RAISING children is by no means an easy task. Not that I am complaining, it is just that both I and Joy have taken it upon ourselves to try our best to raise them well. Seeing them grow was most exciting. I would remember measuring their height by standing on the wall and marking it with the date and for each one of them. The wall still bears the marks even more than 10 years ago today.
Watching them grow and soon after one is gone and off to school in Manila. There was a time and probably until today, many families would have sent their children to Manila. Not that schools here were less, it was just that. There was some pride for parents to see their children take up schooling in the Metro and to feel the realities of life.
It was for me a wonderful moment when I went to enroll my son. Lining up with the parents, paying the tuition fees and also meeting some families from Baguio too. I was glad at one time to have met our new City Administrator Boni dela Pena during enrollment of our sons. I found it funny that it was us dads who were up to it. Normally I say it would be moms, still I was proud and honored to have done so and see also another dad.
I have for the last month adjusted to every schedule that I may have. Meetings here and there not an issue, however with regards to my daily routine, it is destroyed. Why? My kids are at home for the summer. Yes summer. Previous to all this and when school is on, I just get to do what I can. Now I tend to find ways and in some cases have to tag them along with me. I’m not complaining, it is just that I also want to be with them and couldn’t just go to where I would want to go.
A trip to the gym or a run outside will be interrupted by something from one of them since they are at home. I also do the cooking from breakfast, lunch to dinner, sometimes a shortcut of brunch. Mostly we end up sleeping late at night from Netflix or a movie marathon. Waking up late is the norm for them, not me. No matter how late I sleep I will always wake up at about 7:30 every day.
Lately for my out of town meetings I have had the chance to tag them along. A trip to the bookstore or art shop is a must. When they were younger it was a must to get some black school shoes. Today I have noticed that we always had to be at the eye shop for some glasses. Maybe they study too much or spend so much time in the computer for school work plus it was for some UV lenses for them and so with me too.
I don’t know about the others but I give my kids 1,000 pesos each for them to get what they want and that’s it. Really. A notebook, a pen, socks or a cellphone accessory and that’s it. They don’t ask for anything. I’m quite happy about it. My son would rather save up on the money for some treats like a ramen after a long night from school. I don’t mind that’s his money anyway.
Pretty soon I will be back to my usual routine as they will be all back to school. A few adjustments as basic education is about to be finished for all my kids, the last is now in Grade 12 and enrolled herself. Next year will surely be different as both will be in college by then. Entrance examinations and where to go and what to take is what’s keeping them busy nowadays.
I still vividly remember having to bring them to school and preparing their breakfast even when I was still a councilor until I became a mayor. Nothing like being with them. This routine I have been so used to. Today it has somewhat changed a bit as I don’t have to be too early for school for them. Although at times until night. Sleepovers are common nowadays, some at mine and away. I always cook for them. Every Juan seems to enjoy my cooking. Their parents ask me if I really do the cooking, to their disbelief or amazement. Well I do not have any help at home except for us with Joy.
I have noticed too that every Juan of them are celebrating debuts and parties every so often. I can’t recall how we were when, growing up. My classmates were away when they reached 18 years old. I graduated high school at 14 and was in University of the Philippines taking up BS Biology soon after.
Today while I am not employed, I get to notice all this things as I get to see my kids more often. I started working at a very young age. Today I get to see my kids grow. I might have missed some time with them when I was still in public service. But today I get to enjoy them. I am glad that I get to be with my daughters for 2 more years because of Grade 11 and 12. But it won’t be long before they will both be away.
As a city councilor I would still bring my eldest boy to school, my son was born the year Panagbenga was born. I would tag him along in many of my activities in school and in the council. While we lived in Itogon then, every time I would go to work in school I would bring him along. Joy was an accountant working in a bank back then. So it was just me and my boy. Council sessions then were held every Wednesday, and we held office in Convention Center. This was the 90’s.
In school, I taught in the hospitality department, I handled all the business subjects. Joy eventually joined me upon leaving the bank. She had asked to take care instead of our son. It wasn’t difficult for her to make the decision. She eventually joined me in teaching, since we had to bring our son to school too.
Time was when we both took the tests for some post graduate course in UP Baguio, we both passed and got admitted. We were back at school. We both didn’t finish as we were busy starting a family and I getting elected to public office. From one there came two and then three immediately. Kids that is.
It is back to school once more. The other just getting a scholarship grant for Digital Arts and Animation from TESDA. The other did some advanced drawing classes and has now earned a certificate from it. I just drew Voltes V and cars back then in SPED, now there are schools for it.
Recently over at Facebook schoolmates from SPED in the 70’s have started a group that shares all their pictures from that time when they and like me were all, back at school.