Edvard Munch

Daddy and I, along with Ate Leng and Kuya Ron visited the Tate gallery this afternoon. And while Ate and Kuya went to see the Damien Hirst exhibition, Daddy and I went to Edvard Munch's.

As soon as we entered the first room, I started asking questions about you being an artist. I saw still photos of the artist and that gave me an idea on what to put in your future gallery. And then I started asking Daddy how to interpret the paintings. But according to him, it depends on the one looking at it. Maybe he's right. In most of the paintings that I have seen today and in the past, there is (almost) always a constant object(s) in the paintings. Just like you, in most of your paintings, there was the sun, the moon and the stars. It's quite interesting really. And I love to know why you've always used those three elements in your paintings, and even in some of your drawings.

Then we moved on and saw a small sculpture in the middles of a room. Daddy asked me if you would have tried it. I was not sure but then I remember Mama telling me that you have won a clay forming in the past, so maybe you would have tried this as well.

Another thing that we wondered about was photography. Mama told me before that you liked taking photos. Oh yes, I remember when I went home the last time. You borrowed my camera because you wanted to take photos of the birds and animals at Zoobic. So perhaps you had the interest too.

And yes, what about portrait? You haven't really painted any portraits, just drew them. Remember you drew myself and Dr. Jose Rizal? Maybe if you stayed longer, I'm sure you have painted more portraits. Sayang.

While I was looking at Munch's portraits, a boy caught my attention. He was trying to draw one of the portraits. I had a feeling he was about your age, so I went up to speak to him. He told me he was 10 years old. I asked him if he also paints and he said sometimes. But I assume he draws a lot. He told me that he started drawing when he was 5. 

This is one of the things that I regret the most. I was not able to bring you to museums so you could have done what this kid was doing. As I have told you before, Daddy was very excited for you to come and visit London so he can have a museum buddy. But now, these things will just remain a dream.

Maybe you have your own museum up there. Visit me soon so you can tell me how it's like over there. 

I miss you so much you know. There's not a day that I don't think about you. It's almost six months and I am still not completely over your passing yet. Things are better I suppose, but the pain is still there. Nevertheless, I love you so very much.

Mommy Tintin

Your interesting visit to Papa and Mama

Papa told me that he dreamt about you while I was in Italy. He said his dream seemed real that he woke up and could no longer go back to sleep. Apparently, you went back and greeted Papa on his birthday. And then Papa asked you how you were. You answered, "Okay naman po ako, huwag kayong mag-alala. Nasa langit na po ako at masayang-masaya ako doon" (I'm okay, don't worry. I am now in heaven and I am very happy there). I didn't know how to react. Perhaps you are really now in heaven and I can't be happier for that. I just wish that you talk to us more. I know you have a lot to tell us.

Meanwhile, Mama's dream is not as good as Papa's. She dreamt that you and your friends were at a field trip and you were very pale. Then you collapsed and the next thing Mama remembered you were at a funeral home. You were wearing a white shirt and black trousers. Most of Mama's dreams that she has told me are of that nature. No matter how much she tries to try and save you, she can't. Maybe she's right, than even if we have tried everything to make you stay, you probably wouldn't have stayed. Maybe you were not meant to stay any longer. It may be so painful but perhaps this is your way of telling us to accept the fact that you are no longer with us and that you're not coming back anymore. It's really sad, but it's true.

I miss you so much baby. I love you.

Mommy Tintin

I'm back home

Hi anak, we just got back from our holiday. It's raining in London and how I wish I stayed in Italy a little bit longer. But anyway...

Before we left Cinque Terre, Daddy and I hung out in a place called Vernazza and watched children and teenagers swim. We thought that maybe you would have loved the swimming bit. I remember you always wanted going to the beach with Mama and your siblings. So perhaps you would really have enjoyed swimming over there.

Now that I'm home I can write better to you. Sorry anak, all my letters to you during my holiday seemed all written in a rush. Only because my wi-fi access in Italy was limited and we're out everyday. But I promise that I will write to you properly now that I'm back in England.

I have to go now anak as Daddy has finished cooking. We just need to eat dinner as we really haven't eaten properly today.

Please know that I love you very much. I am missing you more each day.


Mommy Tintin

It's my birthday

I almost freaked out when I found out that all restaurants in Manarola that has wi-fi are already closed. I was getting angry at your Daddy for not telling or reminding me that they close between 8 and 9pm. Anyway, I am glad that I found a free wi-fi not far from our apartment even it means I have to stand in the middle of the street. 

Anyway, I had a very nice birthday. Daddy took me to a boat ride to another town and then we watched the sunset on top of the hill. We drank the champagne that the owner of the hotel gave us last night. Daddy bought a cake too and of course I blew a candle. I just feel bad that I was not able to speak to any of our family today. I think this is my first birthday when I didn't get to speak to anybody. I guess I have a good reason of not having an international roaming and the fact that wi-fi is not free and not always easy to find. I will just speak to them on Friday when we get back to London. 

I must tell you what happened last night. Daddy and I were at the marina watching a Lolo fishing. All of a sudden I reached inside my bag and took my mobile phone out. I was in awe when I saw 00:00 Wednesday 11 July displayed on my screen, of course with your photo on it (as my screensaver). 

What a coincidence right? I was hoping that you would visit me and greet me happy birthday just like what you did to Papa. But it's okay if you can't at the moment because of that little trick last night. I would take that as your way of greeting me happy birthday. 

Well, it's getting late again and we need to go back to our hotel soon. This is my first birthday without you. You and your adings would normally greet me on the phone individually. How I missed that today. And I miss you more. I love you anak. 

Mommy Tintin 

P.S. 

I will edit all my letters to you wneh i get home. Love you.x

Our hiking day

I received a good news from Mama when I woke up this morning but I will tell you all about it when I go back to London so that I can write to you properly. At the moment I am at a cafe waiting for Daddy to come back. He went to pay for our hotel. 

Anyway, we left our hotel very early- around 630am to start our hike. It took us an hour and a half to get to the first town. It would have been quicker if we didn't stop to take pictures. You know how what we're like. I have not hiked in years but I think it wasn't too bad. My fear of heights didn't take over my excitement to experience the hike so perhaps I did well. 

Because we started early, I wasn't very tired on the first part of our hike. On the second part though, I started feeling the heat. By this time, it was almost 9am because we stopped at the town to have breakfast first. Anyway, the second part of the hike is worse than the first one. It was more hilly and the trails were narrower. But the views of the Italian coast was amazing! I am glad I was wearing my trainers as I would have done the hike with utmost difficulty if I insisted in wearing flipflops. I have to submit to the fact that Daddy was right. Hehe. 

I was thinking about you during the hike because again I saw kids your age hiking. I wondered if you would have wanted to hike. Perhaps you won't right? You probably won't mind the hike itself, but i don't think you'll tolerate the heat. Daddy and I thought that if ever we have your brother or your sister, we would take them hiking. 

We will be moving to another town today and will spend my birthday over there. I don't know what we're gonna do yet but I am sure it will be as memorable. I wish you were there to listen to my hiking story when I call home on Friday. But never mind because I have told you about my experience first before anyone. I can't wait to go back and speak to Mama so I can tell you about the good news. It's the best birthday gift so far this year. Yes perhaps better than this Italian trip because it's all about you. 

I miss you so much anak. I love you okay? I will write to you again tomorrow.

Mommy Tintin

Just dropping by

We are now in Corniglia village in Cinque Terre. It is very hot yet I see old people and children your age or even younger climbing up the hills. You probably won't tolerate this weather as I know very well that you hate the hot weather. We just had our lunch and after this we're also going to start hiking. I am writing to you now because I don't know what time we're able to get back. We just had our lunch and I am taking advantage of the free wi-fi as there is no wi-fi at our hotel. 

A lot of things are reminding me of you here- just simple things. I just want you to know that I think of you wherever I am. I am missing you loads. I love you. 

I will write to you more if we get home early tonight and if I can steal the wi-fi at this restaurant as our hotel is just 2 doors away. For now, just pray for our safety in climbing up the hills. Ciao baby ko! 

Mommy Tintin

First day in Italy

It's almost quarter past one in the morning here in Bologna. I'm still awake because we just got home about a few minutes ago. We had a very long day today. Daddy and I arrived in Bologna around 1pm and immediately, we went out to check out the town. I quite like Bologna anak. It's very quiet and there are not a lot of cars in the main city centre. Daddy wanted to see more places but we ran out of time. After hanging around at their famous piazza, we went up to this tower which really scared me. I don't know if I have told you before that I am scared of heights. We climbed I think more or less than a hundred steps, in wooden stairs. The stairs were really steep and quite slippery. You can imagine how scared I was. But I managed to go up and down the tower without passing out. 

Then we watched an outdoor cinema in the night. Daddy and I have always wanted to do this but for some reason we didn't have the chance. To be honest, this has been the highlight of our trip. In fairness we really didn't do much but it was such a nice experience to be out there under the stars watching a Swedish film with majority of italian folks. I am not sure if you would have enjoyed this trip. Perhaps not but I would have loved to take you to Italy for sure. 

Tomorrow we will be leaving early for Cinque Terre where I will be celebrating my birthday. I will make sure to update you from there. 

Thank you for your prayers anak and please continue to pray for us. I love you so much and I am missing you. 

Mommy Tintin