More Precious than Gold and Silver

Precious metals are attracting attention in the world market as viable investment instruments. Investing on silver and gold coins is one way of stemming off the inflationary attacks on our currency. My friends are researching on ways to invest on precious metals here in the Philippines.

However, last Friday, July 10, 2009. I learned of an investment instrument more precious than gold and silver.

What could be more precious than silver and gold bullions? It’s 45 diamonds.



Allow me to share this story…


July 10, 2009 was a momentous event for the2009-2010 4th year class of Industrial Design in Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati. It was the last day of their retreat. My son Miguel belongs to the said graduating class.

The parents of the boys prepared a welcome party for them. Three days before, we said goodbye to our boys and now, we are welcoming young masters.

There was a short program at the Joy Center. Thanks to Fr. Dindo and the three salesian priests who took the time to be with the boys during their 3-day retreat. Thanks also to the parents and people who made the party possible.

During the brief program, what struck me most was the talk given by the Mr. Sonny Tan, the class adviser.

Sir Sonny shared how lucky he is with the class. In fact, parents might envy him for he will be receiving love from not one, not two, not three, but from 45 diamonds! That’s how he called the graduating class of IV-2.

Pure love from 45 diamonds -- he will relish for the next 10 months of his life -- will be part of his treasure chest of memories as a teacher in Don Bosco Makati.

Sir Sonny saw the 45 diamonds in their raw form! Beneath these unpolished and rough states, he saw their potential for greatness. Our sons may not realize their potentials yet for it will take years of constant polishing.

Constant polishing means …

... spending more time with our sons

... teaching them to be more responsible

... allowing them to make choices

... respecting their choices

... not shielding them from harm

... allowing them to make mistakes and experience the consequences

... encouraging them to fail faster

... giving unconditional support

... teaching the right values

... telling them that it’s ok to cry and express emotions

... urging them to be grateful of life’s blessings

... becoming living examples to them

His Dad may not be physically present during the welcome party but I am sure that Daddy is taking an active part in polishing the two diamonds of our family. From his office in Dubai, Daddy keeps communication lines open through text and emails.

As for me, I am so happy to share my diamond with Sir Sonny for the next 10 months. I’ve been enjoying awesome abundance of precious moments with my diamond for 16 wonderful years!

Each year, I am a witness to his unfolding greatness in his own quiet way…

Handsome Giant

Forgive me for being sentimental but I miss my son, Miguel.

He is off to a 3-day retreat for graduating high school students. This is what I love about Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati. They put equal focus on values formation of their students.

Today, I was lying in bed waiting for his good morning kiss. It’s past 6:30 am and he has yet to come. I suddenly remembered he is in a retreat.

As a mom, what do you do when you miss your son? Rather than mope around sad and lonely the whole day, I decided to think of 10 Cool things about my 16-year old son, and here they are:

1. Kuya Mig is soooo quiet.

At dinner time, he eats fast and he talks only if he asks what’s for desert. There are times when I would find him quietly laughing watching funny You Tube videos. Sometimes, I find him in his room playing PSP, listening to music or reading “Chicken Soup” books.

I can see myself in him when I was growing up in the province. So simple and so quiet.

2. Kuya Mig has a unique sense of humour.

When Kuya Marc turned thirteen, we immediately proclaimed him the official “Teenager”. Not to be left behind, Kuya Mig declared himself also a teen-ager with his age as “Eleven-teen”.

When he was around 10 years old, his favorite expression is “Nyong-ngong!” Only he knows what it meant.

His favorite t-shirt is a gray one with the words “Naligo ka na ba?”

3. He can wear anything and it will always look good on him!

He is never conscious of how he looks. He just wants to be comfortable. He can go out without combing his hair and still end up looking cute and guwapo!

Daddy always says that when he looks at Kuya Mig, “Para akong nakatingin sa salamin!” (it’s as if he is looking in a mirror!)

3. It’s so easy to wake him up! He is seldom late in his appointments and easily follows schedule. He talks when he is dreaming (wink! wink!)

5. Kuya Mig is makulit in his own endearing way.

He loves to dance when we are not around.

When you ask him his great wish, it’s simply: “Sleep with aircon on.”

6. He loves food! His loves fried chicken, ice cream, pizza, donuts, cheese rolls, calamares, chips ahoy (the soft and chewy ones!), and chocolates!

7. He has a talent in drawing.

When he was small, he loved drawing small figures!

I remember the times when we would draw characters of Simpsons together. My drawing would look blah while his drawings are like the real thing. I would end up tracing Homer Simpson’s face just to come up with a passable drawing.

8. Kuya Mig loves to argue with his kuya playfully and is the boss of Ate at home. He makes one request and Ate would instantly say, “Your wish is my command!”

9. Kuya Mig is so cool! He does things effortlessly!

He wins easily in cashflow games at home, he manages his money jar well, he seldom goes out with barkadas, and he asks the right questions.

Kuya Mig has yet to discover his hidden talent in selling. He does it naturally when he sells the idea of increasing his allowance or having take out dinner at home!

10. For me, Kuya Mig represents EFFORTLESS EFFORT.

He gets what he wants easily and with minimal effort. He does not need to read so many books or attend lots of seminars to learn. He does things naturally.

I can’t wait when our handsome giant wakes up to his true potential!

Look Up!

Our trip to Malaysia taught me one very important lesson:

There are lots of positive benefits of maintaining a posture of looking up!


When in Malaysia, there are lots of reasons to set your sights up! Foremost of which is the Petronas Tower, touted as one of the tallest buildings in the world. The structure is even more magnificent at night as it has a silvery glow!
We visited the Skybridge which is open to the public! Here is the magnificent view from the Skybridge!

Within the vicinity is a hip mall Suria KLCC with guess what??? Another awe-inspiring ceiling!

Then, there’s the KL Tower which allows an overview of the city and the different landmark structures! Also seen from the KL Tower is a structure which looks like the Burj Al Arab in Dubai (it’s in my dream book and I hope to see it someday!). You have to use the telescope to be able it!

Previous to getting inside the elevator at KL Tower, you look up and see a magnificent ceiling!

My friends and I also spent half day at the Batuc Cave. A giant-sized golden Buddha guards the cave. 

Yes, we climbed up the 272 steps to be able to go inside the cave!

Once inside the cave, we continue to look up and enjoy this wonderful sight! BTW, on your way up, be wary of the small monkeys for they snatch plastic bags!

Even our apartment provides an excellent reason to always head our sights up! Lanson Place boasts of hotel like ambiance within a condo. (Thanks to Mishy!)

Unlike other condominium project, which is enclosed and suffocating, Lanson Place has a courtyard in the middle so there’s lots of open space and fresh air! The structure of the ceiling is magnificent!

Since I returned from KL, I seem to develop this fascination to look up and enjoy the view above. For so long, my sight is directed downward and all I’ve been seeing are roads, floors, pavements, and land -- all dark and gray.

I just realized that I’ve been missing views of majestic ceilings, sky, trees, sun, moon and sky – all awash with colors!

Subconsciously, this tendency to look up has made me more optimistic and excited about the future!

If you see me, don’t be surprised if I don’t greet you or just pass by you. For sure I’m busy looking up and appreciating the awesome abundance!

Here's the address of Lanson Place

No. 1 Jalan Ampang Hilir, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

(603)4253-2888

My Definite Chief Aim (DCA)

I had two dreams.

First dream.

I saw myself PREGNANT! Shocking!

Second dream.

I saw my current Boss. She is working with a female clerk. The clerk is efficient and she graduated with honors. However, the Boss is not satisfied with the clerk and she fired the clerk.

When I woke up, I grabbed my journal to jot down my first thoughts.

I am in transition. This is my interpretation of my dreams. I am about to have a NEW BABY. It is probably related to my career, specifically in my day job.

You see, I’ve been mulling about my goals and my desired outcome in life. It occurred to me that I never had a goal for my career. I’ve been reading the book of Napoleon Hill entitled The Laws of Success. I’m spending time on the chapter Definite Chief Aim (DCA).

I’m now in the process of defining my DCA. I’ve been asking myself these questions:

What do I really want?

Why do I want it?

How would I know that I got what I wanted?

How would it feel by then?

How would it look like? What will I be doing?

These are the questions that I attempt to answer in defining my DCA. These are the questions that allow my brain to step into the future and feel in advance the joy for my desired outcome.

Then came my dreams. I can see vivid signs from the universe…

The universe gave a green light through my dream. It is telling me to keep on asking these questions and make it more specific.

It is urging me to give birth to an awesome and abundant career for my self!

How about you? What is your DCA?