My Countdown to the New Year Begins with Wishes for 13

I may be averse to the #13. It had in many instances connoted bad vibes for me, but in 2008 let me face this aversion and convert it into something positive—my countdown to the New Year. Let me share my candid wishes for the 13 who are close to my heart (group of many, group [...]

Keeping together ONE big happy family–HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Today is my husband’s 54th birthday. He does not really look like he is 54. Everyone in the family agrees that he looks like he is only 53 years old! He may be the youngest in his family of 5, even perhaps their big baby, pronounced as “Bibi” in Bicolano. But in my family, HE [...]

The Real Meaning of Christmas–HOPE, LOVE and PEACE in our hearts

The past month found me very very busy, deep in work, no distinction of day or night, not sensitive of what was happening around me. Seeing the family members coming and going, from work, school, gimmicks, with their classmates, friends, paying household bills, tuition fees, and all the other expenses related to living a daily [...]

Lantern Parade in UP–Fun time with my little one

Last year my youngest son Alan Jr and I looked forward to the Lantern Parade in UP. We have lived in the vicinity, in Teachers’ Village, for the past many years but have never bothered to watch the spectacle. We were not able to watch, though—the parade didn’t push through because of the protest that [...]

Poker Stars Sunday Million Tourney, Now in the Philippines

Can’t get enough of poker? PokerStars is the place to be! The world’s largest online poker site holds free-to-play tourneys with over 10 million members! Don’t know how to play? No problem! PokerStars not only is a place for intense tournaments, but also a place to learn and practice your poker skills. Who knows, you [...]

Understanding the Government’s Bureaucracy–The Local Government Code of 1991

This was written by one of m kids—who wants to remain anonymous.

The Local Government Code of 1991

One of the most revolutionary pieces of legislation in recent history is The Local Government Code of 1991. Its enactment was mandated by the 1987 Constitution to provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structure, and decentralizing [...]

The Value of Good Education

Lately, my kids have seen how I have been giving writing jobs to some friends and students—sometimes easy ones, as they are copywriting ones, that in between, they get to have the chance to earn some money.
Sometimes, I relent, but I have not been encouraging it. I want them to focus on their studies. These [...]

Thoughts of Christmas and Mary’s Dream

It is barely 3 weeks away from Christmas. Christmas has always been associated with the parol (Christmas lantern), the tree, the gift-giving, the carols—we can’t help it, as these are traditional, even physical and material. As the days come nearer and nearer to the much awaited day, as traffic worsens by the day, as we [...]

A Mother’s Heart (a father’s, too) Bears it All

My husband called me up to ask if I have read BA’s latest blog. No, I told him, what about I asked? He could not talk, he spoke in riddles, he just said for me to read it. I told him about how BA has in the past written about morbid things, even before the [...]