MY SISTER'S CALIFORNIA BREAK

Our summer officially started when my sister, who we haven't seen in ten years, and her hubby, billy and son, Julius arrived from PA. So, you could see our excitement and theirs, too, especially Julius who already felt at ease with us when Gino and I met them at the airport on June 28 afternoon. The following days started with late night talks of catching up with have happened to us both thru the years. The next day was a swim in the Carlsbad state beach, a lunch at In N Out, strawberry picking at the field near the outlet and dinner at home and more talk.

Next, they did the California Pass of four amusement parks, with Mabelle driving my van on the following weekdays. Parks like Disneyland, California Adventure, Universal Studios, San Diego Zoo and Sea World on the 4th of July. They were back shortly for a swim at our common pool and another outside dinner at Hawaiian Ohana resto and a meal at El Toritos. I'm sure they had a great time as sure as we did in hosting them. They deserved the break cause after this they will again be busy with their lives.

July 4th, we had a small bbq and chat time at our patio while watching a televised Macy's Fireworks Display in NY. Another sightseeing followed the next day to the harbor and the pier. They left on July 6th and it was another sad day for us and the same for Julius who said he'd like to stay behind. Hehehe. The cutie really love his stay with us. But, that departure was replaced with joy again with Kuya's arrival from Brasil. Abangan ang susunod na post ko or mga post na darating.

THE SUMMER CONCERTS, PART 3

In the U.S. this year, summer started to caught fire musically with the re-emergence of Journey with their new Filipino lead singer named Arnel Pineda, formerly of the Amo and Zoo band. And how wow the European and American fans with his "soaring rock tenor" with many sold-out concerts. And to think he was performing in Hongkong and R.P. for 25 years and still relatively unknown with the masses!!! Last January I saw an interview with Arnel, on Pinoy TV, saying he auditioned and got the gig with Journey and nobody didn't take notice. Now, the whole world knows and hear and will continue to hear, i hope, for years to come. He is that good. Take his friend from way back before college days, Nanie, who I happened to know then as a good classmate and later as good friend with Nette and our group in Shakey's Manila days.

Needless to say, I have come to follow Arnel's ascent to rock stardom like the other singers I've liked. But, the new Journey band is something else. They're a very likeable and clean guys, musically and personality-wise. Thanks, in a way, to Arnel's very humble and level-headed demeanor that the older members give praise and credit to Arnel for making be better.
And boy I spend late nights and mornings searching for the latest video posts of his concerts at Chile to his latest U.S. city tours. With which Nette have gotten jealous that I spend more hours in the evening than her. LOL. She just doesn't know or not interested on how much Arnel's gone thru and accomplished in just a short time. Besides, most times I don't like the Marimars, Dysebels and Bakekangs TV shows anymore which seems to have the same plots and actors. They're better shows, but, as my attention span diminishes as I grow older, I just tired of them. For me, now, You Tube is the place to watch which before was I thought was just for people who have nothing to do but watch somebody else's forbidden life on video.

I have been "You Tubing" eversince and was just cut for a while when we went back for a vacation in R.P. last month. The happiness that I felt attending the first wedding of my immediate family there and seeing them again was no match to the joy of learning that Nanie knows my idol. Family is family and should come first as I have come to know from my extended family here. But, my musical family is also of who I am and what makes me happy, too. With this belief comes from what Mommy said years ago: "He who doesn't know how to sing doesn't have a soul". So what are you waiting for, Grab a mike! I'll be posting more of our vacations later. Thanks for your patience.

MY SUMMER CONCERTS, PART 2

When I moved to the States with my family in 1987, I left behind many fond and happy memories of my adolescence and adulthood accompanied by songs and music I have come to love. And it was two summers later on that I felt sad and longing and felt happy and lived thru my life away from loved ones from the Philippines by listening to the music of the Lettermen, the Tiongco Brothers of R.P.!. Music of Barry Manilow then by the all-time favorites of Basil Valdez, Jose Mari Chan and the minus one of the Manila Sound which includes Cinderella, Hotdog, Circus Band, Hajji Alejandro, Janet Basco and others.

Later, when Gino would hear the music of Jose Mari Chan, he would ask me if that was my voice singing in the CD player. And I would tell him yes. Konting yabang, ano? He really knows when he hears a good voice, I guess. For in the early 90's we were able to get our LD (Laser Disc) multiplex karaoke player. And boy did we used on late in the morning on ends. So much so that every party we had then had a karaoke session and years later till now it graduated into the MagicSing karaoke. Dito nahasa ang pagkanta ko nang husto (whether they like it or not). Yabang again.

I kept on singing and believing. It's not that I believe I was good enough, but, for me, singing has become an outlet of showing my feelings (love, sadness, longing and dreaming) thru the lyrics of the songs. And now this summer comes my rediscovery of the music of Journey Band, Arnel Pineda, Zoo, Sabado Boys and Freestyle.

MY SUMMER CONCERTS

It's summertime here. Time to relax on the patio chair listening to my CD player. Savoring the light breeze and chirping of birds and looking up the near perfect blue skies. And spending lazy afternoon hours with Nette and starting a barbecue later in the night. What else can make my summers here enjoyable and memorable? And that would be going to one or two city concerts they hold here for free. They call it concerts at the park offered for the families in the neighborhood. The last one we attended was a jazz concerts by a local band. I have always remembered my summers with songs. Songs that have accompanied the joy and heartaches of my life.

I remember my summer when I was a little boy my mother would bribe with chocolate or money if I dance the tune "Five Foot Two". I would even attempted to sing, though not often for I was a very shy. But, I've always admire and love Mommy when she sings. Then when I was in grade school, our community would hold a party showcasing the different families who lived there by performing a number. She chose for us and my brothers to sing Carpenters' "Top of the World" and my Mom's favorite song. And I think we won a prize, although I'm not sure now, but what I know it was a "hard" song to sing, what with her doing the second voice. And that would have been my likeness for singing and songs that carried thru my college days and the present.

In my varsity days, I have attended Blood, Sweat and Tears concert at the Araneta Coliseum, even though I could only afford a general admission seat, so far away from the stage I couldn't see the singers' faces. Binoculars wasn't used then. Or even though now I can't remember their songs. But, I do remember the music of Deodato, like "Odyssey Space 2001" and " Spratsaratusta" or something. I even bought their LP (Long Playing) record which I played in our enormous Pioneer stereo system and speakers! The other concert that MADE my summer was Angela Bofill's "Angelita" (Angel Of The Morning), both of them again at the Araneta Coliseum.

In my junior year, I was discovering jazz music that I saw Lito Molina's, a saxophonist, at the Goethe House, a German cultural venue showing experimental film, music and paintings, in Espana Extension. And would you believe Lito was one of my father's classmates at UST (University of Santo Tomas) where i also graduated. Boy was he as good as Dave Grusin when he plays "Take Five" among other tunes which is now still popular.

And who would beat my love and fondnest of OPM (Original Pilipino Music) popularized by three Ateneo college students, Danny, Jim and Buboy, collectively known as the APO Hiking Society. Although I didn't see them perform LIVE, I've followed their careers for years. Songs and singers have again enliven and engrossed my summer this year. I'll write about them next.

HAWAIIAN DINNER

As the sun was still out and the weather perfect outdoors, we have dinner at the curbside area in front of the store. Mind you, the food are not for dieters like Nette, who always seem to say she FULL again after eating such sumptuous menu. As for Julius he was in heaven with his Round Table pepperoni pizza size extra small he had to wait for 20 minutes. But, it was all worth it for him and so is the day we spent today with his parents, Mabelle and Billy. So much fun we didn't want it to end and go to sleep. And more so because Nette, Gino and I had to work the next day. Monday morning I was sluggish and feeling a little tired after a happy day with family. Wait for more posts after they get home from their L.A. Disneyland and Universal Studios side trips.

STRAWBERRY FIELD FOR A BUCKET

After a shopping spree, Julius was ready to experience how fun it is to pick his own strawberries not from the A&P store in PA.
And the whole field was his to explore as most tourists have done in the last months. The fruits were delicious so we made a smoothie when we got home. But before that, Gino treated us with a dinner at Ohana Hawaiian BBQ near the theaters which is a short walk from our house.

EATING AND SHOPPING

You should the sale at the Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Coach stores which have 50% to 75% July 4 discount. So, Kuya save up your Brazilian Pesos!!! LOL. You'll be spending much time there in a couple of months.

ENDLESS SUMMER DAY

Sunday morning, we hit the road to the beach, driving around the shore at Tamarack, Carlsbad, but couldn't find a space to park. We headed and found one at the South Carlsbad Beach near the lifeguard tower. The skies were overcast and breezy that makes for the water to be somewhat cold but once we're in it, with the waves too many to challenge, it was cool and nice after all. Julius was the one who had the most fun and Billy the second--joke only. I, for one, went swimming, which I haven't done in years when we went to Hawaii in 1997? That's why you don't see in these photos. After a snack of chichiria and bottled water, we went to have a real(?) lunch at In N Out and to burn out the calories we hit the Carlsbad Outlet Stores. That's Julius in front of his favorite store-Sketcher Shoes. Nette and I went to the Lacoste store to buy shirt for somebody special.

THE RIDE TO THE COTTAGE AND THE FIRST NIGHT

That is Julius who's ever smiling and feeling at home with us he's met for the first time and that's good. After a light dinner, we got to chat and caught up with what has happened with our lives. Julius got to talk to Kuya by phone and when it was bedtime, he was game to sleep on the love seat, as Gino was going to sleep on the couch for the better part of the week. Time to rest because they are sleepy now and still adjusting to the time difference.

SUMMER OF 2008 (With Mabelle's Family)

Ever since Mabelle informed me (or even asked) if they could stay in our house on their planned vacation in California, I at once said:"Why not? When are you coming?" She said June 28, Saturday. So, the week before that we made sure that the lawn is moved, the garden sets cleaned, the carpet steamed, the garage cleaned-out, the van serviced and washed and vacuumed and of course, Gino's room arranged and cleaned. In fact, almost all in and around our house was moved so they can enjoy their stay and feel themselves at home. I'm just home they really did. The pictures above taken at Lindberg Field in San Diego Airport.

Needless to say, Gino and I were very excited to meet na at the airport. I even thought we were late, but, as it turned out they were the ones who arrived late. I said maybe na-delay lang. What I didn't was they were stranded and once the plane took off from PA, they experienced turbolance during the whole flight and that it was gut-wrenching and horrifying one. At last, they arrived safe and sound and such enthusiam especially Julius, who is comic and carefree about the whole trip.