Last Saturday was Caehl's interview at Concepcion Kids Learning Center. The directress said his reading ability is 2 levels higher for his age. He read all the books like crazy, as expected.
When it comes to writing stories from life's natural everyday situations, no one does it better than The Good Girl. Now she is telling all...touching, true-to-life, heartwarming tales that tell the world about her life, love, and lessons learned, with her usual delightful brand of humor and drama. Follow me @therealgoodgirl (Twitter) @talesofthegoodgirl (Instagram)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Caehl goes to CLC
Last Saturday was Caehl's interview at Concepcion Kids Learning Center. The directress said his reading ability is 2 levels higher for his age. He read all the books like crazy, as expected.
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Good Girl's Daughter
I always like to think that my daughter and I are good friends.
That's why it saddens me when we fight. Or when we misunderstand each other. Or when she locks her bedroom and shuts me out.
The way it saddens me when she and her dad fight. Or when they misunderstand each other. And she locks her bedroom and shuts him out.
Cae is turning 15 this month. And as a mom, it is my desire to create as many bonds and experiences with her. That's why I always make it a point to be into everything she does and to get into everything she likes or wants. But sometimes, the generation gap comes in (even though our age gap is as short as Ogie Alcasid's stay in show business). Sometimes, what she wants is not always good. Or proper. Perhaps in her eyes (and in the eyes of teens like her), this or that is cool. Or this or that is perfectly all right. But you're not called a parent for nothing. Para ke pa na naging parent ka if you can't put your foot down, if you will always give in to what they want, even though you know in your heart na hindi naman nila ikabubuti, so to speak.
During conflicts like this, it pains me that no matter how I try to explain things to her, no matter how I try to be patient and calm, there are just some things which she can't or refuse to understand. Ayaw mag-sink in. And she cries and won't eat and stays in her room forever.
I always tell her, "I'm your mom and I know you too well." I could tell if she plucked her eyebrows or cut her bangs. I make it a point that she has her private time, and I don’t lurk. There are times that I understand her better than her dad does. Although I scold her and stick to my mom role often, as much as possible I would like to treat her as an adult. I like being with her and I treasure the moments I am with her, especially because I know there will be times that I or her dad may find it difficult to reach out to her.
More than once, I blogged about how my sisters and I have never been open to our mom about crushes and boyfriends. Mama has always been prim and proper, certainly not the type who will scream or gush over the opposite sex or one who understands today’s love and relationships. I could be a strict mom if the situation calls for it and I will not hesitate to give her the "homily" she deserves if she has done something wrong, but I can always be the open and fun-loving mom she prefers me to be and is proud of. “Para lang kayong mag-ate,” people would tell us.
And like sisters, I guess, we’ll have some “fight scenes” once in a while. But unlike her perhaps, I won't close my door on her and shut her out. Because I'm her mom.
That's why it saddens me when we fight. Or when we misunderstand each other. Or when she locks her bedroom and shuts me out.
The way it saddens me when she and her dad fight. Or when they misunderstand each other. And she locks her bedroom and shuts him out.
Cae is turning 15 this month. And as a mom, it is my desire to create as many bonds and experiences with her. That's why I always make it a point to be into everything she does and to get into everything she likes or wants. But sometimes, the generation gap comes in (even though our age gap is as short as Ogie Alcasid's stay in show business). Sometimes, what she wants is not always good. Or proper. Perhaps in her eyes (and in the eyes of teens like her), this or that is cool. Or this or that is perfectly all right. But you're not called a parent for nothing. Para ke pa na naging parent ka if you can't put your foot down, if you will always give in to what they want, even though you know in your heart na hindi naman nila ikabubuti, so to speak.
During conflicts like this, it pains me that no matter how I try to explain things to her, no matter how I try to be patient and calm, there are just some things which she can't or refuse to understand. Ayaw mag-sink in. And she cries and won't eat and stays in her room forever.
I always tell her, "I'm your mom and I know you too well." I could tell if she plucked her eyebrows or cut her bangs. I make it a point that she has her private time, and I don’t lurk. There are times that I understand her better than her dad does. Although I scold her and stick to my mom role often, as much as possible I would like to treat her as an adult. I like being with her and I treasure the moments I am with her, especially because I know there will be times that I or her dad may find it difficult to reach out to her.
More than once, I blogged about how my sisters and I have never been open to our mom about crushes and boyfriends. Mama has always been prim and proper, certainly not the type who will scream or gush over the opposite sex or one who understands today’s love and relationships. I could be a strict mom if the situation calls for it and I will not hesitate to give her the "homily" she deserves if she has done something wrong, but I can always be the open and fun-loving mom she prefers me to be and is proud of. “Para lang kayong mag-ate,” people would tell us.
And like sisters, I guess, we’ll have some “fight scenes” once in a while. But unlike her perhaps, I won't close my door on her and shut her out. Because I'm her mom.
Friday, March 6, 2009
FM
Francis Durango Magalona or as he is also known FrancisM, Master Rapper, and The Man From Manila is credited as being the first Filipino rapper in the Philippines to successfully crossover to the mainstream. He is also popularly known as the "King of Pinoy Rap" and is one of the most idolized, celebrated and influential rappers within the genre (Wikipedia). When the news about Francis Magalona and his illness came out two months ago, a few people texted and emailed me (to ask for a reaction or to simply inform me). My sister even emailed screen caps of his Multiply site (which I knew about, of course). To this date, I’ve never really posted a shout out about my being a fan when I was a teenager. But, while watching Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho last Saturday evening, which featured his 3 Stars and A Sun clothing line, I didn’t realize tears were falling down my face after upon seeing him on the road to recovery. That same day, he was in Eat Bulaga with his Dabarkads. All right then, I am a Francis Magalona fan ever since his Eclipse and breakdancing days. I always have been and I always will be. I remember my father (the kunsintidor that he is) and me touring Mandaluyong City just to look for the Magalona abode. I remember it so well, #69 Apo St. Apo is the first street parallel to EDSA if you’re southbound, you won’t miss it, it’s very near Wendy’s Boni. Two years ago, I PM’d his wife Pia (who used to be an active member of Femalenetwork’s Girltalk), if they were able to maintain the house on Apo St. and she said, no, especially after Kiko’s parents passed away (Pancho Magalona, 1998; and Tita Duran, 1990). I saw him through his UFO-Bagets-That’s Entertainment-Student Canteen days, and yes, his reckless years (car accident, drugs issue, etc). I still have the old newspaper clippings. I lost a lot of personal stuff when I moved out of our apartment in QC, and eventually, out of my folk’s house, but I still have my Francis Magalona soft-bound yellow scrapbook, a labor of love. I think Cae saw it one time, and she couldn’t believe that I was once a fan. She goes, “Mo-mmyyyyy!” Ilang shot lang, di ka na blangko. Ilang shot lang, utak ay listo. Well, I am and I always will be. Postscript: I never got to publish this blog (written late last year). It’s too late. I’m so sorry that Francis never knew about me. I am happy though that he is in a happier place now. Rest in peace. |
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Everything the light touches
In the movie The Lion King, while atop Pride Rock, King Mufasa tells his cub, “Look Simba, everything the light touches is our kingdom.”Those words are precisely what’s on my mind when I first saw Bato, an undeveloped land in Barangay Bato, Mauban, Quezon, owned by the De la Cuestas, Alex’s family - my in-laws.
Part of Alex’s agenda that weekend was to check out the ongoing palay harvest in Santol and the gapas (clearing activity) being made (and how far it has gone) in Bato. The last time he went to Bato, it was raining and listening to him narrate the trip seemed like an ordeal. There was a point that he was stuck in mud and they had to pull him out. And he’s asking if I would like to join him that Sunday. I had the choice between that or to stay in the room we rented for the weekend. I was thinking, what the heck. Nandun na din lang ako.
We were up at 630am. We didn’t eat breakfast, we just had a Big Mak burger. It took us an hour walk to reach Bato. At one point, Rene, Alex’s right-hand man, pointed out to us, “Do you see the tall coconut trees? Sa inyo yan.” Wow. I felt like Simba at that moment.
Feeling ko mangingitim ako. Ang layo. We had to pass through an ilog, endless pilapil (not related to Pilar, by the way), and yes, mud. May paakyat, may pababa, may portion na tatalon ka, lahat-lahat na. May kalabaw na masamang tumingin, ang daming aso. May parang umiiyak na bata, pero ibon pala. Buti na lang, hindi naman ako sosyalin. Kahit putik-putikan ang Havs ko, carry pa din (I brought an extra pair, buti na lang din). Tawa na lang ako ng tawa. Alex had to retrieve his slippers from the mud many times. “Kawawa naman Havs natin,” he was saying.
We took a break when we reached a clear spot. Using a big galian (I’m not sure of the spelling but it is a variety of gabi or taro root) leaf to sit on, Rene got us some fresh buko and laughed when Alex and I had a ceremonial toast. Ang sarap ng feeling that back home in San Pedro, if you want some buko juice, you had to pay for it; but in our property, it was free and fresh from the tree. Service deluxe pa kami. From the same husk, Rene made a sort of a spoon to scoop out the buko meat. Ang sarap. I couldn’t believe that everything I see – the coconut trees, the plants I don’t recognize, the soil I was stepping on – was ours. I stretched out my arms as if to hug everything. I wanted to shout, “Atin ito!” But I didn’t have to. I knew that Alex knew what I was thinking, what I was feeling. I was glad I didn’t stay in the hotel room.
And so, we walked back (yes, for another hour) with smile on our faces. We have so many plans and with God’s loving guidance, sana matupad naming lahat yun and enjoy the fruits of our labor soon. 
A Quaint Dinner at Kusina ni Salud
On our trip home from Mauban, Alex suddenly felt hungry.
“Parang mapapa-Max’s tayo ah,“ he quipped. It was just past 4pm, and estimating our arrival in Tayabas, it would only be 5pm-ish.
“Early dinner?” I asked.
But by the time we reached Tayabas, Alex’s hunger was somehow dissipated by the adobong mani we bought the previous night. Maaga pa, we decided.
I suddenly remembered the Kusina ni Salud sign I’ve already seen thrice along the road. The name was familiar as I’ve seen it in food blogs and magazines. I told Alex it’s a popular Southern stopover, so why don’t we try it for a change. Actually, I don’t mind eating in fast food restos and carinderias during our trips but we were already curious and excited that we simply had to check it out.
From the highway, it was a 1.3km – drive. Malayo ba yun, I asked Alex. Next thing we knew, there was a sign pointing to a gate on our left, so we drove in.
“Inay, mommy, ang sosyal yata.”
“Sosyal ba?”
“Naka-shorts lang tayo.”
“Di naman yata kailangang naka-gown. Hayaan mo na, may pera naman tayo.”
And so we finally went in and were captivated by the old-fashioned fixtures and furnishings. I love the mismatched chairs and the comfy dining tables that if you came in as a group, matatagalan ang kuwentuhan. Medyo madilim but it added to the over-all charm. You can even hear birds and crickets. I think it would be lovelier during daytime when you can see the plants.
I am quite adventurous when it comes to food but at that time, I was in no mood to try their carabao meat, even though I wanted salpicao sana. Alex insisted I should try out the seafood dishes but I wanted something which I could share with him.
We finally chose the SIZZLING! SISIG (their description: our version of the classic Pinoy barchow, inspired by the railroad side sisig of Pampanga, served on a hot! iron plate, topped with a fresh egg, chopped onions, green chilies and toasted garlic); and LECHON KAWALI AT PINAKBET (their description: deep-fried, oven-dried, crispy pork belly set on a bed of garlic-sauteed northern Luzon vegetable stew of fresh okra, bitter gourd, eggplant, string beans and squash, flavor-infused with bagoong-isda). We also ordered the Chinese fried rice (good for 2 persons). I asked for the iced pandan tea but it was not available so I settled for watermelon shake, and Alex, iced tea as usual.
The portions were all right for the price. Perhaps if there were four of us, we could have finished everything. We took pictures before we left. Unfortunately, we forgot to have our kodakan outside, just below the Welcome sign. But we’ll probably be back anyway. The Sunday buffet lunch seems promising.
Visit http://www.kusinasalud.com and http://kusinasalud.multiply.com
KUSINA SALUD
Cell: 0921-7726985
Laguna: 049-5736155
kusinasalud@gmail.com
“Parang mapapa-Max’s tayo ah,“ he quipped. It was just past 4pm, and estimating our arrival in Tayabas, it would only be 5pm-ish.
“Early dinner?” I asked.
But by the time we reached Tayabas, Alex’s hunger was somehow dissipated by the adobong mani we bought the previous night. Maaga pa, we decided.
I suddenly remembered the Kusina ni Salud sign I’ve already seen thrice along the road. The name was familiar as I’ve seen it in food blogs and magazines. I told Alex it’s a popular Southern stopover, so why don’t we try it for a change. Actually, I don’t mind eating in fast food restos and carinderias during our trips but we were already curious and excited that we simply had to check it out.
From the highway, it was a 1.3km – drive. Malayo ba yun, I asked Alex. Next thing we knew, there was a sign pointing to a gate on our left, so we drove in.
“Inay, mommy, ang sosyal yata.”
“Sosyal ba?”
“Naka-shorts lang tayo.”
“Di naman yata kailangang naka-gown. Hayaan mo na, may pera naman tayo.”
And so we finally went in and were captivated by the old-fashioned fixtures and furnishings. I love the mismatched chairs and the comfy dining tables that if you came in as a group, matatagalan ang kuwentuhan. Medyo madilim but it added to the over-all charm. You can even hear birds and crickets. I think it would be lovelier during daytime when you can see the plants.I am quite adventurous when it comes to food but at that time, I was in no mood to try their carabao meat, even though I wanted salpicao sana. Alex insisted I should try out the seafood dishes but I wanted something which I could share with him. We finally chose the SIZZLING! SISIG (their description: our version of the classic Pinoy barchow, inspired by the railroad side sisig of Pampanga, served on a hot! iron plate, topped with a fresh egg, chopped onions, green chilies and toasted garlic); and LECHON KAWALI AT PINAKBET (their description: deep-fried, oven-dried, crispy pork belly set on a bed of garlic-sauteed northern Luzon vegetable stew of fresh okra, bitter gourd, eggplant, string beans and squash, flavor-infused with bagoong-isda). We also ordered the Chinese fried rice (good for 2 persons). I asked for the iced pandan tea but it was not available so I settled for watermelon shake, and Alex, iced tea as usual.
The portions were all right for the price. Perhaps if there were four of us, we could have finished everything. We took pictures before we left. Unfortunately, we forgot to have our kodakan outside, just below the Welcome sign. But we’ll probably be back anyway. The Sunday buffet lunch seems promising.
Visit http://www.kusinasalud.com and http://kusinasalud.multiply.com
KUSINA SALUD
Cell: 0921-7726985
Laguna: 049-5736155
kusinasalud@gmail.com
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