Dear Jaco,

I started working at Gymboree and naturally, you started studying there. You were well-behaved and you particpated well in class, at least that's what your teacher said.

School is going to be around for a long time, honey. As your parents, we'll do our best to make it an enjoyable (or at least, tolerable haha) experience for you. I wish you'll learn to do your best too.


Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

We had a photoshoot at school today and you were unexpectedly wacky. :)

This is one of many times that I wish you won't grow up heehee.

Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

We brought you to Tatay's jam with Kiao. Here you met Tito Zig (Tito Hig to you), the first drummer you had the pleasure of meeting. He let you in behind the kit too, which I'm sure was awesome.

Tatay and I really wanted (still do!) you to become a drummer. How fun would it be to jam together as a family?! I'm sure not very fun by your standards hahaha.

Anyway, like we say over and over, it doesn't matter what instrument you pick up or what sport or hobby you get into, as long as you work hard for it and make sure you always give your best.

Dear Jaco,

Of course you had a naked baby picture. With a guitar, no less! :))

Dear Jaco,

That is Tatay's piano. Soon you will get to play it by yourself. :)

Dear Jaco,

You had long hair every now and then. And every now and then, you let me tie it (after a gruelling argument that will result to threats or worse, bribes).

When you grow up, I wouldn't mind you growing it long again. As long as you know how to groom yourself! :))

Dear Jaco,

Oh how you loved the arcade! Although yes, you did love barney once in your life (I'm sorry!). Anyway, mall day is arcade day, and as much as I love strolling and window-shopping, I love how happy you are in the arcade more.

Dear Jaco,

These pictures were taken in a Christmas family get together at your great-grandmother's house (bless her soul). I remember it because everyone were amazed at how, at 3 years old, you can feed yourself already. I was very proud of you. Just like I am everyday.

Dear Jaco,

Have i told you before? You have the most expressive eyes I've ever seen. A lot of people have been telling me that too since I was a kid, I never understood what that meant. As a kid, I thought they were just commenting (or worse, teasing me) on how HUGE my eyes were. I'm sure you'll be getting the same comments growing up. When you do, remember that I said it too. If you don't believe them when they say your eyes are beautiful, at least believe your mother.

Your eyes are beautiful.

Dear Jaco,

You're special but like any other kid, your family made you do tricks (I'm so sorry for this! hahaha). Well, your first was what we called "pogi eyes". Basically, you just close your eyes intensely. It might be a little bit silly but for everyone in the household, it was our pride and joy. :)) Honestly, you had that household wrapped around your little finger.

Dear Jaco,

Oh videogames. I know (have dated) enough gamers to tell that the first time you saw a videogame on the arcade wasn't going to be the last. Well they're nice to look at but they absolutely take you too much of your time. Well well well, I still have a little less than a decade to do something about this :))

Dear Jaco,

Yes, you had curly, disheveled hair. I hope by the time you see this, you can already groom yourself. Or else, I will never forgive myself :))

Dear Jaco,

Once you started walking, we let you stroll outside the house in the afternoons. Every step you take actually scares me! But I had to let you do it, so you could practice walking and would soon do it really well on your own. I promise to remember this when you grow up, or you could remind me too, that for you to learn, I have to let you do some things on your own.

PS. Sometimes, please, just let me worry about you too. :p

Dear Jaco,

This was your first New Year's Eve celebration (well, first one that you were actually awake, as opposed to the technical first new year wherein you were what..20 days old?).

The three of us hung out by the window at Grandpa's computer room, watching fireworks. You were kinda scared, i'm sorry we had to put you through that. I absolutely love New Year's Eve--the food, the street party, the fireworks. Not to mention the feeling that, the next day, it feels like you can start your life all over again. I hope you'll like it too. Especially the feeling that, however you screwed up in the past, you can always pick up the pieces and start all over again. :)

Happy first birthday Jaco!

We had a very small celebration today and excited you...you kicked / stepped on your cake! Heehee! It was also your first time to open gifts by yourself (well, with Tatay as your gift-opening coach there). Look at you arm-flailing, excited, gift-opening baby you! :p

Well, birthdays are thanksgiving days but for me everyday is thanksgiving, especially when I am with you. Praise God for your good health and all the love that you bring to this family. Love you babe. :)

Dear Jaco,

You and Tatay are very goofy boys. You guys played a lot and it seems you sincerely enjoy each other's company. :) I hope you always do, coz you guys are really great together. :)

Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

When we're just staying home, I have nothing better to do.. so I take pictures of us. Always. That's me being vain. And yeah, me being proud of how healthy and good-looking you are. :)

Dear Jaco,

Ninong's family dropped by for Grandpa's birthday today. That's you with Tatay, Ninong. Kuya Sting and Baby Miles. You guys don't really look a lot alike but people say you have that "Asistores" in you. Whatever that means! :))
Kuya Sting is a really cool kuya, don't you think? And Baby Miles is so tiny, though they all predict he's going to be a real menace. They say you're the most wel-behaved of them all. I hope you all get along well, it's nice to have family that you can hang out with and talk to, that's within the 5-year age-difference. No, I mean, it's nice to have any kind of family around.

Dear Jaco,

We let you drink orange juice for the first time. Something different, huh? Figures. Just look at your face right after.
When you've grown, I hope you won't be afraid to try new things. And I pray you choose those "new things" wisely. I could always help you. Though I've never been the adventurous type ( I order the same flavor ice cream for chrissakes), I know there's a lot of learning in taking risks.
But please, please be careful. Nanay will go crazy if something bad happens to you (that's if I'm not crazy enough when you reach adolescence..).

Dear Jaco

We brought you to our band practice. I think you enjoyed it. Especially musical instruments lying around Tito Alay's house. Here you are playing with the djembe, or at least trying to.

Did you really enjoy watching Tatay and Nanay play music? I hope you did. And I hope you still do when you grow up (that is if we still play). You see, Nanay and Tatay were bandmates before you came, and it's through this music setting that we fell for each other. He's a really good bandmate, your father--talented, passionate, and dependable. Just like how he is now, and he will always be, in our family.
Our other bandmates, I'm sure you'll still know them when you've grown, were really good friends as well. We're family.
If you ever get to be in a band, I hope you find friends in your bandmates. Or bandmates in your friends. Either way, it's easier, more natural to create music with people you love and are happy with.