Here's Something for a Dear Brother

cousins and pamangkins two days ago with my brother Allan(the one in blue shirt)

“Live life so completely that when death comes to you like a thief in the night,

there will be nothing left for him to steal.”

A couple of days ago, I did not have an idea of what living life completely meant. Now, I still truly do not, but at least after what happened several hours ago I have a better picture.

The multitude of relatives and friends who were with us during the few critical hours and after the passing away of my dear brother gave me the impression that he did lived, although not the best, a complete life!

Many prayed and wept with us during these early hours of our bereavement - and for this, I am very thankful to God for giving us friends and relatives like them. The pain was bearable because of you, guys!

The year ends soon but our very painful journey is still at the starting point. It may take days but I know we'll gonna make it - with God's help!

I am consoled by the fact that my brother is now with a person whose face he has not seen since he was born - our mother. Maybe she's guiding him now to heaven together with the angels and our dear departed loved ones.

One thing I would like my brother to take with him is the assurance that we'll take over wholeheartedly the responsibility he left behind for his wife and two kids. They are our family and it will stay as such forever!

Godspeed, dear brother, we will really, really miss you!

note: Allan is mine and Alpha's youngest brother. Our beloved mother, Faustina, passed away after giving birth to him thirty-nine years ago.

To Be Young and Happy

These pics of my daughters, Samantha and Jasmine, made me reminisce the time when I was still young and doing the same thing.

Enjoying the cool waters of Olaer Resort with dear cousins. We used to do this several decades ago.

Nothing beats the feeling of being young and happy! :-)

Glowing, Growing Up and Aging

It's hard to acknowledge but in reality, I am getting older!

But if aging means having the opportunity to see your children evolve into better and responsible individuals, then, I don't fear and regret on getting old anymore.

These are my first two babies (Tina and Rafee) sixteen years ago

and now, here they are!

Tina, my second child, is now a BSIT student of the Mindanao State University. A computer techie and an achiever in her own right.

While the ate, Rafee, is a BS Chem with MSE student of the Ateneo de Manila University and now a proud member of the Ateneo Glee Club. I know this is her ultimate dream to pass the auditions and now she did it!

Ahhh, this is life! I am aging but I am beaming with pride and a thankful heart !

Atty. Rafael O. Montilla for City Councilor

My cousin, Atty. Rafael Olaer Montilla, is gearing for a city council seat. He's one brilliant lawyer with a heart for anybody who needs his help. I am supporting him because I know and I believe that he'll make a good councilor, I swear!

His platform of government is nestled on the acronym - PAENG OLAER!

P-romote transparency and accountability in local government transactions;

A- ddress fiscal and expenditure management and develop alternative revenue generating mechanisms at the local level;

E-ncourage the establishment of cooperatives;

N-urture the development of youth through the promotion of sports;

G-ive priority to poverty alleviation programs;

O-perationalize performance standards in local bureaucracy;

L-ead a simple and decent life;

A-dvocate transformational changes for the upliftment of the
greater majority;

E-nhance wider citizen participation;

R-ecognize continual improvement to the delivery of basic
services.

On May 10, 2010

Number 29 po sa inyong mga balota - Atty. Rafael "Paeng" Olaer Montilla

please click on this link to see Atty. Paeng's video courtesy of Mr. Edward Lutero

Happy Blogoversary To Me

My blog is now one year old!

This blogoversary is giving me an overwhelming excitement. It's simply amazing reaching this far in the world of blogging. A world wherein I was able to upload and unload all my emotional baggages and it really felt good to be where I am now.

I am sharing with you, my dear readers, the deepest part of me. I am sharing with you a part of me which took me almost my entire life to keep inasmuch as I did not have the strength to open up a topic like this. This is like coming out of deep slumber after a very long hiatus.

I have not written or spoken anything about this part of me ever since. I have already tried it many times but for always, upsetting emotions always prevailed. So I just opted to keep mum about this even if I'm hurting.

I don't know how to say how I missed or loved these persons because I could not even picture how they looked like when they were still alive. Memories, especially of my mother, are so vague - this is because she left me, my sister and my brother when I was just barely five years old. I was just in elementary years too when my father was killed by ruthless robbers. The only consolation we had then is the thought that at least they're together in heaven watching over us.

With this new passion of mine in blogging - little by little ( or shall we say by taking small steps) I can now say straight from the heart these words:

I love you and I really, really miss you!
Mom and Dad

The Halloween Escapade That Almost Never Was

I was out of the house for three days and three nights because of the severe viral infection I had. Much to my little kids' chagrin because all plans for the halloween were put on hold.

To compensate for the lost time, my hubby and I treated the kids to an all-out weekday cum halloween escapade last Monday. We started the day by visiting the graves of our dear departed at the Forest Lake. We brought flowers we sourced out from local suppliers and which were personally arranged by our teen age daughters. We also brought along with us some food while thinking of having some sort of a picnic in the cemetery. Much to our dismay, the place was not ideal for outing because trash of all kinds left by the revellers the night before were scattered all over the place. Not wanting to disappoint the kids we instead brought them to our resort to refresh ourselves from the heat and eye sore we got from the cemetery.

Truly, the day turned out into a refreshing one because the kids enjoyed the dip in the cool waters of Olaer Swimming Resort and much more, they enjoyed the company of their other cousins. As a bonus, a boat captain friend treated them to a bucket of Jollibee chickenjoy.

Our late halloween escapade turned out into a very long day because after the swimming session, we then head out for the mall to do a little shopping. The kids enjoyed the short mall tour as they marvelled over the displayed halloween costumes. The father and I assured them that come next halloween, we'll make sure that they will all have their costumes and we're going to attend all the halloween costume parties in town.

We capped our day with a dinner of pizza and pasta courtesy of Tito Ahmad at Giacominos in Robinsons. Truly it was one exhilirating belated halloween escapade for all of us which left the kids with sun burn and smile on their faces!

Following Mom's Footsteps

Am sharing with all of you, guys - a masterpiece of my Grade V daughter, Patricia!

This is her own presentation of slices of fresh oranges for dessert.

Inkai's Wildest Dream

I can be a cover girl!

I wish I could. . . with the help of technology, I can, anytime I want.

Best family friends we're missing the most. . .

Nice Gifts for a Nice Mom from a Very Nice Friend

I am featuring here the things that makes the mom that rocks prouder!

Indeed, when it rains, it pours!

Thanks Bing! I love the Victoria's Secret bag, I love more the lotion (my favorite among Victoria's Secret's scented lotions line) and I love most, the new Canon Powershot A560!

Thank you!

My Husband Loves to Play Billiards

Me and my husband are both workaholics. We work because it is needed and we love to do it.

We have different ways of relaxing. I feel relaxed while having spa, cooking good food, and of course, while blogging. My husband Arnel is my exact opposite. He abhors going to the sauna, he doesn't cook but he loves reading my blogs. He is fond of tinkling machines and other equipments. R and R for him means he's got the time for his favorite game, the billiards. He even has his own mini billiard table in my in-laws home. He really loves this game because he idolizes the famous Efren "Bata" Reyes.

The only bad thing is that nobody among us in the family had the same passion for billiards as him. Good thing that there is this site that offers billiard playing online. Now, he can play his favorite game right inside our home. Who knows, I might just learn to love this sport also in due time.

My Gem Has Turned Into A Lady

I have always been proud of my baby, raffee.

For us, her parents and sisters, she is a star that keeps on shining

even if it is raining.

Sixteen years ago, her cries and smiles seemed like music to our ears.

A fragile baby that was a sight to behold. A gem so precious, one would want to hold forever.

Growing up years, made us parents prouder

as the gem in her shone brighter.

Lessons learned, lessons taught, made this baby of mine

A young lady so fine. . .