My Plant Collection

My interest in ornamental plants and herbs started when I decided to convert an area outside our house into a garden or something like it.  It was way back in 2011, when my wife and I procured some plants from a sidewalk vendor along Ilustre St. in Davao.  We bought eugenia(s), pandakaki(s), and a golden ficus, though back then, I wasn't really paying attention to the vendor telling us the plant name.  It was just recently that I got the interest to know them.

I had previously made a post about the work that I've done for the area that I'm talking about, and you may find it here: Working on Labor Day.  Here you can actually compare the improvements I made (if you can consider them as one... hehehe).  I had collected some of the plants in my list now (some were even rare as others say), but still looking for a cheap place to buy for those I still wanted to have.

Having and collecting plants as a hobby was a good stress reliever for me.  From the process of propagating them... planting, cultivating, watering... it was quite fulfilling watching them grow each day.  It was really a good test on how green my thumb is, and well, basing on the ratio of those I planted and survived, I may say, my thumbs pretty green... hahaha.  It's really different when you're the one who grow the plant from seed or a stem from its mother plant, it's something you actually call your own.

My therapy...

My wife also loves plants, in fact, she was the one who convinced me before to buy plants or plant one for her.  Why am I the one planting?  Aside from the reason that she's the boss... hehehe... planting really was not her thing.  She told me that even by simply touching the plant, its probability to live is lessen, much more if she's the one who planted it.  Know what, I believed her.  Now, if it's to trick me to the work, well it definitely worked, but doesn't really matter, I love her and I love doing it for her.

In the olden days, even some Filipinos until now, are discriminatively associating ornamental plants to women.  And that's a thing of the past, we are fighting for equality here for both sexes (hahaha).  Kidding aside, my friend (who shared the same hobby) and I observed in places where the plants were sold, almost all buyers were men.  And though having different reason and purpose, it emerged that it's actually a good source of extra income... aha, so there it is... LOL.

For me, it's a hobby and fun to do.  My wife and I loved how our garden look now... But hey, I'm open to opportunities... hahaha.  Yahweh bless, everyone.

Down The Chimney

The Christmas season is fast approaching, and as the kids are getting older, the harder it is to explain to them things about Santa Claus.  Especially when it comes to the chimney and the fireplace issues.  I remember one time when we were watching a movie, my son begun asking why we didn't have a chimney and how Santa would be able to go inside our house.  I explained to him that chimneys are intended for fireplaces, since we don't have winter or very cold weather in our country, we don't pretty much need a fireplace and that Santa would definitely find a way to get inside our house.  But despite of me explaining to him everything, he still insisted that we should have one in our house.

So to cut the conversation short, I promised him that if we move someday to somewhere cold, we will definitely have one, and I intend to keep my word.  So I started to look for information in the net to give me some idea of the trouble I got myself into and I found this website.  They had different price range and discounts for their fireplace, it's accessories and furnish.  And by the looks of it, I know it's not that cheap but the cost of construction is manageable.  At least by now, I already have some hints of what are the things to expect and base my decisions upon.

Though it's still wasn't sure if we will be able to transfer in a colder region, whether it's in our country or in a foreign land, but if ever that time comes, God willing, I 'm keeping my promise.  I just hope that it'll be the real Santa going down that chimney or he'll be toasted before he reaches the fireplace... LOL. Yahweh bless.

New Year With A Bang

We really thought we will be spending our new year in the hospital.  My son was confined a day right after Christmas and just been discharged a day before the New Year.  It doesn't really matter where we celebrate  it as long as we are together but we were just glad that he was already fine and lively celebrating and enjoying the New Year festivities and fireworks with us.

Fireworks??? thought it's banned in Davao.  Yes, it is... that's why we are celebrating it here in Gensan... hahaha... My wife and I decided to let our children experience to see a different kind of new year celebration.  Something that is loud and have lots and lots of exploding lights.  With a promise to ourselves that we will do everything to keep them safe... we won't be handling any firecrackers or fireworks and we will just watch inside the safety of our house.

We comfortably watched the fireworks display at the second level
of our house facing the city.  Here are some captured pics.

 And so it happened, the kids (and kids at heart) pretty much enjoyed the beautiful and colorful fireworks that lit up the darkness of the night sky but quite  uncomfortable and scared of the loud explosions made by a couple of firecrackers in the surrounding neighborhood.  After almost an hour of being mesmerized by the floating lanterns and spectacular fireworks, and at the same time being deafened by the banging... we decided to take the kids inside.  The air was also already filled with smoke and beginning to smell more of a black powder... We know that it wasn't good for them considering their compromised condition (just got well from sickness).

Oh well, it was still pretty much good inside, since we opened our Christmas presents with our family here in Gensan.  And as expected, the kids had a lot of fun opening their presents... and so were we (lol).  It was a year full of challenges but more it was truly a blessed year... I'm looking forward for a more positive year and a year blessed by our Lord... Happy 2012 everyone... Yahweh bless.

Security Blanket

The "baby" and the "dulo"

I just wondered how amazing it is for children to find their own security blanket in the most unlikely things.  Every time my daughter goes somewhere, seldom does she forget to bring this specific stuffed toy that she calls her baby.  Even when she was still small, I see comfort and she rests well when she has her "baby"  beside her.

Now guess what my son has for his... the tip of a particular old pillow.  He calls it as his "dulo"(means "tip" in English) .What he does is  rub the tip of the pillow with his palm until he falls asleep.  However, if he can't find his favorite pillow, especially when we are visiting their grandparents, he suits himself with any pillow with tip but with a bottle of milk... after a while he would already be asleep.

Showing with pride his fav tip... lol.

Each one of us might have something that makes us feel safe and comfortable when we were young or until now... I encountered a girl who brought a basketball in the hospital, I asked her mother what it's for, she told me its her security blanket.  Then, I asked the girl, what if you get married and your man don't want the ball, she told me, she'd rather lose the man... (lol).

I guess we  all had or still have our security blankets with us.  It can be of any form and it can change... when I was young (much younger than my age today... hahaha) ... I should have a blanket when I sleep and I want someone to be at my back... I felt secure that way.  But now, my security blanket are my children and my wife...  I feel comfortable and fulfilled being with them... maybe because I felt the love of our Almighty Father for giving me them.  Have a wonderful and safe day everyone.  Yahweh bless.

Happy Rainy Birthday

My mother's birthday was a rainy one... since the time I got out from work until I arrived home, it was pouring... it's more likely the effect of the typhoon who currently entered the Philippine vicinity... thanks to His graces, I arrived home safe and sound.

Upon arrival though, a variety of mouthwatering food were already prepared... maybe I was just that hungry from my motorcycle travel of more or less 40 kilometers from work and... wet (lol).  Couldn't wait for the visitors to arrive, I discreetly picked some food (meow)... blame it on Garfield within me... haha.

It was really nice having occasions like this, since this also serves as a reunion to us... especially to our immediate family and nearby relatives.  It's really nice to exchange "how are you's" and "whats up's"... it keeps us updated with the lives of our loved ones... we really value the moments where we get in touch with each other.

As practiced in our country, we value our guests so much. My mom invited some friends from her club. Since the rain was still pouring in the evening and caused most of the main streets flooded, heavy traffic was inevitable, enough reason for some of our visitors to arrive late thus, we had a quite delayed dinner celebration... or was it just that I was so hungry and dying to eat? hehe.

The birthday girl...

Anyway, it ended well... as the rain poured that day, so as I wished that the blessings poured as much to my mom on her day.  Yahweh bless. 

Superheroes and Fairytales: Wordless Wednesday

To Yahweh be the glory... :)
...............-...............-...............-...............  

I am Amazed...

I was looking at my old stuffs and found this heartwarming poem written by my wife for me... I want to share it with you guys... Yahweh bless.

for Father's Day... June 21, 2009

I am Amazed...

            with how you manage to stay silent when you’re

     feeling a bit uneasy... and how you constantly secure

     me with your love...

I am Amazed...

            with how you look so serene when you’re sleeping,

     and how I ache to stay cuddled by the warmth of your

     embrace...

I am Amazed...

            with the strength of your faith... and how you stay

     standing in times of uncertainties...

I am Amazed...

            with how you comfort me with sincere words,

     and how you cheer me up with funny thoughts.

I am Amazed...

            with how I fit well around your arms... and how

     I fell calm by just being there.

I am more than Amazed...

            with how my love has grown with you... and how

     I long all the more to stay beside you to face this life

     and after...

For all these and More...

            I thank you, my FRIEND... my PARTNER...

     my FOREVER LOVE...

                        Happy Father’s Day Daddy

                                    I love you...

                                                            always,

                                                                 Enoi:)

Happy Fathers' Day... Camp Holiday

I'm very blessed to have my family with me, Sunday and the following day is a holiday Monday... More so is that its Father's day and we are celebrating it here at Camp Holiday... Wow, what a package... hahaha.  I have with me the rest of the guys... my relatives and friends.  Most of us are fathers... Being in the occasion, I'll talk about being a father... so what is it to be a father... well to tell you frankly, being a father for 8 years, I'm still learning along with my wife and my children.  It is as if every day there's something new to learn... but it's a journey I'm most willing to take in life.  I enjoy every moment, along with my wife, as we watch our children grow and discovering new things along the way.

Staying outdoors.

Today we are spending the two day holiday with my big family at Camp Holiday... to get the feel of staying outdoors, we have decided to put up a tent and spend the night on it instead of getting accommodated on a cottage. It was fun assembling the tent, we were like in grade school again getting so excited in a camping activity. It was a perfect time to celebrate Fathers day where everybody just came to have fun, not thinking about work, everyone just wants to relax and unwind.

Enjoying the beach at night.

The moment we arrived at the site, we couldn't stop the kids from jumping into the pool, good thing they already have their swim wear on. The pool was made for kids so we didn't have worrying to do cause the water was only their waist deep.

And guys, it's also our national hero's 150th birth anniversary... I guess I'm getting used to this multiple celebration thing (LOL).  Just a trivia, do you know the whole name of our national hero?  It's Dr. José Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo Realonda... (so you should be glad having just two long names).  There is a proposed bill that Rizal day be transferred from December 30 (his death anniversary) to June 19 (his birthday)... I say, why not both... more holidays (haha). But seriously, we should give Dr. Rizal the honor he deserves for what he had done to our country... even to the point of offering his own life.

June lovely wives birthday celebrants...

To my sister-in-law, Donna, a happy, happy birthday to you... May Yahweh bless you with more, good health and a pleasant day ahead of you...

Happy Father's Day to all... be responsible and good role models to your children... Yahweh bless us all.

Enjoying the rest of the day with the kids.

Happy Birthday to My Enoi

Everyday I see you in my life
Never had I  any moment I've regret
On that day I first laid my eyes on you
It was the start  I never stopped loving you 

My only longing is to be forever
   be my partner and friend in life
Your presence, your care, your love
   makes my life worthwhile...

One thing I wish for you today
Now we're celebrating this special day
Lasting happiness with your heart's content
Years be filled with Yahweh's grace

Listening to our angels' cheerful voices
Only reminds me of the love we shared 
Vivid thoughts in your natal day 
Each and every moment, I thank Him for you.

Happy Birthday, my Enoi.  We love you so much, mommy... I fervently pray that Yahweh bless you with the things you needed most...

Gathering around our birthday girl.

Working on Labor Day

It's holiday and it's Sunday and I'm working... hard labor... literally.  It's a good thing though, I really need to divert my longings and do something productive.  I'm landscaping a small vacant space in our house to make a garden... I already bought white stones, bricks, garden soil, and some plants... the rest of the materials were from what can be found in our house.  Arranging the bricks, stones, wood and plants was the easy part... filling the area with soil is a whole different story.  I had to dig up soil from our backyard and bring it in the spot using 2 buckets... with one having no handle (guess I'm just quite short of options).  So I had to dig in the dry topsoil in our backyard and carry it up to our front yard... keep repeating the process for at least 15 times... you just don't know how glad I am that I'm done... haha...

These are my paints...

And this is my canvass... still in progress.

We are so blessed as a country... our soil here is very rich and fertile.  Grasses and plants grow all year round... if you throw a seed in the soil, it'll just grow.  I hope Filipinos would appreciate this blessing  from God and take care of our natural resources... Our topsoil might be thick but if we constantly abuse it... we might lose it's fertility someday.  Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is I won't have any problem with growing the plants then... however, I still have to choose the right plants and work on the walls... I'm still halfway in completing the project... long way to go.  I'll post the picture here when I'm done... God bless.

Missing My Kids...

Its almost been a week now since we left them with their grandparents in Gensan to have their vacation.  I'm not used to not having them around.  Our home is really quite empty without them, especially when my wife is still with her shift.  I can talk to them but still nothing is compared with their presence.  But to learn from them that they are enjoying and they are well taken care of, makes it worth the sacrifice. 

I wish time would move fast for me and would slow down for them.  I hope they would never miss us the way we misses them... and they would only feel it as soon as we are already with them.  I guess that's the irony of life... there will always be times when you must be far from your love ones... to show them how much they are loved.  Two more weeks, our dears... meanwhile, live without worries... my heart will always be with you...  until then... God bless you both.

My New Timepiece

I had been eying this Puma watch I saw in Gensan since the last time we’ve been there.  But I always ask my wife’s opinion, since I also believe in her taste.  I want something comfortable to wear while riding my motorcycle and at the same time, endure the vibration of the ride.  So, I chose a digital over analogue.

My wife told me if I like it I can buy it, to replace my old watch.  I didn’t buy it back then since it wasn’t a priority and it cost much for me.  And I also want to make sure if it’s the best price in the market.  So done some asking from friends here and abroad... and it’s a good deal (considering the freight and discounts given).  But still it wasn’t a necessity and besides someone might already bought it.

But just recently, when I spent the Holy Week and my birthday in Gensan, my wife asked me if I still wanted to buy the watch.  I just told her it cost much.  She told me to buy it for my birthday and well the cost, it’ll just pass by.  So, I decided, that if it is still there I’ll buy it.  And it's really for me...  with the discount and more, how can I resist?  Thank you God.

My new watch with all the perks.

Celebrating Another Year of My Life...

There's always a first time for everything.  I am celebrating my birthday here in Gensan.  Since we will be having a long weekend due to the Holy Week, our family decided to spend it here.  And being a Christian Catholic, our practice in fasting applies, no meat, we will be having sea foods then.  I hope that's alright.  But whatever will be served in the table tonight, it doesn't really matter... what matters for me, is I have my family to celebrate it with... and I have God whom I owe and offer my life.

I will be celebrating life while remembering Jesus as He offered His life to save us all.  It makes me appreciate how precious our lives are, for Jesus to sacrifice Himself for us... for His love for mankind.  For if not for Him, I won't be having this life today.


For tonight, we will be preparing tunaballs with sweet and sour sauce..hmmm...looks yummy.. my daughter is baking her masterpiece, pineapple and mandarin upside down...that's definitely gonna be make our mouths water. this afternoon, we will be going to the market to buy some fish and shrimps...i cant wait for tonight...

Savoring every moments...

For the preparations...

Simple sweet moments...

Thank you Lord for this life, thank you for my family and friends... and thank you for still believing in us despite the sins we commit.  To Yours be the glory and only Yours, my God.

Just simply thanking God for everything...

And She Turns Eight

How time flies, it's just like yesterday when I had my first glance of you. You were born at exactly 8:08 AM. Back then, I was just looking at you through the nursery window, eagerly waiting to hold you in my arms.  And I kept on doing that until now... I'll never get tired holding you near me, and I guess, I never will.

You overwhelm us with happiness my dear.. Your innocent laughter, your very honest reasons, your  kind and thoughtful heart, the way you care for your little brother, your charm and beauty..You  just make our hearts swell with joy and pride.

Happy birthday, anak.

Enjoying her gifts...

Our beautiful birthday girl...

Our little princess had grown so fast...You're eight now, still the princess and love of our lives.  That's what you are and you'll always be.  Please take your time growing up, no need to hurry. Enjoy your childhood .. Play out under the sun or under the rain.  Be happy.

You just don't know how I thank God, everyday, that He gave you to us.  Happy Birthday, our dearest Rael. We love you very much sweetie...  God bless.

Post Anniversary Celebration

Having a nurse as a wife do have certain disadvantages.  She was on duty last Friday, so we barely have time to enjoy each others company to celebrate our anniversary.  That's why we continued it yesterday with our family.  Since it was holiday "Araw ng Kagitingan" yesterday, we spent the whole day in a nearby resort.  The kids enjoyed playing in the pool... with me... hehe.  I commend Justin for being brave enough to be by himself in the water (considering that the water was in his neck level) and Rael for swimming a little bit farther now (4 strokes).

We do have different plan of spending our day, but we opt to celebrate it with our kids... and what could be more than that, that we enjoyed the day while at the same time, having good quality moments with what we treasure most in our lives.  God bless. 

Two seals at the back...

My beautiful family...

Having the time of his life...

What we treasure most...

Happy Anniversary, Twart...

Were 8 years now, seems like it was just a year ago... congratulations to both of us.  Each and every day I’m with you is remarkable.  Through the ups and downs, you’re always by my side, in support... and I’ll be unto you.  Though life might be hard at times and things might not be as we planned them to be... things will be better and I know God has something more... much more in stored for us... so no worries.

You and the kids never stop to amaze me.  As the years pass by, I’m loving you more and more.  I really can’t help myself, you and the kids are my life... my treasure... I will cherish all my life.

Sweet nothings... just loving you.

I can never find someone else more lovely, thoughtful, caring and very responsible as you are.  Every day I thank God for giving me both a wife and a friend... and I can never ask for more.  I love you so much... God bless.

Almost Done

The last time we visited Gensan, our place had no paint yet.  But now it’s almost done and almost ready for the housewarming.  Just a couple of small details left... but overall it’s complete.  All the rooms are fully painted and furnished already. Plants of different kinds are all over the place...  It feels good and so relaxing to come home to a place where everything is in order and knowing that your parents are eagerly waiting for your next visit. I can’t wait to be home again...

The front view...

...And the rear view.

Her First Baking Lesson

How time flies?  It’s just like yesterday when I was holding her in my arms... singing lullabies to her until she falls asleep.  And now she’s baking @ 7... I’m really amazed... it’s like watching the “junior master chef” (LOL).

"The Baker Princess"

We were visiting my in-laws when mamang asked Rael if she wanted to bake cake and muffins... being an avid fan of JMC, she agreed with delight.  Mamang guided her in doing some basic baking chores... and the rest was history... Then we ate while she eagerly waited for each of our reaction... and it was perfect... nicely baked and tasted heavenly, maybe because it was baked by our own daughter...

Patiently and eagerly waiting...

How amazing it is watching our children grow... it is a moment we will always treasure. God bless.

Goofing around...

A wonderful sight...