God, Happiness and Life

Now based in the USA after having had an experience of Russian life. Cory used to be a very good friend I met while we were staying in Quezon City. We were  concessionaire neighbors. Her children were friends with mine. Her partner is our Concessionaire Association President while I served as Secretary. Until the turbulent days came in. We left Q.C and there was a lull. We lost touch. But now that we have found each other again, we both promise to keep in touch as soon as she comes back from the US. Looking forward to that.

Celebrating her birthday. Cheers! She was a classmate in intermediate grades. Bold even during those early times.. speaks her mind and a real go getter. We used to go Girl Scouting and were together in one big international camping activity in Camp Gonzales, Quezon City. She used to lend me her Girl Scout uniform before I had my own. I think she owned 2, that's why. Mildred has been based in Venice, Italy for the longest time. She speaks Italian very fluently and remains one hell of an adorable woman. From her fb profile I grabbed this piece of info:

She would have been a daughter-in-law. But God had other plans for her and for me. I am so glad that she is well with her family. Another phase in her mothering life -- dedicating Evo's future to the Lord. How great is the Lord for Mom's like Melody. I am very sure she will be a very good mother.

Zaldy is a nephew. He plus family have been based in West Covina in the U.S. since the '80's. Most of these guys are my relatives, all based in the United States for the longest time.

Both teachers, my uncle and aunt are the epitome of giving parents. Always there to support and assist their children no matter what. To their credit, it didn't matter to them that people were criticizing how they have spoiled all their children - giving allowances to married children even, taking care of their apos despite the age, etc., etc., etc. I say cheers to you Uncle and Auntie Australian Vacation Holiday in Melbourne

This I have to say and i may sound unpatriotic, but i like japanese goods.. the designs are good, they are sturdy and practical. One of the many things my D-I-L gave me way back are sets of scissors, rolls of lint remover and these dainty little face towel. It is colorfast and most important it feels smooth to the skin. Why can't we manufacture towels as good as this? Cost? I suppose? har

Ads was a classmate in the elementary grades. I was totally blown away when I found her in one of the more popular social neworking sites. And I didn't realize she was a high school batchmate. After 43 years, Ads and I found each other.

Great going for my children. Thank You Lord for these gifts. My son surfing in La Union My Daughter with her friends On a mountineering trek in Malaysia My daughter with her studes

She is my Mom's half sister. I just found out lately. I used to know that she was an ordinary Aunt, a teacher and a dark beauty at that. She met her husband when she went to New Zealand a long, long time ago for the proverbial greener pastures. She was about 35 years old at the time. Taught for awhile and found Bob. Although he was a divorcee, I heard he was the kindest person you can ever find. That's good. Was that the reason why Aunt Fely had for the longest time been urging me to go to New Zealand and find me a new life, due to the life challenges I was facing during those crucial periods? I feel a tinge of loneliness as I write this.. at this point in my life, ifs are no longer relevant :-) because I am now operating my life by default.. despite the many kind acts being showered my way... But this post is not about me but Auntie Fely.. she appears to have lived an extremely happy and comfortable life.. Bob made it  possible for most if not all of Aunt Fe...

Noel, Millet and Baby Gaele It's been awhile since this cousin of mine and I heard from each other. There was a cloud of unwanted estrangement due to some "family issues" early on in our lives. Although we the younger ones at the time were not directly involved, it was normal that on family matters  (father's side), everyone had the "obligation"  to take sides. But all of that's gone now. Perhaps, my father's death allowed the initial re-connection. I am sincerely happy that we are somehow linked again. Harmony is such an invigorating feeling. Note: I am not very sure of the baby's name. Cheers!

My Kumare Bing and Irish My Godchild Irish Angela         Bing and I used to help run the Camp Aguinaldo  Concessioanaires Association. As business concessionaires based in a military camp,  we encountered problems that were peculiar to the area. Military protocols, as we know can sometimes and for a reason be very rigid. It was incumbent upon us to police our ranks in terms of security and other issues. Handling those problems required PR  to maintain congenial among the members including the camp officials. In attending to these duties, Bing and I grew close and became good friends. I was honored when she asked me to be the godmother of her child. The family is now based in Australia. After having lost contact for awhile, I found her through one of the most popular social networking sites. It's been a happy reunion, since then. And we hope to remain happily connected.   I noted how my inaanak has grown so pretty,...

Jesmin JesMin's name was  derived from  my uncle Jessie and my aunt Luming's names. Typical of folks based in the province.  Simple but full of hope. I saw this girl's rise from the "ashes" so to speak - from what could have been a difficult life with someone who was not in any position to make her happy. The path accompanying the letting go was painful. But in the end, she chose the  righteous, less complicated  but challenging embrace to a new beginning. Congratulations Jes, you did it. Now a woman of fine substance, discovering the  world through a well paying job with sights and travel perks. Wowee. Cheers!

Video cover of Sue Prado's film Sue is  the typical girl next door neighbor.  Pretty lass. Everybody's crush. And because of this she was a real go getter. I remember that my daughter very kindly got an application for her to be able to take the science school entrance exam. Same school  my daughter was attending to. And true to form she was able to get in.. Lots of brain matter there, I thought. Just like most of us, Sue faced many life issue challenges. After graduating from UPLB, she was gainfully employed. But I guess she wanted more. Her  theater links perhaps  provided the venue to try film and television work. The transition appears to be succeeding. From what I heard lately, she got an award for an indie film, I just can't recall the title, now. I wish the best for her. Go SUE! Cheers. Abadeha Poster of Abadeha, a movie starring Sue Prado.

Manang Lilian succeeding after many years of struggle in the Philippines.  Fighter, survivor and a woman of substance. She and and my nephews and nieces now based in West Covina, California. One of her daughters became Ms Philippines some years back.

Enjoying life at its best, watching plays to unwind.. She looks tired yet happy

My daughter and son far away from home but with friends :-)

When children are young it is always easy to overlook teaching responsibility. Most parents feel that because the kids are still not quite ready, they must not be subjected to or bombarded with "too much responsibility and discipline". I have seen children grew-up lacking in responsibility . Unable to do things for themselves. Always waiting for someone to do even the simplest tasks for them instead. Children who have difficulty in making decisions, sometimes resulting to none. But good or bad,  issues need to be resolved.  Growing up my parents made it a point to teach me how to handle responsibility. There were no chalk talk. It was required, demanded if  not downright commanded. Learning the hard way. That is how I call it. I was often asked to do tasks too old for me. Aside from the weekend routine of housework, my mother mandated that I  iron loads of my father's military uniforms. When I perform routine  marketing errands, I was required to bring home th...

Daughter of Cora and Arnel Vergara. Her Mama and Papa were neighbors back when she was in diapers. Concessionaire Area was demolished but the friendly relationships remained. Stephanie is on your left

She is a niece who's been there, done that but the desire  to change and move on to make her child and her  life better was a must to achieve harmony and peace.. I am happy for you my dear:-) Success

She used to be my son's crush. Her Mom's a friend who I used to share laughter, heartaches, and even problems with. A girl determined to build a better life for her dreams, for herself. And then I heard she was in a terrible car  accident. Her family thought she would not be able to walk again. But focused as she is, it was just one of the many obstacles born to be overcome.   Sue as a Filipino Cinderella She was deep  into arts; plays, indie films, etc.

Certainly, not a clear photo. The culprit? My niece's camera phone or the dark lighting in the restaurant. Goodness.  Manang Lilian remains gorgeous looking, unlike what the photo captured here. It is definitely an injustice. The point was,   we saw each other again after many, many years. Manang Lil has been  based in Los Angeles for awhile. Marge, my cousin from out of town and I had the pleasure of her company one Friday afternoon. And it was pleasantly awesome A been there-than that Mom, she single handedly made all the effort, moved heaven and earth,  to make a better life for her and her four children. It was a way of getting out of the marriage that wasn't working any longer. It was time to go. Otherwise, what future will her children have around an  unhappy situation.   Cousin Marge and Me during the Meet-up I consider Marge a sister I never had. We have been friends back in college. Though she studied in another school, we were watching m...

How fast the years went by. It was like yesterday when Belen my kumadre, was informing me that she will soon be migrating to Australia with the whole family, (her hubby and the two girls). Irish Angela  was my inaanak. Before that  Angela was  just a kid going to prep-school, with her Mom bringing and fetching both she and her sister to school. Bing and Angela, cozy at play That's Angela really an angel. It was a dream come true for Belen when she finally  accepted to work in an accounting firm. I believe it was difficult at first, but then she had the advantage that her children was not solidly rooted back home. They were just kids when they finally left. And judging from what I have seen so far from photos of life over there, it was the best decision she and her family made.

Okey, now you have your new pair of progressive lenses installed on an old frame. The frame is a little bit  old but remains stylish. No it does not look old. In fact it looks almost new. It is after all my prescription glass Armani frame. I am happy you seem to like it. Keep cleaning the lenses and all. Nice. But, maybe it would be better still if you get a bi-focal glasses for home use. I know you would want that. Soon. Perhaps.

I like the version sang by Barbra Streisand I like the song because it reflects something in my life for a long time now. Some people think that we do not need another human being to be happy. I guess that is not absolutely true most times :-) When the mellow moon begins to beam, Ev'ry night I dream a little dream; And of course Prince Charming is the theme: The he for me. Although I realize as well as you It is seldom that a dream comes true, To me it's clear That he'll appear. Some day he'll come along, The man I love; And he'll be big and strong, The man I love; And when he comes my way, I'll do my best to make him stay. He'll look at me and smile I'll understand; And in a little while He'll take my hand; And though it seems absurd, I know we both won't say a word. Maybe I shall meet him Sunday, Maybe Monday, maybe not; Still I'm sure to meet him one day Maybe Tuesday Will be my good news day. He'll b...

I hope that you are just starting to enjoy your birthday today my son. Yes, there's only Ate there with you. It could feel different but take comfort that we are there with you because YOU  have us in your heart and we all have YOU here in our hearts as well. By now, you know what is like to be on your own, sort of :-) because you are still with Ate. And how it works in other cultures; work and social environment. Don't think that people are weird when you do not seem to understand them. Think in terms of diferences in cultural practices. Though people may look and feel different, they are still humans, just like you and I. They laugh and cry just like us, maybe get angry in an unfamiliar way, or perhaps express themselves in a way that like unacceptable. Just the same, understand that you come from a Filipino upbringing, expectedly not the same as a foreign upbringing. I know that you have your new gadgets? That should take care of the lonely moments :-) I suggest, get bus...

Someone I have known for thirty years  and a person very  important to me,  celebrates his birthday today. Happy Birthday Partner.  And today, I lift my head to God to ask him if I deserve living this  life,  the way  I live it now with you. :-)  But, instead  I murmur a silent prayer for you.  I asked God to give you good health and longer life so you can spend it the way you really want to.    Though life may not be perfect,  all I really care about is to get over the humps we have been experiencing since 2006.  The imperfections of our life together seemed to have become permanent, but hey that  strengthens me all the more. Forget that have become  slightly neurotic. Don't I try to work at always keeping my cool and being  level headed? Often,  I  wonder  why you are,  the way you are. Maybe that's the way it's gonna be. Or maybe it's me. That you always manage to be nonc...

I am not a father but everytime I watch this movie, I have tears in my eyes. It is a story about a father and son whose had a not so perfect relationship. Mom and Dad divorced. And then Dad gets sick. All of these happening against the backdrop of a blossoming career. On the verge of almost losing his grip on his job, losing focus because of problems created by his personal life, Tom Hank's character in the movie chooses to  take care of  his Dad despite the threat of losing his job. Forgiveness and compassion is one human aspect that moves people to do the right thing. After all nobody is perfect. Happy Father's Day to my partner. And a timely reminder: "Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." And to my Papa who is I am sure in a place better than everything here on earth I have  to remind myself  to so something like this: "My father died many years ago, and yet when something speci...

I am playing with old pictures made to look even more old through picjoke. Taking photos. I used to love that. Well I still do. My first camera was a Kodak instamatic which was a gift from a friend. For the longest time I used it to immortalize my youth and  family celebrations back when my Mother and Father were still together. Celebrations were always meant the whole clan, with everyone present,  my Lolo and Lola, including my aunts and uncle (fatherside). Summers were spent with relations on my mother's side. More pics.  then that camera was borrowed. And that was the end of it. My instamatic never came back. It was lost according to my brother. Here comes my  SLR Nikon bought from hard earned money. That was 1985. So many of my children's photo memorabilia were taken with  that camera. It proved very reliable. Not too sophisticated but it did what it was supposed to do. All my 20 plus photo albums were taken by my Nikon. Reminds me again that all those...

Something I saw from picjoke and then decided to use my daughter's pic to try it out..and I must say it came out well.

Working in a foreign country seemed to have enhanced my daughter's personality further. She now commands  an authoritative yet  pleasing stance of a mentor. Is it that or age?  :-) Being a Pre-school teacher is never easy, even if  in her case,  is a life long advocacy. It's been a dream to help and guide children to reach their potential as human beings. Her maturity, I suppose stems from having special children under her wings. But, things turned out okey if not much better. Late last year  she was able to change school. It is now work and relaxation compared to what she had prior, which was all work. Hah! 

My daughter who is on vacation gave me some goodies: a bag with slippers in matching color; crocs foot gear in bright pink wuw, another foot gear in faux croc leatherette design. Something like that one in pink in this  pic Swell and coooool. Thanks my dear daughter. Very Much.

: Done with electing my President, VP, Senators and city officials. It sure was hot and humid. When I got down from the jeep at Leodegario Victorino Elementary School, I was immedialtely approached by a couple sample ballot distributors. What can I do. They were shoved into my hands.. On to the school gate, PPCRV volunteers snatched them from my hands..okey that was clear enough. I proceeded to the PPRCV Volunteer Desk. I gave the young man my Precint Number obtained from the Comelec website. The young volunteer asked me my first name and to note it down on small Precint Inquiry Sheet which I dutifully wrote. He gave the piece of paper noting 92 as my clustered precint #, together  precint #0377A and a third # which I presume is my number on the Voter's List. It was orderly. But after staying on the line for 15 minutes, I was wondering, when our turn will be. On my left is a classroom with people seated.. oh I wondered, what were they doing just sitting there? And then I get t...

Happy Mother's Day Ma! Today is our day. Should be.. day off.. relaxation .. spa moments.. hair or foot .. off from the stove.. simply just laying back.. I am glad you are enjoying mother's day over there at your  hot and humid Northern hometown.. Hooray!  All I can offer to you this year are these mother quotes I found from the web:  I used to believe that,  "the commonest fallacy among women is that simply having children makes one a mother—which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician." But as I was growing up, I thought that,  "A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path." And on to adulthood, the task, "To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power." And then,  "Over the years I have learned that motherhood is much like an austere religiou...

What can I say about a man who seemed  shy in high school but not surprisingly though achieved what most of us can only dream of -  Doc Hernani Cualing is now an accomplished oncologist. He finished Medicine from the University of the Philippines. See info about his medical education here . Also find other significant info about him here . The first time I was able to connect with him through fb, he seemed sincerely happy. Find a snippet here about that. And after a couple of chats, and fb messages,  he had graciously offered me a writing job in a book a famous U.S. publishing house will publish for him.  Of course, I accepted.. It is a privelege.. Tell you more about that later. All I can say is whoa.. success at its best..

This is a belated post about an idol, a high school classmate who's gone through everything in life - Reuel.  He was our class salututorian. He made UPCAT and together with the rest of us; Edita, the validictorian, Joy, Ofelia, Greg, Victor, Charlie, Sue, Hernani, Lito, Chuchi, Ed, Carolina sailed through the challenging UP Diliman brand of free and analytical thinking  university environment. Meanwhile, three of these classmates became firebrands. And one was Reuel. When Martial law was declared in 1972, he took to the hills to fight for what he believed in. It was a tumultuous era for students. Was it just the "in" thing? To rebel? To fight the establishment? In Reuel's case and the rest of many UP and Lyceum students, it was a fight worth fighting for. Soon,   the powerful military tentacles caught up. Reuel and a host of others were incarcerated. Fast forward, today, Reuel Aguila is now a Professor at UP Diliman; Phd candidate. Aside from this, and I was not...