Little One's Baptism and a Series of Abundance

As this big day for my little one comes to an end, I can't help but reflect. After abruptly deciding to have LO baptized just three days before the event, it has never been in the picture to celebrate this day with quite a number of guests because of financial constraints. The gathering should've been just us, the parents, and the godparents without any other mundane cutesy preparation after LO receives his sacrament of baptism. 

Parenting101. Moving on from the blues @Day15.

I always wanted to finish my masters degree, pursue a career in development work, travel inside and outside the country, explore more interests, meet more idealistic people and the list goes on. I sure do envision having a family of my own someday but I thought I could get away with the poop and the nappies and just leave the raising up of the kids to the household help just like what society thinks of what an empowered career woman does. 

Now that parenting happened to me, a mom of a 15 day old tiny human being, all of the above mentioned have changed! Note that I have literally NEVER touched a newborn my entire life. In the environment where I grew up, there were no newborns to touch with in the first place. I want to be hands on with everything that concerns about the baby even if I have the slightest idea of doing so. I want to free myself from the guilt of being selfish to prioritize other things but not my own little baby who depends on me. I can't even bring myself to think that a stranger will take my place and do the loving instead! No, I just can't leave him like that.

Everything changes once the baby arrives. Mainly, the priorities. Family comes first now. And when I see my two boys bonding, I know I am where the happiest I will be. The dreams I used to have are now carefully incorporated with the welfare of the baby and my kids to come. This is just the beginning. I am excited of what God's plan for me and my family is! 💙

Almost there, Baby Z!

Taken at thirty five weeks and three days (04-19-15).

Room 907 Crown Regency Hotel and Towers, Cebu City.

So there, the photos are already laid out for every stumbling soul to scrutinize. There's no turning back now. The anxiety of being judged is there. But to fear is nothing if truth sets us free. Yeah yeah, we got church married but not the grand one. Not the one that he and I excitedly planned and talked about before he came home from overseas. Baby Z happened, that's why. The wedding was just a handful and a half of guests who were there to witness. Nonetheless, and what is more important is that, the ceremony was binding. Papers and all and of course the priest's blessing - which means we were able to receive the holy Sacrament of Matrimony.

Children Taken for Granted

Meet Princess, my little buddy at work. 

 

This is probably her first time seeing a crayon, and posing in front of a camera too (by the way she growls at me. Lol) Princess often knocks at the glass door of our office around ten in the morning, sticks her face on the glass wall and calls "Ateeeeeeeee" referring to me. Haha. She's often accompanied by her 4yr. old brother (who looks nonetheless good despite the dirt all over them). I was charmed by Princess not only because she looks very cuddly and malambing but also because she (and her brother), unlike the other street kids, doesn't ask for money or food but just for my attention. She smiles and laughs whenever I play and talk with her. She doesn't necessarily respond but you could tell by the way she smiles that she's enjoying the conversation. When not in the mood, she would just ignore my attempts to annoy her and holds her tears under her breath which might be because her brother is with his other playmates. She's so clingy! 😊 

NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING - January 30, 2015

So many opinions and sentiments about the Mamasapano Massacre and all deserve to be heard.

The blame game will not do any good nor change what has already happened. But finding out the facts will help give justice for all.

First, PNoy washed his hand out saying that it wasn't necessary for him to give the operation an approval. In the same speech, no words of console came owning accountability and responsibility to the fallen soldiers. Second, he opted to attend the opening of some new car factory in Laguna instead of showing his support and compassion to the bereaved families. And third, while being late at the necrological services and having had the audience wait for him to arrive and give his eulogy, gisingit pa jud niya ang story we've heard a thousand times about his father, about his family, of which we citizens don't care as of this moment because more important issues, such as giving justice and solace to the families left behind, need immediate attention and solution.

The death of these soldiers indirectly affects us who are far from the battlegrounds in Mindanao not just in terms of economy but this also reflects the kind of leaders we have who are the frontliners in resolving conflicts in different areas of the country and in bringing prosperity to it's people. Now, more than ever, is the time when we need a strong leader who can stand firm and protect the well-being of his countrymen. But, #nasaanangpangulo?

Given that the government will continue the peace process, may this tragedy mark the limitations of the BBL setting an autonomous region which includes these armed men while bearing in mind their capacity to kill even their own brothers for the sake of what they call freedom. Those barbaric rebels will always and always find a cause to fight for even after the GPH gives them what they want. Surely, this massacre has been the result of greediness of people who are already in high positions who just won't get contented and satisfied that even giving education and liberty to their constituents is being deprived. Justice, equality and human rights, these are some of the plights which our Mindanawon brothers and sisters are calling for.

The #Fallen44 are not just the victims here but their families, friends, the young generation and the elderly who will nonchalantly wake up to gunshots and bombings around them without the assurance of seeing a brighter tomorrow. And those two high profile terrorists who were supposed to be served with warrant of arrest? Who has the concrete evidence that they were captured and killed during the encounter?

Funny that I said so many things, yet I don't want anything to do with the cross that they're carrying. Or to say the other way, more of being grateful that I do not have to go through the same misfortune as our poor brothers and sisters who are in the battlegrounds have. May the lives lost in this tragedy and this decades-long conflict not just be numbers and go into waste, but may genuine peace be achieved. The manner of the massacre should be a reminder not just to our high ranking government leaders and lawmakers, but also to all of us Filipinos to do each of our duties and obligations as citizens of our dearly beloved Philippines, upholding the truth, freedom and justice, even at the cost of our own lives.

"Peace can only be attained if there is sincerity embedded in the hearts of men."