Vague Recollections

To a great father I know I would never outgrow.

I may outgrow all my clothes, the sometimes silly books I'm reading, from Korny movies to my shoes... but not You.

I remember the time when I was in grade school and I forgot to mention early that I have to collect 5 different flowers as an assignment for our science class. I remember how you woke up as early before 6am to collect flowers down the street for me, wearing your old blue jacket. I remember, it was my first time to see "Baby's Breath" and that's one flower I won't forget. I remember seeing the pink and white Kalachuchi's that grew beside Water District before. Maybe, that's why I like pink and white.

I remember the time when you picked me up from school and we would ride the bus home. [ We used to have buses as a means to go around the city, but now you only get to ride buses out-of-town ]

I remember how you would tag me along during Christmas parties of the Davao Navy and giving me all the loot with fruits and candies.

I just knew that you were the one who cleared away the wood during the morning before I met an accident in the afternoon when I was younger. Falling 10 feet from the roof down to the cemented ground of our furniture-shop slash house. If the wood was still there... I don't know what could have happened. I don't remember any pain, all I remember was me staring at the plastic roof I went through.... My head and brains were intact. Maybe, that's why I believe in miracles and that I have a purpose to fulfill.

It was your van I saw and I told mom's secretary to drop me there when we were in the jeepney before we met another accident a minute after which killed two of the passengers, but it left me with no bruises or anything. It was then, I knew that it's true how they show accidents in movies how everything stands still during accidents. Where, you can't hear anything but the loud shrill of the brakes when we collided into a bus. It's still fresh and I can still remember the scene. I was so small, the people around who stopped to help pulled me out first crying "Bata! Naay bata! Unahi ang bata!" *A kid! there's a kid! get the kid first* I was so small, they pulled me out from the window and I left TWO of my new shoes which were kind of loose at that time. It was then, that I avoided staying at the front seat for a couple of years because of the impact the seats were pushed forward and they can't move because they were stuck.

Recently, you gave up some of your ballpens and accompanied me to buy the Biggest Ballpen to add to my collection.

A lot more recollections...... that are just to numerous for one post. A lot more to say but words are not enough.

Thank you for the pictures you took. I guess, it's where I have come to love "photography" or maybe just taking pictures for memories.

You may not be that affectionate before(maybe it's the military training) but you are. I see it in your eyes. We see it when you smile and crack jokes. Oh, what with your sense of humor that only a precious few would hear? Your navy jokes.... what you've done during the past.... will stay with us.

Thank you for showing us the path. We are your legacy... and we will live up to it. I know the efforts you've done for building the next generation. We'll see to it we do so with the next.

LOVE YOU Pa!

For all the Father's.... I know who have done soooo much to raise US "kids" UP. I am honoring you too. Happy Father's Day!

Davao Reader's Haven

There's this rent-a-book store in Davao that has been around for years. It was formerly and conveniently located under our office in Galaxy Theater at Ilustre which gives me access to check it out once in awhile(which I rarely do).

I was in Grade 6 back then when I was brought there by a friend who shares the same interest with me reading books and Archie Comics. I was so amazed by their collection of Archie Comics and Sweet Valley from Kids to University. I envied that store for it's extensive collection! Grabe! Super! Super! T_T

I don't read Sweet Valley now, but still I want to collect the books because it was from there I learned to really love reading. In fact, it was Archie Comics at first in our school library in Davao Christian High School, but to collect Archie would be hard, because number 1 the ones I know which are in SALE are pretty expensive ranging from Php 100 and above and number 2 they have so many editions that I can't track them anymore.

So, I just borrowed comics from my uber rich Chinese classmates. I also ended up buying myself two editions but because I am soo nice I lent them to different people (the only two copies I have, which came from my allowance pa talaga) and now it's nowhere to be found! T_T. That was one of the "FIRST" first-hand stuff I bought using my allowance. *sigh* No use crying over spilled water.

I am drifting off the topic already. Anyway....

I wanted to become a member of the said rent-a-book place called Davao Reader's Haven or pretty much known by their readers as "Book Haven". Their membership at that time costs Php100. But, my mom at that time was against my reading Sweet Valley because she said it's too much non-sense and she preferred to see me reading her business books and during that time it was pretty boring to me. There goes my plan of being a member.

So, I would just stand outside and gaze longingly at the store(yes, I am that paranoid). I would not go inside because the place was a bit imposing for lil ol me to be in, and it's kinda embarrassing to go there if you're not a member.

I was in 1st year or 2nd year High School when they decided to transfer to a different location one day. They sold some of their pretty-used but in a good condition and plastic-covered books for as low as Php 10-50, which gave me a chance to be inside the place. The books they were selling were old Sweet Valley books and a few Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series. My allowance was pretty small that time but I really saved and bought one book a day.

One time, I have enough money to buy me a few good books on a Saturday when I saw their sign that they moved out. I was really devastated. But good enough they left a sketch of their new location. I hurriedly went to the new location but maybe I am not just good at map reading and I can't find their place or any stall with books, and so with a heavy heart I went home.

The prospect of finding it again was so nill. And... I really thought that place was a goner.

Years later..

I am in third year college now about to enter my fourth year.

Recently, I've been talking non-stop about "Book Haven" to anyone I know who loves books.

"Hey, do you remember the store.." and then telling them my story which I just narrated above and my desire to find it one day.

And then I'd tell my mom about it.. how she would not let me register and be a member (money at that time was not good, that's why even a mere 100 was regulated).

Yesterday, we(my family) passed by the place that was supposed to be the location of the "new book haven" years ago.

And I once again... said aloud to them..

"Diri lang diod tong Book Haven ba...." (The Book Haven would be located just here.....)... and I let my gaze wander to the place...

I was about to narrate my story when a GREEN SIGN that read "Davao Reader's Haven" appeared before my eyes.

"OMG! That's the book haven! It's there! It's there!"

I again narrated my story to them... of how I really want to find that place and now I saw it when I least expected it.

I said, "I will go there later".

And true enough I went there with my bro Paolo and my sis Darlene. My mom did not discourage, but in fact encouraged me to go there. (She wants my siblings to learn and love reading as well)

I did not take time thinking about registering and I pulled out 200php. Yes, yes they increased but I don't mind. I just want to be a member. They still have those sale items they have before. And I pulled out most of them and bought them. My bro and sis borrowed books in my account as well and I am to return it a week.

Their store downgraded a bit. No aircon, just a single electric-fan. It was pretty dusty and you're hand would go black while browsing their books in a few seconds. But, I don't mind.

I found it! Alas! Thank You !!! Ahh the joy of knowing the Law of Attraction and using it consciously . Hehe.

"Seek and you shall find"

- No matter how long it was. Thank You Father!

Mhmm.. Now.. I'm looking for anyone who sells a replica of the Illusionsit Wooden Locket! Anyone know someone who sells it? I'm also looking for Sweet Valley Twins books that I don't have.......

Disciplinary Action

I grew up with discipline by my side. Both parents are strict... but it is my mom who does not spare the rod.

I grew up with different kinds of punishment when I was young.

1. Luhod(Kneel)- "Kneeling down with your hands raised sidewards". What could be worse with this punishment was under your knees you either choose to place uncooked rice, monggo beans or rock salt. Tough.
2. Lashes - My mom would ask how old am I and that would be the number of lashes.
3. Face the Wall - This one is pretty modern and easy... you would learn how to talk to the wall as well.
   

Anyway... you can't punish a child without explaining why he or she was punished. Those kind of punishment would make the child rebel if YOU DID NOT EXPLAIN IT WELL. These disciplines are better if it is BALANCED. { Of course, we have different parents... and each of those differences makes them special } My parents raised me up with a healthy attitude towards discipline.

This one serves as as childhood memory for me. It's part of my growing up. I can say the disciplines you get from your parents are the "easy way" of learning your lessons. In life, whenever you do something.. the Law of Cause and Effect would strike you. In every effect there is a cause. In everything that you do, you must be aware of the consequences and you cannot blame anybody for what is happening into your life because you.. only you.. have caused it one way or another.

When I was in High School the punishment of kneeling down was still around, no more lashes and facing the wall *bye bye wall* but adding to it was being "Grounded".

Grounded - from going out of the house for two weeks or more. No social activities etcetera etcetera.

I suddenly feel like I'm Jessica from Sweet Valley getting grounded and not attending so-called important events of my high school life. *rolls my eyes* Which is kinda ok... at least I have someone I know who gets grounded too! Muwahaha. Jessica... I understand how you feel girl!

I also got grounded and had my cellphone confiscated from me numerous times for

1. having our phone bill reach to 2,000 + for how many months. { I was calling a friend named Ellen.. who transferred out-of-town, and since I'm close to her I usually call her through her cellphone for how many hours. I was pretty ignorant back then because I did not know the charge would be high for landline to cellular phone calls. Sorrryyyy }
2. Watching movies on the big screen without asking permission. Trouble is, if I ask permission my mom won't allow me still :( I did it only twice... getting caught the second time and never watched a movie with friends without permission.
   

And... that's not all. I did not say.. when I would have my cellphone back right? Well, to make it a little bit harder my mom made me memorize the whole book of Proverbs {31 chapters}. Until I memorize it I won't have my phone back. That's not easy. I was studying, and pretty much teeny weeny focused in school. I usually recover my phone after 6 months.

6 months after.... the second confiscation? I wasn't interested in cellphones anymore. And that's a PLUS because I won't have to worry about cellphone loads right?

My mom also made me try the D.A.

Ever heard of it ? Hehe.

It is called "disciplinary action". Kind of redundant... but it goes like this

EVERYBODY in the house WOULD NOT TALK TO YOU sort of like giving you the silent treatment until a certain period of time.

But of course my mom made it easier for me. I cannot talk to HER only until I finish the book she wants me to read... and that was Rich Dad Poor Dad.

Anyhow... why am I talking about discipline? Because......

My brother and sister just got grounded from T.V. and the computer until they memorize the whole book of proverbs and reading 20 books + a book report.

Tough huh?

But... they are smarter. They have chosen those 46paged books of biographies of different scientists. Tsk. Tsk. Naughty kids. Mom can't do anything about it since... she did not say how thick or how many pages the book should be for their report.

Share your memories of being disciplined as well.... :)



[ edit: Thanks Pam! for the gift! ]