Guess Who???

On June 29, this message was posted on our blog's message board:

"guess who: hi! everybody, how's everyone. I'm here at Baguio eking a living. See you at 37th re-union. just passing by."

Vir Lauzon immediately guessed who it is: our long-lost kabatch Joey Gueco, now a resident of Baguio City, because during the organizational meeting for our reunion in 2008, I mentioned to our Gensan-based kabatch that I met Joey by accident in Baguio in 1982 or 1984 when I was taking summer classes at St. Louis University.

So here are some pictures of Joey from his Friendster account. If you have a Friendster account, you may want to add him as a friend: http://profiles.friendster.com/23791709

Alexandra Fae - Doods and Melba's first palanggang apo

Doting Lolo Doods and Lola Melba Absin gave Baby Alexandra Fae a grand first birthday celebration on June 27. At first she was shy in facing her guests but later got into the groove and gamely posed for the cameras. :)

Photo courtesy of Glyn Dumanig and Gilda Bantawig

Batch '73 attends Doods and Melba's first apo's first birthday

Doods and Melba Absin's first apo, Alexandra Fae, celebrated her first birthday on June 27 at their Barangay Magsaysay resthouse in Polomolok. Kahit umuulan, sugod ang Batch '73 doon para batiin ang doting grandparents Doods and Melba and of course, Baby Alexandra Fae.

Rannie Mullanida, Toto Soguilon, Vir Lauzon and Jing Alvarado in a huddle to keep warm from the rain.

Nelia De Guzman-Soriano plays bartender by handing out cold San Mig lites to her kabatch Vir, Loloy Cababayao, Fernando Ocat, Ben Cabradilla, Bebot Sanchez & Doods Absin.

Cef Graciosa & Glyn Dumanig as the lonely but happy ladies.

Gilda Bantawig and Sonia Garcia-Lauzon (in pink shirt) listen to the Sanmig boys (from left) Fernando Ocat, Ben Cabradilla, Bebot Sanchez and Doods Absin.

Bebot Sanchez's son and wife Neneng and Ben Cabradilla's better-half Luchie.

Cef, Gilbert and Gilda share a hearty meal.

Photos courtesy of Glyn Dumanig and Gilda Bantawig

3rd: Gilda's Palanggang Apo

3rd (for Rico Elemia III) is the super kulit palanggang apo of Gilda Bantawig-Elemia. Being Lola Gilda's boy, 3rd makes kulit to his lola wherever and whenever he wants. Lola Gilda loves 3rd to death and it's easy to see why. :)

Picture courtesy of Gilda.

10 Commandments for those over 40

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR THOSE OVER FORTY YEARS OLD

1. Focus on enjoying people, not on indulging in or accumulating material things.

2. Plan to spend whatever you have saved. You deserve to enjoy it and the few healthy years you have left. Travel if you can afford it. Don't leave anything for your children or loved ones to quarrel about. By leaving anything, you may even cause more trouble when you are gone.

3. Live in the here and now, not in the yesterdays and tomorrows. It is only today that you can handle. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may not even happen.

4. Enjoy your grandchildren (if you are blessed with any) but don't be their full time baby sitter.. You have no moral obligation to take care of them. Don't have any guilt about refusing to baby sit anyone's kids, including your own grandkids. Your parental obligation is to your children.... After you have raised them into responsible adults, your duties of child-rearing and babysitting are finished. Let your children raise their own offspring.

5. Accept physical weakness, sickness and other physical pains. It is a part of the aging process. Enjoy whatever your health can allow..

6. Enjoy what you are and what you have right now. Stop working hard for what you do not have. If you do not have them, it's probably too late.

7. Just enjoy your life with your spouse, children, grandchildren and friends. People, who truly love you, love you for yourself, not for what you have. Anyone who loves you for what you have will just give you misery.

8. Forgive and accept forgiveness. Forgive yourself and others... Enjoy peace of mind and peace of soul.

9. Befriend death. It's a natural part of the life cycle. Don't be afraid of it.. Death is the beginning of a new and better life. So, prepare yourself not for death but for a new life with the Almighty.

10. Be at peace with your Creator. For... He is all you have after you leave this life.

shared by Evelyn Abueva and Glynda Dumanig.

June 14 is Your Day, Kabatch na Daddy/Tatay/Papa!!!

Oh My Papa

Oh, my papa, to me he was so wonderful
Oh, my papa, to me he was so good
No one could be, so gentle and so lovable
Oh, my papa, he always understood.

Gone are the days when he could take me on his knee
And with a smile he'd change my tears to laughter

Oh, my papa, so funny, so adorable
Always the clown so funny in his way
Oh, my papa, to me he was so wonderful
Deep in my heart I miss him so today.



Papa

Everyday my papa would work
To try to make ends meet
To see that we would eat
Keep those shoes upon my feet
Every night my papa would take me
And tuck me in my bed
Kiss me on my head
After all my prayers were said
And there were years
Of sadness and of tears
Through it all
Together we were strong
We were strong
Times were rough
But Papa he was tough
Mama stood beside him all along

Growing up with them was easy
The time had flew on by
The years began to fly
They aged and so did I
And I could tell
That mama she wasn't well
Papa knew and deep down so did she
So did she
When she died
Papa broke down and he cried
And all he could say was, "God, why her? Take me!"
Everyday he sat there sleeping in a rocking chair
He never went upstairs
Because she wasn't there

Then one day my Papa said,
"Son, I'm proud of how you've grown"
He said, "Go out and make it on your own.
Don't worry. I'm O.K. alone."
He said, "There are things that you must do"
He said, "There's places you must see"
And his eyes were sad as he
As he said goodbye to me

Every time I kiss my children
Papa's words ring true
He said, "Children live through you.
Let them grow! They'll leave you, too"
I remember every word Papa used to say
I kiss my kids and pray
That they'll think of me
Oh how I pray
They will think of me
That way
Someday

At nagkita rin ang neighbors sa Isteyts

Shirley and Chari

When Chari Odicta's daughter graduated, she invited our Kabatch over to her home for a small
get-together on June 7. Shirley Villamor was able to come and renew ties with Chari.

Photo courtesy of Shirley

Mae's Palanggang Apos

Mae Diamonon-Europa with hubby Oscar and their three apos.

Photo courtesy of Mae Diamonon.

Odette's Palanggang Apo

Yanna at 3 months

Lourdes Dinopol says "my apo Yanna at 3 months old. Her name is Alyanna Claire. She is as beautiful as me but inherited her Grandpa Cristeto's forehead. She is the LOVE of my life."