a dose from the Corteses

7

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 06:31:00 +0000

happy birthday my love

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 06:29:00 +0000

the firstborn is 8

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 17:26:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to our firstborn.

How time flies, you our now eight years old. And as you proudly say it... you are on your pre-teen.

Oh please don't grow so fast our Zai Angelo.

eight years old and proud!

celebrate like how world champions are! lol

final dose:

you will always be the number one, our son.

die hard die mannschaft!

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 17:21:00 +0000

Danke Germany.
World Cup Champions 2014!

cheers for the champions! Deutschland!

on the way to watch the finals game. Germany all the way!

final dose:
until the next world cup, let's do it all over again!

the joys of a 2nd grader and a father

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:42:00 +0000

this post in pictures for now...
created on the mobile device, to be edited soon...

of vacation and celebration

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:26:00 +0000

it has been customary that we usually spend the celebrations we have on the first week of june in an out of town trip.

this year was just that - a whole week vacation in luzon - to end summer in the summer capital, to have birthdays in seperate locations and celebrate the anniversary in the nation's capital.

more pictures to follow...

final dose:
this post will be edited the moment the author gets a break from watching the worldcup games.

happy mother's day

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Sun, 11 May 2014 04:39:00 +0000

To the superhero without a cape.
The one with the hardest job in the world.
The one to contend with the family and me.

To the mother of my two sons.
The one who disciplines.
The one with a caring heart.

Happy Mother's day - Allison.

Wifey Alli with the two boys - Azi & Zai.

boys bonding time surely is all smiles when spent with you.

final dose:
hope you like my present.

summer2014

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 16:48:00 +0000

April is about to end; and this summer has been quite eventful to say the least.

this has been Summer2014, so far.

We have been to a handful of beach outings -- early trip to Sumilon Island, Boracay, Maribago, Cebu Beach Club, Seaview beach resort in Sibulan, Negros for the Holy Week.

And this is not counting a couple more beach trips come May.

So yeah, summer has been the -- B.E.A.C.H. Sunkissed skin, Sand and Fun.

final dose:
cheers to all beach lovers, enjoy summer 2014!

busy....ness

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 07:06:00 +0000

This family blog usually gets left behind when everyone is busy. Updating it on a weekly basis just does not get squeeze in the schedule. So February went by without us sharing our trip to Sumilon Island and our early five day summer trip to Boracay.

And the culprit, for the busy excuse.... business.

Yes, business is booming and I mean projects have been keeping me sane and insane.

We got two residential projects on the way, one just started with the stake out last week and the other is to start in two weeks time. Plus one more interior fit-out project for a culinary school also to start pretty soon.

a residential project for a lawyer couple.

a residential project for a good friend.

an interior fit-out project for a culinary arts school.

All these have taken it's time on me, but I am happy to share these right here. Like I said, 2014 will be a great year.

final dose:

hope to close a deal on two more interior projects. cross fingers.

visit the A.Cortes Architecture + Design to view other works.

sampit pasalamat

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 01:29:00 +0000

Here we go again.

So I thought I could keep this blog updated at least once a week for this year, but you see time is scarce.

The start of the year dump in a lot of stuff right away. The past two weeks alone had me juggling two new projects. horray for me!

I can't help but be grateful for this January blessings, I hope it will be like this until the next year. yay!

So allow me to shout Pit Senyor! As a way of thanking.

The Corteses during the Pit Senyor Celebration at Sto. Niño Village.

♪♫ Sinulog, isyagit ug kusog; (Pit Señor, Pit Señor) tanan magsaulog

Sinulog, isyagit ug kusog; (Pit Señor, Pit Señor) tanan magsaulog

Sisisinulog, sisisinulog

pit senyor kang lolo kini, pit senyor kang lola kini,

pit senyor kang tatay kini, pit senyor kang nanay kini ♪♫

and oh...visit Cortes Architecture + Design and view our works gallery for updates on new projects.
go to www.cortes-architecture.webs.com

final dose:

the year of the wooden horse will lead me to the golden course.

bring it on 2014!

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 02:33:00 +0000

It has been a (insert any descriptive word) 2013!

You can put any word you wish to describe the previous year, what ever it may be, let's all be happy we survived. Here we are now with twenty fourteen, the new year.

There will be new things to look forward to, the year will be full of hope - hopefully full of blessings and of love and of joy. So yeah, we welcome you 2014, bring it on!

Happy New Year greetings from The Corteses

Alli - Toni - Zai - Azi

Happy New Year greetings from A.Cortes Architecture + Design

final dose:
this family blog site has been up since 2007.
The Corteses will be blogging on its 7th year now. yay!

the season in photos

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 05:17:00 +0000

♪♫ There's a light that shines on everyone, Burning brighter everyday

For the souls who search for peace on earth.It's the Christmas Star that lights the way ♪♫

The Sunday before Christmas we had dinner at Maribago Bluewater Resort in Mactan. They had this fountain area filled with lighted white parols. It was so lovely, the boys just had to take a picture underneath the stars.

♪♫ For every year the Christmas tree,Brings to us all both joy and glee.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, Such pleasure do you bring me. ♪♫

Every after the Christmas Eve Mass or Misa de Aguinaldo, when the family arrives at home, we make it a point to have the yearly family portrait with the Christmas tree behind us. This has been the second Christmas with Tristan around; unlike last year, the second born now knows how to behave and pose during family picture taking.

♪♫ It's the greatest time of year, and it's here, help me celebrate it.

With everybody here, friends so dear, let me simply state it.

Joy to the world and everyone, lift up your hearts and feel the love.

It's our favorite way, to spend the holiday. ♪♫

Christmas is always best spent with family. On the strike of twelve, when you are with loved ones - the noche buena is not just a sumptuous meal together, it's a joyous celebration of love and of life. Christmas day lunch has that same feeling too. It is really the season to be jolly.

final dose:

The Corteses wish you too had a wonderful Christmas.

newsletter 2013 ver.08

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 00:46:00 +0000

♪♫ Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on, our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together, if the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.♪♫

It's that time of year once again, and what a wonderful song this is! It gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling - full of hope and promise, and above all, of love. In case you were wondering how The Corteses fared this year, here are a few updates.

The Corteses' annual newsletter 2013, Ver.08

This is our annual newsletter, now on its 8th edition. We always have it posted on this site for the sake of those not included in our mailing list. And each year it has been a joy to put together what we want to share - the stories and the pictures. So for those who will be getting one, hope you'll love it.

final dose:

So have yourself a merry little Christmas now

- love lots from The Corteses.

school affairs

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 15:55:00 +0000

My parents were not really that active with school affairs back when I was still in elementary and high school, much more in college. Basically, they would get to be in school only during getting of report cards, enrollment, recognition day and commencements. Rarely will they go to family days and other school affairs.

The moment our first born started schooling, Wifey and I have been pretty much involved – from the usual parents meeting to all school activities be big and small. At one point, one of us has been elected as one of the PTA officers. It’s not that we act like stage parents, but for the three schools that the first born has attended, he has always been actively involved with school activities.
From Marie Ernestine School, to USC North Campus and now at Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu; Zai Angelo has in one way or the other joined most school activities – be it as representative for his year level in the United Nation’s month to joining school quiz bees or as the Narrator for his school’s year end play.

As a parent, seeing all these gives you firsthand experience of how your child grows both in academics and the extra-curricular things. Believe me, any kid gets to be more proud of himself when he sees his parents watch him strut his stuff in school. So take my advice, get involved with your child’s learning process – take time to join school affairs even it would mean dragging yourself on a hot Sunday with a hang over after a Saturday night out.

Ateneo de Cebu's 2013 Christmas Fair

the Corteses at SHS-AdC + Zai & Mom doing figurine painting + Zai & classmate playing with chicks.

final dose:

At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents. – Jane D. Hull

a long december

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 01:27:00 +0000

A long December and there's reason to believe. Maybe this year will be better than the last

In a month's time, 2013 will end. I am usually not superstitious, but there's just something negative with the year having the 13 in it, that's why I so look forward to 2014.

The last quarter of this year have been depressing to say the least, just as it was the past two years; I dunno why tragic events occur when the year is about to end. But the month of December normally brings that glimmer of hope in everyone...

And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe. Maybe this year will be better than the last. I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself. To hold on to these moments as they pass

December reminds us that it is not about everything turning out great for the year, but how we have made it through the year and the hope and the possibilities that lies ahead for the next.

images of the season. balls, tree, star.

So for those who felt this year was not any good, let's give this month one reason to believe. Keep the faith - in the premise that God gave everything in your life and never gives more than what you can bear.

final dose:

now that Advent is upon us, may the yuletide spirit be truly felt.

i am thankful

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 00:47:00 +0000

Today is Thanksgiving day.

And because it is an american holiday, most Filipinos do not celebrate what today is. But I believe everyone in the world should celebrate a day like this - a day to just be thankful.

And more than an ordinary thank god it's friday, here's a list of what i am thankful for.

i am thankful, though 2013 might have been a rough year, we still see the light of day, literally.
i am thankful, though the year brought rough patches, we were able to sort out & make amends.
i am thankful, though projects were bleak, there were other blessings & we were able to manage.
i am thankful for the lessons learned yesterday and that today i have been woken up and given another chance to make even the smallest difference in our world.
i am thankful for all the things i mistook as mundane but were actually of great value.

And more than anything else, I am thankful for my wife, my two sons, my family.

ang akong bugtong gipasalamatan, akong asawa og akong duha ka bugoy.

final dose:

be thankful for today, for today is thanksgiving.

giving back

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 10:34:00 +0000

It was my first time to drive up north of Cebu, wifey hesitated since I may not be familiar with the route and more so because I haven't had enough rest.

To make the long story short, we pushed through as planned. It was the first weekend after super typhoon Yolanda hit the country, so the drive to Bogo saw a long line of trucks, vans and private cars. We had a jeepney full of relief goods we had repacked days before and a sedan with boxes of bottled water in the trunk.

By the time we got to the town of Sogod, the effects of the typhoon was already evident. People line up along the side of the road holding cardboard signs with one common message written on it.

"WE NEED HELP!"

We had turned over our packed relief goods ready for distribution to the Bogo command center. We entrust that they know the situation of their constituents better than we do, so we did not take it on ourselves to personally distribute the goods.

thanks to the big R for making this relief operations possible

This was my first long drive up north and my first time to do a charitable act of this kind.
Though tired, the feeling of being able to help and give back is just priceless.

final dose:

we can only do as much but more help is still needed.

it was our first time but definitely not the last.

how i spent my semestral break

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 14:52:00 +0000

Our semestral break started on a sad note, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that affected Cebu and Bohol.

So I started my sembreak by watching the news and praying for the victims of the quake. I also helped my parents buy relief goods for the severely affected Boholanos.

But my sembreak was also memorable because of All Saints' and All Souls' Days, when my family visited the cemetery to pray for the dead.

All in all, my semestral break was spent praying, both for the living and the dead. I prayed for God to heal our lands and to heal our people.

photoplay for my sembreak: (from top to bottom, left to right)

my bro had his first haircut and so did i for my mohawk
my usual day at home, playing with my dad's laptop
my bro and i, early in the morning, playing with the tab.
my bro and i at dad's office for trick or treat
my dragon face paint on my cheek
my bro and i posing as models for ensure, my parents sell them.

final dose:
the first born's speak up for school.

keep the faith

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:01:00 +0000

His name is Ryan Gil Peru. An architect. My counterpart from Tacloban.

His is a story so disheartening.

Busy with work, he was assigned in another project far away from home, leaving his wife and family.

The day Yolanda wreaked havoc, he sent me a text message, asking how I was and my family. I replied that we were okay and thankfully so, yes we were really okay. He replied that he was also fine from where he is - in Roxas. He told me that he heard the mall in Tacloban was badly damaged but he can not assess yet of how badly it was.

After that terrible day and when news came out of how devastating the damages brought about by the super typhoon were, I texted him how sorry I was for his hometown and wishing him well. He never replied. Until three days later when I heard the news that he was told to go to Ilo-Ilo, from there he was briefed of what had happened to his hometown, the first time he ever saw on television the gruesome images...from there he was told of his loss. His wife was part of the many casualties.

I may not have been close to him but I feel his loss. I can only imagine how grieving it is, I can never fathom the feeling he has now. I only wish he will be strong.

His and the many other sad stories are always lessons we will learn in life - that it is too short and unpredictable.

I am thankful that we have been spared. Cherish life while we can, appreciate every blessings and forever be grateful to HIM.

To Ryan and to all the others who have suffered, you'll always be included in our prayers. Keep the faith and be strong.

hashtag image of encouragement. created by a.cortes

final dose:

this too shall pass and we will all rise again.

Pre, God bless you always and may she rest in peace.

quake

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 16:16:00 +0000

15 October 2013, Eight twelve in the morning.

The Visayas region of the Philippines was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter originating in Sagbayan, a town in the island of Bohol.

It was early in the morning, when wifey and I were awakened by our two boys. The four of us in the bed greeting each other morning kisses and hugs, not even able to wash our faces yet. Minutes later, we noticed the bed shaking, stuff on the shelves were also shaking, the roof and the walls were creating shaky noises as well... we knew right there and then it was an earthquake.

Wifey and I looked at each other, she holding Angelo, I carrying Tristan. We went downstairs right away.

It was the kind of shaking that gives you shivers deep inside. We hadn't known of the intensity yet that time, but as soon as we wanted to find out, power was gone, phone lines were down and any means of communication was difficult. When power was back up after 30 minutes, the earthquake incident was all over the news. Information were right away coming in and the more we learned how powerful the earthquake was.

It's been a week, but since that time until now, there have been more than two thousand aftershocks recorded. The entire country would have known by now how the earthquake brought devastating damage most especially in Bohol.

Help are pouring in but I know it's not yet enough. It's good to see how people are coming together, making efforts for relief funds and all. At least what the earthquake showed us is that we Filipinos, resilient as always - know how to stand together after every fall. Let's do our share in helping rebuild what has fallen.

image by a.cortes, created as message of encouragement.

May we learn from the incident - on the manner of evacuating, on building safe structures and on keeping our faith strong.

final dose:

we are very thankful that it happened on a holiday

and that the four of us were together and were never harmed.

the second born's first

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 14:56:00 +0000

There's something about firsts that you would want it to be special. I remember seven years back during the first born's first birthday that we made it something worth remembering, unfortunate though because the memories through the photos of that event weren't preserved because it was uploaded on a social networking site that has already shut down.

For our second born's first birthday though, we made it a point to make sure the event is captured the way we pictured it will be. Photos will speak for itself. So here's a photo play of the first birthday celebration of Tristan Azi.

22 September 2013, Sto. Nino Village clubhouse

Allow us to mention the following for making this event succesful:

Cocina Calza for the sumptous food. Smilerrific for the photobooth, Edzel Nieves for the wonderful photos. Noise garage for the sound sytem. Pastries ByJessica for the awesome yummy cake.

And for the following people for the big help.

Dodi, Lexis, Maica, Mhon, Macita, Monina, Mommy, Mama and Mommy Day.

And all those who attended, hope you all enjoyed!

Final dose:

View all photos of the event on our facebook page.

yes it's october

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 01:40:00 +0000

On its onset, I could have seen a case or two of empty amber bottles, dying embers of cigarettes and its butts littered on the floor. But the month I so look forward to ever before has lost its luster.

I don't know the reason but I want to find out why. And don't give that "i'm getting old" excuse because I ain't buying it. See, I went out on the 1st and had a bucket and three bottles, I could have lasted more if I had wanted to, but it wasn't that fun alone and work had me worried.

Oh October, you know you were the most special of them twelve, you hold a place in our hearts for so many a celebration. Tell me now when we can enjoy you fully. Two more weeks, two weekends and some, Octoberfest show us your fun.

someday i'll make one like this. image from: www.3dm3.com

final dose:

just missing the booze.

our little monster

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 11:15:00 +0000

the official photos for Tristan Azi's first birthday celebration are here.

here's one with him in his cute mike wazowski costume.

final dose:

we will be posting more of the celebration soon.

check our FB page for more photos.

the family portrait

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 10:24:00 +0000

serious in white.

wacky shot.

final dose:

this is our first studio family picture ever. dated 08 September 2013

on to the first for the second!

noreply@blogger.com (A.Cortes) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 01:29:00 +0000

Next month will be the first birthday of our second son Tristan Azi. Could you believe that?

It was just like yesterday when we were busy preparing for his christening, and now we're up for the preparation of his first birthday.

Well, time really flies fast.

We're not planning a big party, but just enough to call it a great celebration for a very wonderful blessing who is our second born. And these past days, wifey and I are working as a team on the many things to do by September 22.

Here's a sneak peek of what to expect.

The big brother is the one that's the most excited; he can't wait to suit up in his costume.

final dose;

we'll be sending invites within the week.