a tita's wisdom-wisdoman

I adore my pamangkins, all them little brats.  My Facebook and Instagram can attest to this, teeming with photos of their unaffected toothless smiles.  If there's one role in this life I enjoy doing best, it's being a Tita (it used to be "ilusyonadang fiancee ni Adam Levine" until the heart-wrenching announcement of his engagement huhu).  Moving on to reality!haha. 

Kiel has those adorable big eyes. He eats everything.

By being a Tita, I believe I am entitled to spoil them a little, encourage their minor mischiefs and teach them some more stunts, much to their parents' dismay! :D And by being just a Tita, I believe I am also entitled to use the "Your kid, not mine" ticket when they make a crying scene in the mall.  Hihi shet I'm a bad Tita! 

Jude has a sweet smile but throws the world's worst tantrums.

I have long conceded to my cousin-slash-soul-sister Niña in winning the title for "Favorite Tita" with her being so awesomely patient like no other from our family.  I am more than happy to be Fun Tita Day to them, the one who never runs out of batang-makulit stories to tell, the number one supporter of all the naughty tricks their brilliant little heads come up with.  It is embarassing to admit that as soon as they had spoken their first word, I whispered "Tita Day" to their ears over and over until they learn how to say it.  You could say I made it their mantra!  Ask them who their tagapagtanggol is, they'd say "Tita Day" paired with raising of their fists in the air.  I so love it! haha

My pamangkins are my go-to people when I have sumpong and in no mood to deal with an adult.  I am aware that it should be the other way around - pamangkins running to tita for comfort - but whatever, that's just how it is with me. :D  It's amazing how I am hugely comforted by their little presence.  Grown-ups at home are just no match to their oozing cuteness. :)  I cherish their visits to our home, declaring control over our television, demanding to watch Despicable Me or Tangled (both we have seen a dozen times), getting bored after a good 20 minutes and later deciding that making a mess of our living room is a lot more fun than sitting down and watching.  

boys' general assemby at home

Them growing up so fast gives me a queasy feeling.  I fear the day when they would no longer let me kiss their soft cheeks or hug them ever so tightly.  What scares me even more is there might come a day when they will just acknowledge me with a nod when they are with their pa-cool dudes because you know, no cool pogi dude beso their tita.  I don't even want to think of the day when I stop being Tita Day, the Tagapagtanggol.  Waaaaahuhuhuhu that would hurt!

Kade and his fluffy cheeks.

So while the little brats still look at Tita Day with trusting eyes and still believe my stories about madamot kids never gaining friends ever, I would like to impart some words of wisdom, if you may even call it that. :D

•  Bullies are baduy.  They are also bano and epal.  It's NEVER cool to call people names like 'Nognog' 'Chubbylita' 'Pato' or whatever alias that offends them, or steal your classmates baon, or frighten younger kids into buying the latest issue of K-zone for you.  Before doing something to another person, put yourself in his or her shoes and think exactly how you would feel being called names and ordered to do things you do not like to do.  Sucks, right?  So what do we do with bullies?  After mo batukan ng isang matindi (errr), bully them!  Bully them with kindness, good deeds and gentle words.  Make them realize that there's no place for bullying in this world, only love.  Naks! :)
• Real gentlemen do not spit on the road.  Because it simply is disgusting.  Yuck!
• Find friends that are for all seasons.  As cliche as it sounds, true friends will be there for you not only during the happy times, moreso during the bad times.  Even through boring times when all you want to do is wear your pyjamas without ligo and watch telly, your true friends stick with you.  They cheer you for your wins, tell you when you are being stupid, keep your secrets safely and happily share their favorite cake slice with you.  They are one of life's most bongga gifts ever.  :)

  

  Dwayne likes helping (messing) while I cook.

• Never forget to say 'Thank you' and 'Sorry'.  People appreciate appreciation.  It feels sooo good to accomplish a good deed and be wholeheartedly thanked for it, right? :)  As essential as thanking people, is saying sorry.  Sometimes we can't help hurting people's feelings.  What's important is that we realize that we are wrong, we apologize and ask how we help to heal that hurt.  Then we never repeat doing that thing that hurt them.  It's not easy but it can be done. :)



Yuel thinks he's a girl. I think he's lovely.

• NEVER EVER DO DRUGS.  It will turn your brains to jelly.  
• It's okay to be different.  Do not worry about being different, about not liking what others like and not blending in.  Just think that God put an extra 'oomph' when He molded you, the reason why you are different from others.  SPECIAL.  Embrace who you are, love your flaws and be proud that you stand out.  It's perfectly okay not to be like anybody else, you are special and that makes you God's favorite. :)
• Never belittle a woman's intelligence.  Be it your mom, your teacher, or your girlfriend (not until you're 30, kids!).  Us women have this special talent called INTUITION.  We sense what mischief you are up to so never insult our intelligence by telling us lies and making all that palusot  because I'm telling you, kids, it will not work.  You will only get yourself in trouble if you dare try! (insert witch laughter here)
• Do not prick your pimples; it will scar! 
• Find time to read.  Lots of girls have written 7Bs or Books Before Boys Because Boys Bring Babies as motto in grade school slam books.  Why shall it be any different for boys?  With that, I'm recommending this new motto for boys, especially to my pamangkins. BBGBGOMP, short for Books Before Girls Because Girls Only Make Palibre  Hehe!  Cuteness fades, but not intelligence. :)  So young men, while you're still very young and penniless, instead of making pacute and wooing girls, date your books.  Read a lot and earn extra pogi points by being smart. :)
• You are who you think you are.  You can be what you think you can become.  You are a wonderful person and you have it in you to make your dreams your reality.  Now this may sound too complex for you at your young age.  We're keeping it simple with "Dream big, Study Well and Pray Hard" for now. :)

I don't really care if they heed my advice.  I just want them to grow up to be happy and God-fearing kids.  I pray that they'd gain the confidence to go after their dreams.  I hope they would value family and friends at all times and be respectful of everyone around them, especially women.  Whatever life has in store for these rascals, I wish they know that they can still always call on Tita Day for help and for a big power hug. :)

 

They're growing up so fast!