It's finally 2008 and I think this is going to be a great year.
But first, here's a little rejoinder to the year that was: 2007.
Milestones:
- Kokoy and his soccer team, RIFA Ateneo born 1993-94, bested teams from all over the Metro to represent the National Capital Region in this year's Palarong Pambansa at Koronadal, Cotabato. It was a hotly-contested series of matches between Southridge and Ateneo during the eliminations. Kokoy and his power team managed to beat Southridge, but just. In the Palaro itself, it was the teams from the Visayan region that, expectedly, won in their division. Nevertheless, Kokoy and his team put up a good fight. More importantly, all, including us parents, enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships made. Who can forget the daily pig-outs at Mang Goryo's?!
- Kokoy (again!) finally succeeded in his battle against the 'bulge'! Over part of summer, after the Palaro, while in Cagayan de Oro, Kokoy shed off about 30 to 40 lbs! by dieting and burning all the excess with soccer and being hyper-active. Of course it helped that he had all the fun-filled activities with his soccer teammates and cousins at Duka Bay Resort and CDO as well.
- Towards the latter part of the year (actually in December), I got a hefty salary adjustment and a promotion to boot. My hard work paid off!
- Rox finally got a laptop (a birthday gift from me!) for her to be able to finish her masteral degree in Education. Whether she will actually get to use it, however, is the burning issue now as the laptop is 'eternally' with Kokoy because he needs it 'daw' for his IM, Multiplicity, Limewire, etc.
- Kokoy won the grade level Elocution contest on the piece, "I am Proud I am a Filipino". Just watch this! (am working on uploading the video still)
- On a personal note, I have a lot to thank God for, especially for spiritual blessings in our journey of life that helped us overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
- Kokoy ran for the presidency again of his class and for the first time since Grade Four, he lost. Having been a president for the last three years in grades 4, 5 and 6, it was a very painful loss, seeing as this was also his last year in the grade school. But what he may have lost in terms of formation by not being a class officer, I think he gained equally, if not much more, in terms of the life experiences, challenges and especially free-wheeling fun that he had again as a "regular", non-officer student. We saw Kokoy regain his old bibong-bibo, charismatic, ma-kuwento, humorous and open self. Ultimately, seeing him relaxed, becoming the much-loved guy in his class once again (free from having to play "teacher's eyes and ears" and disciplinarian to his classmates) and enjoying everyday of his last year in grade school is worth more than the "yearbook-friendly" achievement and "list-worthy" distinction of having been elected president of his class.
- For me, also, Rox and I going to the Palarong Pambansa games with Kokoy this year was the best time we had in years as a family and, moreso, as a married couple. It was truly a second honeymoon! Getting to Koronadal, alone, was an adventure! After planing in to Gensan from Manila, we had to take a "shuttle" - really a medyo broken-down FX - to the Yellow Bus station. From there, we (obviously) took the Yellow bus to Koronadal. Then a short motorella ride to the hotel. It was a bit of a herculian task seeing as we had two 30+ kilo luggages, umbrellas, portable chairs, and even a palanggana! They told us that we'd be out in the boondocks, and there might be little or no amenities. Thankfully, it was not at all what we expected! The Hotel Romana where we were booked, was just along the main road in Koronadal and just opposite the big KC Mall, which, by mall standards, was not too bad! At least there was a well-stocked grocery together with Chowking and Jollibee, which was a big relief to the boys. The hotel was also near the "famous" Mang Goryo's, which Rox and I discovered and which became the instant hang-out of the parents. We'd begin our tiring but fun daily laundry routine in the bathroom after which we'd have the morning breakfast in the KC Mall. Then we'd serve as the pep squad, cheering for Kokoy and his team in the morning match, if there was one, then we'd have lunch again at KC Mall or at the Notre Dame University. Then in the afternoon, we'd provide the gatorade and moral support to the boys again and finally end the day with the sumptious chicken barbeque or grilled seafood and halo-halo at Mang Goryo's! Back at the Romana Hotel, we'd do the day's laundry and wash up after having ridden the motorelas the whole day, then plop into a small bed with the blankets shaped into swans! After the Palaro, we travelled cross-country ("sort of") from Cotabato to Cagayan de Oro. The road trip was also something to experience. It wasn't a typical "honeymoon" but the togetherness we celebrated just being by ourselves and the simple joys we experienced as a couple - focused on just the two of us - was priceless.
- This year we were also able to have the roof of the house at Fort repainted. It was a bit early, as we would have wanted to have it done after 5 years. But the original paint of the roof apparently was not up to par so the roofing company had to re-paint the roof. Good thing was at least it was free and we got to have the roof repainted the color we wanted next which was chocolate brown. We were also able to have the gates repainted chocolate brown as well. So what remains is for the exterior of the house and, hopefully, that will be done in 2008.
- Last, but definitely not the least, Kokoy "officially" turned into a teen this year. Maybe it was his turning 13, maybe it was his Palaro experience, maybe it was his shedding of baby fat, maybe it was coming into Grade 7. Whatever it was, Kokoy is definitely on the road to becoming a young adult and both Rox and I are excited to be on this journey with him.
