FAQs

Could all the questions we get be proof that we’re not your usual couple?



FAQ1: Why don’t you want to have a baby?
Answer: See my “No Kidding” entry (May 2009). With all our reasons (excuses?), isn’t it obvious that we simply don’t like being Mom and Dad?

Bottom line: Freedom of Choice. We wouldn’t want to be parents just to make others happy. That would be unfair to me, to J, to the baby.

FAQ2: How about later?
Answer: Maybe.

We both made the choice in our early 20s. I’ve stood by it for a decade now. J – for almost 20 years. If one day we do have a change of heart, we’ll take responsibility for our actions. Again, bottom line is Freedom of Choice.

FAQ3: Do you dislike kids?
Answer: We love kids but we don’t want our own.

My personal conviction: to love and take care of existing kids. I see no lack of children. I see the lack of love given to children. Proof? Stories about abortion, orphans, parents who lack time for their children, abused kids, child labor, kids dying of hunger, etc.

I have a soft spot for unwanted babies. If you’re close to me you know that I’ve committed myself to one. And J shares in this commitment – made me love him more.

FAQ4: Isn’t being “childless by choice” selfish?
Answer: Judging people for their decisions is the easiest thing to do. So I’d say – whatever. I always hear about parents who have children to make sure someone takes care of them when they grow old. Now, isn’t THAT selfish?

The truth is we’re thinking about the child – we believe that s/he deserves a better world. We don’t want to gamble on his/her future.

I think people have children for all manner of reasons – sometimes out of a pure desire to nurture and witness life, sometimes out of an absence of choice, sometimes in order to hold on to a partner or create an heir, sometimes without thinking about it in any particular way. Not all the reasons to have children are the same, and not all of them are necessarily unselfish. Not all the reasons not to have children are the same, either, though. Nor are all those reasons necessarily selfish. (From “Eat, Pray Love,” 2006.)

FAQ5: Why did you buy a condo not a house and lot?
Answer: First, it’s what we can afford right now. Two, condo living perfectly fits our lifestyle and our life choices. There’s just the two of us. And we’re always on the go.

But we do plan to build our dream home – later. My parents gifted us with a lot in an exclusive Quezon City subdivision. We could build a family home there, something for all of us – J and me, my parents (although they have their own Antipolo home),my sis, my brother’s family (although they also have their own little home). The possibilities are endless. But I really want to build something for my immediate family – wherever. It doesn’t have to be in the QC lot.

SO(HO) HAPPY!

I've listed the things I'm loving about Soho Central (see my "Loving It!" entry). Today, I'm adding one more thing to my love list! See the "Philippine Star" article below.

Such great news! We're overjoyed with our investment! Our unit may have already appreciated in a matter of three months(turn over was only last June 2009)! VERY GOOD CHOICE indeed!


Shang Properties net income up 10% for 1H
The Philippine Star
Updated September 11, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Shang Properties, Inc., the real estate development arm of the Kuok Group in the Philippines, posted a 10 percent increase in its income for the first six months of the year. Net income rose from P400 million in 2008 to P447 million in 2009 despite the economic uncertainty that prevailed in the first half. The increase is attributable to higher lease incomes from both the Shangri-La Plaza mall and The Enterprise Center, totaling P777 million for the first six months.

In addition, sales of residential condominiums from the Company’s latest project, The St. Francis Shangri-La Place, continued at a fast pace. This P5 billion, twin tower 60-storey project, located within its 8.6 hectare property in Ortigas Center, is set for completion this year with only a few units remaining for sale.

In view of the company’s exemplary performance, SPI’s Board of Directors recently declared cash dividends in the amount of P 0.031 per share to stockholders of record as of Sept. 2, 2009. The dividend is to be paid on or before September 15, 2009. Including the dividend paid in March of this year, total dividends paid in 2009 now amount to P0.061 per share.

Other investments of the Kuok Group in the Philippines include the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts - - - Makati Shangri-La, Edsa Shangri-La, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu, Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa, as well as the Shangri-La at the Fort, which is currently under development.

Upcoming developments include the expansion of the Shangri-La Plaza mall as well as another residential project scheduled for groundbreaking this year.

One Soho Central owner said it perfectly, "This development will be a big boost for our ever-growing neighborhood. Property values will rise sooner than later! Your P2M studio unit at Soho Central should have already appreciated in value by now."

Status: JUMPING FOR JOY!





*jumping at The Peak, HK

MORE BLACK, RED AND WHITE

We're currently in search of black, red and white home furnishings and accents for the new condo.

Here are a few of what we've found...

We got two of these from Dimensione.


It's a stool/storage so we loved it instantly! Also from Dimensione.


It's a sofa / storage!
We got two -- one for the receiving area, another for the foot of the bed -- from SM Home World.


A retro-ish fan from True Value.


We've had this vintage-looking CD player for around three years now.


Do you know of places where we can get more of these?

Criteria:
*black, red or white
*pop art
*vintage or retro-looking (but brand new)
*space-saver
*multi-functional a plus

CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER

Two weeks ago, we felt like we won a kitchen and bath showcase with the two boxes of red, black and white home stuff from the US! Thanks to our dear Tito R, Tita E and my cousin K. Their family has always been very generous -- to all. No wonder they're so blessed.

Look!

HPV

Had my first HPV shot today.

You know what's so sweet about the "a bit painful" experience? One, J is paying for all three shots (Company Package: Php1,900 per shot x 3 shots). Two, he sat beside me during this morning's vaccination. I was the only woman in the clinic who had a date. Awww.

Doc: You can't get pregnant in the next six months.
Me: No problem, Doc, I'm on the pill.
Our thought bubble: No problem, Doc. We're childless by choice.


*photo from puppetgov.com

BACK-TO-BACK BDAYS

Our weekend was all about kids with S and E's back-to-back birthdays.



Our gift to dear little S: this super cute Strawberry Shortcake cake set (Php1,300 for a flat cake and Php840 for 24 pieces of cupcakes) from Kiddie Party.Com's Elaine and Eloisa Tan (Call 438-7702). We were so happy with my sis P's Hannah Montana cake last year so I got their services again. They're highly recommended!



S was so excited to see the cake, "Look, I have a Strawberry Shortcake!" Her wide eyes and big smile were enough "thank you" for me. But she even hugged and kissed us, and said "Thank you. I love you Tita A and Tito J." Awww.

For E, who has more than enough toys, clothes and books, we decided to give something more personal -- a dozen bags of Flat Tops! We learned it's her favorite, nag-aagawan pa sila ni Mommy niya.



Ate P's text message: E was so excited! "Look Mom! Our favorite! We're rich!" Hahaha!

She's really the cutest!

NEW NEIGHBORHOOD

If you've been following my blog, you know how much we love adobo and kebabs. We've been trying out the new neighborhood's goodies and we're loving them so far!

Max's pork adobo is new on the menu. And we love it! It's the more affordable version of Fely J's. If Fely J's adobo gets 5 stars, Max's gets 4. Branch: Shangrila Mall's Garden Court

>>picture to follow

Binalot's adobo is good too. For less than Php100, it's an OK lutong-bahay version of this Filipino classic. For adobo addicts (like us), the bonus is that they even have Adobo Rice (yum!). Branch: Shangrila's Garden Court

>>picture to follow

C2's adobo, on the other hand, was a disappointment. It was bland. Kulang sa pepper. Kulang sa timpla. Branch: 6F Shangrila Mall

>>picture to follow

Persia Grill was a revelation! We're glad we tried it despite the not-so-good ad (their Megamall mural). It's a notch down our favorite Behrouz but so much better than everything else we've tried, making it a winner!

I've been regularly ordering their Business Meal 1 (Php120): Beef Kebab with buttered rice, grilled tomato, and yogurt.



J has been very happy with their Business Meal 5 (around Php120 too): Shawarma Rice. Interesting huh? It's shawarma minus the pita bread.



Loving the new neighborhood!

PHONE PALS

We have twin phones, a red and black Nokia E63!

I was originally eyeing another model. But J has been long considering this. After hearing him talk about its features, I was convinced I should get the same unit (yeah, he's the most influential person in my life!). What sealed the deal for me: this is more affordable.



We're loving our phone -- you can text, call, email and surf, minus the price of an I-Phone or a Blackberry. The bonus: the phones match our condo's color palette. =)

New home. New phones. Hello to everything new!

LOVING IT!

Two days into our new home, here are some of the things I'm loving about Soho Central:

1) It's ours!
2) The real estate golden rule: “Location, location, location!” perfectly applies to SC
3) We're 300 steps away from Shangrila Mall / Edsa Central market (yes, the best of all worlds, ABCDE)
4) 500 steps away from the MRT station
5) 1,500 steps away from Megamall
6) The laundry shop is on the 40th floor
7) The gym, spa and pool are on the 4th floor
8) 24-hour security
9) The “lock and go” system is perfect for our lifestyle
10) The view from our unit -- Wack Wack's trees; the malls and billboards; we can see if traffic's heavy along EDSA; the city lights are lovely once night sets in

What do you love about your home?

IT'S SHAW TIME!

(Open curtains.) The long wait is over – we're finally home! In our very own home! (Cue in: Fireworks! Cartwheels! Confetti blast! Screams!)

Act I: Hitting a home run. To say we're overjoyed is an understatement. One major goal in our married life – accomplished! Tada!

Act II: Home is where the heart is. I can't even begin to describe how we are. J and I are dead tired from all the moving in (of the condo) and out (of the apartment) but guess what – no one's complaining. We're both in such a celebratory mood. We're just too happy! Our kisses even seem to be sweeter! (Cue in: tears of joy.)

Act III: The home stretch. Everything just fell into place days leading to our move. One, according to the feng shui calendar, September 4 and 5 are the lucky days for moving into a new house. Our contract on the QC apartment ends September 5 – so feng shui or not, we really should be out of there. Two, our September 4 shoot was canceled which means we could go on leave (Yahoo!). Three, our dear Tito C was able to book a truck for us for free (free!), for September 5. Four, September 7 was declared a holiday, giving us a four-day weekend, perfect for all the sorting out and cleaning up that had to be done. It allowed us to rest too!

How's it been so far? We're loving it! I guess, there really is no place like home.