Usually, most special gifts don’t come in huge boxes and colorful bows but intangible things.
Last Friday, I came home dead tired from work; thankfully, what put the widest smile on my face and saved my day was this present :
Our 5-year-old son, Gabby ranked 6th in his 30 student-Kindergarten class. 
My wife and I are having PPS! (read : Proud Parent Syndrome!)
We’re so glad that he made it this second quarter to the list. I attribute Gabby’s achievement to Tina’s efforts of guiding him on his academics. His remarkable class rank reminds me that I should also give more quality time tutoring him on his school assignments. I also sit with him and help him do his homeworks but not as usual as his mom. We’re not pressuring him though, but we know he can exert more because his interest in learning is so apparent in attending school and even in participating in those so-called extra-curricular activities. He also behaves well in and out of his classroom.
If you must know, preschoolers now study the concepts of greater than and less than and addition and subtraction in Math; personal hygiene and body parts as well as parts and functions of a seed, a plant and its flower, so with number of legs of insects in Science. In Language, they’re done with the use of has and have, pronouns- he, she, it, verbs /action words; plural and singular nouns and more! In Reading, they’ve studied community helpers and their jobs; and Gabby now knows how to read short sentences. 
During my preschool year (I was then accelerated from Nursery to Grade 1 after passing an exam), I know little of those topics but I ranked 5th of my Nursery class. Basic Computer subject during my time was taught in High School but with Gabby’s generation, they’ll soon be having Computer and Filipino subjects as early as next month!
Our son enjoys watching Asian Food Channel (other than his favorites -Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network) and he dreams of becoming a chef one day. And (defensively,) we didn’t spoon-fed him of what he should be like in the future because as young parents, we believe that we’re only here to guide him all through out his journey. Perhaps what influenced him to wish to work in a kitchen someday are the things we do best – eating and enjoying every gastronomic adventure! He isn’t a chef yet but our little foodie has already developed his own preference to some delights that never fail to please his palate :)
He may not have ranked first in their class but he is and he’ll be our Number One!
Congratulations, anak! Keep it up!
Always remember you’re our greatest gift from the Lord and we’ll be forever grateful to Him
Congratulations to your son (and to the parents, of course)!
thanks, witsandnuts
Congratulations !
With parents like you I am sure he will become a smart chef in the future !
thanks, sidney. i and tina only hope the best for gabby. he will become what he desires with our guidance and the Lord’s blessings
wow congrats. that will surely make anyone happy after a tiring day at the office.
i really felt great after he showed me his report and achievement cards
his achievement in school inspired us more as parents 
Congratulations sa anak mo! And of course, sa inyo na mga magulang.
hey, thanks, bert!
Congrats.. if it has been on my case, I would have PPS for months
hello mamy pehpot! i know you truly understand the joys of parenthood.
what a nice post!! congrats doc!
thanks, doc mitzi!
agree! kahit super tired na tyo tapos ganyan makikita mo, worth it ang lahat dba? ako naman, sis ko, top 4 ngayong quarter kaya sabi ko treat ko sya as a reward.
congrats gabby!
congrats doc! congrats tina! 
hey, dyanie, salamat! congratz din sa sister mo! and thanks for those smileys!!!
congrats sa anak mo! may pinagmanahan for sure!
napadaan lang po
welcome to my blog, an_indecent_mind! what a naughty username you have!
you’re welcome to frequent here, thanks!
wow.. may pinag manahan si gab.. congrats! =)
thanks, louie. mana si gabby kay tina!
stay safe and enjoy your life there in michigan! good luck on your endeavors!
keep in touch
I can already foresee Gabby is on towards greater horizons in the future. And that’s a big “return of investment” for you as parents!
thanks, dennis.
we’re enjoying every minute of being parents to gabby 
Nice! Congrats Gabby! He is such a blessing to you guys! Keep it up!
he’s really our greatest gift from the Lord, rico!
Congrats to the little chef-in-the-making, doc! Kudos to you and Tina for bringing him up so nicely.
hey, thanks midge!
we’re trying our best to be parents and friends to him at all times! 