Ethan is in Grade 9 and does taekwondo, getting stronger and more confident every time he steps onto the mat. He’s also the big brother the twins look up to. Here are all his family moments.
On Friday, October 9, Sky and Ethan stepped onto the mats for their very first taekwondo lesson. The room had red and blue foam mats on the floor and a long wall of mirrors, so every stretch and stance showed up twice.
They didn’t have uniforms yet. While the other kids were in white doboks, our two joined in their regular clothes: Ethan in a grey shirt, Sky in a striped long-sleeve. They went right onto the mat with everyone else.
What they did
Class started the way most sports do, with stretching. The two of them sat side by side on the mat, legs out, reaching for their toes and keeping an eye on how the older students did it.
Then everyone stood up for drills. The coach, in a black belt, taught them how to do a 45 kick, and they practiced it with the rest of the class. After that, they did some sparring with the other kids. To end the class, everyone lined up, held up the blue mats and posed for a group photo.
Ethan
Ethan, in the grey shirt, didn’t wait long to try things out. In one photo, you can see him in the mirror already holding a stance while Sky stands beside him.
Sky
Sky, in stripes, spent part of the class watching the older kids practice their kicks in sparring vests, and also got to spar with the other kids.
How it went
For a first class, it went well. Both of them showed up, stretched, learned the 45 kick, sparred with the other kids and stayed until the end of class. We’re proud of them both for giving something new a try.
Our last post here was back in 2021. If you scroll down far enough, you’ll find the twins’ baby shower, their baptism and their very first photoshoot, from back when the biggest news in our house was a new set of tiny socks. Life got busy after that, as it does, and this little corner of the internet went quiet. We missed it, though. Looking back at those old posts reminded us why we started this site: so we’d never forget the small moments that turned out to be the big ones.
So before we start posting again, here’s a catch-up on where everyone is now.
Basti, 17
Our eldest is now in college! Basti is a freshman at De La Salle University, taking Business Management. It still feels strange to say “college” out loud. It feels like yesterday he was the one helping us hold his baby siblings, and now he’s the one with his own schedule, his own plans and his own big decisions. We’re very proud of him.
Ethan, 14
Ethan is in Grade 9 and has been doing taekwondo. It’s been great to watch him grow stronger and more focused, and a little more confident every time he steps onto the mat. He’s also become a big brother the twins really look up to.
Stephen, 12
Stephen is in Grade 7, after his Moving Up ceremony last April. These days he’s our proud homebody. If there’s a choice between going out and staying in, you already know which one Stephen picks. Every family needs someone who keeps the home warm, and he’s happily taken the job.
Sky and Chloe, 8
Our twins turn 9 this December, which we can hardly believe, since this website literally began with their baby shower. Sky, older by a few minutes, does taekwondo like his Kuya Ethan, so now we have two in the family. Chloe, our only girl, loves drawing and painting, and we’re looking for art classes for her. She also does yoga with Mommy Dimple, which has become their own special time together.
What’s next for the site
We’re starting to post again! Expect new photos, family trips, events, school milestones, and the everyday moments in between. Some will be big celebrations and some will just be a regular Saturday at home, but they’re all worth remembering.
Thank you for still being here after all this time. See you in the next post!
With love, Mommy Dimple, Daddy Paolo, Basti, Ethan, Stephen, Sky and Chloe
After our early start at NAIA Terminal 3, we finally landed at Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 1. Apok and Jaden were on the same flight, so we walked out of the gate together, with Grae too, ready to start our family vacation.
Landing at Changi T1
If you’ve flown into Singapore, you know Changi doesn’t feel like a normal airport. The floors are carpeted, the halls are bright and clean, and everything just works. The kids were wide awake after the flight. The little one held a hand and walked through the hall like he owned the place, while the older one pulled a suitcase piled high with bags and still had energy to look around.
After all the packing and the early call time in Manila, it felt good to finally be in Singapore, all of us together, with a few days ahead to explore before the cruise.
The kids on the move through the Changi Airport arrival hall.
Our First Stop: the Jewel Changi Rain Vortex
We didn’t rush out to the city. Instead, we stayed and roamed around Changi, because the airport has its own tourist spots. The big one, of course, is the Rain Vortex at Jewel.
The Rain Vortex is a huge indoor waterfall that pours down from the middle of a glass dome, surrounded by trees and plants on every level. Photos don’t do it justice. You hear it before you see it, and once you’re standing in front of it, it’s hard not to just stop and stare. It’s one of those places where everyone, kids and adults, pulls out their phones at the same time.
If you’re planning a Singapore family trip with a layover or extra time at the airport, Jewel is worth the walk. It’s free to see, it’s indoors, and it’s a great way for kids to stretch their legs after a flight.
Walking through the indoor gardens at Changi.The flower displays and the Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi.
Feeding the dinosaurs
Next, we had to feed the dinosaurs. It was a big hit with the kids, and it’s one of the fun surprises you don’t expect to find at an airport. For little ones who’ve been sitting on a plane, a stop like this makes all the difference, and the grown-ups had just as much fun watching them.
A nostalgic lunch at A&W
Then it was time to eat again, and this time it had to be A&W.
This one meant a lot to us. Apok and I used to eat at A&W along Makati Avenue when we were young, so sitting down at an A&W in Singapore, years later and with our own kids beside us, was a very nostalgic moment. Medyo mahal lang dito, but it was absolutely worth it for the memories. Burgers, the famous root beer float and family all around: it felt like going back in time, just in a different country.
It was a new experience for the kids too. For them it was just a fun lunch with their family. For us, it was a little piece of our childhood that we got to share with them.
A big thank you to Mamita Rosana for sponsoring part of our lunch!
Tips for visiting Changi Airport with kids
If you’re flying into Singapore with children, here’s what worked for us:
Don’t leave the airport right away. Changi is a destination on its own, so give yourself a few hours to walk around.
See the Rain Vortex at Jewel. It’s indoors, free to visit and great for photos.
Plan a food stop. The kids will be hungry after the flight, and there are plenty of choices, including A&W.
Travel together if you can. Flying with Apok and Jaden made the whole day feel special.
What’s Next: A Few Days in Singapore
We spent a couple of days in Singapore before the Disney Adventure cruise, and it all started right here at Changi Airport: a giant waterfall, a few hungry dinosaurs and a nostalgic A&W lunch. Not a bad first day at all.
June 12, 2026 was the day our Family BEST Moments kids had been waiting for. We left the house at 12 AM, and Basti, Ethan, Stephen and the Twins, Chloe and Sky, arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 sleepy but excited, bags packed for our family trip to Singapore and the Disney Adventure cruise.
All set at NAIA Terminal 3
Ready to go at NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay City.
Sleepy eyes or not, the kids were already in vacation mode. There was a quick snack before boarding and plenty of waiting-at-the-gate fun.
A quick snack at NAIA Terminal 3 before the flight.Waiting at the gate in NAIA Terminal 3.
On board: Manila to Singapore
Once on the plane, the selfies started right away: window seats, big smiles and lots of laughs with Lola. Then it was clouds all the way to Singapore.
Thank you, Mamita Rosana
A big thank you to Mamita Rosana Balagtas Hugo for sponsoring some of the cruise, hotel, food and land transport costs for our family and the ApokMs family. Sayang ayaw mong sumama, ang saya saya ng mga bagets!
Singapore and the Disney Adventure cruise, here we come. ✈️🚢
Last March 4, 2018, Chloe and Sky were finally baptized in Christ The King Parish Church where Basti, Ethan and Stephen were also baptized.
Just like the 3 older boys prepared the twins’ white Baptismal clothes and hired someone to decorate the Baptismal candles which also served as souvenirs to the Godparents.
However, the Twins’ Baptism is extra special because everything is double. Daddy Paolo became more involved because unlike before where I was the only one who was carrying the baby to be baptized, he was carrying one of the Twins last March 4.
We were able to actively participate in baptism because we were carrying the Twins throughout the ceremony — from the Gospel reading to the lighting of candles, anointing of oil, and pouring of the Holy Water.
Special thanks to Chloe’s and Sky’s Godparents for attending the Baptismal ceremony even If It was on a Sunday
Thank you very much to our family members as well.
Finally, I would like to thank our San Juan Photography for taking this nice family shot
outside the church (we were not able to do this in previous baptismal ceremony of the 3 older boys). Thank you very much!
This year 2017, the foundation called “Alay sa mga may Kapansanan” which raise funds for people with physical disabilities approached us to perform for our family on December 15, 2017.
When they arrived, the all-girls ensemble was in matching Red costumes and silver and beige shoes.
They sang several Chrismas Songs like Feliz Navidad and Rockin Around the Christmas Tree; and upbeat songs like Oh Carol, Mr. Postman and I wanna dance with somebody.
The Basti, Ethan and Stephen enjoyed the caroline though they don’t know most of the old songs. We (DimPao) also enjoyed listening and watching the volunteers as they sing and dance for the benefit of people with physical disabilities.
It is also nice to be able to help our less fortunate brothers and sisters while enjoying the sound of Chrismas and other upbeat songs.
Check out the link below the video of Christmas Caronline 2017.
One day after the Twins’ Baby Shower, Kuya Basti and Kuya Ethan helped Mommy Dimple opened the gifts for the twins.
Since Chloe and Sky are registered in SM Gift Registry, Mommy Dimple like most of the baby shower gifts; from practical and useful things (like diapers, baby bottle warmer, baby bed foam, and microwaveable steamer), to cute and unique things (like the mermaid baby blanket and teeth and umbilical cord wooden container).
Thank you to the Godparents and guests who spend time buying gifts from our baby registry. Special thanks to those who gave money as well,
One day after the baby shower, Basti, Ethan, and Stephen invited their cousins (Jaden, Terrence, Akio, and Nathan) to have a staycation with us and swim in the swimming deck.
The kids enjoyed swimming in the different pools, from the kiddie pool to the adult lap pool even to the cold jacuzzi.
The boys transferred to the different pools and had a relaxing day.
