In Memory of Slyme

He was my officemate, and we only saw each other once in a blue moon as we work homebase. The first time I met him he was all smiles and always have a joke to tell, he made me feel welcome and as if we've known each other for a long time, that is Slyvester Pinili.

As he was always sporting a smile, I never thought that he was feeling ill, so when I heard he was battling the big C, I was really shocked and worried. It was very encouraging to see how his friends, rallied behind him to support him not only morally but as financially as well. They did all they could, solicit, go to the government for support, held garage sales and ask anyone who knows where to buy the food supplements with discounts. We, his officemates, also was praying for him, visited him and gave financial support as much as we can. Even our bosses helped. We wanted him to make it. Everyone wanted to see him ok.  But it was not to be......much to our dismay, Slyme finally had to go.

We were off course saddened by the news, but after a while, we accepted it, knowing he is not in pain anymore.

To Slyme, thanks for the laughter, and the memory. You will forever be remembered.

The first day he was at the funeral parlor, we, his officemates went there to pay our respect.

Flowers started to pour in, thank you Vincent Pinili for posting the pictures.

He was also an avid fan of photography, so in his graduation picture, this was what defines him.
Thank you Song Hye-Kyo for posting these pictures.

This was his favorite cap, Slyme was never without a hat or cap, he always wear one and in a fashionable way too. That was one of his signature looks.

On October 28 they held a small program for him.

On October 29, a mass was held for him.

And his Department Manager gave a speech, in behalf of his Offsourcing family.
One of the best thing we remembered about him is, he was the first one who got the rookie award, as his dedication to his work was unquestionable and he always gave his 101% effort in his job, the US client was always happy with his work. Now our Bosses decided to rename the award as the Slyvester Pinili Award.

Saying goodbye....

his Mom

The letter for Slyme which the Offsourcing made, while he was still in the hospital, we sent him letters through that box....

Originally posted in Multiply on Oct 30, 2011

Ice Candy

It was so long ago, when I last ate Ice candy. After that incident with my Uncle I had never eaten one until last year(Sept. 22, 2009), when a colleague made one and offered it.

Uncle's favorite snack is ice candy, he was fond of buying in the sari sari store just around the corner of the house. I don't know what flavor though, but he was the one who introduced it to me when I was just a kid.

Unfortunately after his high blood attack, his first and the only one he survived, the doctor advise us to keep his intake clean, as his immune system was down. So Papa told us not to buy him any in the sari sari store. If he only knew how hard it was to say "not allowed" or "bawal" to an old men. The memory.....still breaks my heart even now.

It was my turn to take care of him that day, since my shobe and I took turns to watch over him and feed him. It was in the middle of the afternoon, when he asked me to go buy him an ice candy. I signed to him that it was not allowed, he keep insisting, I thought he didn't understand me so I wrote it down. That got him mad, and he demanded that I buy him one. I again signed to him, it lasted awhile before Uncle finally change a different course. Never in my wildest guess would he do that....

Uncle is a proud man, and even when he was wrong, he would not apologize. He was very strict and nobody argues with him.

So when he begged me. Begged me to buy an ice candy for an old man. That shocked me, and I will never forget the face he showed me that day....nor the hand that he held out..... begging.


I held back my tears.....sat down beside his bed and told him while I was signing...I told him " '伯伯, 我將做 ice candy. 明天，我將給它您。好吗?" (Uncle, I will make ice candy. Tomorrow, I will give it to you, ok?) and he turned his back.

I made Uncle ice candy right away, although I didn't know how to make the one's like those in the sari sari store, I knew I had to try.

The following day I gave it to him, he ate it and complained it wasn't soft like that from the sari sari store. And instructed me to include "gaw gaw" next time. I just nodded and smiled.

On January 2002, uncle passed away.... and I had never eaten an ice candy, till now.....




Originally posted in Multiply on Feb 4, 2010

My Chubby Little Baby

This was taken while she was just 3 months old. She's such a chubby little baby. hehehe!!!

I never thought I'd have such a chubby a little baby like this, I was always worried about her weight, but her Dada wants her to be chubby. Shheeessh!  hehehe!!!

Her nap time in the morning would only last for 30 minutes, and her nap time in the afternoon is about 2 hours long only.  By 4 months old she loves watching baby einstein and Baby Signing Time. She can watch them for 4 hours straight if you let her, and she won't be disturb, if you block her view, she'll call your attention. Hahahaha!!!

But we limit her dvd time to 2 hours only as per doctors order.

She also loves to brush her teeth, maybe because it helps ease the teething.

Her system however cannot handle cerelac, if I give her that she'd get constipated, her popo would be so hard, and she'd cry a lot. So I only give her mashed potato, carrot, squash and other veggies that can be mashed.

Am glad she's not sooo fussy. And behaves well.

She doesn't like to be kissed on the cheeks though, only me and Dada can do that. Other people, she'll cry.


She's a good baby, if she wakes up ahead of us, she would just play in her crib and patiently waits for us to get up, she would know right away if I was awake, I really don't know how she does it, I would not budge or move, but she knows I was awake and would start to make noises or call me. And she's not even sleeping beside me.  Since at 3 months old she was already placed in the automatic swing the whole time for her to sleep and at 4 months old, was already sleeping in the crib.  Am glad she was well adjusted.

She's already going 11 months by next month. And things have been a little easier, I can leave her in the crib to play and wash her bottles, and at night I don't have to carry her to sleep anymore, just let her finish her bottle, and she'd be asleep by then. Wheew!

And the best part is she knows how to play already with her toys. Or play with us. hehehe!!! She is indeed a little bundle of sunshine and joy.





Originally posted in Multiply on April 26, 2009

Port-A-Cath

I was reading my emails and I got this link about port-a-cath, reminded me of a late friend of mine who had one of these during his treatment.  You can read about it also at  penmachine's blog site.

During the time when he had this, his family had a hard time finding a doctor to flush this device, since during the time he had this, there was only one doctor who has the knowledge about this device here in Davao.

It's good to know that it's getting popular, at least there's a lot more doctors who is available to flush the device.





Originally posted on April 18, 2009 in Multiply

Looking back at my delivery.

While I was pregnant everybody was always saying "kaya mo yan", "push hard ha?", "wag mag-iyak, para may lakas ka mag-push." and so on and so forth. Made me wonder just how hard is it delivering a child.  Guess I would find out soon enought I thought.

As I hit the month of June, I was both excited and anticipating to deliver my baby. I prayed it won't be too hard. And I would have the strenght to push her out. I exercised as much as I could - hubby and I would walk Miggy around the subdivision for an hour every night, then I would go up and down the stairs during the day. And do some more squating exercise before going to bed.

And June 5 arrived, I didn't feel any pain during the contraction, it just felt like a muscle pain at the lower back, but when I hit 9cm that's the time it got a little painful, and I asked for a painless, at first they were discouraging me, since I was still smiling at that point. I was glad that I did all those exercises when I hit 8 months it really helps to lessen the pain of contraction.

The hardest part about being in the DR is that there's no one to talk to, or to hold your hand as you go thru the ordeal. Sometimes I would be left alone on the table as they were busy attending to other mothers who were already pushing their baby out. There was nothing to do but wait, sleep and prayed.

I delivered at 4:50pm the following day, if there was no problem I could have delivered on the same day I arrived.

When they let me see my baby, it didn't sink in that she is my baby. It felt like nothing was real.

When I was wheeled in my room, hubby fuss over me, I wanted so much to hug him for comfort, but I was glad that he held my hand as I dozed back to sleep.

When I woke up, my parents arrived, my Pa has that concern look in his face, and I smiled at him to show him that I was ok. That's what surprises me between my Pa and me, how a look and a little gesture can mean so much to both of us. Or that we can convey about how we feel by just giving a look, and no words need not be uttered. But I am happy that I can communicate with my Pa that way.

As I saw my baby the following day, it still didn't sink in that she is mine. I don't know how I feel about her. I was scared if I am really capable of taking care of her and amazed how this little child fit in my womb. It wasn't till a month later did it sink in that she is my baby, as I was rocking her to sleep and she flashed me her cute smile then did I realize she is my child.

Originally posted in Multiply on July 27, 2008

Joys and Blues of Parenting

The first 3 weeks of a baby's life is indeed a crucial time, I was adjusting to my hormone changes, suffered post partum depression, and had to take care of my baby girl at the same time.

Everything was a first for me, so I wasn't really sure if I was doing the right thing, good thing my sister and sister-in-law was there to help. And to teach me at the same time some of the basic things to know about taking care of my baby.

The hardest part was the no sleep, the first month, my little girl is awake from 1am to 6am and would sleep in the mornings and afternoons. Since I don't have a yaya, this was quite taxing for me and my hubby, both of us almost had no sleep for the 1st month, and this brought down my weight really fast, I was 142 on my last week of pregnancy, and when the baby was out, I was 130, then after a month of taking care of her I was down to 123. wheew!

Good thing her sleeping pattern change when she turned 1 month, she now sleeps at 2am to 6am.

I didn't enjoy much the first few weeks since it was quite a lot of changes that needs adjustment. Plus the fact that my body was still recovering from delivery. My sister commented that I looked pale. But when she turned 1 month things are much better. And the best part is she now smiles a lot and plays when you put her down.

What really amazes me, is her height, she's quite tall. And at 4 days old she was already trying to lift her head.

My hubby talks to her a lot and she likes that, she would smiled back when her Dada talks to her. And that would make us laugh. I can't wait to bring her out to malls and see her reaction.

A baby is indeed a handful, my lifestyle has change drastically, but when she's not with me, I would look and worry about her. She's a lot of joy to be with and a lot of work at the same time.

I salute the parents who have more than 1 child, who braves the delivery room more than once and survives the 1st three months of taking care of your baby.

My baby is already a month old, and yey for me and my hubby for surviving her first 3 weeks! hehehehe!!!!






Originally posted in Multiply on July 18, 2008

Joyous 7th month

Finally, 2 more months to go! And it's hello baby!   Wheew! How time fly so fast, it won't be long now, am gonna be a mother.......mother??? Never thought I'd be one. I always thought my life would be going places, travelling. This is going to be a different world indeed, scary but can wait as well. 

And the exciting news! What's the gender of my baby?   Took quite awhile right? Finally finally, my OB said, time to know the gender's baby, and I have a BABY GIRL!!!!!  YeY!!!!
Hubby and I went on a shopping spree for the baby's things right away. We haven't bought any since we didn't know the gender and we could not agree on the color, so we waited. Here's a few things my baby has:

Buying baby things is always a happy occasion, even when I was buying presents for my friends or sisters or brother when they had their baby. Now it's my turn.  hehehe!!! My in-laws and sisters cautioned me not to buy too much, as babies grow up really fast. Plus my in-laws lend me some, since it was only used once or twice. Which was really great! As the dresses had cartoon characters on them, which I am fond of. Lucky baby.

7th month was a really a exciting month for me, did not encounter any problems, and I was always out looking for nice baby bottles, preparing my hospital bag, and preparing what my baby might need. I have forgotten all the discomforts and I don't mind eating okra everyday. hehehehe!! By the way OB advise me to start my daily walk and exercise already. Yahooo!!!

My blood sugar is normal!!! Yey! Which means I can still eat cakes! I have already gotten used to eating what was only allowed for me. Hubby is fond of talking to our baby and made sure I am eating right. He comes to my OB check up every time. Am thankful that my hubby takes very good care of me.

my baby's first picture

Originally posted in Multiply on Mar 26, 2008

On to the 5th and 6th month

Finally on my 5th month not much complications was encountered. And I could go out and have a little fun. But there are still changes that I encountered during this month.

1.  Constipation - this suddenly became a problem for me when I hit my 5th month and now is my number one problem, it seems pregnant women are prone to this, so I had to change my diet to veggies and fruits, only allowed to eat meat once a week.

2. Prune Juice - I had to drink once a day, to help with my constipation.

3. 1 tsp of Virgin Coconut Oil - I also have to drink once a day to help with my constipation.


So now the constipation is my number one problem and stairs second. And take note my sister said there are still changes coming, oh my...

But the funny part during this month is the kick of the baby is more prominent and I can easily identify. It's funny to watch my tummy move suddenly. My husband have a lot of fun, placing his hands on my tummy and feel the kick.

Then comes the 6th month, good thing only a few changes happened:
1. 2 tsp of Virgin Coconut Oil - the dosage was increase, so to help with my constipation problem.

2.  Colic - tummy would  sometimes go stiff due to too much air inside, had to lie down sideways when this happens.

3. Gums easily bleeds - my OB prescribe Pyodontyl, to use when I brush my teeth, which helps a lot.

My wardrobe is consistenly made out of  maternity dresses and big t-shirts. I miss wearing Jeans and shorts, it's been months since I have not worn a short, as I have not yet found maternity shorts in the stores I have been. I should be out looking for one more.

Then to my astonishment, I easily ran out of breath by just walking around, my OB said my baby is getting a little heavier now. And my tummy is a little bigger.

Am almost entering the last three months of my pregnancy, a lot would give me advice to take extra care as this are crucial months also, so I guess, I'll be staying more time at home again.  oh well.... but the good news about it is I now have a dsl line!!! hehehehe!! So being at home won't be that boring.





Originally posted in Multiply on Feb. 21, 2008

4th month

The 4th month is much better, I don't feel that tired and the best part, I can drive!
I miss driving, it's a freedom that I hope that I will always have.

So are there any changes on the 4th month?
1.) Definitely my tummy shows.
2.) I at least know which foods the little person wants - Jollibee, yum with TLC and pork bbq.
3.) Increase in fluid intake
4.) All of my regular clothes won't fit anymore, all I can wear are maternity dresses.
5.) I walk like an old lady, really slow.
6.) Cannot stand up for more than 2 hours.
7.) Cannot sitdown on any hard surface chairs for more than 2 hours.

And good thing I was on my 4th month on the merry month of December.

I love Christmas, but I was deprived of doing my Christmas shopping, as I cannot haggle with the crowd, as I was afraid my tummy might get hurt, so I usually stay away from crowded places. The good news however was my Ahia came home for the holidays, and it has been quite awhile since he came back for a visit.

Schedule was quite hectic while he was around, but I couldn't join in all the places he went due to my condition. But I was still glad that during the evenings I can have long talks with him or his wife. And since the family is complete, the overdue family picture was finally taken.

As January rolled in, I can't help but think about the many blessings I have received from the Lord. Two years ago, I was single and going places, life was different then. A year later, I got married and adjusted to a new life, it was a good thing that we agreed on not having a baby till both of us adjusted to the "couple" life. And the baby arrived just in time as both of us were used to the habits of each other.

Now, as this little person grows inside of me, we both pray that we are matured and equipped enough, not just physically, but spiritually as well to guide this blessing according to God's will.

Originally posted in Multiply on Jan 06, 2008

Surviving the First Trimester

After hearing almost everyone I know having a bundle of joy, now it's my turn on the OB clinic.

The first month was a breeze, cause I wasn't aware that I was pregnant. Until I hit the second month, that was the time the pregnancy kit showed "positive" result. Here a lot of changes took place.

1.) A few days after that my taste bud started to changed, everything I ate tasted the same, which was quite frustrating, this made eating none desirable, yet I was hungry all the time. Which made it quite difficult for me to  swallow down the food .  I was eating 4 meals a day and 4 in between snacks just to quite my stomach. That's a lot of tasteless food to swallow. The following are the food I tried for my snacks:
1. Crackers or bisquits
2. Slices of Cheese
3. Sandwiches
4. Breakfast Cereals
5. Maruya
6. Banana
7. Donuts
8. Powdered milk
9. Chocolates
10. Oats


All of them taste the same. Like eating a cardboard.

I've never been this hungry all the time in my life. But endured it all the same as they say the baby needs it.

2.) Some of my clothes would not fit me anymore, specially the maong and shorts. And I started to borrow my husband's pants.

3.) I get dizzy in the evenings, and have to lie down by 8pm.

4.) On my 13th week, finally! Finally! My taste bud was showing signs of life. That was a relief! But had to start wearing maternity dress by this time. Which was quite a adjustment for me, since I never like "duster" type clothes.

5.) Since, my tummy was getting bigger, it's not easy to find a comfortable position to sleep. Most of the time I have to sleep on my side.

6.) Stairs are a source of dilemma for me, I have to take my time when I go up a stairs on doctors orders. And if possible avoid them.

7.) I cannot eat junk foods, nor drink coke. I cannot eat Mangoes as they have high sugar content. On doctors orders as these are unhealthy for the baby.

8.) I cannot eat apples as they can cause constipation.

9.) I cannot eat fatty foods to avoid raising my blood pressure during pregnancy.

I never thought pregnancy would have a downside. Most of the foods that was advice against by the OB were my favorites.  I felt a little sad about it, so this is what's it like to be pregnant at 30+. Lots of "don'ts".  Well at least am down with 3 months, 5 more to go.






Originally posted in Multiply on Dec. 06, 2007