Sabine's going to school now...

Dear Sabine, everytime you answer the phone, every morning when you wake up, every chance you have to say something, these are the words that come out of your mouth..."Sabine's going to school now."

But you have to wait for one more school year, anaki. Right now you love going to the day care center. You are very well-behaved. At first I was worried that you might punch back and push back at the other kids who get into your nerves (you have a decent jab and a respectable right hook ). Those fears were unfounded. You love playing with them and with the teachers there. They all love you.

(BTW, as of this writing, the Democrats in both houses are not only poised to reverse the curse of newt gingrich, they are also about to give a woman the chamber's gavel. Godspeed, Speaker Pelosi!)

Baptism and Birthday

Dear Sadie, Welcome to the Christian World! You were baptized last sunday, 29th of October. You are a new creature now in the eyes of the Lord. That's why your baptism is also a birthday. The ceremony was held at the People's Church (EDSA Shrine) That's your Ninong Hadji and you just before the baptism.




Shown holding the candle representing your Male Godparents is your Ninong Jayson "Dr.J", and for the Ladies, your Ninang Chi-chi.


Ninang Chi-chi and Ninang Anna (women of substance and beauty) like you and Mommy.




After the baptism we went to Max Tiendesitas to Celebrate both your baptism and Ate Sabine's Birthday. That's Ate Sabine. Helping out with the cake blowing duties are Ate Kitkat and Ate Sage (partially covered)

TO ALL THE GODPARENTS AND GUESTS WHO MADE THIS DAY MORE SPECIAL SIMPLY BY BEING THERE...

...to Jayson and Anna who came despite of such a short notice (They were notified just a day prior to the event). These two faced a supertyphoon and had to take public transportation just to be there with us at the People's Church, Sadie.

...to Noel and Jenn who lent so much of their precious time to help prepare for this BIG DAY.

...to Hadji who took so many beautiful pictures during the baptism.

...to Robie who didn't flinch when I brazenly stole the parking space his security guards reserved for his car in front of Max's Restaurant. (mwahahahahahahaha!)

Happy Halloween!!!

Dear Sabine, The real essence of Halloween is that Christ's triumph over the Devil is so absolute that all evil has lost the power to really scare us.

Just like Che Guevarra here (the poster behind you, Sabe.) During the 60's, his picture was feared by those in the non-communist world. Now, after the defeat of communism, he's become a harmless icon of a bygone era. Just like garfield (the stuffed toy beside you. Even mice fear him not)... Just like the devil.

Christ's victory on the Cross proved that the devil is defeated. Ghosts and witches and goblins are only as real as the plastic and paper that children wear as costume during halloween. The powers they supposedly wield exist in newspaper clippings and books and stupid movies because those are the only places that they can exist. Because thanks to Christ, the defeated enemy has no power to break the laws of Einstein and Newton in this Universe. We celebrate Halloween to remind ourselves that the devil may scare kids but he can't scare adults anymore --Atleast those who believe in the reign of Logic, Truth and Science in God's Universe.

Your Ninong Noey and I loved the movie "Labyrinth" ages ago. Jennifer Connelly quoted something that we should all say to the devil:

"From dangers untold and hardships unnumbered
I've fought my way into the castle beyond the goblin city
to take back the child that you have stolen...
For my will is as strong as yours
and my Kingdom is as Great..."

and then she said the magic words...

"YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME."

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To "Fear" means to respect. That's why we must show NO respect to a defeated enemy called the devil for he has no power over you and me anymore. The only power he has is that of a village idiot. Every halloween we kick him around and mock the once mighty enemy who used to scare the wits out of the ignorant. And we have the Lord Jesus Christ to thank for that.

To Noey and Jenn,

Fear God!

Defy The devil!

Celebrate Halloween!

--Kuya

Middle Child

Dear Sabine, Sometimes you notice that we spend more time with your Ate Sage because your Mom and Lola help her study her lessons, and Sadie monopolizes Mom's time because she breastfeeds her. Pero you know what? We make it a point to take you out once in a while. Kami lang ni Mommy kasama mo. We enjoy being with you so much. We enjoy showing you off. And you enjoy flashing your "wolfy smile" to everybody else (it's wolfy because your pair of canine teeth are prominent.)

FEAR NOT

Dear Sabine,

A few nights ago we were surprised to see you drinking water from your plastic cup since none of us brought one upstairs to our bedroom that night. We became more surprised when we realized that you went downstairs, on your own, grabbed your plastic cup from the cupboard, opened the ref door and poured yourself a drink. And you did it all by yourself IN COMPLETE DARKNESS.

Even Ate Sage is impressed. You ain't scared of the dark. And you shouldn't be. Darkness is erroneously associated with "Ghosts." Ate Sage knows that there are none but sometimes she still gets a very goofy feeling when we turn off the light.

Someday you may hear of ghost stories told even by respected people. Just tell them that it will take more than stupid apparitions to scare the heck out of you.

Ghosts are not real. They are simple momentary delusions of common people, brought about by fatigue, alcohol, depression or simple supertitious beliefs. They become urban legends after endless repetitions. We all love fantastic stories. Ghost stories are part of a very entertaining genre. It's okay to appreciate such stories. Just don't let con men sucker you into believing that they are more than that.

just in case fruit cakes like lichauco and rene mariano and madame auring start to make you doubt your inherent faith in TRUTH and SCIENCE, I suggest you start watching the TV cartoon series "Scooby Doo" again.

M&M

Dear Sabine, Every time you eat M&M you make it a point to share your loot with us. But we noticed recently that you don't just give them indiscriminately. You have created your own color coding scheme. You reserve the yellows for Mommy Ayheen , Reds for Ate Sage, Oranges for Lola Letty, Greens for You... And pour moi? the Blues.

I guess I've been playing the blues since yesterday when Les Bleus lost to the Italians. Zidane's exit was really heart rending.

But heck, it was his fiery passion anyway that brought them as far as the FINALS. what a ride, eh? Who would've thought they'd beat Brazil? Thank God I did not have spare change like some of my friends last friday. They lost them all to those who bet on the Italians.

Ok, that's what you call rationalization.

Anyway, you've always been generous, Sabine. "Sharing" is something that is ingrained within you. It is something you won't out grow.