Bautista: My girls

I AM the man of the house. I am, however, the only one. No Juan can claim other.

Joy will soon be ending her kids' school semester. Anne Drew and Joelle, will have a break from all their school activities for this Holy Week.

Ate Mila will take also some time out from school duties just like Joy.

Anne Drew, in her senior year, has always been very busy attending to her school affairs. As of late, she was busy with her Science Fair Project.

From the division schools, then Regionals and National Finals, she and with her group mates conquered it all. From the recent earthquake last Tuesday, her role was to double check if evacuation went well, the classroom is also under her watch.

Normally at this time of the year, Anne Drew would have been busy with the Palarong Pambansa. For the last three years, she took part in it. If not for the Palaro, it was Batang Pinoy. It seems she has now gone passed all that. It is back to academics for her. Buti naman.

Joelle is her junior. She is a year back from her Manang. She is our artist. Recently, she was designated by her class to do the production for a school activity, The Banquet. This is their version of the Prom. Everything from decorations and Stage Set-Up. Sleepless nights but all well worth her time. It was beautiful.

It is during the Sportsfest where once more she will take charge with the design and decorations. She does everything herself. At home and on spare time it is she who will draw, sew her own patches or design some iPhone case with her own art from nail polish to industrial paint. Do some intricate paper art is what she can do too.

Joy, of course, is Mom to about 40 plus toddlers. Her day also starts as early as theirs. She would be off to school with them. Coffee and bread is enough for her. In her school, she will make sure everything is spic and span. Her magic tool is a new vacuum that I just gifted her with. This is her third. She has always been the handy one, the "handyman". She does have her own set of tools. Other than house chores it is carpentry. Of course she teaches too.

Ate Mila has been with Joy more than I have even before we were married. She is secretary in the school. She makes all the good traditional Filipino dishes that I try to avoid cooking. I'd rather she do it. For Dinengdeng and Sinigang it has to be her. I can cook those, but I'd rather not when she could. I will eat, that's what.

House chores are divided amongst them, mostly washing of dishes and clothes.

At one time when I was then the city mayor, the police always asked about my security. I waived in my favor but requested for that of my girls at home. We made an arrangement for the sister of Ate Mila to be assigned with us in the meantime. She is with the PNP now assigned in Apayao Provincial Police Office. A perfect arrangement with trust involved.

Enough of what has been. From all this I have finally decided to gift them all, and to keep them further busy and not worry about me by introducing a puppy. To much of my amazement, it was very much welcomed by the girls.

Another girl is added into the mix of things. A reward for the girls for a job well done. Oh and an agreement was made some time ago for a puppy, if the girls are in the honor roll. They have been in the honor roll many times but they ask, "Where's the dog?"

The days and nights are spent with this puppy. The girls all excited to do their job just for it. A lot of washing again in fact. Not just for it to smell well, but to clean its "poop", especially just after deworming. The girls don't mind. They just love the puppy so much.

A lot of research was made by me for that perfect dog. I'd rather it not bark. It must want to walk or run. It must love the outdoors and it is comfortable with people plus it is child-friendly yet somewhat possessive and protective too. A robot you might say. Well it is all that! No kidding.

My girls just love it so much, they take turns feeding, washing and caring for her. I timed it well just for Holy Week too and while they are at home. Before all this I would get information of what dog type they prefer. Almost all were rejected. Not one appreciated. Since then nothing has transpired.

The closest from a purchase was of a Boston Terrier. I missed out on the opportunity for one many times. Disheartened I always was. An offer for a French Bulldog was next. It was a puppy too for another family, and could be expensive. Once, a trip would have been made by me to Dagupan for a Doberman. My girls just want it, I dunno why.

Joy has had two at some time. A Rottweiler then 2, then 3, then 4. A Pug we also had. Two Dalmatians, a Japanese Spitz and the last an American Bulldog, whose temperament was not what we would have wanted for the kids.

I married Joy for two practical reasons, her love and care for dogs and her appreciation for cars. 2 things I look for in a woman. It is to me a signal of what will be when married. For this I already know my babies will be well. Really. The school was just perfect for her and they way she teaches all the babies, it is just like her own. Today my cars are always clean, because of her. Another robot you might say. I am just concerned about these things, just me. Picky you may say. Very.

At one time I said I will marry Lea Salonga. How? I dunno but that was my plan. I do plan for everything before. Till I met Joy and her dogs. I loved her car too. It was the dogs first before winning her heart. I had to prove myself too. The car came after.

Today I am the happiest as I did find that perfect dog. It won't bark, really. It runs and loves the girl's attention. A nod from Joy it was. As for my girls they continue to thank and hug me from this surprise. I just love the feeling. They claim it is all they ever imagined for a pet. I'm glad. What I got was a Mini Bull Terrier. A girl.

It was I who was most stressed before all this, now I can rest, assured that the addition of another girl in the house was most welcome and appreciated. I just love my life now. The cheapest gift too for 22 years of marriage, seventeen years for my daughter, good work from school plus many others. Now I will care for five girls, I'm not worried at all. All will be good from here on.