sluggish

Life in Cotabato is kind of slow specially now a days. I try to do something worthwhile like do my taichi in the morning, check my mail, supervise the repair of the 'dirty kitchen', cook something for Lucas and me, play my piano pieces ....somehow when all these things are done and I look at the clock; my gosh, it's not even 11oclock yet! hahaha!

Hahaha It's Dylan's Birthday

Today is my 3 year old grandson's birthday, so this noon, I called up to greet him.
Over the phone I sang "Happy Birthday Dylan". I sang the first-two phrases twice and there was silence at the other end of the phone. I knew he was listening, but after my song Dylan ran away to play.
Angel, his mother called him back to say "Hi, Ahmah". Dylan usually do not respond to telephone conversation though.
Coached by his yaya and mother, Dylan came back to the phone and I sang him again two phrases of the birthday song.
To my surprise, he said... "Thank you".
"Hahaha.." I laughed at his spontaneous response.
"Dylan, say 'hi ahmah' " I heard Angel over the phone.
And Dylan did it!
He said "Hi Ahmah" loud and clear!
Hahaha! Happy Birthday Dylan!!!

Cory Aquino on Dec. 9, 1988

I saw President Cory Aquino on December 9, 1988 at Malacanang Palace. I was chaperoning my 13 year old son Roy Patrick Tan and other Caltex Science Contest finalists and winners for a courtesy call. My son was representing region 12 together with Tisha Lee Eduave and Jakeson Angulo as a team. They got qualified to the magic five and thus therefore given the honor to meet the president. There was a short program in Malacanang for the particular occasion. The children were of course seated infront while the parents and teachers at the back of them. It was a short interlude seeing the president, but I like to share my impression. Cory appeared to be more fair and beautiful in person than in pictures. Why so? Maybe because of the way she carried herself with dignity and class... a more enduring effect one sees in a real person even for brief moments of encounter.

Flooded Magallanes St.

These pictures taken in front of our store in the morning of July 31, 2009.

Hosting Roy

Roy comes home to visit every other year. This year, he came specially for his father's birthday. The family ( this time including Tom and Angel ) in Manila played host by bringing him to Los Banos for a dip in the hot spring water. Lucas, Roy, Tom, Angel and Dylan also spent an afternoon enjoying the Manila Aquarium.

post party trip to Davao

Next morning, after the birthday party, we went on a trip to Davao. On the way we stopped by Agco and ate at Kidapawan. We almost got lost looking for the Pearl Farm Marina :) - a relatively new nice place to stay. We also spent another day touring and enjoying Pearl Farm Beach Resort at Samal. The trip's merry company was composed of Lucas, Roy, Martha, Marion. Rachele, Hershey and I.

Happy Birthday Lucas

During the birthday party on July 12, 2009 - the family presented a simple and short program. It was intended for a meaningful evening. The guests were pleased and Lucas enjoyed his birthday party.