Leaving on a Jet Plane

This is for owner of the elephant.

From Armageddon, one of her favorite movies, one of her favorite songs.

The previous entry is somewhat a prelude to this entry. We have vowed that whatever happens, we will not take jobs outside the country or outside of Metro Manila for that matter. We could go abroad for a few days, to weeks, to at most, a month, but no further. The reason, we do not want to be any more distant apart than the 30 kilometers of Marikina and Paranaque, or Quezon City. ---From Papa, from Mommy and from each other. Whatever happens to our country’s economy, we will not leave the Philippines and migrate somewhere else because we don’t want long distance family relationships, and we can’t leave papa, who wouldn’t want to leave his house in Marikina.

About a few months ago, I received a text message from her, calling for Sisters’ Meeting. I paused for a while, thought what kind of news does she have. After a while, I knew better. We finally got to talk and she confessed that her company wants to send her to Singapore for TWO years!

Yes, two years. That is 24 months and 730 days. Yes, Singapore—that is 3000 kilometers from Manila. Immediately, I didn’t want her to go. Cherub, on the other hand, wanted to be open minded. She explained that the offer was good and she could go home any time. Yeah, I heard that from my best friend. And for the almost five years that she was in Singapore, I just saw her twice or thrice a year.

After a while, she said that she declined the job because their company lowered the salary. So we were happy again. But a few weeks ago, she said that they really wanted to send her and brought back the original salary offer. And she’s going.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo!!!


She doesn’t even know how to cook rice. All she can cook are: pancakes, fried eggs and hotdog! What about Saturday night sleepovers? Going to malls? Who'll take care of her when she's sick? She couldn’t even wash her clothes without me and Cherub. Ikoy will miss her. She is Papa's favorite. A lot can happen in years and she can’t be home only on special occasions.

After some time, I still do not want her to go. But after this same time, I had to accept it. She didn’t want to go either but she needed this for her job. And she says, for the money, so that she could immediately finish paying off their housing loan.

And now, we are counting the days till all her bags are packed and she sings:

So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you’ll wait for me Hold me like you’ll never let me go Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane Don’t know when I’ll be back again Baby, I hate to go.

I am just holding on to her promise that she’ll go home as often as she could. I am also hoping that we could get Papa to visit her there. Though I am one hundered percent sure that she'll do just fine, I pray that it won’t be too difficult for her. Or else, it will be more than one Singapore trip this year.

Proud Ate

Ever since I can remember, I was only referred to as an “Ate,” i.e. yung ate ko… But I was never really called one. I think my parents forgot to teach this to my sisters. They just call me by my first name/nickname. I am not ranting though. To be honest, I do not feel an “Ate” at most times, with these two sisters.

We all studied on the same schools during elementary and high school. But these two, they had medals and awards, and they belong to the popular group. They both graduated as scholars in college, after exactly four years. To date, one of them works for a multi-national pharmaceutical company, following, and exceeding the footsteps of our mom, and the other one is on public relations for one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world.

What will be their most recent achievement is buying a new house, adding up their savings for an initial payment, and having the guts to get a loan for the remaining balance. I love the house ++++ plus, the location. I am hoping and praying, and keeping my fingers crossed, that Papa would agree to live with them so that we’ll be nearer to each other.

Yes, I am a proud “Ate.” For the successes and achievements of my sisters. I see a combination of Mommy’s traits on both of them. Lij’s strong will and courage while Cherub’s charisma and wit. I look up to them in most ways.

We lost our mommy nine years ago. We have our dad, who is a constant reminder of our mommy (being the opposite of her). But mommy told us that we should take care of each other. Being the eldest, I did not have to stand as a mother to my sisters. Obviously, there is no need. Aside from the fact that there is no replacement for our mother, having each other, ---supporting each other, being always present in good and bad times, standing by each one's decision--- that is enough to keep our lives going.

I am proud, not only because of my sisters’ accomplishments in life, but also because they are my sisters. Not only because of the same blood that runs through our veins that connects us, but also because of our hearts that are bonded with love.

The Cars Party

1. Cars Cake
2. Balloons
3. Banner
4. Pabitin
5. Pinata
6. Games
7. Lootbags
8. The Cars costumes
9. Playmates
10. Friends
11. Family
12. Jollibee chicken and spaghetti
13. More food
14. Ice cream and fondue

All for the love of Iko, the happiest Lightning McQueen, still and always our baby.

Lightning McQueen’s request

IKO: Pwede ba ako magbirthday party sa bahay ganda nuni?
NUNI: Anong bang gusto mo sa birthday mo?
IKO: Cars na cake.

For his fourth birthday, we wanted to give him more than the Cars cake. A birthday party with our very own CARS costume. Made from cardboard and poster paint, each us of had our own character. Of course, Iko is Lightning McQueen, Papa is Doc Hudson, MamaCherub is Sally while Bamba is The King. Denden and Kuya Shosh are the front and back of Mack. Shashing is Mater and I was Guido.

We spent the last three weekends designing, cutting and taping. And the painting. And here is our finished product. Iko had his share of making the Cars. And we were all excited for his birthday.

New Year, New Baby

As we welcome the new year, we also welcome a new baby to our growing family. He is small(now), handsome, cuddly and black. Cherub and Nikulet named him Gabi. I call him Gab/Gab-gab.

When we got him, he had a wound on his neck, that's why I chose to take him. But he doesn't seem to care because he is so playful, running around with his new brother and sisters. He has bigger toes, than the three, even if he's still a baby. That's why I like bathing him when his wound healed.

A vaccum cleaner, he eats three times more and three times faster than Casper, Cotton and Ginger. An intelligent dog, I like it when he makes eye contact. He knows he's the baby and we can't resist when he wants to come inside the house and sleep with Denden.

Everytime I go home, I open the door of the car and he immediately climbs up on the driver's seat, wanting to be carried to the passenger's seat. Then he keeps on kissing me, as if saying he missed me.

Can't wait for Gab to grow up. I still love Casper and Cotton, and Ginger. But I admit, Gabi's my favorite.

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.