Picture Company Pics - 17Oct09

Basti at 8 months - Sep 27

I totally forgot Basti's 8 month as it was the day of the typhoon Ondoy. We were too shocked with the devastation that the typhoon wrought in the capital.

We had lunch at ATC the next day to celebrate Mama and Papa's wedding anniversary as well. I got Basti a small cake at Bizu. I got the hat at Shopwise Sucat the day before (it was where I sought shelter after getting stranded in SLEX for four hours).

Dampa with Family - 6Dec08

I treated the family at Sucat Dampa for my birthday.
Chloe was at her charming best while Miguel was suddenly camera shy.
For the first time, I was last one left eating finishing off the shrimp and crabs

Kiko's 7th Birthday Celebration

A swimming party for my cousin and godson, Kiko with his family and friends held at the BF Clubhouse today, Nov. 23.

Leo and I was there together with the whole family. However, we opted to just sit in the sidelines and watch everyone enjoying the water. It was rather humid so while everyone was cooling off in the pool, Leo and I were sweating at the sidelines. Though I do have a maternity swimsuit, I didn't want to swim with so many people around as I felt very conscious with my humongous tummy.

Tita Mae and her brood arrived late although I wasn't able to take much of their pictures.

It's Been Awhile

This week has been very busy for me as we were preparing for an important meeting today. Good thing we prepared well as the meeting was not as painful as compared to the previous one. It did last for four hours and went through lunch (1030am to 230pm. No break for lunch. Go figure). By the time we were done, all of us (except for the bosses) went to the nearby Max's and shared our frustrations over our respective chicken meals.

Sadly though, I missed hearing mass to commemorate the first death anniversary of my paternal grandmother. I did leave a big flower basket at Dita last Sunday. Lola would've loved the arrangement. There's even a violet rose there somewhere (or is that another type???).

I know I don't miss her as much as my Dad and his siblings. But there are times that I feel that something's missing; that something's different.

Lola, we miss you. I know you're in your happy place, moreover with Lolo being with you now. Please continue to watch over us as we go through our lives. Help us make the right choices and to live the rest of our lives fulfilled and happy. We love you!

Miguel's 2nd bday Jollibee Sienna 27jan08

I don't know what is it about Jollibee that makes every child in us jump with glee and hug the beejeezums out of the foam filled mascot. Never mind that we know that a poor Jollibee employee is sweating inside the suit. Never mind that the costume is soiled with ice cream smudges of childrens' fingerprints and according to Kiko, smells like socks. It's still Jollibee.

Christmas Eve at Dita - 24Dec07

Celebrated Christmas Eve at Dita with my dad, my siblings and their families.

We were there after lunch (after delivering gifts and pamasko to my friends at Mandaluyong). I cooked Pancit Molo, Sugpo in butter and lemon and mango ref cake. I was so tired that night. I haven't cooked that much for a long time. I barely had the appetite when we ate that night.

Here are some photos that we took.

Road Trips

We went to Pampanga yesterday to visit the tombs of my father-in-law's parents and brother. First time I've been to full cemetery for quite a long time. For the past years, my relatives and I avoid the November 1 crowd by either visiting before or after All Saints/Souls Day.

We left Manila around 10am. We met up with the family of Leo's sister over at Filinvest so we could ride with them comfortably (nice Fortuner). There was a traffic build-up over at SM City North EDSA all the way to the Balintawak tollway. Even saw a couple of drivers who were arguing. One even was supposed to get out of the car. Scary.

We had lunch at Teriyaki Boy over at SM Pampanga (yep, we went all to way to Pampanga just to eat at Teriyaki Boy) and was at the cemetery by 230pm. We stayed there for a couple of hours. By the time we were on our way home, daylight was gone.

We had dinner over at one of the highway stopovers. We rode with Leo's parents on the way back. Noticed that my father-in-law has one of those portable dvds. We watched Lea Salonga's broadway concert on the way back.

I'm getting ready for our trip today. We're visiting my dad this morning and have lunch with him. We'll also visit my paternal grandparents' ashes. After that, we're going to Tagaytay to spend the weekend there again with Leo's family.

I'll post pictures when we get back.

Goodbye, Lolo

My lolo Ruben passed away peacefully at 2 o'clock this afternoon. He died in his home surrounded by family who loves him.

Lolo Ruben was diagnosed with liver cancer last May. It was a big surprise to all of us as he's known for his healthy living. My grandmother, his wife Pacing, died 4 days after his diagnosis. It was Mother's Day.

I guess it's only apt that Lolo died on Grandparents Day. He was a loving lolo to all of his grandchildren. We will really miss him.

Two weeks before my wedding, he was rushed to the hospital as he had difficulty breathing. It turns out that his cancer has metasticized to his chest cavity area and the mass was pushing against his trachea thus the difficulty in breathing and eating. He was hooked into an IV and it is only there that he gets his nutrients.

I used to have this fear that he would pass away days before the wedding or on the wedding day itself. But when I visited him a week before the wedding and saw him lying in bed, I just let everything go. I silently told him that if he needs to go, I won't mind. If he wants to be with my lola, then nothing should stop him. I'll be fine. We'll be fine.

But he hung on. When my dad came home from the wedding, he whispered to my lolo that the wedding was done. My dad said that my lolo smiled and after a few minutes, his arm began to swell. Apparently, the vein where his IV was connected collapsed. They couldn't find any vein anymore on his arm so they connected the IV to his foot. When we got back from our honeymoon on Wednesday, we were told that the IV was removed as the veins on his feet also collapsed. We knew then that it is only a matter of days before the inevitable.

My best memory of my lolo was when I was a little girl, he knew of my budding love for books and magazines. He would call me from our house next door and he would tuck me beside him and we would read his magazine together. I remembered we would look at the Larry Alcala comics and we would make it a contest on who would find Larry's head first.

In compliance to my lolo's wishes, we will hold no wake for him. His remains will be cremated tomorrow and we will have a memorial service for him right afterwards in his home in Makati. Still a simple man up to the end.

My lolo was a great man. He will be very much missed.

On the 12th day

Ok, 12 days to go. 12 days to go.

I'll be starting my block leave on Wednesday. So that means I have one day left at work. Yay! I can barely concentrate anyway as my mind keeps on wandering to my wedding preps. At least my one downs will be both present tomorrow so I can turnover properly.

This is it. Oh my gosh, I'm getting married! Aaaaggghhh!!!

I had my make-up trial this morning at the studio of Madge Lejano. Jesy Alto did my make-up (also on the wedding day) and may I say, I have never looked so gorgeous in my entire life. Haha! I'll upload the photos as soon as I can download them from my digicam.

On the downside, our lolo was rushed to the OSMAC Acute Care Thursday afternoon. My tita called me and she was crying. She didn't know what to do as apparently, the doctors wanted to intubate lolo as his cancer has mesasticized to his chest area already pressing against his trachea making it difficult for him to breathe. I rushed to the hospital and spoke to the doctor. In the end, the children decided to bring their father home where he will be more comfortable. I think he would rather die at the peace and comfort of his bed rather than the noisy and chaotic hospital. The family decided that if anything happens, they will not resuscitate and they will make his last days as comfortable as possible. It's a waiting game now and anything might happen.

I would like to ask prayers in behalf of my lolo. Not for recovery as we've all accepted the inevitable will be near (Stage 4 cancer). We ask prayers that the rest of his days will not be too full of pain and that he will be readily accepted into God's kingdom. Well, we know that he will be. That's the reason why our lola went ahead--to prepare for his place.

Chloe's 2nd birthday party

Lola's funeral

This was May 15, 2nd day of her wake. We brought in her plants from Dita as no one has sent flowers yet.

Some pictures from Lola's wake and funeral