The World Is Yours to Conquer

One of the greatest obligations parents have towards their children is giving them a good education.  My wife and I produced four and we are proud to say that half of our obligation to our children is now complete. To some people, it would seem like we have accomplished what we ought to do rearing four children.  However, I believe that graduation from college is not the end of our obligations.  The true test will have to wait until they become parents themselves and what they would become in the future.

Today marks a very important day in our lives as parents with our youngest having finished college.  Not only that.  On his own volition, he applied for a job at the Philippine Airlines and got accepted.  We don't exactly know what it is he is going to do at the company but he has his eyes on being a flight attendant eventually. Neither my wife nor I have interfered with our children's choices.  All we want is for them is to finish their studies, get a stable job and live life happily.

With all our children employed and working, we can rest assured that they will be okay come what may as they will be self-sufficient. While I know we will come to their beck and call at anytime they may need our help, we know that they will persevere.  We think we reared them to be independent as early as grammar school. WE never pampered them. We never even helped them with their assignments once they reached puberty. 

AS I have said to his older siblings, I say this again to our youngest, Coby.  The world is at your feet and life will be good to you if you treat it right.  Always strive to be happy.  This cannot be had with material riches (although it will make life easier) or extreme want for anything worldly.  Often, this too much wanting only turns to greed.  What you have to do is to live honestly and simply while aspiring only for the best.  Aim high and keep trying until you get what you want.  Be proud with your accomplishments sans the arrogance.  Make sure that every task you set out to do is accomplished well.  Always have a clear head and keep your feet planted on the ground.  

At any rate, we congratulate you for a job well done.  We love you very much. 

my latest creations

"The Struggle"  

Oil on canvas  

20" X 30"

I just completed this one last Sunday.  I have been trying to incorporate texture into my style by using impasto technique (thick layers of paint)  on some portions.  

Tess and I have done it again. We completed another song this time for a visiting Brother from Mexico.  The thing is while he hails from Mexico, he has also stayed in Japan for more than three years.  Hence, he speaks three languages, English, Spanish and Japanese.  My idea was to incorporate all these languages into one song.  English for the body, Spanish for the refrain and a counterpoint of Japanese towards the end.  I plan to also incorporate guitar works especially for the refrain so that it would have a hispanic air.  It came out okay. I hope he will like it when we finally perform it for him when he leaves in March.  We'll see...