Every time I come home from work, my youngest child, Charm, would always be the first one to welcome me eagerly at the main door and ask if I have "something" for her. It has been my habit to bring home anything for her as my pasalubong, which she readily appreciates with her "Thank you, Papa!" words coupled with a kiss on my cheek. Another thing that makes me happy, aside from her being appreciative, is her not being choosy. Whatever that something is - a candy, a chocolate, a donut, a book, a cd - she will always accept it with thanksgiving.
Although my eldest kid insists that Charm is my favorite among the three of them, my children, I always assure her that I don't play any favorites. Whatever it is that I am lavishing on my youngest child I had also lavished on my other two daughters when they were Charm's age. Even now, when I come home early, I see to it that when I bring home something for Charm, the other two also have something. But since it's only Charm who is still awake when I come home late, I don't bother to buy pasalubong for her siblings since I know they would already have fallen asleep when I arrive.
Charm's antics are also a reason that makes me fond of her. Out of the blue she would utter things that are outrageously funny, if not totally amusing. You do not often hear a three-year-old kid say that her crush on someone (imagine, she already knows the concept of the word 'crush') has already vanished because that someone has broken her heart. Tell me, have you heard a child her age say "It's okay" when you have done something wrong expressed it verbally.
I know Clare is consoled whenever I tell her that she was as precocious as Charm when she was also her age. I know, her jealousy over her little sister is nothing compared to her love for Charm. After all, Charm looks like her when Clare was still young. And it looks like that just like her Ate Clare, Charm is also as intelligent. Or even more? That remains to be seen. And if she proves to be one, I know her Ate will be proud of her sibling as we are proud of our eldest daughter.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Experience that was Ondoy
Last Saturday, my wife, Gina; my eldest child, Clare; and I braved tropical storm Ondoy. We came from our child's confirmation seminar, which lasted past 12nn. We had our lunch first in the newly opened Robinson's Supermarket in Centro Pacita. After eating and buying food for our viand that night and the next day, we headed toward home.
Since the road was impassable to tricycles, we had no option but to walk. What normally would take us 15 minutes to reach our home by foot, took us almost an hour since we waded through the knee-deep water. We were shocked when we reached our subdivision's main gate because the water current coming our way was so strong and it was the first time that we have seen such strong current coming from our subdivision.
The three of us had to hold on to one another so as not to be swept away by the current. As we walked against the current, people going our way informed us that a wall in the corner street in the direction of our house collapsed. When we heard that, the first thing that came my mind, and my wife's as well, was our two other younger children, Camille and Charm, who were left in the house with our maid and my father. We had to leave Clare in a house in the nearby block whose street was not along the current's way, because she was very afraid to be swept away by the current.
Our fear for the safety of the people we left home vanished when we reached the street corner and saw that our house was still there, without damage. Although water from the vacant field at the back of our house still overflowed in our living and dining rooms, it was nothing compared to the experience of others whose properties were totally submerged in water and whose lives were sacrificed. Though we got tired draining the water inside our house, we were still thankful that we were spared from the tragedy which befell on some of our kababayan. The experience was harrowing and we are praying that it won't happen again.
Since the road was impassable to tricycles, we had no option but to walk. What normally would take us 15 minutes to reach our home by foot, took us almost an hour since we waded through the knee-deep water. We were shocked when we reached our subdivision's main gate because the water current coming our way was so strong and it was the first time that we have seen such strong current coming from our subdivision.
The three of us had to hold on to one another so as not to be swept away by the current. As we walked against the current, people going our way informed us that a wall in the corner street in the direction of our house collapsed. When we heard that, the first thing that came my mind, and my wife's as well, was our two other younger children, Camille and Charm, who were left in the house with our maid and my father. We had to leave Clare in a house in the nearby block whose street was not along the current's way, because she was very afraid to be swept away by the current.
Our fear for the safety of the people we left home vanished when we reached the street corner and saw that our house was still there, without damage. Although water from the vacant field at the back of our house still overflowed in our living and dining rooms, it was nothing compared to the experience of others whose properties were totally submerged in water and whose lives were sacrificed. Though we got tired draining the water inside our house, we were still thankful that we were spared from the tragedy which befell on some of our kababayan. The experience was harrowing and we are praying that it won't happen again.
Welcome Note
I planned to start blogging when I turn 40 next month (Nov. 21 to be exact) because I just wanted to do something new in my life when I reach that milestone. As they say, life begins at 40. But here I am, writing this welcome note at this very moment. It must be providential that I start my blog on the first day of the tenth month (I still have to discern the real reason though why God has led me to this path).
For now, I just want to welcome myself to the blogging world. I hope I can blog regularly and use this medium to share my thoughts on various topics and somehow make a difference on the lives of others through it. :)
For now, I just want to welcome myself to the blogging world. I hope I can blog regularly and use this medium to share my thoughts on various topics and somehow make a difference on the lives of others through it. :)
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