Covid-19 Chronicles: A grief-stricken Christmas for us as Patrick suddenly passes away

2020 December

We didn't think this year couldn't get any worse, but it did.  Patrick died after 2 days in the hospital, not from Covid-19 which was what we were protecting him against but from cerebrovascular disease pontine infarct, an ischemic stroke that affected his pons region of the brain stem.

It was devastating to say the least and my kids and I are still reeling from it even as I type now.

I will only touch on it with just a few details because to write about everything is still too painful.

I will write about the rest of December too, just to cap off the year. 

2019 Christmas Celebration

24 December 2019

Christmas Day - There's certainly cause for celebration in our family during this Holiday season.  We have all just been through hell and back and everyone just deserves a breather :)

We're all together, all healthy and have gotten a bit of rest.  The kids are at home because of Christmas break and we're just enjoying each other's company,

This is the true meaning of Christmas - Togetherness and Family Love..

The Joys of Christmas 2017

Christmas 2017

Christmas time is such a festive holiday that most of December ends up fully-booked with parties, reunions and celebrations with friends and family.  This year, it's especially full with Dylan's first Christmas party at his new school and a jam-packed family celebration too :)

Hope your Christmas celebration is a full and happy as ours! :)  Merry Christmas!!

2016 Christmas Celebrations are made special because of FAMILY!

25 December 2016

For a while, the spirit of Christmas waned in our household because, really, the whole of 2016 has been more of "downs" than "ups".  But, it's not in our nature to let that get us down for a long time so we rallied and with the help of Family and Framily (Friends who are Family), Christmas was a blast!

It's not about the gifts - they're very much appreciated but it's really the thought that counts.  It's the presence, and sadly, the absence of the important people in our lives that make celebrating Christmas all the more worthwhile.

2015 Christmas Day

25 December 2015

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The day started bright and early despite the late night we had.  I was first to be up and about since my biological clock unfailingly wakes me up at 630AM every day.  I sorted out the gifts we received last night on the bed so that when the kids wake up, they'll be ready to be unwrapped :)

2015 Christmas with the Escalante-Aguilos Family

2015 Christmas Eve

As is our tradition, Patrick, the kids and I went to the Aguilos Christmas Eve gathering, this time held in Urdaneta.  The family, collectively called P4 because of the Escalante home in Project 4 was the original site of THE gathering, is growing larger and fit much more comfortably in the home in Urdaneta :)  We arrived around 1030PM to see the party in full swing.  Gifts were being exchanged, stories were being told and people were partaking of the great feast on the table.  We brought pork adobo as our contribution :)

Last Gimmick for the Year at Greenhills

December 30, 2013


Well, it's almost the last day of the year and we're spending it in Greenhills :)   We were only supposed to buy some groceries for the New Year but Patrick decided to visit Greenhills so we did.

2013 Christmas

December 2013

Merry Christmas everyone!!

It's the time of the year to be with family and friends and enjoy each other's company over heaps of scrumptious food.  As usual, we went to Project 4 as is our tradition to be with the Aguilos brood.  It's a bit somber this time around as the family was affected by the recent Typhoon Haiyan which decimated a huge portion of Tacloban and other areas in the region.

It's the Season to be jolly

December 25, 2012

As it is every year, we spent Christmas Eve with the Aguilos-Escalante brood in Project 4, Quezon City.  Nothing beats being with family, with people who appreciate you and welcome you with open arms.  There was good food, great company, special gifts and lots of love! (Photo by Tita Gigi)

Despite coming home in the wee hours of the 25th, all of us managed to be up and about to open our presents.  Because there were a lot of gifts. I thought it best to just put all the pictures in a collage :) That way, you can view them all in one glance ;)

It's nice to see the happiness in my kids' faces when they open their gifts and appreciate whatever is inside, regardless of the price. The value is in the thought that people remembered them and cared for them enough to go out, buy and wrap gifts for them.

Merry Christmas!

Kids: Trip to SM City Sta. Mesa

November 12, 2012

Dylan and I don't often get the chance to go off on our own so when the opportunity to go somewhere together came up, we did!

Together, Dylan and I went to SM City Sta. Mesa.  It's been a while since we last visited SM Sta. Mesa although when my mom was alive, this was where we usually shopped since it was the most accessible to us by public transportation.  Lately, we've been going to Mall of Asia and Cubao because there were more shopping possibilities there and I guess having a car meant that you can really drive anywhere you want to go.

Anyway, we couldn't resist taking a picture with the Christmas display at the entrance.

This was the Christmas display at the Ground Level inside the mall.

Who could resist Gingey at the Food Court?

I was actually surprised at the new Cyberzone level at the top floor and the numerous new food choices at the Food Court.  The Supermarket has also been renovated and enlarged if I remember correctly.  Maybe we'll keep coming back now that we know what's new at SM City Sta. Mesa.

2011 Christmas

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Christmas is such a great holiday because of all the wonderful things that happen during this time.  Yes, you may spend an enormous amount of money buying gifts for all the people you love but you kinda forget about it once you see that the gifts you bought really brought happiness and actual tears to the people who are receiving them.

Patrick and I are fortunate that our kids are understanding about our financial situation and don't complain that they only have less gifts this year compared to last year.  They still were very happy about the gifts that they received this year and couldn't wait to play with them.  

We're also very fortunate that though we have lost people we love like my mom and Patrick's parents, we still have a lot of people in our lives that care about us and love us just the same.  Special shout outs to Tita Gigi Escalante and Tito Nino who have really welcomed us in their lives and love us and our kids with equal fervor like their own.  It was such a pleasure spending Christmas eve with you guys and we owe you a debt of gratitude for making our holiday so special because of the warmth that you envelop us in.  

I miss my mom so much and I miss my brother just as much that sometimes it seems pathetic that I have to seek out people from whom to get the love and comfort and that feeling of security that you have a place in this world that you belong to and with.  It's still very fortunate that there are people in my life like those - Lan, my brother, you may be far away in geography but you are never far from my mind and heart.  I always wish the best for you and I'm proud that you're doing well on your own.  Kat you are still the bestest friend anyone can have and I'm proud to have you in our lives.   Sharon, my sister, you are such a crazy girl but I'm still glad that you've matured enough to handle yourself in the way you see fit.  

We have had such a hard year this time and as much as we will never forget the people who have helped us get through it - Chie Cosay and Rey Maribao special thanks to both of you for you know what - we will also never forget the people who have brought us such pain and suffering.  It is because of you that we have become stronger.  It is because of you that we have faced much hardship and yet we're still surviving.  Though we no longer want you in our lives, you have been a major part of it and for that we can't and we won't forget.

May the New Year bring us better circumstances....

In the meantime, I'm sharing my kids' and our own happiness this Christmas and hope that you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making the movie.

Of Toys and Willy Wonka (Part 1)

Like most working couples, you can only schedule a trip for toy hunting, bargains and sales when you have received part of all of your Christmas bonus and your salary and hope to God that there are sales scheduled when you do.  We were fortunate enough that during the weekend that we got some windfall of sorts, there were great bargains that we took part in.

On Saturday, December 3, Patrick and I headed to the Toy Warehouse Sale in Sct. Torillo, Quezon City.  It is actually the warehouse for the Mattel brand of toys and they're selling off their excess inventory at prices up to 80% off!  So, it's really a great deal considering you're getting branded toys for less than what you would pay in the malls :)  I didn't really know what to expect since this was the first time I was headed there so I was keeping an open mind.

The place wasn't really huge, around 1000 square meters but it's air conditioned so it's pretty comfortable.  There were toys for infants, toys for the big kids, some baby stuff like sterilizers and bottles, some MyScene and Ollie shoes for the bigger kids, Barbie, Hot Wheels and Pokemon shoes for the smaller kids, bikes Disney toys (both stock and new arrivals) and a whole lot more.

We were able to pick out great finds during our first day and Patrick went ga-ga over the Lightning McQueen series of die cast toys and was able to purchase 4 of them - Lightning McQueen, Franco Bernoulli, Holly Shiftwell and Mater!  I went crazy over the shoes that were selling for P100/pair!! and some school shoes, they were selling for 3 for P100!! I was stupefied to say the least! LOL  We really had to stop at some point when we reached our quota for the kids' Christmas gifts hahahaha

We then went to the Mall of Asia to see if we can check out great finds at the Mega Shoes and Bags sale at the SMX Convention hall.  OMG! That's all I can say hahaha

I was already super excited even before we entered but when I got in woohoo! Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!! It was like an Imelda Marcos moment hahaha If I had that feeling, make that a hundred times more for Patrick who was crazier for shoes than I.

It wasn't difficult to go around even though it was jam-packed with crowds.  The shoes were sorted according to brand and then by size so you can immediately go to your favorite brands and see what models they have that are available in your size.  It saves on having to ask the sales clerks repeatedly for your size.  The sad thing is if you've got an average shoe size, there's a high possibility that the style that you want may be out of stock especially if you haven't gotten there at the earliest opportunity.  But since there were so many shoe styles to look at, I'm sure there will be at least one pair that you'll end up with.  Here, Patrick and I were able to buy much needed shoes for ourselves.  When you have kids, you usually have to sacrifice your own wants to provide for your kids first.  So, this opportunity was heaven sent.  I got a pair of Keds (my fave!) and Patrick was able to buy his Asics rubber shoes.  :)

At the same venue, just next door was the Toy Kingdom Christmas sale.  We couldn't resist so we took a peek.  Fortunately (for us) the lines were too long which served as a deterrent for us to purchase any more stuff LOL

We ended our day with dinner at Mexicali :>)  We purposely went home late so we can sneak the gifts in and store them where the kids can't find them hehehe

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.  :)