25TH IS SILVER AND IS FOREVER

We started as friends, then as lovers and ended up as a couple and tomorrow Nette and I will celebrate our 25 Wedding Anniversary. I knew we'll last this long, but, as with other marriages that last, it wasn't always easy, but, it wasn't very bad either. It had our share of problems, joys and hardships. Through it all it is a happy partnership. Through it all, we survive and will continue live together till we don't know each other anymore. That's a joke. Or till I get older and older. And that one is true. This song says it all. I hope your marriages will be a long, happy and loving one.

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

A faded wedding photograph
You and me in our first steps
The lives of those
We lost in the sweet abyss
Though the faithful world has changed
But our love remains the same
God know we've had our share of saving grace.

And I'm proud of all the blessings
You have given me
The mountains we have climbed to get this far
You learn to take the laughter with the tears
After all these years.

You make it feel brand new
After the trials that we've gone through
Against the odds we never lost our faith
In our hearts we've made our home
Where our children all have grown
Precious moments time cannot erase.

We've been livin' up and down the dixie highways
Seasons that we've learned to share apart
Somehow in my heart I always keep you near me
After all these years.

After all these years
You stood by me
Those days and nights that I was gone
After all these years
You sacrificed, believe in me
And you stood strong
Cause with our love there's nothing left to fear
After all these years.

After all these years
You stood by me
Those days and nights I was gone
After all these years
You sacrifices, believe in me
And you stood strong
Cause with our love there's nothing to fear
After all these years.

PLANNING FOR THE 25TH

Last Saturday the 12th, Nette and I went to our parish office to inquire about renewing wedding vow or a short blessing by our parish priest, Father Peter. Our 25th wedding anniversary is on the 23rd, but ceremony will be on the 26th. At the end of the Mass, Father Peter will call us in front of the altar and the parishioners, give his blessing and maybe he'll tell me to kiss the bride again. After which we'll have a reception with a very few relatives and closed friends at Hana's. You are invited and wish you could be here with us to share our joy of a long and happy marriage.

Flashback to the morning of 1983 at The Holy Redeemer Parish in Quezon City, where we were first married. Sidelights were: Mabelle was our flower girl; limo was provided by our good friend and classmate, Benjie; clothes designed by Rey Manago and photography and video by our godfather, Danny. And did you know, my hair was almost done by SuperCuts with my hair cut short and curly, which they said would look good on me. And it was only when Nette saw me that it's a bad idea, so I had them straightened just in time for the wedding. And it was a wise decision, I was, and still, very proud of my wife and that we were sharing the moment with all for love ones--family, friends, classmates and neighbors. Reception, if you still remember was held at The Aberdeen Court in West Triangle.

Looking back at it now, I always know that I made the right decision in getting married to this amazing, wonderful and beautiful and very loving woman for we have stayed together for 25 years. Our marriage had its hard times, but most, it had more of the good times. May we last for the next 25 years and I hope you all will be there, still. But, on the night of the 23rd, Nette and I will be by ourselves having dinner at Macy's World restaurant. I'll post about this next.

REMEMBERING ATE ROSIE

Ate Rosie passed away last month after a long medical battle as Ima Migring years ago and Impong Lucia many many years ago.
I can still remember hearing Ate Rosie's voice from her house in Wawa, Bataan, calling out Resty, her eldest son who is a good 500 feet away to come home. She supported her family doing manicuring and cutting hair of women from her barrio. Later, she would sell insurance plans and whatever jobs she can take. It was in these ways that she was able to send her children to school and now all her hard work have paid off. Some of them are well-off.

She was always the Santacrusan Queen stylist and dance teacher. She was always cheerful and I was always welcome to have lunch or dinner at their house when I spent my summers during my high school and college days. Her house then was made entirely of bamboo slat flooring where one can see the ground below. And it was also in her house where she said we can see spirits who show up in the eyes of little children like us. And that thought have always scared us, so we must behave whenever we're there. Now, I learned that her house is the biggest and most modern, which I have never seen for myself.

The photo above is a sculpture of St. Rachel in our Mission San Luis Rey parish. St. Rachel is said to have waited for her children and was sadden when they haven't returned to her. But, it's now us, her nephews and children, who feel sadden that we won't be able to see and feel her love and kindness. Rest in peace and may her wait for us to be united again be a joyful event with God at her side always. Thank you for being there for me when sometimes I'll just show up in your house unannounced.