Sing Me A Song Again, Papa

I was in taxicab this morning when I heard the song, "Sing Me A Song, Daddy", played over Ted Failon's radio program in advance celebration of Father's Day.  As much as I would like to compose myself especially that I was already approaching my destination, I couldn't help myself being misty-eyed while reminiscing that moment when I once sang that song at our sala at home about twelve years ago.  My papa was just upstairs then.

After my so-called "videoke concert", I realized papa was patiently listening to my "song reading".  His smile says it all... that somehow, he appreciated my poor but humble way of showing how much I love him.

To Papa:

Sing me a song again, Daddy
Sing me a happy verse.
Teach me those clever lines you sang
As you carried me on your shoulders.
Sing me that hymn that you so loudly
Sang in church with mom.
Sing it again to me and fill me
With all your words of wisdom.

Comforting words of love when I
Would get home from school in tears.
Somehow your songs have stayed within me
Down through all the years.
Once when my younger heart was broken
Your shoulder was there to cry on.
Sing me those songs I know will linger
Long after you have gone.

I am standing at the threshold
Of a chapter in my life
I am asking for your blessing
As I'm about to be the wife
Of a man I know who loves me
And I'm proud to be his bride.
Dad the time has come for me to leave your side.

So, sing me a song again, Daddy.
Sing me a lullaby.
Wrap me inside your arms, Daddy,
'Though this is not goodbye.
Your songs will live forever
In my heart. When times get rough
The ones I'll most remember
Are your songs of love.

Your songs will live forever
In my heart. When times get rough

The ones I'll most remember
Are your songs of love.

Sunblock On A Rainy Season

I recently bought a sunblock just in time for the official declaration of PAG-ASA that the el niño phenomenon has just ended.  :(

Nevertheless, I chose a product that has a higher Sun Protection Factor (SPF) than what I had been using.  I found this Nivea Sun Whitening Face Cream with SPF 50 at Watson's in SM Mall of Asia.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not keen on bleaching my face as I do not want to look like Michael Jackson in any way.  It is just that the Nivea Sunblock comes with a whitening ingredient.  What matters most to me is ts high SPF, that's all!

Accordingly, Nivea Sun Whitening Face Cream is an effective protection against sunburn and premature skin ageing.  Here's the cache:  No need to wait for 20 minutes as it protects IMMEDIATELY upon application.  Isn't that great?  That means, I need not be afraid to go out right after I apply sunblock on my face.

This is the bonus:  The formula with Licorice extract reduces skin's pigmentation at its source to effectively lighten the skin.  Further, it reduces melanin production responsible for dark and uneven skin tone.  Lastly, it protects the skin's collagen to help prevent wrinkles caused by frequent sun exposure.

If I'm not mistaken, Nivea Sun Whitening Face Cream costs at around P350+ (or about US$7.5).  Try it!  And maybe we can compare notes later about its effects (whether side effects or otherwise) on our faces..

I'm Proud To Be A Josenian!

Few years after I passed, results of CPA Board Examinations no longer interest me unless I know somebody who took and/or passed it.  I didn't even know that the recent exams produced a topnocher from my own school, University of San Jose-Recoletos, not until I read an article from just simple thoughts blog.

Three Josenians made it to the top 10.  It is worthy to note also that my best friend and batchmate got the 14th place in the CPA Board Examinations held ten years ago.

I attribute the success of my fellow Josenians partly to the educators who somehow made a mark on these successful examinees.  I can speak for myself as I had my fair share of experiences with the so-called "terror" accounting teachers.  It was only when I started reviewing for and passed the exams that I appreciated the discipline that these notorious teachers instilled in me.

To my teachers, thank you.  :)

Going Gaga Over Chocolates

I admit I'm a certified chocoholic.  I don't intend to join chocoholic anonymous because in the first place, I'm not interested to get over with my addiction.  Imprison me if you want.  I assure you, your efforts will be worthless as I will practically do anything to satisfy my cravings for chocolates.  I could not live without chocolates!  Period!

Sounds cheezy, right?  That's how passionate am I with chocolates.  I even plan to study on baking just to make my own masterpiece of chocolate cakes, brownies, cookies, etc.  Good thing I bumped into chocolatesource.com which supplies chocolates, particularly, for baking and gift items.  Just browsing at their website makes my palate crave for more and place my orders online.

Hmm.. I need to gulp water fast!

It's Time To Buy A New Cellphone

The Nokia 70 cellphone I have been using was given to me by sister. The previous one she gave me, a Samsung D600, was already handed over to my mother.  I really love that phone. (Sigh!).  But then, some good things never last. (Barry, where are you?)

Here's what I'm excited all about:  Samsung phone is on sale!



I came across this website from cricKet which offers cellphones at low, low prices!  Is this a sign that I need to change now my cellphone and buy a new one?  This is a perfect post-birthday gift that I owe myself, don't you think?

My Mama Is A Coffee Addict!

My mama loves coffee so much that she would not have a breakfast without it.  In fact, one of my very early childhood memories includes a scene at the kitchen table wherein mama was sipping coffee while making sure that my siblings and I were eating our meal well.  I could say it was mama who indirectly influenced me into drinking coffee because of its strong but sweet aroma.

I am thinking of giving mama a gift now that she is going to be retiring soon.  She would surely appreciate bags of coffee from Cafe Britt.  Since 1985, Cafe Britt has been a premier roaster of gourmet coffee and one of the few companies in the world that produces, roasts and ships coffee right from the country of origin for a taste that's as fresh as can be!

What's more, Cafe Britt offers free shipping for a minimum order of six bags!  Isn't it great?  I guess I should get going and bring home that coffee to my mama. :)

Our Owner-Type Jeep

Our residence in Surigao was four kilometers away from the city proper.  If you live in a place like ours where regular transportation is a problem, owning a vehicle is a necessity.  Hence, one day I saw papa driving home an owner-type jeep.  He acquired it from Cagayan de Oro City.  If I'm not yet mistaken, the brand was Toyota.

I had a lot of childhood memories with that owner-type jeep.  My siblings and I used to sing songs (and sometimes shout) to our hearts' content while papa drove us home.  Mama would sometimes scold us, but would secretly hum along.  That was the good ol' days...

My papa had the top fabric of our vehicle changed a number of times.  There were also instances when my siblings and I, being adventurous as we always are, would request papa to take out the side and rear skins of the jeep.  The air then was still not as polluted as it is now...

When papa passed away, it was as if the jeep died along with him.  We were not able to maintain it the way he care for his jeep.  It stayed in our garage for many years before mama reluctantly sold it.  It took a lot of convincing from her children that disposing that precious memento does not mean forgetting papa.  It's just that there are things in this life that we just have to let go... and move on...