My daughter got Bullied

The Wikipedia says...
Bullying is the use of force or coercion to abuse or intimidate others. The behavior can be habitual and involve an imbalance of social or physical power. It can include verbal harassment or threat, physical assault or coercion and may be directed repeatedly towards particular victims, perhaps on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexuality, or ability.

Behind this photo, is an interesting story to tell.
A very alarming one.

I have to change clothes so I have to leave them for a while. 
A few minutes after, there was a little boy (around 2 years of age) approached her and slapped her face.
She was just behind my wife who's at the time just fixing her make-up.
My daughter cried out loud, because obviously She got hurt.
But the parent of the child didn't notice that there was a scenario like that.
They're attention has been called when my wife hold the hand of the boy and asked..."Kaninong anak ka?"
Right and then and there, my wife told the parent of the child that our daughter got slapped.
The parent immediately disciplined the child.

The Amazing Krispy Kreme adventure of Althea!

We often visit one of the Krispy Kreme branch in Araneta, Cubao. Obviously we keep on coming back because we are always excited to taste over and over again their delicious doughnuts as well as the variety of their coffees served in hot and cold.

But this particular visit, gave my family specially our daughter Althea a memorable way of looking at their doughnuts.
Althea, for the first time had the chance to try how to make one for her.
See pictures below.

A Runway Experience

"I can’t forget a particular part where in I have to dress very quick for the next suit. And to do this…I have to remove my pants in front of our guest coordinator, only wearing a boxer type brief. And the funny thing was only the upper suit fits my size, pants won’t. So, I had to wear once more the other pants I took off a while ago."

I believe each one of us has a dream. And sometimes others might look at it as very ambitious. But that doesn’t matter anymore, because at the end of the day it gave you some thoughts about achievement and a little fulfilment in life.

I’d like to share an exciting part of my life where in I never thought it would happen.

One of the news program in Solar News Channel, named ‘Solar Newsday’, during their Christmas episode was then planning to come up with a special segment focussing on 2013 fashion fads.

They’ve invited guests and models for the live appearance on Christmas Day. But the dilemma of my co-producer Jojie Cardones at the time was they’re still on search for a male and female model.

I don’t know when it was offered to me and my co-worker named Grace, for the love in the program, we took the challenge.

I do have an idea of what’s going to happen, but the exact thing… oh no believe Me, I really don’t know that it’s going to be a big thing.

Immediately after Solar Headlines, the program I am handling as an Associate Producer, right then and there I went to the make-up room. There, personally I was introduced as the male model with a stylist named Jhay Layson.

I and the other female model Grace, were informed about a certain dress that we will have to wear during the show proper.

I have two interesting suits, one for gayla, and another for what’s in for 2013.

Right then and there we studied how to walk like we were in a ramp.

I remember I was asking the stylist Jhay, if I have to ramp serious or not, he says I have to be serious. So the whole time I never showed any facial expression.

I’ve been hearing a cheering co-worker from an open TV very near the Solar lobby where we did the modelling.  I believe, they were all doing it as a support every time I and Grace, were on ramp.

I can’t forget a particular part where in I have to dress very quick for the next suit. And to do this…I have to remove my pants in front of our guest coordinator, only wearing a boxer type brief. And the funny thing was only the upper suit fits my size, pants won’t. So, I had to wear once more the other pants I took off a while ago.

I have been watching reality show like America’s next top model and quite aware of this particular cramming thing. But when I personally experience it, OMG, I said to myself…the job of the models is not as easy as we all thought.

The said appearance in the TV might be very short, but it was indeed another chapter of my life I will never regret and forget.

I’d like to say thank you to my Solar family for a very wonderful opportunity you gave me.

In such a way I was happy because my first time experience as a model was seen in the network I was with now. Believe me there was a butterfly in my stomach when I was doing it. But because I have a familiar crowd the fear lessen. I'd like to say thank you very much for my Solar News Channel family, especially the staffs and crew of Solar Newsday, for your overwhelming support in this endeavour.

A what's in for 2013 suit, from a stylist,  Jhay Layson

A gayla suit from 'Newsday' ramp, December 25, 2012 (Tuesday)

Step by Step

"Number one, I fear dancing because I know I am not a good dancer. And I was intimidated by the fact that I am joining a group that was all part of a younger generation."

I never knew that there will be a chapter in my life, where in I will be seeing myself dancing again.

If my memory still serves me well, I last spotted myself doing it when I was in College, many years ago. It became so memorable because I was dancing for a classroom presentation. And after that, it never happens again.

But recently, I don’t know why, but I think by fate it finds me.

When I was told that I will be a part of a Christmas Party group dance presentation, honestly speaking, I thought about it twice.

Number one, I fear dancing because I know I am not a good dancer. And I was intimidated by the fact that I am joining a group that was all part of a younger generation.  

But because of a co-worker named Grace, who believes in me more than I believe and trust myself…I took the challenge and start doing a basic step, I joined them.

We had our first rehearsal held at Orange Studio, somewhere in Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City for a Christmas Party that will be held on the 19th of December, with the rest of group members whom I instantly met there. Most of them were Solar News Channel, reporters along with some representatives from MMR, editing, and mostly in the production side.

I have to admit that I am really having a hard time following steps, specifically that of with Michael Jackson’s dance, ‘Dangerous’. Personally, the steps required for the dance were very hard to follow because it goes with a snap.

But since I got myself included, there’s no way I’m backing out.

Here, I came to realize that dancing just like singing has to be in-tuned and in timing all the time. It doesn’t just require will but more on passion to do so.

The night after, I had several pains felt in some areas of my body especially my legs, and my lower back. No wonder, because again I was like a baby, who’s been learning the basic of crawling and walking straight literally here.

I was then so lucky and the whole member of the group to have a very good dance instructor, overflowing with patience.  I admire Allen for extending his patience especially to Me, though at some point I was a little mad at him because he chooses an MJ dance.

One problem I and the rest of the members encountered was finding time to practice again. But an old cliché proves that ‘if there’s a will, there’s a way.”

The whole group had the chance to practice again hours before the competition. We all went outside and spotted a vacant place in the Manila Polo Club, Makati City,  and there we refreshed all the steps as well as the final blocking.

Up to the last minute, I and Grace still practicing the steps. And while we’re doing it, we were shocked and run towards the stage when it was announced that it’s time for us to perform.

There was butterfly in my stomach before and at the time we were dancing but I have to temporarily forget about it to perform well.

Our group performed at the latter part of the program and after a few minutes results were announced, our group won the grand price worth P50 thousand pesos.

Overall, the whole experience was fun plus the fact that I was at some point conquered my fear of dancing.

Photo taken at The Manila Polo Club, Makati City, during the Solar News Channel, Christmas Party, December 19, 2012, Wednesday.

The Growing ALTHEA

Every day, I and my wife were thrilled and surprised with our daughter Althea. Because most of the times, She’s showing us things that made us her parents realize that Althea is no longer a baby but now a growing child.

Althea will be turning four next year. And as days goes by before her big day…She’s showing us more skills and talents that really made us very proud of her.

We discovered recently new skills with regards to her speech development. This was observed when we had her checked-up with her Doctor last December 7, 2012, Friday, at the Healthway, situated at the SM the Block, in Quezon City.

The conversation goes something like this…               

Doctor: Hi Friend, What is your name?

Althea:  Althea.

Doctor: How old are you?

Althea: Three.

At first, some of the questions raised are just easy and simple. Until, it became a little complex and difficult because the Doctor attending her was adding more words on it.

Doctor: What is your mother’s name?

Althea: Mary Anne.

Doctor: What is your favorite food?

Althea:  Kanin, (Rice) and hotdog.

Doctor: Wow. That’s very good!

And later on her Doctor was telling us that She was impressed because at her age, she was very responsive. The doctor even cited that at this era, most of the kids were having a hard time interacting with other people. This was because most of them usually distracted with iPod and computer games that made them forget to communicate.

The Doctor reiterated that at times like this, parents or guardians must not be forgetful about the importance of interpersonal interaction. Throughout the activity every Kid should be guided and, there should be an existing communication every now and then.

The reading of books is an essential one and should not be taken for granted as well. Because according to a Doctor’s observation, if a certain kid will first learn everything in a iPod for her ABC’s , one’s given a book the child couldn't identify and learn.

She also reminded us to monitor her time spent when watching a TV. At least two hours and the rest should be spent playing outside and interacting with other kids.

Also we were both enlightened about a certain fact that at her age Althea should not anymore be feeding herself with formula milk.  Or at least limit the intake by two to three feeding bottles. And introduce and teach her to learn drinking it at a princess glass.

But you know what, at the end of the day…aside from the first hand information we've got from Althea’s Doctor, above all we are very happy as parents to know that Althea is really growing.

We are very proud that despite of our work schedules, we never go wrong in raising her.

For both of us, this is a major accomplishment. And we are looking forward for more skills and talents Althea, will soon learn and discover.

TGIF with my FAMILY

It started with a simple text invitation I personally sent to my wife that day.I wanted to see my wife and my daughter after a whole day battle at my work. 
It was actually an instant invitation, I just felt that there was a need for me to see them and spend time with them like what we usually do during weekend going out and having fun.
At first, I have to meet them at the 'healthway' also located at the SM North to check on Althea's health for She was having cough and colds that started last weekend.
She was checked and the doctor said Althea has to continue her medication and soon everything will turn out well. 
After that, we all stroll at the mall and of course taking pictures for remembrance is actually one thing we never forget.
We had our dinner at Jollibee and end up having a cup of coffee and tasted on our favorite doughnuts at the 'Krispy kreme'.
I have to say, that a time like this is actually what I am always looking forward to. For it gave me a wonderful opportunity to be with them, a moment that if ever given the chance, I want the time to stop. So that we will all have a never ending happiness. But as an old cliche' states...'all good things must come to an end' , for I do believe that there will be another wonderful moment that we will all be together, having fun, and again we will all be sharing a very good stories with one another. So that is why I am thanking GOD for a wonderful TGIF!

I think I have to say this...: No longer a baby...Now a grown up Girl

I think I have to say this...: No longer a baby...Now a grown up Girl: Her cover photo in the album is Althea's new look after her first hair salon cut. Before, her hair grows almost at her waistline. Now,...