TO LIVE OR DIE

Nicolas reflectively asked his nanny, "Ate, do you want to live or die?" His Ate replied, "Die." Surprised with his nanny's answer, Nicolas remarked, "What! Don't you want to have a husband and have a child?" He added, "Don't you want to have a baby cut from your stomach or come out from your "puwetet" (butt)? Why? Why die?"

ALL ON A SUNDAY

"I can't find hell!" exclaimed Savion.

I was concerned with the question until Savion clarified that he was looking for the word 'hell' in a 'Find the Word' puzzle titled "All On A Sunday" (words like heaven, gospel, creation, ark, etc.).

THANK YOU MOM

"Thank you mom for taking care of me and helping me in my homework. Maybe I will do some chores on Mother's day. Thank you for not putting me in the orphanage." Savion Garcia

ENDEARING GROSSNESS

Nicolas asked his mother to pick him up as he wanted to snuggle. He was very affectionate as he did a nose-to-nose act* like the way the Inuits (formerly called the Eskimos) express affection. Nicolas then asked his mother, "What if my booger goes to your booger?"

*The act known as Eskimo kissing in modern western culture is loosely based on a traditional Inuit greeting called a kunik. A kunik is a form of expressing affection, usually between family members and loved ones, that involves pressing the nose and upper lip against the skin (commonly the cheeks or forehead) and breathing in, causing the loved one's skin or hair to be suctioned against the nose and upper lip. A common misconception is that the practice arose so that the Inuit could kiss without their mouths freezing together. In fact, it is a non-erotic form of greeting that serves as an intimate way of greeting one another for people who, when they meet, often have little except their nose and eyes exposed.

REST HOUSE ARREST

Savion asked about the word "incarceration". I discussed with him the concept of freedom and it being taken away when incarcerated. I informed him about the difference of being inside a prison cell and being under house arrest. Citing Aung San Suu Kyi's* house arrest situation in Myanmar, I explained that even if she is not inside a prison cell, she is not free to leave her house without permission.

Savion remarked, "House arrest is not like prison. It's like a rest house, right?"

I smiled and did not get what he meant until he reminded me of our country's former President who was incarcerated not in a jail cell but in his personal rest house outside the city.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aung_San_Suu_Kyi

RAIN RAIN COME TODAY

Savion and Nicolas had fun playing all afternoon until it was time for Savion to leave for summer soccer camp. Nicolas had been ill for the past few days and had to skip camp to avoid a relapse. As Savion prepared to leave, Nicolas remarked, "I wish it rains so that I can continue playing with my brother."

Savion returned early from camp as the rains did come, canceling all soccer play. Their afternoon play resumed to the delight of Nicolas and Savion as well.

"Rain rain come today...Little Nicolas wants to play..."

THE BIG RED SIGN

Nicolas and Savion saw big red "Sale" signs in a store. Nicolas asked, "What do we do when we see those red signs?" Savion answered, "We have to run away so that we don't lose all our money."

NERD DEFINED

Savion asked his classmate, "Am I a nerd?" His classmate replied, "No. Because you don't wear glasses."

CONTROL PANEL

Savion trash-talked his brother saying, "In your face!" I suggested that he unlearn this trash-talk. He agreed but clarified, "Do you mean I should 'uninstall' it from my mind?"

JUNO'S CROSS

Juno's drawing of a crucifix he saw inside a chapel.

Juno is the 4-year old cousin of Savion and Nicolas.

GATES OF HEAVEN

After attending Palm Sunday mass and reflecting on the coming Holy Week, Savion remarked, "The gates of heaven are closed on Good Friday. Nobody can enter heaven and all are in limbo. But in two days they all enter and are happy."

KINDER KONSULTANT

For a job interview, I had to give a keynote presentation to a panel of experts. I asked some friends for tips and suggestions since I've never done a presentation before. Everyone contributed helpful information and for the next few days I practiced my script. On the day of the presentation, Nicolas kept asking questions and was extra attentive to my needs. He probably sensed the importance of the day and was aware of the situation. I playfully asked him for advice and he said, "Just be happy." - The best advice I got.

TADIAM

TADIAM
(The Nonsense Song)
by Savion Garcia

Ta ta ta diam
Ta di am ma da
Ta di am hakumatata
Di am badi ya badi, uh ah uh uh
Huh tada da ta di ya ma
Ta de yam, ta de yam mada,
Ta de yam mada, Ta de yam mada
Ta de ya m, ta dem mada da
Ta di ya m, ta di ya m mada
Ta di ya m mada,
Ta di ya mm, maaaada.

TOOTSIE POP

Savion received candies as a Valentine treat from his classmates. He got a couple of Snickers and Musketeers chocolate bars and also a "Tootsie Pop" which was new to him. He showed it to his brother, Nicolas, and both were interested in knowing more about this new candy treat. Savion asked his mother, "Mom, what's a Tootsie Pop?" Their mother answered that it was a variation of the Tootsie Roll candy. Nicolas interjected, "I know! It's a Bad Word Pop! You know, like in T.V. They say, "Tooooot" when they say a bad word."

HEART CARDS

BECOMING "A GAY"

Nicolas remembered having his haircut in a unisex parlor. He narrated and explained, "Dad, I saw 'a gay'. She had very long hair but her voice was a boy voice. A gay is a boy who wants to be a girl. I was confused but amazed." I asked him how one becomes 'a gay'. Nicolas confidently answered, "First, you have to brush your hair a lot of times. Then, you eat an ant**. And then you put on lipstick. That's it."

**Legend has it that eating an ant will transform one's voice and make it more beautiful; recommended remedy for aspiring singers.

Photo courtesy of
Salvador Natividad

SUPERFRIENDS

Nicolas discussed the superheroes he knew about. This is what he concluded about Superman and Supergirl: "Superman and Supergirl just like each other. They do not love each other. They're just friends."

EXPERTISE

Nicolas told his brother that he improved a lot in his badminton play. He was asked to assess his skill as a badminton player. Nicolas answered, "Now, I'm a 'medium' (his term for intermediate). In basketball, I'm a 'zero' (his term for beginner) and in singing, I'm a medium." He proudly added, "But, I'm an expert, in loving my mommy."

BOY INTERRUPTED

As Savion accompanied his mother at the supermarket, he saw a beautiful young girl with a flowing Sunday dress. He lowered his head as the young girl passed him but then did a quick 180 degree turn to look admiringly at her. His mother noticed what transpired and smilingly asked what happened. Savion sheepishly remarked, "I'm too young for that, right?"

His mother let it pass and saved 'the talk' for another day.

EVEREST SUMMITERS

"Another few weary steps and there was nothing above us but the sky. There was no false cornice, no final pinnacle. We were standing together on the summit. There was enough space for about six people. We had conquered Everest."
Sir Edmund Hillary
(July 20, 1919 - January 11, 2008)

"I have climbed my mountain, but I must still live my life."
Tenzing Norgay
(May 1914 - May 9, 1986)

"The Philippine Eagle has landed on the summit."
Heracleo "Leo" Oracion
1st Filipino Mt. Everest summiter

Savion with Leo Oracion

at Inauguration of Everest Academy Manila,
August 6, 2007

GIFTS FROM THE HEART

Savion got his mother a belated Christmas gift*. With a tinge of disappointment, Nicolas remarked, "Mommy, I wish I could also give you a Christmas gift. But anyway, you already have my heart**."

*"The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

**Cutout Heart by Nicolas

GREET TREAT

When my friend came home from work, his 5-year old daughter, Issa, was watching T.V. She was totally engrossed with her T.V. program and ignored his arrival. So, he called out to her, "Hey, Issa! You didn't greet me!" With a puzzled look, Issa turned to him and asked, "Why? Is it your birthday?"

GOODBYE HELLO (Series)

"Goodbye 2007. Hello 2008."

"Goodbye 2006. Hello 2007."

"Goodbye 2005. Hello 2006."

"Goodbye 2004. Hello 2005."