Zak

Parenthood is a joy, a blessing. But sometimes, it brings pain and hurt. And tears.

Over the weekend, Grace and Max lost their second child, Zak. We know that Zak came into this world ahead of his time. A couple of months early and both parents had struggled to keep Zak alive. He went through some blood transfusion. I gave Grace my mom’s home number that in case Zak needed more blood. “Fresh blood” was what Zak needed, not blood that had been donated and kept in a freezer, probably due to the sensitivities of being a baby.

Last Tuesday afternoon, while I was in a client meeting at the Cisco office at Citibank building, I got an sms from Grace. Zak had died. That news really caught me by surprise. I sense of quiet dawned upon me.

I know in many ways Chief and I could relate. We had our taste of parenthood with Christian Gabriel. But CG didn’t live long enough go through nine months with Chief. I will never forget that day when we both cried at the parking lot, inside Shaq. Never.

And now, my friends, Grace and Max are going through their own loss.

There are really no words to describe the loss of someone in the family, and even more, the loss of a two-month old baby named Zak.

Wherever you are Zak, hope you are now resting in the hands of the Lord.

Thelma's Story

Thelma walked into our lives last Sunday.

Chief and I went to Mass at St. John Bosco Church. We were a little late, just a few minutes as the celebration of Christ’s life started. We found ourselves a place at the last row. Infront of us, there was a little boy, maybe, 3 or 4 years old. Every time the boy would stand and look at us, he would smile at the people besides us but not smile at me? Hmmmmm. Maybe, I reminded him of someone at home who scolded him often? Maybe?

Later at home, Chief told me. “Maybe, he is adopted as he doesn’t look like his mother.” Another maybe? I recalled that he had curly hair and probably had some non-Pinoy heritage? Maybe, Indian?

After Mass, we went briefly to Rustan’s. Just some window-shopping. We were both having long working days. The Corp PR 2 team was still short-handed but we were looking forward to Melissa joining our team soon. Chief was extra busy too. Getting less sleep. Often, patience is challenged on days like this. Stretched and stressed.

As we got home and about the enter the elavator from the basement parking, Jinnie approached me. I said, “Sandali lang pare. Aakyat muna ako.” Chief had been waiting inside the elevator.

After a few minutes, I went out of our Greenhome and met up with Jinnie at the basement parking. He started to tell me the story of Thelma.

Happy brthday CG

Today is CG’s birthday. Yes, today, Saturday could have been a big celebration as Christian Gabriel would have turned two years old. But CG moved on ahead and now watches over us. Often, when Chief can’t find a parking spot in Powerplant Mall, she would ask CG for help and suddenly, a slot would be available. Me? I always ask CG to keep watch over Chief as she drives and sometimes, shed a tear when we play the song, “You’re having my baby” by Paul Anka.

Still, after my classes at UST, I will quickly head to our Greenhome and pick up Chief so we can go to Mass at St. John Bosco Church along Pasay Road. This church has always been a refuge for us ever since we got back from Vietnam in 2001. It was here where we shared with Him the blessings of parenthood a couple of years ago. And also, picked up Fr. Armand one Sunday evening after his 8:30pm Mass. He counseled us on our lost. But not really our lost as we know that CG continues to be present in our lives, everyday. We ended at Starbucks at Greenbelt 1 that night.

Tonight, Chief and I will say a quiet prayer for our baby who gave us a taste of parenthood! We love you dearly and miss those moments when we shared your presence with our families, relatives and friends.

Finding Christ through a crisis

Last New Year’s Eve, we attended Mass at Makati Shangrila and heard Fr. Larry’s words about the holidays and the current economic crisis the world faces. He told the crowd to find Christ through the crisis. And must admit that those words caught my attention. Yup, there is a crisis brewing and people say that it was going to get worse before it gets any better. Hopefully not!

Guess, we should always be counting our blessings and appreciate these gifts from Christ, specially, the gift of family and friends… and of good health and a stable career. Chief and I have been blessed since we returned from Vietnam after our five year “tour of duty.”

We have been blessed with a tease of parenthood with Christian Gabriel who now watches over us. Often, when we are in desperate search of a parking slot in Greenbelt or Rockwell, we would call out to CG to help lead us to a vacant spot… and really, soon enough, we would find a space.

This year, we are still hopeful that Raphael will soon join our lives and get a rare experience parenthood again.

Through the celebration, Fr. Larry kept his sermon as simple and as relevant as possible, often giving reference to the current economic and political environment.

And we hope that after his sermon last Wednesday night, everyone has stronger faith that change will lead to better lives, specially, for those who have less in life.

Happy new year everyone!

A few hours before Christmas Eve

This is how our Greenhome looks on the night before Christmas.




It is Christmas clutter at our greenhome that will help spread good cheer to families and friends.


It is a few hours before Christmas and am scribbling these holiday cheer from our kitchen. From where I seat, the street across our Legazpi Greenhome is empty. Not a single car is parked. The windows of the call center at the building across are closed. The blinds cover any activity going on. Guess, none. Only a couple of cars are parked in the parking area below.


Earlier, I quickly passed by Don Bosco to pick up desk calendars with artworks of Joey Velasco. (Photo of Joey Velasco besides his famous painting from http://joeyvelasco.com) Joey received the 2008 Blessed Philip Rinaldi Servant Leader award. I had written about his work in Code RED, which was publsihed last December 2007. He received the award last December 6 during the 9th Asia-Australia Congress of Past Pupils of Don Bosco program held in Pampanga.

Guess, it was really God’s plan to allow me to catch up with Fr. Armand Robleza, SBD. Earlier, from work I called and talked to Madz Nayve to make reservation for those calendars. She told me that she would just leave the calendars and extra copies of the current issue of Code RED at the reception. I knew that I wasn’t going to make it earlier at Don Bosco because of work.

Yup, I am still working through this day as I needed to get a draft proposal read by client soonest. Plus, a couple of publicity materials out for CITEM. Work cut into our planned visit to Greg’s place for the annual “Cotyfest” in honor of Tita Coty Cobangbang. We missed that event last year as Chief and I were in the States and now, we are missing it again due to work.

Anyway, back to Fr. Armand. He was preparing to leave the compound and visit his mom and family in Antipolo for noche buena. We did get to talk for a few minutes, updating him on the challenges and concern Grace and Max were having for their new baby, Zak, who has been in and out of the hospital. And we talked about our parents and their relationship with their children.

Plus, about the rush for shopping. “They have their own way of packing and preparing gifts,” says Fr. Armand. He is referring to wives and how husbands like me get out of the way of their wives during Christmas shopping.

The only shopping I did this season are the calendars by Joey Velasco and the Swatch I got for Chief last Sunday.

Happy holidays everyone!

Coffee at Chateau 1771

Earlier, Chief and I caught up with Bingo and Mila Pantaleon at Greenbelt 5. Manny Gabutina and his son, Jag, dropped us off at Greenbelt where Chief and I could have dinner. Actually, we were just tamad to cook and prepare food at home. We still had paksiw na lechon at home. But really, just tamad. Hehehe. And besides, it was a couple of days before Christmas eve and I felt tonight was the rare night Chief and I would have together this season as reunions lie ahead for the next few days.

We ended up at Le Maison in Greenbelt 5. It was a little crowded. And the “macho chops” I ordered had run out. Huh? Albert, the waiter explained that the last piece had been ordered. Huh? He gave a recommendation but I opted for calamari (friend squid). It was little too "cracked" meaning a little too breaded... that it had sharp corners and service from the corner where we sat a little to slow. But still a good place to dine. Anyway, am not a food critic. This was our second time here. Our first dining experience was last August... my birthday.

Into our dinner, we both get text messages from Bingo and Mila… asking if we were free for coffee? That was perfect timing and advised them that we were just in Le Maison having dinner. Around 9pm, both were standing in front of us.

It was great to see good friends again!

We moved to Chateau 1771 for coffee and desserts. Mila noticed that I quickly talked to Hazel, the receptionist. I actually just mentioned to her that EON had it’s Christmas party at this restaurant only last Friday and she said that she remembered me. Actually, just PR. Chateau 1771 in Greenbelt 5 and is open until 11 p.m. for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. For inquiries, ask for Hazel but dont mention my name. You can call 729-9760 or 0917-862-6467. One day soon, I would like to taste their grilled king prawns. Photos from www.3mddigitalsolutions.com/chateau


Mila proudly showed off pictures from Unilab’s anniversary “Warrior” event. Both she and Bingo were wearing Indonesian inspired costumes. Both shared kuwentos about the parade that showcased its heritage and growth. Symbolic items like the first cash register, the first Unilab product package, etc. was passed on to the current leaders of the company.

It quickly brought back memories of how our own friendship grew since those days back in Saigon, when Chief was with McCann Erickson Vietnam and Bingo was Marketing Director of United Pharma.

Today, we hope to visit them in Jakarta next year but for now, also hope to catch up with Maribel Regino.

After coffee, Chief and I walked home while both rushed to Rockwell for last minute midnight shopping.

Waffles at Flapjacks

It is the last weekend before Christmas.

Last Saturday night, Chief was busy… busy packing and wrapping gifts for families, relatives and friends. I met up with Chief at Greenbet 1 where she bought some gift bags at National Book Store.

Later, she wanted to have merienda at Flapjacks. This restaurant in Greenblet holds beautiful memories for Chief and I, as well as my cousins, who were here from the East Coast last June 2008. Photo shows Renelle, Ben and Patrick, and their mom, Tita Nenen, and Cecile and Gil, and Fritzi Pilar.

Actually, only she had merienda, which was really a late lunch for her. She had eggs and corned beef. Me? Just waffles but my order of waffles never came as their machine “broke down.”

Chief said that waffles and pancakes was supposedly their “core competency.” And how could that happen? We got a little disappointed as the waitress, Jen, didn’t even bother to inform us that my order would be taking extra long or wouldn’t be served at all. It was until Tom, who had greeted us earlier, advised us that the waffle machine was not working and offered a replacement. Huh? Chief had nearly finished her food.

So, we paid the bill and before we could raise our complaint to the next level, Tom had offered three pancakes for free. Good PR really but they should advice Jen to be a little more sensitive to customers. After all, there were only two couples when we were there and that really is not much work. Maybe, she was rushing out through her shift to get some Xmas shopping done?

I told Tom as we were leaving, “May utang ka sa akin na waffles.” And they greeted us Merry Christmas!