The Boys

These pictures are a sequel to the Letter I posted yesterday. I just want to show you how both of them were so many years ago and where they are now.


(L) picture is James with the younger cousin Mokong in Manila. James was 2 yrs old then. (R) picture is AJ with Papa & Mama taken in Manila. AJ must be 3 yrs old then.



AJ & James 2007; AJ & James taken at Beijing, China 2008

James will have his confirmation this May 2009. He chose to have his Kuya AJ as his Sponsor - Ninong.
As part of the process, the Sponsor had to write a letter to the Confirmandi. I took the liberty of sharing that letter to you. I probably will get in trouble one of these days and get sued for HIPAA ( by James?). The letter gives you a glimpse of the relationship of these two brothers. How time flies - how both of them matured. AJ did fit in the shoes of a Kuya to James.

54th

For better or for worst
In sickness and in health
Til Death Do Us Part...

We reminisce.. no we commemorate..instead we celebrate. We continue to count the years that could have added to the union. We had the 50th last 2006. Now we have the 54th.
Why celebrate when Papa is not physically present? Because Papa & Mama are like two peas in a pod. Without one of each, the set up is not complete. Besides, the stories ceased to be funny or the ambience is never the same when the reference is just on the other half.
It is in this thought that I toast the 54th - good years filled with memories that I will continue to reminisce.

Anniversary Waltz - Andre Rieu & The Johann Strauss Orchestra

Nangina Nga Aldaw - Biyernes Santo

Could be the holiest and most solemn among the Nangina Nga Aldaw Days. Nakapudpudot idiay Laud - or was it really the Divine Hand making His presence felt?
The afternoon prusisyon was always an event to behold then. The families in Agno had their own heirlooms of Santo nga maayusan ken mapadaitan itti bado da. I remember Mama having her mang-dada-it make some clothes for the "scourgers at the pillar". These were "santos" nga mailibot no Biyernes Santo.
I also remember Auntie Juling Nacion Buqing. Taga-Bassit isso da. Adda kanyada dayti Santo Bangkay. The taga-Dakkel ken Taga-bassit nga simba-an ket adda kanya-kanya da nga libot. The Santo Bangkay will be so adorned with flowers and behind the "karo" would be the devotees.
Nakatap-tapok iddi no libot. Saan pay nga na-ispalto dayti dalan. Saka-saka, naka-swikos, naka- sinelas wenno naka sapatos dagiti umay maki-libot. Mangrugi idiay daya aggapo idiay simba-an mapan agpa-laud.
The homes where the "libot" usually passes have candles lit by the window. The procession is as solemn as it can get.
The "meatless days" are getting shorter. Next stop - Domingo Sa-bet.
Dios itti Agngina -

Nangina Nga Aldaw - Huwebes Santo

By this day, Maunday Thursday, Manila is transformed into a ghost town. There is almost no traffic to speak of and the roads are empty of pedestrians. The SM mall might have some souls loitering but the rest of the population might be somewhere else having fun.
The radio stations are playing slow music and radio commercials are just toned down. Charlton Heston might be a fixture in television - him being Moses in one of the movies.
Food wise, diba bawal ang karne? The galunggongs and sinigangs together with the sardines become the staples. My son James, really feels the "fasting" at home. We go totally meatless from Holy Thursday to Black Saturday, aside of course from the regular Fridays during Lent. He feels so deprived of food every mealtime. Ang feeling niya, para siyang manghihina for lack of meat in his diet.
Our kapitbahay nearby would be holding the "pasyon" in their living room. I never paid much attention to this particular Lenten practise for I did not understand the whole method. On hindsight, I should have at least taken some time observing it instead of just coming into conclusion na puro sintunadong kanta lang ang mga ito.
Tomorrow - Biyernes Santo...

Nangina Nga Aldaw - Domingo De Ramos

Domingo De Ramos iddi malpas nga agpintura da Papa ti kalasugan idiay balay idiay Project 8. Agsagsagana kami nga agawid agpa-Agno ken Burgos ta maki-mangina nga aldaw idiay.
Malemmen ken nakaluto ni Mama itti pang-rabi-i. Pagdigussen na ni Papa tapno makasukatten. Pinunasan ni Papa dagiti pintura nga nailamla-mit idiay bag-bagi na - naka-ussob pay met isso na.
Nakita na siguro dagitti bassit nga pupu-uran nga nagango nga mula da kenni Mama. Everything was fast. We just knew his upper extremities was in flames. There was no time to even think. Mama was very systematic. I am very sure she was breaking inside.
I can not remember how we rushed him to the National Orthopedic Hospital. By the time we brought him up to the Operating Room the rest of the crew Doctors were waiting.
Mama was beside him all along assisting the Doctor Friends. Papa was lucky. Presence of minds prevailed. Our nangina nga aldaw trip was totally aborted. We all spent those days alternating being personal nurses of Mr. Burns - aka Bert Sison.