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

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.

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.

Rafa's Steps Around UST

One day, many years from now, our son, Rafael will walk through the Arch of the Centuries. Hopefully, he would have passed either the high school or college entrance exams to become a Thomasian. Or maybe, earned a tennis scholarship? There will continue to be many steps around UST for #RafaAndAngel as they explore and discover what UST means to our own lives and how this university will have an impact on the #StepsOfOurLives today and tomorrow.

It will be a long journey. Many bumps along the way, but it will be a fun-filled beautiful journey with our children, #RafaAndAngel

Our playpen

We have a little playpen in our Greenhome in Legaspi Village and for the past few months. This playpen has become their little kingdom and it is from here, where they would watch "Toy Story."

According to Wikipedia, the earliest use of the word "playpen" was from the Oxford English Dictionary back in 1902.

Our playpen is square-shaped and has vertical bars, which so far has withstood the pressure of our kids. Often, Rafa would be climbing in and out of this playpen. Soon, Angel would have her way in and out too of this playpen. We have not attached anything that moves or lights on this playpen! It has no side pockets.

It should have less obstacles as possible. And best not to have too much pillows or kumot inside the playpen. Chief's keeps this stuff to a minimum as our kids could get entangled with the kumot or sleep with the pillows over their own faces.


Once, I slowly got into this playpen as Angel was watching tv. But I remained at the center. Chief was a little worried that it couldn't support my weight. And once Rafa saw me inside the playpen, he quickly jumped over and joined Angel and me.

Now, I had to get out. Sometimes, I wish, I could with our kids inside this playpen.

Walking around Burgos Circle

A few hours ago, we met up with a good friend Rene Bernal at Burgos Circle. This place is one of our favorite places around BGC. It is a few minutes drive out of Legaspi Village, passing through McKinley Road in Forbes. There are some pretty good restaurants in the place and for the second time, we are eating at Johnny Rocket. Guess, it is the singing and dancing crew that we find interesting. But sometimes, all the partying affects service. What we like most is the bottomless fries!

Photo shows Chief, with Ninong Rene holding on to Rafael!

And around Burgos Circle, we appreciate the wide open space where kids can freely run around, stretch their muscles and use up their excess energy, specially, for Rafa and Angel. This afternoon, there was a lot of space and there were no kids around.

Both seem to have so much energy and even more love for each other as they hold hands while walking around the grass area.

Cecile and I would need to get back to the threadmills at Fitness First to keep in shape.

Yes, parents like us have to be in tip-top shape!