Hola! Hello! Mabuhay!

My apologies... I don't intend to make this site dormant.... After the hang-over over Spain's victory in EUFA, last week's visit to my parents, an out of town trip, beating tax deadlines, I have to pause for a while...

Now I'm back...

To start-off let me share this funny story sent by my colleague about baked beans. After reading, please control the gas...

Baked Beans

One day I met a sweet gentleman and fell in love. When it became apparent that we would marry, I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up eating beans.

Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on the way home from work. Since I lived in the countryside, I called my husband and told him that I would be late because I had to walk home. On my way, I passed by a small diner and the odour of baked beans was more than I could stand.

With miles to walk, I figured that I would walk off any ill effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the dinner and before . I knew it, I had consumed three large orders of baked beans. All the way home, I made sure that I released all the gas. Upon my arrival, my husband seemed excited to see me and exclaimed delightedly: 'Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight.' He then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table. I took a seat and just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang. He made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned and went to answer the call.

The baked beans I had consumed were still affecting me and the pressure was becoming most unbearable, so while my husband was out of the room I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill. I took my napkin from my lap and fanned the air around me vigorously. Then, shifting to the other cheek, I ripped off three more. The stink was worse than stinking cabbage. Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on like this for another few minutes. The pleasure was indescribable. When eventually the telephone farewells signalled the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on it feeling very relieved and pleased with myself. My face must have been the picture of innocence when my husband returned, apologizing for taking so long. He asked me if I had peeked through the blindfold, and I assured him I had not. At this point, he removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests seated around the table chorused: 'Happy Birthday!' I nearly died!

EUROCOPA 2008 LA CAMPEONA ESPAÑA LEVANTA LA COPA

Por fin, despues 44 anos, La Copa esta ya en Espana! VIVA ESPANA!

España campeones de europa de fútbol 2008

VIVA ESPANA!

Homenaje a España - Euro 2008

Por Fin!!!

Somos Hermanos (Part 3 of 3 parts)

Somos Hermanos
(We Are Brothers)
As we approach the threshold of the next chapters of our lives as mid-aged men, I began to think if time and distance have changed me and my only brother Guilberto. Once young farm boys who had been so identical in so many ways, I asked myself, is my brother still a copy of me or am I still a replica of him…?


After the New Year’s revelries, life went back to normal in our sleepy town, though kids were still talking about it, of how they loved their presents so much, of how they swore that they will never get their stuffed toys and dolls soiled, of how they wished it would be the same or even better come next Christmas. Hearing them say this inspired me to keep on doing this year after year. God willing, this would be my lifetime mission!

A few days left before returning to Manila, we made some revelations regarding our individual plans for the future. Brother said he is moving to the USA and try life in the Big Apple. He was preparing for some State Licensure Examinations in some US States. Just two weeks ago, he called to say that he got his ticket to practice his career in the State of California.

Hearing his plans, I realized, he’s not coming back in the near future to stay in the Philippines for good. He still wants to see the world. Though he’s been to so many places in Europe and a few in Africa, I believe his eyes are now focused in the Americas. He never losses his sense of wonder in travelling. “Ahh! Just like me. Just like me,” I thought.

I should say at present, we are heading towards opposite directions. While he is moving much further from our birthplace, I could see that my path is headed towards coming back to the farm where we grew up. Father is semi-retired now. Being the only son left in the country, it is just a matter of time that the burden of continuing the legacy of my great grand mother Engracia would be placed on my shoulder.

Just lately, I infused additional capital to modernize the farm equipment, taught my parents some smart techniques on procurement, leased long term and bought some more pieces of agricultural lands.

A day before our departure, he showed his collections of stamps, coins and paper currencies. Oh my! He is still into it. And he’s got rarer and more precious stuff too which could cost a fortune especially the gold coins he bought in an auction in London. In my case, it’s been years since I stopped doing that. I stopped not because I lost interest in it but because at the moment I don’t have extra time to focus my attention to it.

We shared our travel experiences, showed our travel photos, talked about his new found friends and mine too. Though I still haven’t met his new circle of friends, I do hope and pray that he is in good company.

One amusing revelation I learned is that we are both very much concerned of our looks. We both go to the gym trying to keep fit. We both love clothes and find pleasure in shopping. And the funny part is, we both keep our grey hair from coming out. But he likes to keep his hair long, while I still sport a clean-cut look.

Having changed his citizenship from Filipino to British, my brother in some ways had changed also. He now prefers European cuisine but never forgets the old Filipino delicacies. He can speak English with a very good British accent, likes to watch football games and adores David Beckham but dislikes Cristiano Ronaldo of the Manchester United for his antics. In my case I am seriously learning Spanish at Instituto Cervantes to resurrect the dead language of the family. I am bias to Spanish and Latino players like Iker, Cesc, Messi, and Ronaldinho but I like Cristiano Ronaldo.

Being single in our late 30’s, both of us are still not prepared to say goodbye to our freedom as bachelors. Though I am now engaged and wanting to have kids soon, Big Bro finds contentment in his two lovely Persian cats. He loves them.

Time and age may have changed us physically, foreign cultures may have influenced and changed our lifestyles a bit, money and practice of profession may have varying impacts on our perspectives in life but I would say these are superficial things which never changed the real persons in us. Old family values like love and care for parents and the constant desire to keep the family intact amidst all inequities are still alive and burning in our hearts. Distance may have separated us physically but the tie that binds us since we were kids is still strong. It is deeply anchored in our hearts, sealed with LOVE, for in the end LOVE will prevail.

Somos Hermanos ( Part 2 of 3 parts)

Somos Hermanos
(We Are Brothers)

As we approach the threshold of the next chapters of our lives as mid-aged men, I began to think if time and distance have changed me and my only brother Guilberto. Once young farm boys who had been so identical in so many ways, I asked myself, is my brother still a copy of me or am I still a replica of him…?

My brother’s homecoming decision was long overdue. Mom was happy but it seemed that the old man was happier. He had his two sons back at the farm where he raised them. The farm is his sanctuary. He can’t trade it for the world. He was educated in Manila courtesy of the US Armed Forces because grandfather was once a Captain who fought side by side with the Gringos against the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. After the war my aunts migrated to the US. My father returned to our hometown and continued the century-old family sugar business, and raised his own family there. Lanie, my sister who is now based in New York wanted my parents to migrate to the US but was unsuccessful in convincing them.

And so when I and Guilberto went home in December, the festive mood was evident in the air. Mom’s old China resurfaced. Brother’s gold and silver plated spoons, forks and knives from Europe were once again inventoried and polished for the festivities. Goats and fowls slaughtered, lechon was prepared. Guilberto’s wine selections from Europe were poured but the old man and his peers preferred to have their old favourite whisky and beer.

Amidst all these, for me no amount of preparations could give me much thrill than being joyful and melancholic at the same time. The sweet smell of the grass, the music created by the wind-blown sugar cane leaves, the chirping of birds, the barking of dogs, the sight of endless greens, the presence of my family, all these brought back sweet memories of my childhood years. Indeed, there is no place like home.

Not only the whole family got excited as December 25 was nearing but also the two warring groups of kids from the nearby communities. One group is composed of sons and grandsons of sugar workers who had been working with our family dating back to the time of my great grand mother who started it all. They live in the place they call “minuro” or a small village. The other group is composed of the children living along the road, most of them are off-springs of migrant sugar workers from the neighbouring towns and provinces. They live in “pucatod” or a community in the higher grounds. These groups only get along well every Christmas and New Year during the annual fiesta I organize for them in our courtyard.

The kids already new that four jumbo boxes containing chocolates, candies, clothes and toys from UK arrived as early as November. News spread quickly that lots of surprises were in store for them. Then the day came. I myself was surprised! Big Bro wore a Santa suit through out the program. I laughed at the sight of a young Santa Claus!

When we were kids, brother and I were Santa believers. One December, he gave me Santa’s address. We mailed by post our letters containing our Christmas wishes. I asked for a toy train. It didn’t arrive.

New Year came. We led the lighting of fire crackers and fireworks with farm kids in the middle of the newly harvested and cleared sugar field. Everybody was happy! Laughters, claps and cheers echoed in the air as we welcomed 2008. It was a wonderful moment for me. This time there was a duo giving children and neighbours a holiday treat just like the old days, my brother and me.
(With part 3 of 3 parts)

Somos Hermanos (fotos)

Me and Big Bro in Disney Orlando

Guilberto and Sam

Me and Kay