adios (for now) ace....

A new chapter in Ace's life will begin shortly... as he make his way back to the USA the 25th of this month.... A journey that will take him to face ADULTHOOD, RESPONSIBILITIES, and SELF RELIANCE.... a lot to take in especially having the kind of upbringing he had... but still, am pretty POSITIVE & CONFIDENT he will be able to tackle it all...

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A LETTER TO YOU, Ace:

You will be MISSED by a lot on this side of the world, Ace... You know that! Am not much for advices -- the BEST ADVICE I can ever give you is EXPERIENCE LIFE TO THE FULLEST... Live your LIFE as BEST you could.... Grab Life with GUSTO.... Remember those you will be leaving behind... and ALWAYS, FOLLOW YOUR HEART! You can NEVER GO WRONG when doing so... whatever the OUTCOME maybe.... as long as you FOLLOW WHAT YOUR HEART TELLS YOU....

I know that you have so much on your mind right now.... STRESSING about what's to come... what you will be facing.... all the EXPECTATIONS by everyone... Try to not think too much of all that - JUST DO THE BEST YOU CAN!!!

Remember: We are already Proud of You... and feel BLESSED to have you in our lives - near or far.... So just MAKE YOURSELF PROUD - you need not prove anything to any of us... only to yourself!

love,

Tito Rudi

PS

not to worry... we will have/share more fun & crazy times soon....

They are all ADULTS NOW!!!

This year marks my two nieces', Ameera & Nicole, adulthood - as this month, both of them turns 18!!! and at the same time my nephew Ace turns 23.... Really how time flies.... (PHOTO TAKEN FEB 2010 DURING AMEERA'S BDAY DINNER.)

Sadly, this year I also missed out on their BDAY celebrations... with everything else going on: scheduling, family dramas, etc - it was just not for me to attend and join in their festivities... but I might not have been there physically - I hope they know that I am there mentally and emotionally....(photo taken DEC 2007 - one of my most FAVE memories with you guys!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you three!!! Always, Your Tito

Hurried Trip Part II - LAOAG

Part II of III parts, first part VIGAN, you can see here:

HURRIED TRIP PART I-VIGAN

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Just as the sun was shining in Vigan, we decided to escape the heat by journeying on to province of Laoag... Fist was an hour and a half's bus ride to the city of BATAC to view the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE PAOAY CHURCH.... just as beautiful, even more so, in person as I have seen it in photos.... the outside... the interior... there are signs of neglect here and there - which is a crying shame - still it was beautiful for the most part.....

Then it was another hour's jeepney ride to the city center, LAOAG CITY.... of course, the first thing we did was go for food.... BAGNET (not too good where we had it!) and the EMPANADA (made freshly for us!!!)... two of the most famous local delicacies.... then time to escape the afternoon sun and check in the hotel,... this was going to be our based camp for the nite as there is a DANCE FESTIVAL to see later in the afternoon...

After finding just the right place to camp for the nite, the first order of biz was to SHOWER.... savouring the COLD WATER to shake off the dust, heat of the sun, and the fatuousness of the long rides.... not totally refreshed we all ended up taking a nap but woke up just in time to revel in the Dance Exhibition/Contest - commemorating the region's wonders: farming, hunting, handicrafts, sights & sounds... One after another, we got to enjoy different ethnic dances - with all the performers giving it their all plus dressed in their traditional outfits/costumes... what a TREAT!!!

Then it was on to more treats, the gastronomical kinds.... tasted some more of the town's delicacies... plus the local McDonalds... then walk about the city some more before retiring for the evening.... getting rested as tomorrow is another looong bus ride to our next destination....
COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

HURRIED TRIP Part I - Vigan

David came to Manila for a few days, while I was there - so we (along with my nephew Ace) decided to take a road trip up North... Vigan, LAOAG, & Baguio - places I have been wanting to go to for quite some time now.... with LIMITED TIME - we managed to hit all three places in just 2 days.... long bus rides & way too little time in each places , of course, but was worth every PAIN endured on those long bus rides....

Wed nite we caught a bus ride to VIGAN.... the bus was pleasant enough... DELUXE so air coned and nice size seats.... the road was not bad and hardly any traffic as it was overnite.... not during WORK or RUSH HRS....

Got to VIGAN at 5AM.... quaint little town with all the SPANISH INFLUENCED relics (restored old homes, beautiful cathedral, cobbled stones, horse drawn carriages, etc..) all concentrated in a little area.... the people were warm - all smiling and friendly.... at 5AM, many people were out and about exercising.... it helps a lot that the weather was just beautiful and the air, FRESH!!!

We only got to spend 5 hrs in the town... the bus ride (8 HRS!) was longer... but am sooo HAPPY I FINALLY got to see this town of VIGAN... and cannot wait to go back again to take in the place and its wonders at a much slower pace....

COMPLE PHOTOS CLICK HERE PLS

Congratulations, Ace!!!

WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE WORKING STIFFS!!! Dive in with so much GUSTO - just as you do with food... and you will be JUST FINE!!!

GRADUATION PHOTOS HERE

What A Friday!

Whew!!! where do I even start - how about the weird weather??? Got up about 5:30 to get an early run but the sun was shining so brightly already - so we opted to go to the GYM instead....

Then it was a whole day of waiting for DHL to come and deliver... did it happen??? OF COURSE NOT!!! So it was a whole day wasted indoors waiting for something that did not come... and those of you who know me well, knows that there is nothing I HATE MORE in this world than WAITING - waiting for anyone or anything....

On the brighter siode to that, i was able to work and POST a couple of entries in my R&D SPOTLIGHT blog page.... new Photos of Susies and all...

Tonite, knowing that there is no us anymore of waiting for DHL - I ventured to run... then it started drizzling with the wind really blowing... so I Had to run back home... Guess, the TYPHOON will really hit us - as they said in the news....

So you tell me, AM I GETTING LUCKY yet??? GOOD THING I had a box of SEE's Chocolates, courtesy of my Nephew Ace, to keep me company and put me in a brighter mood.... hais, just glad it is almost over.... as the box of chocolates is almost all gone, too!!!

Random Happiness in Pictures

A few Shots of TOTAL JOYs as demonstrated by a few people, and a doggie, while in Manila...Aaaaah Youth! BEA: One Happy Little Girl!Nanay (Cousin Rounette) and Ace - finding their instruments of Happiness!!!Personally delivering to a couple of HAPPY SUSIE & DOLLS Lovers (Joan & Pole) and witnessing their total JOY in getting their SUSIE Dolls! And Shaq reunited with his Master Ace, after being separated for 4 months while Ace does his OJT in the US.

July Jubilees

1st of July, a brand new month that promises to be just as hectic & tiring as the month of June -- but at least a little bit more pleasurable...

Starting off with flying off this morning to Manila to check up on my Mom... i can only pray that this trip will be a bit better than the last.... then tomorrow I get to see my nephew Ace, coming back from San Francisco, California -- where he did his 3 month OJT for his HRM course... he has one semester left and he graduates!!!

Upon my return on the 8th, I get to look forward in enjoying a full fun day at The Taipei Toy Festival ( a 4 day event that I will be attending on Sat, the 11th - with my friends: Juliana, Sue & Cecilia) -- so many famous exhibitors from all over the world, but the one am dying to see and meet is mr tokidoki himself, Simone Legno.There are other things, other happenings for the month of July: the musical Phantom of the Opera comes to Taiwan, a couple of movies, Public Enemies & the special effects driven, 2012; and summer goings on in Taiwan.

Here's hoping July has a lot of happenings in store for you, too... in your own neck of the woods...

Tears of Happiness

Photos that brought Tears of Happiness in my eyes this morning....
Ace is flanked by Christine and Michael
Ace, Michael, Ate Flo, Christine & Roger (Ace's DadAndrew, Michael & sorry, not sure who?Ate Flo, Rowena & Kuya BenjieAte Flo, Kuya Benjie's wife, was kind enough to forward these photos to me... as I had previously mentioned, Ace is in America now doing his OJT, but before he starts the 3 month internship - he was able to take a drive down to Las Vegas with his Dad... in turn, he got to visit his cousins, Michael, Christine and Andrew.... first time they all got to meet.... which in turn brings much joys in my heart....
For more on Kuya Benjie's Family - Pls Click Here: "Blood Truly is Thicker Than Water"

Happy Birthday, Ace!!!

22 Years Old!!! ...you are getting old, like your uncle.... hahahahaha... not to fret, as like me, you will forever be young at heart -- I KNOW!!!

Happy Birthday, Ace!!! And CONGRATULATIONS for landing that job in the US for your OJT!!!! Glad you get to do it in San Francisco - you can be with your Dad for a bit... and you will not be alone... am sure you will do well...

I will be sad not to see you during my trips in Manila for a while - but will be HAPPY knowing that you are doing something great for your future... and knowing that soon, we will have plenty more time for our get - togethers when you are already graduated and working - and most of all, IT WILL BE YOUR TREAT!!!! hahahahaah
GOOD LUCK and lotsa' luv!!!

Birthday, Bithday, Birthday -- Oh My!!!

okay, while most will in a frenzy over what kinds of chocolates and flowers to give their special someone -- I will be scratching my head once again, as February means too many BDay's to worry about(August, as well!)-- my nephew Ace and nieces, Ameera & Nicole's BDay is here again!!! It just gets harder and harder each year as they get older and older... that is why BDay's should be outlawed once someone turns 21!!!Photo was taken during their combined BDAY party last year... the girls both turned 16, while Ace turned 21 -- which in my book, am FREE of my BDAY obligations with him.... (Do you hear that, Ace?)HAHAHAHAHAHA.....

So Long 2008 -- Hello 2009

So the first three days of 2009 also marks our last few days on Vacation in Manila... so glad it was spent just with the young ones - still on vacation... we just basically hung around, watching vids, swimming, walking about and discovering new places and eating places....

On the 1st, since we are not allowed to spend (some kind of tradition I am always told) - we cooked at home and then walked about the quaint little neighborhood of Tomas Morato district in Quezon City... it was truly my first time walking around the neighborhood... and boy am I glad we did!!! this has got to be my NEW/OLD FAVE area... lots of cute and nice little restos, cafes, boutiques to visit... can't wait to go back...

On the 2nd we shopped (as we are now allowed to) for presents (STILL) at various malls - and Manila never runs out of them!!! Then we went to see a really corny Horror flick @ Rockwell and did some cam whoring about afterwards....

Our last day on the 3rd, we drove to Quezon City again to check out a culinary school.... and then went to The Fort/Serendra area to walk around the shops... check out what's new with ALESSI... and then we were treated by AMEERA for coffee and desserts at Conti's...

Over all, 2009 has been good so far...
More Photos Here

cHeEsEcAkE, sISiG, & wEnShA

Dec 29th, 2008: A couple of firsts for me here....

It was Kristopher's BDAY, Nicole's BF..we decided to have them over at the condo and give him a little surprise treat.. actually, it was more an an excuse for us to make food.... David made SISIG & Brazo De Mercedes dessert -- from the pages of the KULINARYA BOOK... and Ace made his INFAMOUS Cheesecake which I finally got to taste, after many months of promises.... I was IMPRESSED.... it was so GOOOOOD (PWEDENG PWEDE NANG PANG LABAN, ACE!!!)that I treated them to WENSHA that nite..... but before Wensha we did get in a few more minutes of swimming....

XMas Eve : Dec 24th, 2008

So am back at work in Taiwan... actually, part work... part getting in the midst of all the wedding preps, still... that one is coming up this weekend but that's for another blog... for now it is all about last XMAS...

This year marks the first yerar that Ace, my nephew, took over KITCHEN duties as he prepared most of our food... of course, Nanay could not help herself, and still cooked and prepared some of the dishes.... the rest he let Ace took reign and just supervised....

We picked David up at the airport late afternoon... then we all had a bit of the apple pie, just to whet our appetites for things to come that nite... showered and got ready for the Evening Mass, very Catholic household here... it was a very lovely service... the Priest had a beautiful voice and sang most of the service... I Loved It -- always the best part of going to church for me, THE MUSIC!

The back to the house for our XMas dindin... so much food... and BEST of all, so much LAUGHTER -- as all XMasses should be.... after dinner, it was time to open up presents.... chatting and kidding about... then back to eating again.... and AS ALWAYS, david is the first casualty of the nite and went right to sleep in the midst of all the holiday commotions...

More Holiday Fun Photos Here

we gave a "DAMN"!!!

Dec 30th, Give A Damn,a BENEFIT CONCERT was held at A.VENUE, one of the newest and hippest places in the Makati area -- boasting lots of different local band, both famous and infamous... two of them are my FAVES: CAPO & Sundown Caffeine.... David and I got to attend along with Ace, Ameera, Nicole, Gretchen & Kristopher...

The night was topped off by hanging and eating at the closest McDonalds...

Was a FUN NITE for me to be with the kiddies... hamming it up for photos, etc -- see more here....

Sacrifice Valley Trek

Oct 27th, 2008 : Paid our respects to my Dad & Grandmother by visiting their moseleums in Sacrifice Valley - Bataan, Philippines....

it was PERFECT time to visit, as Ace did not have to go to school and Nicole is on a sem break from school... and actually better doing so than on All Soul's Day -- as it would have been CHAOS - since a lot of people do come up to Sacrifice Valley for prayers and festivities during that Holiday....
We even got to take some fun shots as the place is just full of SAINTLY and ANGELIC statues.... including the 16 Marian Images representing the Beloved Virgin Mary's
16 major apparitions throughout the world -- all in LIFE SIZE form!!!!

You Gotta' Love This Boy!!!!

okay... I have been accused of FAVORITISM.... I DENY it, of course.... but maybe, just maybe, I am GUILTY (a tad bit!).... this is in regards to my nephews and nieces -- in particular my nephew, Ace.... it seems he always gets away with things with me... one bat of his eyes and I give in to his whims.... okay, not so much as to spoiling him with no ends... I am still sane enough (I HOPE!) to know where to draw some lines....

Not really sure what it is.... maybe it was because I was in the delivery room when he was born... that I even cut his umbilical cord... maybe it is because I see so much of myself in him... as well as when he was still a young boy - people would always mistake him for my son as we do/did look so much alike....

In FAIRNESS though, I would have to say that for the most part, he does not ask for too much... or ask for things a lot of the times.... that is why when he does, you cannot help but give in - if it's still within reasons... He never fights back...and just keep quiet when you are lecturing him... all of a sudden his eyes would swell up which would make me stop -- as I know I have already hit his limits....

Ace is always fun to be with.... always coming up with silly things and funny things for me, and everyone else to LAUGH at.... and he does not even mind making a fool of himself - in order to make people laugh -- to this extent, am very HAPPY and PROUD to say, that we are so much alike... here's an example of what am talking about... ENJOY!!!


NOTE: Ace is now 21, no longer a little boy... but I suppose, a part of me will always see him as that... and in a way, a big part of him is still like that... which I hope he does not ever lose.... He is currently on his last year at MAPUA University in Manila... taking up HRM.... He is even LUCKY enough to have found a very sweet, kind hearted GF in Gretchen -- who is now basically part of the family........