jOngOlOids

Some close family friends have been teasing me about playing favorites to the two kids at home. That is because, I posted Trek’s birthday invite but not for Coleen’s birthday which is also celebrated on the same month. To rest the case, I posted Coleen’s princess-birthday invitation, too. In fact, both of them have versions printed on tarpaulins.

Kids of today are lucky to have this kind of invites created as easy as ‘A-B-C’. During our time, even a simple caricature is limited to magazine covers and movie posters only. (Hmp!) Don’t ask me when.

Nitong mga nakaraang araw, panay ang nood namin ng mga news program upang saksihan ang mga kaganapan sa pagkamatay, burol at paglilibing sa ating mahal na Presidente Cory. Maraming mga indibidwal ang aking napanood sa telebisyon na nagpa-interview at nagbahagi ng kanilang mga eksperyensiya noong nabubuhay pa sya. Maging ang inyong lingkod ay may isang simpleng pagkakataon din na nakaharap ng malapitan si Tita Cory.

Araw ng miyerkules noon at ako ay dumalo sa novena mass sa Greenbelt Chapel. Sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, kasalukuyan din palang naroroon si Tita Cory. Sa kabuuan ng misa ay ilang beses ko yatang sinadya na sulyapan sya habang nakaupo sa kabilang bahagi ng simbahan mula sa aking kinalalagyan. Hindi ko nga yata masyado naintindihan ang homilya sa misa ng araw na iyon.

Hindi pa dyan nagtatapos ang kwento ko. Pagkatapos ng misa ay nag-lunch muna ako sa Greenbelt. Suwerte nga yata ako noong araw na yun. Pagkatapos ng lunch ay naglakad na ako pabalik sa aking opisina sa Makati. Sa pagbalik doon, ang pinaka-konbeniyente kong dadaanan ay ang elevated walkway sa may De la Rosa. Nang nasa bahagi na ako ng PLDT area, nakita ko na lang ang sarili ko na naglalakad kasabay ang isang babaeng nakasuot ng dilaw. May kasama syang isang babae at isang lalaking bodyguard yata. Kaming apat lang ang naglalakad ng mga oras na iyon.

Para akong na-starstruck! Hindi dahil nakakita ako ng artista, ngunit dahil parang nakakita ako ng santa. Maputi, naka-sandalyas na itim at malumanay maglakad. Naisip ko, ang nakita ko yata ay mga katangian na parang tulad sa isang madre. Si Tita Cory nga! At kasabay kong naglalakad! Gusto ko syang kamayan ng mga oras na iyon ngunit naunahan ako ng takot dahil baka sunggaban ako ng bodyguard. Ang tangi kong nagawa ay lingonin sya, ngumiti, at tumango upang magbigay pugay. Pagkatapos nun ay binilisan ko ang aking lakad upang mauna na. 

Yan lang ang aking simpleng “close encounter” kay Tita Cory. Ang ilaw ng ating bayan. Ang dilaw na ilaw.

To all my loyal and fortuitous visitors: Pardon me for the temporary hiatus. I had been busy with my new job. I’ll catch up soon.

In the meantime, I have posted some pix from a recent summer escapade-cum-poker-session with my “aging-but-wiser” OFTR friends. Check this link: http://jongoloids.multiply.com

“Bisita Iglesia” is a widespread devotion in the Catholic church that is usually practised during Lent. This pious practice consists essentially of a devout meditation on the sufferings of Jesus Christ on his way to Calvary where he died on the cross. This traditional custom is performed through the Way of the Cross by going to 14 churches representing each “stations” — the various places where Jesus had stopped or met some people as he staggered along the road to Calvary. 

Since 2003, I had been doing this devotion by visiting 7 churches only. This year, I had the privilege to visit more than that. Together with my K of C colleagues, I visited 14 churches in Cavite.  Unfortunately, our group missed the first church since we were not able to catch-up with the convoy that left as early as 6:30 a.m. An added bonus is that we were able to pass-by the famous Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit for some photo opportunity.

The churches as listed in our itinerary are the following: (1) St. James Parish in Buhay na Tubig, Bacoor; (2) Sto. Nino Parish in Bahayang Pag-asa, Bacoor; (3) Holy Trinity Parish in Bayanan, Bacoor; (4) St. Michael’s Parish in Bacoor Bayan; (5) Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Binakayan, Kawit; (6) Mary Magdalene Parish in Kawit; (7) Nuestra Sra. Dela Soledad Parish in Sta. Isabel, Kawit; (8) Holy Cross Parish in Tanza; (9) St. Francis of Assisi Parish in General Trias; (10) The Annunciation Parish in Pasong Camachile; (11) Immaculate Conception Parish in Dasmarinas Bayan; (12) San Lorenzo Ruis Parish in Summerwind 4, Dasmarinas; (13) Ina ng Laging Saklolo Parish in Area1, Dasmarinas; and (14) Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Salitran, Dasmarinas.

I got some humble shots of the churches’ facade in http://jongoloids.multiply.com.

Trek has made it again this year!

He got the following awards during their school’s recognition rites.

(1) Alagad ng Sining Awardee;

(2) Best in Computer;

(3) Best in Conduct; and

(4) First Honor in Grade 1.

Congratulations Trek!

I can describe the day with a prolific supply of cakes from Red Ribbon. Truly a sweet blessing to celebrate my BIRTH day.

I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who profoundly made my day. It is a God-given grace to have you around. Until next time.