Forty and wonderful!

This very day is the coming of age.
19 years ago I turned 21.
But another age added is the realization that now I reaches my full maturity.
A lot of things happened and is continuously happening.

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A little history

Not so many years ago, a name Rodolfo Garabot was born in Tondo Hospital, Navotas. The eldest among 4 siblings of Oscar and Teresita.
Back then Bong was bullied.
The deeper meaning of this do not come to his senses not until he found out what causes the act.
Bong never knew that his very will to help his Mother particularly in handling home laundry job will give cues to his playmates to think that he was gay.
When I was young I never knew how big my responsibilities were...I was always answerable for so many things. Number one role was taking good care of my siblings.
I cooked for them.
I bathed them.
I cleaned the house.
Some of the responsibilities I shouldered when I was so young.
But looking at it today, those experiences prepared Bong to be ready on whatever struggles in life he will confront in the future.

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Bong the explorer

When Bong was still a child, he never waste time to enjoy his childhood. He played every game a child wishes to do. Bong played patentero, luksong baka, text, marbles, hide and seek, football, volleyball, pingpong and many many more.
But one obvious observation brought out by one childhood friend...Bong knew how to lead and practiced leadership when he was still a child.
A strong character that defines him today.

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Bong and his talents

One time, Bong remembered he used to compete singing with a childhood playmate. The motivation at the time to win was a pot of money orchestrated by his late Godfather who made fun of listening to his very young voice who sang songs from the bottom of his heart.
But Bong said finding a love in singing influenced by a good friend Teresa who love to sing a song.
The very first song he revealed he memorized every lyrics was Shery Cruz's..."Sabi ko na nga ba, " it was one of the many memorable hits along with "Mr. Dreamboy" when it was released year 1989.
Meaning to say, Bong found out about this wonderful talent when he was still 10 years old.
Bong also knew how to dance but never pursued it. He was actively dancing and joined school program during his elementary days.

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Bong and his dreams

Like any other kids who has a very young mind but has limited imaginations...Bong wanted to become everyone's favorite profession a doctor.
But also dreamt of becoming an astronaut.
A very high expectations but when the truth and the reality confronted him after high school he followed a footsteps of becoming a famous journalist of one of his idol back then...kabayan Noli De Castro!
But because Bong lacks the guts he choses to be a journalist who's working behind the camera.

Bong and his other careers in life

At one point of his life Bong wanted to study more and pursued his masteral in UP Diliman, Masters in Brodcast Communication.
This opened the door for an invitation to share his learning in Tertiary, and Secondary Education.
But Bong never knew that there will be one more, one great love in putting up his own business by pursuing a family entrepreneurial side in Pastry.

Bong as husband and a father

A father of two beautiful and talented girls, eldest is Althea at 10, and his youngest Mikayla is now 4.
Married Mary Anne at the age of 29.
A protective and a caring father.
A very good and loving husband to his wife.
Bong wanted to pursue a never ending dream of alleviating his family to poverty.
Never feared working hard before but now developed an attitude of working smart for his family to meet not just daily needs but also to secure their wonderful future.

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Bong as fitness enthusiast

Number one wish is a bill of good health.
Bong loves the idea that giving much value to his health is far more important than any material thing in this world.
He wishes to have a fit body, with a well-defined midsection.
The very reason why Bong recently went back to exercising to develop a habit out of it.
That is why he is always driven, consistent, and his last option is not to give up.

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Bong and his faith

When God closes the door, he opens a window.
Bong felt the hands of God by giving him a lot of struggles.
For one, in his career.
Secondly, Bong's financial needs to support his family.
And lastly, his faith in God.
But a realization just came in, that one strong man has to have faith in God.
Bong thought before that believing he can handle everything in his own hands was all that he needs.
But the struggles that the family and him went through made his faith in God in more stronger!

MY SPECIAL DAY!

I have a mixed feeling of pretty worried and excited every time my birthday unfolds.
WORRIED because the level of celebration would depend on...if I have enough money to treat my family.
EXCITED I don't know I guess its a normal feeling and it actually comes from within.

GETTING ANOTHER OLDER

At some point, I am thinking that it was only the age that was added every time I celebrate my special day. But NO, a lot of things added and changes also happened on my body.

Looking at the mirror sometimes gave me a little bit of insecurity as to the skin doesn't anymore as fresh as many years ago. Specially seeing some pores that was really dominant in my face really gets me shock and really bothers me so much.

Looking also at my mid-section where my tummy is not anymore slim just like many years ago is another problem that also bothers me.

But instead of giving myself more time to worry much...I tried looking at easy solutions I can do.


RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS

I remember a saying..."How can you face the problem...If the problem is your face?"
You might laugh at this very familiar cliche' but really its a confronting issue.

I have a thinking now that not because I am a husband and a father of two...I will just let myself to look like a father.

I started applying and using moisturizer on my face and never sleep without washing it.
Now, don't ask me what brand I'm using...I know like me you can find something that works best on your skin.

I also have a thinking now that I should be exercising regularly. And now, I am really doing it.
I have a daily ritual or sometimes every other day to exercise. 

This ritual is actually very very helpful to me for after I sweat, It gave me a wonderful feeling of contentment and I am becoming extra energetic.

Just find time to get ENOUGH sleep. I don't need longer sleep, I just need deep, enough sleep like 5 to 6 hours daily.

I am now taking vitamins daily. Why? Because really sometimes you can't choose what to eat and more often were having junk foods or sometimes fatty foods...at least if you're not getting enough vitamins and minerals from your food intake, somehow it helps you to at least balance it.


BE POSITIVE

Avoid negativity and choose to be happy most of the time. Because there are a lot of contributing factors on being "HAPPY."

Avoid smoking and drinking liquor...your body do not need it.
Just imagine your spending money to slowly kill yourself?

Choose to drink water instead of carbonated drinks.
If you can't help eating sweets try to have them as much as possible in moderation only.
Think of "Annie's," popular song..."the sun will come out tomorrow."
Meaning there's still tomorrow.


A SIMPLE CELEBRATION

I chose to have spent the unfolding of my special day with my family.
I filed leave of absence for work for days.
Well, I still do household chores at home but avoided going to work.

I just requested my wife who's a very very good baker to customized me a cake...and it called "COOKIE MONSTER CAKE!"

I just bought my favorite pansit and celebrated it with my parent's house.

This year I never blowed a candle but instead we used a  candle similar to a firework and it looks so beautiful.

The only wish I have is for the family to travel next year.
Thank you Lord for another year!

Celebrating life!

I took leave of absence for days.
Just this year, I felt the need for a special treatment on my special day.
Normally, If its weekday, I'll be at the office working.
But I chose to be with people whom I love.

My eldest asked me to send her to school. So, that's how I began my day.
The location of her school is very near the church...went their and prayed asked for
sins forgiveness and thank the Lord for another great year.

And for a change, with my wife's support we brought baked cupcakes for my co-workers.
Well, that's the only reason why I showed up at the office to give them something.
Upon seeing me, one co-worker started greeting and then another one, and the last thing I know...
most of them saying..."Happy Birthday," on ME.
It was a very "HAPPY," moment.

I thought the celebration was over. But wait there's MORE!
My family went to see me and together we dined.
My wife, at home also baked a day before, one my my many favorite desserts..."BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE!

Well, the fun never stops there, on my special day comes a very memorable scheduled "Bowling," competition.
Years ago, (I couldn't recall the exact year anymore), I also competed.
It was a fun experience.

This year, was doubled fun. I was with my FAMILY, and CO-WORKERS as well.

Meet my team, the "News Production Team," in green uniform.

It was one tiring day, but I don't know...the excitement of having a birthday celebration could be the reason why...I never run out of ENERGY!