His first ever short story

Now he wants to be a writer

You can be anything you want to be

You can be anything I want you to be

You can be an astronaut, 

a teacher, or maybe a captain or a pilot

You can be an artist that 

you seem you are right now

Or you can be a writer

like I am, or a priest

even if with that you raise a brow. 

You can be a hero, 

not the Power ranger kind, 

but someone with a huge heart

for a kid that nobody minds. 

You can be a teacher 

that every learner would surely love, 

Or you can be a painter 

that paints the sky above. 

You can be someone not in this crazy list 

Anywhere you go someday I know 

you will make life a bliss

God wants you "to bring joy wherever you go" 

I'm sure that's what you surely know. 

Getting the feel of the art exhibit

It was a privilege meeting Nunelucio, one of the Philippines national artists.

Planning for a one-man show :)

Gabriel is going to spend the summer raising funds for his enrollment next school-year. I want to teach him the value of hard work and using our talents and skills for a greater purpose. This will also teach him the value of being responsible, and so many other things I am hoping he would learn, understand, discover. Today he attended his first session on Summer Art Workshop and in the coming days, he hopes to start drawing for his exhibit already! Can’t wait!

Happy Places II

My Dear Gabriel,

These days you have been giving me more and more joy. It's not that you haven't done ever before, it's really hard to compare. When you were just a year old, when you were in kindergarten, now that you're turning nine. There is really not much of a difference when I think of how happy you have made me. The only thing right now is that you are more capable of expressing yourself through words and that gives me a lot of assurance that indeed, I have done well, thanks be to God. The way that you are right now to me, in such a very young age, almost gives me a full view of what you are going to be someday. I am so blessed and so privileged God has chosen me to be your mother, and has chosen you to be my son. We are a perfect team. Together we will do as God wills us to do. Thank you for the joy of your kisses and I love yous, they come more often these days and more sincere since they are absolutely voluntary! Being your mother makes me wonder what good I have done in my life to deserve such a joy. I praise and thank the Lord for all that you are to me, for the dreams going on in your little head, for the cute and funny moments in between our serious conversations about life and the world and what our mission is while we are here. I praise and thank the Lord for allowing me to witness such a beautiful unfolding of life by your smiles, by your sleepy smooches at dawn, by your cheerful laughter. There is so much that I oftentimes lost count of how many times you remind me God is miracle. Indeed you are a miracle. 

Love always and forever,
Nanay