Home After 8 years

It really feels good to see my younger brother Chito (Ramoncito) again after 8 years. He is also joined by wife Linda (Josefina). They arrived from North Carolina, USA last April 11, just in time for son, Alvin's graduation from Nursing school. My brother-in-law Kuya Joe, (husband of my Ate Gigi), also followed the next day.

After about a week's stay in Manila, I invited them to visit Limay for a change. Together with nephews and nieces, they arrived Limay Friday night (April 23). It's good to hear that my brother has finally came out of his shell and developed some liking for karaoke singing. (with the influence of Kuya Joe, I guess). We provided entertainment for the girls, while they drink 'The Bar' mixed with Orange Juice. The next morning, we had a early morning walk towards the Limay sea shore for some fresh air.

As a celebration of sorts (Alvins'Graduation, Chito's and Paolo's Birthdays), Kuya Joe invited us for a Mango picking picnic at his portion of the farm. He prepared a really big feast by slaughtering 2 goats and a cow. We had Kare kare, Mechado, Beef with Mushroom, and Bulalo. (Sarrrap!!!) Thanks to Sanseng Maria (Susan's sister), who had to stay awake almost overnight for the meat to be tender. Chito and Linda likewise contributed for the drinks, pancit malabon, shrimp, labor fees, etc.

The venue of the affair was the common area of the farm. (the lot where the St. Jerome Chapel and the swimming pool is located.) As usual the kids enjoyed swimming in our modest but private pool. I have to bring our videoke for added recreation. Alfonso 13 brandy was courtesy of Kuya Andrew and the beer was courtesy of Jaidol and Kuya Joe.

It's nice to see Chito and Linda seeing long lost relatives and additional members (our grandchildren from Ate Meling and Kuya Andrew) of the family. Herewith are pictures of the event. Happy Viewing!

Araw ng Kagitingan ng Bataan

Hello Guys! I’m finally back. I know this topic is kinda late but I can’t let this pass without sharing my thoughts about why this day is very important to me. I wonder what is the f___ing idea behind the law changing Bataan Day to Araw ng Kagitingan.

I was watching the news in GMA-7 last April 9, and in one news segment, the reporter was asking common people on the street on why this day, April 9, is called Araw ng Kagitingan. Being a Bataeno, it really hurts that only 2 out of about 10 who were interviewed answered correctly. People have already forgotten the valiant stand of thousands of Filipinos defending Bataan from the advancing Japanese Imperial Forces for more than three months, despite lack of logistics, until they finally surrendered on April 9, 1942.

The last stand of USAFFE Forces in the Philippines was code named by General Douglas Mc Arthur as War Plan Orange-3 (WPO-3). This was a pre-war plan to retreat to the Bataan Peninsula, regroup, fortify and hold defensive lines across the peninsula, until the U.S. Pacific Fleet could be mustered at full strength. Without this stand, the Japanese might have quickly overrun all of the U.S. bases in the Pacific. Bataan forced them to slow down, giving the allies valuable time to prepare for conflicts such as the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, which followed closely thereafter.

Ultimately, more than 60,000 Filipino and 15,000 American prisoners of war were forced into the infamous 60- mile Bataan Death March. My late father had many stories of how he (who was still in his early teens) witnessed the gruesome long line of the Death March as they likewise walked from Limay to Orani, Bataan and rode a banca towards Manila. They too had to leave Limay which was completely burned by Japanese forces.

Allow me to quote the radio broadcast aired by the Voice of Freedom at the Malinta Channel in Corregidor in the morning of April 9, 1942.

“Bataan has fallen. The Philippine-American troops on this war-ravaged and bloodstained peninsula have laid down their arms. With heads bloody but unbowed, they have yielded to the superior force and numbers of the enemy.


The world will long remember the epic struggle that Filipino and American soldiers put up in the jungle fastness and along the rugged coast of Bataan. They have stood up uncomplaining under the constant and grueling fire of the enemy for more than three months. Besieged on land and blockaded by sea, cut off from all sources of help in the Philippines and in America, the intrepid fighters have done all that human endurance could bear.

For what sustained them through all these months of incessant battle was a force that was more than merely physical. It was the force of an unconquerable faith--something in the heart and soul that physical hardship and adversity could not destroy! It was the thought of native land and all that it holds most dear, the thought of freedom and dignity and pride in these most priceless of all our human prerogatives.

The adversary, in the pride of his power and triumph, will credit our troops with nothing less than the courage and fortitude that his own troops have shown in battle. Our men have fought a brave and bitterly contested struggle. All the world will testify to the most superhuman endurance with which they stood up until the last in the face of overwhelming odds. But the decision had to come. Men fighting under the banner of unshakable faith are made of something more that flesh, but they are not made of impervious steel. The flesh must yield at last, endurance melts away, and the end of the battle must come. Bataan has fallen, but the spirit that made it stand--a beacon to all the liberty-loving peoples of the world--cannot fall!”

Jesus' Face in Brunei?

Greetings! Here I am again. As Lenten reflection, I cant help but share to you what I posted last year in Facebook. I will just paste it here...


About more than 2 years ago, when I was just learning the wonders of Google earth, I became curious about how big and opulent are the mansions and palaces of the richest families of the world. So, while I was scanning the palaces of King Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, I chanced upon this weird ground formation, which is just about 4 km south of the Brunei International Airport.
I was stunned, for I instantly recognized the Face of Jesus Christ! The bushes are so arranged to form what resembles as the hair, beard, and shadows. The terrain somehow was shaped to form the contours of the face. Is this man-made? I tried to search in the internet but there is no such place in Brunei. And why would a predominantly Muslim country be inclined to do this? What does this mean? Is this a message from God? I tried many times until now to reopen the site, it is still there... Just to make sure I am not going crazy or something, please try looking for it at Google Earth yourselves...the coordinates are:
4 deg 54’ N Latitude; 114 deg 56’E Longitude
If you are not used to this, at the search tab, under ‘fly to’, try typing “Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam”, then look for the airport, then scan southwards about 4 kms, and on the eastern side of a river that flows southwards from the airport, you’ll find the “face” within a circulating loop road, all the more making the ‘face’ more radiant.
Advanced Happy Easter to Everyone!

Holy Week in Limay, Bataan

For me, there’s no other better place to stay during the Holy Week than in Bataan. I believe the Holy Week should be a time of reflection on Jesus’ sufferings, and not a time to enjoy the white beaches or the cool mountain breeze of Baguio and Tagaytay. Hence, it has been our tradition to go home to Bataan at this time of the year.
We were supposed to leave for Bataan on Holy Wednesday, but we had to make an important visit to my sister Marie in Cavite, so we have to leave the next day. We thought that this would also be an advantage since we would no longer be caught up with the traffic on the highway. We were expecting that those going home to the provinces already left in the afternoon of Holy Wednesday, since it was declared a half-day holiday.
On the contrary, traffic was still heavy even on the NLEX and the SCTEX, especially at the toll gates. I deduced that these vehicles’ destinations are either Subic, Clark or Baguio. Gone are the days when we treat the Holy Week as a time for spiritual retreat on the provinces.
After a three hour stopover at Guiguinto, Bulacan, where I attended an important business meeting, We finally arrived Limay, Bataan, at about 3pm. As usual, it's good to see old faces again during the Holy Week.
Religious traditions are still alive in Limay, Bataan. We still have the Pabasa (although it is slowly diminishing), the Senakulo on the streets, the long line of processions during Holy Wednesday, Good Friday(there are quite a number of images of the passion of Jesus Christ), and the Salubong during Easter Dawn. There are also various penitents, the flagellants, the cross bearers of many sorts.
Unfortunately, this year, we were unable to observe the Visita Iglesia because of Nanays' condition. (She's on a wheelchair due to Osteoporosis at the hip) Churches in Bataan seem to have a competition of some sort in the decorations made on the altar. Visiting these churches make you want to stay long. Some have dim lighting with enchanting background music. Some with beautiful landscaped gardens with flowing waters. Very beautiful.
I am not sure though if there is still a singing contest on Black Saturday Evening for children, the winner of which shall receive a cash prize plus the honor to act as the angel who, while singing a long latin alleluia song, will remove the black veil of Mother Mary during the commencement of the Salubong procession.
It's Easter now, we're about to return to reality tomorrow. It really feels good to have made a retreat again. Happy Easter everyone!

My Son's Recognition Day 2010

Last Sunday, March 28, 2010, We attended the Recognition Day of my son Paolo, who just completed 1st year of HS, at Bataan Montessori School. His cousins Joanne and Paulette tagged along. Paolo received three medals, namely, Excellence in Math, Computer Literacy, and an honor medal being one of the top 10 pupils in the special class.
The ceremonies were soooo long, that we left as soon as Paolo got his medals.
On that same day, my cousin Jaime (owner of JAD Farmville), threw a party for his brother Boyet, who just turned 50. (Boyet is mentally challenged since birth) We were a bit late because of the Recognition Rites, but there's still so much food to eat. Lucky me I don't have to spend for Paolo's blowout. Hahahaha!
I commend Jaime and wife Yna for having Boyet on the limelight after 50 years. Since the death of Auntie Letty (1996?), the couple have continued to take care of him. Boyet had already outlived more than 4 times the Doctors' estimate of his lifetime which is 11 years.
It was good to see many relatives and friends. As usual, I was persuaded to take a few drinks. It was indeed a busy weekend last week. I was not able to do my usual weekend chores(a long stay in the farm, some workshop jobs and help in my wife's small cafe' business).