Andrew sure knows how to blow out the candles

Guada, Nette, Astrid and Edith

Auntie Salud, Astrid, Nette, Guada and Fletcher

Tess, Ron, Bong, Astrid and Papa

SCENES FROM A PARTY

If there's a word that could best describe me is: "Jun of Many Hats". Or shall I say many clothes. This happened today at the party. I was the "Chef", the Disc Jockey, the Singer, the Party Arranger, the Host and even my son's shuttle driver. Nette also did marvelous planning and cooking and designing the event.

MITA'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Today, Mommy celebrated her 67th birthday in our house together with Papa. Tess and her hubby Ron with her friend, Bong, visiting from the Philippines arrived at 11 am from Las Vegas. Nette's high school classmates and our bestfriends, Guada and Sid, came from Pomona, Calif. Astrid and two sons, Alfred and Andrew also came and also my brother-in-law , Fletcher. Soon, Mommy's friends, Auntie Salud and Uncle Amado and Edith and son, Dale partook a very delicious lunch and merienda and dinner. And of course, some Magic Singing with the Supremes: Nette, Astrid, Tess and Guada. Needless to say, everybody had a good time ending after we watched Manny Pacquiao boxed his way in Juan Marquez's Super Featherweight title in a split decision in 12 rounds for Manny. And obviously, we all feel proud to be a Pilipino.

WINTER HOME

From St. Malo to our Murray Ridge house, did I tell you how amazing this city is? Three weeks ago we can see the snow on top of Laguna Mountain on a sunny day at 5 pm in the city. And the following morning this was how in looked like, an ice covering my car's roof and windshields. So hard I had to scrape it off and pour some botlled water, just so I can see when I drive. And it was 51 degrees F. But, nothing compared to Lansdale, Pennsylvania or Flint. Michigan. The world weather has really changed. I guess we should have listened to Al Gore.

WISH I WAS THERE

North County in San Diego is very interesting mix of places where one can seem to be in a certain place at one time. And later minutes away be in a place out of yesterday. An example is a community called St. Malo in Oceanside. Built in the 1920s, the houses are of different sizes, but all of them cottage-style, big and small which easily be found in France or England. I somewhat thought a horse was going to pass by me. It's refreshing to feel that for a moment you are away, yet, is actually still in America. But, both near the ocean after the rain had stop. As they say here: "Only in America'.

Elaine's Birthday Album

Jason, Veronica and Elaine

A DAY WITH CINDERELLA

Never in my life I imagine I would see Cinderella in person. But, last February it happened at a first birthday party of Nette's cousin's daughter Elaine in Monrovia, in the northern suburb of Los Angeles. Needless to say, everybody-from the grandparents ,the parents, relatives and friends and most especially the celebrant-- had a great time. And even Gino which don't, but, later did after we passed by KFC so he can have his dinner. Enjoy the pictures.

BREAKFAST WITH MY FAVE SISTER-IN-LAW

After attending Sunday Mass, we ate breakfast at Mimi's Cafe, a New Orleans motif resto in Oceanside.

MY BIRTH DAY

In my 53 years in this world, I have celebrated my birthdays mostly in a quiet way exactly like the way I am. No parties, no many guests and no dancing or singing. I would go to Mass in the morning and to to school or work. And later in the evening I prefer to share it with my immediate family with a cake we buy near the Quiapo church in Manila. And I am happy that way. But, since I got married we celebrate my birthday sometimes with a little party-with karaoke singing, but, no dancing and sometimes only with Nette and Gino. And it is the latter that I decided to share my day this year. A small cake, a tall and tiny candle and the usual blowing of it. And I am happy that way--a simple remembrance shared with those that matters most to me. It could have been better if you were here. And that I wish later.

THE FIL-AMERICAN IDOL

After a year of not watching "American Idol", tonight I watched the show and was surprised to know that one of the female hopefuls is a Filipina by the name of Ramiele Malubay. She's from Florida. She's one of the final 20s. I know you might know these. especially, you guys in the R.P., but being away locked-in a cave, actually watching mainly Pinoy TV, I didn't care much getting updated who became last year's Idol. I only find out who won until I saw her sung the national anthem at the Super Bowl, taking the place of Mariah Carey. I only hope Ms. Malubay wins this for the Pinoys. She's that good. Go Ramiele!!! And, Go Girls! And if I may say, this year's lady contestants are the best-looking since they started this search.

By the way, there's a disclaimer here: the picture is not representative of the story above. She could if she only practice using our Magic Sing which we very rarely use. But, I love her pose and the hat which I'm thinking Simon Cower might say:"Very frenchy, but she doesn't look like a French. She's also a little fat!" But, who cares, she's my wife and I'll vote for her anytime to be MY idol. To me, she's the prettiest, the classiest and the smartest babe I have the good fortune of knowing and living for the past 25 years.

MY DEAR SISTER

It's my birthday today and my sister send me a card with this dedication. It's very touching and I think that was what she was thinking when she bought this card. It goes this way:

Dear Brother,
I may not always tell you but I hope you know how special you are to me,
how much I appreciate the friendship between us and how many times
I talk about you and feel proud to have such a kind and caring man
for my brother...

I hope you know how often you inspire me,
and how much I look up to you for the values you live by
and the difference you make just by being who you are...

And today, I hope you know all the good things I wish for you,
And all the love that;s in my heart for one very special brother.

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y

CAN A LONER LEARN TO SHARE?

There comes a time when a man becomes what he wants to be. Through no fault of his or by sad experiences in his life, he either becomes a loner or a sharer. On some people it's easy to be a sharer. A simple smile, a simple greeting, a simple talk and a lot of sharing of thought and experiences can make one a sharer. And at the same making his life more fulfilling to him and others.

On the other hand, a man can become a loner by bad experiences and never let anybody come in his life. Never sharing, never loving and never knowing that he cannot go on alone in this world. Until he wakes up and change before it's too late, he will be a loner forever. For a while I was a loner myself. Blame it on growing pains, blame it on sensitiveness and romanticism. Until a very few people and experiences changed me to be a sharer and my life now is better.

This reminds me of the famous and very bright American chess player, Bobby Fisher who died this month. A man with an IQ of 180, he rose to the pinnacle of chess world by being the best Grandmaster in the world. But, all the popularity and wealth that he had, he didn't have anybody to share them and became deluded that the Russians were out to kill him. Until Iceland granted gave him a home and granted him citizenship, after being banned in the US for breaking a governemnt embargo policy against the Czech Republic. And he died a loner at the hospital. What a poor soul if you ask me. I guess chess was all he had and those pieces didn't have the ability to share back what triumph he made them do. So don't be checkmated. Live for others. Care for others and most importantly for yourself. Give somebody a hug!

LYNN-JON BLOG

I've just visited your co-blog blog. And Jon mentioned about sharing which reminded me of my and Nette's favorite song:

Night after night we spend together,
Growing every moments that spells forever.
Day after day our love goes stronger,
Sharing every minutes as we gets older.

If we ever say goodbye
and went our separates.
I wouldn't know how to get by
on my own.

I never say goodbye
No matter how they try...

Jon, I'm just glad you tought of this set-up for your new blog. Looking from the pictures of you and Lynn, I'm sure your relationship will last forever. I'm happy for Lynn and I'm happy for you, too. We will all get old and older, but, the knowledge that you have found somebody to spend those days will make your days NOW more meaningful and more bearable, to say the least. I love you both. Always take care of each other. Okay, let's drink (or eat) to that! Kampai!

DID YOU BRAKE?

Yesterday, as I was about to leave my work for home, when I turned on the ignition key, the BRAKE LAMP icon in the dashboard stayed on even when the engine started running already. I said to myself: How can I get home without stepping on the brake pedal? Which is nearly impossible. As there was still a little sunshine left till sunset and darkness, I said to myself I better head for home now and not drive too closely so I don't have to brake. And that's what I did. If there's cop who sees and tries to pull me over, I just take my chance and speed-up and start a wild chase ending with TV helicopter reporting all that was happening ending up at my front driveway. (The last sentence came to me in my imagination only! Akala ninyo totoo na.)

And so I proceeded with my trip home and made at least 5 instances when I have to step on the brake pedal. I said:"So far so good. No cops! I can do this!" Then as I merge in the 76 freeway a traffic back-up was ahead of me (a good 3 miles at that!!!)
I'll have to brake a lot, i thought. I also considered taking the surface road and and avoid traffic lights as much as possible and drive very, very slow. Which I realized was impossible, so, I stayed and kept looking in my rear view mirror every time I brake. After a while, the sun had set and that's when I realized there was a red light coming from my center lamp inside the back dashboard. And after stepping on my brake three more times, I saw a red glow on the front of the car that was following me. That means I had brake lights after all all along. What a relief!

When I go home I re-check my all my lights in front of my garage door. Have this happened to you? What do you? Do yo check your lights at daylight to get ready to drive at night? Me? I always check my lights regularly every time I was car. Only the last few months I wasn't able to do so. So I kind of panic when I saw the BRAKE LAMP on. So DO NOT PANIC. Maybe it was the continuous rain we've been having and got my trunk wet because of some leaks I have back there. But, DO PRAY FOR NO COP!

And that night, I saw a TV show where a cop stopped a car without headlights. As the driver was frantically and panically explaining to the cop that he forgot to turn on the separate switch for the headlight. And when the cop asked why the driver was freaking-out, he said he has a suspended license and he doesn't want to go to jail that night. The cop said he will not go to jail just to calm him down and proceeded cuffing and did the routine drunk and drug test. And finally at the end, the cop read the Miranda rights and arrested the driver cause there must be a serious reason why his license was suspended. All these because of a damn lack of light or just plain being dumb. And if I cause an accident, the other driver will say:"You did not brake!" Be careful, be safe and be prepared.