A Year by the Sea 2026! - 'For July' at San Pedro Public Beach - Bingag, Dauis

 

It was an unexpected moment to proceed at the beach. In fact, early in the morning, I wanted to go to that part in Tabalong, another Barangay (village), close to us. But I feel tired most of the time, even at home. 

And every time Sush started to prepare her swimsuit, I feel guilty and I keep on saying, "later I will decide if you will not cause me stress".  :D

An hour later I would become sleepy and Sush would insist going to the beach again, and it is just SO HOT outside, I have a lame excuse of "it is so hot, have a nap first before we will go". 

Lastly, when they annoyed me..Nat was quick to say "apologize Sush, so we can go to the beach!". LOL!

What can I do? At 5PM, it was not sunny anymore, they had taken a nap, or should I say "WE". They have apologized for annoying me at times. What remains as my excuse? but to GO! Lol.  It's a Monday by the way..and a HOLIDAY!

They won! :)

 

Chowking: Date with Nat- (For) September 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sush and M are back to Trinidad due to Undas (All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day). It was just me and Nat on a Sunday. So after church, we went to Chowking for our date :) 

Due to inflation, foods were really small ;) But okay. I love their chao pan as always, being a rice eater. Nat ate not as much but I force him to finish his siopao with chocolate filling which he ordered. At least we go home without worrying what to take for lunch.

He cheated though. He used the cellphone while on the table, and I was able to convince him to stop. 

 

 

Mike's Food Corner: Date with Nat- (For) August 2026

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

 After my appointment at Qwinnie Beauty and Spa, Nat and I proceeded at Mike's Food Cornerfor some snacks for me, and him - his late lunch. We also had our breakfast late too, so I was not worried on his late food in the afternoon. 

The place is a combination of a convenience store with tables for people to take orders and eat there for snacks or meals. 

Mike's Food Corner  seems to cater to the needs of their guests since the building also has an Inn. 

It was just timely because while we were there, it started to rain. 

Nat has his usual favorite lunch, typical of little boys: rice and chicken. It comes with grape free grape juice for P84. I has my buy 1 take 1 hamburger for Php65.00. Since it took a while for us to stay while it was raining I bought toasted ichipan wheat bread for Php48.00 and Calpis soda for Php26.00

 I love their hamburger though :) 

 

 

 

 

Make up Day!

 

 

Sush has a scheduled picture taking for their graduation. Well, it is kind of very early, but then I'm glad too. Their teacher asked that the children should wear make up for the shoot.

When I came to the school to pick her up at 11AM, she has had this deep burgundy color lipstick from her classmate's mother. LOL. I was even surprised to see that the photographer was pretty much ready with a room closed with cloth and photography umbrellas were used too as light modifiers. 

 

I was shocked but happy :) ;) 

 

Hapy Birthday Kenle!

 

 

                                      

                                       

 

                                          

                                    

  

 

                                 

 

She always mention a classmate named Kinley. I'm not sure if this is the correct spelling of the name. And today, she's got free spaghetti, fried chicken and candies because of Kinley's birthday :)

 

Happy Birthday, Kinley! :) 

Update: The correct spelling is KENLE, not Kinley ;)

Attitude Of A 4-Year-Old 😊

Sushi is now learning a negative trait. For her, someone should share. My nephew Yohan mentioned that "sharing is caring".

And every time she wants something from someone, she expects the other person to share.

I told her that sharing should be done with the willingness from the other child.

She cannot force it. But she ended up crying. Today, she wanted Nat to share to her some of the clay because hers look smaller than what he's got. When Nat refused, she cried. 

How can I let a 4-year-old to be patient and to accept it? I thought parenting is so easy 🤭

 

 

 

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

 

 

 

I have first read about ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) in late 1990s or was it early 2000 through a Reader’s Digest magazine. It was my first encounter for such medical diagnosis.

It was nothing to me then. Until I had Nat.

 

One in nine children nowadays has ADHD. Let that sink in. Worldwide, there are 366 million people with ADHD.

During our Psychological evaluation, our Psychometrician mention on the result that Nat is showing ADHD symptoms. He cannot sit still for even 30 seconds. 

 

I knew this when he was 4 years old. His movements were different. I knew in my heart that his ways are not that of a typical child. I just don’t have the formal and final diagnosis from a professional to give it a name.

Words that would be used to these kinds: LANGAS, DI MAKAPUYO, WALAY FOCUS (sa butang nga dili sila interesado), SHORT ATTENTION SPAN, KARAW. 

 

Why am I sharing this? For many they might think I’m shaming Nat. It is never my intention.

In fact, I’d rather that I will share it, talk about it so we are aware, we will respond with compassion than judgement. Being in denial will never help, and doing so will deprive our children of interventions and help from institutions that will assist so they can live the best life ahead of them, given their conditions. 

 

ADHD has different level/spectrum and severity. Nat still needs further tests to really confirm it since he is showing the symptoms. 

 

Is ADHD a death sentence to a child? My answer is NO!

 

In fact, many people have conquered and managed their condition in order to live successfully.

Steven Bartlett – is a British podcaster, with 38M followers was diagnosed at 30 

Paris Hilton – admitted to being traumatized after being placed in a boarding school, came up with a song “ADHD” because of her experience and use her condition as her superpower to never stop creating businesses.

 

Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Adam Levine, Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, Terry Bradshaw, Emma Watson, Greta Gerwig, Will Smith, Jim Carrey, Channing Tatum and Justin Timberlake admitted to belong to neurodivergents, admitted to mostly being diagnosed with the condition.

May KNOWING make us more understanding. 

 

ADHD brains are genuinely wired differently. It is real and it is neurological.

ADHD can be a child’s weakness, or it can be his superpower.

October 2026 marks ADHD Awareness Month worldwide. May we become more understanding, patient, and compassionate parents as we learn more about ADHD. Now that we know better, may we do better in understanding, supporting, and raising our children with love and acceptance.

Sush Is Doing Well At School ~

 

Sush's report card has been released. Thankfully, she is really doing good in school. Thank you Lord for this smart and beautiful child you gifted us with :) 

On Teaching Kids Death, Grieving and Loss :(

 

                                                            Tatay Claro's passing

 

                                                                         Lumba residence 
 

 

 

                                                               Cortes, Bohol 
 

We have visited many wakes, simply because I wanted them to know early on the idea of "death". Not to sound morbid but because hopefully I want them to face life seriously and to not waste it with wrong people and choices because we will not be here for long. 

Am I one scared Mama? Yes.  Until such time, that the idea of life's brevity will finally sink in on their consciousness, I will not even stop. 

 

Feast Of The Holy Rosary at DML Montessori

 

                                                                 costume guide for all            

                                                                costume guide for girls            

I am surprised to know that another event was scheduled for October 7. And this includes Sush being in a role play as one of the ’Temple People’ on their Tribute To Mama Mary day. 
They were given a guide on how to find their costume for the day. 
Hermie, my friend, came to the rescue again, allowing us to borrow Zoie’s former costume when she was younger. I feel so blessed by this. 
I was able to borrow my colleague’s scarf for Sush’s head covering, with hair pin. Humbling. I am grateful. 
Sush joined her classmates with a dance presentation at the stage. After almost just two hours, it was over. 

And there was no more class after their play. Yey!

Do You Know "Hilot"?

 

 

 

M texted me that they met an accident on the way home.  They fell on the grassy part of the road, at the town of Dagohoy. 

She mentioned not driving fast but she was very sleepy and she kind of have closed her eyes a bit. I remember, M was on her night shift and she had not had even an hour of sleep before leaving. I learned my lesson. Next time, she should at least sleep even three hours before driving that far.

I was totally in panic but thankful that they were both safe.  No bruises and wounds but Sush said her sides hurt. And a common practice in many provinces in the Philippines is to sought the service of a masseuse, for 'hilot'. This is not for the typical comfort to relax, but the kind to heal. Sometimes because of some dislocated muscles, joints or bones. Sometimes, because of fever. 

I'm not sure of this, but I can also attest that during my childhood years, I have had my share of 'hilot' to recover from fever, or twisted arms. 

Because Sush was complaining of her sides hurting, she was brought to the 'manghihilot' (masseuse).  

Always thankful for Sush's safety.  

Zeke's and Freezie Snack Corner: Date with Nat- (For) July 2026

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have decided to have dinner at Zeke's, but later on I realized that the place was not really conducive to a hearty dining or pleasant dinner with anyone. The staff seemed to be just busy with orders from Food Panda and it seems like they cannot focus on serving their diners. And the place was so hot too. 

The food were mainly for breakfast, if you are looking for something, for a child. 

The original plan was to have a dinner at Tuko Cafe at Lim Hong Khu building, but we arrived late. They would close at 7PM. So, we stroll around and look for somewhere not very pricey. And the good thing with my date is that he is never choosy, but I ended up not satisfied too. :D

 Since, there was not much options for a dessert or drinks, we decided to go to  Freezie Snack Corner, near PMI school. 

We chose mais con yelo for me,  berry milk for Nat and banana muffins.  

 Freezie Snack Corner is one cute place to relax. And since the place is air-conditioned, it is very comfortable too :)