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.

Daily Blessed Experiences

Our son is growing up right before our very eyes! These are amazing moments in the steps of our lives. Totally new blessed experiences that bring joys and smiles to us, our families and friends. Photo shows us having dinner at Italianni's in Bonifacio High Street.

Photo shows Rafael exploring what the white Black and Decker electric fan is made of.

These blessed experiences, thanks to Him, include:

1. Sofa surprise. One night in May 2011, dad suddenly saw Rafael in the sofa. He just moved into the kitchen to prepare dinner as mom as changing to “pambahay.” Within a few seconds, he was able to climb over his playpen and got himself seated in the sofa. He was looking guilty that moment. And it seemed that Angel CG plucked him out of his playpen and placed him in the sofa.

2. Playcar. He has outgrown the play car that Carla, Geneve and Nicole had sent by balikbayan box last year. He still can squeeze into the driver’s seat but his weight challenges him to move around our Greenhome. Now, we have to hide it from him as he tries to fall asleep but is quick to find out where we hide it.

3. Twelve kilos. Yes, his weight. He now weighs nearly 12 kilos. Nearly as heavy as dad’s black Macbook. During our last trip at Subic Zoofari, I was carrying Rafael most of the time around the place, together with my laptop inside my red Samsonite knapsack. That’s nearly 25 kilos on dad’s back.

4. More than 25 words. As he turns two by the 25th of May, he should be saying 25 words. Well, he knows more than 25 words. Word like iPad and juice, and all the names of the characters in Disney Playhouse!


5. Toddler class. These are major steps in our lives as parents. Rafael going to “Smart Explorers” playing and learning. Photo shows Rafael during his first day as an official smart explorer.

These are among the many blessed beautiful moments that happen in our daily lives with Rafa! There will definitely be more experiences to look forward to, but for now, can we just stop and cherish these moments!

Discovering Boracay's Beauty

It was going to be a most memorable birthday weekend for dad as we all went to Boracay. Yes, it was part business but could still squeeze in some important quality time with our son Rafael. Above photo shows Cecile embracing Rafael reallly tight as the cool breeze hits the shores of Boracay.

Mommy Meya and Minnie also flew in to Boracay for this weekend. It was also their first time to enjoy the fine white sands of Boracay, but most of all, spend many rare moments as Rafael takes his first steps in the beach.



Photo shows Gil holding Rafael who wants to run around the beach,



Photo shows Cecile protecting Rafael from the strong winds the hit the shores of Boracay.

Dad's Boracay birthday weekend

It was a really blessing to have shared my birthday with my loving Chief and blessed bundle of joy, Rafael in Boracay.

Plus, my own loving mom and sister, Minnie, who came home for a vacation from Edmonton, Canada, were also around and sharing these steps of parenthood with us. While they checked in at the hotel, besides our hotel, since I was on a media trip, they were really just a few steps across. And with the fine Boracay sand, walking to their hotel was not a problem. More of a leisurely walk.

Below is a photo myself with mom.





Photos of us waiting at Caticlan airport for our flight back to Manila.





The only experience that I missed on this birthday weekend is sharing the same flight with Chief and Rafael. Minnie says Rafael was behaved on his first airplane ride, but on the return flight, he was a little edgy.



There will future airplane rides with Chief and Rafael. Maybe, to Singapore? Hong Kong? Or even the States?

Steps around Boracay

It is was our second trip to Boracay, since 2001. Yes, it has been nearly 10 years since we stayed at the Pearl of the Pacific Resort. We were still both living and working in Saigon and we decided to make a short visit to Boracay during our Christmas vacation. Most expats we met in Vietnam had been talking about the beauty of Boracay and surprised that we hadn;t experienced it. So, we decided we take steps around Boracay. That was in 2001.

Fast-forward 2010. these steps would take us with our son, Rafael and Mom Meya and Minnie to Boracay.

Here a video of Rafael enjoying the fine, white sands of Boracay. Minnie and Cecile closely keep up with his running along the beach!



And it was a most memorable way to celebrate dad's birthday... in Boracay with family!

Parents in Camigiun

On the 19th, Cecile and I will be traveling down to Cagayan de Oro with our friends, Rene Bernal, Nady Nacario and Christie Que. Plus, two young teens, Julius Gabutina and Miguel Cuenco. And for those four days in the south, we shall be like parents to our young nephews.

It would be our graduation gift for Miguel who is finishing his elementary years while an advanced birthday gift for Julius. For me and Cecile, it was a good chance to open the doors of communication to the two teens and expose them to more adult-oriented conversation and activity outside of their own homes.

All these are part of our parenthood steps.