why you sometimes wish the phone wouldn't ring...

I got a call from my mom's phone, and wasn't able to answer it. I checked my voicemail to hear my younger brother's voice cracking and he was crying... His first few words told it all

"Si lolo..."

He couldn't say the words, he just told me to call them back asap.

I can't believe he's gone. I had known that he hasn't been feeling well. But my mom told me after she flew back last month that he was feeling better already.

He was checked in to a hospital yesterday due to some chest pains, then roughly an hour he went through cardiac arrest. I don't remember the details, it doesn't matter.

I hate how when you first hear it, shock is all there is and you don't really feel anything. Then it hits you and it just overwhelms you.

A few things about my lolo...

It was my lolo who actually made me appreciate math. Maybe appreciate isn't the right word, but rather he made me understand how the thing works. I'd go visit them in Sta. Mesa and he'd spend an hour and a half helping me out and giving me tips on how to better understand the whole thing.

He was also the one who taught me how to play chess. It took me sometime to actually remember how to play. I recall asking him to go over how each piece would move. And when I started to really play, he never would say no to a game if I asked. He also gave me my first chess set. It was the chess set he used to play with before.

There are more but I'd rather leave it at that.

Good bye lolo. love you...

Back from florida!

I just came back from florida yesterday. Had a pretty fun time even though I did get sick during my short stay there. Here are some pics from my short trip.

Above pictures were taken at this park, Paynes Prairie. Basically, its one huge area where there are no trees, and around it are forests. Pretty impressive, then along its border is one of the lakes which is part of the Univ of Florida campus.

Just a shot of Joy and I while strolling at the Epcot in Disney. It was a fun day checking the place out, though I didn't take that many pictures.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Happy Anniv to me and Franny!!!

Wow! it's been one year already. Not much else to say, except its been a great year!

Thanks David for the photoshoot while we were in Manila.

Some pics from Joy's visit

As I said a few days ago, my cousin Joy was in town. Here are some pictures when we went around the city.

It was nice getting to stroll around central park again. Whenever I go stroll around, I really feel refresh and re-energized. I think just taking in the fresh air and just allowing yourself to relax and enjoy nature does wonders to our body and mind.

We visited the Apple store on 59th and 5th ave as well as the FAO Schwartz store. I just had to have Joy take this picture. (sort of an inside joke with me and franny)

from left to right : Joy, Kevin, Karla, Jonner and Chilai. We had a nice dinner at Dallas BBQ (I don't think we've ever had a bad experience there). Afterwards we hung out at Columbus Circle. You can view the other
pictures from my multiply site.

It was really great having Joy visit. Her timing was perfect since I was getting down just hanging around in my apartment.

Happy Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating their birthdays this month of July!

1 - miguel q.
3 - tito ian, giselle t., paola d-m., tj o.
5 - gad g.
7 - jay e.
11 - armi c.
12 - tita marivic
16 - jonas d.r., owen h.
17 - lady c.
18 - abby a.
28 - paolo a.
31 - jonel h.

God bless and may you all have more birthdays and blessings to come.

cousin joy is in town!!!

I just got back to my apartment after picking up my cousin at JFK airport. It's really nice to have Joy come visit. She was in town last year for vacation, this time though she's here for a conference.

Well that's all for now. We're about to go around the city! I'll be posting pictures from our going abouts in the city in the next day or so.

GREAT NEWS!!!

I've been restraining myself the past month or so. But given that there is finally proof to validate what we know, then I think its okay to share it with everyone.

Franny and I are expecting!!! Woohoo!!!

According to the ultrasound machine, they estimate it that the baby is 7 weeks and 2 days old already. But you can see the heartbeat and where the baby is! The expected due date is on Jan 24, 2008.

Happy Anniv!!! + survey

Happy Anniversary to my loving parents! 29 years and counting! Woohoo!!!

I'd also like to greet my in-laws, Tito Marc & Tita Del who celebrated their respective anniversaries as well.

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Got this from Joan

1. Are you a child of the 70s, 80s, or 90s?
- 70s, love their music!

2. Where were you born?
- I forgot what the name of the hospital was, but was born in Gainesville, Florida

3. What city did you grow up in?
- Quezon City

4. Did you enjoy your childhood?
- there were rough times, but over-all I must say that I did

5. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
- a robotech fighter pilot!

6. What do you want to be now?
- a tenured professor with a consultancy on the side :D

7. Were you a fun little kid?
- I was usually up to something

8. What was your first best friend's name?
- I really don't remember. I just remember hanging out with this other kid at the playground in school

9. Is he/she still your friend?
- nopes, I guess this was obvious given I don't recall the name.

10. Can you name all the schools you ever attended?
- I'm not senile yet -> St. James, Ateneo Grade School, Ateneo High School, Ateneo de Manila University, lastly, Fordham University

11. Were you closer to your mom or dad as a kid?
- I think dad, cause he scolded me less. hehehe!

12. What was the first record, tape or CD you remember buying?
- first tape, I think it was the Metallica Black album cover,
- first cd, it might be the Eraserheads UltraElectroMagneticTop album

13. How old is a good age to have kids?
- around my age =)

14. Are you scared of anything?
- needles, though not as much as before. Ghosts!

15. What was your favorite class in elementary school?
- aside from the usual answer of P.E., it would be math

16. Did you buy school lunch or bring your own?
- I think I always brought until I was in grade 5 since we had the meal card then.

17. Broken any bones or had any freaky accidents as a kid?
- fell off pedicab and rolled down the road for around 10-15 feet.
- broke my left wrist, when I slipped while playing soccer and it landed on a nice rock

18. Were you a mean kid?
- not really

19. Favorite board game of all time?
- chess!

20. Did you play house or pretend to be a super hero?
- I think every kid does (the latter)

21. Seriously, are you still just a kid at heart?
- I try to cultivate the kid in me!

Happy Birthday Ma!!!

To my wacky mom! Happy Happy Birthday!!!

I just love this pic! hahahaha!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Just wanted to greet my dear mother, my mother-in-law and to all mothers out there!!! May your children show all their love and appreciation for all the love and care that you have given us through the years.

Thanks for everything Ma!!!

Back in Manila...

It's been a few days back here in Manila, and I must say that the heat isn't really that bad. It's obviously warmer here than in New York. But it is still manageable, though pretty much everyone told me that I came at a nice time cause just the week before was really nasty. Lucky me!

The past few days have been nice, I got the chance to play some ball with some of kuya jofel's friends last sunday. Meals are always fun in the company of family which was the case Sunday at Little Asia in Tomas Morato. A few days later, went north to Malolos to visit Lolo. Unfortunate we had a bit of a mix up, he thought that we were coming in on Friday (the original plan), but we had called and told him that we were moving up a day. Aside from spending time with lolo, I always love driving along the North Express Highway. It's such a lovely drive going there. If you haven't tried you must at least try it once. Hehehe!

everyone together!

dad, mom & me

me & tom

lolo, tom & me