Thank you 2004!

Toy collection, Philip & me, Niko & Rian

My how time flies! First, you expect Christmas season to come around because you love to meet old friends, reunite with your favorite cousins, have a reunion with your batchmates, or just feel the whole season with warmth and joy. But alas! Every good season comes to an end. But not for me. Everyday is Christmas day. I just love to see the joy in every person’s eyes when they receive gifts unexpectedly. Like me?!?!?! I’ll just randomly tell you what it is because I can’t seem to remember which came first.
James Lim. He was a gift for me. For 22 years after he went to the States to migrate, I haven’t had the chance to converse with him like I did in our 20th High School Reunion at City Sports Club Ayala. Man, all these years. I last saw him in Ayala about 5 years ago and haven’t got the chance to get his email ad. For 2 years, CTMSU and I searched for our classmates around the globe via internet for our reunion this year. Fortunately for us, James also searched the internet because the last time he came here he was disappointed. He never saw any classmates in this little City of Cebu. We talked for hours and one thing I noticed. He still looks like my idol Bruce Lee. Back in our high school days, I, James and Louie made a group. We had our robot group (since we loved to draw), we had a band (the name was Chryz – and why? Louie drawed on his Bible) and of course we love to sing. James was the guitarist, I was on keyboards and Louie was on drums. Lucky for Louie, his dreams came true. He’s now a drummer and goes all over Asia for gigs. I also made my dream come true. I’m the keyboards for our band in Couples for Christ-NuWeds. And after that night, James will not be disappointed in coming back here because he already has our phone nos. and our website.
Ache Luz, Philip and Michelle. Although they came here quite suddenly (because Ache Luz’s husband died, Ahia Pepe) I was glad to see them. Philip, still a fan of Shaq, Michelle, still the darling that she always was and Ache Luz – suwati ninyo si Achia! I really miss them. And am sure glad I have their email addresses! Haven’t talked to them for ages (and to think the internet made our world small!)
My wife Carol. She gave me a MFG wallet. At last I can put away my aged Lacoste to rest. A Flash T-shirt & a Genius Digicam. For the usual spaghetti (which my daughter Rian & I love to eat), hamburger (which my son Niko & I love to eat), and the latest Lover’s in Paris DVD (which Carol watches every night for the nth time! – after Meteor Garden!).
Niko & Rian. Niko, for having had many toys (Hot Wheels & Import Racer – because I had to update my car collection so I have to give him my old ones hehe). Rian, for the lovely I love you’s and I miss you’s everyday (and calling my office daily – ha! at least school starts next week! hehe). For believing in Santa Claus and regularly checking their Christmas stockings everyday (and for eating all the biscuits & chocolates & candies & whatever they can put in their mouths!).
My Mom. For just being my Mom!
My Blog friends Bianca, Jen, Emi, Steve, Jillsabs, Bullish1974. For just blogging and making my internet world sane.

My CCNA classmates Steve, Ferdie, Eman, Earllove, Jay, Randall, Erwin, Rod, AnaMich, & my teacher Sir Mike and Aris. For our weekly techy classes, dine outs, friendsters, chikka, yahoo messenger, blogs, cd burns, cellphone issues, & other digital matters.
My friends abroad Elwin & family (Sydney, Aus), Sheila (Washington), Carmina & Ramon (Chicago), Cindy (Dallas), Joji (New Jersey), Franklord (Florida), Arnel (Colorado), Nethla (Toronto, Cnd), Mau & Meye (Melbourne, Aus), Ian (Darwin, Aus), my cousin Chona (Toestedt, Germany) & Jeff & Inday (Dunedin, NZ), Mathel (Northern Marianas Islands), Reyna (Mongolia, China), Gail Therese (Auckland, NZ), Vima (Hawaii), my twin bro Stevenson (Niigata, Japan), CFC friends (Nelson/Susie, Ken/Myla-Canada, Barbers/Ella, Jun/Jeannette-States), Elmer G. & James (California). For keeping my email busy.
Cebu Holdings Inc. (Ayala Land Group). For the annual Dec. 25 charity where we distribute clothes, toys (which we wrapped) and food (courtesy of Don Henrico’s, Marriot, & who-made-that-delicious-pancit) to the underprivileged.A gift to myself.
My car collection (Hot Wheels, Import Racer, Import Tuner, GT Racer, Matchbox, Tomica), NBA Rookie Card collection and my 24 year old Table Napkin collection (Thanks to Stevenson – my twin who’s based in Japan, James Lim, Sheila Tiu, Philip & Michelle-States).
My officemates. For the delicious Marcs & Spencer coffee, FHM May 2003 issue (duh?).
My clients. Parker ballpoint pen, Fundador, Carlos I, Hok Shiu Ham.
And most of all, to Jesus, for making 2004 a memorable year!

Go Lakers!

My only Kobe signature shirt

FYI. This shirt was given to me by my nephew (Philip, son of my cousin Luz) who's based in L.A. back in '98. They weren't champions then and you get to have Kobe sign autographs without a wink. Originally, I told him to buy me a jersey and have Kobe sign on it with a marker. While Philip was working in the hospital, he by chance spotted Kobe with his sister stepping out of the elevator. (Kobe's sister went to her OB Gyne in that same hospital). Without my jersey and without a marker, Philip thought what was best to keep his Tito (Uncle) really, really happy. He got a ballpen, gave it to Kobe, and have him sign on his one-day-old shirt. Duh? And the rest was history. Up til now, I keep staring at the faded signature of the once simple, child-like, electrifying Kobe Bryant and thanked God I have Philip who's had basketball as his life-long support system. To Kobe and Philip, Kudos! And to all my friends who has no Kobe signature...you have to have one Philip in your life!

Do you hear the laughter of Santa?

To rephrase that, do you still believe in Santa? That's the question I tell myself everytime Christmas comes around. Don't panic. I still do. And why you ask? Simple. Being happy. With the busy, hustle & bustle of our everyday lives, we don't think of Christmas as a season of joy. Everytime the season goes near, we rush to the malls and think:

"Sino ba ang inaanak ko?"

"Pag di ko binigyan ng gift yun eh siguradong sasama ang loob nun."

"Hay naku. Ubos na naman ang bonus ko sa mga Christmas gifts."

"Dapat bigyan ko siya ng mamahalin na gift. Baka bigyan niya ako ng Lacoste?"

"Saan ko kaya mabili tong wish list niya? Hirap pa naman ng parking."

"Ba't ko naman bibigyan siya ng gift. War kami ngayon!"

"Wow ang cute nito. Magkano po? Ha? Mahal naman. Sino kayang bibigyan ko nito?"

"Wow bad trip. Over the limit na yung credit card ko!"

"Grabe. Gusto nya yung mamahalin. Wala naman sa budget ko to."

"Dito tayo sa sale. Wow, ang haba naman ng pila."

And that's what people do. Busying themselves buying and complaining. Is this the essence of Christmas? We as Godparents have to guide and see to it that our Godchildren are growing and living the Christian life. But what do we do? Sad to say, we forget this and simply give gifts at Christmas time. We also get sad when we don't receive a gift. But why? Are the gifts the only things that makes us happy at Christmas time?

What about Santa? What's so corny about Santa? Santa touched our lives when we were little. That's what dreams are made of. And our children. Why do we have to make them believe there's a Santa Claus? Because Santa creates Magic. Santa gives them Hope. Santa fulfills their Dreams.

I still tell my children that Santa is watching them. They still wait for Santa to fill their Christmas stockings. And when my children talk about Santa, you can see it in their eyes the glow, the radiance, the magic that Santa creates. Santa is a symbol of happiness. Santa is a symbol of hope. Santa is a symbol of dreams.

Now do you hear the laughter of Santa?