Summer Activities for the Kids (2011)

Summer means no school, no homework, no sleeping early at night and no waking up early in the morning.  It is a long-awaited time for students to take a rest from these routines.  The problem with having too much time on their hands however, just gave them more time to spend in front of the television and the computer.

So this summer, just like the previous ones, the kids again enrolled at MMB Dance Center to continue their dancing lessons. During the school year, the kids - Carl and Chloe - attended a twice weekly dancing lessons at MMB.  Chloe was into ballet and hiphop/jazz, and Carl was joining the Hiphop/Jazz class.  For this summer MMB held a 7-week dance workshop, with students attending lessons three times a week.  Chloe continued with her Ballet and Hiphop/Jazz classes, and also joined the contemporary dance for the first time.  Carl also continued with the Hiphop/Jazz class.  Capoeira, also known as Brazilian martial art, was introduced at the school this summer, and Carl and cousin, Kristian Intel, joined the group.

MMB held its culminating show called "16th Summer Dance Workshop 2011" at St. John's Institute gym last May 21, 2011.  Here are videos of Carl, Chloe and Kristian taken during the technical night last May 20. 

Happy viewing folks ...

What About the RH Bill

The Reproductive Health Bill or simply the RH Bill is causing much uproar in the country today.  I have bookmarked the website where I could read the full text of the said bill later to really comprehend what's it about. I watched the debate between the anti-RH group and the pro-RH people on TV.  It was very interesting, and both parties were very passionate regarding their stand.

I'd like to say I support the RH Bill.  I believe it can be a solution to lessen poverty, reduce maternal deaths, and prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Counting My Blessings One by One

I counted my blessings,
Instead of sheep.
One night I couldn't sleep.


1.God loves me   2. my Boss   3. Kokoy  4. Chloe   5. two unborn babies   6. Mommy and Daddy   7. Nene and Juel   8. Inday, Wilson, Wico and Icee   9. Langging, Aumar, Mart and Intel   10. Mommy Amy and Papa Lope   11.  Mark, Vinky and Trish   12. Girlie, Buddy, Nino and Yanyan   13. Melot, Jo-an and Yeyet   14. a handful of cousins and relatives here and abroad   15. extended families  16. a few great friends   17. Makit   18. Buster and Nina   19. our home  20. college diploma   21. college of medicine   22. laptop and cellphone   23. the narra tree  24. reader's digest   25. poems by great poets   26. notebooks and pens   27. words and verses on paper   28. golden wedding ring   29. gold bracelet   30. old songs - 60's and 70's   31. country music   32.  Talot's poly   33. romance novels   34. internet   35. freelance writing  36. stay at home job and income   37. old flames   38. ice cream, halo halo and sundae   39. siomai   40. pasta and pizza   41. birds in the sky flying low and high   42. flowers  43. roses blooming   44. rain   45. early morning sun   46. stars in the night sky   47. the full moon   48. rainbows   49. World Vision kids - Sonny and Queenie   50. trysikad and tricycle   51. cold water to drink   52. a cup of coffee every morning   53. all shades of blue   54. the colors brown, red, purple and black   55. the number 17 and 7   56. birthday celebrations   57. CSA-B   58.  MMB for kids   59. Money  60. paypal   61. wisegeek   62. BrightHub   63. hair rebond   64.  shampoo and conditioner   65. aircondition   66. beaches   67. swimming pools   68. slippers   69. Universal Studio, Singapore   70. family reunions   71. cable television   72. Yahoo news   73. google.com   74. facebook account   75. The Twilight Saga   76. The Notebook   77. Edward Collin aka Robert Pattinson   78. grapes, pineapple, papaya and mango   79. bed, pillows and blankets   80.  silence   81. kid's laughter and smiles   82. Chloe's dancing skills   83. Kokoy's dance and capoeira lessons   84. Boss' diplomate certificate   85. family friends   86. garlic rice and chicken inasal   87. family hugz and kissez   88. Clover chips   89. photo albums and picasa   90. SM and Robinson's Place   91. wifi   92. good health   93. functioning senses   94. blogging   95. sewing kit   96. back to back tape   97. screwdriver set   98. hammer and nails   99. sleeveless shirts and short pants  100. endless opportunities   101. great possibilities   102. memories   103. love  104. balloons in the sky


Blessings are gifts from God, they make me smile, they make my life worthwhile.
At times, a blessing can bring tears to the eyes, such as
  -  a baby's first word
  -  children dancing on stage
  -  gazing upon loved ones sleeping faces.
Blessings often bring joy to the heart
and provide comfort when things aren't going really well.
So lest I forget, I listed down the blessings I counted
one night I couldn't sleep.

A Tribute to the Narra Tree

At home was a Narra tree so tall
with lush green leaves hanging on its many branches.
Little birds came to visit everyday
chirping in chorus. I often saw them from my bedroom's window.
Such freedom in their flight!
Came January of every year, the leaves of the Narra tree falls
until there are none left hanging there.
But in May, the green leaves appear one by one, and in no time
the Narra tree, stood tall and proud and green once more.

Who's got the right to cut down the Narra tree that has grown so tall up to this day?  It was already planted there when we settled in our home. Twenty-eight years ago, I hugged its trunk and my hands could still reach each other.  But today, it has grown so wide my fingers wouldn't even touch if I try to embrace it.

Because of its location and height, however, it poses several issues.  A strong typhoon may uproot it and block the street, cause damage to electricity wires, and some parts of our home and our neighbor's. Its root system can lead to breaks in the walls of the neighbor as well as ours.  The falling leaves also often get stuck on roof gutters.

It was once decided by some individuals in authority to cut down and kill the Narra tree for good. Such heartbreak! No! It has stood there - proud and tall, enjoying the visit of the birds, swaying with the wind, basking in the warmth of the sun, and glorying in every drop of rain - for such a long time. It is even older than me, and probably, my parents.  It would be such a shame to cut it down, unreasonable even.  But since the issues were also very real, the good Kapitan of our Barangay deemed it best to cut the Narra tree, but not down to its roots. The leaves and most of its tall branches all had to go, but the tree will live.  Its height had been reduced in half, but it will continue to live.  Soon it will grow small branches with green leaves. Soon the birds will visit again.  Soon I shall hear them singing from my window.  ;))

Summer Capoeira for Carl and Kristian Intel

This summer, my sister and I decided to let our kids join the Capoeira class at MMB Dance Center. They've been having their lessons three days a week, one hour per session since April 4, 2011. My son Carl, 14, was very excited about joining the class. For him, it is a form of exercise and fun at the same time. But more excited is Langging's son, Kristian Intel, 7 years old, because during the class he can finally do his thing, that is, move around a lot, and do kicks, cartwheels, headstands and handstands.

Kristian Intel >

A little bit about Capoeira


Capoeira, which means "wild grass", is a combination of dancing, fighting and singing. It is often referred to as a Brazilian martial arts. This form of sports was first introduced in Brazil by Africans who were struggling for their freedom. For years, Brazil condemned the sport, hence, those who practiced it went into hiding and used aliases.


Although several Brazilian teachers introduced Capoeira in the Philippines many years ago, it was only in May 2009 when it reached Bacolod City. Since then, many students and adults have been learning and enjoying it as a form of exercise and entertainment.


At MMB Dance Studio, Capoeira is being taught by Professor Sapo, and the summer session for Capoeira kids is set every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. For Capoeira adults, the schedule is every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons.


Here is a video taken during one of their lessons which was held at the grounds of the Government Center in Bacolod City.

In yellow shirt is Carl, alias Skeleto. Kristian, alias Mosquito, is wearing a white shirt and green pants.

Please visit the official website of Capoeira Philippines to learn more - Escola Brazileira de Capoeira Philippines