17 Years Ago

I thought I'd break out from hibernation on one of the most important days of my life - Miguel's birthday!

I had him 17 years ago in the midst of Typhoon Gading. He was tiny at 5.6 pounds, but quite a long kid already at 18 inches. My friends said back then that he was the most peaceful looking baby they've ever seen. And it was true despite all the turmoil I was going through during that time.

It wasn't easy, but with support from my family and real friends things just fell into place. What helped though was talking to my Ate's friend who went through the same thing. It was like talking to myself ten years forward. It was what set me off to follow the path that would ensure that my son would have a secure and stable future.

Miguel has been the driving force behind whatever I have achieved. After I had him I managed to become editor-in-chief of our university's literary publication, garner a best thesis award (for my Political Science degree), get a job at the country's leading telco even before I graduate and now work for an international company. I just realized recently something profound (to me at least!), "You can mess up your life, but make sure you don't mess up your kid's!"

It's just amazing how patient Miguel has been with me (not the other way around). I've dragged him around so much (he's my official assistant too) in the last 17 years without any fuss, although now I've been giving him a choice to just stay home (now I'm being a good Mommy). In the past week that I've been sick he's also been cooking for me! (And I hear he's planning to make some leche flan this weekend).

Thank you Papa God for sending me my angel :)

Happy, happy birthday to my one and only, Miguel.

Miguel Wins the Dr. Heartbeat NXT Robot Competition

I am one super duper proud momma! My 13-year old son, Miguel, won first place in the Dr. Heartbeat NXT Robot Competition. This is the very first non-sport competition he has joined (most were in school during intrams).

Here's my vlog post about it -



I just couldn't describe how happy I am! I felt my heart was about to burst when he finished first three times in a row during the elimination round. I felt like crying since just yesterday we were both hesitating to join since he has not completed all the lessons at the Lego Mindstorms Robotics Center, but thought that he should still join for experience. Just before he went in the Lego room I wished him luck and told him to just enjoy himself. I was awed with the results of the first round.

Manabat - 125
Salvador - 175
Apolo - 400
Dee - 125

Miguel had a big smile when he went out of the room. I asked him how he felt and, as usual, he just gave a big smile and said he was happy about it. I was feeling really mushy and wanted to give him a long big bear hug, but he was reading so I just left him alone and watched the second batch. The second elimination round was pretty intense. These were the kids who went to a summer robotics camp in their school so I know how important the competition must be for them.

The third round had the top two winners in the previous elimination rounds. I hugged Miguel before he went inside and reminded him to just have fun. The contestants were put under time pressure to complete a task. Miguel was the third one to go up and successfully completed the task with the least amount of time. Here's the result of the final round -

G. Salvador - 3 balls 3 mins. 20 sec.
V. Salvador - 1ball, 4 mins.
M. Apolo - 3 balls, 2 mins 50 sec.
C. Pambuan - 2 balls, 3 mins.

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

Here's a list of the winners for the two divisions:

Division 1: 6 to 11 years old
1st Place: Antonio Sales
2nd Place: Christian Ayala
3rd Place: Mildred Saquing

Division 2: 12 and up
1st Place: Miguel Apolo
2nd Place: German Salvador
3rd Place: Christian Pambuan

Special Awards
Mr. Congeniality: Marco Ayala
Most Patient: Joseph Tamayo
Most Inquisitive: Daryl Tongson
Best Engineer/Programmer: Alfonso Sales
Most Enthusiastic: Christian Ayala

I appointed myself as Miguel's personal paparazzi so here are the photos:



It's downloadable at my Picasa Web Album.

This definitely tops Miguel's summer vacation.

Thank you Lord! =)

Happy 13th Birthday Miguel

I thought I was dreaming when I felt the sudden glow of happiness. I woke up and felt a happy feeling enveloping me. It was contagious and I just couldn't help but smile.

It was Miguel snuggling up to me early this morning while waiting for the schoolbus to fetch him. I knew he had a huge grin in his face even though it was dark.

My son was very happy. I know, I felt it. It's like the huge warm hug he gives me every day.

It's been 13 years since that fateful day where I labored for 37 hours. They would've cut me up already, but my toes suddenly wiggled and they knew he was coming. Even at birth my son was already mabait, he didn't want his Mommy cut up (pwede pa mag-bikini)! Funny how we all thought he would be female even though I walked like a duck, was as ugly as a gorilla and manas as a pig. It was what was the first ultrasound said. Yun pala naipit! LOL.

My bundle of joy has grown up and I can't help but cry coz I know he's got his own life already and Mommy cannot just drag him anywhere anymore. But he has promised to hug me and tell me he loves me every single day.

Girls! Keep out! This Mom's definitely the jealous type. LOL.

Happy birthday my dear sweetie! Mommy loves you very, very much!

P.S. Miguel turned down my offer to buy him a DS Lite, he said, "I want to have a party with the people I grew up with." Aww shucks, my son has truly grown up!

P.P.S. Miguel's birthday video.