PinoyDad.com

I guess all of us experienced, at times, an emptiness which threatens to destroy our neat concept of ourselves and the world. This emptiness is not defined simply by the absence of purpose or the lack of interest in anything (or the apparent interest in everything), although this appears to be a manifestation of such mind-numbing state. We stop caring about anything and focus on that ever-increasing lump of inexplicable emotions weighing down our chests. What’s frustrating about it is not just the huge amount of energy needed to get out of this vicious cycle, but the inability to put a finger on what exactly it is. (more…)

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and
laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to
wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and
pick you up and take you to the park to play. (more…)

Who’s your daddy? It’s interesting to hear a father claim that he’s not the real father of the child. It may be unfair in most cases, as it’s another way of saying that the mother was unfaithful. On the other hand, I’ve known certain instances wherein the claim turned out to be correct. Anyway, last year, the Supreme Court issued the Rule on DNA Evidence. The use of DNA in cases gained popularity in recent years. The Rule is used not only in criminal cases, but also in paternity disputes, and the discussions in these cases are instructive as to the history and nature of this kind of evidence. (more…)

How often has it been said that you should spend time with, and treasure, the ones you love while you still have the chance. Still, while we nod our heads in agreement, we simply disregard it.

It’s the same thing as praying to God in happy times, or, if you prefer something farther from heaven, being in touch with your lawyer. We usually pray or call when there’s a problem. Sometimes, we call just in the nick of time. Sometimes it’s too late. (more…)

(Original post: 25 January 2006) Last week, I reported back for work after a paternity-vacation leave of almost a month. Paternity leave is only for 7 working days and the extended vacation was necessary to address my work burnout. Although the time off did not allow me to completely rest (our “little monster” had cholic episodes at night), it allowed me to reflect on things. (more…)

First off, let’s get things straight — no, I didn’t write this one, and, in my defense, my wife made me post it.

If I sound defensive, you’ll know why when you get to the end of the — how to call it — poem? If you’re impatient to read the entire section without prior warning, here’s why: It’s mushy. This is one of those emails currently going around and I’d be more than glad to attribute authorship if someone steps up. (more…)

If the concept of “Pay Yourself First” is foreign to you, don’t worry, the concept was also greek to me during my YUPpy (young urban professional) days. Working as an associate in a Makati law firm, I had the means to spend, nay, splurge. I had my own condo unit, go out whenever I want and splurge on anything I fancy. I spend so long as there’s cash in my wallet, or, more appropriately, ATM. Whatever money is left, I told myself, will be my savings. This strategy appeared to be sound. I realized later on that I had no savings, primarily because by the end of the salary/pay cycle, I had spent all I had and nothing is left for savings. (more…)

The headlines these past days have been all about rice. I know rice, and not simply because I don’t feel satisfied eating without rice, just like any Filipino. Many years ago, while growing up in the province, I would walk the pilapil of rice paddies with ease, something which would probably come in handy when I try the “sangkilo” bridge at Isdaan. We have a modest tract of ricefield, with produce sufficient to last the family, and some, until the next harvest season. Just like any child, I loved playing with, and in, the ricefield mud, and I refused to understand, way back then, why such pleasure would merit punishment from my mother. I have cultivated rice — from the preparation of the field, preparing the seeds, planting, weeding, harvesting until milling. (more…)

Office politics is a fact of institutional or corporate life. As long as organizations exist, office politics will always be there. On a neutral note, office politics is simply the relationship and interaction between and among co-workers (and, to a certain extent, with the bosses). The relationship should ideally be of mutual respect, and the interaction should be one of healthy competition. Unfortunately, office politics – just like general politics in our country – is viewed as something extremely negative. It’s present in any corporate structure and gets worse in bigger corporations.In other words, you can’t run away from office politics. Here are some points to remember in order to survive the office jungle: (more…)

When I first held my newborn son . . . this song kept on playing in my head. This is one of those times when I can truly say: “When the stars won’t shine anymore, I’ll be there”. (more…)