Welcoming A Star

Dear Sage, When you look at the night sky you can already identify Orion's belt. The first two stars, you've named them "SAGE" and "SABINE." Yesterday, January 26, 2006, the third star finally got its name: "SADIE"

Sadie Ann D. Galvez arrived in our lives at 7:59 AM- just two hours after your Mom experienced the pangs of labor. She's quite heavy at 3.2kg.

Today we welcomed her here at home. Pictures will be coming soon.

PS. Welcome back, Pacman.

A Class Act

Dear Sage, Yesterday (Jan. 22, 2006) the earth's axis tilted a little because every Filipino around the world jumped up and down when Manny Pacquiao beat Erik Morales (Pictured in the right) in the 10th round of their Non-title bout. I decided not to put Manny's face in your blog. I would like to honor what Mr. Morales did when he was beaten by Pacquiao: He (Morales) embraced him (Manny)and gallantly smiled despite of a broken nose, and a shattered personal legend. That is what sportsmanship is all about. Morales, even in defeat, stood taller than the politicos riding on the coattails of Manny. Kudos to his Mexican supporters too who burst into spontaneous, respectful applause for Manny after his victory was formally announced.

"You are my adversary,
but you are not my enemy.
For your resistance gives me strength.
Your will gives me courage.
Your spirit ennobles me.
And though I aim to defeat you, should I succeed,
I will not humiliate you.
Instead, I will honour you.
For without you, I am a lesser man."

— “Opponent”, from Celebrate

PS. a year ago I honored Manny when he himself was defeated. His proud but battered countenance graced the other website I made. Beneath it were the words from the poem "INVICTUS." It was a time when Manny's head was "Bloody but Unbowed."

Speaking of Weddings

Dear Sage, I just read The wedding story of my cousin Florante and his wife, Cheryl. I've been visiting their site for quite a number of years now but it's the first time I've clicked on the ABOUT US button.

Anyway, when it was Florante's kid sister's turn to get married, she (Maida) chose him as her maid of honor. And he gamely accepted the role. That's how close they are. I hope you and Sabine and the New Baby will be as fond of each other as these two siblings are.

once upon a time...

Dear Sabine, Once upon a time, your Ninong Robie (the groom below) had the grin of a cat that swallowed the canary. now he has the smile of a seasoned wolf finally caught in the tender trap of love.



Once upon a time I did not like weddings...That was a long, long time ago.





and Once upon a time, exactly 7 years ago, I married your Mom.

Happy Anniversary Ayheen!

Eye of Horus

Dear Sage, This is a 3D stereogram. Your Lola Helen (God Rest Her Soul) Loved staring at these things when she was still here. Hope you'll like this.

PS. Cheesy quote of the day: "To achieve the Impossible, You must see the Invisible."

Your Cousin, Sydney Charles

Dear Sage, this is the picture of your cousin Sydney Decena Charles of South Carolina. According to your Lola Fe's email, she was "8.6 oz, 21 inches with a full head of black hair all straight and spiked up" at birth.

WELCOME SYDNEY!

Nice name. That reminds me, you and Sabine have yet to decide on the name for the baby in Mom's tummy. She's due any time now, y'know. Maybe our friends and loved ones reading this journal could help us(wink)

Not So Veiled Threat.

Dear Sage, some parents threaten their kids with spanking if they want their kids to toe the line. That kind of threat hardly works on you. But this one does:

Sage: Dad I want to watch TV

Dad: (eyes fixed on the screen watching) I'm turning this off after 5 minutes. You have to sleep

Sage: BUT DAD!!! I WANNA WATCH TV!!! (on the verge of tantrum)

Dad: If you don't listen and obey,
I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU GO TO SCHOOL TOMORROW.

Sage: (gasp) huhuhu! okey. Lies down and finally sleeps.

I hope this threat will still be effective even when you're already in Pre-Med

Horshey

Shameless Plug

Dear Sage, The following is a shameless ad I've decided to post in your blog. I promise that all the money from this will go straight to you and your sisters' College Trust Fund. I got this idea from your Ninong Bibs who sent it to me via email. Someday, anak, I hope you'll understand why I had to do this...

" According to a proposed new law that would go into effect January, 2006 you will no longer be able to use a cell phone while driving unless you have a "hands free" adapter. I went to Globe and Smart Business Centers in SM branches and they wanted P2,500 (a little over US$50) for a headset with a microphone for my cell phone. Having a friend in the cell phone business, I talked to him and was able to come up with an alternative, working through a Hardware store.

These kits are compatible with any mobile phone and one size fits all. I paid him P2.50 (a little over 5 cents) each because he bought in quantity. Then we tried it with Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Samsung units and they worked perfectly.

A photo is attached so scroll down & take a look and let me know if you want one. Also, forward this to anyone you know, who has a cell phone, and who may want one!"

Congratulations Ayheen!!!

Dear sage, I love this picture of you and Ayheen (my EX-Girlfriend) tomorrow her fellowship training as a Pedia Nephrologist will be officially over.

Way to GO! I LOVE YOU BOTH!

10 RULES FOR DATING MY DAUGHTERS

Dear Sage, I still can't stop myself from laughing after reading this forwarded email from a friend. I'm sure you'll find it funny too... In case you won't, here's one word I wish will never lose its meaning even after so many years: "CHILL-OUT."

Anyway, someday, if not during your teenage years maybe later on in your 30's, you WILL find this post amusing. Trust me...

Ten Simple Rules for Dating My Daughter

1. If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up

2. You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

3. I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

4. I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

5. It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early."

6. I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

7. As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

8. The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which feature chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.

9. Do not lie to me. On issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.

10. Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.The Surgeon General has determined that violation of any of the above ten rules can be hazardous to your health and in laboratory test has resulted in DEATH

Predictions for 2005

Dear Sage, YES! You read it right. These are predictions for 2005. And I'm writing them on the first day of 2006. Because I'm sure that even when you grow up, scambags will still make a killing this time of the year pretending to give out nebuluous, mystic sounding advice about the coming year.

"The future can only be predicted when it is already in the past." I've learned that from God himself. (Ok, it was just a movie "Oh God!" but George Burns was so convincing as an omniscient...uh...thespian)

So here are my Top 5 predictions for 2005:

5. For the first time, Heaven will welcome SIN.
4. a certain KATRINA will force so many "saints (to) go marching in" to heaven.
3. Michael Jackson will learn greek. He'll know what PYRRHIC means.
2. (This one I'm having difficulty in predicting whether) Prince Charles will either attend a wedding and a funeral... or a wedding that looks like a funeral.
1. UNFORTUNATELY, life will imitate art. Everybody will love big brother and forget about civil liberties, good taste and originality.