Planet Earth DVDs

Ever since I was a young boy, I had been fascinated with nature and wildlife. I have always enjoyed watching interesting episodes on Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. Knowing more about seldom seen wildlife strengthens the belief that God exists. Everything about us and all living things on earth tells only one story. We were all intelligently designed!

Anyway, the 5-DVD Planet Earth boxed set had just been out. It is a BBC and Discovery Channel collaboration that can show nature's splendor right in your own living rooms. I just ordered the boxed set and am now excitedly waiting for it. I think I will be planning to arrange Planet Earth Family Watching Nights soon. I know David and Missy will like it. They have been enjoying watching shows like these on TV. Just maybe I can convince Ophine although it's not really her cup of tea. But who knows, based on the glowing reviews about the DVDs, perhaps she'll watch it too.

To check more about it, click HERE. The trailer/video clip takes more than a few minutes to load but it's worth watching the clip first before buying the DVDs. The original is narrated by Sir David Attenborough and Amazon.com sells the original. To buy click HERE. It's currently ranked #1 in DVD sales on Amazon. When it was shown on Discovery channel, the narration was done by Sigourney Weaver. I prefer the original. Buy.com also sells the DVDs but is $6.00 more.

Missy is Student of the Month

Missy was chosen as 'student of the month' for her class so today I went to her school to attend the 'Student of the Month' assembly for Kinder up to 5th grade. It was just a short program where all the parents of the students of the month were invited to witness the recognizing of the exemplary performance of the students. What makes the program meaningful is that a short note made by the student's teacher is read about the student as the certificate is handed to them. They were also given a pin and I had that opportunity to pin it on Missy after the awards were given. I hope our two kids will continue to excel in their academics. They enjoy learning and I believe they also take pride in their achievements. So do we.

This is Crazy...Female Road Rage

This is not exactly real but a funny short film. I hope my wife will never get into this kind of problem. Oh, wait a minute. She once had experienced a similar kind of very careless person dragging her shopping cart to the side of her car without that person knowing somebody was inside. I was with her but I was inside a grocery store. She confronted the woman and then Ophine went out to look for me. When that woman saw us talking to one another, she immediately left without buying something. I guess she was afraid we're going to call the police for that. Anyway, practice patience. It definitely won't make your life shorter (but others will).

Busy Spring Break

Spring break just ended and it was a busy span of a week or so. I also had a break updating my blog so here are some dated entries to it. We had Ophine's cousins and their families coming from all over. First the Kaws (Kenneth, Michelle/Ique and their kids Martin, 9 and Thomas, 4) came from the Philippines via Los Angeles and Las Vegas on April 3 midnight. Together with them is Dr. Mae Romana.

David and Missy were so excited knowing that their 2nd cousins are coming to stay with us and since their ages blend so well with one another, they never had a dull moment. David and Martin, being pokemon fanatics helped with the bonding. Thomas and Missy just enjoyed doing stuff together.

We already had somewhat planned where to bring them. Being tourists, a visit to Sawgrass Mills Mall and a trip to South Beach is a must. Kenneth and Martin's trip also included a visit to watch a Miami Heat game. More on that later. Their stay also encompassed David 8th birthday celebration which we had April 7. Luke and Kay Wattii also arrived that day together with another cousin, Clarence Romana who's also visiting the states. All available rooms including the family room and the den were occupied but thanks to the magic of a sofa bed and air beds, all of them I hope were nicely accommodated, just a little spartan for some.

We were also expecting Mike and Kris Kabiling with their kids Mark and Angela from Jacksonville to come for David's birthday and stay with us but unfortunately, Kris (another cousin and sister of Clarence) had fever and were not able to make it. Mommy Linda who stays with us at the moment also got sick and was not able to enjoy the time with their relatives having to stay at the hospital for two nights.

Anyway, it was a fun week for all of us who were not sick. We enjoyed the time together with one another. Ophine during her high school years and a year of college stayed with her cousins in Los Baños and I was able to meet them when we were still much younger (and lighter for me). I was already in college then and it just goes a long way back.

They left on Monday April 9 for a long trip to Springhill where Luke and Kay lives. The Kaws, and also Mae and Clarence will be staying their for a few days more before heading out to New York and some other places I believe.

Guys, thanks for the visit and be safe wherever you go. Until next time.



Here are some photos from the past week. Click on the photos to make it larger.

Fun at home.












South Pointe Park in South Beach.




Thomas and Martin.


One more photo before leaving.


The kids enjoying some fresh water after going to the beach.


Thomas enjoying a shower from the ground up.




Likewise is Missy.





Martin's turn.


Breakfast at home with Clarence, Ique, Kenneth and Mae.



David and Martin digesting their Nintendos for breakfast.



Eating out


Thomas and Missy.

Some group pictures.






Video Clips:

David's 8th Birthday

David also celebrated his 8th birthday this spring break. We decided that since we're going to have a 'full house' on his birthday weekend, might as well throw a party for him. Of course, David was excited and even had the temerity to continue reminding our guests about his birthday and even their gifts for him. Well, he's still a kid and kids are always so eager to receive gifts anyway. It was not a really big party. Aside from Ophine's relatives, we mostly invited close friends. Still, some were not able to make it and were having their spring break vacation somewhere not that near.

We had some dishes ordered like kare-kare, sweet and sour fish and lumpiang sariwa. I cooked seafood paella, pancit palabok, baked salmon and baked ham. Kuya Vic and Ate Marilu came early that day and brought stir-fry vegetables with shrimp which we had for lunch and some leche flans. Thank goodness, Ophine's cousins were with us and we had a lot of help with the preparations. Thanks again guys!

Here are some photos.

David with his pokemon stuff.


Gathering for the blessing.



Kuya Vic Gutierrez and Luke Wattii




Mae Romana and Ate Marilu G.


Ique, Clarence and Kay. All cousins of Ophine.



Ophine with Lotlot, Alex and Jun.


Chit, Ophine and Edna.



Cris, Cathie and Sheila.


Luke, Kay and Clarence.


The Villacastins.




Debbie and Bebot Bael



Chit and Homer Freitag with the twins Chelsea and Casey.


Still smiling after a long day.





The kids also had an Easter Egg Hunt.





Counting the eggs after the hunt.



David declaring he has the most eggs.



Mae was just helping scatter the 'eggs' before the hunt, not competing with the kids.





Singing a 'Happy Birthday' song for David and blowing the #8 candle.






Pin the Tail on the Donkey game.

David opening his gifts.

Video Clips: