In a Race that Matters

Before I went to UP... 1. I was bent on studying to be a lawyer. I was enrolled in a Political Science program at the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City, with the President Jaime Hernandez scholarship under my belt. 2. I was engrossed in wishful thinking, spending much of my waking hours letting my imagination fly, and even stealing from my sleeping time dwelling on the what-ifs of my teenager's life. (what if I had straight hair? what if I were movie star? what if I were the most popular gurl in the campus?) 3. I was a Mills and Boon addict. As early as 13, I was already into pocketbooks. I refused to go to dreamland unless I was done with the last chapter of whatever it was I was reading (usually the mushy stuff). Never mind if I had to use a flashlight under my blanket because strict Nanay already switched off the lights. Pocketbooks introduced me to the fascinating world of words, and taught me (erroneously at that!) that life was all about roses, kisse...

Whoa, a month has slipped that fast! Been busy juggling my multiple roles as wife, mom, teacher-mom and yup, businesswoman. Good thing, I am able to do all these under one thatched roof. Playing Wifey I found myself playing the supportive partner to my hubby dear who's been barraged with business concerns from duping partners who appeared as wolves in sheep's clothing. The guy was hurt and I was too. Never thought we would be played around with people we regarded as friends and whom we trusted much. Well, what lesson did we learn from this? -- Be wary... HD keeps on saying, we should trust but we should also watch. I guess we have not been that watchful. We were too trusting. The Mom My leave of absence made me take to heart my role as Mom. Time spent with the kids is just so short and precious, so it's better to make the most of it. For all I know, I will just wake up one day in an empty nest, with my two sons already on their own-- flip-flopping their sturdy (hope ...

Whew, I have been caught up in the swirl and tyranny of the urgent. Blogging has taken a backseat for a while. I may not have been that faithful in writing (uggh. I can feel needle pricks in here) but whoa, there are lots to be thankful for for the first half of the year. 1.) Family Trips The Flores fam went on a three-day furlough to Baguio in January. We hopped in our five-year old,still reliable L3 on a road trip to Central Luzon, briefly passing by Philrice where Dad had to follow-up on the rice varieties he, as representative as Advanta, had tested. We also met up with Ate Evelyn B and spent our lunch with her and her two lovable boys. Baguio? It's still a wonder to me despite the obvious congestion and the growing pollution.Establishments-big and small have mushroomed just about anywhere. Tourism there is indeed alive and bustling. Of course, we let the kids enjoy Baguio's sights -- Mines View, Burnham Park, Wright Park, Camp John Hay (where we strol...

What have I learned from the 365 days that just passed by before my blurry vision? I would like to believe I picked up a few nuggets of wisdom from the year that was. And why not, when I was able to pluck one hundred strands of white hair, almost a foot long, some hidden and some sticking out of my rebonded mane. Whoah! Grandpa's clock is ticking fast. Here's a list of eye-opening insights I hope will see me through this brand new year: 1. If it's not meant for you, even if you work until your brain burst and sweat with blood, you won't have it. This is a hard lesson for us, and the truth just screams at us in the face. My hubby and I were never wanting in talents and skills, especially my hubby whose mind is just as sharp as a Samurai.He worked hard, did his best on a particular project, gave his all--time, effort, every available resource at his disposal. Everything seemed to be in the bag, but what have you.-- The outcome did not turn out as we expected it t...

From a humanistic point of view, 2008 did not deliver the goods for us. Business plans which we all thought would be the panacea to our woes went pfft, thanks to an unscrupulous de vito-look alike ectomorphic who minced no words in saying he and his partner in the US were duped by their Romanian partners. He played a little game of peek-a-boo while the point guy somewhere on a tiny island felt suspended in mid-air with the sword of Damocles about to rip his neck off. Career-wise, hubby and I decided that I take a one-year off from the unbelievably rotten world of public service. After more than a decade of beating my brains out for a measly pay envelope, I had to raise my rickety hands in surrender. Where I used to be, truth is gagged, immorality is tolerated, wrongdoers are favored and those who stand up for the truth are punished. If you love justice, truth and righteousness, frustration will weigh you down. Entered two wobbly knees, a burdened heart, a pained cry. With the fut...

The fam welcomed the New Year watching the spectacular display of fireworks at SM Mall of Asia, just a couple of hours after devouring grilled tuna, buttered shrimps and Halaan stew at Dad and Mom's Seaside resturant. Whew, I was thrilled to the core when the outdoor band played the soothing music of the 70s and 80s, evoking memories of golden days long gone. Auntie and I, with the kiddos shied away from the loud music of a rock band concert in a nearby open space just infront of the mall.While waiting for the shower of lights, we holed up inside our van and caught a few winks. At 12 am, all eyes were on the grand pyrotechnics showcase. The kiddos were in awe at the dancing lights that lit up the sky. Wow, the sight was jaw-dropping, indeed.

"Mommy, karga me." (Mommy, carry me). "Mom, please make my milk", " mom, please remog (remove)my diapo (diaper)" "Mom, I want sunny-side up and hotdogs." "Mom, I want to watch Spogsbob and Dora. " Mom, what is a mirage?" "Mommy, o, away naman ako ni Kuya!" (My brother's starting a fight again)"No more fighting ha?, just loving, loving." Two pairs of sun-kissed hands tugging at my sauce-stained apron, two pairs of curious eyes,accompanied at times with creased brows , a pair of voices talking at the same time, vying for attention... It has been barely a month since I declared my independence from public service but I have come to the conclusion with nary a doubt nor an ounce of hesitation that nothing beats being a 24/7 mom in terms of workload. At the office,only my brain and fingertips are at work.And yup,I can still manage to look fresh and do a li'l chit-chat there). Now, I begin to wonder w...