Elle Marie Ballerina...

I can’t wait for Elle Marie’s ballet recital this December! It is going to be her first ballet performance on stage and not just any stage but in CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo where national artists and great ballerinas perform. She will be performing with the rest of the students of CCP Dance School and side by side with the Ballet Philippines scholars and company members.

I look forward to Elle joining the cast of her all-time favorite Disney princess character, Sleeping Beauty. Elle literally grew up with “Princess Sleeping Beauty Aurora” as she would call Her Grace. Sleeping Beauty was her first disney doll from Tita Bebe; Mama Ella read Sleeping Beauty to the rest of EALC Senior Nursery class during the “Show Me Your Mama” week; and Elle’s first costume gown was Princess Aurora’s pink gown! I heard that her Baby Ballet class will be performing as pussy cats wearing white tutus. I don’t recall reading about cats in Sleeping Beauty since the scenes in the story are mostly in the forest or inside the castle but who cares? Being a pussy cat is better than becoming a tree!

Parents were not privy to their dance rehearsal last Saturday. I am clueless and has mixed emotions about this one big surprise number. On one hand, I am excited to the point of jumping up and down in anticipation. On the other hand, I am scared of how I will react while seeing my daughter perform on stage. I know myself too well and I know that there’s going to be one big surge of “Tears of Joy” in the Tanghalan on December 11, 2011, from 10:00a.m. to 12:00n.n.

I recall Elle celebrated her first year birthday with a ballerina theme. I told my friends then that I have always wanted to become a ballerina and I was hoping that Elle could be one. I am not ashamed of saying that Elle is living my great ballerina dream, that I never had because of my hernia at an early age. I know that I did not force Elle to ballet. It took me two years since I last popped the question whether she wanted to do ballet in 2009. I waited patiently and it paved way this June when Elle approached me and said she wants to do ballet. Of course, I supported her with a big smile on my face and became a great follower of Angelina Ballerina, the mouse who made everything possible for me and my Elle Marie Ballerina! Thank you Angelina!

Waiting anxiously for this stage to last...

Just awhile ago, I had a serious discussion with my daughter Elle Marie about her long-time crush Lawrence.

Mama: Elle, who said that Lawrence is your boyfriend?
Elle: Me
Mama: Why is he your boyfriend?
Elle: Because I love him
Mama: Does Arian have a boyfriend?
Elle: No
Mama: How about Denise?
Elle: No
Mama: O, then why do you have a boyfriend?
Elle: But, I like Lawrence!
Mama: I think you mean Lawrence is your friend right?
Elle: Yes
Mama: Ok, Lucas is your friend right?
Elle: No
Mama: Ha?! Why not?
Elle: Lawrence only
Mama: Santi is your friend right?
Elle: No, only lawrence

I have nothing against Lawrence. He is a good boy... good looking, came from a good family, maybe he will grow up to be the boy next door every Mom would want her daughter to introduce as her boyfriend BUT not at 5!

When will my daughter stop this "Lawrence" stage in her life?! I am getting impatient! I don't even know how it started! All I can recall is that while in Senior Nursery, Lawrence was the crush nang bayad! and I thought Elle would outgrow it! Not no!

My first official crush was when I was in grade 3. I have this chubby looking classmate whom I really like because he iwas so intelligent! But, I don't talk about him much... I don't think anybody knew that I like him. Yes, I was in grade 3 and I was only 9 going 10 that time! And my daughter just turned 5! and she is talking about marrying Lawrence and going out to watch a movie with him?! duh?!

I don't know whether I am feeling this way because my daughter is too young to have a serious crush or because Lawrence doesn't return her affection. Yes, my heart is torn into pieces every time I witness Lawrence ignore Elle. I cannot endure seeing my daughter brokenhearted. I cannot bear the thought that she is crying over a guy!

During my younger days, I safeguarded my heart by having multiple crushes. I told myself that it pays to have so many crushes at least I don't feel bad if a crush ignores me. When Noy first broke my heart, I told myself that I don't deserve to be treated that way. I convinced myself that I deserve better and focused myself to other guys. When my ex and I broke up, I told myself that it was better that way at least I discovered that there were other guys just waiting for me to be unattached...

For now, I am convincing myself that Elle will get over this "Lawrence" stage in her life and maybe find another boy to really, really like. What is important for me is that fact that my daughter is opening up to me and that there is open communication between us.

If ever I get to talk to her again about this boyfriend thinggy... I would tell her that based on my experience, it is ok to appreciate guys but it also pays to wait for the right time... which nobody knows when! Just look at her Mama and Papa, we waited and now we have her and Bien!

One Step to Stardom...

When I first learned that I was having a baby girl in 2006 I told myself that I will be really, really happy if I see her photo in a magazine! As early as first month, I started sending Elle's photos to different parenting magazines. I told myself that if I see her photo in a magazine at least once, I will stop but now on her 5th year, I still have not realized this dream.

I know that my daughter is beautiful inside and out but kiddie modeling is not all about looks... part of it requires the commitment of the parents 24/7! which Noy and I don't have.

Of course, I have the heart to ensure that my daughter always look good but I don't have patience to fall in line for modeling searches, vtrs and shoots!

I was once approached by a talent agent while shopping asking if I want Elle to do a vtr with them. That was two years ago. I did not bring Elle to their agency because I got too busy with work.

Recently without my prior knowledge, my sister Nenette posted Elle's photo in a kiddie modeling search. Elle Marie was shortlisted and was requested to do pictorial and interview last Sunday!

Right after Bien Mary's birthday party, we went straight to Festival Mall in Alabang in full force! Lola Marlyn-the cheerer, Tita Nene-the Manager, Tita Bebe-the Trainer, Mama-the stage mother and Papa-the driver!

I told myself that I will not be a stage mom and make my daughter conscious and uncomfortable. Hence, I let my talented sister, Bebe to go with Elle since there can only be one companion per kid. From a distance, I saw my sister orient Elle.

During the pictorial, I wasn't able to stop myself and went near Elle as the kuya help her with her poses. I was so proud of my daughter! Come vtr time, I did not go with her inside the room. We all waited outside and watch her pose in the television outside the room.

Of course for me, my daughter is the most beautiful among the kids that came! Hehehe Que sera sera... whatever will be will be...

I really don't plan to turn my daughter into a professional model. We took the effort and time to go to this search to boost her confidence and "for the experience of it".

No pressure Anak! Again, for me, you are the epitome of beauty, grace and intellegence... I love you!

Ate Elle Marie sings Happy Birthday for Baby Bien

For me, what really made Baby Bien’s 1^st birthday party special was Ate Elle Marie singing Happy Birthday in Chinese for her dear baby sister…

If only I was able to capture that moment in video, I would someday show it and tell my then grown up daughters how much they love each other ever since they were very young.

I would tell Bien Mary that it was not easy for her Ate Elle to sing in public. In fact, it was her first time to sing in front of almost 120 people live and with little preparation but she made it through because she wanted to do something special just for her baby sister.

I would tell Elle Marie that during that very moment I wished for the time to stop and spend my whole life just watching and listening to her lovely voice even though I don’t understand Chinese! That me, Bien and her Papa are very proud of her!

I would tell Elle Marie that she is beautiful inside and out. Her singing prowess is God’s gift. She should thank God by nourishing it and never hesitating to share it with the public.

I would tell Elle Marie that I love her and Bien Mary. They are God’s greatest gift to me!

Our dear Bien Mary is now 1!

My youngest daughter, Bien Mary turned 1 today. We started with merienda in their favorite, Jollibee where Bien got her first real treat of Jollibee Spaghetti with Coke! Yes, my daughter’s first encounter with not so healthy food but who cares? It’s her birthday today and she gets to do and eat anything she likes to! Hahaha… She also got to buy her own silver and and purple shoes that she will pair with her purple gown on her birthday party this Sunday.

Seems like yesterday that I was worrying about my pregnancy because of high blood pressure and two threatened abortion incidences. I got too scared that I was forced to resign from work. I thought I was going to loose Bien that time but God is good. Bien Mary is for me and Noy.

On this very special day of my pretty daughter Bien Mary, I wish her First to have good health, no more convulsion incidences, rushing to the Emergency Room or fever or colds. Second is to remain a happy baby. Retain her big smile and positive outlook in life. Last is to remain good to her Ate Elle Marie, Mama and Papa…

To our dear Bien Mary, happy, happy birthday to you!

We love you…

Our princess she will always be... Happy Birthday Dear Elle Marie!

Finally, the long wait is over. Our princess Elle Marie just had her 5th year birthday party in school and as she wished she had... Jollibee, her grand pink gown, her princess cake, her glittery art materials and a bonus appearance of her dear friend Fya...

Elle Marie donned her grand pink gown complimented by her tiara and pink shoes that she especially chose from Payless. Of course, what would be more "princess" but to have her princess cake made by the ever reliable Cakes Avenue, along Estrella St. Rockwell. Cakes Avenue has been making Elle's cake since she turned 2! I just give them my concept and whoala! they never ceased to amaze me by their master piece!

This year was no different. I just went to Malou, discussed my concept which is a grand princess cake with pretty crown as topper and gave her Elle's invitation card for reference. Look at what they did! another grand masterpiece befitting to our princess Elle Marie!

I don't know what Mr. Tony Tan Caktiong did to my daughter or every child in the Philippines for that matter to wish for Jollibee in their birthday parties! Yes, I tried to brainwash my daughter to being a Mcdo girl just like me but failed... and on her 5th birthday she is finally getting Jollibee for her party!

If only the other parents saw the glittering eyes of my daughter and her classmates when they saw Jollibee coming in, I bet all moms will not have second thoughts about getting Jollibee for their child's party! Although the Jollibee we got was kindda tama because he keeps on freezing, resting, and sitting down... still nothing beats having Jollibee in a party! Elle Marie and her friends danced, sang, and even cheered "Jollibee dance!" to the tamad Jollibee hehehe

But, the best part of Elle Marie's birthday party is having her friend Fya visit her in school! Fya and Elle has been friends since birth... or should I say since they were still both in their respective Mom's tummy! Hahaha O we just love Fya!

AND of course... thanks to Tita Bebe, TitoMiko, Lola Marlyn, Ate Cheche... Papa Noy and Baby Bien for making Elle's party possible...

Perfect gowns... only for my princess Elle Marie and Fairy Bien!

Just when I was just about to give up on the idea of having a birthday party for my two daughters... then came these lovely gowns!

Now, they are just what my daughter and I dreamed of! Lovely pink princess theme for Elle Marie and Purple fairy theme for Bien! How can I not have birthday parties for my daughters?!

Of course, Elle Marie will have hers in EALC. No more yellow prince charming for her (thank God! she's over and done with him!) Only Jollibee! Hehehe While Bien's is still a work in progress... at least she has a gown to wear already! Hehehe

Philippines' Next Top Model Part 1

I have always thought that my daughter's inclination is into arts. Of course, we encourage her by buying her art materials, allowing her to have art times and providing feedbacks on her works..

Our living room is a show case of Elle Marie's art works. But, I don't mind. They give me certain relaxation knowing that my daughter is happy and confident with what she is doing.

Lately, Elle is into fashion designing and modeling. She has always been fashionable. My friends thought that I force a certain look on my daughter but honestly, it was all Elle's choice. It's her choice to wear accessories, her hat her shoes... Once in awhile, she would even argue with me, saying... but Mama, they don't much! or Mama, I don't like that, it is not pretty!

Ever since she can walk, Elle has been my shopping buddy. We would buy clothes, shoes and accessories together and I allow her to choose on her own. Of course, once in a while I would give comments about her choices but at the end of the day, it's her choice.

I have always been a shawl girl. I find it very convenient instead of bringing jackets. Elle Marie grew up seeing me in shawls that is why I think she also likes wearing one all the time. The first photo to the left is Elle Marie doing her supermodel fierce look with my shawls and sunglasses. Cute ha?! This photo was taken during one of my tiring night. I came home very tired from work to find Elle Marie playing with my shawls-which is just fine with me. She told me, Look Ma, I made myself a costume! Ain't I pretty?! Seeing my daughter made all my body ache gone. I immediately asked her to pose for me and whalla! she gave me this fierce look.

Preparing for the BIG School...

Once again, we found ourselves searching for another school for Elle Marie. It is not because we are no longer happy with Early Achievers' Learning Center to which she is currently enrolled. It is because we believe that it is already time for Elle to move on to the BIG school.

It seems like yesterday we were looking for a progressive school for Elle. We visited a couple of schools here in Makati and even went to San Juan for Community of Learner's. We almost ended up with COLF in San Juan but I got pregnant, had a couple of threatened abortion incidences and had to resign from work. Hence, COLF for Elle was not a logical thing for us to do (during that time)

We ended up with Early Achievers' Learning Center in Bel Air, Makati. Just 7-10 minutes drive from our home or 15 minutes walk to Noy's office. It is a chinese progressive school recommended by my bestfriend and Elle's godmother, Irene whose son also goes to EALC but in Congressional, Quezon City.

I fell in love with EALC the first time I talked with Teacher Chris Coronado, the School Coordinator. She was a good listener, very good in english and has this "child like" attitude in life. And as soon as we visited EALC, we saw how comfortable, clean and safe the school is so we decided to enroll Elle right there and then.

Now, after one and a half years... we are on the search for another school for Elle. Of course, we will miss EALC. I will personally miss talking with Teacher Chris and Rochelle but Elle must move on to the Big School. Anyways, we still plan to come back to EALC for Bien next year...

So, what have we been doing so far? Right now, we only have two options. It will either be Assumption College in Makati or St. Scholastica's College in Manila. Both are prestigious, good-quality, catholic, exclusive schools for girls. Although, relatively St. Scho is cheaper by a few ten thousands, has 24:1 student teacher (per subject) ratio accessible by public transportation, near De La Salle University but they only have afternoon sessions for prep. I want to train Elle Marie to wake up early in the morning and go to school, an afternoon session will not help me do it.

Assumption is convenient if you have a private transportation specially with a San Lorenzo sticker. They have 30:1 student teacher (per subject) ratio. Few of Elle's classmate transferred there last year. Amanda, Elle's kumare and my close friend's Cres daughter is currently enrolled there. My only concern is the 7:30am class schedule which I think is too early naman for Elle...

We are now processing Elle Marie's requirements for Assumption because they have until September for admission exams. One thing that caught my attention with their requirements is that students should have understanding or can speak Filipino language or else they require them to have at least 6 months to 1 year enrollment/tutorial for Filipino... Yayks! Paano si Elle?

St. Scho will be open for admission exams on January hence, no rush for now... Matapos lang talaga ang Franchise Asia 2011, I will be able to give my full time to Elle Marie's moving up to the Big School...

Let us see... whatever will be, will be...

Birthdays and FRANCHISE ASIA 2011!

Barely a month from now, my eldest daughter, Elle Marie is turning 5 and wishes to have a grand, royal pink princess birthday party in her school. The venue is simple and needs no reservation-EALC, food is simple as long as it is not from McDonalds-dela Costa, cake will from the usual Cakes Avenue, loot bags-I am scheduled to buy them next Sunday; gown should be grand, big, and layered- to which I already emailed two couturier for quotations; accessories and shoes next, next Sunday. To date, I am still looking for an entertainer for the program... Sisiw! But the most challenging part about this party is Elle's wish to have her super, mega, favorite classmate and friend, Lawrence as her prince charming! Ano ito debut?!

Of course, as a good and obedient Mom, I asked Ilai, Lawrence's mom about it and laughingly she asked me if Elle is serious, I answered her "She is dead serious!" but I am praying hard that by the time she turns 5, she overcomes this lawrence thinggy stage in her life and forget about the "yellow prince charming" for her birthday!

That is not the end of the story, just a day after my eldest birthday party in school, my second daughter Bien Mary is turning 1 and of course, after my eldest's grand 1st year birthday party, I owe Bien a parallel party of her own... I plan to give her a lavender fairy themed birthday party at the Artist's Pavillion, Makati Parks and Garden-which I pray hard is still mine but still haven't made any down payments-where all the kids will be wearing wings with their wands. Caterer c/o Bien's fairy godmother, Janelynn Capacio. Cake by Cakes Avenue. Bien Mary will be wearing a flowing, layered, fairy-like gown - to which I already emailed two couturier for quotations; accessories and shoes next, next Sunday; Ate Coco will be doing a sing and dance number; face painting awaits the well-wishers... loot bags next Sunday.

Easy to visualize right? But with all the outputs that I need to deliver for Franchise Asia 2011 and my other projects, I just pray to God that He allows me to a superwomen just for those days... If not, I have this "what the heck mom" thought of running away with my two daughters to Disneyland-Hongkong for a more intimate bonding...

What do you think?

Elle Marie's version of her Lola Telly!

Re-posted from my Facebook entry today...

Elle Marie: you know what Mama? Lola Telly is alive again!!!

Mama: Really?

Elle Marie: Yes! I drew her. She has a lipstick (the red over the black lips is supposed to be the lipstick) and a flower! She is beautiful!

Mama: Wow! Lola Telly will love this!

Elle Marie: I will show this to her in heaven...

Mama: But not now, ok?

Elle Marie: Mama, I love Lola Telly...

To my everdearest Ninang Telly...

An open letter to my dear Ninang Telly who passed away last January 29, 2010 after a short battle with sarcoma cancer. She will never be forgotten...

Dearest Ninang Telly,

It has been more than one week but the memory of our last night together kept on coming back to me. You kept on saying “thank you” to me the moment you saw me. And when you noticed that I was trembling because of the sound of the monitor every time your oxygen level reaches the threshold, you comforted me saying “Ella, remember what the doctor said? Believe the patient not the numbers. You can still talk to me right?”. Imagine, you were having difficulty breathing but still you were thinking about me. How selfless and how loving you are…

I said it before and I will always remind you that there is no need for you to say “thank you” to me. The little things that I did for you were incomparable to what you have done to me, my family and friends. Right from the very start, you have been my inspiration and source of confidence in La Salle. I will never forget how you accepted me without a blink as masteral thesis advisee after my original thesis adviser dumped me with only a last minute notice. And for the record, I don’t think there will ever be a masteral student in La Salle who can proudly say that their thesis adviser was present during their thesis proposal defense! Only I can say that my thesis adviser was there for me.

You were more than a colleague to me; an undergraduate macroeconomic teacher; a masteral thesis adviser; a boss for your researches and dissertation; a grandmother to my daughters; and a wedding ninang. You were a very good friend who was there for me to celebrate with me, to fall in love with me, and to help me stand up after every failure.

Ninang Telly, I said it before and I will always remind you that “Mahal na mahal ko po kayo”. And, if there were five people I would want to meet in heaven, kayo po yong isang yon. With your positive outlook in life, bubbly character and contagious laughter, I know that the angels in heaven are now rejoicing with you there.

Love

Ella