Welcome Home, Theo!

Theo's airplane from Narita International Airport to Mactan International Airport.


Theo was really very happy upon knowing that he will have his own puppy. We chose this one for him because it's a male. If he were still in Japan, he would never be able to have his own pet, given our former living conditions in Tokyo.


Roasted pigs galore! When Filipinos celebrate happy occasions, there's always a roasted pig. The one above was the roasted pig for Theo's welcome party on the 28th at my parents' house and the one below was that for Theo's welcome party at the home of Mommy D's sister.


Aside from meeting relatives and friends from both sides, Theo also gets to play with his cousins, particularly his cousin Lance.


Last night, we all went to the mall and treated Theo to some rides and a nice dinner. Thus far, Theo is having the time of his life in my hometown and enjoying all the love and attention showered to him by all his relatives (which are actually so, so many from both sides).

If you ask him if he wants to return to Japan, he is very quick to say "NO!" and he doesn't seem to mind the terrible summer heat!

Last Day in School

Technically speaking, last Friday was Theo's last day in school, and that was when this photo was taken by the mother of one of Theo's classmates. The toddler on the foreground is the younger sister of Theo's classmate. Theo will still go to school tomorrow and on Tuesday, but these days will only be for rehearsals and the closing ceremony, respectively.

Our Internet connection at home will be cut starting tomorrow, and the next time that I'll be posting here will be when we're already in the Philippines. We'll be very busy packing next week and getting rid of our garbage. And this will be the last time ever that we're going to do this.

Theo doesn't know yet what to expect when he returns to the Philippines, but most parents I've talked to recently believe that it is at this age that's perfect for him to return home to his own country.

I saw a Filipino-American say on TV, "I’m not entirely American, I’m not entirely Filipino either. I’m kinda stuck in the middle and that’s a hard thing."

Theo will never have to say that when he'll be old enough to recognize his true identity. He will grow up as a true, authentic, and proud Filipino, surrounded by an extended, inter-generational family that will provide him not only social and emotional support, but his identity as well.

Countless scientific studies have shown that the nuclear family alone cannot fully mold an individual's character and identity. That's the primary reason why Theo should grow up where he truly belongs.

Pollen Season

Spring in Japan is always synonymous to the awful pollen season, and Theo even at his very young age is already allergic to pollen. That's why we have not spent much time outdoors recently, preferring to just stay at home instead and watch videos, play with crayons, or surf the Net. If Theo or I have to go out, we wear a mask to keep the pollen from invading our noses.

Occasionally, Mommy D removes his mask for a photo-op.

If Theo is at home, he often spends time on his own laptop playing with Jumpstart Preschool or watching cartoon clips on YouTube. He has become quite adept in using the PC lately, knowing how to double click, drag-and-drop, etc.


Mommy D also let's him play with flour, which he really likes to do when he's at home and avoiding the pollen.

Our days in Japan are literally numbered...and we're excited to return home.