Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Elementary


Gem & Jas both went to St. Michael's College in Iligan for their elementary education, although they both did not graduate from the same because we had to move to Manila to be with Bong, who was already working for OnLine Phil., where they continued to go to school in San Lorenzo Ruiz in Paranaque. After a year, we came to the US.

Candidly,
Dang S.


Friday, April 24, 2009


Sabolboro kids... mga siga sa Del Carmen (Del Carmen mob lords)... this includes DJ too.

Candidly,
Dang S.


Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Suzuki


Our ever reliable Suzuki... Bong's ride to work and our ride everywhere else. In front and on the gas tank would be Gem and Jas. Seated next would be Bong, the driver. Then Thaad and myself. We all fit... until the kids grew bigger than me.

Candidly,
Dang S.


Wednesday, April 15, 2009

FF


I found this old photograph with the Ocampos. This was a pose for remembrance before the Ocampos left Iligan (and us) for Cananda. Who knew that our paths would cross again? Friends forever?

Not in picture: Bong-he was the one taking the picture; and Keith-he was not yet even made.

Candidly,
Dang S.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Pumpkin

Our first pumpkin carving experience. I settled for the more traditional pumpkin face while Thaad did a more complicated one. Done about three days before Halloween, they decorated our porch. With a lighted tea candle on each of them, they glowed during the evenings. We were proud of our work.... until Halloween, when the pumpkins were so dried up and were no longer shiny.

Candidly,
Dang S.

Monday, April 13, 2009

DJ Sabolboro?


DJ is the neighbor's son but since he was the only child at that time, it was more fun to be at the Sabolboro's. Every afternoon when Bong comes home from work, Jas, Gem and Thaad race to meet their Dad at the gate... and oh, DJ included.

Candidly,
Dang S.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

A Page From My Scrapbook


One day, Thaad was asking where that picture of him cutting paper with a pair of scissors was. Here it is... it has a place in my scrapbook. He tells me that he has a vivid memory of this event... What?! He was only two and he thought it was the coolest thing to be able to use a pair of scissors. It was like... "Yes! Success!"

Candidly,
Dang S.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Cooling Off


Timoga Spring Pools in Iligan was a favorite weekend hangout. The cool water from some mountain spring filling the swimming pools was always a refreshing comfort during very hot and humid days. No matter how crowded the pools were, it was always an enjoyable activity for the kids. Here, during a short break from the swimming, Gem shows her cute smile... even forgetting that she was missing a tooth.

Candidly,
Dang S.


Monday, April 6, 2009

Bad Hair Day


Gem was born with a lot of hair. She laughed a lot.... but then, she cried a lot too. Every evening, starting at six, I would start dancing around the house with her in my arms to calm her down. A colic baby, I needed to constantly rock her until she is overcome by sleep and peace would reign in our house once again.

Candidly,
Dang S.


Friday, April 3, 2009

Thaad's Ride


Like Jas and Gem, Thaad had his first years of education at St. Margaret Child Learning Center. He was good friends with Kitty, Teacher Daisy's daughter, and they always sat next to each in other in class. He'd go to school in the usual service bus while I would drive Jas and Gem in our ever reliable tricycle (we call, tri-sikad).

Candidly,
Dang S.


Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Little Whims


Jas had this special pillow, a gift from Lola Dia, that she can never sleep without. It traveled with us, no matter what. It became so much of a baggage dilemma that it gave us an idea --- we would bring just the pillow case and use it to cover the pillow that she would be using somewhere away from home --- and it worked! Gem, on the other hand, did not care if she was wearing hand-me-downs or playing with not-so-perfect toys like this copycat Barbie doll with missing arms.

Candidly,
Dang S.