RookieDad & Evan's TV "MOMent" (part 1)

February 27, 2010
6:30 pm - Ch. Net25
Manila

My boys have conquered the (local) tube!

The tv program "MOMents" in Net25 found his blog on the web and invited Riki to share his "rookiedaddyhood moments" in the show. They shot the interview and some family clips at our home on a Monday night, the clip was aired five days after.

This is part 1 of their "12 minutes of fame" :)

Evan & RookieDad rock! :D

RookieDad & Evan's TV "MOMent" (part 2)

February 27, 2010
6:30 pm - Ch. Net25
Manila

After 7 minutes of interview/family clips, we thought the feature was over already when they did a commercial break.

But whoa! there's more!
The next 5 minutes featured Riki's home videos. Evan all over! hehehe.
Maximum airtime indeed.

This is part 2 of their "12 minutes of fame" :)

Riki's Birthday

Start:

Dec 15, '09

SuperDad Day

A Rookie Dad no more
You have been elevated to the level of SuperDad

Thanks for always being there for Evan
For all the love and blue skies you bring to our lives.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy Riki!
We hope you had fun on your special day this year.
We love you!

And the "Emi & Evan Award for BEST DAD" goes to...

dear Daddy Riki,

with a dad like you, growing up is indeed "brighter than sunshine"!

thank you for always being there for me and mommy.

happy father's day!

we love you!

Evan

Daddy na Beybi Ko

There is no one else for me
I could search the world through all eternity
I could sweep the sky and the sea
If there'll be no one else for me

And through me, eyes will see
There will be only you...

(Afterimage)

We love you!

Dear Dad,

I am so excited to get out (of mommy's womb) so that I can join you when you sing this song to me...

"You're living proof that dreams do come true
I love you and I'm here for you

Just the two of us, we can make it if we try
Just the two of us,
Just the two of us, building castles in the sky
Just the two of us, you and I."

LOVE YOU DADDY!
Happy 1st Father's Day!

Love,

Evan

Evan Speaking...

My mommy said “Guess what Dad, big babies (inside the womb) can hear sounds and voices already during the second trimester onwards!”

My daddy instantly brought home many classical music CDS for me and mommy to listen to.
He also started reading me bedtime stories at night.

After a while…

My mommy said again “Dad, Evan knows Finding Nemo too well already!”
My daddy replied, “Well then, let me introduce him to Harry Potter now… but… in my favorite language!”
He then ordered this book from Italy especially for Mommy and me!

"Capita! Grazie Papa!"

Now, he reads me three pages or so of HP each night…using his cool “Godfather” accent.
“Capisci Evan?”
“Cristallino Papa! Ti voglio Bene!” Mwah!

Isn’t my Dad the coolest?
I can’t wait to get out and see him!

HAPPY TOGETHER

We always were
We always will
We always are
We always intertwine

Me & You finally....
(C. Alexander)

RIKI's day

Me &You
whispering
of ripplewind and faerie wing

Me & You
undaunted by
our joyful scarring

Me & You
of twisting fates
in corridors of time

Love you baby.
Happy birthday!

My First URCC

Do you know where 75% of the men in Manila were last Saturday night? They were all in the Amphitheater of Casino Filipino in Paranaque watching the URCC V (Universal Reality Combat Championship-Five). AND SO WAS I…

Riki is an AVID fan of the UFC (international counterpart of the URCC). If I use to hoard the tube before every Saturday night watching Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte live their NY lives, it is now his turn to watch Oleg Taktarov, Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock and the Gracie Family (I hope I got their names correctly) crash each other’s bones and what-have-yous inside the UFC ring.

He had watched the URCC IV months before and I remember him making kwento that he saw the whole band of Bamboo with their dates watching the fights as well. With this added attraction, I decided to join him and our two best men to their Saturday Paranaque gimik. I thought, what the heck, while they watch the fights, I can do my own star-gazing as well. Besides, I don’t want to be left home alone again. I just spent last weekend in solitude. I am also such a “good and understanding” wife that I can’t force my hubby to miss this quarterly “important” show. So off we go to my first Reality Combat Fight. BAKBAKAN NA!!!


my ticket to rumble

I’ve never been to a real fighting arena before. I only catches glimpse of fights in the television. Besides, I was just introduced to the details of the world of boxing and UFC when I married a fanatic. (Dig this: I just learned recently that ALIMALL was build and named in the honor of Muhammad Ali-formerly known as Cassius Clay-who visited the Phils. during the Marcos reign!). When we arrived at the Casino Filipino, my oh my! There were MEN everywhere - teenagers, yuppies, rockers, the conos, the maskulados, the tanders! All of them were here, sharing the same excitement and anticipation, forgetting their differences, getting ready to rumble! Some very few brought their girlfriends and wives (thank God I’m not alone!)

The fight started late (very fortunate because we were too) so I got to see the complete show. Just like the fights you see in the tube, there is a square ring in the middle of the amphitheather and chairs/bleachers everywhere around it. And just like the fights you see in the tube, there is an announcer that talks (or rather shouts) loudly, fast and incomprehensibly. But the difference is, here, it is a girl (which I later learned is Erica Fife-former Ang TV star). WTF?!

Patriotic citizens these people-hungry-for-brutal-fights are though, we all stand up for the national anthem first. I was expecting a solo/accapella rendition of some singer/superstar but I was mistaken. Behind the blue smoking foglight at the stage emerged an ethnic (bob Marley look-alike) musician who rendered a calm and great rendition of the Lupang Hinirang by merely playing his wooden flute, and then halfway during the song, came the electronic and rocking sound of the electric guitar and then a rocker/guitar player (Slash lookalike-chubby version, damn it was not Nathan nor Aira!) came forward from the blue light and replaced the flutist. ASTIG! It was the coolest rendition of our national anthem ever!

I am beginning to enjoy this show. Then came next the FHM girls in their bikini tops and skimpy maong shorts. Hmph! Boo hoo!

The announcer (now male thank God!) announced next the start of the matches…which triggered the crowd to go wild. BAKBAKAN NA!!! (a song with the same title plays in the background as well)

For my non-URCC educated readers, let me share with you the things I learned from this experience. There were three types of matches that night, to wit:

1. SOT (Strike Out Tournament) - the players/fighters in these matches wore boxer gloves, no shoes (they can do kicks), shorts and tight shirts (optional, mostly not preferred). Most players (based on my observation) are from the following disciplines: Muay Thai and Bokaido (mix of Boxing, Karate and Aikido?!). Each set consist of three rounds, five minutes each. Whoever is down (or badly hurt) at the end of the third round will be declared the loser. If both are still standing after the three rounds, there will be no points to compute (like in boxing) and the results will be declared as a DRAW. Winner of each set will fight the other winners in a championship round later during the night (poor tired winner!)

2. MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) - same rules as SOT but here, the fighters wore more slim gloves and come from diversed discipline and teams (i.e. Red Corner, Strikes and Submissions, Elorde MMA team). And the fights are more brutal (for the male audience more exciting!)

3. TITLE BOUTS (lightweight, featherweight, bantamweight and welterweight) - these are the main fights/attraction of the night. A defending champion will fight a challenger to preserve and secure his title and that BIG metallic belt.

The first fight began and after just three minutes, one of the player’s temple is already bleeding. I am beginning to get dizzy and nauseated already. Waaahh! Where are the celebrities? I need to see them so that I can be distracted from the game! The announcer told us that there will be at least 24 fights all-in-all. And we are just starting! Huhuhu…

Luckily that match ended already just in the first round. And so does majority of the others. And just like the theory of the LEARNING CURVE, fight after fight, slowly I get to appreciate and enjoy the matches already. Some players are comic enough to entertain me (name pa lang nila, nakakaaliw na! e.g. The Bulldawg, The Bull, Charlie Angel (complete with the themesong!), The Beast). And their individual introduction and entrance to the ring! Hahaha! Those were my favorite part of the show. Plus, the audiences are just so lively. Behind us are a group of teenage boys who just have comments for every move, punch and kicks of each players. Because of them, I now know the meaning and importance of the following terms in any URCC/UFC matches: Fight!, Break!, side mount, full mouth (a very important position), freeze (and recreation of a position in the center of the ring), take-over and suplex. And oh by the way, everytime the players are just in position and not touching each other, the crowd gets mad and shouts… BOOOOO!!! FIGGGHHHTT! But every time a player does a suplex and brings the other poor player down to the ground, the crowd amusingly cries in perfect unison ---WOOOOHHHH! YEAAAHHH! Gosh! Men!

The tournament lasted almost five hours. During that period, two poor men were brought out of the ring in stretchers (bones broken I guess from a bad fall or something), many have their face bleeding and their body bruised. But amazingly, I was able to witness that these players, although very brutal and fierce during the fights, were in fact gentle people who help their opponent stand up after a defeat, and hugged each other at the end of the fights. There was even one ferocious-looking fighter ("The Beast") who beat his opponent (equally big and nakakatakot) in just one minute but speaks so softly and kindly afterwards, like a henpecked husband.

I saw several celebrities in the amphitheather (Sec. Bunye, Mylene Dizon and Paulo Paraiso, Jackie Forster, Nancy Casteliogni with a date-not Paulo Contis!, Joanne Quintas with husband, and several familiar faces of commercial models whose name I don’t know!) but no Bamboo nor other rockstar. :(. Thus, I went home UN-starstrucked and nanghihina from all the blood and fighting I witnessed during all fourteen or so matches.

On the other hand, Riki, Kiko and Edsel, even during our midnight merienda, were still excitedly talking about the just-ended tournament and now inspired and planning to take martial arts classes (yeah yeah!).

Early morning yesterday, I told Riki… "Papano yan, I now know how to do a suplex and a full mount. Be afraid, be very afraid. Hehehe!”.

myMTV

My cool videographer featured one of the MTV in my wedding DVD in his website. Check it out. Just click the link to Emi and Riki in the New Videos Uploaded Section. Enjoy! :D

New Male Magazine

The conclusion that when a husband does (or helps do) the household chores, he is already henpecked, is so male chauvinist.

It's A Beautiful Day

My hubby’s good morning kisses and tickling woke me up this morning. It was only 6:30 am! My alarm is set to 7:00 am (which will be snoozed several times till 8:00 am). It is our monthsarry today he said (he always remembers this day ahead of me… so sweet!). And only seven more working days till he goes back to being a servant of the corporate world like the rest of us. So according to him, he needs to try and condition his mind (and body) to waking up early once again. And besides, it’s such a beautiful day daw (sabay patugtog ng mp3 ni bono!)….

For the past six months, my better half had enjoyed a well-deserved break cum vacation from the exhausting workplace. I have taken pleasure and benefitted from this break as well since it means I have someone to drive me to work and pick me up afterwards everyday (except his coding day, of course). I have always looked forward to these morning and night “rituals” since these are moments when we make kulitan and laugh our hearts out over everything that’s happening related to our lives and whine at anything we see along the road. Most of my cellphone message alerts (which are basically all recordings of my hubby’s beautifly husky voice) had been made during these times as well. (Yes, I use his voice recording as my message alerts some days so that I get to hear his voice even when he’s not around…hehehe)

On the way to work today. we we musing at how time flies so fast. I remarked, “Gosh, imagine it, we have been married for nine months now!” He corrected me, “Baby, we have been HAPPILY married for nine months now.”

It is only 9:00 am and I am already here in the office, thirty minutes early for my normal shift, enjoying my fruit juice and the sandwich he made for me earlier.

A beautiful day indeed.

To Conform or not to Conform

Part of our wedding DVD was included in my videographer's latest Sampler CD (for promotional purposes). I got a copy today thanks to my officemate friend who is to tie the knot as well early next year, thus, had been a regular at recent bridal fairs.

The sampler's description of us goes like so, "EMI and RIKI: We love it when clients pick the unconventional. We're challenged to match expectations. Dashboard Confessional serves this one raw and loud."

He couldn't have chosen a better term. Unconventional. That's truly us. Forever aspiring not to conform!

...and so does my Raw Footage DVD!

We got the DVDs of our wedding’s raw footage last night. Yes! Even the raw footage is in DVD format (all 6 hours of it)! So I can go to my favorite segments at once and go back… and go back… and back again!

Watching it makes me commit to memory all the perfect (unedited!) moments we have during that unforgettable day. I also got to watch all other events that transpired that I wasn’t aware of anymore…my hubby’s wedding preparation, happenings in the church before I enter and take my bridal walk, all of it!!! All good memories I can treasure forever and get to share with my future kids!

Some couples opt not to get their weddings “videoed”. Too sad, after all the buzz of the nuptials, which in a bride’s point of view happened all too quickly, the video (and pictures) are the only things that will let you concretely reminisced those happy (and once in a lifetime) moments.

We spend so much for our wedding video. But now, after seeing the final product, it is worth every penny we shed and MORE!

Can’t wait for my first baby’s birthday video…..hahaha!

My Wedding DVD Rocks

I just received our final (edited) Wedding DVD last night from Jason Magbanua and what can I say….our DVD rocks! I own a lot of movie/tv series DVDs but I can truly say, “Emi and Riki” the wedding DVD is the best among my collection now.

No traditional love (wedding) songs, no mushy and dragging scenes and all beautiful shots (Guy Ritchie caliber)! Even the Menus/Titles are awesome! (with Oasis, Weezer, Mazzy Star and The 5.6.7.8’s in the background music!). And Dashboard Confessional for the wedding preparation part....how can you get cooler than that! Just how we wanted it to be.

And beat this! My very own ROCKSTAR (my hubby of course!) is part of the soundtrack! We watched it 5 times last night and we watched it again this morning before going to work! Can’t wait to go home now…

Jason, you’re the man! Super thanks!

Intertwined

Half-year of Marital Bliss

I have been happily married for six months today. God is good! Two hundred ninety four more months before my renewal of vows....

Lucky Wives Club

My baby wrote this testimonial for me today...

Emi is my Lucy Whitmore. I would never get tired showing her how much I love her… probably more than anybody could ever love anyone. Everyday. (lest she forgets) =).. She is a promil kid, the most wonderful, loving, and beautiful woman in the world. She cooks food better that I do, her lola used to make the world's most amazing ice candy and she has the greatest mom one could ever have. She gives me my baon and sandwich everyday. Yes, there is a God and I will try to make Him proud everyday.

I cried after reading it. If you have watched 50 First Dates, you would understand why.

My Very Own Rockstar

Living with my better-half is like living with my favorite rockstars every day of the week.

Monday, I wake up with a smiling Jack White on the left side of my bed.
Tuesday, Chris Martin makes me pancakes for breakfast.
Wednesday, I watch the latest news in the television with Dave Matthews.
Thursday, Eddie Vedder cooks me his special pasta dish for dinner.
Friday, I go out and sing my heart out at the karaoke bar with Kurt Cobain.
Saturday, I enjoy the beautiful sunset from my 20th floor window with Evan Dando.
Sunday, I go to mass with Chris Cornell.

Who can live a more ASTIG life than that. I am truly blest.