Mother

Once, you were a girl with just simple dreams.
You only want to meet your charming prince.
If you only knew then what the future has in store,
You would have run really fast to find the nearest door.

While raising a kid can sometimes feel overwhelming,
Caring for eight must have felt like an impossible thing.
But you bravely stepped up and somehow found a way,
To get each and all of us where we are today.

Most of us are parents now, just like you,
But not before life took its toll on you.
Your long black hair has somewhat turned silver,
And your once firm voice now has a slight quiver.

Time has a funny way of showing us,
“Be careful what you wish for. Think before you ask.”
But I know that deep inside, you have no regrets,
For on us, you have chosen to place your bet.

Watching you all those years, I always wondered,
Why you took this path, you could have chosen better.
It’s only when I had my boy that I finally got my answer.
Now I know why you chose to become a mother. 💝

It's You

The first man I ever loved, I truly adored.
I tried so hard to be cute, so he won’t get bored.
I followed him around like an obsessed puppy.
I couldn’t bear the thought of him getting angry.
I gave my all to be the best that I can be.
I just wanted to make him proud to be my daddy.

When I lost him early, it really broke my heart.
I almost thought I’d never make a brand new start.
But a few years later, I met this wonderful guy.
I didn’t imagine another man could make me smile.
Yet, he stole my heart and sincerely offered me his.
He made me realize how beautiful life really is.

The day I married him, I said, “the search is over”,
For I thought I’d never fall again for another.
But then you came, like an angel from above,
And showed me what seems like the purest kind of love.
It is not a feeling that any word can describe,
For it transcended all the love I’ve ever known in my life.

The first time I saw you, I instantly knew,
A love so selfless, it can only be true.
One day, you’ll understand what I’m trying to say.
Just know that you are my greatest love, come what may.
I figure your grandpa and dad won’t be jealous of you.
They must have known all along, it’s always meant to be you. 💝

Dear Sister

Dear sister, I thought you knew.
You are not alone each time you’re blue.
The moment you opened the door to your room,
You allowed our beautiful sisterhood to bloom.

First, there were three of us, and then there was you,
But in the long run, we became quite a crew.
Sure, we had our share of misunderstandings,
But soon, our fun and laughter were never-ending.

At times, I remember those days of bliss,
When things were simple and life was a breeze.
Our golden teenage years still fresh in my mind,
My life and yours will forever be entwined.

So, if you ever feel alone again and sad,
Think of all the wonderful times we’ve had,
And know that you are not really alone, my dear.
Your sisters are here to wipe away your tears. 💝

The Man Behind the Lens

When you look out there, what do you see?
Behind the lens, where you most want to be.
I sneaked a peek, but I just couldn't see,
The world at large like you painted it to be.

You are indeed a Picasso, but of a different kind.
One who was born at the dawn of a new time.
Your paintbrush is a camera, a tripod, and a flash.
You made the world out there, your own blank canvas.

You can produce a masterpiece in less than a minute.
The colors so vivid, it's almost like magic.
You can turn a simple smile into something unique,
And create a modern-day Mona Lisa with just one click.

Your gift is an art that is difficult to master,
For one would need a heart as gentle as a feather,
To understand emotions like you are reading letters,
And capture life's moments before they're gone forever.

The way you depict the world in all its glory,
Inspired me to translate your art into poetry.
After all these years, you're still a puzzle to me.
Oh, man behind the lens, what do you really see? 💝

Season's Greetings! 🎄

Goodbye Autumn 🍂, Hello Winter ❄️!

The first snow has fallen, FALL is at an end. The leaves are almost gone, WINTER has begun. 

My SuperNeo

He said he wanted to feel like a real superhero for Halloween.
So we transformed into villains that he could defeat to win.
What he doesn't know is that he doesn't have to prove a thing.
He doesn't even need a costume to do something.

It is said that a superhero is someone who saves the day.
A unique being with truly amazing and superhuman ways.
One who has the ability to conquer hearts like no other.
And make a difference in the world with a snap of a finger.

If only he knew that he could brighten up even my darkest days.
That the amazing way his mind works is superhuman in a way.
That he charmed his way into my heart from the very first day.
And that he made me see the world in a brand new way.

But for now, I will keep up the charade and dress him up with a cape.
Until the incredible truth about "who he really is" finally takes shape.
Soon, he would realize he doesn't need the suit of any superhero.
Because from the day he was born, he has always been my SuperNeo.

I Will Never Forget

I will never forget the day I first met you.
I will never forget the sound of your first cry like you're announcing it's "you".
I will never forget that after so much pain, comes the absolute joy of holding you.
I will never forget how you snuggled against me like we're meant to be when I first hugged you.
I will never forget the day I first saw you smile and realized just how much I love you.
I will never forget the cute way you first said "Mama" that I just had to kiss you.
I will never forget your very first step that gave me a clue that I will forever be chasing you.
I will never forget how I cried on your first day at school because I just couldn't leave you.

I will never forget how the past seven years have changed quite a lot of things about you.
I will never forget the baby, the toddler, the kid, the future teen and adult...for they are all a part of you.
I will never forget the happy, the funny, the silly, even the sad…for those moments are all with you.

I will never forget how you turned my life around since that wonderful day I first met you.
But years will pass and old age might take away every beautiful memory I have of you.
So, I wrote this poem to remind myself one day that I promised never to forget you.💝

An Ode To Him

Got to enjoy this moment, while in his heart, I'm still the queen.
Somewhere out there, a princess is waiting for him.
Time will come when my heart will certainly break.
For surely, this new girl will try to take my place.
I guess that is fine, for forever, I cannot stay.
I can only hope she'll love him in the same way.
But for now, let me freeze this moment and adore that smile.
Because I still can't believe that he is all mine. 💖

Remembering Papa

He was gone so young, only 43. 

Sometimes, I still long for a fun ride in his red car, like a child. 

I also wonder how happy and proud he would have been if he had met his grandsons and granddaughters. 

Often, I would think of him when I look in the mirror...because I do look a lot like him.

And then, there are occasions like this that remind me of him, like he was just beside me yesterday.

He's gone...but in my heart, he lives. ❤

Astronaut Ice Cream

Every kid has had this dream of becoming an astronaut one day. Our young minds made this exploit seem so plausible at that time. But that's until we grow up and realize that getting hit by a lightning is an easier endeavor than achieving the opportunity to fly at an altitude of 100 kilometers (62 miles), a skill that separates astronauts from professional, commercial and military flyers.

In fact, as of June 2011, only 654 people in the world were able to accomplish this feat. Of these, only 24 have traveled beyond the Earth's orbit to either the moon's orbit or surface.

This may come as a big blow to a lot of young space dreamers out there, but who knows where we'll be in a decade or so in terms of space exploration. For now, we might as well content ourselves with a bite of some astronaut dessert.

I saw this pack of Astronaut Ice Cream on the sweets rack by the front registers at Old Navy. At first, I thought I wasn't looking at the real deal until I have fully read the description on the packaging. So, I shelled out 4 bucks (less than 200 in Philippine Pesos) for a pack of this novelty, all the while thinking how cheap it is for something that used to be for the exclusive consumption of the world's elite group of cosmonauts.

Astronaut Neapolitan Ice Cream, 4 USD.

The packaging mentioned that this ice cream has been aboard space missions since the early Mercury Missions in 1961 and is still being consumed on NASA missions today. The label also listed a site called astronautfoods.com where I read that all their products are certified space technology. They also sell online a variety of freeze-dried astronaut fruits and candies on top of their huge selection of ice cream flavors.

Astronaut Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Sandwich, 3.05 USD.

Astronaut Bananas, 2.40 USD.

They even have an Astronaut Beef Stew Space Dinner which I would absolutely like to try.:)

Astronaut Beef Stew Space Dinner, 6.30 USD.

The one I took home was the Neapolitan Ice Cream which is a combination of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors. It's ready to eat and has a calorie content of 120 for a 20g pack.

The contents looked more like pieces of hardened marshmallows but once it reaches your taste buds, you will definitely recognize it's ice cream albeit warm. There's an initial cookie-like texture which turned into a silky consistency as soon as it melts. And though, its rich taste and creaminess is quite enough to satisfy my sweet but mostly curious craving, it still doesn't come close to the marvelous taste of real frozen ice cream.

My son is too young to understand that his generation can now enjoy things that we, adults, used to only dream about as kids. But he posed like he knew how lucky he is, anyway.:)

My little future astronaut.:)

I will definitely take a couple of these space food back home to the Philippines just to give my nephews and nieces something to brag about in school.:) The kids are surely gonna love these.

Oddly enough, indulging in this confection totally made me feel good. It's probably because by buying a pack, I had contributed even if just in a small way to NASA's space exploration program. Or maybe, eating this ice-less ice cream gives me a kick with the realization that when it comes to desserts, we, earthbound earthlings somehow got the better end of the deal.:)

Melo's Steakhouse - Burgos Circle, Taguig

Celebrating our anniversary has always been essential to me and my hubby. No matter how busy we are from work and parenthood, we always make sure to steal some quality time for a special date. This year, we chose to celebrate our 13th year of togetherness indulging in something we both love...steak.

My husband and I have different tastes in food. While he would kill for a pizza and a burger, I would rather yield to the temptation of seafood and kebab. Not to mention, the sweet things that my husband calls desserts but have always managed to serve as my main course.:) With steak, our taste buds have found common ground. And since we want to savor first class perfection, Melo's is the first place that came to mind. Their menu is a bit pricey but we decided to splurge for this special occasion.

The Melo's branch in Burgos Circle-Taguig on a Sunday is the best place to be if you're aiming for a not-so-crowded intimate lunch setting. The restaurant's staff were nice, friendly and totally attentive to our every wish. The establishment's elegant decor was welcoming and not intimidating. The muted lighting combined with the natural sunlight streaming through the restaurant's huge glass windows successfully produced a fancy yet cozy ambiance.

I have a small issue, though, with the meat freezer being in plain sight of dining guests. I just find it quite unappetizing despite the five-star quality of the raw meat that I would surely be drooling over in its cooked form. Good thing I wasn't sitting next to it.:)

The sight of this raw meat put a slight damper on my appetite, but not enough to completely turn me off. After all, there's such a thing as a rare steak.:)

Our fabulous meal began with a pate appetizer served with crunchy crostinis which perfectly whetted our appetites.

Pate Appetizer with Crostinis.

A bowl of hearty minestrone soup and a plate of divine bread rolls with butter quickly followed. I didn't care much for the Italian soup because the sweet and super soft bread rolls totally stole the show from it. I almost ordered a second serving had I not reminded myself that I wouldn't want to be too full to enjoy a big plate of premium grade certified angus ribeye steak.

Minestrone Soup.

Bread Rolls with Butter.

And as if on cue, the caesar salad arrived just as I was finishing the last bite of my heavenly bread roll. The salad dressing was fairly light yet extremely flavorful. Its savory garlic aftertaste only heightened our taste buds for our much awaited main course.

Caesar Salad.

Melo's 8 oz certified angus ribeye steak is quite a sight to behold and it absolutely lived up to my expections. Now I understand what all the rage is about.:)

8 oz Angus Ribeye Steak.

The tender and succulent meat bursts with rich flavor even before I slathered on the gravy and green peppercorn sauce that came with it.

In fact, I ended up liking it better without the accompanying sauces. I can taste the sumptuous seasoning pretty deep in the meat which was perfectly grilled by the way. I didn't even realize I was so full until my fork clanged against my empty plate. For the first time in a long time, I didn't even crave for desserts.

Shirley Temple Cocktail and Fresh Mango Shake.

Our terrific dining experience at Melo's is just the perfect way to mark our 13th anniversary...a superb meal to celebrate living the good life.

Melo's
Bonifacio Global City, Burgos Circle
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Phone Numbers: +63 2 403 5968

Fun Ranch, Alabang

When my smart nephew and niece arrived one day with their latest stash of medals and trophies, the doting aunt in me instantly wanted to reward them. And what better way to give kids the time of their lives than to bring them to the playdium of their dreams.

The Fun Ranch in Alabang is an indoor playground with a variety of recreational activities for children like obstacles, trampolines, suspended bridges and slides. 

Unlimited Play Wristband, Php 350. Children 3 years old and below are required to bring an adult companion, free of charge. 

The tall slides are a favorite among the kids.

My son had to content himself with the mini slide since he's not yet allowed to ride the tall slides.

The tube slide scared my son a bit but he was brave enough to give it another try.

0

Soft foam play sets.

My son thoroughly enjoyed bouncing on the trampoline.

The play area is safe and childproof, but it may not be enough to leave adults unscathed. I went home with a bruised knee and a couple of scratches from bumping into some of the mazes and tubes which couldn't accommodate a clumsy oversized kid like me. Maybe, I'm just guilty of enjoying more than I should have.:)

After almost two hours inside the chaotic complex, I was finally able to convince the kids that it was time to go.

But not my son. He's obviously not willing to go yet.:)

We ordered some snacks at the Big Red Barn, the restaurant inside Fun Ranch.

They even have a space for children's parties.

Menu

French Fries, Php 105.

Crispy Calamari, Php 165. This was really good, amazingly crunchy and crispy.

Burgeritos, Php 205.

Nasty Nachos, Php 240. The nachos tasted more like deep fried dumpling wrappers and the salsa was worse than the bad ones you can buy in a bottle. I never would have thought they literally meant "nasty".:)

The kids had a great time.

The Fun Ranch in Alabang is definitely the ultimate place to go for kids and the kids-at-heart who seek to relive their childhood fantasies and turn them into reality.

Fun Ranch-Alabang Branch

Westgate Center Filinvest Alabang

Muntinlupa City

Philippines

Tel +63 2 836 9387