Around Tahanan Village Bazaar

It was the end of the month, September 2016. And many residents and homeowners around Tahanan Village worked together to bring to the community the best food and drinks, and lots of good finds for an early Christmas shopping treat.

But for #RafaAndAngel that also meant meeting some of their favorite super heroes, including real life heroes from Kumon BF Homes Paranaque.

These teachers continue to help shape Rafa and Angel's lives.

And spending some quality time with mom and dad, and even Lola Meya.

Can we have more weekends like this Bazaar Weekend wherein families and friends can get together, relax, share stories and have a hearty and healthy meal?

Steps Around Olwen's New Home

Just one day before Ninong Olwen Abergas flies back to NYC, we took the steps of our lives to Marikina to see and visit Olwen Abergas. Yes, he is the loving ninong of both Rafa and Angel and is our dear friend. He had been spending his summer vacation here in Manila, specifically, at his new home in Rancho Dos, which was nearly finished. Olwen had long invited us to come over and see his place, but the weather had been uncooperative for the past few days. We were supposed to go last week, but the weather dumped rains and flooded many streets around the city.

Photo shows a couple of take-outs that Olwen gave Rafa and Angel. Since Cecile was with Mamsit this weekend in Cavite, I needed extra help to take care of Rafa and Angel while on the road and in Marikina. AJ Carag agreed that we hitch a ride in his car. Thus, I parked the Everest at SOMA and AJ picked us up at BGC. I explained that it wasn't advisable to drive all the way to Marikina with two kids as passengers, even if Ate Ida, was with us.

Photo shows Olwen explaining to Rafa that he has to make an apology letter for Cecile after our little boy has an infraction with Cecile a few days ago. Truly, playing the role of ninong and teacher.

The 1st Movie Date "The Secret Life Of Pets"

Yes, those are our kids with their best friends. That's Cheska on the left and Ana on the right. Photo was taken after we all went to BGC Cinema last Sunday afternoon to watch "The Secret Life of Pets. "

This is the first-ever movie date of all our kids. "The Secret Life of Pets" directed by Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney and features some popular celebrities like Kevin Hart and Dana Carvey. It is really a nice and funny movie that shows how pets live after their masters or "parents" leave for work. At the end of the movie, the rabbit, Snowball, voiced y Kevin Hart, gets adopted by a new child.

Paolo's 7th birthday celebration

Birthday are always a milestone for children, specially, the 7th birthday. This year, there have been a few birthday parties that Rafa and Angel have attended and one of these birthday parties was in celebration of Paolo, the only son of Angelica and Bong. Paolo is a classmate of Rafa in Manresa School and they have been friends for the past three years.

The celebration was held at the new McDonald's store, along Aguirre Street, inside BF Homes. It was a rainy Saturday night but the rains wouldn't stop us from attending this celebration. Cecile was spending the weekend with Mamsit in Cavite, thus it was only Angel, Rafa and myself, taking these steps of our lives to Paolo's birthday.

The celebration carried a Star Wars theme and you can imagine all the kids running around with their Darth Vader masks and laser swords. May the force always be with our children!

Meeting Thor in Disneyland

According to the Marvel Universe, found in marvel.com, Asgard is a small planetary body. It is the home of Mighty Thor, one of the Avengers. It is ruled by Odin.

Asgard also exists as an exclusive attraction in Disneyland which the Velez Family visited last 31 December 2016, as part of the #StepsOfOurLives around the US. We had arrived a few days before New Year's Eve in California, coming from the East Coast, where we celebrated Christmas with our cousin, Renelle Velez and her only son, EJ.

On New Year's Eve, we found our way inching around a very crowded Disneyland and got the rare opportunity to meet Thor, up close and personal. Yes, Rafa was among the first kids to meet Thor that evening and one can't imagine all the glee and smiles in the 6-year old Manresan. According to the Marvel Universe, Thor was actually born in a small cave in Norway. His father, Odin took him to be raised in Asgard by his wife, Frigga. At Asgard, he grew up with his adopted brother, Loki. His famous hammer was created for him by Odin on his 8th birthday. Maybe, Rafa will get his own hammer next year?

Meeting Thor, is probably one of the highlights of this US trip for our son, Rafael.

Steps Around Anaheim Disneyland

Did you know that the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, which opened on July 17, 1955, is the only theme park designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney? Last New Year's Eve, we took the #StepsOfOurLives around Anaheim, Disneyland, where we welcomed the new year, together with nearly 80,000 other persons.

Nearly 70,000 jobs are supported by Disneyland Resort which includes around 20,000 employees. Probably, even more during the Christmas holidays. Plus, all the hotels and restaurants around Anaheim which are busy and benefits from the thousands of tourist who visit everyday. Last 31 December 2015, the Velez Family, together with Lola Meya, Carla, Geneve and Nicole Velez, together with Austin, Geneva's boyfriend, enjoyed the thrills and cold weather around Disneyland.

Photo shows everybody around Thor, whom we all met at Disneyland.

Driving around ATC

Last 01 November 2015, both #RafaAndAngel have had their chances to sit in the driver's seat with me, taking control of the wheel of our old 2005 Ford Everest and driving along Champaca Street going to Daisy Street or lately, through Rosal Street, turning right to Waling Waling Street. It's a simple reward that they earn when they earn a "stamp" from their teachers in Manresa School. Or when they exhibit good behavior.

But they got full control of their cars, when the #StepsOfOurLives brought us one Sunday at the Activity Area of Alabang Town Center. I can't imagine how they felt with that complete control? It would be hard to put myself in the mind and heart of my 5 year old daughter and 6 year old son. Need the help of the creative minds on "Inside Out" to accomplish that feat!

Enjoying Korean Food at Bulgogi

Between #RafaAndAngel guess who is more daring in trying new food? Angel.

Guess, she picked up that trait from Daddy Gil.

Mommy Cecile and Rafa also had fun sampling a little spicy Korean food at Bulgogi Restaurant, Alabang Town Center.

Daddy Gil and Angel shared the seat and the Pororo-inspired drink. Too much sugar really drums up the adrenalin. But its a nice souvenir item from this Sunday lunch after Halloween #StepsOfOurLives

Angel wins a friend and prizes

During the 2015 Halloween Celebration around BF Homes Paranaque, our 5 year old daughter, Angel, met a couple of new friends and won a few prizes in the costume competition. Really precious moments in the #StepsOfOurLives.

Angel proudly shows off her new watch and a stuffed toy from "Inside Out."

Kids Around Halloween

The word Halloween probably goes back around the 17th century and even has its Christian origin. The word "Hallowe'en" means "hallowed evening" or "holy evening." Guess, many kids around the world hold this day as "holy" in terms of getting dressed as their favorite characters. Many kids passed by our old Greenhome along Daisy Street during the 2015 Halloween Celebration. They came in all shapes and sizes, colors and costumes. Even a couple of young teenagers gamely sat besides #RafaAndAngel for a picture.

Thor and Princess for Halloween

It was going to be our last Halloween celebration around Daisy Street as we were all set to move few blocks down the road to Waling Waling. But the move would not get in the way of Thor and a Princess in celebrating their might and beauty this Halloween. Rafa raises his hammer and Angel shows off her pink dress in front of our Daisy Greenhome which was our home for the past two years, since we moved from Legaspi Village.

We don't take much family groupie pictures. Thus, this black and white snapshot of the #StepsOfOurLives inside the Ford Everest going to Esteban Luna would be a rare captured moment. There will definitely be more Halloween moments in our Greenhome!

Steps around SPQC

Back in the late 90s, Gil used to teach in St. Paul College, QC. Today, that school is now called St. Paul University. It has grown in size and height with new facilities and structures given the limited space. One sister who has made a very strong impact in our lives is Sr. Sarah Manapol, spc. Upon hearing the news that she was going to be transferred to Tuguegarao, we found time on Saturday weekend in October to visit her in Quezon City.

Sr. Sarah showed us around the campus and we all caught up with these HRM students practicing for a stage play at the Fr. Reuter Theatre.

Being around the halls and corridors of this school and even inside the IMC brought back many fond and beautiful memories of the hours I spend inside the AVR teaching Paulinians advertising and public relations. And most of all, putting into place the "KAROL Awards" Program which remains a part of the Paulinian tradition.

Drawing Dinosaurs

Rafa has picked up some creative skills on his own. And you give him the space in front of a white board and a white board marker, even if one color only, he would start drawing. In Gil's Ad Prac 4 classrooms, he showcased his early skills and talents in drawing a dinosaur. He called this drawing "Dinosaur Land."

He probably remembers the larger than life dinosaur skeletons he saw at the American Museum of Natural History during our last trip to the West Coast.

It wouldn't be a surprise at our Greenhome to see a lot paper scattered around the house with drawing and sketches, done by Rafa.

Angel's Steps around UST

Hopefully, many years from now, these steps around UST that both #RafaAndAngel will pay off as they pursue college education. While am not even sure how they can enter UST in the future, they are a couple of ways to help ensure a transition into college life. This second semester, on a couple of weekends, Gil brought #RafaAndAngel separately to UST and "sit in" the Ad Prac 4 classes.

And see the campus too.

And grab a happy meal with toy at McDonald's along P. Noval Street, and a free copy of the Phil. Daily Inquirer too!

Still pretty with pink finger nails

Our little girl is already exploring the world of beauty and has selected permission from Cecile to put on manicure on her five-year old fingers.

Yes, all ten of her fingers a slice of pink. Pink takes it color from red. It is the color associated with beauty, charm and politeness. Childhood and femininity. Angel's favorite color is pink. Her bedroom called, "the pink room" is filled with pink stuff from her princess outfit to pink-colored stuff toys and dolls.

Back around the 12th century, an Italian artist named, Duccio painted a version of the Madonna and Child, with the Child dressed in pink.

Being part of World Orphan Sunday

As part of 2015 World Orphan Sunday celebration, we took a long drive to Antipolo to join Mike and Malen and other families to be part of a documentary that promotes the advocacy of fostering orphans around the world.

This celebration is being organized by Christian Alliance for Orphans.

A few rules are waived like drinking orange juice around Cloud 9 Hotel and Restaurant in Antipolo.

While Rafa explored the place, Angel met a new friend, named Chosen, son of Sam and Hope Carino too!

Let us continue to find ways to open up our hearts and homes to orphans around our community.

Learning around The Greenhome

Scrabble is a very good board game that strengthens one's vocabulary. Did you know that this game is available in 29 languages and was first developed by an architect? Guess, building words has more impact than building homes for Alfred Butts. It even became a game show in 1984, many years before #RafaAndAngel stepped into our own lives.

It was inducted in the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1992.

#RafaAndAngel played their very first Scrabble game with Daddy Gil this month.

Hopefully, many more days learning new words through Scrabble.