go! go! my little cheerleader!

One of those nights during the recent week when I brought home work, my little prinsesa provided me entertainment to give me a break.

She was actually mimicking that episode of Special Agent Oso where he was helping a kid cheer for an older sister. They were doing the cheer of the real cheerleaders.

Mia's such a sunshine .


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new toys, old habits

I should say that the recent weekend was well spent . Adel and I finished a lot of work even from home, while Mia gave us entertainment every now and then. And then there was our brief trip to the mall to get us some new toys!


I was all around looking for the right case for my new indulgence, while father and daughter were hoarding kiddie happiness .

That was it for us. We just really needed to get them new toys! Off we were for dinner somewhere nearer home. Less than half an hour later, we found ourselves at an "old habit" - Milky Way.

Milky Way was our former 15th station prior to getting our house. It was where we met up when we wanted to lash-out about work, eat away stress, plan for our parties and get-aways, or when we just wanted to laugh together.

Last Friday, we were welcomed by the same waiter who painstakingly served us every weekend some pre-Mia years ago, and this...



...which Mia baptized as Mr. Sun.

It looked the same. No frills, just chairs and tables on clean tiles. The A/C unit was noticeably new as it was really cold. I remember in the past we had to make sure that we were seated near where the A/Cs were facing and requested for a standby fan. Our favorite dishes were still as satisfying as ever.


this barbecue, I remember, we would order with the guys' 2nd bucket of beer


boneless bangus! we had this with rice, or with tofu or as beer chow. nothing was left on the sizzling plate all the time!


i almost missed this inihaw na pusit. perfectly grilled with tomatoes and onions.

Adel and I devoured everything! Not a surprise, I know ! We proudly told our 2-year old that it was her mom and dad's Saturday night staple some 5 (or 6?) years ago. As if she understood; she just kept on running around the place.

Attention TTF, Mr. Sun says hi!.


Milky Way is located at Philamlife Ave. Las Piñas City


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saving the Philippine seas

When I decided to start a blog, I told myself that it should be worth it.  I wanted it to be deserving of the time and effort I give to write (and pay home internet for), as well as others’ time to read it.  Aside from humoring my family and friends, I want relevance.  This is my chance.

I learned about Blog Action Day through ANNAlysis, a.k.a Raisa.  She’s the most passionate environmental advocate I know.  But I won’t elaborate on that here because I don’t think I’ll do her justice.  Go to her site and you will know feel it.

In the announcement, they asked all those who will help out should register.  Busy and sick me was not able to do that, but I don’t think that should stop me from writing this.

I am not a diver.  Neither have I plunged in the open sea for such a long time now.  Nonetheless, my childhood summer memories are mostly on sea and sand.  I was told I even refused to eat and nap.  I would rather build my sand castle or watch tiny fish swim very near the shore.  I did not fear the sun!  I’d like my daughter to experience that too.

Mia has been watching Dora and Mariana recently. I think everyone knows who Dora the Explorer is.  Mariana, on the other hand, is the mermaid princess that Dora helped to save the Mermaid Kingdom that was in danger of being extinct because of garbage in the ocean.  Mia is always into the story when she sees it.  No wonder, when we passed by a long stretch of river that was not exactly clean, she said “Eow yuck river, Mom!  It’s color black!”  Now, I have heard a lot of people say that, but hearing it from a 2-year old gives it more meaning.

I do wish for bright, blue seas for my daughter to enjoy.  The family has a beach house in the province.  Mia has not been there yet.  I hope the beach will still be the same when she finally goes to visit.

The sand does not come close to what Boracay has, but the water has always been clean and clear.

Mia has assumed that all bodies of water should have fish in it. And that water with fish swimming in it should not be black.  I know this because she would ask me where the fish are when she sees a river, pond, or even an aquarium.  More than cute, that's just sensible, isn’t it?

We’re off to the beach in a couple of weeks.  Keeping my fingers crossed for a friendly weather.  Mia deserves to enjoy the sea J.

the dentist and her playhouse

I did not want Mia to make a big fuss about going to a dentist.  I wanted her to see it like we were just going to the mall.  So when I got a dental appointment for her, I announced it as plainly as I can: Mia, we’re going to the dentist tomorrow.  She gave me a blank stare.

She is aware of what a dentist does.  She’s seen Elmo go to a dentist J, on TV of course.  She was not scared of the idea, she just knew that she was going to be held in place for quite a while – that, she hated.  Even when she is given vaccine shots, she never really cries because of the syringe.  It was always because she was restrained.

We arrived at Dra. Georgia Roa-Remulla’s clinic in Alabang where familiar faces met us.  Mia’s godmothers Malu, Bel and Lea and their own babies were also consulting on the same day.  Inside the clinic, Mia went crazy seeing this:

I went nuts!  I LOOOOOVVVVEEE PLAYHOUSES!  I swear if we have one at home, I can happily do work and play with Mia in it.  We can even nap inside.  I used to build make-shift playhouses with blankets, pillows and tents when I was younger.  Then I would arrange my little kitchen toys inside and pretend to cook for my brother and his robots.  Oooooh…those good old days J.

I was so happy for Mia, I allowed her to climb a staircase all by herself.  Yes, the playhouse actually had stairs to get to its 2^nd floor.

It also had a kitchen where Mia asked Ten-ten, her Ninang Bel’s daughter, to cook with her.

Aside from the awesome playhouse, the clinic had all these other toys and books that children can use to forget teeth check-up enjoy.  I know this is secondary in choosing your child’s dentist, but it sure does help a lot.

When Dra. Remulla took a look at Mia’s teeth, my baby wasn’t as difficult to manage as I expected her to be.  I was ready for wails and kicks, instead I only got a few no’s and short whimpers.  She even obliged giving EEEE’s and AAAA’s.  Good girl!

The sunny ambience of this dental clinic only comes 2^nd to the naturally friendly voice and calm approach of this Columbia-educated Pediatric Dentist, making both children and parents really at ease.  Not to mention really clean and sanitized facilities and equipment (sorry I failed to take photos of the other facilities, I went nuts nga sa playhouse).

This lovely dentist also gives time to explain to us parents the condition of our child’s teeth and shares oral hygiene for children (with visuals pa ha).  Mia was obviously happy as she was babbling non-stop and forcing me to look at her teeth right after the treatment (just cleaning and fluoride application, thank goodness!).

Two days after that dental appointment, Mia asked me what was done to her teeth.  I told her they were cleaned and given vitamins.  I asked her if she wanted to go there again.  Her response was a huge smile and - “Next week!”  Hahaha!  Because Mia did not really have any problems, we’re due back 3 months from now. J

Thank you Ms. Georgia! J