Her firsts at 4

I know I told myself I would prefer that Laila doesn't follow my career path. Journalism is a messy, unpredictable, energy-consuming career that leaves one little energy and time for anything else. (That is to be distinguished from my desire of wanting her to learn to value and take pride in hard work.)

But I wanted her close so badly that I took her with me to a press conference.

This is her at the main briefing room at the defense department. She insisted on sitting at the table where every other reporter is sitting. She also wanted to speak on the mic (and this is where I put my foot down).

As is customary practice, there was an ambush interview after the press con. Laila insisted in being in the middle of the small crowd that huddle a health department official talking about the swine flu.

She obviously thoroughly enjoyed herself.

But what really melted my heart was when she approached me during the presscon, right after I fielded a question, and told me that I did good. She was looking straight into my eyes when she said it. She looked so sincere and I could just eat her up.

For this little girl, I would do anything, be anything.









Here are a few other 'firsts' now that she's 4 years old. (Who says a baby's firsts are all experienced in her first year.)




The statue is that of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo that guards the parade grounds in Camp Aguinaldo. While walking to the gate from DND, Laila saw the lush green grass and just had to have a romp around. This is just my second time to sit and relax in front of the statue.






This is her first swim at the Cambridge pool. Behind her is Kuya John who had as much a good time as she.