Super Blood Moon 2021

26 May 2021

On this night, two special events happened. First, a total lunar eclipse and second, a super blood moon phenomenon. 

While I wish I had a decent camera to take pictures of this surreal phenomenon, I could only do with my smartphone camera hahaha

You could easily see the red hue in the sky and it's awesome and somewhat eerie to witness. 

Patrick's Inurnment at La Loma Columbarium

2021 February 15

It is now 2 months since Patrick died. At first, we thought that we'd be more comfortable having his ashes in his urn at home. 

In fact, every morning, Dylan would greet him as soon as he walked into the room. I would often find him talking to him as if he was there. 

But, all things have their place so we decided that Patrick will also have his final resting place.

His is at La Loma Columbarium. 

COVID-19 Chronicles: Celebrating New Year after a death in the family

 01 January 2021

Last year, last month, Patrick died from a stroke, to put it simply. Naturally, our hearts are heavy with sorrow, particularly since this is the season when everyone should be celebrating and being happy. 

However, life must go on. We must soldier on. So while we have him constantly in our minds and in our hearts, we continue to celebrate the holidays and just wish that he were still with us. 

Happy New Year, everyone!

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. 

Covid-19 Chronicles: Start of 2020-2021 classes for Dylan & Other happenings

2020 October to November

Highlights of this post include:

- Start of Dylan's Online Classes

- My Birthday

- Dana's 1Q Online Exams

These may seem trivial but in this new world where Covid-19 rules, these are all milestones of the New Normal.  This is how we cope with being indoors and managing to stay sane despite it

COVID-19 Chronicles: Highlights of July and August (Still on GCQ)

2020 July-August

Now that we're under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), we can now visit supermarkets together, as seen in the photo, taken when we went to our neighborhood supermarket, Savemore.  Let me tell you, it's easier to shop when there's someone to carry the groceries home with you.

But does that mean we take longer, not necessarily.  We're both aware that we just need to get our stuff done and go straight home.  The longer we are outside, the higher our chances of getting infected, so NO,  we don't loiter.

Anyway, here are the highlights between July and August of our time during lockdown :)

Hope you're all staying safe! :)

Covid-19 Chronicles: Metro Manila is now under General Community Quarantine (GCQ)

 01 -30 June 2020

It is now June.  We're into our 3rd month of Quarantine/Lockdown in Metro Manila.  The GCQ downgrading meant that restrictions were eased up even though there were still plenty of confirmed cases in the region.  People have to work.  Businesses have to open.  Everyone has to find a working balance to survive. 

However, despite all these difficulties, we had to stay happy.  We had to stay calm and collected for our peace of mind :)

COVID-19 Chronicles: 2 weeks of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in Manila

16 - 31 May 2020

From May 16 to May 31, Metro  Manila has been downgraded to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine or MECQ.

Downgrading mostly meant the re-opening of more businesses although they're only allowed to operate at 50% capacity.  Work-from-home setups were encouraged.  Bikes and e-scooters were encouraged as an alternative means of transportation.   Tricycles were the only public transportation that were "allowed" depending on the city or municipal government's discretion.  

Two months in with this previous lockdowns and we still manage to maintain a cheerful disposition.  How are you doing amidst this pandemic?

COVID-19 Chronicles: ECQ/Lockdown Part 2

15 April  - May 15 2020

April 15 - We are still on ECQ/Lockdown until May 15, 2020.

For about a month, everyone is just trying to survive and getting used to being grounded at home.  Kids and Senior Citizens aren't allowed to leave the house because they're the most susceptible.  Bills are put on hold because field agents aren't allowed to visit homes to check meters and such.

But life goes on.  What did we all do during this time???

COVID-19 Chronicles: ECQ/Lockdown Part 1

07 March 2020

It was January 2020 when the world was rocked to its core by the announcement that there was a new virus named COVID-19, claiming lives first in Wuhan, China and then spreading to the rest of the world.  

In the Philippines, it was March 5 when the first local transmission was confirmed, prompting the government to take action to prevent the spread of the disease.  Here are some of the events that happened, from a local point of view. 

I wrote this to record how it was when it happened.  How it affected our lives.  How it seemed surreal at first like we're all in the middle of a movie, unraveling at such a fast pace.

Note:  I wrote about these events not as they happened but on hindsight because I was just too shell-shocked to even comprehend what was going on at that time.  

Dana's simple birthday celebration

16 March 2020

Happy birthday Dana!! 

We didn't really have the finances to give you a proper birthday feast but thank God for your Lolo Ben and Lynne who dropped by with a few treats :)

Thank you for your understanding and we will make it up to you when circumstances are better :)  You know that!

We love you!!

The Year 2020 Starts with a Bang!

2020 January

Welcome 2020!!

It's another year and there are certainly many things to be grateful for and so many more things to look forward to.

Here's wishing for those great things to happen...

I spoke too soon... I didn't think it could happen in my lifetime but Taal Volcano just erupted! So surreal!!

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..

Dana's 2Q Convocation

 23 November 2019

Today marked Dana's 2Q Convocation in school.  It's the day where Honor students are presented with their respective awards and I'm proud to say that again, Dana made the cut :)

Congratulations Dana!  We're all so proud of you!

Patrick had a Stroke ! Three Weeks in the Hospital

 05 November 2019

Today marked Patrick's almost month-long stay in the UST Hospital due to a Stroke.  I'll try to make it short and focus on things that will help you realize what symptoms he had, what treatments did he undergo and how to move on after being released from the hospital.

I wrote this a long time after everything happened because while everything was happening, I was just in a state of shock and was just focused on being there for him and the kids.  It's hard to think of anything else, actually. But for purposes of chronology, I'll keep the date from when it began.

I hope that some of the information here helps because as I understand it from what his doctors said, there are now plenty of cases of middle-aged males that have strokes.  

We all should stay healthy, watch what we eat, exercise as much as we can because getting sick is not an option.

My Birthday Celebration with Family at Samgyeop Masarap, SM San Lazaro

 14 October 2019

Samgyupsal cravings satisfied on my birthday!! While planned birthday parties are great, I think unplanned and surprise get-togethers are awesome!

Here we are at Samgyeop Masarap in SM San Lazaro to partake of their delicious all-you-can-eat samgyeopsal (samgyupsal) or Korean grilled pork belly.

Needless to say, our own bellies were full at the end of the meal :)

Volkswagen Philippines' 6th Anniversary and their Child Safety Initiative

21 August 2019

Today, we attended Volkswagen Philippines 6th Anniversary celebration at Trinoma, QC.  During the event, they formally launched the new Lavida, Lavida Club Edition and Lavida Club Edition+ Models and they held Volkswagen PH's Child Safety Initiative to educate parents and children regarding road safety.

Thank you Volkswagen Philippines for inviting us to celebrate with you!  We had a blast! :) More Power! :D

Review: What I loved about the Ford Everest Titanium 3.2L 4x2 AT

22 May 2019


We took the Ford Everest Titanium 3.2L 4x2 AT for a drive to Tagaytay and back to Manila on two separate occasions, first in April and then with this trip and I can honestly say it's one of the most comfortable trips I've had :)

Though I'm just a passenger and I can't say much about the ease of driving and the handling, I can remark about how comfortable I felt while riding in the Ford Everest Titanium.

I'll list down my favorites, so read on!

Travel: The Clubhouse @ SM Wind Residences PLUS JT"s Manukan and Bulalo Point Turo-Turo Grill

20-22 May 2019

Last April, we were in Tagaytay but weren't able to visit The Clubhouse at the SM Wind Residences because we became too exhausted from the Aqua Park at Club Balai Isabel. 

This time, we practically spent the whole day at The Clubhouse aside from going out to lunch at the nearby McDonald's and having dinner at Bulalo Point Turo-Turo Grill.

Check out our photos around the clubhouse, including the restaurants we ate at in Tagaytay. :)

Day Tour with Aqua Park at Club Balai Isabel: Exhausting but Fun!

27 April 2019

Today, we went to Club Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas to try out their Aqua Park, an inflatable water park.

Aside from the Aqua Park, we also tried out the swimming pool in Club Balai Isabel which was close to where the Aqua Park was. 

The Aqua Park was Exhausting but Fun and read on so you'll find out why!