Not so Merry Christmas

Euen's first Christmas was not so merry.   First, Shashing caught dengue and was hospitalized a week before Christmas.  Good thing, she was discharged on the 23rd.  But on the eve of Christmas, Lolo was rushed to the ER.  He was having a hard time breathing.

Good thing it wasn't pneumonia, he was on the ICU for a few days to be closely monitored then, was discharged before the New Year.   So, we had noche buena and media noche on the eve of January 1.

Eventhough it wasn't a merry Christmas, 2012 was a year full of blessings.  And the best gift was already given to us earlier this year.

2011 Holidays

Shashing is back in Manila, just in time for Christmas. First stop, Nanay's birthday and our reunion with the Cunanan Family. Sadly, Nanay wasn't feeling well that time so she couldn't join us. We just visited her at home and greeted her. As for the reunion, everyone was happy finally seeing me with a big tummy. My growing cousins were all excited to be called tito's and tita's soon enough.

As one family, we all gathered and prayed to thank Him for all the blessings and answered prayers in 2011.

Chrismas day in La Loma means Tita's Kare-kare, which means heaven. She cooked Sinigang na Salmon also which is equally heaven but more nutritious for me. There were new additions to our growing family this year, plus at least one more next year! I can't wait when Euen receives and opens her first Christmas gift from Santa Deeday who gives the grandest gift to every Marcial child and child at heart.

More little kids running around the house again, just like us when we were small. Admiring the huge Christmas tree, snooping at the gifts under them. A new generation of the Marcial clan is coming and growing.

Lucky Pregnant Me

They say your luck increases when you're pregnant. For the eight years that I've been attending our annual company Christmas Party, the most the I've won in the raffle is a minor prize, a gift certificate for a few hundred bucks.

Last Friday was our Christmas Party. I already had a long day before the party. The first half, I was in the working in the office, took the half day off because of my scheduled ultrasound. We reached the hospital at 1pm and we were informed that the sonologist won't be in til 4pm. So we decided to go to Sta. Rosa to shop around. We were back before 4pm but the doctor came in at 5pm and we were finished past 6pm already.

I was actually having second thoughts attending the party since it was late already. The only thing I'm interested in was the raffle. But I was advised that it's okay to be late and I'm still eligible for the raffle. After two hours of traffic, I got to the venue. Had dinner, watched the presentations, sat and waited. The minor prizes were raffled off but I didn't hear my name. Waited for the first set of the band to be finished. While everyone was dancing and I was just plain, watching. Then the last five major prizes were raffled off. The fifth, fourth, third... I took my bag and headed for the exit. For the second prize, my first name was called, I paused and waited for the surname, (since there were two Eunice's)... Yey! I won a Samsung DVD Home Theater System.

My driver for the whole day, a.k.a. Denden said it was worth it. Euen indeed is our lucky charm.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas

Kuya Shosh and Shashing were both here for the long weekend and of course, Papa and Ikoy were both happy to be able to spend time with them. Since it was just a short trip and they have other engagements, we spent most of the time at their house, putting up the Christmas tree, and going out for dinners.

A huge lighted Christmas tree welcomed us at this mall, thus the picture with a silhouette of the me with a bulging tummy, a hubby carrying a bag and a little boy. Indeed says that Christmas is in the air!

Gingerbread Man

We had a special treat for Ikoy. Aside from spending time with him on weekends, picking him up from his house, going to malls then sleeping over, he had a special visitor last Christmas. We explained that since Santa Claus could not come because he's sick, he just sent Gingerbread Man to greet him a Merry Christmas.

My sister got this costume from her officemate and it really is Gingerbread Man. When Ikoy came, one of us hid and wore costume. Ikoy couldn't believe his eyes! He was speechless. He looked curiously, hugged him and listened when Gingy told him to be a good boy always. Gingerbread Man couldn't stay, after a few minutes he had to say goodbye. (It was hard wearing it for too long because it gets too hot.)

Ikoy bid Gingy goodbye and looked forward for his next visit.

Papogs' opened gift

Christmas this year was a little different. It was the first Christmas eve in my sisters' new house. It was the longest time that Papogs stayed there. We had to make the most out of the time that Lij is here. It's like everyday is a weekend for three weeks, aside from the fact that I couldn't get away with the usual Christmas traditions: cooking spaghetti (five times for the whole month of December), making refrigerated cake (six times) and mommy's fruit salad recipe (twice! we ran out before New year's eve!).

A highlight this Christmas is our gift to Papogs. Just like Ikoy, a couple of days before Christmas, he had been snooping under the Christmas tree to see which wrapped gift/s is his. But his gift wasn’t there! Until the night before Christmas. At the stroke of midnight, we sat around the big and colorful Christmas tree and started giving gifts to each other. He sat at the corner, impatiently waiting for his gift. When there were no gifts left under the tree, he said he was tried and wanted to go the sleep. It was then that we took our gift from the car and gave it to him. Can you see the smile on his face?

He waited until the boys got it out from the box, and set it up. And he said he was sleepy.
But we were happy.
Disclaimer: my share on Papa’s gift is just a fraction, it was mostly from Lij.

Iko's opened gifts

This boy,or should I say, Woody, is probably the luckiest boy in the whole world. But he deserves it. Because he was a very good boy and he patiently waited for the right time that we said, "Pwede na i-open ang gifts mo." To think that it had been standing there, underneath the Christmas tree for several weeks now. From time to time, he checks if his gifts were still there and accounted for. And he would be a little more excited if he finds out that there are new gifts waiting for him.

Mises Potatohead was unwrapped and finally out of the box. It was not Ikoy who was the happiest. It's Mr. Potatohead.

Another long-awaited for gift is Shashing and Kuya Shosh's--- whole else would be happy but Bumblebee because Optimus Prime is here.

Mama Cherub and Bamba had many extra gifts but the main event was Cars! We had him a Cars racing track which specifically requested when he saw in a magazine once. And, we had completed his Cars collection: Lightning Mcqueen and Mater buddies are now here: Chicks, Guido, Doc Hudson, Sally, The King and the Dinoco Helicopter.


Obviously, we were as happy and as excited as Ikoy. Not only because he was very happy of his new toys, but also because it is also OUR new toys. :)

The wife of Mr. Potatohead

Since Toy Story 3 and Ikoy getting Mr. Potatohead, he has long been searching for Mrs. Potatohead. For Ikoy, she is "Mises" (pronounced as read).

Last week, Mamacherub finally found her. And she's my Christmas gift for Ikoy. But Mamacherub couldn't resist telling the little boy, thus, he didn't stop until I agree to let him see the "Mises."


He played with the box, with Mr. Potatohead. He asked too many questions and told me to me read what's in the box, meticulously looking at the pictures at the back of the box and the accessories inside. He was happy but contentment will only come when the box is opened, and we have to teach him to be patient.

"Nuni, pwede ba si Mr. Potatohead na lang sa loob ng box tapos si Mises na lang sa labas?"

He had to try...

Happy days are here again..

I got the "Belen" out of its box when the ---ber month started. One by one, I started finding the right gifts for each person on my list. My sister and I were shopping one time and I saw this cute ceramic Christmas tree, and I thought it will be a perfect match to our cute "Belen."


Though Ikoy was worried when he saw the tree, "Nuni, saan mo ilalagay ang gifts? Maliit yung Christmas tree, walang ilalim." I just had to explain to him that I will put the gifts under my sisters' Big Christmas Tree.

It has been a while since I last wrote here. Perhaps because I didn't want to write about not-so-good-stuff. But I promise (to those waiting...) I will try to catch up. I'm starting to smell Christmas air, and lately, I got inspired with Glee's Duets episode,... happy days are here again.

Christmas at La Loma

There are plenty of reasons why I love celebrating Christmas at La Loma:
1. Good food, i.e. Morcon, Lumpiang Sariwa, prepared by Tita Bebe.
2. Of course food prepared by Tita Lea, with the favorite Maha Blanca.
3. Miyok's pasta.
The good part, each family will make an effort to prepare their own specialty. So every year, they also look forward to the deserts that I make.
4. Gift giving. You see the appreciation for every gift given, and of course the effort to give with what you can.

This year:
5. Marlene gave us the same shirts that we all wore.
6. The lucky girl is Mavee! She had the most number of gifts and the most beautiful ones. We were more excited while she was opening them.
7. The newest addition to the Marcial clan, the handsome Zac!


8. Cousins growing up, babies turning kids. Adults turning kids.
9. Neverending picture taking! Fun. Fun. Fun.
10. Family bonding. Filled with lots and lots of laughter.

Noche Buena

This is the first Christmas in our new home. I was happy because Papogs agreed to spend the Noche Buena with us. Though we didn’t have the usual “Sopas na Tadyang”, we setteld for just the ham and Queso de bola sandwich, and the hot Tsokolate E. With our cute Belen transferred on the dining table, we were all happy to be together celebrating the birth of Jesus.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We have attended a couple of Christmas parties but this is actually the first, that I am really excited. This year, it was a barbecue party courtesy of Kuting’s griller and special marinade, Marge and JR’s fish and special coleslaw and Bubbles’ special chocolate cake.

It turned out to be a dog party as well, because Glico was there.
And Ikoy, though a bit sick, was a special guest due to public demand. Racquel became an “ate” looking after him.

Lastly, it turned our to be a Wii party. Everyone got a chance at the Kung Fu dance.

Gifts. Fun. Friends.
Now, I feel Christmas.

December 25, 2008

The old Christmas tree was retired and Ate Deeday bought a new one. Aside from that, nothing has changed. Still the wackiest, naughtiest, funniest, loudest and weirdest Christmas family reunion. Thanks to Tita, who made Kare-kare and Morcon. Yummy.
They say I was the luckiest “Marcial-cousin” because I was getting four gifts already while the others had nothing yet. Some are protesting that it’s been more than a year since our wedding and we shouldn’t be receiving weddings gifts anymore. I just smiled back them, thanked the ones who gave them and said, I am more blessed this year. Not that they aren’t blessed. It's just that at the back of my mind, I was thinking, I am really lucky. Because I have these.

Tito Rey

I will never forget the look on his face when he visited mommy in the hospital, a few years ago. I do not have a good singing voice but as mommy requested, I was singing Tanging Yaman for her when Tito Rey came in. He stood at the other side of the bed, his face stooped down, gloomy and sad. It seemed like he wanted to say something, but he’s trying hard to hide it, trying to put on a smile on his handsome face. “… sulyap ng yong, kagandahan..” At this point, he couldn’t contain his emotions and just cried out, “Ate!” and literally cried, and hugged her.

Tito Rey is mommy’s younger brother. My sisters always thought that he has the kindest heart, of mommy’s brothers. He has this comforting voice in the sweetest tone, when he greets us and calls our names. But we seldom see him in our reunions because he was always busy and he needed to attend to his own family. This year, all of us were very glad because he was able to attend Nanay’s birthday. It was a must that he joins every family picture. And finally, we were able to give our gift for him this year. The Christmas reunion became even merrier. Indeed, a time for family, sharing and love.

A love story based on a half true story...

Nag-away sila. Gusto niyang umalis na siya at ayaw na niyang magkasama pa sila.

“Hindi ka na magbabago, hindi na kita matru-trust ulit. Umasa lang ako na mapapakita at mapaparamdam mo saking mahal mo ako pero pagod na ako. Ubos na ang pagmamahal ko sayo. Pagod na ako. Mas mabuti pang maghiwalay na lang tayo.”

Pero hindi niya kaya. Nagsisisi siya sa nangyari at gusto niyang iparamdam na ayaw niyang maghiwalay sila.

Unang madaling araw, dumating siya patapos na ang misa. Inabutan na lang niya ang Peace be with you. Pero hindi siya nagawang lingunin o bigyan man lang ng peace nito, di tulad ng dati na hahalik ito sa pisngi with a smile. Humalik na lang siya sa kanyang noo. Pagtapos ng misa, umalis na sya. Pero text siya ng text. Lagi niya sinabi kung asan na sya.. kung ano nangyayari sya kanya. Bawat oras, nangangumusta. Nagsasabi ng magagandang salita.

Sa ikalawang madaling araw, maaga siya. Pagdating sa Ama Namin, hinawakan niya ang kanyang kamay ngunit binitiwan niya ito. Hindi na niya pinilit ngunit bakas ang kalungkutan sa kanyang mukha. Tahimik sya hanggang paghatid.
“Bukas na lang ulit... Mahal kita.”

Sa ikatlong araw, siya pa ang nanggising sa kanya. Pagtapos ng misa, papunta sa kotse, hindi niya ito napagbuksan ng pinto. Pero sa loob ay mayroong bulaklak. Hindi ito pinansin kaya’t nilagay na lang nya sa likuran. Pagdating sa bahay, nag-almusal sila. Pagkaalis, di pa rin pinansin ang bulaklak. Tinuloy lang araw na para bang walang nangyari.. pagdating ng bahay, niligpit ang bulaklak, nilagay sa vase.. binasa ang nakasulat.
“Sorry. Hindi ko gustong mawala ka. Wala akong ibang gusto makasama, maliban sayo. Mahal na mahal kita.”
Nakakangit pero, hindi pa rin ito sapat.

Sa ikaapat na araw, bago dumating sa kanila, nagtanong na siya, “Gusto mo pa ba akong makasama sa pagsimba?”
“Let’s see...” yun lang ang sagot na nakuha niya.
Pero nagpunta pa rin siya.. nagsimba pa rin sila.
Pagkahatid, sabi lang niya, “Sana huwag na tayo mag-away. Mahal na mahal kita.”

Sa ikalimang araw, pinipigilan maglambing, pinipigilang magsabi ng magagandang salita. Tiniiis. Iniisip na, tingnan natin kung makakaya ang siyam na madaling araw na paggising ng ganito. Ngunit, dumating pa rin siya. Just in the nick of time.
Bago siya umalis, nagtanong sya, “Bati na ba tayo?”
Pero wala siyang sagot na nakuha.

Sa ikaanim na araw, pagsakay sa kotse, dalawang take-out food na breakfast ang dala niya, kasamang mainit na tsokolate.
“Breakfast tayo. Pero hindi mo kailangang magluto. Dinalhan kita ng paborito mong take out breakfast. Pinaluto ko ang itlog sa lutong gusto mo, may sabaw.”
Tinago ang ngiti. “Baka malate ka kung kakain pa tayo.”
“Hindi, ok lang malate ako. Ok lang mag-absent o maghalf-day. Ikaw naman ang kasama ko. Sulit naman ang oras ko. Walang katumbas na sweldo ang bawat minutong kasama kita.”
At saka nila pinagsaluhan ang agahan.

Sa ikapitong araw, paghatid pauwi, sabi niya, “Diba, kapag nakumpleto ang siyam na gabi, pwede akong magwish at matutupad ito?”
“Sabi nila, oo. Kapag nakumpleto mo.”
“Alam mo ba kung anong iwiwish ko?”
“Huwag! Wag mo nang sabihin, hindi magkakatotoo ang wish kapag sinabi mo ito sa ibang tao.” Tumahimik na lang sya saka nagpaalam.

Sa ikawalong araw, pauwi, inuubo na siya medyo sinisipon. Bakas sa mga kanyang mukha ang panghihina at nananamlay na ang kanyang mga mata.
“May sakit ka ba? Napupuyat ka ata masyado. Napapagod ka ata at hindi kumakain sa oras.”
“Ok lang ako.” Sabay pasok sa loob ng bahay.

Sa ikasiyam na araw, nagising pero hindi makabangon sa kama. Mabigat ang katawan, masakit ang ulo. Pagtingin nya sa oras, lagpas na! Tapos na ang misa. Nagpanic, ngunit hindi makatayo. Biglang may nalagay ng malamig na bimpo sa kanyang noo.
“Magpahinga ka, wag ka nang tumayo.”
“Pano ang simba? Hindi ko na makukumpleto.”
“May sakit ka, hindi na kaya ng katawan mo. Magpahinga ka na lang.”
“E ikaw? Nakapagsimba ka ba? Nasimulan mo ba? Natapos mo ba? Nakumpleto mo?”
Ngumiti lang siya. “Mas kailangan mong andito ako para alagaan ka. Maiintindihan Niya yon.”
“Pero.. pero.. pano ang wish mo? Ang wish… ”
“Ssshhhhhhhhh…. Ang wish mo? Ang wish ko? Ok lang. Hindi pa tapos ang siyam na araw, natupad na ang wish ko. At alam ko ring natupad na ang wish mo.”
Nakangiti niyang sinabi.
“Pano mo…… ”
“Ssshhhhh… ” nakangiti, hinawakan niya ng dalawang kamay ang kanyang pisngi.
“Mahal na mahal kita. Pagkatapos ng siyam na madaling araw, alam ko na kung ano ang kailangan mo. Alam ko na kung ano ang gagawin ko. Ako na ang bahala.”
Sabay halik sa kanyang mga labi.

Christmas Blues

He woke me up at 8AM, (note that I slept at 4AM because we watched a horror movie after we had our Noche Buena) because there were visitors and I had to prepare food. But it was perfectly fine, feeling that he needs me and he relies on me to help him, it's a push to get up from the pillows and soft sheets.

After the visitors left, we went to La Loma. This is the father-side Christmas Party a.k.a. reunion. For the past five years, get-togethers like these had been sad -- quiet maybe. There was something hidden inside each one's heart. Even though no one dared to say a word about it, the emptiness is very implicit on the silence and timid reactions. So, this year, I decided to make the presentation, like the one I did for the family of my mom. And being a panic-girl that I am and being the critic-type of them, I was scared that they won’t appreciate it and won’t pay attention to it. But as the song played, slide per slide, I heard laughter and cheers for every picture and description. And that was the best gift that I received from them.

This year, we didn’t dwell on those that weren’t with us anymore, but looked on the new family members that are with us this year: three new babies in our family. And best part is seeing how happy he was with Iko.



Picture taking wasn’t easy with these grown ups. We call on each family for a picture but all goes to the background and pose as extras. All of us had a good laugh.


At the end of the holidays, I got sick. Over fatigue I guess. But then again, it is all worth it.

Christmas: The Day Before

We first thought that mass was at 830pm. But it was 10:30pm, so they had to stay at my apartment to wait for a while. I always look forward when he goes to my apartment. He never says anything unpleasant about me and somehow, I am hoping he acknowledges that I am living on my own and I am doing just fine, living on my own. After the mass, we went home and exchanged gifts. Having opened the gifts from my adorable pretty sisters that I already knew because I hand-picked them, I was still excited. I also loved the part when they opened the gifts that I had for them. Well, they hand-picked them as well. The best part was when he opened our gift. This was the first time that he didn’t have a bad reaction to our gift but I felt he was thrilled to have it.

Real Life Precious Moments Doll

Have you ever seen a “real life Precious Moments Doll”? Well, last December 23, on our Family reunion, I’ve seen my little cousin Paula and she is indeed a real life Precious Moments Doll. With her nice little eyes, her curly hair and the petite smile. Once a year, it’s a must that we get together, prepare a little dinner and celebrate our Nanay’s birthday. This year was extra fun because I made a little presentation for them to watch, with little Thea crying on the part where we commemorated family members who aren’t with us anymore. We also had fun “family-trivia” games and newspaper dance where I and 2 little girls fit in a “one-sixteenth fold” newspaper. Of course, we couldn’t miss the “almost one-hour prayer” of Nanay where she enumerated each family, each member of the family and the rest of the universe.





Christmas is indeed a fun holiday for me. I get to see my cousins that were once-babies but are all grown-up now. Could remind me that I am really getting old, but it’s worth it. Seeing them, catching up with each others’ lives… it’s all worth it. We’ve made Nanay feel special and at the same time, we all celebrate the birth of Jesus for all mankind.

Christmas Party 2006

Matagal ko na ginawa ang blog na ito pero naisip kong dapat sa unang beses na magpopost ako dito ay may ikwekwento talaga ako. Medyo umaasa akong magandang kwento sana ito, pero sa kasamaang palad, hindi masyado.

Matagal na pinaghandaan ang pagdating ng December 8 para sa mga tao dito sa pinagtratrabahunan ko. Dahil ito ang araw ng Christmas party namin. Taon - taon, inaabangan at pinaghahandaan ang palabas ng mga grupo. Wala akong balak pumunta dito at wala din akong balak na sumali sa pagtatanghal. Ngunit sa unang araw ng meeting, ako ang naatasang gumawa ng script. Naisip ko, mas mabuti na sigurong gumawa ng script kesa naman sumayaw o kumanta sa harap ng tao. Ilang linggo ng ensayo, pahirap magtawag ng mga tao, pag-aayos ng script at kanta, pag-tuturo ng choreography at kung ano ano pa.

Sa gabing iyon, natapos ang pagtatanghal. At hindi man first place, nanalo pa din ang grupo namin. Ako ang tumanggap ng pera. Naisip ko lang, "hay salamat, natapos na din." at nilagay ang premyo sa bag ko.

Kakaiba ang araw na ito para sa akin. Hindi ako sigurado kung sasama ba ako sa tinatawag kong "barkada" ko dati na hindi ko na barkada ngayon dahil sa isang pagtatalo. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na pwede kaming magsama-sama ulit. Nung una'y nagdadalawang isip pero sa kalagitnaan ng gabi, tinawag ko na si Kuting at sumama sa grupo. Kakaiba ang pakiramdam pero hindi ko na lang pinaka-isipan. Kumuha ng litrato ang grupo. Onting kwentuhan, onti saya dahil sa pag-aalinlangan.

Nag-uwian. Tinanong ko si Kuting kung masaya ba sya. Oo naman daw. Pagdating ko sa bahay, wala ang envelope ng premyo sa palabas. Naghanap ako, nataranta. Pero wala. Ilang araw kong dinala ito at umaasang mababawasan ang bigat ng pakiramdam sa pagpasok ko.

Pero hindi. Ngayon, lalong bumigat. Ngayon ko napatunayan na ang barkada noon ay wala na nga ngayon. Nasa litrato kasama ng grupo ang envelope ng premyo. Kasama ng nawalang premyo ang nawalang pagkakaibigan, nawalang samahan.