Aypee. My second child, the middle child in the family. I have not written much about him. In fact, the only time I wrote about him in my blog was when he got sick and was hospitalized with amoebiasis, and when I greeted him on his birthday. My entries that revolved on my children were mostly about my first born Marco and my youngest and only daughter Gem.
Reading Sexy Mom’s entries about her middle children Vince and Pauline, I was moved to write as well about my middle child.
Let me start by showing you the following old photos extracted from family photo albums.
Aypee - 1 year and 10 months old.
This photo was taken at the beach where there was this low wall that he struggled to climb. He wanted to get on the other side because there were other children playing. Apparently, he wanted to join them.
He has always been more sociable than his “Kuya” (older brother). While his Kuya would go fine inside the house with just a pen and paper to practice his art, Aypee thrived in the outside world.
Well, he did climb over the fence alright though he fell on his tummy. Maybe you are wondering why we let him fall. Well, in the first place, we made sure the sand was free of any debris. If I remember right, I was busy with his Kuya who was then also busy having tantrums. His dad on the other hand, was taking the pictures and prodding him.. “Come on, Aypee, get up!” Too bad handy movie cams and digital cameras were not in vogue yet that time.
He did manage to get up by himself somehow. His ‘yaya’ (nanny) came to his rescue afterwards. See the ‘little devil’ smile there? He seemed to be saying.. Hah! I did it! 
Aypee - almost 3 years old, brandishing a toy gun and doing a Robin Padilla act…lol!
Graduation from Preschool. He delivered the Opening Remarks. I was so nervous throughout the speech because I thought he could not finish it. I told Teacher Lyn, that he refused to rehearse at home and I had no way of knowing whether he already knew how to recite it by heart. Teacher Lyn assured me he would be okay. Thank God! He indeed was able to master the speech that when he talked on the microphone, he said it straight, no pauses, no periods, no commas… lol! My mother who was then with us during the program was crying and kept on saying… “Tignan ninyo yan - akala ninyo hindi niya kaya, e marunong naman siya.” (See that - you thought he can’t do it - but look, he knows it.) Ah, my Aypee indeed - the underestimated middle child.
This is all for now. Second part - see next entry.
i was so touched by your post, i was actually getting emotional. these middle children syndrome–it is true. let me borrow annamanila’s “redspot” in a mom’s report card. i have not really given that much attention to them middle children, esp vince. not that it was intentional, there was just that feeling that he would manage, he was independent anyway. little did i know that this boy, vince, felt that he was not getting the same attention as his other siblings were (imagine he has 3 siblings before him and 3 siblings under him, take it another way, he has 3 sisters and 3 brothers).
i asked him the question the other day, if indeed he was caught in a midchild syndrome. his answer was a whooping YES. ouch for me, when i thought i was their supermom. but he said he did not fault me for it. he said that that was the reason why he has become independent. that was the reason why he has become a leader. that was the reason why he is the most “malambing”. and he did not fault his siblings either. oh, boy, i must have been just lucky. what if he acted differently? what if he became a rebel. oh, how i love my vince.
i am impressed about your Aypee! he is showing the signs of growing to be an independent boy, and a leader, too. thanks, Rhodora, for sharing a part of you. you know when my kids read our blogs and exchange of comments, they are really affected, and when we talk about them, they are tickled pink!
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[…] Original post by rhodora […]
Kudos to you for raising an independent-minded kid. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes it all the way to the top…
Hi Tita Rhodes…
Oh I’m so excited to read the next entry. Want to know more about Aypee
I am also a middle child.
Curious ako makita kung ano na ang hitsura ni Aypee nowadays.
I can’t tell if my sister had any middle-child syndrome…she seemed happy enough. Thanks to our Dad who did his best to treat all of us equally. 
At the first photo, I thought Aypee was some kind of a practicing taekwondo - aakyat pala sa pader
Anyway, I can see Aypee as being the determined type of person. Kudos for having a parent like you.
The photos are so nostalgic … ;D
You know what, I’m a middle child too. I can say, I didn’t do too bad. And a lot of famous people are middle children. You’ll never know, he might be destined for greatness, in more ways than one
Thanks, Snglguy…:)
Dine, thank you too. You inspire me a lot. You are indeed a supermom, with seven kids at that…
My kids are also aware of our mom exchanges that sometimes, my daughter reminds me… “O, na-miss ka na ng mga mommy friends mo, di ka pa nagba-blog.”
Verns, I have posted the next entry. I’m making it a series.. para matuwa si Aypee.. hehehe.. baka daw siya ma-discover… Sus!
Kathy, I treat my three kids equally too, but sometimes, I can’t help it - I tend to focus more on my daughter. Maybe because she’s a girl…. Just happy Aypee does understand..
Hay, naku, Dimaks… super likot siya noong bata pa. He’s more of the physical type of person, unlike his Kuya who is a geek…
Yes, indeed, Kyels.. these are my favorite old photos of my son.
Pining, I guess you are right. The eldest and the youngest are somehow spoiled.. Ouch… I’m the youngest..
You must be really proud.
I am a middle child too. But i was always my moms center of attention since i am the only boy. Thank goodness i was never tagged as mama’s boy.
That little guy is so cute
Many things have been said about middle children, that they are more independent minded because of the apparent lack of attention because the eldest and the youngest draw more attention. THere’s also a saying that they are achievers and more successful in life…. not too sure if statistics confirm this 
Richmond, suwerte mo.. only boy.. hehehe.. Spoiled!
My eldest son was tagged mama’s boy when he was in high school, so he never liked me to go visit him in school.. hahaha!
BW - those are my favorite photos. Hehe.. Oh, if only I could bring back the time… Wala na akong baby sa bahay.. nakaka miss…
Yes, I think so too - that middle kids are mostly achievers…!
Hi Mrs. Palinar. It’s me your old student Jess from PUI (circa 1986) you were our class adviser on the first year that you started work there. I was just surfing the web and looking for alumni from PUI and got to your blog by chance. Saw you son Aypee’s picture and recognised him. Just wanted to say hi and glad to hear that you are doing fine. Take care and God bless. Kind regards, Jess
Jesselyn Co! Oh, how can I forget? Where are you now? Haven’t heard from you nor Jeanette.
Do keep in touch, Jesselyn!
Hi Mam. Glad you still remember me. I am now based in London, would you believe teaching! I am lecturing at the Business School in University of Greenwich. Been teaching for about 12 years, was in La Salle for a few years, moved to Sweden for two years, South Africa for another two and been in the UK for two years now. Got two kids, 6 and 3. Haven’t been to Dagupan for 5 years so I really liked your post on the Bangus festival. Haven’t heard from anyone in the batch lately although I know that Helen Angcay is based in Sydney and Roberto Ong is based in Toronto. Been homesick lately and wanted to see how Dagupan is. When did you leave PUI? I have nephews and nieces studying there now. Wonder who’s still teaching there? Take care and God bless. Kind regards, Jess
Jess - Phoebe, your cousin Weng’s daughter, is my daughter’s classmate in high school. They just graduated last March, and will be in college already this June. Grabe! I’m old na talaga! But I still don’t have “apo”.
You’ve lived in three countries in a span of six years! Kuwentuhan mo naman ako about your family life. You can email me at rhodmpatyahoo.com.
I often see couples Pinky and Cris Alejandrino and Shirley and Nixon Chan and Richard Dy Yaco. Their kids are also studying in PUI. I also occasionally see Johnson Bosales, he’s very active with the alumni association. When I was teaching, I think in 1996, Roberto Ong came to visit, he was not married then yet. But I heard he’s now settled. I left PUI in 1997. I also saw Barbara Pua during the grand reunion in 2004. She was still single then, I just don’t know if she has married since.
Mrs. Sunglao is now with Dagupan City National High School, Mrs. Chua has retired, Mrs. Matanguihan acts as registrar - and the rest are all new. And oh, Mrs. Luida Negradas, if you know her - came back and is now the guidance counsellor.
Say, why don’t you put up your blog too so we can have a regular exchange? We have formed a Pinoy Moms Network here, composed of Filipina mom bloggers and professionals here and overseas, and I am loving the interaction we are having, you know - learning from one another, and me, most of the time, imparting some lessons learned from my experience as a senior mom.
Regards to your family and God bless too!