VICTORIA'S SECRET ART

On this page are some of the beautiful paintings of my cousin, Victoria or Marivic as my family fondly call her from Melbourne, Australia. I first learned in August this year when she called me to view and comment on her new paintings in Gubatnons Everywhere!, a social networking of Ning.Com of my fellow Gubatnons in the Internet. I was surprised and couldn't believe how she made her first two paintings beautifully. These are, "Mother and Child" and "The Money Tree" She painted impeccably with a brush stroke of a gifted artist. The colors are magnificently balanced and anyone who will see it will really appreciate its originality and form. Her genre is figurative or relating to or representing form in art by means of human or animal figures.

Edith and I learned a while back that she joined a painting class, so she could just paint a piece of art by herself and avoid buying very expensive paintings in Melbourne to hang on her vacant walls. By a stroke of luck, she ended painting very well and got many orders from her friends who liked her paintings very much. I can just imagine now if she becomes popular and she would exhibit in a one-man show in a noted gallery in Melbourne. Well, she was a good artist back then and made everything exquisitely beautiful the way she helped my children on their projects in their science or art subjects when she was with us in Makati. Then, in every establishment that she worked for, Victoria always tried to set up a better way to improve ideas through her skill in art. Well, she is a person who can eye a flaw or imperfection instantly in her work environment.

Victoria is married to Andrew Hall, a businessman. They have been married for more than six years now. They are living in Melbourne and have two children, Ashleigh and Portia. My children, Agatha, Aurora, Ponchie and my daughter-in-law, Babylin attended their wedding in June, 2004 in a Catholic ceremony. The reception was held in a yacht cruise in Melbourne bay. My children enjoyed every minute of their visit, touring some beautiful and noted sites as well.

Rafa's Christening

We celebrated the Christening of my second Grandson, Rafaelo Miguel (Rafa) last Sunday, December 13, 2009. It was a big celebration of our family welcoming our grandson to the Christian World. He was christened at the Santuario de San Antonio Church in Forbes Park, Makati. Friends, relatives, classmates and officemates of Babes and Ponchie came to greet Rafa for his special day. He was exactly 4 months and 20 days. The baptismal rite was held at the Baptistry located at the right wing of the church at 4:30 pm.

After the ceremony, everyone proceeded to the reception. It was held at the Gerry's Grill in Market! Market! in Global City. Many guests who did not attend the baptismal rite came at the restaurant. Before the sumptuous buffet dinner began, there was a short program honoring and welcoming our baby boy, Rafa by the families from both sides and some close friends. Aui and Ags, my lovely daughters acted as emcees to the program. A short prayer was read by a nine year old smart boy, Stephen, a nephew of Babylin. Everyone loved the party as they enjoyed the food and drinks. This is also a time when friends and relatives meet occasionally when schedules and time are always occupied. I would say that this gathering is some sort of reunion for everyone.

Rafa is a bouncing baby boy who has grown so big than we had expected. At almost three months, he weighed twice as much when he was delivered from the hospital. Well, maybe we focused too much attention on Gabe's condition before by comparing my first grandson who was a preterm baby. Gabe was contracted with a bacterial infection of Sepsis and stayed sometime in an incubator at the hospital. He was a frail baby boy and to Rafa's condition it was different, he grew normally at the same time his hunger for milk is too much that he exceeded much to our expectations. On the other hand, Gabe had a hard time finishing his milk most of the time. Rafa is a robust baby growing remarkably. He is a handsome baby boy who smiles and baby talks at you whenever you get his attention. Edith and I love him so much that we always visit him whenever we can. Sometimes he stays with us in our home for a few days and that is a big blessing for us and my daughters as we enjoy him to be closer with us. I hope God will bless my grandson and will keep him to be a good boy. Everyday I will pray for Rafa's well being and to grow in the love of God and fellowmen.

All the photos here were copied with permission from Babylin's album in Facebook.