoco and thank you for the various “updates.” May both of you continue to simultaneously bully and teach the younger people in beer marketing. 
Barbie & Gab, thank you both for helping me with Muziklaban. Barbie, I admire and appreciate your quiet efficiency when I was starting out as RHB BM. Gab, I am grateful for your help and your presence when I was left without a BAT for the Muziklaban in Metrowalk and Pulp Summer Slam in Amoranto. I wish you both the best in your careers in Brand.
Erik & Gerry, thank you for sharing my interest in stock trading – it wouldn’t have been as fun if I didn’t get to talk to people who were also into it. I would also thank both of you for sharing with me some of my “firsts.” Gerry, thank you for working with me in my first Pulp Summer Slam. Erik, thank you for sharing with me my first experience in sleeping in one bed with a fellow grown man. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to Summer Slam nor will I share a bed with another man.May God Bless Us All!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
left eye blind...
last January, I noticed a white spot in my left eye... then the white spot turned gray for almost the entire left eye... i was told it was central serous chorioretinopathy or csr caused by any or all of these things:
1. high blood pressure - not me
2. high sugar level - nadda
3. smoking - nope
4. stress - YES, YEP, YUP...
what to do? change in lifestyle the doctors said... prayed about it and got these answers:
1. first time I offered mass for my condition, it was the feast of the light or something like that... it essentially said look for the light. i even got a candle to remind me of the light at the end of the tunnel.
2. if my boss called while I was praying after work, it's really a change of work I needed. right after I asked for that sign, our group secretary called to say our boss was looking for me...
3. still I asked for another sign during another mass -it said take a leap of faith...
thought my left eye is a lot clearer now, my path is now up for a change....
1. high blood pressure - not me
2. high sugar level - nadda
3. smoking - nope
4. stress - YES, YEP, YUP...
what to do? change in lifestyle the doctors said... prayed about it and got these answers:
1. first time I offered mass for my condition, it was the feast of the light or something like that... it essentially said look for the light. i even got a candle to remind me of the light at the end of the tunnel.
2. if my boss called while I was praying after work, it's really a change of work I needed. right after I asked for that sign, our group secretary called to say our boss was looking for me...
3. still I asked for another sign during another mass -it said take a leap of faith...
thought my left eye is a lot clearer now, my path is now up for a change....
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Prayers for Jack
My youngest son Jack was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome - basically his kidneys are "spilling" protein out of his body. It's very worrisome for me and my wife. We asked for prayers from family and friends.
The prayers, text messages, emails and personal calls are very touching and encouraging. We hope Jack responds well to the 2 months of medication.
The prayers, text messages, emails and personal calls are very touching and encouraging. We hope Jack responds well to the 2 months of medication.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Jack The Parrot
From gibberish to parroting... my 1.75 year old Jack repeats / mimics everything he sees and hears. When most of the adults will laugh over dinner, he would do the same albeit in a more exaggerated and oh so cute way. This in turn will make all the adults laugh again, Jack copying their laugh and so on and so forth.
When Jack saw his cousin Mika washing her face, he rubbed his face with both hands as well. His added flare was to pinch his chubby cheeks with his hand and stretch it out.
When he saw Zorro riding off the sunset in his horse, he began riding his 1-foot elephant stuff toy and "hiyyaaa" away. When he saw a 6-inch horse stuff toy in his cousins' house, he rode it as if the horse can actually carry him away.
I wonder what he hill parrot next.
When Jack saw his cousin Mika washing her face, he rubbed his face with both hands as well. His added flare was to pinch his chubby cheeks with his hand and stretch it out.
When he saw Zorro riding off the sunset in his horse, he began riding his 1-foot elephant stuff toy and "hiyyaaa" away. When he saw a 6-inch horse stuff toy in his cousins' house, he rode it as if the horse can actually carry him away.
I wonder what he hill parrot next.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Bonding Time
Mornings with Migo. My son's school time and my work schedule allows me to bring him to school every morning. It's our bonding time. I learned that my first born doesn't want to bring any strawberry flavored snack or drink to school. I'm not sure if he's too giving or his classmate Juliana is too insistent in asking for her strawberry flavored goodies. "Hinihingi ni Juliana yong tira ko kahit hindi pa ako finish." Migo didn't want to bring his Big M Strawberry Milk to school even as I bought one (1) whole case for him. So what we did was to remove the outer plastic label indicating the strawberry flavor and he just brings a plain white plastic bottle to school (still with a pinkish red cap). Now Migo's finishing the last few pieces of Big M I bought. :)
Evenings with Jack. My youngest son is slowly picking up words but still chooses to baby talk. I was surprised that he asked, actually demanded, for me instead of his Mom when he woke up one weekend. He pointed to me when my wife tried to pick him up from his crib. Then I remembered that I tickled him to sleep the night before. I rubbed together the soles of his feet which he truly enjoyed. I also lifted him up as he sat on my feet while I lay in bed. I guess he wants more of that before sleeping time.
I do hope that I get to spend more time with them while they're still young.
Evenings with Jack. My youngest son is slowly picking up words but still chooses to baby talk. I was surprised that he asked, actually demanded, for me instead of his Mom when he woke up one weekend. He pointed to me when my wife tried to pick him up from his crib. Then I remembered that I tickled him to sleep the night before. I rubbed together the soles of his feet which he truly enjoyed. I also lifted him up as he sat on my feet while I lay in bed. I guess he wants more of that before sleeping time.
I do hope that I get to spend more time with them while they're still young.
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