RP 2009

I recently went back to the Philippines. I'm glad to see that so much has changed. The streets have been improved since I last visited in 2005.For example, the way north to Bataan was a lot better (it used to take 4 hours, now it takes 2).

We touched down in Davao and spent the first week in Surigao del Sur. The road to Hinatuan is a lot better than what I remember. There is a visbile presence of newly paved roads.

We went to my Hometown, Balanga on the second week to attend my brother's wedding. We saw and celebrated the Pacquiao-Hatton fight in a restaurant in front of the hotel (with Wilson, Mark, Lou-Ann, Ian, Portia, Tatay, Tito Boy Cuevas). Perhaps Manny symbolized inspiration more than any other person or event in the last Philippine decade.

The elevation of Balanga as a city has indeed given it some blessings. The place has sprouted new commercial buildings. The church has been renovated. I quite liked the way they blended the old bricks with the concrete white columns. I miss the chandeliers though.

We spent the third week in Makati where I trawled Glorietta and Greenbelt on foot. I was mostly unaware of traffic. We admired work by National artists in Glorietta 4. We bought a few gadgets in what used to be Makati Cinema Square( I think ). I marvelled at what the Australian dollar can buy.

We spent a week in Boracay. It's a place I've never been to. The white sands did not disappoint. I wish I've gone there before I've seen the other beaches of Asia and Australia. Still, it's a great place. Caeden enjoyed playing in the wet sands of the afternoon low tides.

The last 2 days showed us what we're going to miss the most - the closeness of family. We spent it in Auntie Vicky's house in BF in Paranaque. Watched movies and loitered in Starbucks with Tata and Vince.

A year on

Hi Caeden,

It's been a year mate. Your mum and I are having a great time with you. Lola Thelma Cuyno visited while you were still in mum's tummy. Lolo Efren and Lola Leony Sison came around recently and played with you a lot.

I can't believe it's been so long. We remember seeing you on the Ultrasound as a tiny dot.
You were born 3.7 kg's and now you're 12 kgs and 77cm tall. You can stand and stick to furnitures now. You are about to walk.

You have to learn how to say "Mama" though... she's getting envious already. hehehe

I have a recording of you saying "Ten". You should hear it when you're older.
You've been to Sidney already and you've seen most of Victoria including the 12 Apostles, Philip Island, Wilson's Prom. Last Christmas, you've also been to the NSW south coast in Dalmeny.

Just this morning, you were throwing the papers on the table around. I said "no" and you started putting them back. You're such a smart boy! Dad's proud.

Ingat,
Dad Bert

7 weeks

Dear Mylilone,

We're now together for exactly 7 weeks. Mum is ecstatic to have you and carry you around, but it seems like Mum's body is not used to having you yet. I'm getting nauseous and still getting sick , and complaining to Dad but other than that Mum is so happy to have you and share everything with you. I can't share that much nutrition at the moment because Mum can't have any food stay, but Mum promises that when things and hormones settle, Mum would eat much and share good nutrition with you. We have to applaud Dad for being so good with Mum and taking over Mum's duties at home after Mum's morning sickness started 2 weeks ago. He has been very understanding on Mum's change of moods, and I'm telling you Mum is loving the pampering hehehe.

Mum and Dad just finished watching a good game of tennis between Andre Agassi (a 36 years old, very good tennis player, whose about to retire,and Dad's cheered for him) and Marcos Bagdhatis( a 21 year old boy from Cyprus player who is very good too, and played well last summer here in Australia, and became everyones favorite, and Mum cheered for). Dad won this time and Agassi did deserve the win. It was a very good game. We saw the start and slept through round 3 & 4 then woke up and cheered on the last round.

A week ago I just saw you through the Internal Ultrasound, you were so tiny the technician told Mum you are as tiny as a rice grain with movements and they told me that was your heart beat. Mum got emotional, wanted to share it with
Dad but he was late coming from his class. I know he really wanted to see you but unfortunately he was late, but I'll make sure next time we do it again he would be around to see you. Mum can't believe you are that tiny but I know your are growing well. I can feel it and they told me everything is good with you. Mum is about to get a glimpse of your first photo?(ultrasound of you, 6 weeks and a day) I'm excited and will scan and post it here so you can see later.

I've got lots of things to tell you like how we found out that Mum is expecting you and how we confirmed that Mum is really pregnant with you and both Mum n Dad's reaction. Will tell you all that later.

Love.
Mum

First Thoughts

First Thoughts

We're building this because we recently found out we have a baby on the way! Pretty exciting times. This is a letter we wrote to our baby.

Dear Unnamed Sison,

Hello Baby! We started this blog a few days ago, but something went wrong in Blogspot. I hope you get to see this when you grow up. Back when your mum and I started it, we were in bed and she was 'kulit'ing me to get the computer. I was grumpy 'coz it was cold and I didn't want to get out of the doona! hehehe.

Any way, we're pretty excited about you. Can you stop giving your mum a hard time. She's been sick everyday for the last couple of days.

By the way... we kinda figured out you were 'created' about Mid July. Possibly July 14 or 15. You're due to come around maybe early April 2007. Hope to see you then!

Cheers,
Your Dad and Mum