Birthday Party 2010

This is last Saturday's August 28, 2010) birthday party celebration of our friend and neighbor's son and our children's school mate, Dan Michael.

There were so much funs for the childrens participating the activities just prepared for them.

However, after the party, when we were already at home and ready to sleep, our eldest daughter had a stomach pain which we didn't know what's the real cause. The next day, she went to the toilet many times disposing very soft wastes.

Later, we had learnt from other parents that their children also had the same problem.

With this, I had reminded of the same concern for many children few months back when we had attended the same kind of party celebration held at the same fast food center, but in different location.

Parent Teacher Fellowship

These are just some of the pictures taken today, Friday, August 27, 2010 during the Parent Teacher Fellowship at the Bangkok Baptist Learning Center, BBLC here in Bangkok Thailand.

The occasion was a mixture of many related things: learning the reasons why it's great to have our children learn in this school where God is the center of their learning, remembering the great roles parents have for their children and the overviewing of the bright and Godly future of our children based on the real experiences of the same school in the Philippines using the same curriculum for 23 years already, seeing the many beautiful fruits of the school.

It was great also to have been reminded of the importance of the character of the children which the school is committed to working hard to achieve it, and of course, with the cooperation of the parents and the children.
The pricipal had mentioned about the importance of teaching the chilren not only how to make a living, but also to teach them how to live.

What a great and wonderful day for all of us!

Walking the Talk

The Holy Spirit is really moving and working with the Couples for Christ (CFC) community. It's manifested in the undying commitments of the many leaders of the community, like Kuya Jesus (Jess) Monreal and his wife, Ate Lolit who not only leading the Rangsit Church Sunday Mass activities and yearly Christian Life Program (CLP) activities, but also leading one of the CFC household groups where my beloved family is belonged.

In spite of being so busy of his job as Managing Director in one of the biggest Electronic Company here in Thailand, he still able to manage all this, which, for some people considered extra activities. For him, it's his humble way of saying thank you to the Lord for all His generosity and faithfulness to him and his family, and for all the blessings not only to him and to his family, but also to all the members of the CFC community, especially to his household members, especially my family, whom he would always patienly carry within his car like his own family, whenever we have a household prayer meetings in far away places after the Sunday Mass.

It is in this unordinary gestures that my life is being touched by the love of God.

It's not only him and his beloved wife, Ate Lolit that I have seen walking on the talk, but many of our other committed CFC leaders, like Kuya Vic and ate Emily, Brother Pats and his wife Sister Carla, Kuya Edgar and Ate Monyeen, Brother Sim and Sister Nenit, Brother Art and Sister Laarni, Bro Tony and Sister Emily, Brother Joy-Joy and Sister Emilyn, and Brother Jun-Jun who already returned to our Heavenly Father and Sister Ann, his wife who is now in Canada with their son, Kerby.

Some are doing it secretly and some are doing it widely open. However, it doesn't matter. What does matters is that, it's so wonderful and inspiring to have a kind of life living in a community confined in the same culture, which is centered on the love of God.

Feeding the Birds

It was a wondeful day for all of us spending time together feeding the birds at the Chatuchack Park one Saturday morning right after my weekly tennis at the same park. It's our first time enjoying this kind of family outing, bonding together while enjoying the feeding of the doves.

Our children loved this so much and kept on asking us when would we be doing it again. It had made them laughed a lot and amazed of how close they were with the birds. They could touch them and even fed them on their hands.

It was very nice watching them joyfully, and playfully feeding the birds like their own pets.

Our joy had also made a big difference to the other three young children ( 2 boys and one girl) selling those foods for the birds for we had bought a lot from them. So, they made a lot for money that day from us. It's one good way of sharing our blessings to them.

Big Sea Waves in My Dream

Last night (August 22, 2010) I had a dream of big sea waves coming toward our second old home at Langub, Asturias, Cebu in the Philippines and in this dream I had recalled that I had already dreamt of it before and even now I can agree with this previous dream that it had occurred to me once before.

In this new dream I was so worried of my loved ones slowly running with me to the high level ground for safety, but when we reached there, I was sadden to see that even the highest mountains ahead of us had already been reached by the other big waves coming from different origin, and water already pouring down from these highest mountains.

Then losing the hope of escaping, I gathered my loved ones, holding hands together and we had prayed. Then suddenly, I woke up.

Ayuthaya Province Household Meeting

Today's household meeting was really a great challenge to our household leader. Apart from the distance of the location of the venue, which is in Ayuthaya Province, about 30 to 45 minutes from the Rangsit Church, we had difficulty of accommodating more than 20 people including 6 childrens in just two cars after one of our brothers who has a car had cancelled his plan to come with us for a very valid reason of bringing their son to the hospital for medical check-up.

However, with God's grace, all of us were able to get in those two cars, and with God's mercy, everything was fine. We had funs eating our lunch together and then having our main agenda of having the household prayer meeting, praising and worshiping our Beloved God and then finally our sharing for some of our life's experiences.

When we had finished our activities, we had thanked Mr. Peter and his wife - the hosts for today's household meeting and then hurried back to our place and making a stop for a shot of the elephants as shown in the third picture.

Our Future Family Pianist

This is our eldest daughter whom I encouraged and reminded all the time to do her best in her piano lessons.

She is now studying the notes and already doing well for some basic children's songs. I always tell her that one day, our whole family will serve the Lord through music serving churches, to sing songs while she's playing the piano during the Sunday Mass, or any occasion for the Lord.

This is my dream for my whole family, and I believe God will grant this to us one day.

Now our children, by their heart and mind are preparing themselves for their individual musical instrument they want to play by that time the Lord granted our desire to serve Him.

Our second daughter wants to play the violin while the youngest wants to play the guitar.

Our Children's Field Trip in Bangkok's Geological Museum

These are some of the pictures of our children's class field trip at Bangkok's Geological Museum located at Payathai area, about 3 km. away from their school. It's one of their science class activities for this school year.

One of the purpose of their field trip is to expose them to the different kinds of stones, such as gemstone, limestone, quartz, marble, etc. Then two weeks later, as announced earlier, their teacher had asked them to present their group's field trip's report.
It's a very good experience to our children at their earlier age to have this kind of exposure. I really appreaciate their school's administration to have included this kind of activity for all their students. It's really a great help to all the children's developing mind.

My Tennis 2010 Exactly A Week Ago

This is my tennis 2010's serious competition with only 80% preparation.

I could have done better should I had prepared myself 100% as before, like in 2004 when I won the Championship of the Tennis Association of Filipinos in Thailand (TAFT) Open Tournament.

Because there was no ealier confirmations from the other participants that they will really join the tournament, and due to the constant rain everyday for several days already, and August really is the rainy season in Thailand, I was discouraged to continue my usual two-week regimens before the tournament day.

As a result, I just ended up the first runner for this year's TAFT tournament.

Though I got in the semi-final round as if with good luck, I was very sure that I could really reach the final round, and indeed, I had really made it.

The whole tennis group was divided into two groups, where in each group has five players. Each group has to play round-robin and the first and second ranking players in each group in terms of the points they won, will play cross-over in the semi-final: first vs. second and second vs. first.

While the other two players were still playing, I was wishing that the other guy (Mr. Joey) whose points were very closed to mine will just get equal points with his opponent (Mr. Dennis).

Otherwise, if he gets two point more than his opponent, then he would be the second-ranked player in our group, and he would be the one to play in the semi-final against the first-ranked player in the other group. Fortunately, his opponent got one more point over his. So, I was lucky to get the second highest points in our group and had played the semi-final. I was very confident to defeat my opponent (Mr. Jun) because I am too familiar of his tennis games play.

And I had really defeated him by just one point.

Five minutes after our semi-final match, my final opponent (Mr. Ti) had requested to have our final match immediately, but I asked for five minutes break. So, he was in a little advantage of the situation for he had rested more since their semi-final match had finished earlier than ours.

He got the first point during his service, and I got mine during my turn.

I had almost broken him in his second service turn. It was 0-40 in my favor. Unfortunately, at this very moment, while thinking that I am winning the tournament, I had felt discomfort in my stomach and it's really bursting. So, I had lost my focus and he got the point.
In my second service turn I also got the point.

He got also his third point in his third service turn and I got mine on my third service turn.

However, after this, he got his fourth point. And in my fourth service turn, he had broken me, and had won the tournament's championship match.

I was happy with the result thinking that it's a good gift for his elderly mother for it was exactly a Mother's Day in Thailand that day. She was waiting for him since morning and supposed to go at 5 P.M. for doctor's appointment. I was the one who was pressured with his Mom's appointment.

Anyway, these are the things I had learned in this tournament: I should continue my usual two-week regimens no matter what: whether the tournament will go on or not.

I should eat heavy breakfast few hours before the tournament. I should never be disturbed by anything especially during the final round.

Visualization had really worked for me again this time, but the only thing I had missed is that, when I visualized myself raising the trophy the night before the tournament, I didn't clearly visualize what trophy was it: champion's or the runner-up's trophy.

Household Members Reunion

These are some of the pictures taken during the reunion of our household members when our CFC brother and sister - couple from Singapore visited Thailand two weeks ago.
There were lot of foods and funs we had shared together.

Some were singing and other were eating, drinking and chatting.

Scary Day for the Family

Initially, we're so happy that finally, our children could swim today at the Chatuchak Park's swimming pool. But, after 30 minutes of their swimming, the sky had slowly darkened and the the rain had slowly droppings.

After about 10 minutes, lightnings and thunders had came and the swimming pool lifeguards urgently asked my wife to let our chilren to get out from the pool. I was so worried because I was still very far away jogging when the lightning and thunders came.

When I arrived, I was so happy seeing them safely out of the swimming pool with my wife.

We stayed there near the swimming pool for more than two hours hoping the rain would be gone shortly. While waiting, we were so scared seeing and hearing those very powerful lightning and thunders, respectively around us.

The most scary one was after praying together, after uttering the last word of the "Oh glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...", the most powerful thunder hits and shut off the power grid supplying electrical power of the whole park.


Almost three hours later, the rains were still there but it's no longer heavy, and the lightnings and thunders were alreay gone. At this moment, there's no way that our children can continue their swimming because it's almost 6:00 O' Clock already - closing time of the swimming pool.

So, we hadn't no other option, but to go back home.

Swimming at the Chatuchack Park

We went to Chatuchack Park this afternoon for swimming. Our three children were so excited about it. I could observed what they had in their minds when we reach the park.

When we arrived there, we're so happy because there were no other children to swim. However, in our big dismay, today, Monday is a cleaning day for the swimming pool.

They're so frustrated and our youngest was crying from the pool until we had reached home.

Mother's Day 2010

In celebration to the Assumption of Mother Marry today, the St. John Church had also given an honor to the celebration of the Mothers' Day.

Before the Sunday Mass had began today, Fr. Dominico, the Parish priest at St. John Church, had a small and secret talk to all the English-speaking Filipino children after their catechism session and had given them some instructions what to do before and after the mass celebration.

Though the parents was just nearby, they don't really understood what was the purpose of the secret talk. They only had realized it after the whole activity.

So, as instructed, all the said children had seated in the first row in front of the altar in preparation to the special thing that they are going to do later, immediately right after the Holy Mass.

When the Holy Mass had ended, before the priest had given his final blessing, he once again reminded all the parishioners the significance and importance of the celebration.

To honor Mother Marry, and to celebrate the Mother's Day, all mothers were honored by giving them flowers.

It was their children handing them the beautiful, red, white and pink flower roses.

Two members of our Church choir had rendered a very beautiful, mixed English-Filipino song very fitting to the occasion, sang beautifully while the children are giving flowers to the mothers.

After the giving of flowers to their own mothers, the children were instructed to give flowers also to those mothers whose children were not with them at the moment.

I have seen how the spirits of the mothers were lighted up due to this very simple, and yet a very memorable experience for them.

In like manner, the children were also very happy seeing their mothers happily and thankfully receiving the flowers.

This time, I had realized what was the purpose of the secret talk earlier. It's all about honoring all mothers, and of course reminding everyone the importance of Mother Mary in our life, and doing it in surprised manner, especially for those who are not familiar to this kind of event.

What A Nice Pose

It's my wife's beautiful pose leaning over the tower behind her.

Again, it's at the Chatuchack Park - the nearest park from our home. This was taken about eight months ago when all of us were enjoying the cold winds in the park while watching over our children playing joyfully.

Long Vacation

It's another long-week vacation for me starting from August 12, 2010. I will return to my work on Monday, August 23, 2010.

Hope I could spend this precious time with my family and to the things I have planned to do during this period.

It's another wonderful time for the family at the Chatuchack Park and at the movie house.

Within this rainy season, it's better to stay within Bangkok to avoid any hassle and to minimize travelling time and expenditures while maximizing the time for funs.

10-Year-Old, Jackie Evancho of the America's Got Talent Amazed America and the World!

What a wonderful voice from a very young American 10-year-old girl who amazed America and the world for her one of-a-kind singing voice.One of the judges of the America's Got Talent had commented that Jackie Evancho has everything: wonderful mature voice, beautiful smile, beautiful dress of the very important moment of her life.

Because of her amazing voice talent, her video have lots of hits in the Youtube. She got a wonderful prize for all here family: Vacation at Orlando Florida.

She burst into tears during the interview hearing her prize and for her amazement how the people reacted to her singing performance.

How blessed she is and her family. I just pray that one day, God will also bless our children with a unique individual talent, at least one them something like her.

Surprised Blessing!

After six months and 11 days after our yearly bonus was released this year which had made everyone unhappy, today, everyone’s mood has changed dramatically after Thaicom’s CEO’s announcement of the one-month extra bonus to be released this August payday.

Yesterday, nobody knows what’s going on with the company when in the late afternoon, an e-mail from the higher management asked all the staffs to come at 8:30 A.M. the next day without saying anything about it. It has made everyone wonder what’s going on and what's the next day would bring for all of us for there’s no hint of what’s the agenda.

After our family prayer, I just entrusted to God whatever it is, but at the same time giving awareness to my wife, what will happen if the next day would bring us unfavorable news.

However, as mentioned above, the news lighted up the face of every staff.

Thanks be to God, for this surprised blessing to all of us.

Grand Miracle Hotel in Bangkok

These are some of our children's pictures taken at the reception area inside the Grand Miracle Hotel in Bangkok during the wedding celebration of our Filipino, beautiful CFC sister, Tiny who got married to a handsome American man, Jody.

While waiting for the arrivals of all the invited guests, our children were enjoying roaming around while their mother kept on following them and taking their pictures.

Children's Health

In this post, my family would like to share with you some important information which we find very helpful, especially if your children are having health problem related to breathing.

It’s a known fact that people spent 90% of their time indoors where they may be exposed to numerous chemical pollutants.

According to the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, children are more susceptible to pollutants than adults because they are still growing and breathe in proportionately more air. This means indoor pollutants, such as certain chemicals, particles and allergens, can cause more severe health effects in children.

Children breathe in a greater volume of air than adults relative to their body size.

Children's organs and respiratory, immune and neurological systems are still developing.

Children are much closer to the ground, and as a result, breathe in more of the heavier airborne chemicals than do adults.

Infants and young children breathe through their mouths, more so than do adults, which increases their risk of pulmonary exposure to particulates and fibers, that would otherwise be filtered out in the nose.

Children have a higher heart rate than adults, which allows substances that are absorbed into the blood to permeate tissues faster.

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute offers a solution: keep pollutants out in the first place. By using products bearing the GREENGUARD Children & SchoolsSM Certified mark, parents, teachers and school officials can rest easy knowing these products have been independently tested and verified to meet strict emission levels of pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and phthalates. GREENGUARD Certified products include baby cribs, mattresses, countertops, paints and adhesives, insulation and wood flooring.

To learn more about these products, please explore this site: http://greenguard.org/en/index.aspx


Thank you very much.

Today's Solo Flight With the Lord !

After the so many successive activities, and the latest one was last Friday night and went back home at 1:00 A.M., my family members had yielded for the first time.

Today, I went alone to the Church and attended our weekly household meeting at Lamluka where I lead our prayer meeting session.

After our household meeting I went directly to the Big C Saphankwae to buy our weekly groceries.

Now, I also felt tiredness after the five successive late night sleeps within this week. So, I need to sleep early tonight to compensate.

Our Household's Reunions With One Couple Visiting from Singapore

This was another big gathering among us brothers and sisters in our CFC community.

After the supposed to be surprise to everyone who were the guests, everyone was happily talking, taking pictures and eating delicious foods prepared by the host - brother Tony and sister Emily Dalisay together with our beloved brother and sister Edgar and Emma who had surprised everyone except us, and of course, the host family.

While others were continuing their conversations, eating and drinking, others were showing their singing skills and talents singing their favorite songs.

At around 9:30 P.M., some of our brothers and sisters: Pats and Carla, Art and Laarni, Cora and their childrens went home ahead of us.

Others: Kuya Jess and Ate Lolit, Kuya Vic and Ate Emily and my family remained until passed 12:00 Midnight.

We arrived home at about 1:00 A.M. in the morning. It's another tiring, but joyful experience for my whole family together with our brothers and sisters in our CFC community.