Lost in MH Del Pilar

JR, Angelica, Queenie, CCLozano, and Jessica

CCLozano and Mama Sexy

Congratulations to Lovely Navera, my sister Lina's daughter who graduated last Saturday--after her board she'll be the first Architect in the family. Yesterday was the celebration, and while we had a hard time looking for MH Del Pilar where they live (the house on construction's designed by Lovely), it became a family reunion of sorts. My sister's spouse happens to have just arrived from Saudi--gave up my classic Guns N' Roses T-shirt from Brazil for him--Atoy, after a few shots of gin was crying with the thought the graduate already has a boyfriend and will soon tie the knot (a typical fatherly reaction). Two years have easily gone by and my pamangkins have all grown up (JR doesn't look his age but looks like the mini-me of Kuya Boy). Mother was of course very proud, of my sister and her apos. Makes me wonder, how I'll react if I were in Atoy's shoes?

Ethel DS is Australia-bound soon

At the Red Box Greenbelt 3 in Makati last Saturday, (I) we surprised our good friend (add studious, workaholic applications developer if you please) Ethel delos Santos with a semi-planned but short notice despedida party. Ethel's migrating to Australia, and is on a scheduled flight this coming 16th of February. I owe Ethel my stint (she referred me to the infamous you-know-where) initially as a Technical Writer, then Product Specialist, and finally Senior Manager for Customer Service at a time when the call center business was yet to be tagged the sunshine industry.

Her leaving the country reminded me of my own experience while preparing for my flight. A few days prior, I was relaxed and carefree. But when the van came to fetch us, it was a totally different story. I broke up, crying like a child who's being sent (far) away from home. I couldn't bear to look at my wife and kids and say goodbye, it was really a painful memory--the very same reason I went home after only about 9 months. Yes, I was getting really big, big money, and I thought I can get away with the homesickness, but I failed. But it's one of my failures that I willingly accepted and is now very happy I decided to stay home (play Daughtry's Home please).

To Ethel, good luck, I know you're a very strong (and funny hehehe) woman and I'm sure you'll soon find somebody to share your blessings with (play Tiffany's All This Time please). We'll miss you dearly.