Switching On the Sun

We got a dog, a Doxle (crossbreed between a beagle and a dachshund) and named him Bruce. Soon after, things changed… Bruce What’s with “Bruce” anyway, seemingly with an alter ego… Bruce Wayne has a dark (knight) side in him. The very “tame” Bruce Banner turns green and smashes things. For Bruce Lee, it’s a combination of natural instinct and control, his paradigm for “unnatural naturalness or natural unnaturalness”. Bruce Willis, well he’s an actor but he wasn’t acting when he said he’s apolitical but he’s as Republican as he could be. Bruce Jenner is now Caitlyn Jenner. Bruce Almighty took advantage of being ‘The Almighty’. Bruce Springsteen, well, he’s “Johnny B. Goode Born in the USA but You Never Can Tell”. Whereas for Bruce the Doxle, either you’ll love him or hate him. Probably what BAD stands for; Bad As Devil or Bad-Ass Dog… Someone dislikes him so much, things changed. Bruce to Bruised With due respect to every perspective out of different versions, I wouldn’t go into details ...

Among Star Wars fans, you'd know that famous line as from that of Darth Vader... It's similarly the same among fathers who have to fight for their rights over their children; not as "Darth Vader" though, but against "Dark Invader". Yet how "dark" could that "invader" be for a father to sacrifice almost everything including giving up the chance to be there for his kids? In a way, it's "Star Wars" when opposing sides respectively claim they're the "star" (of their side of the story) in their custody battle; usually at the expense of who they depict as the "antagonist" as if to justify their act as the right one and 'them' to be the chosen one; perhaps like Anakin who has gone to the dark side... "Anakin'ng pating!!" Have they even asked or considered as to whose expense is it actually; the feelings of the children corresponding with the emotional and mental implications as...

FB reminded me of my wife's birthday 2 days ago... Not that I have to be reminded of such special day... As a matter of fact, I already greeted her the night prior as soon as the clock struck out of Sept 1's last second while presenting my gift to her in all its "unwrapped" glory... I was reminded again yesterday as if urging me on to FB-post a birthday greeting however late. But then, the thing is that, I don't really FB-post a birthday greeting for someone I can actually greet personally... As to anything event-related, I usually post an acknowledgment instead or a testimonial, a recollection and the like; not for her directly but for others to serve as witnesses to what I'd rather express seemingly shouting it to the world... My wife then asked me how come I haven't greeted her on Facebook via any kind of posting... I was like "Huh?! Like I already greeted you last night..." Yes, that was totally "unsweet(ened)" or insensitive ...

Regardless of where I am, being with my family is what makes me feel at home… There are moments however when you also enjoy the serenity of that personal space’s exclusivity… I (or I believe, we – my family) experienced both in a fitting MOMent along a timely occasion at a suitable retreat – make that SUITE-able haven. The commemoration of Mothers’ Day just last Sunday of which subsequent to it was the national election the next day made it a long weekend. Usually, 3-day off from work is simply spent as a longer period for ‘family time’. What makes it rather extra special is some out-of-the-ordinary indulgence. And far from commonplace indeed, we seized the chance to spend 3 nights and 3 days in a 3-bedroom suite at Azalea Residences Baguio. Markedly, too much 3s there (3-day off, 3 nights/3 days, 3-bedroom suite…) but (and as if to substantiate ‘family man’ as this site’s essence…) the best ‘3’ for me however are the similarly “threefold” reasons: father, mother and kids – Fam...

Due to cough and colds, I was sent home from work last Monday. With an apparent suppressed cough which also had my head awfully throb, I seemed to have likewise acquired body pains. Either it was a physically-draining infection or it’s just that age is really catching up with me. I concede to the latter to be the real culprit. Those who really know me could attest that I’m not a sickly person. I believe, as much as I can physically feel it, I could have tolerated reporting for work still if not for due consideration on the possibility of a contamination. Cough, after all, even sounds off its process of virus-transmittal. Other than the possibility of transmitting the bug, chances are you also get that unwanted “Eww! Do you mind” stares; of which are added factors pushing you to rather go home and rest. As for the ‘carrier’, coughing is likewise coughing out resources. Needless to say, aside from medicines, other detriments go to “accommodating adjustments” for the patient: sort of f...

In some gathering early yesterday, my mother lost her 2 phones to a thief. Having been informed through a text message from my cousin, she was somehow disheartened as 1 of the 2 was a gift from me. I texted back to perk her up with the assurance that I’ll just buy her a new one since, notwithstanding the unfortunate incident, it’s just stuff… Before heading back home forlorn, she decided to drop-by in a nearby church. After which and to her surprise, an apologetic woman who explained to have stolen her celphones out of desperation returned it in exchange for P500. Paying for what you own may sound absurd but getting back the worth of the attached sentimental value for such an amount could be relatively cheap… A timely occurrence in a time opposing views on worldly possessions is maturely mounting between the family… What makes material belongings really valuable is the story behind its acquisition. What is so special about having these things is not even clo...

With a lot of assumed “ B ull S hit” happening among its core workforce within one department at work, the B oss and S ubordinates decided it was time to “ B reak their S ilence” with a B ull S ession. B rash S entiments were B oldly S hared. As of current manifestations, it was the B est S olution. Though, it’s really up to them how B ehavioral S cience will turn out and B e S ubstantiated for a B etter S ystem and help B uild S ustenance. On the other hand, in another section, some integrity has been smeared as “ B oiling S ecrets” were disclosed. Although the subject matter’s personal in nature, the confidence accorded to me as an acknowledged trusted co-employee was, all along, with denial of the truth… Though, not (even) B arely S urprised, I would have appreciated if the concerned person could have at least been B ravely S traightforward… Whereas along our end, one of our B oss is S ick however it led to B ad S uspicions that has been B luntly S peculated… It’s no longer ben...

Falling on a Saturday, my daughter’s 9th birthday was rather celebrated with family. The idea of throwing a party in school would mean celebrating it on a day other than her actual birthday. It’s not much of a tight spot but neither would it be exact… Thus, Feb. 19th proved its fitting essence.  Before another year adds to my daughter’s 9 years of existence of which is a closer stage to adolescence, the thought of taking advantage of her still not into “can-I-just-celebrate-with-my-friends” sort of awkward moment was rather set into an ideal perspective. Quite simultaneous, my brother was in town for a business trip. Being the generous person that he is and as a fitting birthday treat for her niece, he delighted us with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Manila. Having planned for an intimate family get-together for lunch somewhere similarly conveying that natural warmth for an ambiance, I asked my brother to extend a bit and join us to make the celebration more jovial. I ...

At times, having an appetite for something pleasing to the palate comes about as hunger strikes. Dining out allows one to satisfy such craving. From the menu, food names or even the images are cooked up to be favorably inviting; not to mention the enticing aroma. Partial of anything hot and spicy, I ordered “Spicy Roasted Squid” from a Korean restaurant we were to dine in for the first time. As it turned out, I was just able to fill my stomach, fulfill my hunger yet spill dissatisfaction (Burp! Fart! Sigh). Subsequently, passing through some American sounding Chinese restaurant, my wife thought we could have dined there instead. I can’t complain though. Perhaps, I ordered the wrong food. For all I know, what I had could be someone else’s heavenly treat. Makes me wonder, are food experts/critics’ taste buds same as anyone else to be credible enough to know what tastes good or what doesn’t for others? Oops, just a ‘pungent’ thought. Lest their exquisite taste will smell fishy, let us ju...

During his courting days still, this Man Day’s primary personality for a subject, has eventually earned substantial merits to end up with the girl of his affection. Together they built a family. Along the way, he has proven his worth as a good provider. It’s the same reason as to why he has earned to be cited and recognized through this blog’s Monday's "Man Day" feature… Fitting indeed as he is quite the gentleman that he allows himself to be, more so, among those who celebrate this time’s International Women’s Month. Yet, such demeanor is rather manifested naturally without the insincerity behind any hidden motive. Faithful as he is to the girl he ended up marrying, whom he considers as his “one and only” and the mother of his three children, no amount of temptation can tear them apart. A devoted family man, he regards them altogether as his greatest blessing in life. His wife Vivienne, their two sons Nico and Audric and their Little Princess, Athena make-up the fa...

On our way home, we were brought to a stop by the red light. It was as well a cue for an alarming exploit. Apparently their version of the Christmas rush, children come rushing towards halted cars wishing even for a few loose change in exchange for a Christmas carol. They weren’t playing nor experiencing normal childhood. Innocently, they were meagerly working. At that moment, I told my 6-year old daughter the importance of valuing her education… More than the likely stability of a compensating job, it was more of the related realization of the subsequent generations. Then, I remembered that one time I was ‘jobless’. Like normal children usually do, my cousins together with my brother and I used to play a lot during our youth. We ran in circles, scampered up and down the stairs, climbed and carved our names on the guava tree. Our Grandmother’s house was anything but serene. Getting to be bothersome was the least of our worries until we hear a familiar berating voice...

I was sent home from work yesterday due to severe dry cough. In as much as I can still work despite the infection, we have to be considerate of others who might get infected. Thus, the urge not to avail of an SL (Sick Leave) considering its (cash) conversion at hand was rather forgone. (Tsk! lol) Then again, I needed the rest as no matter how much I’d earn wouldn’t suffice should my condition turns to worst. Health is wealth could as well be a nourishing principle I should take into serious consideration for the sake of my family. Suspecting Baguio’s bracing weather this season to be the culprit, I contentedly wrapped myself with the coziness of a thick blanket. (“Ooh comfy!”) I was by myself then… On the surface, the warmth I felt shifted to glum coldness though as all of a sudden I longed for the warmer embrace of my family. I’ve realized that the intrinsic crisp air Baguio exudes is not as breezy without someone special to warmly cuddle with in fending the coldness off. Emotio...