Patrick's "Quotable Quotes" while in the car

Instead of the usual 2010 Highlights which I use to summarize our Year in the Life, I've decided to create a blog post that enumerates Patrick's favorite and most commonly heard sound bytes while driving.  We've already had Stanley for about 2 years now and since we've had him, I've noticed that Patrick becomes really agitated when driving and I've written down some of the most common lines I've heard him say (while gritting his teeth).  Now, you have to understand that Patrick rarely says cuss words unless he's really pissed off about something.  I'm usually the one that has to curb my tongue when my evil temperament rears its ugly head :)

1.  "Malayo ka pa lang, pumuwesto ka na sa lane mo !" Translation:  "Get in the right lane even before you're ready to make a turn!"

Patrick usually gets irritated when he encounters drivers who swerve at the last moment, especially when they're making a turn.  He becomes even more aggravated when the driver fails to "signal" leading to the next quote --

2.  "Malayo ka pa lang sumignal ka na !"  Translation:  "Use your right/left turn signal lights even before you reach the curb!"

Patrick told me that a driver should signify his intention to make a turn by turning on his signal light at least 100 feet before the actual turn.  That means pedestrians and other drivers are aware of your intention to make a turn and thus will be able to make adjustments accordingly.  Unfortunately, from our experience, most drivers turn on their signal lights when they're already turning!! I mean, come on! Also, we've also encountered drivers immediately stopping on the side of the road and then turning on their signal or hazard lights.  It's so frustrating especially if you're the one behind them.  Some don't even bother turning on their signal lights!!

3.  "Nauna ako sa iyo, !"  Translation:  "I was ahead of you!" or "I got here first!"

It's quite surprising that when you travel to Clark or Subic, drivers follow the first in, first out system without fail even without the traffic lights.  What is it about Clark or Subic that makes drivers follow common road courtesy but when you're in Manila, it's like drivers are taken over by greed??  They really have that "Me First" mentality on the road and even go as far as tailgating just to prevent other drivers from overtaking them.  No wonder there are a lot of road accidents and pile-ups because of this problem.

4.  "Lumayo ka sa akin, this is a million-peso car!" Translation:  "Get away from me, this is a million peso car!"

Okay, this is probably what I usually say when Patrick's test driving cars as part of his job for Top Gear Philippines.  In the PI, some drivers don't pay attention to the lines on the road or they don't know what the lines on the road are for.  What happens is that sometimes a 2-lane road becomes a 3-lane road and cars are literally squished together and only inches apart from each other.  We have been scratched and dinged by such cars, usually public utility vehicles, in some instances.  Fortunately, not while Patrick's driving his test drive cars.  Thank God for small miracles!

5.  "Motorcycles, stay the in your own lane!" 

Motorcycles and pedicabs are the bane of car drivers.  Motorcycles, because they tend to weave in and out of their lanes much to the disgust and irritation of vehicle owners who have to give way or accommodate their risky manipulations to prevent their own cars from being dinged, scratched or bumped.  Pedicabs are also the same way and are much worse because they tend to not follow any traffic rules at all.  They have a tendency to drive on the wrong lane, you'll find them on major highways and they sometimes even hog the road!

6.  "The lines on the road are there for a reason.  They're not a suggestion!"

Very much like the instances mentioned in #4, this line is usually mentioned when cars tend to get "derailed" from their lanes, whether intentionally or accidentally.  I sometimes wonder if some drivers don't know what the lines on the road are for.  You see, I see a lot of drivers cradling their cars on the lines themselves! Picture this, the car is traveling on the middle of the line, not between two lines, in effect, its straddling two lanes!  It gets kind of frustrating especially when you're running with a certain momentum and there's this car in the middle of the road, chugging along quite happily, I might add, without regard to other cars in their right lanes.

7.  "Busina?! Meron din ako niyan! !  Translation:  "A horn?! I also have one too! !"

Don't you just find it annoying when you know for yourself that you're obeying traffic rules and there's this one driver that suddenly honks at you implying you're the one at fault?!  Yes, it's quite laughable when you think about it later but at that point in time, you'd probably give that guy "the finger" LOL

8.  "Wag kang mag-dadalawang isip pag tumatawid.  Dyan ka mababangga."  Translation:  Don't second guess yourself when crossing the street.  That's when you'll get into an accident."

This is what Patrick usually says to pedestrians who can't decide whether to cross or to stay on the sidewalk. Sometimes, they freeze in the middle of the road and they don't know whether to go or stay.  The same goes for people who are texting while crossing the street, uggh!

9.  "Bawal ang counterflow!!"  Translation:  "Counterflow is prohibited!"

The President of the Philippines obeys traffic rules and he doesn't like it when other drivers use counterflow measures to get ahead of other drivers.  Despite PNoy setting an example, other really stubborn drivers refuse to obey traffic rules and continue to counterflow despite the danger they're creating to other commuters on the road.

10.  "Hindi ito Gran Turismo!"  Translation:  "This is not Gran Turismo!"

We've traveled so many times on the SCTEX and we've observed many drivers, especially those who are driving SUV's and really fast cars, who think they're on Gran Turismo and drive like hellions on the road, regardless if they get caught or not.  I've made it a point to keep my eye on the speedometer especially when traveling with the kids because it's so easy to speed up along the SCTEX highway (and the NLEX and SLEX for that matter).  It's scary when these fast cars and careless drivers just weave in and out of their lanes like they're doing lap races!

Now I'm sure there are other comments that you probably want to add and Patrick may have some more up his sleeve LOL Tune in next time LOL

Gimmick in Clark with Senate friends

December 27, 2010

After many months of planning and the plans running awry, the day has finally arrived for the much-awaited reunion of Senate friends :)  Of all the places to meet, we had to go to Clark for a day, or a night, in this instance hahaha Martin was generous enough to host the meet at his V8 Resto Bar :)


Now, believe me I don't drink any alcoholic beverages but I felt I was old enough to try it (nyahahaha) and since Patrick was going to be the one driving anyway, well I figured I may as well indulge a little hahahaha Tequila, especially Patron, really tastes good.  I can get used to this hahaha 

For that day, Lily and I went together and it was nice being able to chat with her on the trip.  Jerry who was one of the original "instigators" of the meet was trapped in La Union to my surprise.  Luci was the first to arrive in V8  :) 



As you can see from these pictures, it was a night of much laughter and entertainment brought on by good company, great food and free-flowing drinks.  It was a time for catching up and reminiscing especially about great times during our stint as Senator's Staff.

One highlight of the evening was when Jimmy Santos of Eat Bulaga fame (and I'm sure many Filipinos will recognize) arrived.  Patrick and I were giggling (yes, even Patrick because he's such a fan) because it's like one step being closer to the legendary trio of TVJ (Titom Vic and Joey) :D  Naturally, I didn't let the opportunity pass and I posed for a picture (or two) with him hahaha Patrick was a little shy though :)

Jerry arrived late, as expected since he was traveling from a few provinces away and he was even trapped in several stops where there were fiestas occuring.  His shirt best says it, "Heinaku!" :) or "Hay naku" which translates to "Oh my gosh!"

The evening flew by so fast with a lot of singing (it was a videoke bar too).  Patrick and I didn't want to leave yet, but we already agreed that we would stay only until 12MN because we didn't want to leave the kids too long.  So, we left at midnight, like Cinderella and arrived home some 2 hours later.  It was a good night! May there be more to come! :D












Kids watched their first Tagalog movie - Super Inday :)

December 26, 2010


I have to be honest and admit that this family doesn't really patronize Tagalog or Filipino Films.  I will be upfront and say that I'm not particularly fond of most of the "drama" movies because there's hardly any new material - yes different actors, different directors, different settings but the plot is generally the same.  Okay, I'm sure a lot of people out there are going to be so mad about what I'm saying but, really, it's just my personal preference so I don't really care.

I am pleased though that other production companies are beginning to see the benefits of investing in good and expensive special effects to improve their movie quality.  That's a plus because in this day and age, a lot of people are exposed to really high-end graphics that you just can't be left behind.

It was quite funny, and surprising to say the least, that during the Christmas season, Dana requested that we all watch Regal's entry to the Metro Manila Film Fest, Super Inday, whose trailer she often saw on TV.  I don't really know what attracted Dana to it.  I guess she found the trailers funny hahaha

So, when we went to Robinsons Manila to have Stanley's grounding kit installed, I decided to grant Dana's request and so we watched Super Inday.  I had really no expectations whatsoever about the movie.  I hadn't seen the original Super Inday with Maricel Soriano so I can't compare them.  So, expecting nothing, or at the very least, expecting to be disappointed and reinforcing my opinion about Filipino movies, I sat down with my family to see the movie.  The movie basically revolved around Marian Rivera's character, Inday, who has been chosen to become a Super Hero(ine) by a fallen angel in the form of John "Sweet" Lapus, in the role of the Golden Bibe (Golden Duck/Goose).   The Magic Bibe will lay a golden egg filled with super powers which Inday is supposed to ingest whenever she satisfies or achieves a superhero character trait from a checklist that the Magic Bibe defined.  Her challenges come from her interaction with the other characters in the story - Ms. Kokay (Pokwang), Ingrid the bad gal (Mylene Dizon), Monina (Inday's mother played by Cherry Pie Picache), Amazing J (Jake Cuenca and the love interest) and the kids (her charges).  

Fast forward to the end!

The movie was really funny :)  For me, John Lapus was the highlight of the film hahahaha He had some very witty, albeit very gay, lines which had me laughing in my seat.  Granted, I'm easily tickled by simple things, it's nice to hear Dana laughing her heart out as well :)  I think Marian played the part effectively although this role was hardly a challenge to her, I think.  Mylene's character was also hardly a challenge to play - it's very stereotypical of an antagonist and she probably did this role a thousand times.

The film on its own is very simple, I would actually expect more since it's a Metro Manila Film Fest participant.  I don't want to dissect it too much because there's really nothing to dissect hahaha It was fun and entertaining and that was probably their goal :)

For me, I'm just glad that the kids loved it enough to stay in their seats the whole time we were in the movie house.  It's also funny to see Dana shaking her butt much like Super Inday and Dylan shouting Super Inday every once in a while :)  It was just a nice way to spend time with the family :)

Christmas Day 2010 - Tadeo Family

December 25, 2010

Christmas Day - Part 2



Our Christmas Day journal continues with a visit to Patrick's brother Stevie and his family in Marikina.  We had a couple of hours to rest after my sister left and that was a relief hahaha Stevie and his family were also doing rounds among their relatives so we promised to meet up in the afternoon to early evening when they got back.  It was around 4PM when we went to their house.






When we got there, we were surprised to see Stevie, a little bit sweaty, considering that the temperature was rather cold outside.  Turns out he was putting together an Optimus Prime robot and it has taken a better part of the hour to complete ;)  Lance was getting impatient but was still able to find new toys to play with.  Hannah is becoming such a big girl already and she and her Ate Dana were bonding really well.


It was a good time to be with family.  I believe it's important for these cousins to bond, to stay close because they're the next generation of Tadeos.  Too bad that Dimples and Rhys wanted no part in the festivities.

Christmas Day 2010 - Paypon Family

December 25, 2010



Our Christmas Day can best be described by what I wrote in my Facebook Status message:  "It has been a happy, chaotic, fatigue-inducing and adrenalin-burning day!"


The days before Christmas have been so hectic I have ended up being sick up to Christmas Eve and wasn't even able to prepare for the Midnight Feast.  The next morning, dawned bright and early, and I was really excited for the kids :)  I started busying myself in preparations for the Christmas dishes that we were serving our guests :) It's just actually my sister and her family hahaha  So while I was slaving away in the kitchen, the kids, Den and Erghie were busy taking pictures :)
It took a while to finish in the kitchen.  I was preparing two types of pasta dishes.  The first one was carbonara because it was what Dana wanted.  The other one was my choice because I wasn't too fond of carbonara, so I experimented a little and made tomato pesto with olives and mushrooms.  I really wanted basil pesto pasta but for some reason, all groceries we went to had no fresh basil in stock.  I guess I'm getting tired of the usual spaghetti and wanted something different and light.  Of course, the kids prepared the salads and cakes a day earlier so that was done.

When everyone had time to refresh (meaning get cleaned up), we started opening our Christmas gifts :)  The kids had a lot of gifts.  I think there were two sets - one educational and one for fun hahaha There were a lot of bargains and sales that Patrick and I went to even before the Christmas season started so there was a good variety of gifts :)  If I'm not mistaken, Dana's favorite gift was her billiard table set.  Den's favorite gift was her Resident Evil DVD Collection :)  Dylan loved his train set! And of course, I absolutely loved my coffeemaker! :D hahaha We took a lot of pictures but here's the best of them:







My sister Sharon and her family arrived just in time to open their presents.


Christmas is really all about spending time with family even though for the better part of the year you don't keep in touch and rarely even speak hahahaha
The gifts don't really matter, although they're very much appreciated hahahaha

The food doesn't matter, although special requests are accepted ahead of time.

The cost doesn't matter, although kids usually have more money than their parents during this season :)

We miss Lola Benggoy and Allan, Lolo Angel and Tita Flor, our other relatives on both Coasts in the United States, all our friends... but we do wish them the Best of the Season and the Years to Come! 







The Story of the Coffeemaker

December 24, 2010

The week before Christmas just passes so fast because everyone is hyper about buying gifts, wrapping gifts, thinking of menus, buying ingredients and actually preparing and cooking the Christmas dishes.  It's even harder to juggle everything when your kids are underfoot because their Christmas vacation has already started.  Still, you persevere and hope that you don't catch a cold to bog you down.

It's very much the same for me.  I hardly knew the day, much less the date, until I hear news anchors on TV announcing, "It's only X days away from Christmas!"  We've gone to different malls in search of groceries and ingredients for our Christmas meal.  Can you believe that fresh basil was nowhere to be found?!! It's like everyone decided to use fresh basil for Christmas! LOL  I have had to change the menu several times because I couldn't find the necessary ingredients.  I also had to experiment with some of my menu, like making sago and gulaman because I haven't tried that one yet :)  The first try was a failure because the gulaman got too mushy! LOL  Funny, but I never got to do it again hahaha Then we all helped make banana bread to test Ate Mel's practical knowledge with baking seeing as she took some classes in Dana's school for it :) It turned out okay :)

Patrick was also having a hectic time at work.  He had to deal with fixing the documents needed for his trip to China in addition to his actual writing.  It was funny because when he told me that he was invited to participate in an event there, I was writing China Visa articles for a website hahaha It was like serendipity hahaha Anyway, with all of the things that he needed to accomplish, he hasn't found the time to buy me a gift since we were always together when we went out.

Finally, on the 24th, we went to Cubao for some last minute shopping.  We went to Gateway and after having lunch at Teriyaki Boy, he casually strolled into the Rustan's store.  I was wondering why because we hardly went there.  But it gave Dana a chance to buy her Dad his Christmas gift (a Batman face towel to leave in Stanley so that when Patrick perspired, he would have something to wipe himself off with).  He did mention that he was looking for a gift for me then and he found it but he and Dana will just have to return to buy it hahaha So he took us, Dylan and I, to Shopwise so we can buy what we needed while he and Dana went back to Rustan's to buy the gift.  To cut a long story short, they ended up buying the gift but failed to have it gift wrapped due to time constraints.

Once at the house, I was stuck in the 2nd Floor while Patrick went about his business of wrapping the gift.  When he was done, he presented it to me with a flourish, giftwrapped with a bow! :) It was wonderful!! Then it was my turn to finish wrapping the presents so I went back to our room where he left the Rustan's shopping bag.  It was calling out to me and I was really tempted to check it out hehehe So I did!! Curiosity killed the cat and all that!! My bad!!  I saw the receipt and I knew what was in the box !! hahaha  I went back down to tell him hehehe I told him I knew but I was already practicing my surprised look for the pictures the next day hahaha

The funny part was when we were all in the bedroom and I started tickling Dana to reveal to me what was in the box (even though I already knew).  She was laughing so hard but she was really trying hard not to say it.  I tried a different tactic - I asked her, "If I gave you P100, will you tell me what's in the box?"  I wasn't really expecting her to answer but then - she blurted out, "It's a coffeemaker, Mama!" LOL Patrick did that face-palm thingy LOLWhat's even funnier was that, later on, everyone was downstairs and Dylan was near the Christmas tree checking out his gifts, he was murmuring - "That's mine, That's Ate Dana's, That's Mama's coffeemaker!" LOL

Patrick said, "this is the last time I take you with me when I go shopping!" :)

Dylan's First Christmas Party

December 17, 2010


Today is going to be a hectic day.  I can feel it.  Today, my two kids are celebrating their respective Christmas parties and as much as I want to be at both, I can only choose one.  I wish I can do Naruto's Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Ninja Art Technique) so I can be in two places at the same time but alas, that's not to be :)

I had to attend Dylan's Christmas Party because he's also participating in their Christmas dance and I know that they've been practicing so I wanted to see how Dylan would do :)  Armed with gifts for his teachers, gifts for his exchange partner, a video cam and a digital camera, we went to Shakey's Espana where they held their Christmas party.


We were one of the first attendees to arrive so we took advantage of the time to take pictures with Dylan's teachers.  Teacher Karen (on the left) is Dylan's Teacher and Adviser.  Teacher Dory (on the right) is Dylan's Principal and was responsible for initiating Dylan into preschool.  I owe a lot to these two dedicated teachers for my son blossomed and learned a lot from them.  It takes skill and intelligence to teach kids.  But it takes love and patience and kindness to really build a rapport with them.


Dylan participated in the field demo.  As you can see on the right, he's trying his best to follow his teacher with the right steps and keeping the rhythm.  But, as you can see on the right, he certainly dances to his own beat :) and has resorted to following his own instincts with the dance steps :)






After the performances, naturally kids will be tired and hungry so they were served their food - a slice of pizza, mojos, spaghetti, garlic bread, fried chicken and a drink.  There was a bit of confusion when the food was being served because there were so many of us and only a few servers but eventually, everyone got straightened out :)  Dylan got quite a number of gifts and he was very pleased and excited :)




After his party, we went to Dana's school to pick her up as her own party was also finished.  Dylan then proceeded to his other school, Core Skills (note his shirt!).  There, he gave Teacher Amy his gift and continued with his speech therapy :)








Dana's Christmas Presentation in School

December 16, 2010

If you have kids, nieces and nephews, you know that Christmas in school will not be complete without a Christmas presentation.  This is the part where your kids participate in dances, choral singing, plays and sometimes, all of the above, albeit with a few grumblings on our part because of the expense, but in the end, you are filled with utmost pride to see your kids on stage and doing their thing :)




Well, Dana had her Christmas presentation in school last December 16 and their theme was International Christmas.  Each grade level, including that of the High School and College levels, was to perform or demonstrate how a particular country celebrates Christmas.  In Dana's case, they were assigned Spain and they had to memorize Noche de Paz (Silent Night).  They were going to sing it dressed in white skirts, red shirts, knee high red and white socks and Santa hats :)  Unfortunately, they were too crammed up on the stage and I couldn't take a decent picture of her because she was hidden behind all the other bigger girls! I wonder why they just didn't put the big girls at the back of the lineup??  




So anyway, you'll have to be content with these photos after the fact! LOL










We stayed and watched the other kids' presentations until the time when the kids were complaining of hunger pains LOL  After all, the activity started at around 5PM so it's only natural that they be hungry after about an hour, probably because of boredom too hahahhaa

So, we all went to a nearby Pizza Hut to celebrate Dana's participation.  :)







The Making of a Parol

December 10, 2010

Of all the things to make for a project, Dylan has to make a Christmas parol. For those who are unfamiliar with what it is, it is basically a Christmas lantern, usually in the shape of a star. It represents the Star of Bethlehem which the 3Magi saw on their way to Jesus as the story goes. Sometimes, it's made of capiz and with lights inside. People actually flock to Pampanga to buy these giant parols.

For Dylan's project, it was to be made from recyclable materials. To be honest, I have no idea how to make one. I've never been particularly brilliant at practical arts, I actually had someone else make my projects especially when it came to sewing, knitting and all those girly stuff LOL I've never had the misfortune of being tasked with building a parol - UNTIL NOW! hahahaha Therefore, much thanks to Ate Mel and Ate Den who helped me help Dylan with his project hahahaha

Fig. 1 - Getting all the materials ready.  We used thread, barbecue sticks (small ones, I didn't think we were capable of making really huge parols) You have to be realistic with your skills you know hehehehe

Fig, 2 - Creating the frame of the parol using barbecue sticks, thread and some tape

Fig. 3 - Choosing the materials from old magazines to cover the parol with

Fig. 4 - The Cutting begins.  You have to give the kids something to cut so they don't disturb you hahaha  It's a good exercise for Dylan which is why he has his own pair of scissors.

Fig. 5 - More cutting.  But this time, you also have to glue the pieces to the frame.  We also cut some graphics like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh hoping to glue them as designs to the parol.

Fig. 6 - More cutting and pasting.  The actual kind.

Fig. 7 - 8 Finished product!! hahaha I understand that the parol we made was small compared to what other parents probably did.  But see, the point of the exercise is for the whole family to do a project together and have fun with it.  I think we achieved that goal successfully! :)

On a sidenote, Patrick's contribution was being the photographer during the shoot hahaha We needed to submit actual photos while doing the project as proof that we really did it and not just bought the parol from outside sources.

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