Two weeks ago, I attended a Disaster Risk Reduction Forum organized by the Lopez Group Foundation.  The speakers were scientists from The Manila Observatory and UP NIGS.

At one point, they showed us a google-based Interactive Flood Map where anyone can input the maximum flood height experienced in their area.  This is basically an effort to record (and immortalize) the profile of the floods caused by Ondoy.  Community contributions are greatly encouraged to get the public involved and to spread disaster awareness.  The profile may be used for various purposes like determining flood-prone areas, urban development planning, disaster recovery planning, etc.

You might want to contribute and record your area's profile.  Here's the link to the interactive map:

http://map.ondoy. googlepages. com/

God bless!

We celebrated Lucas' birthday last Sunday (Sep 20, 2009) with a thanksgiving and victory lunch held at the SM Grass Residences Clubhouse.  May and I planned it to be a simple celebration to express our gratitude to family and friends who prayed for and supported Lucas.  It was also a victory celebration for a year full of miracles and blessings! 

We got more than we expected because it turned out to be a very special day for us highlighted by a powerful healing session by Fr. Joey Faller.  We were surrounded by very special and loving people.  We just couldn't ask for anything more!

Below is the video presentation shown during the gathering.  There were so many things we wanted to say in this 4 minute video.  We wanted to show the miracles that Lucas experienced and the things we are grateful for for the past year.  We wanted to show that people with Down Syndrome can live a full life and this is our hope and prayer for our son.  We wanted that God be glorified because of the great things he has done and has planned for our family.  


Enjoy the video!  God bless!

We celebrated three occassions this month: our linen wedding anniversary, grandparent's day, and Lucas' first birthday.  


We just had simple date on the day of our anniversary.  Dinner consisted of sloppy hotdog sandwiches, nachos and chicken nuggets.  We then saw a movie afterwards.  (Watching movies have been a luxury for us-- reserved only for super special days like our anniversary! haha!)  We watched the new Disney Pixar movie Up, which interestingly turned out to be a fitting movie for an anniversary.  We had no idea what the plot was all about prior to seeing the movie.  Thank God for this pleasant surprise.


The Sunday after that was grandparent's day and so we decided to bring our Moms and the boys to Tagaytay for a day trip.  So this would be the family's joint celebration for all 3 occasions.  


We had brunch at Bag of Beans, dropped by the Pink Sisters to write a thank you note then made some quick stops for some pasalubong (Loumar's, Good Shepherd, pineapples, kesong puti).


Yun lang.


Things need not be extravagant to be special.  Oftentimes, the simple events bring the happiest moments.

Some snaps:

Happy Grandparents Day!

 

Cuatro!

 Brunch Feast

 

Big smiles

 

Mamita and the boys

Everybody happy!

Dear family, friends and prayer warriors,

Today is Lucas' first birthday!

Taking it one day at a time, it's quite amazing and surprising that 365 have already passed!  We praise God for each and every one of those days - all filled with His grace and miracles without which we wouldn't have lasted.  And we thank you for the constant prayers since Day 1.  :)

Since his heart surgery last June, Lucas has been doing very well.  Last August, the doctor already discontinued his heart medication after having good clinical observations.  We just need to do another 2D echo to be sure.

Upon his cardiologist's clearance, we have also started his physical therapy about 4 weeks ago and he has responded remarkably well!  Lucas has already improved his use of his arms and elbows and developed quite strong head control.  Our short-term goal is for him to be able to sit on his own.  (We're so excited about this!)  

We are really just starting to enjoy our time with Lucas sans the urgent concerns on his health.  Rafa has been a very sweet ahiya/ kuya, always ready to play with him or offer a kiss and a hug!  This is great because the stimuli help in Lucas' development.  Also, we are able to gradually bring him to public places and had his first out-of-town trip last Sunday! :D

Of course, some of the medical concerns are still there (vesicoureteral reflux, hyperthyroidism, hypotonia, etc.) and we're still preparing for his pull-through operation.  We're also scheduled for a visit to the eye and the ear doctors very soon.  So we hope that you would continue praying for Lucas' specific health concerns.  Hopefully, there will be only one more surgery that he has to go through.

Once again, we thank you for all the encouragement and prayers you have given our family for the past year.  The gift of life and miracles are indeed worth celebrating and we share these victorious moments with you.  All glory to God who makes all things possible and whose plans are indeed the best!

God bless!

~biboy+may+rafa+lucas

The days spent during Lucas' open heart surgery brought us such rich experiences that we do not want to forget.  It was difficult to write down the emotions and events that transpired since you can't seem to put in words the profundity of God's hand and wisdom at work during this episode of our family's life.  So I thought a photo essay would somehow be more effective in  triggering the thoughts and feelings we felt that time and to help us relive these moments.
 

At The Medical City.  Lucas first operation schedule was supposed to be on May 11, 2009.  However, we got delayed because he contracted 2 infections in a row: pneumonia and UTI.  So we got admitted at the Medical City until we got clearance from the other consultants (pulmonologist, nephrologist, infectious disease).  Despite being sick, Lucas always had a ready smile which made him the nurses' favorite "guest".

 

 When we finally got cleared from infection, we headed straight to The Philippine Heart Center because our cardiologist didn't want him to contract another infection which might delay the procedure again plus if we're already confined, we might get an earlier operation schedule.  We stayed at Petal C Room 340 Bed D.  

 

What it looks like:  Tatay fooling around with Lucas.
What it really is:  Tatay trying to spend as much time with Luc and taking as much pictures as he can because he really didn't know (during this time) how long God will lend Lucas to them.

Yes, we were so scared for Lucas but here's a secret:  When I prayed for Lucas, I visualized I was in a room with Jesus and Mother Mary; and I was handing over Lucas to Jesus.  He was now carrying Luc in His very arms.  I told Jesus that Luc would be entirely in His and His mother's care starting that day.  The sooner we entrust our concerns to Him, the sooner He can act on them and solve our problems.  

 

The last shot of Lucas' scarless chest.  I was planning before to take him to a studio for a bare-chested shot but we never got the chance since he had to be confined weeks before the procedure.  This was taken hours before the open heart surgery (which was scheduled on June 10, 2009, 7AM).  Buti pa si Luc ang sarap ng tulog before the surgery.  May and I hardly got any sleep!

 

Nanay May preparing Lucas for the surgery.  We were already packing stuff as early as 4AM since we weren't able to sleep anyway.  Before 6AM, we woke up Lucas, cleaned him up and dressed him up for the surgery.  He was to be wheeled in at 6:30AM because the surgeon wanted to "cut at exactly 7AM."  The bubbly anesthesiologist was the one who met us in the OR and her happy disposition kinda appeased us that our son is in good hands.  All that was left to do at this point was pray and wait.  And pray and wait we did!

By around 10:40AM, the intercom at the waiting area announced that the surgeon was ready to see us.  He told us that the surgery went well and how big the holes actually were and that the 2 holes which we thought were gone were still there.  Everything was corrected during the operation.  Next goal is for Lucas to wake up.

 

  Patients are transferred to the Recovery Room after operation and would stay there for a mandatory 24-hour period.  Prior to the operation, we were told to prepare financially because babies with Down Syndrome usually recover longer than "normal" babies.  Lucas might stay on the ventilator for an extra day or two. 

During the 12nn viewing time, we were totally surprised to see him awake and wagging his arms when the curtains were pulled aside!  This was short of 2 hours since the operation.  At around 4PM the same day, they were able to take off the ventilator because he was already able to breath well on his own.  Truly nothing short of a miracle!

 

After 24 hours in the Recovery Room, Lucas was transferred to the PICU.  This was how he looked the first time I saw him in the ICU.  My concern then was he might not smile as much as before because of possible trauma due to the operation.  (It sounds so foolish now.)

 

Wow!  The most dramatic change that we noticed after the operation: to finish a bottle of milk without gasping for air!  Seeing this made me teary eyed.  Imagine all the months that he was probably hungry but just couldn't take in as much milk as he wants to.  The things we take for granted.  The intensivist told us to expect Lucas to be more demanding in the coming days, he's gonna make up for the eight months that he was under "diet".  We'd take the sleepless night anytime if it means a healthier Luc.

 

After another 24 hours in the ICU and Lucas was ready for transfer to the regular room.  Doctors were so happy with his quick recovery.  I personally carried him as we were wheeled-in on a wheelchair from the ICU to the room.  He was still a little irritable during the first hours in the room, which again made we worry that he might lose his sunny disposition.  Here, he was wearing a custom-made tunic-like garment from his Lola Lety.  Doesn't he look like a real Jedi padawan like Luke Skywalker?  

 

After a few days we can see him smile more often!  Yay!  Maybe it was because he was feeling a bit of discomfort when the anesthesia wore out shortly after the surgery.  We're sure glad to see him charm those nurses again.  Would you ever think this little boy had open heart surgery 3 days ago? 

 

The brave little warrior shows off his battle scars.  It was time to take off the bandages and Lola Lety's custom Velcro tunic made it very easy to access the wound.   No problem at all for the tiny hero.

 

Independence day.  This was taken on the day we were to leave the hospital.  The cardiologist declared Lucas as the "Winner!" because he was the first and the quickest to recover and be sent home among her patients who had surgery.  With God's grace and power, Luc defied all the doctors' expectations.  Truly, nothing short of a miracle.

 

Homecoming.  After three weeks in the hospital, Lucas comes home and sees Ahiya Rafa.  It was also almost Lucas' 9 months so we celebrated with cake and pansit.  Rafa seems to be more excited to see the cake here, hahaha. 

Again and again, we thank everyone for the prayers and support that you've given our family during this time.  We are so glad to share with you these miracles that were brought about by your intercession.

May God be praised!

We're renting out our new condo unit in Cambridge Village. It's located in the Pasig-Cainta border and very accessible to the Ortigas Business District and major shopping areas (Tiendesitas, Eastwood City, SM Megamall and SM  Hypermart Pasig). There's even a free scheduled shuttle service going to Ortigas. It's a resort type development which means you can enjoy lots of amenities such as a swimming pool, basketball court, work-out gym, lounge areas with wifi, etc.

Our unit is a 40sqm loft-type condo with 1 bedroom. There are dedicated drying areas on the rooftop for laundry. The rental rates will already cover for the monthly association dues.

You might know someone who's looking for this kind of condo. We'd be very happy to share our blessings for a successful referral (of a 1-year contract).

For more details or if you want to see the unit, please contact us through email (biboylaboy@ yahoo.com) or mobile (0908-8655110 or 0928-5055973) .

Thanks so much and God bless!

I just want to share the recently released SM Residences TV ad that speaks volumes about how this is truly a revolutionary development!

Aside from the heart-tugging storyline, take a look at the details: bellhop service, hotel-like lobby and concierge, country-club pool and amenities. Great, right!? But what’s amazing is that this was not shot on a made-up set but on the actual delivered product: SM Mezza Residences! This is the standard of all other SMDC projects. What you see is what you’ll really get!

Henry Sy is out to dominate the residential real estate industry this time by offering high-end amenities at middle-market prices! There will be no other development like it!. Juan dela Cruz can suddenly afford Class-A living! For the richest man in the Philippines , this is now all about legacy-building!

This ad made me more excited about our own investment in SM Grass (5 hectares with 75% allotted to open space and amenities including an Olympic-sized pool!) that’s why I’m sharing it again with friends and family!

Watch the video here:

If you want to know more about SM Grass and other developments just email me!