Our angel has turned 1

A year ago, another blessing was given to our family; My sister gave birth to her first baby, a little angel she named "Arwen Beatrice". She was 5.17 pounds and was so small then.

And last Sunday, May 17, she turned a year old. We had her party at home. A lot of children from the neighborhood joined the fun. There were three (3) clowns who entertained the children, led the games and played some magic tricks. All the visitors were thrilled.

There was also a big blue cake with Little Mermaid design. The children had plenty to eat; they had spaghetti, chicken, waffles and the chocolate coated wafer sticks which even the adults liked. They also had ice cream in Macapuno, Cookies and Cream and Cheese flavors.

It was so much fun despite the rain. The party started at 3:00 PM and went on until 6:00 PM. We were all so tired but thankful that our friends and relatives have come to join us in celebrating Arwen Beatrice's 1st Birthday Party.

To all our neighbors, friends and relatives who were there... Thank you!

Happy Birthday... Ate Weng

October 22... a very special day for my sister. It's her birthday and I would like to express how happy I am to be taken care of someone like her through this post.

Her name is Rowena but she is commonly known as "Weng". For me, she is Ate Weng. She is the 3rd of four siblings and I'm the youngest. I was born exactly two years and one day after her. And since we were children, she is the one closest to me. We always go to places together. I even remember her waiting for me while I was taking my college entrance exam at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. She patiently waited for me because I don't know how to travel alone. I don't go to malls on my own, she was always with me.

When my parents died, she became the "head" of the family. She is presently even raising the six (6) children of one of my sisters. Even if she recently had her own child, she still assumes responsibility of them.

When I have problems, she is always the one who is so worried about me. She takes care of all of us in a lot of ways. She is the best sister I have and I am grateful to God for giving her to us.

I just pray that her life will be peaceful and happy forever. Happy birthday, Ate Weng! I love you...

My Weekend: The feast of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

I've been living in Sta. Barbara for three years now and it was the first time that I celebrated the feast of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. I was actually hesitant since I don't think my relatives would be able to come to my place. But when I asked my sister, she said yes, they're going to come.

So, last Saturday, I had to go to the grocery and shop for a lot of things. I don't have any idea what I will be cooking because I really did not plan for it. But while I was pushing my cart on the alley of the grocery, I thought well maybe I should cook "puchero" for lunch. I bought some pork, vegetables, banana, sweet potato and pork and beans in can. I also bought some ground pork for the spaghetti that the children always love. And for dessert, I bought some graham crackers, milk, cream and some wafer sticks. I'll be preparing some refrigerated cake.

When I was on the counter, I was shocked to see that I had bought a total of 5 grocery bags. OMG, how can I carry all these things??? I tried to do it, I have to do it. So, i balanced all the bags on both hands, walked out and reached the front of the mall. But I don't think I can go on any longer so I put down the bags on the sidewalk and decided to wait for a cab. But as expected, cabs don't really like going to my place since it's in the mountains and very hard to reach. I can't do this alone, I told myself. So, I called my sister and asked for help. Thankfully, she sent one of my nieces to help me and we were able to go home by 6:30 in the evening. We had dinner and I started preparing the refrigerated cake.

Along came Sunday... I woke up early despite sleeping quite late. I had to prepare breakfast for them since I told them to come early so they won't have trouble waiting for a jeepney. The arrived at my house as early as 8:00 AM, all the 10 children (including my 5-month old niece) and one of my sisters. My house was full of children running in and out of the house. The only times I kept them still was when I put on a video for them to watch and when they were eating. They were a handful but I am glad that they came even if I ended up cooking the whole day until 3:00 in the afternoon.

It was a tiring but pleasant weekend.

Everyone... meet my Dad!

My childhood was simple... I grew up in a small, wooden house with a big lawn and a lot of trees. Although the place was not ours, we stayed there for a very long time. I grew up with loving parents and three sisters. I'm the youngest and according to many... the most loved and pampered.

My father was a carpenter, a very simple man who was not given the chance of an education since he belongs to a big, poor family. But I can still recall that despite not having studied, my father can work out my math assignments easily. I just have to read it to him and he can easily solve it for me. I believe that if he was only given a chance, he could have been a very successful man.

My father did not pamper us with lavish things since he cannot afford it but I can still remember how happy I am whenever I woke up and find a box of curly tops chocolates under my pillow or whenever he comes home with a paper bag full of sweet lanzones. There was even one time when he came home with an old fire truck that was about to be thrown by his client but he gladly saved it and brought it home for me. It was a little boy's toy but I was very happy to have it. It's red and it's got a ladder that can be pulled out and extended and I really had a great time playing with it.

May father, despite his very small salary, was able to bring us all to school. He always tells us that we should never give up studying even if we don't have money in our pockets, even if we have old, torn shoes and even if the uniforms we wear are only given by a rich neighbor. He taught us the importance of having an education and striving to be successful.

He never gave up on us... especially me. I have grown to be what I am today because of him. And I know that wherever he is right now, he is happy to see what kind of person I've become.

Tatay, mahal na mahal kita! Happy father's day!