Two In One Year

Joy can be greater the second time around. If you don't believe in that let me tell you what it's like. Last month, my other grandson graduated from high school with honor. James is Class 2008 salutatorian in his school. He is pictured here with his maternal grandmother, Deody, who I can tell stood proud and tall just like us when we heard about the awesome news. Sometimes life spoils me too.

Congratulations AJ!

Santisima Trinidad Church

I've watched how this church building evolved through the years. Santisima Trinidad is literally a stone throw away from my place. The neighborhood school --Holy Trinity Academy-- which this parish operates is where both of my boys finished elementary schooling. 30 years onward, I still drop kids to the same school. This time, of course, they're my grandchildren. Time really flies!

Happy Little Graduates

Here I am with two of my young grandsons. Matt graduated from pre-school two days ago and younger brother, Tommy, got an award. In their eyes, I see hope and true happiness. I wish them both a life full of happy and lasting memories just like the one I'm living right now, if not better.

Also, get a glimpse and say hello to my wife, Tessie, on the topmost picture.

Did I Create a Monster?

Way back when earning a living was a lot easier, I gave birth, and sort of pampered, a consuming hobby: Collecting 33 1/3 rpm Long Playing records.
I was a voracious music listener back then that I can't recall a time I've refused to listen to anything including strange, new or old, hip or uncool type of music. If my turntable can play it, I will give it a try.
Many years later, my eldest son also got into the hobby. He started growing his own rock & pop LP collection. When the time for me to work overseas has come, I lost track of how my collection was stored. Some of the titles in my collection had sought refuge in my son's collection. While the unfortunate ones, bit the dust with their sleeves rotten and grooves badly beaten. I remember sort of being emotionally affected with what happened to them, but consoled myself into thinking they have lived their lifespan. I then peacefully thanked them for the musical memories.
About a couple of months back, my son excitedly emailed me a database of his CD collection (which you may find here). That's when I uttered the words: Did I Create a Monster? Tsk-tsk-tsk...

Secret to a Peaceful Life

WE Filipino Asians take pride of our families. It is the heart of our existence. Like a ball team who sets its eyes on winning a title, we are serious about working for a common goal. We make sure that other than sharing flesh and blood, the boundary-shattering filial and sibling love along with spiritual ties that bind us all, are also intact. And though there may be some rocky rides once in a while, these bumps along the way only make our journey interesting and challenging.

Counseling or psychotherapy...who needs them? Definitely not us! Our 360 degrees support is on-call 24/7.

Hardest Topic to Talk About

Whenever I talk or write, I always find myself struggling to tell stories in the first person. It's all because I'd rather have the person (or group of people) I'm speaking with throw questions at me to which I'll respond or comment. So it is with utmost respect that I'm giving up the right to a better historian, that is Gerry Alanguilan, to properly and humbly introduce myself. Click here please.
Thanks Gerry!