KUYA MEETS SAN DIEGO, PART 1

After talking about it for about 12 months and since 1991 when Da Kuy visited us, he finally came last July. He was excited to see us and of course what San Diego has to offer. And offer was what we did. First, was a late lunch with me at West Buffet. We had fun and talked about what had happened in our lives. The menu was OK, but I told him we'll try the Chinese dishes only. For the next day we treated him to dinner of our favorite Japanese resto at Hana's in Oceanside where customers are welcome with a strike of a big gong .Kuya was able to taste "The Boat", a selection of best Niponggo fare. He sure did enjoy eating here, after having nothing to eat after he left Brasil, and we went home still talking about things we've missed out. We had BBQ at Our Grill
at home which he has been hearing and seeing in this blog. The next day, he left for R.P., but not after we had another lunch at Panda Express at the Carlsbad Outlet and a day's tour of the brand name stores like Polo Ralph Lauren, Lascoste, Coach, DKNY, Gap, Banana Republic, etc. Of all things to buy, Da Kuy bought for himself a money bag at Samsonite that showed his practicality and wisdom that I have came him to know.

It wasn't for long that he will be back for a longer period come August and we indeed waited for him with excitement, again.

WHERE ART THOU BROTHER, 55 ?

Historically parents name their children after persons they admire, emulate, wish they were like them or simply hoping their children would be worthy of such prestigious name. Lydia and Pabling named their first born son, Socrates, the great Greek philosopher. So, you have an idea why they give him that name. Your guess is good as mine. Just kidding, bro! Later thru my Kuya's life, he was known by many names. First was as Boy, which is explanatory given by my parents followed by Soc. He was Jess, named after the Filipino famous action star, Jess Lapid, during his high school and basketball days, by his friends. Then, he was called Jericho, which if I'm not mistaken was given to him after watching the movie with the same title.

And did you know our names initials stands for owners, we wish, of airline companies like Kuya's SAL of Singapore Air Lines, me, PAL of Philippine Air Lines and Lynn's JAL of Japan Air Lines and also of Mabelle's MAL of Malaysian Air Lines. I only wish that's true, so, we won"t have a hard seeing each other often!

But, to us, he's always been Kuya, Tagalog for Eldest Son. Me as Diko for the Second Son and Lynn as Sangko for the Third Son.
He's always been the the third breadwinner in the family. He's the one who bought my first real Nikon camera, which I still have, that started my love for photography and later videography. He's been the tough and solid, disciplinarian brother, but, he can also be the loving one, especially when he started getting older. A loving father and husband and most of a appreciative and caring son and brother. And not long from now a great and proud father-in-law and grandfather.

And what does your fifty-five years in this earth say? That is--you have kept your name, Socrates, a dignified, respected and wise person that you have been. May you continue to do well for your grandchildrens" sake and for us. HAPPY HAPPY 55TH BIRTHDAY FROM US. Always take care and prayerfully ask God for safety. We are excited to celebrate it here and in the Philippines.

Note: I used the same picture of the my cake to remind you that we are indeed The Three Muskateers: "All For One and One for All."