Fifty Days before the Wedding
The So has been tracking the days before the wedding. She and I have been at
times wondering about the cost of the wedding. The stress level has been
increasing. Though thankfully, the stress hits us at different times. I have
asked questions about whether or not all we are doing are worth it or right.
She and I have asked about the enormous time and money spent on the project. We
reassure each other that it is fine. We are able to cover the cost. That the
families and the friends are worthy of the celebration. That seven years of
waiting, getting to know each other and knowing each other’s families should be
punctuated with a true celebration.
Each weekend, I am thankful that I am with the SO. In many ways, she completes
me. She is patient with my incessant insecurities. She manages to teach me how
to change, how to control my frustrations and stress, and how to deal with daily
life. The tiger entertains the monkey with shiny new objects and new locations.
It is very hard to entertain monkeys. Sometimes, the monkey gets into trouble
just because of boredom. But with this tiger, the monkey manages to laugh at
daily life and appreciate the beauty in everything.
The tiger has thanked the monkey for the laughter. In truth, the monkey knows
that it is very weird. But, here is a tiger who finds the monkey’s outrageous
statements FUNNY! Talk about amazing. Talk about luck, karma or opportunity.
The monkey tries to support the tiger’s multitude of activities: poetry, kali,
teaching, computers, performances, directing and on and on. Sometimes, the
monkey wishes that the tiger would not be so active. There are only so many
days to the year. But the activities are the very things which entertain the
monkey. The activities are where the new things, the shiny things come from.
In some moments of solitude and retrospection, the monkey knows that others
would have been good. But this tiger has been a different companion. Someone
who opens the eyes. Shares the joy of the world. Makes one complete. The one
who is better than the monkey, yet the monkey is able to make better.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Teachers of LSQC
Three weeks ago, what began as a teacher's reunion became a grand reunion for Lourdes School, Quezon City. Alumni of LSQC from the 1960's to the 1990's went to Los Angeles California to celebrate the first ever reunion in American soil. Rev. Fr. Troy de los Santos came from the Philippines to share in the event. Teachers from LSQC came from across the United States to reminisce of their younger days.
Mr. Sonny Madera was kind enough to provide the venue of the event, Aloha Adult Day Care Center in Sunset Boulevard. Sonny was the overall catalyst of the grand reunion. He arranged for the food, the location, and hosted the event. Sonny's generosity allowed alumni to come home to the school of yesteryear. Sonny's humor created a levity to the occasion. Sonny's ability to relate to everyone made the whole reunion possible. (Of course, this does not mean that Sonny did it all alone. Certainly, Jay Ortega and Adrianne Lecaros provided for help with the logistics and the planning. And of course, the countless others whom I have not met provided invaluable support for the grand reunion. Let me just name them as LSQC-USA.)
Someday, there will be LSQC grand reunions held in ballrooms of some majestic hotels. Someday, another grand reunion will host more than 200 alumni. But for this day, for the first reunion, the humility and the lack of grandness of the day care center was more than made up for by the expectation of seeing each other after twenty years of separation. The central location of the center allowed the formation of a critical mass. The presence of the teachers allowed different batches the opportunity to meet each other with no excuses for exclusivity. Just as in our youth, the teachers serve as the bridge with which alumni can begin relating to each other.
Sonny Madera introduced the teachers who managed to come to the reunion. The teachers are as follows. (Note: Some of the descriptions are taken from the statements by Sonny as he introduced them. In order for the narrative to make sense and to give a short synopsis, I have taken some liberties. There is a possibility that someone watching a video will notice slight differences from the account. However, I believe that the joy and the good spirits are still the same.)
Ms. Cely Ontiveros. Grade III. We started with one of the oldies from LSQC. Ms. Ontiveros related of how proud she was that four to five students of hers had eventually entered the priesthood. To summarize her life, she gave the following quote "By their fruits you will know them." Ms. Ontiveros now resides in the state of Washington.
Ms. Linda Gando. With a svelte figure, Ms. Gando asked the whole reunion, "Anong itsura ko ngayon?" [She was in excellent shape and could have given Ms. America a run for her money.] Ms. Gando now lives in Maui, the land of Ilocandia. She retired from LSQC after 30 years in service. Ms. Gando said: "I know that the love we gave you as teachers made you come to the reunion."
Mrs. Mimi Santos. Grade II. From Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Mrs. Santos has four children. The memories of teaching in Lourdes remains in her heart and her mind. She taught at the elementary school for 28 years before migrating to the United States in 1993. She continues to work at a Montessori school and has forty years of teaching experience.
Mrs. Carol Sunga Roc and Mr. Ed Roc (New Jersey). High School. Sonny introduced Mrs. Roc with an anecdote. In one of the talent shows, Sonny asked Carol to dance the hula. The one condition that Carol asked was that her skirt needed to flow. Sonny addressed the "flowing skirt" by placing a fan in front of Carol as she danced the hula. Mr. Roc spoke about meeting and marrying his wife in LSQC. Ed was delighted in meeting with the young men who became wonderful citizens of the world. It was amazing to see all of you.
Ms. Bella Galdonez Uy (New York). Ms. Uy began in 1969 at Lourdes School Mandaluyong. She transferred to LSQC and spent 7 years there. Ms. Uy stated that she spent the young years of her life in Mandaluyong, but she spent the best years of her life in LSQC. She considers LSQC the center of her life. "We will sing the LSQC hymn. Ang hindi nakakaalam, kukurutin ko sa singit." OUCH!!!
Ms. Brenda Tranqui Castillo (Arizona). She is now a real estate agent. She was not sure about attending, but once she heard about all the teachers who were coming, she decided to come. She taught two years after her graduation from college. She taught at LSQC during the time of the mini-skirt and she was like a breath of fresh air to the school.
Ms. Orbeta (Philippines). Ms. Orbeta resides in the Philippines. Her heart is in the Philippines. She stated her opinion that one of the reasons that the Philippines is going downhill is that Filipinos no longer love and respect the Philippines. This is evidenced by how many people placed their hand over their heart during the singing of the national anthem. She is an educator and she lectures around the world on education. (Note: It is difficult for me to reconstruct Ms. Orbeta's statements about the Philippines because of the complex nature of migration and economics. It is a controversial topic and I would rather not try to fully document here. Although to a certain extent, I understand her plight, I am one of those who left the Philippines. I do not share the same viewpoints. Sorry for the inconvenience. TatangREtong)
Ms. Marie Pangilinan. (Audio was very low). Ms. Pangilinan thanked th organizers for the reunion. She is now retired.
Ms. Babes Versoza (New Jersey). Father Troy accepted her as a teacher. She spent a few years in LSQC. She is very happy to see her former students.
Ms. Adie Celodonio (Washington DC). "I am glad to be here. I can not believe that there 150 of us. We teachers saw you as children, but now you have children. I hope this reunion happens every year.
Ms. Tess Cristal (San Diego). Ms. Cristal mentioned how she delighted she was to see everyone. She had visited the website of LSQC and she did not recognize any of the teachers in the school. Ms. Cristal described how every Filipino in the US has a hunger to return to the Philippines. She reminded allumni that a tenth of one's wages belonged to God in the form of tithe. She extolled the virtues of the non-profit organization NPO Gawad-Kalinga and suggested that alumni support the NPO.
Ms. Flor Salva Arboleda (Washington DC). Grade V. Ms. Salva shook the reunion with a cheer of Hep-hep-Hooray! "It is a sweet memory to see everyone. The reunion was conceived simply. But now, I see that it is grand in scale. Lourdes will be forever with us. We should do it in the White House next year. Lourdes is a family. Being a Lourdesian is in the heart." Ms. Salva taught at LSQC from 1977 to 2002.
Ms. Elizabeth Ferrer Dizon (New Jersey). Sonny recounteed a story of how the young students would whisper about the beauty of Elizabeth. The students would wait in the corridor and then whisper "Oh ayan na. Dumarating na." As Elizabeth was speaking, there was a commotion and noise by the door. Not to be outdone by some commotion, Elizabeth calmly walked over and announced "Okay Boys! Sit down!!!" The whole place erupted in laughter and applause. Elizabeth mentioned that "I spent the best years of my life at Lourdes. I can not replace the memories."
Ms. Marissa Santiago is now Mrs. Barrera (Los Angeles). When Ms. Santiago left Lourdes, she vowed never to teach again as she did not want to replace her memory of the school. Sonny Madera was her partner in crime while growing up in Lourdes. She came to LSQC at a young age and was supported by the many teachers in the school. When posed with the question "Who is more memorable: the intelligent ones or the naughty ones?", Ms. Santiago responded that for her, she remembered the naughty ones because she was also naughty. She understood and wanted to commiserate with the naughty students. Ms. Santiago mentioned that Jay Ortega was her very first student.
Lito Esguerra taught at LSQC for one year. He performed as the magician in the entertainment section. He did some pretty amazing tricks. Ripping a newspaper and showing the newspaper whole. Sticking a pin into a balloon. Awesome stuff!
Ms. Cora Fajardo-Kelley (California) was in attendance, but she arrived later in the evening.
~~~~~
Later that evening, the teachers were presented with a plaque that thanked them for their service.
It is difficult to write about teachers from twenty years ago. What can you say? They were living life while we only had the vaguest notion of what life was really all about. While we students worried about tests, the teachers were dealing with marriage, kids, money and problems in society.
After three weeks of reflecting on the moment, the only piece I can come back to is that the teachers are the catalyst for the alumni. Their reunion allowed the LSQC alumni to create a grand reunion which spanned three decades. The teachers serve as the road in which alumni of Lourdes School can come together into an organization in the United States.
Our Lourdes School teachers taught us the basics twenty or thirty years ago. Now, once more, they teach us lessons and give us the alumni the opportunity to reach beyond our imagination, to strive for something greater, and to serve our alma mater as instruments of peace.
I would like to extend to every single teacher my thanks and appreciation. If it were not for their reunion, I would not have seen the beauty of singing "Ama Namin" in Tagalog, of hearing the beauty of the St. Francis prayer, and of learning of the need to serve.
TatangREtong LSQC Grade School, Batch 1981. All mistakes and erros are mine and mine alone. This is Part II of the recount of the Grand Reunion 2005.
Three weeks ago, what began as a teacher's reunion became a grand reunion for Lourdes School, Quezon City. Alumni of LSQC from the 1960's to the 1990's went to Los Angeles California to celebrate the first ever reunion in American soil. Rev. Fr. Troy de los Santos came from the Philippines to share in the event. Teachers from LSQC came from across the United States to reminisce of their younger days.
Mr. Sonny Madera was kind enough to provide the venue of the event, Aloha Adult Day Care Center in Sunset Boulevard. Sonny was the overall catalyst of the grand reunion. He arranged for the food, the location, and hosted the event. Sonny's generosity allowed alumni to come home to the school of yesteryear. Sonny's humor created a levity to the occasion. Sonny's ability to relate to everyone made the whole reunion possible. (Of course, this does not mean that Sonny did it all alone. Certainly, Jay Ortega and Adrianne Lecaros provided for help with the logistics and the planning. And of course, the countless others whom I have not met provided invaluable support for the grand reunion. Let me just name them as LSQC-USA.)
Someday, there will be LSQC grand reunions held in ballrooms of some majestic hotels. Someday, another grand reunion will host more than 200 alumni. But for this day, for the first reunion, the humility and the lack of grandness of the day care center was more than made up for by the expectation of seeing each other after twenty years of separation. The central location of the center allowed the formation of a critical mass. The presence of the teachers allowed different batches the opportunity to meet each other with no excuses for exclusivity. Just as in our youth, the teachers serve as the bridge with which alumni can begin relating to each other.
Sonny Madera introduced the teachers who managed to come to the reunion. The teachers are as follows. (Note: Some of the descriptions are taken from the statements by Sonny as he introduced them. In order for the narrative to make sense and to give a short synopsis, I have taken some liberties. There is a possibility that someone watching a video will notice slight differences from the account. However, I believe that the joy and the good spirits are still the same.)
Ms. Cely Ontiveros. Grade III. We started with one of the oldies from LSQC. Ms. Ontiveros related of how proud she was that four to five students of hers had eventually entered the priesthood. To summarize her life, she gave the following quote "By their fruits you will know them." Ms. Ontiveros now resides in the state of Washington.
Ms. Linda Gando. With a svelte figure, Ms. Gando asked the whole reunion, "Anong itsura ko ngayon?" [She was in excellent shape and could have given Ms. America a run for her money.] Ms. Gando now lives in Maui, the land of Ilocandia. She retired from LSQC after 30 years in service. Ms. Gando said: "I know that the love we gave you as teachers made you come to the reunion."
Mrs. Mimi Santos. Grade II. From Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Mrs. Santos has four children. The memories of teaching in Lourdes remains in her heart and her mind. She taught at the elementary school for 28 years before migrating to the United States in 1993. She continues to work at a Montessori school and has forty years of teaching experience.
Mrs. Carol Sunga Roc and Mr. Ed Roc (New Jersey). High School. Sonny introduced Mrs. Roc with an anecdote. In one of the talent shows, Sonny asked Carol to dance the hula. The one condition that Carol asked was that her skirt needed to flow. Sonny addressed the "flowing skirt" by placing a fan in front of Carol as she danced the hula. Mr. Roc spoke about meeting and marrying his wife in LSQC. Ed was delighted in meeting with the young men who became wonderful citizens of the world. It was amazing to see all of you.
Ms. Bella Galdonez Uy (New York). Ms. Uy began in 1969 at Lourdes School Mandaluyong. She transferred to LSQC and spent 7 years there. Ms. Uy stated that she spent the young years of her life in Mandaluyong, but she spent the best years of her life in LSQC. She considers LSQC the center of her life. "We will sing the LSQC hymn. Ang hindi nakakaalam, kukurutin ko sa singit." OUCH!!!
Ms. Brenda Tranqui Castillo (Arizona). She is now a real estate agent. She was not sure about attending, but once she heard about all the teachers who were coming, she decided to come. She taught two years after her graduation from college. She taught at LSQC during the time of the mini-skirt and she was like a breath of fresh air to the school.
Ms. Orbeta (Philippines). Ms. Orbeta resides in the Philippines. Her heart is in the Philippines. She stated her opinion that one of the reasons that the Philippines is going downhill is that Filipinos no longer love and respect the Philippines. This is evidenced by how many people placed their hand over their heart during the singing of the national anthem. She is an educator and she lectures around the world on education. (Note: It is difficult for me to reconstruct Ms. Orbeta's statements about the Philippines because of the complex nature of migration and economics. It is a controversial topic and I would rather not try to fully document here. Although to a certain extent, I understand her plight, I am one of those who left the Philippines. I do not share the same viewpoints. Sorry for the inconvenience. TatangREtong)
Ms. Marie Pangilinan. (Audio was very low). Ms. Pangilinan thanked th organizers for the reunion. She is now retired.
Ms. Babes Versoza (New Jersey). Father Troy accepted her as a teacher. She spent a few years in LSQC. She is very happy to see her former students.
Ms. Adie Celodonio (Washington DC). "I am glad to be here. I can not believe that there 150 of us. We teachers saw you as children, but now you have children. I hope this reunion happens every year.
Ms. Tess Cristal (San Diego). Ms. Cristal mentioned how she delighted she was to see everyone. She had visited the website of LSQC and she did not recognize any of the teachers in the school. Ms. Cristal described how every Filipino in the US has a hunger to return to the Philippines. She reminded allumni that a tenth of one's wages belonged to God in the form of tithe. She extolled the virtues of the non-profit organization NPO Gawad-Kalinga and suggested that alumni support the NPO.
Ms. Flor Salva Arboleda (Washington DC). Grade V. Ms. Salva shook the reunion with a cheer of Hep-hep-Hooray! "It is a sweet memory to see everyone. The reunion was conceived simply. But now, I see that it is grand in scale. Lourdes will be forever with us. We should do it in the White House next year. Lourdes is a family. Being a Lourdesian is in the heart." Ms. Salva taught at LSQC from 1977 to 2002.
Ms. Elizabeth Ferrer Dizon (New Jersey). Sonny recounteed a story of how the young students would whisper about the beauty of Elizabeth. The students would wait in the corridor and then whisper "Oh ayan na. Dumarating na." As Elizabeth was speaking, there was a commotion and noise by the door. Not to be outdone by some commotion, Elizabeth calmly walked over and announced "Okay Boys! Sit down!!!" The whole place erupted in laughter and applause. Elizabeth mentioned that "I spent the best years of my life at Lourdes. I can not replace the memories."
Ms. Marissa Santiago is now Mrs. Barrera (Los Angeles). When Ms. Santiago left Lourdes, she vowed never to teach again as she did not want to replace her memory of the school. Sonny Madera was her partner in crime while growing up in Lourdes. She came to LSQC at a young age and was supported by the many teachers in the school. When posed with the question "Who is more memorable: the intelligent ones or the naughty ones?", Ms. Santiago responded that for her, she remembered the naughty ones because she was also naughty. She understood and wanted to commiserate with the naughty students. Ms. Santiago mentioned that Jay Ortega was her very first student.
Lito Esguerra taught at LSQC for one year. He performed as the magician in the entertainment section. He did some pretty amazing tricks. Ripping a newspaper and showing the newspaper whole. Sticking a pin into a balloon. Awesome stuff!
Ms. Cora Fajardo-Kelley (California) was in attendance, but she arrived later in the evening.
~~~~~
Later that evening, the teachers were presented with a plaque that thanked them for their service.
It is difficult to write about teachers from twenty years ago. What can you say? They were living life while we only had the vaguest notion of what life was really all about. While we students worried about tests, the teachers were dealing with marriage, kids, money and problems in society.
After three weeks of reflecting on the moment, the only piece I can come back to is that the teachers are the catalyst for the alumni. Their reunion allowed the LSQC alumni to create a grand reunion which spanned three decades. The teachers serve as the road in which alumni of Lourdes School can come together into an organization in the United States.
Our Lourdes School teachers taught us the basics twenty or thirty years ago. Now, once more, they teach us lessons and give us the alumni the opportunity to reach beyond our imagination, to strive for something greater, and to serve our alma mater as instruments of peace.
I would like to extend to every single teacher my thanks and appreciation. If it were not for their reunion, I would not have seen the beauty of singing "Ama Namin" in Tagalog, of hearing the beauty of the St. Francis prayer, and of learning of the need to serve.
TatangREtong LSQC Grade School, Batch 1981. All mistakes and erros are mine and mine alone. This is Part II of the recount of the Grand Reunion 2005.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
50+ Days of Bachelorhood and Civilization
So, I have only a few more days of bachelorhood. The wedding date is coming and there is definitely some things to worry about. Like, forgetting to tell the hotel what food you want to taste. Thus, when we went there, there was no food to taste. Damn. I thought it was just like any food-tasting. They will have something ready. I guess they cook the food really early in the morning.
There are bridal showers and parties and other weddings to attend. It is interesting to compare the weddings to mine. I hope it is not as hectic, there is not that much drama, etc. As the SO said, she shows up, I show up and the reverend shows up, everything is cool.
Have been playing Civilization III and it does show you why it is fun to conquer the world. I can understand why those Americans ended up colonizing the Philippines. There is a rush of adrenaline as you see the resources in that area, and you look at the competitors and you begin getting paranoid that they will get there first.
Sometimes, you just want to pick a fight with a neighbor because you are more superior in military terms than they are. That's what happened in the last game when France picked a fight against India. It ended up that they were taken out of the continent by the Romans. And of course, I was there to colonize with my settlers.
And sometimes, you would like to trade with them, but they don't have any road or harbor. Definitely, I feel like a sultan trying to navigate my people to civilization. hahahah.
So, I have only a few more days of bachelorhood. The wedding date is coming and there is definitely some things to worry about. Like, forgetting to tell the hotel what food you want to taste. Thus, when we went there, there was no food to taste. Damn. I thought it was just like any food-tasting. They will have something ready. I guess they cook the food really early in the morning.
There are bridal showers and parties and other weddings to attend. It is interesting to compare the weddings to mine. I hope it is not as hectic, there is not that much drama, etc. As the SO said, she shows up, I show up and the reverend shows up, everything is cool.
Have been playing Civilization III and it does show you why it is fun to conquer the world. I can understand why those Americans ended up colonizing the Philippines. There is a rush of adrenaline as you see the resources in that area, and you look at the competitors and you begin getting paranoid that they will get there first.
Sometimes, you just want to pick a fight with a neighbor because you are more superior in military terms than they are. That's what happened in the last game when France picked a fight against India. It ended up that they were taken out of the continent by the Romans. And of course, I was there to colonize with my settlers.
And sometimes, you would like to trade with them, but they don't have any road or harbor. Definitely, I feel like a sultan trying to navigate my people to civilization. hahahah.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Them SF team sure sucks
Hehehehe. There is some flap over what a radio announcer said about the sf gi*nts. In one respect, the announcer was wrong. All of the gi*nts suck. not just the geographically mentioned ones. barrry---barrryyyy--steroids...steroids. oh wait, phil niekro's son really does not suck. okay, he doesn't suck. and maybe JT Snow. He does not suck. Omar Vizquel can field, but no hit.
Hehehehe. There is some flap over what a radio announcer said about the sf gi*nts. In one respect, the announcer was wrong. All of the gi*nts suck. not just the geographically mentioned ones. barrry---barrryyyy--steroids...steroids. oh wait, phil niekro's son really does not suck. okay, he doesn't suck. and maybe JT Snow. He does not suck. Omar Vizquel can field, but no hit.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
A Cup of Coffee
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got
together to visit their old University of Notre Dame lecturer.
Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
Offering his guests coffee, the lecturer went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, some plain looking
and some expensive and exquisite, telling them to help themselves to hot coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the lecturer said:
"If you noticed, all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving
behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the
best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. What
all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the
better cups and are eyeing each other's cups."
"Now, if Life is coffee, then the jobs, money and position in
society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, but the
quality of Life doesn't change."
"Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee
in it."
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
US EMBASSY (TRUE STORY)
A 70 year old 'lolo' from the province was
accompanied by his grandson
to the US Embassy in Manila for his VISA
interview. The lolo spoke not a
word of English so the grandson
translated for him.
The consul told the young man to ask his
grandfather why he wanted to go
to the States. "Bakit daw ho ninyo gustong
pumunta sa Amerika?" the grandson
translated. "Sabihin mo gusto kong makita
yung mga anak ko doon." "He
said he wants to see his children there." Fair
enough, that's what the lolo's
application indicated.
The consul had another question. "Ask him,
why does he have to go there?
Why can't his children just come and visit him
here?" The grandson translated this in Tagalog.
Lolo replied: Sabihin mo kasi dito
pinanganak yung mga anak ko. Nakita na nila
ang Pilipinas. Gusto ko namang makita ang
Amerika bago ako mamatay." Translation:
"Tell him, my children were born here.
They have seen the Philippines already. I just
want to see America before I die."
The heartless consul was unimpressed as he
declared, devoid of any emotion, that he was
rejecting the visa application because the
applicant was unable to speak a word of
English. "Reject daw yung visa ninyo kasi
hindi daw kayo marunong mag-Ingles."
The lolo was equally unimpressed. "Sabihin
mo ito sa kanya at huwag mong papalitan ang
sasabihin ko. Putang ina niya, bakit
siya nandidito eh hindi naman siya marunong
mag-Tagalog." Translated: "He said: you son
of a bitch, how come you are here...
you do not know how to speak in Tagalog."
Taken aback, sense of humor still intact, the
consul relented and approved lolo's visa
application pronto.
A 70 year old 'lolo' from the province was
accompanied by his grandson
to the US Embassy in Manila for his VISA
interview. The lolo spoke not a
word of English so the grandson
translated for him.
The consul told the young man to ask his
grandfather why he wanted to go
to the States. "Bakit daw ho ninyo gustong
pumunta sa Amerika?" the grandson
translated. "Sabihin mo gusto kong makita
yung mga anak ko doon." "He
said he wants to see his children there." Fair
enough, that's what the lolo's
application indicated.
The consul had another question. "Ask him,
why does he have to go there?
Why can't his children just come and visit him
here?" The grandson translated this in Tagalog.
Lolo replied: Sabihin mo kasi dito
pinanganak yung mga anak ko. Nakita na nila
ang Pilipinas. Gusto ko namang makita ang
Amerika bago ako mamatay." Translation:
"Tell him, my children were born here.
They have seen the Philippines already. I just
want to see America before I die."
The heartless consul was unimpressed as he
declared, devoid of any emotion, that he was
rejecting the visa application because the
applicant was unable to speak a word of
English. "Reject daw yung visa ninyo kasi
hindi daw kayo marunong mag-Ingles."
The lolo was equally unimpressed. "Sabihin
mo ito sa kanya at huwag mong papalitan ang
sasabihin ko. Putang ina niya, bakit
siya nandidito eh hindi naman siya marunong
mag-Tagalog." Translated: "He said: you son
of a bitch, how come you are here...
you do not know how to speak in Tagalog."
Taken aback, sense of humor still intact, the
consul relented and approved lolo's visa
application pronto.
06540004
Captain, My Captain
One of them was a farmer. Someone who planted seeds. The rest were the gardeners. They pruned. The result was approximately 100 alumni who could make a difference in this world. 100 alumni who went to a reunion to pay homage and respect.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
2005 LSQC Grand Reunion, Los Angeles, CA
On a sunny July day in Los Angeles, California about a hundred alumni and eighteen teachers converged on the Aloha Adult Day Health Center. They came from the states of California, Washington, New Jersey, Hawaii, Arizona and New York and from the district of Wasthington D.C. One former teacher and several alumni came from as far as the Philippines to celebrate and mark the first grand reunion for LSQC alumni in the United States.
It is said that all great things start out small. It is true even for this event. The guest of honor was Father Rector Troy de los Santos who served as the rector of LSQC from 1971 to 1979. Father Troy is a member of the Capuchin Order, one of three Franciscan orders. The celebratory grand reunion event started thirty-four years ago when Father Troy was appointed as the first Filipino Rector of LSQC. Thirty odd years later, at the age of sixty-two, Father Troy looked very much as he did when he led LSQC in the 1970's.
As a child, I was in awe of "Father Troy" even though I did not know what "rector" meant. I remember, however, having to confess my sins to Father Troy during the last years of my elementary schooling. He had to listen to more than six classes of adolescent boys confess adolescent sins on a sunny morning. I remember his tired eyes, his monotone voice and his head bobbing as he listened to one embarassed adolescent after another. I still wonder... was that a slight smile when he told me to pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Glory Be to alleviate the weight of my sins?
Perhaps, because I myself am removed more than twenty years from LSQC, I can now see the humor, the humility, and the humanity of Father Troy. He began his homily with "Kung sino ang walang kasalanan, magtaas ng kamay." Of course, no one raised their hand. But the question had set the tone for the celebration. We are not in the grand reunion to simply reminisce and talk about the good old days. We are in the grand reunion to reflect on our life. Specifically, Father Troy expressed his desire for the celebrants to examine their life in the context of the story about the Dead Sea.
There are three seas in the areas of Ancient Israel. The Dead Sea is the largest of the lakes but contains such a high salinity that nothing lives in it. The seas of Galilee and Semechonitis send water to the Dead Sea. However, the seas of Galilee and Semechonitis have abundant life in the form of animals and plants. While the Galilee and Semechonitis gives, the Dead Sea only takes. In the giving, the sea of Galilee and Semechonitis are blessed. In only taking, the Dead Sea is mired in rut.
Father Troy said, "Biniyayaan kayo ng Diyos na makarating sa Amerika. Nakaangat kayo mula sa hirap. Ngayon, iangat ninyo ang hindi pa nakaka-angat." Father Troy closed his homily with "Don't tell me about your plans to help. Go out there and do it." To further emphasize his point, in the part of the Mass where the celebrants wish each other "Peace be with you," Father Troy instead asked us to say "Kaibigan, walang iwanan."
Later in the evening, Father Troy made a speech. He recounted a little history of the school and the story of how he became a rector. Father Troy admitted to making mistakes while rector of LSQC. But he also mentioned that he planted seeds in his nine years as rector. The seeds of thirty years ago have now matured into the alumni who now have a chance to help the poor and the needy. In nine short years, one man who made a difference became a hundred individuals who can affect change in the world.
"Sino ba naman ako? Ako ay nagtanim lamang."
Father Troy de los Santos
On a sunny July day in Los Angeles, California about a hundred alumni and eighteen teachers converged on the Aloha Adult Day Health Center. They came from the states of California, Washington, New Jersey, Hawaii, Arizona and New York and from the district of Wasthington D.C. One former teacher and several alumni came from as far as the Philippines to celebrate and mark the first grand reunion for LSQC alumni in the United States.
It is said that all great things start out small. It is true even for this event. The guest of honor was Father Rector Troy de los Santos who served as the rector of LSQC from 1971 to 1979. Father Troy is a member of the Capuchin Order, one of three Franciscan orders. The celebratory grand reunion event started thirty-four years ago when Father Troy was appointed as the first Filipino Rector of LSQC. Thirty odd years later, at the age of sixty-two, Father Troy looked very much as he did when he led LSQC in the 1970's.
As a child, I was in awe of "Father Troy" even though I did not know what "rector" meant. I remember, however, having to confess my sins to Father Troy during the last years of my elementary schooling. He had to listen to more than six classes of adolescent boys confess adolescent sins on a sunny morning. I remember his tired eyes, his monotone voice and his head bobbing as he listened to one embarassed adolescent after another. I still wonder... was that a slight smile when he told me to pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Glory Be to alleviate the weight of my sins?
Perhaps, because I myself am removed more than twenty years from LSQC, I can now see the humor, the humility, and the humanity of Father Troy. He began his homily with "Kung sino ang walang kasalanan, magtaas ng kamay." Of course, no one raised their hand. But the question had set the tone for the celebration. We are not in the grand reunion to simply reminisce and talk about the good old days. We are in the grand reunion to reflect on our life. Specifically, Father Troy expressed his desire for the celebrants to examine their life in the context of the story about the Dead Sea.
There are three seas in the areas of Ancient Israel. The Dead Sea is the largest of the lakes but contains such a high salinity that nothing lives in it. The seas of Galilee and Semechonitis send water to the Dead Sea. However, the seas of Galilee and Semechonitis have abundant life in the form of animals and plants. While the Galilee and Semechonitis gives, the Dead Sea only takes. In the giving, the sea of Galilee and Semechonitis are blessed. In only taking, the Dead Sea is mired in rut.
Father Troy said, "Biniyayaan kayo ng Diyos na makarating sa Amerika. Nakaangat kayo mula sa hirap. Ngayon, iangat ninyo ang hindi pa nakaka-angat." Father Troy closed his homily with "Don't tell me about your plans to help. Go out there and do it." To further emphasize his point, in the part of the Mass where the celebrants wish each other "Peace be with you," Father Troy instead asked us to say "Kaibigan, walang iwanan."
Later in the evening, Father Troy made a speech. He recounted a little history of the school and the story of how he became a rector. Father Troy admitted to making mistakes while rector of LSQC. But he also mentioned that he planted seeds in his nine years as rector. The seeds of thirty years ago have now matured into the alumni who now have a chance to help the poor and the needy. In nine short years, one man who made a difference became a hundred individuals who can affect change in the world.
"Sino ba naman ako? Ako ay nagtanim lamang."
Father Troy de los Santos
Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me a channel of your peace;
where there is hatred let me bring your love,
where there is injury, your pardon,
where there is doubt, true faith in you;
where there is despair in life let me bring hope,
where there is darkness, only light,
and where there is sadness, ever joy;
O Master grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved, as to love with all my soul!
For it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving of ourselves that we receive,
and in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~
In studying the history of the Catholic Church, I realize now that I was very lucky to go to a school that held St. Francis as its patron saint. I might not have always measured up to the prayer. But maybe from now on, I can.
Lord, make me a channel of your peace;
where there is hatred let me bring your love,
where there is injury, your pardon,
where there is doubt, true faith in you;
where there is despair in life let me bring hope,
where there is darkness, only light,
and where there is sadness, ever joy;
O Master grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved, as to love with all my soul!
For it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving of ourselves that we receive,
and in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~
In studying the history of the Catholic Church, I realize now that I was very lucky to go to a school that held St. Francis as its patron saint. I might not have always measured up to the prayer. But maybe from now on, I can.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Getting Old with God
As I get older, I feel myself going closer to God. Yeah I know, difficult to comprehend.
As I get older, I feel myself going closer to God. Yeah I know, difficult to comprehend.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Target Shooting
As I mentioned, I got pretty decent shots from seven yards away with a Model 10 Smith & Wesson. The SO did much better though. Most of her shots landed at the Level 9. Mine had some spreading to the right side due to my left eye. Once I correctly used the right eye to shoot, my groups got tighter.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Target, target, target star
Seven months ago, a friend had promised that my birthday gift is going to be a day at the gun range. This past Saturday, we managed to focus and were able to go to Jackson Arms in South San Francisco. It is rather difficult to find, but well worth it.
We were at first apprehensive because we were supposed to show that we knew how to disassemble semi-automatic handguns. Well, considering that we had not ever fired semi-automatic weapons, it was not a good sign. All of the classes were full so we could not have taken a class that day. It's a good thing that I mentioned that I had shot a Ruger Blackhawk handgun. It turns out that we could shoot with revolvers because theey were easier and safer.
The SO also joined us for the gun practice. We got some nice orange targets which let us see where the shots landed on the target. Very nice. I started out with some shots that landed on the right side of the target. In the troubleshooting,I realize that I probably was pulling the gun to the right. I then remembered that if the gun was cocked, it was easier to shoot. Well, guess what! It worked. It actually was easier to hit the center mass when I cocked the gun!
Also, I managed to figure out that my right eye is my natural shooting eye. Use the left eye and the bullet goes everywhere else excpet the target. It ended up that I managed to begin hitting the center of mass. I just had to remember that I had to hold the gun steady.
When the SO began shooting, she managed to start hitting the center of mass immediately. Talk about a ringer! She ketp shooting and placing the bullets in the middle of the target. It was awe-inspiring and disturbing at the same time. She was so good that it almost made me feel incompetent. But then again, she is a martial artist teacher. She says that you just have to concentrate and you will be touching the target. Well, it works for her but I have a lot more to travel through before it works.
I guess I didn't realize just how much fun shooting guns can be. Yooohooo!!! It's fun. And I thought I was going to be one of those gun control freaks. It turns out that I'm just a brown redneck!!!
Bwahahahha!
Check out the Smith & Wesson Model 10 or the Model 386 or the Model 64.
Seven months ago, a friend had promised that my birthday gift is going to be a day at the gun range. This past Saturday, we managed to focus and were able to go to Jackson Arms in South San Francisco. It is rather difficult to find, but well worth it.
We were at first apprehensive because we were supposed to show that we knew how to disassemble semi-automatic handguns. Well, considering that we had not ever fired semi-automatic weapons, it was not a good sign. All of the classes were full so we could not have taken a class that day. It's a good thing that I mentioned that I had shot a Ruger Blackhawk handgun. It turns out that we could shoot with revolvers because theey were easier and safer.
The SO also joined us for the gun practice. We got some nice orange targets which let us see where the shots landed on the target. Very nice. I started out with some shots that landed on the right side of the target. In the troubleshooting,I realize that I probably was pulling the gun to the right. I then remembered that if the gun was cocked, it was easier to shoot. Well, guess what! It worked. It actually was easier to hit the center mass when I cocked the gun!
Also, I managed to figure out that my right eye is my natural shooting eye. Use the left eye and the bullet goes everywhere else excpet the target. It ended up that I managed to begin hitting the center of mass. I just had to remember that I had to hold the gun steady.
When the SO began shooting, she managed to start hitting the center of mass immediately. Talk about a ringer! She ketp shooting and placing the bullets in the middle of the target. It was awe-inspiring and disturbing at the same time. She was so good that it almost made me feel incompetent. But then again, she is a martial artist teacher. She says that you just have to concentrate and you will be touching the target. Well, it works for her but I have a lot more to travel through before it works.
I guess I didn't realize just how much fun shooting guns can be. Yooohooo!!! It's fun. And I thought I was going to be one of those gun control freaks. It turns out that I'm just a brown redneck!!!
Bwahahahha!
Check out the Smith & Wesson Model 10 or the Model 386 or the Model 64.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Ka Uro
One IT professional who settled in New Zealand (got it wrong the first time: Australia). Ka uro is the Pin@y Blog of the Day for the 21st day of July, in the year of the Pin@y 2005. Check out the migratory patterns of a Pin@y.
One IT professional who settled in New Zealand (got it wrong the first time: Australia). Ka uro is the Pin@y Blog of the Day for the 21st day of July, in the year of the Pin@y 2005. Check out the migratory patterns of a Pin@y.
Things to Make Me Thankful
As the wedding day approaches, I reflect upon the women who could have been the wife. And I realize that I have a fatal flaw. I used to select, like or be attracted to women with baggage. Women who had parental issues. Women with psychological problems. Women who were arrogant. Women who were selfish. Granted, those women could have changed now as opposed to ten or fifteen years ago. (Just to cover my b*tt).
I remember E who had this magnificent low self-esteem problem emanating from her familial problems. She was beautiful by most modern standards. But, her family screwed her up so much that it was not funny. I wonder if she is herself torturing her children. "You did not do this properly. You should be more like so-and-so. You should be better." The words that parents wield have even greater effect as evidenced by the pscyhology of E.
As an example, one day, she was going nuts over her boyfriend's-ex. Apparently the boyfriend still had some feeling for the ex. She thought it was based on looks. So when I saw the ex, I was surprised. Now that I am nicer, I would call her homely. Back then, I was thinking about not so nice things. How can this person who looks like a television anchorwoman (Connie Young or Julie Chen for those of you younger) be paranoid about a homebody?
I realize now that it is not all outer beauty. Sure, you might be all 10 in the outer, but if your inner beauty is 0, it's a no win situation. So I give thanks to god who has many faces but one truth. Thanks for your blessings, specially the SO.
As the wedding day approaches, I reflect upon the women who could have been the wife. And I realize that I have a fatal flaw. I used to select, like or be attracted to women with baggage. Women who had parental issues. Women with psychological problems. Women who were arrogant. Women who were selfish. Granted, those women could have changed now as opposed to ten or fifteen years ago. (Just to cover my b*tt).
I remember E who had this magnificent low self-esteem problem emanating from her familial problems. She was beautiful by most modern standards. But, her family screwed her up so much that it was not funny. I wonder if she is herself torturing her children. "You did not do this properly. You should be more like so-and-so. You should be better." The words that parents wield have even greater effect as evidenced by the pscyhology of E.
As an example, one day, she was going nuts over her boyfriend's-ex. Apparently the boyfriend still had some feeling for the ex. She thought it was based on looks. So when I saw the ex, I was surprised. Now that I am nicer, I would call her homely. Back then, I was thinking about not so nice things. How can this person who looks like a television anchorwoman (Connie Young or Julie Chen for those of you younger) be paranoid about a homebody?
I realize now that it is not all outer beauty. Sure, you might be all 10 in the outer, but if your inner beauty is 0, it's a no win situation. So I give thanks to god who has many faces but one truth. Thanks for your blessings, specially the SO.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
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