ADIOS ATE LIZ, SEE YOU IN PINAS

This Sunday, Ate Liz left for the Philippines after spending the weekend with us. She deserves the break more than anybody else. She going the take care of the preparations for her eldest daughter's wedding. All of us will miss her for a while, but not for long, cause we'll be following her--for our well-deserved rest also. The airline people are very strict about the baggage limit, etc., but, nobody can blame them.

THE LUNCH AFTER

After Fletcher's treat, we, me driving and the rest of us walking, headed to his modern condo near the freeway 5. That's Ate Liz and Nette at the back porch with the fountain in the background and near the side gate with the main high rise unit condos. The views reminded me and Ate Liz of Japan. Downtown San Diego is now booming with so many new buildings being built everyday and the many people, locals and tourists, that visit it. Part of the change maybe was because of the Petco (San Siego Baseball Team) Park being there since it opened not many years before.

FLETCHER'S DAY

Last Saturday, we celebrated Fletcher's Birthday at Puerto La Boca in the Little Italy district of San Diego downtown. It was his treat, so we were just happy to go and at the same time try to dine at a different restaurant. It was Argentinian with an authentic setting and we given a separate room like at The Crustacian, but not as chic and upscale. But, the food was delicious, but what spoiled the day was the very, very hot breaking weather (it was about 95 degrees).

THE RING

Kuya, kumusta na ang ngipin mo? Have them taken care of at once, pauwi ka na sa Pinoy. By the way, ito yung picture ng pinabibili ni Ate Liz diyan. OK? Ingat lang, DaKuy ah.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

That's my Father's Day breakfast meal after the June 15 Mass. After that we brought food to Papa's house for a little salo-salo. I got a very touching card from Gino and also a Nano I-pod. It's very thoughtful of you. Thank you very much. I got text greetings from Ronnie, Doris and of course, Kuya. Thanks.

I also like to greet De a belated Happy Father's Day. I have no excuse why I couldn't call, but, let it be known that Daddy was on my mind that day. Take care and hope you celebrated it. I love you more now that I live my life patterned from what I saw and learned from yours. Like honesty, family pride, trust, fear of God and hard work ethics and most of all, I wish, your expertise in letter-writing. The last one is a tall order, but, nobody can say I couldn't try.

HIPOLITO REUNION

The Souther California Hipolito Family reunion was held at Jimbon's Chula Vista house. It was fun and very filling event complete with games and delicious Pinoy foods. Everybody was there except for Joy, who has to work and that's why we weren't able to see Tyler. I wish I would see him so I can take his picture and how he's looks and talks.

After that late afternoon, on the way to drop-off Fletcher at his downtown condo, we have the chance to drive around and took picture by the military ship-museum, SS Midway and the Bob Hope Tribute near the San Diego Bay. We feel like tourists in our own city. Again, we had fun. When you visit us, we'll show these and more. See you soon.

PHILIPPINE FREEDOM CELEBRATION

We showed some Filipino pride by wearing barong when we went to hear Mass last June 14. After getting home from the church, we took turns in posing in front of Gino's very big flag. Di ba Gino looks like Manny Paquiao. Cool na cool. Ako naman parang bigatin (dahil sa tiyan!).

Philippine Independence day is celebrated here by the Pinoy community with a cultural festival held at the City Hall grounds. We, here in the States, have in these past few months been feeling the Pinoy pride, starting with Manny Pacman's boxing win against Juan Marquez followed the discovery of singer Charice Pempengco and the new lead singer of the melodic rock band, Journey, by both the American music fans and musicians and celebrities like Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfry. I'll touch on these more in my next posts. And another singer who's getting a big exposure because of great voice is Madonna Decena in England's "Britain's Got Talents" TV show.

I've also read and watched American celebreties who are half-half say that they are proud to be a Filipino. And there are scores of them in the entertainment world that I didn't know before. All these attentions are well-deserved and it's about time the world take notice. And it's not the rich and famous, bright and beautiful Pinoys that gets the credit, it also include our ordinary countrymen like the many OFW who sacrifice their own lives, the ordinary employees who do their best to do the work right. Mabuhay Talaga Ang Mga Pinoy!

THE DINNER

ASTRID'S CRUSTACEAN PARTY

Astrid's birthday was held at an very upscale and chic French, Asian restaurant in Beverly Hills. A special room upstairs was reserved for us twelve persons around a long rectangular table. The ambiance was very impressive and made us feel very "astigs" The tapas, second course, third course and fourth course was served starting with the host, Jesse, showing a bottle of wine, pouring it into our glasses one by one and telling us about the food being served next. And the food was very, very good and I'm sure all of us, including Gino and the kids enjoyed them very much.

The menu includes the following:

Tapas: Crispy Shrimp Mousse Roll with a kiwi and orange sauce
Lemongrass Beef Satay, skewered & char-broiled, Asian pickles
Seared Tuna Cucumber Roll, with Wasabi aioli, tobiko caviar and arugula
Moist Rice Paper Roll filled with mushrooms, tender cabbage, baby carrots, water chestnuts and beans
Lucien Albrecht "Cuvee Balthazar" Reserve Pinot Blanc, Alsace, '06

Second Course: Mixed Green Salad, with caramelized walnut, goat cheese, and orange vinaigrette
Dr. Weins-Prum "Graacher Himmeleich" Reisling Kbinett, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, "06

Third Course: Colossal Royal Tiger Prawns, charbroiled with secret spices
An's Famous Garlic Noodles
Silverado Vinegard "Vineberg", Sonoma-Carneros, "05

Fourth Course: Filet Mignon, with ponzu glaze over mashed potaoes finished with portabello mushrooms
Carol Shelton Wines "Mongo Zinfandel, Cucamonga Valley, "04

Dessert: Assorted Sorbet

Birthday Cake: Extraordinaire Cake by Fletcher C. "08


It was really a perfect dinner for a perfect celebrant and her family. I wish her more great birthdays and blessed life to come. Thank you Astrid.

MAY BIRTHDAYS

In my families there's one month where birthdays are celebrated more that any. It starts with Kuya (May 8), Astrid (May 8), Nette (May 9) and Daddy (May 17) which for years we celebrate on May 29, until they found records that he was actually born 12 days before. May is not only Santacruzan and Flores De Mayo month, it's also when some of my important, beautiful and handsome (like me?) love ones where born. So, it;s always a time I always look forward to. This year is special for it's the 40th for Astrid and 55th for my Kuya. May we share more of these moments for years to come. Kuya may have celebrated his alone, he can be sure that we remembered just the same. Astrid was very gracious and made us feel important by inviting us to her very impressive party at The Crustacean. I'll tell and show more about in my next post.

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."

SPRING IN OUR LITTLE PARADISE

Spring is a nice time to be here in North County. Everything is in bloom and lots of color and fresh smell. It may sometimes be a Dog Day Afternoon like last Saturday, as Paris, a dog will tell you. But, that is alright cause today and the days ahead will be cool and perfect. And as we locals can easily take for granted our little paradise, we nevertheless are blessed and very fortunate to be living here. Come visit us and you're always welcome to our house.