Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Super Memorable Moments with Mom
When I was young, I had this crazy thought that I am being raised by a superhero
Every day I see my father holds a hammer like Thor and does wonders with it. With wood and nails, he has built houses (apartments, dog house, pigeon cage, and the likes) and that’s how good a carpenter he is. He also used his hammer to split rocks, flatten metals and, I hope he won’t found out that I said this, I saw him one time crushing garlic with it while cooking adobo. Only he and Thor can do so many things with a hammer.
How about my mother? Honestly, I just see her as our ever loving Nanay who takes care of us every day from cooking meals, washing clothes and cleaning the house while my father works. Growing up, I saw nothing really super with my mom. Not until I became a parent myself that I realized that my Nanay Conchit was an extra-ordinary person after all.
My mom is a one-woman- superhero team like The Avengers because she possesses awesome traits of the members of the group.
Nanay is a leader like Captain America. She’s the heart of the family and everyone listens to her. Even without a hard metal disc, she has shielded our family from any harm. Truly, the safest place on Earth is in a mother’s loving arms.
She has an incredible green thumb like Hulk. She can grow almost any plant being a daughter of a farmer.
She is also mighty like Thor (Yup, same as Tatay). She is a barangay volunteer who devotes a few hours of service every night to help maintain peace and order in our community.
She is firm like Ironman with her word. She does everything to fulfill a promise. I can’t remember any instance that my mother assured something and failed to do it.
She is Hawkeye. Just one look, Nanay Conchit knows if any of her child has a problem. You just can’t hide anything without her knowing.
She embodies girl power like Black Widow. She is a strong believer that women can also accomplish what men can do.
She is tough like Nick Fury. She never quit and bravely faces every trial she meets in life. When our family was put to the test, she did not entertain the idea of a broken family and did everything to convince Thor to rejoin the family. (I hope you got what I mean)
A Super Wo-Mom deserves a super treat! Nanay mentioned before that Cebu is one of the places that she wants to visit. If only I had an extra budget for the Diamond Suites and Residence Mothers Day offers, I could have made her wish come true and made Mother's Day celebration more special.
She could have had a relaxing stay at any of our luxurious guestrooms of the hotel with buffet breakfast and FREE Therapeutic massage for 2 with Tatay.
Oh well, there’s always a next year and hopefully my mom gets her well-deserve super treat by then. For now, I just want to tell you that we super duper love you, Nanay!
Labels:
Cebu,
Diamond Suites and Residence,
Mother's day
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
A Backpack Story
I love looking at people’s behind. Don’t get me wrong. I am not sick nor a pervert. What I mean is that I am just fond of checking out passing stranger’s backpacks.
I have been a fan of backpacks since kindergarten. Though I have a couple of messenger bags in my closet, I am more comfortable with bags on my back than sling baggage on my shoulder.
That’s why a head turner for me is either a sexy woman or a nice looking backpack. Sometimes while I am in a fast food shop along a busy street, I would find myself looking at passersby. Big bags… small bags… blue bags… red bags. It’s like I am watching a parade. There’s even creepy backpacks shaped like a coffin or Jack Skellington of Nightmare Before Christmas while others are bag version of cartoon characters from grandma’s Betty Boop to that annoying- but-kids-love-him Barney the Dinosaur.
My most favorite backpack is the yellow Jansport that I bought from Bratpack in Robinsons Galleria in 2003 which I considered as my best buddy during my 2-year stint as an OFW in Saipan, Northern Marianas. I bring it anywhere I go, from our quarters to our work station to the different islands of the tiny nation. Each mark, dirt and scratch on my bag is a reminder of the places I’ve been and experiences worth remembering.
But I committed one stupid thing that still haunts me until today. That is when I traded my Jansport bag for a luggage a month before I came back to the Philippines for good. I was forced to make that decision because I really needed a big luggage for my things which a friend was willing to give in exchange for my battle-tested bag.
I don’t know whatever happened to my backpack. But I’m pretty sure it still good to use simply because it is a Jansport. As for the luggage with Chinese characters on the tag, I found a great use for it in keeping old clothes, bags and shoes.
That’s why last week, I bought a brand new Jansport backpack for me. Yay! But the celebration only lasted for about an hour after my wife told me he love the bag and asked if she can have it for Mother's day.
I told her, "Mahal, you are not my Nanay."
"But I am the Nanay of your son."
The bus stop here.
Labels:
backpack,
Bratpack,
Jansport,
Robinson’s Galleria
Monday, May 14, 2012
My ZALORA Wishlist
I can climb trees effortlessly like Tarzan, run around our
village tirelessly like Flash and carry three heavy school bags everyday that
makes me feel I’m a muscle man like Superman.
More than two decades later, I still feel I’m a stud but
this time with fear of heights, slower feet and an ab (singular form for abs).
My I-am-a-superhero mantra as a child rekindled when I recently watched
arguably the best superhero flick of the decade, The Avengers.
I want to join cosplay competition and costume party
again. But I think I need to shop for a
new outfit since my super tummy won’t fit my old size 30 Chuck Norris Karate
Commando pants (yup, stuff like these did exist).
While surfing the net for costumes, I stumbled upon ZALORA,
an online shop that I consider as out of the ordinary. I will “spell out” the
great features of this website to explain what I meant.
Zoom. Where else can you shop for well known brands such as
Folded & Hung, Dolce & Gabanna, Europak, Gucci, Holster, Crocs, Cole
Vintage, DC, Jansport, Kipling, Bayo and more and have it delivered to your
door step the very day you ordered it.
Order a Gucci from ZALORA and a box of pizza from your favorite
restaurant and you’ll be an Italian in an instant.
Anytime-of-the-day shopping. What’s good about online
shopping is that you can just sit back and relax in front of the computer,
browse all you want 24/7 and never complain of leg cramps, long line in front
of the cashier and salesclerks who follow you everywhere you go. Shop at your most convenient time, even in
your boxers. Btw, ZALORA sells cool underwears, too.
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. “Mula Batanes hanggang Jolo,
saan ka man ay halina tayo” It’s a line from the theme of a popular TV shows in
the country which suddenly played in my head while reading the FREE nationwide
shipping feature of ZALORA. So the next
time I'll go out of town and I forgot my swimwear again, I can just order online and
have a pair delivered in my room.
On delivery payment. Some people still fear to transact
online especially if the amount involve is a huge sum. But what if the only way
you can get the item you’ve been dreaming of is through the internet? ZALORA
accepts all major credit cards, GCash and Paypal and (drum rolls please)...
cash on delivery! Now if this still
can’t convert you to be a online shopper, I surrender!
Return policy. Within
30 days upon receiving the products, you can actually return the item that you
bought from ZALORA if you are unsatisfied with it (which is highly
unlikely). But of course, due to
hygienic reasons, panties, women's swimwear bottoms and men's underwear are
not accepted for returns or exchanges. Yes, even if you have flawless porcelain skin
(which is highly unlikely).
Awesome deals. Who
doesn’t like bargain and discount offers. ZALORA is one generous merchant that has
under P999 items, branded apparels and accessories on sale and special
promotions whole year round. The good
thing is that you don’t need to wrestle for an item in the bargain bin against
other shoppers that usually happens during mall-wide sales. No more body pains
or whatsoever. All you have to do is
click the item and it will be yours. (Now, if your finger got injured by doing
so, I surrender!)
ZALORA just made me more excited to shop online. With the wide-array of apparels, gears and
accessories, I actually found some wonderful items that I can use as a getup
for an up-and-coming superhero character that might be the next big hit since
the Hulk’s nose job on Loki. Here is my
ZALORA Wishlist:
1. Gold Star shirt by Rex Clothing. I just love the small prints on
black. The gold star print looks like a hero emblem. The simplicity of the design silently shouts
awesomeness!
2. 101 New York Chinos pants with striped waistband. This pair
will give me a casual geeky look ala Peter Parker. Easy to match with any short sleeve top just
in case I need to costume change.
3. Inov 8 Race Elite bag. A man who loves an action-filled day should
have a utility bag where he can put a lot of stuff that will be helpful in
times of McGyver moments.
4. Timex Camouflage. Heroes should always be on time and in
style whenever a call for help arises. This wristwatch has a very unique and cool
design that fits my extra-ordinary ways.
5. Vibram Fivefingers (Classic). This is perfect for people
with active lifestyles. I can ran, jog, climb mountains or lift weights in the
gym without the hassle of changing my footwear every time I go to one place and another.
Once I get these great items, I’ll borrow some things from
my wife’s closet and son’s toy box and viola! I am Shopper Man! I also have a couple of volunteers I call The
Chaperons-- Credit Cat and Super Sale.
Together, we dream of forming a super team we’d like to be known as The Scavengers
(The Bargain Bin Hunters).
How about you? What are your dreams? Make your own wishlist
today!
![]() |
http://www.ZALORA.com.ph |
Labels:
online shopping,
products,
wishlist,
Zalora
Monday, May 7, 2012
Thank You Mom
The month of May is one of busiest time of the year. While some
are preparing for their town fiestas and the many activities it brings
(basketball tournaments, sagala, beauty contests, etc), others engage in road
trips and out-of-town adventures before the back-to-school season hit the
scene.
But we should not forget that a special day is celebrated
worldwide in the midst of the festivities and madness that the hot air of
summer gives. Every second Sunday of May is recognized as the day of appreciation to the
greatest women in our lives. I am not talking of our wives and girlfriends. It’s
your mama, mommy, mom, nanay, ma, inay, mudra, inang, mum and whatever unique name you
call her.
A few days ago, I was watching a video over Youtube when I
saw a thumbnail of a video on the sidebar of the screen with the title, “Best
Job.” In the next two minutes, I felt a
pinch in my heart and was just moved with the images and message of the short
yet inspiring clip. After viewing it, I told myself that I want to do something
special for my Nanay Conchit this coming Mother’s day.
I plan to cook tinola for her. Something that she always does for me every time I am down, with sickness or due to a sad episode in my life, and every sip of her wonder soup lifts up my spirit and brings a smile on my face. I also wrote her a letter which I want to share to you guys. Why? You’ll find out when you read the note below. I decided to do it in tagalog and you’ll also know the reason for this in the letter.
Dear Nanay,
Huwag ka sanang magtaka kung bakit sinulatan kita. Wala po
akong mabigat na problema, uunahan ko na po kayo.
Magpi-pitong taon na yata ang nakalipas ng huli kitang sinulatan noong
nagta-trabaho pa ko sa ibang bansa.
May mga bagay lang kasi akong gustong aminin sa inyo na
dapat ay matagal ko nang nasabi. Ito na siguro ang tamang pagkakataon dahil
malapit na ang Mother’s day.
Nay, hindi mo alam ito pero nung elementary po ako, tinanong
ako ng teacher ko kung ano ang trabaho mo. Ang sabi ko isa kang businesswoman
pero di ko binanggit na pagtatahi ng basahan ang negosyo mo. Mayabang kasi yung
katabi ko at palagi sinasabi manager sa pagawaan ng kotse yung mommy niya. E
tuwing Christmas party, mas maganda naman ang suot kong damit kesa sa kanya.
Tapos nung high school, napag-usapan naming magkaka-klase
kung ano mga natapos ng mga nanay namin. Ang sabi ko undergrad ka pero di ko na
binanggit na hanggang grade 5 lang inabot mo. Ako kasi nag-top sa buong batch namin
sa National College Entrance Examination (NCEE). Baka sabihin nila nangodiko lang ako o tsamba lang yun. E, magaling naman talaga kayong mag-review sa
akin, diba?
Nung college ko naman, may naghahanap sa inyo kung kelan daw
kayo makikilala ng mga barkada ko kasi hindi ko daw kayo iniimbitahan sa
awarding ceremonies ng mga essay contest na aking pinagwagian. Kayo na din kasi
nagsabi na baka pagsalitain kayo sa stage ng ingles e bilang lang kamo sa daliri
ang English words na alam nyo. Binabati
ko naman kayo sa mga acceptance speeches ko bilang inspirasyon sa aking mga
gawa.
Aminin ko man o hindi, pero hindi ko po kayo naibida sa ibang tao sa
ilang bagay bilang aking ina. Ngunit nais kong linawin na hindi ito nangangahulugan
na ikinakahiya ko kayo. Marahil noong mga panahong iyon ay inaakala kong nararapat
lang ang aking mga ginawa sa mga nasabing sitwasyon.
Ngayon po ay nais kong isigaw sa buong mundo ang lubos kong pasasalamat
sa inyo!
Salamat po na mula sa pagtatahi ng basahan ay nagawa n’yong
bilhan at bihisan ako at ang aking mga kapatid ng maaayos na kasuotan.
Salamat po na kahit di ka nakatapos ng elementarya ay nakagawa
kayo ng paraan at nairaos n’yo akong mapagtapos sa kolehiyo.
Salamat po at kahit hindi kayo magaling mag-ingles ay
naituro nyo sa akin ng wasto ang ABC na siyang naging pundasyon ko bilang isang
manunulat.
Nanay... nais kong lagi n’yong isaisip at isapuso ang mga salitang
ingles na ito na hindi mo man madalas marinig sa akin ay alam kong
maiintindihan ninyo, I love you so much, Nanay Conchit!
Lubos na gumagalang,
Richard
My nanay might shed some tears reading this letter. I just know. She cries over sad movies and
soap operas. So just to lighten up the mode, I prepared some original pick-up
lines especially dedicated to my ever dearest mother. I’ll be using some
products that I see in my nanay’s small sari-sari store so she can easily
relate with my pa-cute messages. Here goes...
Find out how you too can show your appreciation to your mom. Discover why the hardest job in the world is also the best job in the world. Visit the official Thank You Mom Facebook page and be part of the celebration of love to the greatest women of our lives!
Labels:
blog contest,
event,
Mother's day,
Procter and Gamble,
Thank You Mom
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