Songs For Mnemosyne

Misibis Bay @ 7AM Of Misibis Bay   Misibis Bay is a rewarding paradise after an hour of terrain travel from Legazpi City airport. I've never been to a hotel and resort this pristine and beautiful so I have no point of comparison with satisfaction. All buffets were sumptuous with their hot and spicy dishes that could only be signatured as real Bicol deal.  Special attention was given to my daughter at all times. She was even given this choco-cream cheese cake from Traevents  as a welcome treat: The staff knows us 1st name basis. I would like to especially commend Ms. Judith, Ms. Alex, Kuya Nicko and Kuya Ed, all of Misibis, for exemplary customer service skills.  Place was great except for the bidet at the Spice Market rightmost restroom that's hyperactive - a mini-squeeze will make water splash all over the place, including your face. :p Here are some of the picturesque areas we've been to: (Other pictures to follow, thanks to our interne...

Aria, Ani and their Awards Dear Johanna, The academic awards are easier to let you understand, appreciate and gun. They are clear-cut. However, this special award, hmmm... I've never had it back in grade school so please give Nanan some time to gather her thoughts so we can educate ourselves with this. Let's also allow others to help us define this one for us, and share their best practices if they want to pitch in their thoughts. Our mom-daughter question of the day: What is Exemplary Conduct? (certificate with erased name and address of school) What's that thing called "Exemplary Conduct"? Well, generally, it could be great, balanced behavior - even at stressful times, which might be a medley of: Persevering politeness. Justified silence. Profound kindness. Genuine helpfulness. And more. But these four popped up in my mind foremost. Of Persevering Politeness This means we need to respect and aim to be polite to others, even if they d...

After helping finish her homeworks, with arms outstretched in a big circle before hugging me tight, Johanna Banana lovingly said: "I love you this much Nanan*!!!" The poesy in the air made me hug her back and whisper with all tenderness i could squeeze from my dissolving tiredness: "Well, I love you as many as the stars..." Not to be outdone, Johanna thought for a bit and with sparkling eyes which I pray to remember infinitely, she chirped: "I love you as many as the numbers!" I conceded defeat. ( numero na gud inin, haha ) My 7-year-old is a better lover. For lack of decent easy-grab shots, pardon this selfie. -------- *Filipino word for Mom is Nanay. Nanan is a variant, an idiosyncratic term of endearment/respect of same meaning.

The Day of Reckoning has come. My beloved country will choose its development destiny for another 6 years. Later still, the machines will count VOTES THAT REFUSED TO BE BOUGHT,  and they will be GOLD - rare maybe, but shining and incorruptible. I am THANKFUL - to the torch-bearers. to the torch-passers. to those who keep fighting and paving for better and brighter tomorrows. to the heavens, for guiding another battle well-fought. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Gal 6:9)

I didn't know that I could get a hug from a stranger and make a seatmate leave within at most 15 minutes of conversation inside a bus. This is not something I am proud of. Share-worthy though, in many purposeful levels. I was in a bus en route to Pacita, San Pedro last 5/4/2013 beside an old lady when a man in his 50's (probably) sat beside me. The TV was tuned to Eat Bulaga's Pinoy Henyo with students from Muntinlupa National High School trying to guess a word. I was partly skimming a book and partly watching the tv to prevent myself from dozing off when out of nowhere, the man asked me pointing to the TV: "Is that your culture? That's crazy(pronounced as kreysi)." Awkward silence and knitted brows from me. He continued, in his thick European accent, loudly and slowly, as if talking to a child: "You see, I am Education Missionary and in a mission to Las Pinas, Paranaque City here in the Philippines, I ask a child, 'What is the cap...

Johanna - happy, bedimpled, and sans her front teeth :) Dear Johanna Banana, You will be recognized later for your scholastic achievement.Your school calls it "Academic Excellence" for Kindergarten. I am not sure if it is as important to you, as it is to me. Practicing dances and noisily strumming your guitar seem important to you these past days than practicing how to correctly receive your diploma. :) As I climb the stage to join you in a school recognition that you may not yet fully comprehend in meaning, I will climb with you recognizing some of your achievements unknown to many. This is not in any order of significance, because with you, I never rank - everything that happens is in equal degree of importance. Here are the Bow's Awards to Her Beloved Arrow (Gibran): *The Best Alarm Award  - Where all sorts and volumes of alarm clocks failed, YOU prevailed. Thank you anak for waking me up all days of my employment here in Manila. All my Perfect Att...