Nite Out

It gets so hard going out with a toddler honestly speaking, especially if it is a very strong and determined little boy.  I don't feel guilty leaving him with the nanny nowadays because it seems much safer that way--- because he displays much satisfaction being in familiar places with familiar people and familiar playthings, he is obviously not ready for the 'world outside' yet. 

The few times we go out as a family (sans nanny) posed much strain on my hubby, making the recreation not so enjoyable for him, or even for our toddler Olin who is often held back from doing what he wants... which includes running around, picking up objects from the floor, or sticking anything into electrical outlets.  Once he is stopped from exploring, he starts with the ultimate hissy fit which he has mastered by stiffly laying on the floor and wailing to the heavens. There is no consolation once he begins this.

Don't get me wrong-- he is a darling little boy, much more charming that his big sis when she was his age, and needs no prompts to express his affection when he should.  However, this clearly inborn passion manifests some other way when Olin does not get what he wants.  I am not for spoiling children, let alone my own children, and so my decision comes easy to let him be, although not necessarily just about anywhere.

I see daily improvements, though, because when I squint my eyes at him after he has pummeled his sister's back once again, he stops and waits for me to change expressions. That means I don't need to spank him, no matter how stubborn he seems to be.  He is just as smart and understanding as his big sis! And so, once I realize that he is actually growing up before my eyes, I curl my lips upward--- and he is back slapping his big sis' back with thundering laughter.

Memories of Her Reign

2008 Reyna Emperatriz of Laoag

It's almost time for the annual Santacruzan, when a lucky young lady is crowned Reyna Elena and paraded down the city streets.  This photo shows the 2008 Reyna Elena of Laoag City with her Rey Constantino (Karl, the son of our dear friend Dra. Remy) in their elaborate garments, truly fit for royalty.  They are stepping out of the St. William Cathedral, the last pair in a march of no less than 60 participants.  




Although she was only 6 at that time, my daughter Rocio was chosen by our barangay captain Engr. Joel Mateo to represent our community in the city-wide fund-raising race for the coveted Reyna Elena and Rey Constantino titles.  She placed second in the overall tally, making her Laoag City's Reyna Emperatriz 2008. In the barangay level,

however, she is the reigning Reyna Elena. 

For a whole year, Rocio has to house the Holy Cross of the barangay and hold monthly rosary sessions to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 2009, she will turn over her crown as the barangay's Reyna Elena to the next young lass selected by the council.  She will then be the barangay Reyna Emperatriz--- meaning the wife of the Emperador, who is the grown up Rey Constantino.

The procession from the church ended at our house where our family as well as Rey Constantino's prepared a simple party as a thank-you to the participants of the procession.  The royal court consisted mostly of the Sangguniang Kabataan. The youth in this photo, however, are my very supportive cousins who love and cherish Rocio so much.

Gian Carlo Valdez, my godson

Christenings are part of our religious lives, where we accept the duties of being role models and supporters of a child as he or she grows up. It symbolizes our friendships or bonds with other families, making them part of our own through the sacrament of baptism. 

The last time I was honored by being invited to be a godmother was a few months ago at the St. Joseph parish here in Laoag City. It was the Christening of Gian Carlo, the fifth child of my Manong Pablo Valdez whose father served as my "yayo" while growing up in Manila. My very close friends in high school and college would remember my "yayo" as Manong Tetet, and would understand why I treat Manong Pablo as my own brother.

I don't mean to be smug by saying I do not accept all invitations to be a 'ninang'. I only accept those that I feel I am worthy of--- meaning those kids whom I may positively influence through example or through whatever help I could extend to their parents in relation to my godchild's upbringing. Those whom I barely know or have ill feelings against, I really cannot accommodate. But those whom I realize have been tied to my life from the very beginning, I embrace warmly. I hold these children close to my heart whatever the tides may bring.  Here is Carlo with this sisters (L to R) Ansherina, Pelagie, and my daughter Rocio. 

DIRRRTEH ICE CREAM

I know I shouldn't condone this, but I find myself running to the ice cream cart ahead of my daughter on super humid afternoons! 

Right now, the sugar cone sells at Php10 apiece, while the ordinary cone would cost half that. Traditional dirty ice cream flavors are ube, cheese, and... God knows what that white thing is supposed to be. They call it dirty because it doesn't go through the same sanitary process as most commercial ice creams, although I am proof that it won't kill you. 

I can't promise though that it won't affect anything else!

BAGUIO IN BLOOM

Panagbenga 2009 was just as wonderful as my whole family imagined--- here are a few pics to remember it by.

What I enjoyed most was the Session in Bloom, a gathering of business establishments from the posh Camp John Hay restos to the simple fishball stand. There were musicians, a butterfly garden, vendors of all sorts of goods. Although closing Session Road posed increased traffic during the fiesta, I did not hear any complaints from the local or visiting folk.

The Street Dance competition which was judged at the Athletic Bowl was a mere downhill trek from our quaint lodging, Inn Rocio. I don't recommend joining this celebration if you have members below 10 or above 70 years old, as well as those who are pregnant or with equally sensitive conditions.  In fact, if you are planning to enjoy the Panagbenga, you should avoid the Street Dance and Float Parade dates all together! It is unbelievably crowded, and anything can happen in that situation.

Burnham Park's skating rink has had a face lift, now featuring a covered amusement park as shown in this photo. We saw rides (bump cars, inflated playgrounds, trains, a carousel, and the drop-coin types) as well as games in this area. It has, however, a strict no-food-and-drink policy, and they enforce this by inspecting all bags at the entrance where food items can also be deposited until you exit the theme park.  We did see a section inside the vicinity where simple snack food was being sold. The skating rink, ironically, becomes a mere background to everything instead of being the main feature. I have mixed emotions about this plot turning into what it is right now, versus what it used to be when I was growing up. I seem to like it much more as nature's highlight--- what a park ought to be--- a place outside where children can play while getting exercise.  I have no doubt though that my kids would swear they could live in the new Burnham Park Skating Rink until they turn 18. 

In sum, I would not think twice about bringing my family to Baguio on Panagbenga... just not on the dates of the huge parades.

Botanical Gardens

I remember visiting the Botanical Gardens as a child, and so it is very disappointing to see how much it has deteriorated through the years.

It's one of the more popular tourist spots being in the same vicinity as The Mansion and Wright Park, although it is obvious that its maintenance is taken for granted. For instance, the place had too much trash pits--- good if they weren't packed and oozing. I understand that garbage has a potentially important role in gardening but I guess it's got nothing to do with being on display.

The Igorot huts were no longer as amazing in December of 2007, particularly because the roofing which used to be made of dried leaves was replaced by tattered plastic sheets. The statues were no longer majestic as some of them were too badly damaged to even be presented to visitors. My husband shook his head to this sight, saying, "Botanical garbage."

I don't know if I will still include this spot in our next visit if only to see the artists' hub inside. Maybe not if I already see that other cultural/artistic sites like Tam-awan Village or Easter Weaving Room easily satisfies that creative urge.

Cafe By The Ruins

Your Baguio experience can never be complete without a visit to the Cafe By The Ruins. All taxi cabs know about this place; besides, its almost within the Burnham Park area so there is no excuse not to indulge in its earthy yet sophisticated offerings.

The menu includes sandwiches and pastas and even native delicacies like pinikpikang manok. My daughter tried the ever reliable carbonara, I forgot what pasta I ordered, and we also tasted the native iced tea.


We had the chance to try the calabasa (squash) soup which was intensely delicious--- except that my little boy got too excited with it and spilled his serving not just on the table but also all over my pink shirt... Hmmm, pink and bright orange? That cut our gastronomic adventure short but it was worth the visit. There will be a McArthur though! Total bill for my family's snack was Php840.

Prices are higher than the usual cafe/deli, and crowd is definitely high society and artistic.

The Only Rowing You Might Handle

You could practically spend the whole day in a boat in this lagoon for Php80. Before you ask, here's why:

1. This boat ride gives you marvelous city views, where the trees stand as tall as buildings.

2. Knowing how crowded Baguio is most of the time, this is your ultimate time-alone zone.

3. Thirsty or hungry after 3 hours of paddling? No worries--- there are probably 2 or 3 boats around that have been rented by hawkers. Your only problem now is a restroom.

4. Don't know how to row? There are foot-paddled boats (like the ones in the photo) that can easily be maneuvered even by the likes of Paris, Britney, and Lindsay.

5. If you support this lagoon, you justify its continued existence in a city that is pressured to develop every usable square inch (including all of Burnham Park) into a highly commercial area (i.e., theme park instead of a nature park.)

Don't be a wet blanket. Take your family to this place even once in your lifetime and convince Baguio city that the Burnham Park (including the lagoon) is wonderful just the way it is.

Just Before You Leave Baguio...

The Good Shepherd nuns generously shares their treats to the public through a humble goodie-shop within the convent's lot. This is a must-stop-by-to-buy-at item in any Baguio lover's itinerary.

Their ube jam is the ultimate diet breaker, and the last time I bought a medium sized jar, it cost me about P265. That's more than a year ago though, so it must be close to P300 now. Will update the price after my Panagbenga 2009 holiday for those who plan to expand their waistlines by summer!

You have to get your Baguio pasalubongs from this place, because those who sell the same brand in other places automatically add around P30 to the base price.

Of course, the staple strawberry jam can be found here, a little cheaper than the ube if I remember right.. Alhough strawberry jam and strawberry preserves are two different things, the latter having a lot of strawberry chunks mixed in. They also have baked delights like cookies, and for the figure conscious--- they have pickled veggies which are perrrrfect for all grilled items or just on their own. That jar cost me about Php180 back then.

This Is On My Desk Right Now

Those who are close to me know what a sucker I still am for Baguio City after so many visits there. I have been there as a child, as a company guest, as a ghost hunter, as a honeymooner, and now as a mom. Yep, the last dozen times or so, as a mom.

Panagbenga, here I come (again)!

SIMS ADDICTION

This started with a wrong click to a place called a123.com, which later on led to a regular visit of y8.com.... soon, I was searching for the hottest simulation games available, which brought me to the local cybershop to purchase the old version of this image you see on the right.

I spent many nights building houses, families, and eventually breaking them down only to be put up again. The characters in the game had jobs, lovelives, actual feelings that could be measured through light bars. Amazing.

I wasn't contented with that, though. I went back to the cybershop to get the DVD of the newer game, The Sims 2. This one is the bomb. This version allows you to modify genetics, download custom content from other addicted gamers through so many different sites, and so on. No explanation would be good enough because this is really an experiential game more than anything.

There is no trashing The Sims even with all the flack the newest (Sims 3) is getting right now. The 7+ sign you see on the box--- even if there is a ton of sexual content in the game--- is a great thing for me. See, I get to hang out when my daughter plays, so that works well for us. I mean, it doesn't work too well for her, but, ah, who cares--- more than I do? For most parts, I get to explain to her through the game how learning skills, building social networks and having recreation helps in improving life. She now has a good idea of what an aspiration is.

I have removed my YM, Limewire, Metacafe, and a whole bunch of other programs just to accommodate my huge Sims 2 game. And even if my computer hardly runs now because of this large file, no regrets. I guess this is how all addicts feel, huh?

Olin's Bath Tub

There is a huge, huge bath tub called the ocean. Its floor is crushed like what you do to the crackers you don't like. Sometimes, this tub makes bubbles, and other times it just dances in lines.

The water tastes different in the ocean, but it's okay to stick your tongue in it if you want. Keep your nose away from it, though, it's not a fun thing to do--- believe me, it's happened to me way too many times.


I will bring you to the ocean whenever I can. Your Dad will be there to hold your hand, your sister to have fun with, maybe the camera comes out,too, if it feels like working. Remember not to eat too much before a dip, and to take your diapers off! I guess it doesn't really matter with the way you look... you stumble into the waves, still laughing with sea water in your nose. You will never think of bathing the same way after this; it is a way I have long forgotten but suddenly recall now.

She's Growing A Conscience

I am a supporter of pirated discs, this may bother you so I might as well clarify that this early. About 3 years ago, I started buying VHS tapes from a video store that was phasing out this format. The titles, of course, were all original and I had quite a good selection for children. Just a few months after that, I spotted a movie CD sale in the other video store, so I began stacking up on that as well, given that I had the spare change in my wallet. Again--- Lilo & Stitch, Sleeping Beauty, the Aladdin series, even Titanic--- I wanted my daughter to really enjoy viewing these flicks.

We went to Manila the same year and I fancied a DVD player that was a bit pricey but seemingly worth it. There wasn't a lot of cash left, so we took a chance in shopping for pirated discs at the Shaw Boulevard overpass. When we got back to Laoag City, I met my pirated disc dealer, and up to now, she is a very good friend. Good enough for me to give her Christmas gifts even if she is a Moslem.

My family has less than a hundred VHS's now, less than 200 CD's... but over 500 pieces of DVD's--- the 500+ all pirated. I could defend my preference in strong points, but I suppose my daughter made a stronger point to me a few hours ago when we talked about the issue.

"What is pirated?"

I reminded myself that this is not her most difficult question. "It's when somebody takes and copies something without asking permission from the owner."

"So, it's stealing?"

Edu Manzano and Bong Revilla have called me a thief for buying pirated discs, and now it's my daughter's turn. "Some people say it is stealing. I don't."

"Oh, I don't want pirated if it's stealing,"

"Okay, but that means you can't buy DVD's with me anymore because I will continue to buy pirated discs."

My 5 year old lightened up, "Well, okay, I'll buy if you buy."

"No, you don't have to," I saved my explanations. "One day, you will have your own money and you can choose what you want to buy. You don't have to do what I do. It's okay not to like pirated, okay?"

It's not easy explaining lifestyle choices to kids knowing that even some adults don't comprehend these things yet. The world is becoming more complicated, but we have to trust that the new generation has what it takes to handle the life they will soon call their own. Mysteries have a way of unfurling, and parents don't always have to sugar-coat or block the unappealing. Most of all, parents should know better than expect kids to turn out just like them.

"When I grow up and get my own money," she beamed, "I'm going to buy you stuff."