Becks in Town

If you are a football fan, you know straightaway who I am talking about. It's David Beckham, the football star. I am not really a big football or soccer fan. I easily get bored with how long they score, so the highlight of any game is good enough for me. And I am not a big fan of that Spice Girl turned Mrs Beckham either... what's her name?

What caught my attention was the article in The Sydney Morning Herald (26 November 2007, pages 2 and 3 of the Sport section):

"Do you know you made some kids with cancer cry this morning, David?

"Never mind jet lag from a 22-hour journey from London via China, David Beckham suddenly didn't know what day it was. "Welcome to Australia...

"Mustering an eloquence that betrayed his fatigue, and a few of his responses, Beckham told his Channel Seven assailant he hadn't seen any children he was supposed to meet at LA Galaxy's team hotel since stepping off his private jet about, oh, 12 minutes ago.

""That's one thing [ignoring fans] I would never have done, never have done and never will do. That's not me," he pleaded.

"... his manager immediately assured Channel Seven the misunderstanding would be cleared up and that Beckham was to meet the children, including 14-year old leukaemia survivor Emma Byers, at last night's Sydney FC game."

That's a very nice gesture from David Beckham and his management team. This is a guy who makes, reportedly; $1 million a week!

Now comes my "whining"... my grandson, Jaylen, who survived ALL leukaemia requested The Starlight Children's Foundation to meet the Umbilical Brothers. Not a biggie as meeting David Beckham or any footie star or even a trip to Disneyland. But apparently the Umbilical Brothers are "too busy" for almost a year now to "ignore" that request. Up to now, there's no respond and the bros are apparently "busy". Jaylen even outgrown them now and are now into other interests as all other boys his age.

I guess it's the Umbilical Brothers' loss not Jaylen's. The great thing is, Starlight is so embarrassed by all this they offered Jaylen's family a trip to the Gold Coast as early as January 2008. You see, all things happen for a reason, good reasons. I am sure Jaylen and his brothers would love that trip rather than meeting second rate comedians. I hope the Umbilical Brothers learn a thing or two from a star who makes $1 million a week!

While Beckham may not heal some kids, he will make some kids happy for the rest of their lives. Good on you David!

Jaylen's ALL Two Year Anniversary

You've guessed by now that we have a penchant for Lindt Chocolate Cake. We have a sweet tooth. Rea even bought this Chocolate covered strawberry lollies from Country Road today. This is Charle's birthday cake and a bottle of Moscato.

We were at my grandsons' home yesterday for dinner, as we missed Charles birthday the other day(we weren't invited :( ). It's good to celebrate on a Friday though, one can drink and stay up as late as it is not a working day the next day.

But Honey, as she always does have an elephant's memory; remembered something else. It's always at the back of her mind that yesterday was a day we should have remembered. And it dawned on her that it was the day that Jaylen was diagnosed with ALL or the dreaded leukaemia.

That was two years ago, and we are happy to say that Jaylen is going well and have another month for his maintenance medicines. All his tests are good.

While this day is something that we would rather forget, in a way this day was a Thanksgiving day for us for the last year or so. Jaylen was declared on the mend since last year and has been taking his maintenance medication for the last one and half years. Another month to go and as Jaylen always declares: he has a new life. He said this when his port was taken off a year ago.

Whenever he goes back for treatment or when he has a fever (a sign of an incoming infection), he woul declare when his needle are taken out: "Welcome world, I am back again!" We don't know were he comes up with these sayings. Maybe on the cartoon shows he always watch when in hospital.

We have a theory that part of his recovery is the fact that as a kid he does not worry much like an adult would. He has this positive outlook in life. Plus all the prayers and positive support we get from family and friends. Plus all the staff at C2, C3 Wests and emergency ward at Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick. Special mention and thanks to Prof Marshall for his expertise and commitment to children with cancers. Jay and Aiyee mucking around...

We have every reason to thank God for the grace and blessing for testing us. He chose a good test subject in Jaylen!

If you want to donate money to any charity, please keep in mind the Sydney Children's Hospital, The Leukeamia Foundation, Ronald McDonalds House Charities and the Starlight Children's Foundation. Please give generously.

So everytime Charles would celebrate his birthday, the following day would be a special day also for all of us. And we pray that it will continue to be so!

What are you trying to say?

I think he's telling us something...

We know summer is here, coz you're wearing your sunnies!

Hey wait a second... that is not your sunnies. They are... uh.. swimming goggles!

Ok we get it, you want us to take you to the beach... Bondi here we come!

This last one taken at Uncle Flinton and Auntie Maria's flat at Bondi. Thanks for having us.

Their Big Red Car

These are my three wiggles.

Taken at my backyard last week, I think Rea's birthday. That was the time Kallen and Jay had the chicken pox, lucky Aiyee didn't get it!

Happy Birthday Dy... Happy Birthday Charles...

What was left of Rea's cake... Mmmmm....

November is a "busy" month for us. Busy in the sense that several members of the family celebrate their birthdays in November.

Last 13, it is my daughter Rea. Today is my dad's "37th" birthday and tommorow is my son-in-law, Charles' birthday.

So happy birthdays to you guys!

I just called my dad, who we called Dy (or Di, short for Daddy....). This is one of the longest conversation I had with him in a long time. We, my sisters and I; usually call him during holidays and birthdays. I guess just to say hello and touch base.

I learned that he had a bout of bad case of influenza a couple of weeks back. But he seems to be ok now.

He said that most of his brothers and sisters saw him last Saturday, the 17th; I guess for an early birthday celebration. You see he is the eldest among his siblings. There is Uncle Ben, Uncle Gani (for Isagani), Auntie Ligaya, Auntie Liway (for Liwayway), Uncle Bayan (for Bayani), Auntie Zeny, Uncle David (RIP), Auntie Mercy and Auntie Celia. It must have been a nice mini reunion of sorts. Thus I asked him to sent me some pictures.

The last time we had this impromptu reunion was when my grandmother, Lola Genia, died in 2004; their mother. This is one of the rare times that the clan was present. At least most of us. My lola would have been proud to see all her children, grandchildren and friends there!

Hopefully we'll have a proper reunion next time.

Again, Happy Birthday Dy!

Happy Birthday Rea!

Today my daughter Rea was born... I believe that was one of the happiest moments in my life. Seeing your child born. Like you have this God-like ability to create and procreate a human being.

But as any parent knows, this is not the end of your "God-like" abilities and responsibilities. You, as a parent, have to guide and care for this person that you have introduced into this world.

Looking back and seeing today the "product", I feel (and I know Honey will concur) that I/we have done a splendid job. I mean, it may not be all because of me and my wife's rearing; but the total life experience gave us this wonderful person.

Obviously she is far from perfect, but she turned out a very responsible, loving and caring person especially her role as a mother to three boys.

Happy Birthday sweetheart. Your mom bought you the one thing you wanted for this year, as always you are spoilt!

Simply Jessie by Rex Smith

"And I don’t know how I knew it

But I knew it somehow

You’re the answer to the question

No one’s answered till now

And I don’t know what you see

What you see in me

Girl it’s nothing to what I see in you

Stars that glisten

Lips for kissin’

Honey listen it’s true

No one ever loved you better

I love ya honey

And I’ve known a girl or two

But none of them was you

And they could never be what you are to me

Stars that glisten

Lips for kissin’

Honey listen it’s true

No one ever loved you better

I love ya honey I love you

I love you

I love you

I love you

I love you"

Honey was listening to her Nokia mobile phone's MP3, and this song came up. She asked me to Google it and above is the lyrics. The tune and lyrics are both nice and we just liked it. Apparently, as I Googled it, it was sung in a movie called Sooner or Later...

The photo was taken by Honey at our backyard. I think she was infected by my enthusiasm. She liked the flowering cactus, as well as the rich pink color of the flower itself. Which she was reminded of something very close to her heart!

Song & lyrics copyright by Rex Smith.

Happy Birthday Enid....

Hi Enid,

It's been more than a year now since we saw each other at our high school reunion at San Diego.

Aside from the occasional emails and phone calls, we usually keep in touch. Not as often as we should or would like to.

This year has been a roller coaster for you, with the recent loss of your husband, Carlos. Now you are celebrating another milestone in your life - turning into a Golden girl or woman.

Knowing you all these years, I know you won't be turning into a "lady" any moment now. You know; and everyone who knows you, know what I mean. You are always the life of the party or for that matter any conversation. You are so jolly and I very seldom see you not smiling or laughing out loud. This a trademark that will stay with me and that I always associate you with.

There has never been a dull moment when we are with you. You seem to always can come up with a joke or a line that will make us laugh. Even at our expense. Maybe in another life you were a commedienne. I think it's not too late to pursue that vocation. Seriously.

Who would have come up with: Victory Joe (one of my favorites!), Tarzan, Shamu (delivered at the SD Hilton lift) and other anecdotes; due to their adult ratings I can't mention here.

You are so special because you are a true friend, who makes us laugh. I think that is your secret in aging so "gracefully". You still look the same as long as I can remember.

Have a happy, happy, happy birthday my friend! We wish you the best and we are wishing we were with you this coming Monday; not because we love New York but because we love you!

Love,

Itlog (remember you gave me that nickname, how can I forget you?)

(I am still looking for an appropriate picture to go with this post.)

Featured Grandpa and Grandson: Tony & Alex

My friend Tony sends me pictures of his grandson, Alex. I thought why not feature these two (sorry Menchie, Tony has not sent any pictures of you and Alex!) in my blog? I asked Tony and he said ok... so here they are.

As you can imagine, Alex is the first grandchild of Tony and Menchie. We don't see them as often as we used to when we use to work together at this paging company start up. Yep that was a long time ago, hey we are grandparents!

Anyway, with the internet, email and mobile phones, we keep in touch. Plus they just live a few minutes away from us. But as usual we are busy with our families and work.

There is nothing much I can say about Alex except that he is the apple of his grandparents eyes. I can't blame them, look how georgeous he is! He is a better version of Lolo Tony.


I'll make sure to sent this link to all our common friends so at least they can see and meet cute Alex.


Hopefully one of these days we can introduce the three boys to Alex and vice versa.

My favorites

Photo above of Ashlee in his cool Blue (his favorite colour!) Power Rangers costume and Kallen, taken at their new house Oct 2007. Unfortunately my other favorite, Jay is watching TV!

Every parent or grandparent has a favorite. If you don't admit to it, you're lying.

I mean I have favorites.

My favorite is Jaylen, because he is my first grandson. He is such a special boy, that when he was struck with leaukemia (he is still undergoing treatment and is on his last year of maintenance and on the mend now! Thank God!), he was so strong and showed all us how to be strong.

My favorite is Ashlee, or Aiyee as I fondly calls him. He is such a favorite not only because he is my second grandson, but also he looks like Pappy (that's me). Such a favorite because of his unique position, a middle child (come to mind "Malcolm in the Middle"). When he was born and growing up, you can compare his character to Jay. So different in a good way, and so unique.

Lastly, another favorite is my youngest grandson, Kallen. At the moment he is a this stage wherein he is so precocious. I guess because he has two elder bothers to learn from. Being the youngest of the three, he is a favorite. He looks more like Jay that Aiyee, but again unique in his own way.

So you see, it is not too bad having favorites, we all have favorites and we have different reasons why.

With Popo Juliana

Old picture of Jay (about 2 or 3 months old, 5 years ago!) with Popo Juliana, I think taken at Popo's house in Campsie.

This is Jay's grandma from his dad's side. The kids call her Popo, as the Chinese for grandma. These kids are so fortunate for having a kind hearted Popo and Kungkung (grandpa) Erwin.

Fortunate & unfortunate...

Jay, when he was baby with Rea.

I did mention about my having a daughter, "fortunately and unfortunately". I just wanted to qualify that statement. Unfortunately, because a daughter is a high maintenance person. Not because she's ugly (which as you see from the above photo, she's not!) but because she likes good and expensive things.

I remember drinking the most expensive cup of coffee in my life: when I bought her a bag. While waiting to complete the purchase I was offered a cup of coffee... which I dilligently took advantage of.

Now, she says only the best things for her boys! That's fortunate for me and very unfortunate for their dad... Charles! You can see in this photo that my little Jaylen is wearing one of those
Pumpkin Patch baby clothes. He has all these brand names shoes, clothes, etc. Fortunately, he has another two brothers who can "re-use" them all! Which is a bit "unfortunate" for them...

In the beginning...

There's my daughter, Rea, Jaylen and Charles, my son-in-law. This is an old photo, like more than 5 years ago; at a Car Show at Darling Harbour. Daddy likes cars. Maybe he will buy each of the boys a nice car when they grow up!

My Three Grandsons

Kallen, Honey, Ashlee & Jaylen at home in Woodcroft, Oct 2007.

Well I did not have the chance to say my three sons this lifetime. Fortunately or unfortunately for me (however you want to see it... ), I have been blessed with one daughter.

In exchange, God gave me three grandsons... Jaylen, Ashlee and Kallen.

Seen here with my wife, which the kids calls Honey. Hence the title of this blog.

Honey took out the kids Tokyo Disneyland's Mickey Mouse hats. You see, Jay and Aiyee had the privileged of going to Tokyo Disneyland in 2005, while Kallen was not even born yet. So for this picture taking, Honey lend to Kallen her Minnie Mouse hair band. Cute is it not? I guess for now it is, we'll just have to wait when Kallen is bigger...