Tuesday, July 29, 2008

July 29, 1997

Hi Mom!

Eleven years. You've been gone that long. A lot has happened since eleven years ago.

I'm sure your smile crosses your beautiful face when you look down from heaven whenever you see Sage, Sabine and Sadie. I bet you already know if the fourth child is a Boy, huh?

We've had difficult years after you were gone. But things are looking better. These days, I smile a lot more than I used to. When life starts sparring with me, I'm beginning to learn to laugh even while taking it in the chin or gut.

I feel stronger, both physically and mentally. I can do things that I couldn't do before while you were here: I've learned to communicate to a large audience using the media you helped Dad build. I write better and comprehend what I read faster than before. I've begun serving private patients, but unlike Ayheen (Who is a much gifted MD) I've also entered public service (but not as a politico, thank God). I can even do push-ups with Sabine and Sadie at my back (I can only do 20 with Sage).

I still want to be a better person. My anger and rage, I still try to keep them in check.

I still wrestle with my inner demons. But these days, thanks to Ayheen, I feel the sweetest joys. I also bleed from the deepest pains.

Most days, the joys outweigh the pain...

But not Today. Not this morning.

July 29, 2008.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Date with Sadie

Dear Sadie, last night you were your usual makulit self again at bedtime. since your Ate's have exams today, I decided to take you out of the bedroom and brought you to the car. We listened to the only CD in the car. We played the Music of the Night.

The music is all about Christine Daae or "Kristina".




If you see a car with this mask hanging, floating over the dashboard like magic, chances are, that's KRISTINA.

And the first Lady I went out on a date with inside that car, is Sadie.

(Note: the mask was a gift from your Ninang Jenn. Thanks Jenn!)

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Kristina


In the original Gaston Leroux novel, her name was Christine Daae. But Leroux based her character on a real singer, Kristina Jonasdotter.


She was Swedish. Her parents were of humble origins. She was discovered by a civil servant who became her benefactor. He gave her voice lessons. On her debut on stage she was christened "Christine Nilsson"
She was never his though he loved her so. She left after a few summers to marry royalty.
I guess I'll name the car after her.
(O ayan, Atticus, hindi nakakatakot ang origin ng pangalan nya this time.)




Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Christine


I named her after the She-devil car in a Stephen King Novel. Why? Because the part of us that wants to ride the wind is also the part that wants to tame demons; the part that wants to climb mountains called "Devil's Tower", the part that attracts us to Femme Fatales despite of the throbbing pain that will never go away after the fall.

She really is dangerously beautiful...

I saw her for the last time tonight.



"We were as one babe
For a moment in time
And it seemed everlasting
That you would always be mine

Now you want to be free
So I'm letting you fly
Cause I know in my heart babe
Our love will never die
No!

You'll always be a part of me
I'm a part of you indefinitely
Girl don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're never gonna shake me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby

I ain't gonna cry no
And I won't beg you to stay
If you're determined to leave girl
I will not stand in your way
But inevitably you'll be back again
Cause ya know in your heart babe
Our love will never end no

You'll always be a part of me
I'm part of you indefinitely
Girl don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're never gonna shake me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby

I know that you'll be back girl
When your days and your nights get a little bit colder oooohhh
I know that, you'll be right back, babe
Ooooh! baby believe me it's only a matter of time

You'll always be apart of me
I'm part of you indefinitely
Girl don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're never gonna shake me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my my baby....

You'll always be apart of me (you will always be)
I'm part of you indefinitely
Girl don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on (we will linger on....)
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're never gonna shake me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby

Always be my baby" -- As sung by David Cook

Friday, July 11, 2008

ULAN

Dear Kids, last night there was a thunderstorm. It rained and thundered so hard for a few hours. Sabine and Sadie learned to cover their ears whenever lightning lights up the sky outside our window in anticipation
of the inevitable Thunder clap. You guys both learned that from Ate Sage.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

PSEUDOscience

Pitong katotohanan sa mundo:

UNA: Lahat ng nakikita mo ay hindi iyo.

PANGALAWA: Hindi mo kayang bilangin ang buhok mo.

PANGATLO: Hindi lahat ng ngipin ay abot ng dila mo.

PANG-APAT: Susubukan ng mga tanga ang pangatlo.

PANG-LIMA: Ang pangatlo ay mali ...

PANG-ANIM: Mapapangiti ka kasi nagmukha kang tanga.

PAMPITO: Ipapasa mo sa iba para makaganti ka! hahahaha!!..



Dear Kids, It's easy to fight the dark forces of ignorance that vainly try to convince us that ghosts and goblins exist. Because superstitious beliefs wilt away once exposed to the cleansing light of TRUTH/SCIENCE.

Ignorance trying to package itself as scientific truth is harder to fight: UFO, Iridology,Jaime Lichauco

Those three are just some pathetic examples.

Let me say this clearly. PSEUDOscience is not SCIENCE. There is no such thing as half-truths as far as TRUTH/SCIENCE is concerned.

PSEUDOscience rides on the legitimacy of established Truths to lure people into believing the lies it peddles. Read my example above (Pitong Katotohanan sa Mundo). The first two are established truths. They are also the bait.

In my three examples above; there are really UFO's. Most of them are man-made (mostly by spielberg). and think of this: the stars are atleast thousands of light years apart. If aliens could travel at the speed of light, why spend thousands of years in hibernation aboard UFO's to visit the Earth? Who the hell wants to wake up after thousands of years? to witness the traffic in EDSA and hideous billboards featuring Loren Legarda's face?

Iridology: examination of the irises is part of the Medical Physical exam. But to examine only the Iris and neglect the rest of the body is just stupid. Hindi mo makikita sa iris na baog ang pasyente o impotente.

Jimmy Lichauco: He is so fond of masking his superstitions with the language of science. This guy didn't make it as a guru in the halcyon days of the 60's when his peers were high on drugs. Why should the sober public of the 21st century take him seriously. But some still do.

So if you don't want to become punchlines, never stop questioning, never stop having a healthy dose of doubt when trying to discover the laws of nature.

PS. Tingnan mo si jimmy lichauco, lahat ng me kwento ng multo at dwende pinapaniwalaan. Wala namang ebidensya. To believe in something without evidence is not Science-- IT IS FAITH. So it is only right that he is the favorite target of catholic priests. sila ang magaway because his loony beliefs are in the realm of faith-- NOT SCIENCE.










Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Living and Non-living

8 July 2008,

6:51 PM


Dear Sabine, As I write this you and Mom are studying while lying in bed. She is teaching you the difference between living and non-living things.

I remember a few years back, I was the one teaching that subject to Ate Sage...

Click on the picture below to read how I did it.


http://dearsage.blogspot.com/2006/12/force.html

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Hancock

Dear Kids, the biggest signature on the american declaration of independence belonged to John Hancock. Since yesterday was 4th of July, I thought it was only fitting that when your Mom and I went to the mall, Hancock was the movie we chose to watch.

For those people who visit this blog (one or two, by last count) who may want to watch that movie, I'm not going to post any spoilers here.

(Note: Yesterday was also historic for VRN. When we finally become the leading Radio AND TV Network, we will look back to 4th of July 2008 with humility and with a thankful heart. It's the day the Lord answered our prayer, as a Family and as a Company.)

Letters to my kids about their childhood adventures



To Sage, Sabe, Sade & 3Stan

To Sage, Sabe, Sade & 3Stan
WELCOME!