KL-Singapore Day One: Three countries in one day...

Elle Marie in Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3

Who can say that they have conquered three countries in one day? Elle Marie can!

Today, Elle Marie was able to visit three countries in one day. Her starting point is the Philippines where she boarded a Cebu Pacific airplane on the way to Singapore. From Singapore, she took the Jet Star airplane to Kuala Lumpur! Three countries in one day...

Elle Marie with Mama and Papa in Changi Airport Terminal 1, Singapore

This is not Elle Marie's first international trip but her first time to visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Elle Marie's papa has a week long conference in Singapore and the family decided to visit Uncle Bryan in KL on their way to Singapore. It was also Elle Marie's mama first time to go to KL so both the mom and daughter tandem were really excited for the visit.

Elle Marie and Papa in Kuala Lumpur Internatinal Airport, Malaysia

Both Mama and Elle Marie were overwhelmed by the sizes of the airports in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. They have trains inside the terminals, walkalators and playgrounds! How they wish, we also have those things in the Philippines.

It was A Fun, Fun Sunny Day at Fun Ranch!!!

It was another fun, fun, sunny day! The gang, Elle Marie, Max, Shawn and Lili went to Fun Ranch in Libis, Pasig. It is the only compound in Metro Manila that was created just for kids to play, eat, shop, relax, have party and be healthy. They have carousel, ferris wheel, bump cars, plane rides, activity centers, spa for kids, Bayo for Kids!, Big and Small, inflated balloons, and boat ride. Name it, as long as kids love it, they have it! Kids rule in Fun Ranch!Although it was a weekend, the place was not crowded (we were there as early as 10am!). The kids freely roamed around and had only one thing in mind but to enjoy! Elle especially liked the carousel! (I was not surprised, I think all the kids love the carousel) Good thing that we got her an "unlimited badge" so she was able to ride the carousel as many times as she wished! Funny, she almost fell asleep riding the horses (she kept on changing horses in the middle of the ride)!!! Hahahaha She also stayed long inside the Power Station where she won a pink ballpen after playing the rubber ducky machine. It was her first time to try out a game machine. We would always go to either Power Station or Time Zone and she usually just ride the carousel or animal rides but never tried playing with the game machines.
It was another fun, fun sunny day to spend with family and friends...

Flores de Mayo sa Iloilo...

Flores de Mayo is a month long flower festival in honor of Virgin Mary. Everyday kids would go to church to hear bible lessons and offer flowers to Virgin Mary for the whole month of May. After the offering, they would line up for a simple snacks and play in the plaza before going home. I remember when we were younger, me and my siblings would go around our compound in search for flowers. We would brave the hot sun just to have flowers to offer to virgin mary. Those were the days ...Today, Lola Moyette helped Elle Marie pick up flowers from the garden. They did not have a basket so Lola Moyette decided to make a bouquet instead. Elle was so happy, it was her first time to go to Flores de Mayo. However when Elle Marie and Lola Moyette arrived in the church, Elle was overwhelmed by the number of kids doing the flores de mayo. She hesitated to fall in line for the flower offering. But after a long talk with mama, she offered the flowers to virgin mary (she was the last one to offer). Since she was a very good girl, Lola Moyette brought Elle Marie to Gaisano for a Jollibee treat courtesy of Lolo Tito Joemel's gift certificates!

This is one great bonding moment for Elle Marie and Mama Moyette... Elle looks forward to next summer again to spend time with Lola and go to Flores de Mayo!

The day a mango tree fell from heaven...

It was around 1:00p.m. Elle Marie and I just had lunch. Elle has been sick for two days. After lunch, I confined her in Tita Bebe's room to watch her DVDs while I continue to make her a new green dress in the terrace. Despite her sickness, Elle was still hyperactive, she was clinging on the glass window in Tita Bebe's room in the effort to watch me make her new green dress.

I know that our neighbor is cutting down their mango tree that has been there for centuries. (Let me refer to the tree owner as Neighbor 01) It was the tree that supplied us with indian mangoes every summer; the tree that provided shade for Mama's flowers; the tree that attracted birds; and the tree that made our second floor cool. However after our other neighbor (Neighbor 02) complained about the red ants and falling mangoes on their roof in the middle of the night, Neighbor 01 decided to cut it down.

I heard a sound that seemed like a very big branch coming off the tree. It happened in split seconds, the very big branch stood on our Neighbor 02's roof. Even before I could scream, I saw the tree moving toward our house! It was like watching a movie with a big tidal wave. People are running but some just stare until the tidal wave swallowed them. I also froze. In my mind I know that the very big branch will reach me but i did not do anything until I remembered Elle! I run away from the terrace and near elle. Then I heard the very loud bang!

It happened too fast that I did not get to scream for help nor do something. I saw the tree standing on our Neighbor 02's roof all I could think of was Jr because under the roof where the very big branch stood is his room and I know that during that time he was there sleeping. Then I saw the tree coming toward our house but fell short and did not reach our terrace. it fell on our open area and smashed on my father's two week old multicab.

The right side mirror broke while the back plastic window got distorted and the roof splitted into two. Mama's yellow bells and orchids were pinned under the tree. On a normal day, we would be beside the multicab. Elle would be swimming in her rubber swimming pool while I make sure that she has ample water. Fortunately, two days before that day, Mama told me to transfer the swimming pool in the second floor instead. (Elle was only able to swim once in the second floor and I think that's where she got her fever - it was too cold and windy in the second floor.) Just imagine if it was an ordinary day and I did not listen to my mother's advise.

The helper of Neighbor 01 who was cutting down the tree almost kneeled in front of my mother for forgiveness. He was trembling and in a state of shock because he thought somebody was pinned down on the very big branch. (somebody from Neighbor 02 screamed that a child was pinned down). He said that he has no money and would be willing to go to jail for the damages. But, when the police asked whether they should do an investigation - the helper can be detained for negligence resulting to damage to properties, Mama said that we will just settle it among ourselves.

Amidst the damage, I still thank God that nobody was harmed. Neighbor 01 and his helper learned a valuable lesson from this experience. I was also enlightened how fast life can be snatched from me any second. I should be grateful for the simple reason that I am alive to experience and survive this incident.

*attached pix were not taken on the day the mango tree fell on my father's car. pix show the same spot where elle was standing and the green dress that i was making when it happened

Elle Marie conquers Tagaytay Part II

Doing the life of the rich and famous...

Ninong Ruping and Ninang Mel invited us out for lunch at Tagaytay Highlands. I’ve heard a lot about Tagaytay Highlands. I know it is a posh country club in Tagaytay exclusive to members and a far better view than the usual Tagaytay that we visit.

Going to the highland reminded me of our trip to Subic last month because of all the trees we saw along the highway. It made me wonder about the probably of encountering monkeys on the road but we never did. I was kind a surprised when we entered Tagaytay highlands because it was very visible that some parts were not maintained as it should be. We went to the pool area and of course the first thing that Elle did was shout “water” and jump to the water! We did not bring Elle’s bathing suit as we were anticipating cold weather. Hence, Elle and Noy ended up playing with water on their jeans rolled above their knees.

I especially loved the food they served us for lunch. I could not remember the name of ninang mel’s favorite pasta but I know it started with angel. At first I was not comfortable sitting in front of ninang mel maybe, because we used to report to her being the former dti-undersecretary for small and medium enterprises development. But, she was really so nice and made me feel comfortable. We talked about Elle Marie, PEARL2 and her life after retirement.

After lunch, we continued touring the highlands. We went to the small, unique chapel where ninang mel would always hear mass and head to where the cable car is. The cable car is supposed to bring us to “The Peak”, the highest place in Tagaytay. Unfortunately, the wind was very strong and it would be very unsafe for us to take a cable ride. So we decided to proceed to “The Peak” using the car instead.

It was overwhelming on “The Peak”. It’s like having a glimpse of God’s point of view from heaven because you can literally see everything! I can even see the “Palace in the Sky”! Noy and Elle really has a great time there… me, I was so consumed by my hair flying everywhere, fear of Elle being swept by the strong wind and the overwhelming height.

After “The Peak”, we went for a ride the “Funicular”. According to Tagaytay Highlands, it is a transport system which takes guests to the summit terminal from the base terminal and vice versa. It looks like a train but attached to a mountain! Elle slept the whole time we were going down to the base terminal. From the Funicular, one can see Tagaytay golf course, Taal and midlands…

The day was surreal to me… It was like walking in a new dimension and taking a glimpse of the lifestyle of the rich and famous. With the poverty rate like ours, who would think that such place exists?

For the opportunity and experience, we thank Ninong Mel and Ninang Mel. We really had a great time!!!

Boracay Hot Babe Elle Marie...

I was invited by our partner, Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry to be one of the establishment evaluators for the WOW Awards. WOW Awards is an annual award given to boracay establishments with outstanding solid waste management system. It was a three-day activity followed by a long weekend due to the Bonifacio day holiday so Noy and Elle decided to go with me. It has always been a welcome opportunity for me go out of town with my mag-ama, and Boracay is sure one good choice considering that we all love the beach!

I only got to spend time on the beach with Elle and Noy on our fourth day in Boracay and I loved every second of it. Elle loved the white sand and sat comfortably on the shore watching us swim and other people sunbathe... Next year, i dream of bringing Elle to either Bohol or Pearl Farm in Davao. I loved those beaches and I know that Elle will love it there as well!

Elle's second time in Cebu

It is the second time for Elle to visit Cebu but this time we stayed at Marco Polo Hotel in Lahug. I had a meeting for two days and my father-daughter tandem spent their days swimming at the Marco Polo pool... It is so nice to look at Elle and Noy enjoying the water. A couple of times I was tempted to join them but instead chose to just stay in the corner and master the art of "taking photos of the two people i love most".

I have always dreamed of having a family of my own and now that I have it I just can't stop thanking God over and over again for the beautiful family He has given me amidst my imperfections...

I love God.
I love Noy...
I love him for Elle
and I love him for loving me sooo much...