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.

Alfonso Gabrielo's first Birthday

ALFONSO GABRIELO'S (Gab or Gabe) FIRST BIRTHDAY

Alfonso Gabrielo, my grandson celebrated his 1st Birthday at the Jollibee Global City in Fort Bonifacio last April 5, 2009 the day after my daughter Aurora's wedding to Paulo. Friends, relatives and officemates of Ponchie and Babes with their children came to enjoy the fun with full entertainment from the Jollibee Staff with parlor games, dance, trivias, food, drinks and with special participation of Jollibee himself to amuse the children and adults as well. . . . . . .

Who would have thought that after a year Gabe would turn out to be a healthy and intelligent bouncing baby boy. He was born prematurely at 8 months. He spent some time in an incubator at the hospital in Medical City. He was very frail and was infected by Sepsis, an inflammation caused by bacterial infection from the facilities in another hospital. . . . . . .

He is learning to walk now by clutching and reaching on anything to hold on with his hands where he could move around easily with his shoes on or by his walker. He could utter words like "Dada","Mommy"and "Turtle" and can imitate sounds like the ringing of a telephone, whistling and especially the "r" sound as in "vrrrooom" when he plays the toy car. He likes to make bubbles adeptly on his mouth wth his saliva. He also loves to chatter a clacking sound that he learned from us.  Gabe likes to ride in the car and observes everything that we passed by and does not sleep or bore him as most babies do. . . . . .

Everyday, Gab would hear music from CDs, like Baby Mozart's, Baby Bach's or Chopin just before taking his bath. He loves to watch TV and his favorite are mostly commercial ads and cartoons. My lovely wife, Edith and I would sing some lullabies and Nursery Rhymes on Gab on many occasions that he is already familiar with the songs. What we noticed was, Gab would hum to the tune of the music. I practice my Korg Piano at home very often and Gab loved to watch me how I played. Then I would let him tap the keys which he would gladly enjoy doing it. He does not bang the keys as other babies do but tries to listen to the sound of the notes at the speaker monitor. Very fascinating for a small tot like Gab. . . . . . .

His biggest drawback though is, he seldom eats solid food like veggies or anything that a baby boy must eat at his age. He vomits easily if he does not like the taste of the food. He depends mostly on formula milk throughout the day. He consumes an 800grams can of Nan 2 in 3 days. He drinks vitamins regularly like Vita Zinc and Tropicee. These vitamins have lysine, taurine, zinc and ascorbic acid that promote brain and phsycomotor development, stimulates appetite and strenghtens the immune system. His weight and height is just right for his age by following the advice of his Pediatrician which he regularly visit for a check-up. At this early, we try to teach Gab on sign language which will promote and help his communication skills and for better IQ . . . . .

Alfonso Gabrielo's Baptism

MY GRANDSON, ALFONSO GABRIELO'S CHRISTENING

Last June 15, 2008, my Grandson, Gabe was christened at the Santuario de Sn Antonio Parish in Forbes Park, Makati. Friends, relatives and our families from both sides attended this great event as we witnessed and celebrated Gabe's entry to the Christian World. Throughout the baptism rite, my grandson, Gabe neither protested nor showed any sign of annoyance to the long tedious oration of the Priest. He was, however enjoying every minute of the ceremony by gazing attentively and alternately to his Mom and Dad and especially to the Priest whose big baritone voice dominated the whole room perhaps enjoying every word what he said. He waved his hands playfully or stretching both his feet continously as a sign of enjoyment seeing many people around him. I heard from my lovely wife, Edith that Babylin was telling Gabe seriously in the morning of that day while taking his bath. Babylin was gesturing her finger to Gabe while he looked directly at his Mom attentively. "Gabe I want you to behave well in the Church. Don't make the Priest angry." "Don't cry and make the visitors happy by smiling and greeting them." Babylin admonished to his son while enjoying the water in the tub.

Gabe was so engrossed by the occasion that he was well behaved thoughout that whole afternoon and even at the reception when guests would greet and gave him gifts. He smiled whenever he can or just looking at everyone with a welcome wink in his eyes. He never slept and showed any exhaution as normal babies do. I recorded a video in full length of the ceremony in 13 minutes and I was amazed that Gabe never showed any sign of irritation throughout the ceremony. All of us were so happy for my Grandson, Gabe. He is a big joy to all of us and I am so proud of him being my first grandchild. A bouncing baby boy with full zest of life and ready to face the world. What a nice start for a baby boy to be loved so much by everyone that I can see a good future for him.

After the ceremony, the reception was held at the second floor of the Parish Center, Social Hall beside the Church. My daughters, Agz and Aui acted as emcees to a short program prepared by Babylin. A short opening prayer was read by Stephen, Babylin's seven year old nephew followed by some short greetings from guests and the families from both sides. A sumptuous buffet with various appetizing dishes were prepared at the far end of the hall. Many guests especially friends of Ponchie and Babylin came over enjoying the occasion. I prayed to God to bless my Grandson, Gabe, protecting him and guide him as he grow up. I also prayed that he will be a good Christian obeying His commandments. God will bless Alfonso Gabrielo, my Grandson, Amen.

THE BAPTISM

Little Gabe with his Mom and Dad.

My Grandson, Gabe's baptism rites at the Church.

The pouring of the Holy Water on Gabe's forehead.

Gabe with his relatives from both sides of his Mom and Dad.









Edith, Aui, Agz, Nat-Nat, Minda and Janno.










At the reception with friends and relatives.








Gabe gave out his continuous many first laughs that I uploaded to the You Tube at six months old. It was a success for the whole family to witness these series of laughs when Gabe rarely smiled before to most of us.