KEEPING UP WITH THE JOURNEY

Last November 2007, I saw a GMA PinoyTV segment of SOP (Sobrang Okay Party) where the host was interviewing a Filipino rock singer who was invited to audition for the 70's icon melodic Rock group called Journey who became popular back in the Philippines with the song, Open Arms, which I mistook as being sung by Air Supply. In the next Saturday's show the Pinoy singer got his wish and dream of being named as the lead singer of the American band and his name is Arnel Pineda.

Then, last March, I give credit to my good brother-in-law, Fletcher for emailing me a You Tube clip of Arnel's first concert with Journey in Chile. I became an instant fan and also a You Tuber and followed his own progress and wasn't disappointed that he's still getting better and better. And at the same time, stay the humble guy that one of our best friends and classmates know way back Arnel's Shakey's Pizza nights. I have since supported him by buying multiple quantities of their lastest CD/DVD album called Revelation, together with the Tour t-shirts which I gave away as gifts to my relatives and friends. And boy were my friends were estatic to receive them. So, naturally, what would follow was my wish that I see them live in concert as I keep tub of where they are with their European and US tours.

And my following stopped when we went to on a trip back to the Pinas. What I didn't know was it wasn't to stop there for into our second week there, we got to see Agnes and Carrie again. And with them this time was Nanie, also one of our longtime friend and a livelong Pinoy rock and roll fan from Kamuning. And who also comes from that place, you guess it, no other than Arnel Pineda. I was really happy to see them again just as such, but, what enliven our meeting, which lasted till 3 am and another night the next day, more was the stories about her knowing Arnel well. She also was telling us if Goya, another friend of us, can provide good security, Nanie can get Arnel to do a surprise appearance at Goya's new bar and that would surely get more customers to patronize it. Journey will surely have an Asian, including the Philippines, tour, so, I might, go back earlier than I intend to do. Wow,huh?

Now, I'm just happy to listen to his voice at you Tube, at my I-pod Nano and last Friday I discovered this palm-size Journey MP3 player. It was amazing for being a player with video lyrics, a voice recorder, an external speaker and earphone with surprisingly good quality sound. A ZVUE brand. it comes with a pre-loaded Journey's new Revelation 22 songs. Wow! There's northing else to do but charge that thing and listen, just as I do now as I post this.

Note:: After sleeping at 4 am this morning searching the You Tube and if you amazed at Arnel's voice, I found out these videos posted by EMKE and Puppyjlo and you will really be wow by these guys as you will also be proud and happy for Charice when she'll be guesting at Celine Dion's Madison Square Gardens in NY.

ALL GOOD TRIPS MUST END

Sadly, their U.S. trip must end. It was short and it was long in ways I could think now--was there places we we're not able to show, was there things we were not able to do. You bet we had lots. But what was important that we get to spend precious time with my good brother and his equally charming wife. Time that would be in our minds to reminiscence with longing and happy thoughts only. As they head back to their real life and us to ours, we wish them the best of health, away from physical and mental harm. Take care always and we will also for there will be other times like these that we are going to be looking forward to. I didn't have to wave long to them goodbye cause deep in my heart I still wish they wouldn't have to go. And they didn't have to look long to see us leave. And that was their journey. A journey that will continue. And another journey for me as I follow THE Journey again to pass the time here till I don't know where I'll end up. Please keep up with me as I do so.

BRUNCH AT MIMI'S

The morning before Da Kuy and Te Liz left for Brasil, we treated them to a brunch at Mimi's after the Sunday Mass. Needlessly to say, all of us enjoyed the food ala New Orleans style and Bourbon resto amniance. There's also a viewpoint with power binocular at the Batiquitos Lagoon off Highway 78 and Ineterstate 5. And what would be a trip to America without a visit to Walmart Store, the world largest retail store.

From the SS Midway aircraft carrier and the Bob Hope Memorial Park, we went home and the next day heard mas at the San Luis Rey Mission church, the largest and antiquated of all the mission chain from Southern to Northern California.

CABRILLO NATIONAL PARK

We then trekked, in my MPV that is, to the Cabrillo National Park, situated 2,000 feet above level and nestled at the mouth of San Diego Bay, we certainly had a feel what Spanish voyajer, Juan Cabrillo did then. It offers a wide view of the downtown San Diego, the Coronado Island on the left and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean on the right depending on where one stands near the Old Lighthouse that was not shown here because the park closed at 5 pm when we got there.

A SAN DIEGO LIFE

A DAY IN PARIS

Next on our stop was a trip to the world famous Eiffel Tower with Kuya and me toying around with the balloon.

SIGHTING ROMAN'S VIEWS

A MANHATTAN STREET SCENE