Julio's Big Day

Congratulations, Julio!

Finishing elementary education with flying colors, middle school here he comes!

On March 30, 2012, Julio received his diploma, and a loyalty award medal. It was a happy and sad day according to him.

Happy to have reached a milestone. Happy to have passed six years of hard work and studies. Happy to have made a lot of close school friends. And just happy that Dad, Mom, Diego, Nanay, and even cousin Joshua were at the ceremony to celebrate with him.

Sad because it was time to say goodbye to some friends and classmates who were moving to other schools, or moving to other countries. Specifically, it was hard to say goodbye to best buddy Alimi, who is moving back to his home country, Malaysia. Alimi and Julio have been buddies since 3rd grade-- shared so many projects, seatworks, secrets, and snacks. The two seemed so opposites when it came to physical appearances- Alimi is the "gentle giant" according to Diego, while Julio is yes gentle, but far from being a giant. The two however, promised to remain friends and stay connected.

But that is all part of growing up. You meet you friends, you keep the old ones! And at the end of the day, you realize how blessed you have been by having to have met all these characters, and how they have in one way or the other helped you mature and learn things about life.

We are all so happy, excited and hopeful for Julio. He has ended 6th grade on a high note- with grades of 100% in final examinations in subjects Social Studies and IT! Keep up the good work!

Again, congratulations to you, Julio, for a job well done!

Another Gold for Diego in 3rd Grade

Three-peat completed.. and still counting!

Diego was awarded a gold leaf medal in recognition for his academic excellence for school year 2010-2011. Specifically, he led his 3rd grade class in all core subjects namely, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Filipino. As well as non-core subjects IT and PE. What a sweep!

Kuya Julio, Dad, and Mom were all there to witness and to cheer him on. Well done, Diego.

An added bonus, Diego also was proclaimed the read-a-thon winner, logging a total of 293 books for the whole school year. Livng up to a family tradition and high standards, as this wass a feat achieved by Kuya Julio four years ago. Two champs in one family!

In the picture, Digeo holding his read-a-thon trophy proud with his 3rd grade classmates.

Diego's Friendly Game in the News

Azkals coach kids in friendly games | ABS-CBN News

Diego as part of Kaya FC competed against Loyola Meralco FC in a friendly game. The game was held at the Turf BGC- an excellent playing field! What an experience to play with and against the best on a nice field too!

The news carried the story-- and Dad and Mom even had a cameo appearance. Try to catch it by clicking the link at the beginning.

Diego's First Communion

It happened last March 10, 2012. Diego received his first communion at the Holy Family Convent in Greenhills, San Juan. A very solemn and intimate affair.

Diego did most of the readings during the celebration of the rite and the mass. We were most impressed with his leading the responsorial psalm. He lead the community singing "I love the Lord. He is full of compassion. He turned to me on the day that I called..." Indeed! Mom thought his voice was angelic.

Kuya Julio was not really serious about sleeping during the ceremony (as Diego did during Kuya's 1st communion =D). He even stood as the official photographer and videographer of the event.

After the ceremony, we all enjoyed some community fellowship with potluck dishes.

Congratulations, Diego! May God bless you always.

Congratulations, Julio!

On March 30, 2012, Julio will graduate from Grade 6. Congratulations! Mom, Dad and Diego are all so proud of you!

Here is a tribute to clebrate your grade school years.

Photos from left to right, top to bottom
Grade 1: Look at the Tintin hair!... A tribute to his favorite reporter/detective Tintin... He was a "retro boy", liking the Beatles, the Hardy Boys, and Back to the Future. The year when he patiently waited for the tooth fairy as he probably wished .."all I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth.."

Grade 2: Hooray for the toothy sparkly smile! Hooray too for being the first ever winner of "Read-a-thon" contest in school. Discovering his love for history, and admiration for national hero, Jose P. Rizal.

Grade 3: First communion... Love for history continued with trips to Corregidor, Luneta, Fort Santiago, and even to Rizal's house in Calamba. ..Not only Philippine history but interest extended to World War II.. and anything military... In preparation perhaps to his dream of becoming a general in the army... Wrote a poem "Our Democratic World" valuing freedom and democracy... Love for running started with the Condura Tubbataha Race.

Grade 4: "I will be the next President of the Philippines."... and dressed the part too- neck ties and vests to school on Fridays... Took up photography as a new hobby!

Grade 5: Expert in History... Took up target shooting as a hobby... Interest expanded to ammo and weaponry... Lego mania!... Started planning a Lego movie... and writing script with Diego...39 Clues.. and Dilbert humor!... First Camp out!..

Grade 6: Read "The Lost Symbol"... Zombie mania!... Improving target shooting skills... Writing his first serious novel... Lego movie in the making... One of the best defense player in soccer... Gamer!

Diego Interprets "What Teachers Make" by Taylor Mali

Diego's winning oratory piece. Congratulations!
Thanks to Kuya Julio for taking the video in school Good job!

Congratulations, Diego!

Another Gold Leaf award for Diego in second grade! Well done!

Plus, medals and recognition for oratory and subjects Mathematics, Science, Filipino, Social Studies, IT and PE. Woohoo!

We are all so proud of him.

Book Review By Diego

Condura Run 2011 - Running for the Dolphins

We have been running the Condura Run four years straight! And this year marks some personal best times for us. Julio zooms to the finish line in 27 minutes, first time ever below the half-hour mark! While Diego finishes with his personal best of 34 minutes. Woohoo! Surely, our dolphin friends are proud too.








Diego's big finish: