Today is the 19th anniversary of my Dad’s death.  Geez, I didn’t even realize it has been that long.  I’m republishing an entry that was originally posted on 19 June 2006 for Father’s Day… 

Since the month of June is dedicated to Dads, I’d like to blog about my Dad…

Daddy passed away when I was only 13 years old.  17 years have passed and yet, it doesn’t quite feel that long.  I could still vividly recall the best times I had with my Dad as if they happened just yesterday.

As a child, most of my relatives and close friends of the family would always tell me that I looked like my Dad, to which I would always disagree.  My Dad was heavy (as in!) and I was (and still is!), well, chubby.  He is kinda dark, and I’m not!  To me, I looked like my mom - tall, chinky eyed and fair skinned!  My Mom often asked me why I don’t want to look like my Dad when he is handsome…heavy but handsome.  Well, what do I know?  I was just a kid!  I only allowed myself to see the resemblance when I was older.  Hey, he’s not bad looking after all!

Daddy is very funny and we often exchanged jokes with one another, bordering from corny to green to downright hilarious.  Coming home from work, I would ask him if he has something “new” for me.  And almost always, there was.  He was funny  not only because of his jokes but also because of the things he did.  One time, I remember him driving with me and my brother along Roxas Boulevard and we had to stop at a red light right in front of the Rizal monument.  Out of the blue, he rolled down his window and asked a vendor, “Boss, saan ba ang Luneta?“  I was so embarassed!  If my memory serves me right, he asked no less than 3 people!  And they were all so nice to point out where Luneta was!  I just covered my face with my hands and hoped no one saw me at the back seat.

Eto pa ang isa, some of  my classmates from gradeschool, boys and girls, went to our house one afternoon.  I think I was in 1st or 2nd grade then.  Guess what my Dad told the boys…he told them not to come back to our house until they had jobs!  (Huwag kayong babalik dito hanggat wala kayong trabaho ha?!)  :)  Can you imagine?!  He was only kidding of course.  He also told everyone of them to be nice, because he eats naughty kids, which was why he had such a big belly.  Kahiya talaga!

Daddy was quite a talker too and shy is a word that can never be used to describe him.  During my enrollment for 1st year high school, I was busily filling up the application form with my Mom, and when I looked up, there was my Dad, chatting up a storm with the principal, Mr. Tagaro!  As it turned out, Mr. Tagaro was my Dad’s teacher in high school, he being a graduate of UST High School as well…valedictorian, if I may add.

My Dad was very intelligent and smart.  Now, why wasn’t I told I was all of those like my Dad?  Here’s my excuse, I was too young and still had so much to prove.  Ha ha!  My Dad wrote very good speeches, for himself and for other people.  His speeches were never boring because they were always very funny.  And for a man, my Dad had very good penmanship, be it script or print.  This was also the very reason why my brother and I always found ourselves practicing our handwriting every Sunday at our Sampaloc dining table.  And I could say that my brother does write script quite nicely. 

Funny as he was, my Dad was also very strict.  My Mom was the “good cop” and he was the “bad cop”.  Our little tushies got their share of spanking when my brother and I were still kids, but always for a good reason and always followed by a “talk”. 

To my Dad, his children always came first.  When my brother or I got sick, he would take a leave from work to bring us to the doctor.  He loved talking about us almost with anybody.  If people at work wanted to get on his good side (He was VP for administration!), they oughta know his favorite topic for discussion…his kids!  That’s why it was always a joy to go with my Dad to his place of work during summer breaks.  Everyone was nice to us!  Ha ha!  He would help me and my brother get ready for exams, which can be very tense!  He can be very impatient kasi sometimes.  He was the one who searched for possible schools for me to transfer to for High School.  He got the application forms and helped me get ready for entrance exams by bringing home the tests his company gave to applicants!  I wanted to go to St. Scholastica’s Manila and he wanted me to go to UST (his alma mater).  I passed the St. Scho exam which came before the UST exam and which also meant I didn’t have to take it.  He got annoyed when I told him I didn’t want to take the test anymore.  My Mom told me to just take the test for my Dad.  And so I did, half hoping I would fail and without bothering to re-check my answers. :)  And where did I end up? UST!  Ok na rin, that’s where I met my husband eh.

Sundays were always reserved for the family.  He always made it a point that we’re out of the house on Sundays, to eat, to watch a movie, or whatever.  And we still observe this “rule” until now. :) 

If my Dad were alive, I would probably be a doctor by now…pursuing a second degree in Nursing (no offense meant!).  Even if I did not become a doctor, I think my Dad would have still been proud that I ended up an Architect.  Anyway, I still graduated with flying colors.

Dondi’s panliligaw days would have been more interesting if my Dad were still around that time.  I wouldn’t really know if he would have lasted my Dad’s grilling or whatever else he could have possibly done.  Well, Dads are supposed to be like that, aren’t they?

These days, his favorite topic would have already been his grandkids.  He would be so proud of everyone of them!  My youngest niece, Sophie, looks so much like my Dad.  And Abby, she is so loud like my Dad!  I’d bet he’d be in all of his grandkids’ school events with a video and digicam!

I could go on and on and on about my Dad.  There are so many stories to share and so many fond memories to talk about.  Come to think of it, I’ve never really talked about my Dad in such a long time.  Somehow, I feel good for writing this blog.  At least, I was able to let you guys know a little bit about the great man I call Daddy.

P.S.

Dear Daddy,

I miss you very much. I wish you were here.  You granddaugher Abby is so much like you…smart, siga and biba! :)  You would be so proud of her.  But don’t worry, I’ll make sure she grows up knowing about you and the great things you did for her mommy and her ngongong (ninong).

Don’t forget that I love you very much!  Happy Father’s Day! Mwah!

Weng 

This is old news, but I’ll go ahead and tell you about it anyway, all for the sake of proper documentation of my little girl’s “activities”…

Abby was about a month short of her 2nd birthday when hubby and I first brought her to the dentist.  I posted an entry about it, aptly titled  No Cavities.  A good six months or so after came, No Cavities 2, an entry about Abby’s 2nd visit to the dentist.  In both visits, I was very happy with the dentist’s verdict of, you guessed it, “No cavities!”  I felt I was doing a good job taking care of my daughter’s teeth. 

In July this year, 6 months after Abby’s last trip to the dentist, we brought her to Kids Dental Smiles, for a dental check-up.  This time, I braced myself for what the dentist had to say, for I suspected that Abby already has cavities.  And I was right.  3 of her teeth has cavities and needed fillings.  We were given two options, one was to have the procedure done in the clinic, or two, in a hospital so they can take an x-ray of Abby’s teeth as well.  Naturally, we chose the clinic.  The soonest available slot would be a month after, August.

Days leading to Abby’s dental procedure, I did a little research on the internet about fillings for toddlers specially since we were informed that an oral sedative will be administered to Abby.  I found out that giving oral sedatives to younger children (toddlers) is pretty normal so that the little ones will be more cooperative.

On August 16, the day before Abby’s 3rd birthday, we were back at the clinic at 8am.  I dressed Abby in comfortable jammies, the clothes we were advised to have her wear.  A few minutes after we arrived, we were led to a small room with its own tv and comfy seats.  It was there where Abby was given her oral sedative.  We waited for it to take effect in that cozy little nook, while watching Little Mermaid.  Abby started getting wobbly after twenty minutes or so.  And she thought it was fun! 
45 minutes after the oral sedative was administered, the nurses led us to the treatment room where the procedure will be done.  Parents are always encouraged to leave their kids alone with the dentist and his staff.  During our first visit in July, Abby wouldn’t hear any of that, so hubby and I stayed with her.  I doubted if Abby would allow it for this visit.  But she did, after I helped her lie down on the chair.  The nurses were big help, too, plus the fact that there’s a screen mounted right smack on the ceiling where Abby can continue to watch Little Mermaid.  That was way cool!
As soon as Abby laid down, I snuck out of the room and hubby and I waited at the parents’ area, where again, there’s a tv, computer, reading materials, snacks and hot tea.  Before I could even take a sip of my tea, the nurse came back out to tell me that the procedure is over and it went really well.  After only 30 minutes!  When I went to pick up Abby from the room, she was all smiles, but still a little wobbly from the sedative.  She seemed very relax and was very cooperative.

She got her customary loots afterwards, a balloon and sticker.  Dr. Anil Gudapati and his staff really did a good job of taking care of Abby and her teeth.  I’m so glad we found Kids Dental Smiles!  Abby’s next visit to the dentist will be in February.  But we’re doing our best to avoid any more of those nasty cavities!

oOo

Here are pictures taken at Kids Dental Smiles, which to me, is the Disneyland of pediatric dental clinics!  Hahaha!

The clinic is screaming Ikea, which is probably why I fell in love with it the very second I stepped in.  This is the main reception area, where there’s a play area for small kids.  In addition to a big lcd tv mounted above the main door leading to the treatment rooms, there’s the small lcd screen mounted on the wall which, at that time, was showing Flushed Away.  This pic was taken in July.

In the privacy of this little room, we waited for the oral sedative to take effect.  This was taken on 16 August 2007, cavity filling day.

Somebody’s getting sleepy.

This is the parents’ waiting area where mom and dad can surf the net, read magazine, watch tv or sip tea.

Older kids can play in this game room while waiting for their turn to see the dentist.

This is the main hallway.  The blue and yellow rooms are the private rooms where the children are prepped for their procedures.  We used the blue room.  At the end of the hallway is the huge treatment room which houses 2 or 3 other smaller treatment rooms.  And to think there’s only one dentist in this clinic!  Mounted on the ceiling of the treatment room, directly above the dental chair where the head will lie are small lcd screens showing kiddie flicks. 

I could only wish for the same kind of pampering and treats when I go to the dentist!  So, have you gone to the dentist lately?  Tsk tsk tsk!

This tag is courtesy of Jen.  I have to list down 6 songs that take me down memory lane.  To make this a tad more interesting, I included videos for a more feel na feel trip to the past.  Oh, the videos are not of me!  Good gracious no!  Hahaha!  Here’s my list…

1)  Songs by the Menudo - Somewhere between 4th and 6th grade was the most jologs baduy among all my jologs baduy phases combined.  I’m blushing!  I’m blushing!  Hahaha!  Please do understand that I was only between 10 and 12 years old then, so cut me some slack!  I was sooo crazy about Menudo, specifically, Roby Roza and Ricky Martin.  I even had freakin’ posters!  Eeeeew!  I also so desperately wanted to see their concert at the Ultra, but didn’t get the chance.  I was disappointed but hey, thanks to all those years of therapy, I’m fine now.  Nyahaha! :D  Come to think of it, why should I be embarassed?  So I take back everything I just said.  I’m proud of this period from the oh so distant past.  :-P 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vGsvvzBHl0]

2)  Happiness (Lea and Gerard Salonga version) - When I was in 2nd grade, I sang this song along with other 2nd grade honor students during the Recognition Day at the end of the schoolyear.  I was, uhm, Lea Salonga for a brief moment.  *rolls over with laughter*  I can really crack myself up!  Hahahaha!  Moving on….

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69TyU3QtWTo]

3)  Girl for All Seasons (Grease 2), Grease Lightning,  Summer Nights -  For Teacher’s Day, when I was in 6th grade, I was once again on stage with a number of my batchmates singing and dancing to these songs.  The girls were all in pony-tailed, sneakered, and balloon-skirted glory and the boys, in jeans, white shirts and black jackets.  But this time, the spotlight wasn’t on me…it was on my best friend, Bet, who played Olivia Newton John!  Ooh, don’t kill me, Betchay! :D  I was just one of the shuwariwariwap girls.  :D  In fairness, that was a fun time! 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG4td8zudUU]

4)  Hey (Fatima Rainey) and Lost in Space (Lighthouse Family) -  These songs remind me of that one and only year (July 1998-July 1999) when I worked for somebody else other than my Mom. ;)  These songs were a favorite among street bands everywhere, like Streetlife, Hard Rock, Strumms, etc.  (Are you reading this, Vanne?!)   We would request our in-office DJ, Dek, to play these songs over and over again.  Hee hee hee!   

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjhzLZwlSfE]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi3OfIGtLxc]

5)  Destiny (Jim Brickman; sung by Billy Porter & Jordan Hill) -  It was to the tune of this song that I marched down the aisle on my wedding day.  No singer, just beautiful music from the band.  As soon as I heard the intro, my legs seemed to turn into jello, tears welled up and started to trickle.  It’s a wonder how I got to the altar without fainting or trippping. ;)  

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKI8u3FxP10]

6)  I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Frank Sinatra) - Hubby and I foxtrotted to this song during our wedding reception, our first dance as a married couple.  But it’s not the traditional, Dancing with the Stars kind of foxtrot.  Our dance was choreographed by my cousin, Kuya Cezar.  And I’m telling you, for that five minutes or so, our guests paid attention to us.  :D  I believe it came as a surprise to all of them, hence the oooohs and aaaaahs during our dance. 
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X--QWXGjXfg]

There.  I’ve embarassed myself enough.  In the spirit of true blogger sportsmanship, I’m tagging 4 other people to do this.  Meeya, Keith, Pinky and Nell, want to do this?  Sige na!  :P  You don’t have to include videos or music.  I just had a dose of “arte” when I did this. :D  Game na!

Ooooh!  It’s Friday and I’m giddy with excitement!
First, the day started out chilly!  I was pleasantly surprised when I was greeted by a chilly gust of wind when I brought the garbage out before 7am (hubby’s chore but he’s out of town. hmp!).  I thought it was just an early morning thing.  On the way to Abby’s school, the temperature was at a cool 56degrees.  I had to put a jacket on Abby before letting her out of the car.  All the kids are wearing long-sleeved shirts and light jackets and sweaters today.  Those not wearing jackets had to sprint all the way to the school’s front door, along with Mom or Dad.  So cute!  :D  Fall DOES get to Texas.  Hahaha!  I may have to start pulling out cool weather clothes from our baul (chest)…or maybe buy some?  Nyahahaha! ;)  But it’s bound to get warmer towards the afternoon.  That’s according to the weather report.
Second, my E-bay purchase finally arrived!  I got it in the mail today.  It probably arrived yesterday, but I didn’t check the mailbox.  You have three guesses…

C’mon!  It’s fairly easy.  Here’s another pic…

Sirit?  It’s a…uhm…a hip scarf. :D  What for?  You very well know what for!  I got it for a total of $11.50: 5.50 for the scarf and 6.00 for shipping.  Not bad at all considering the internet sale price for the scarf is 19.99.
 What a way to start the weekend.  Yey!  Have a good one, y’all!  I have to excuse myself now…I have some belly dancing to do. 

The last few days have been busy.  I’ll try to do this update in one breath…

oOo

Back at the Museum

Last Saturday, being a 2nd Saturday (13 October), was family day at the Austin Museum of Art.  We again found ourselves in Downtown Austin for a deliberate dose of art. ;)  It was surprisingly quiet at the museum, unlike last month’s family day.  There were only 2 other kids at the art area…both of whom are named Abby.  What were the chances of having 3 kids named Abby in the same room?!  Like last month, this month’s theme is still food art, but this time, the activity was not as messy, if at all.  Nevertheless, I was prepared and made sure to bring along Abby’s smock.
The art project was 100% edible.  The kids were to make a canvass out of a piece of toast.  They can then draw on and decorate it using a special brand of markers, Ameri Color Writer.  I believe the markers make use of food coloring so they are very safe and edible.  Abby didn’t find the project too exciting.  Either than or she was just in a hurry to finish doodling on it so she can finally take a bite.  To encourage her to work on the project, I asked for my own piece of toast to work on. ;)  Hubby helped Abby along as well.  We spent a good 2 hours in the museum, some of which Abby spent in the kids’ room where she built blocks, did some more coloring, and a bunch of other things. :D  Too bad there won’t be a family day next month since the museum will be installing new exhibits.

Abby just rushed through this project.  She kept saying she was hungry even if we were most definitely full after a hearty buffet at Gatti’s!

This is hubby’s handy work.  He is not exactly an artist, although, his handwriting pretty much resembles the Egyptian art of hierogrlyphics. ;)  Notice the small bite?  That’s courtesy of Abby!  I’ll post my finished project on my other site.

oOo

Kutsaritang Baluktot (Bent Teaspoon)

Neat ei?!  I put to very good use what I learned from Jimmy Licauco when my Mom and I attended his Basic ESP and Intuition seminar a few years back.  It took a lot of mind power.  I closed my eyes, spoon in hand and meditated really hard until my mind was in Alpha level.  And there you go!  Funny how I wasn’t able to do this during the seminar.

Did you actually believe what I just said?  If you didn’t, I’d probably have to improve on my lying skills.  I was never really good at it in the first place.  Hehehe! :D  The truth is, the InSinkErator hasn’t been working since I washed the dishes on Sunday night.  Whenever I switch it on, it would not grind, although I can hear that there is power.  After close inspection late Monday afternoon, I discovered the culprit.  The freakin’ teaspoon in the photo.  That explains the rather unusual grinding metal sound I heard just before the insinkerator went kaputt (German for broken) on me.  Sabi ko na nga ba!  I should have been instantly suspicious of that metallic grinding sound because chayote being ground couldn’t possibly sound like that!

Anyway, we couldn’t just pull out the darned teaspoon as it was stuck.  It wouldn’t even budge one bit.  Hubby called up the service center to have the thing checked.  But after we found out that inspection alone would cost 50 freakin’ dollars, no thanks!  A brand new one costs only 69 dollars!  Hubby and I were forced to take matters into our own hands and braced ourselves for a practical lesson on Plumbing 101 (I did have that class in college!).  To cut a long story short, got the teaspoon out after temporarily dismantling a few pipes and getting the insinkerator from under the sink. ;)  Whew!  It’s working perfectly fine now!  Yey!

oOo

Missing my Old Job

It’s international trade fair season in Asia now.  That’s like the exporters’ version of fashion week.  Buyers from all over the world will be on the look out for new items to sell in their stores.  The family owned company, Topmark Interiors and Novelties, joined two, the Manila F.A.M.E. (17-20 October) and Mega Macao (18-21 October).  Because of the conflicting dates, my Mom is the one greeting buyers in Manila while my sister-in-law, Claire, will be the main gal in Macao. 

For the first time since I started actively helping my Mom with the business, I’ll be absent from the Manila F.A.M.E.  I would have also loved to be in Macao with Claire!  Hahaha!  Abby has been present in the Manila fairs since she was 2 months old.  She’s missing the show for the first time as well.  She practically grew up in the fair grounds!  My Mom has already told me earlier that people are looking for Abby.  :D 

I hope my babies, i.e. my new design collections, do well.  Being far away doesn’t make me any less nervous of the fairs’ outcome.  I’m praying and crossing my fingers for lots and lots of orders, which will translate to continued employment for our workers and airfare so my Mom can visit us often. :D  Oooh I can’t wait for Christmas!

I’ll share a few photos from the fairs as soon as I get a copy.

oOo

That’ll be all for now.  I hope everyone’s having a great week so far.