COLLEGE REUNION 2022

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I have posted this before in my previous blog post, but I forgot to renew my WordPress site and was taken down. I am reposting this again and hopefully, I will be more active in keeping this blog and adding more posts this time.

I attended a mini-reunion held in Niagara Falls (Canada side) during the 4^th of July weekend of 2022. Countries were starting to open after COVID-19, this is a conversation for next time.

Most of us probably saw each other last in 1989, which was too long ago. Our Canadian classmates organized this reunion as well as hosted it. It was around an 8-hour drive from our home to Niagara and it was a very relaxing drive. I opted to take back roads more than highways whenever possible. I arrived a day earlier and just walked around a familiar and not-so-familiar Niagara. I have visited this place with my family a few times already.

The next day, I met up with some of my classmates at the meeting place and it was nice to see them. Had a lot to talk about stuff and whatnot. Of course, the obligatory pictures with the group. We hung out the entire day, walking along the famous Niagara Falls after lunch before meeting some more classmates and heading to the Filipino restaurant for our dinner.

It was crowded in Niagara Falls; you were walking shoulder to shoulder with other tourists or other Canadians. In addition, the weather at that time was nice. It felt like people just wanted to be out and about after being couped up for a very long time.

At the Filipino restaurant, I believe the entire place was booked for our reunion. There was a lot of food but amazing enough no alcohol. Back in our college years, any gathering had alcohol involved, and yet this time we had to scamper to get them.

After dinner, I found out that most of my classmates were booked in the same hotel, except me. We agreed to continue our reunion in one of my classmate’s hotel rooms. Somehow, we managed to get some beers to bring to the hotel, I think. I believe I walked back to my hotel way past midnight.

The next day I woke up early and grabbed the complimentary breakfast then checked out. Met up with my classmates at Niagara Lake. On my way, had to stop at a huge floral clock to take pictures.

We had a picnic at the lake and just continued chatting and planning for our next reunion. After lunch, I had to say my farewell since it was going to be an 8-hour drive home.

It was great seeing my classmates, some looked like they did not age at all were others gracefully aged. I truly would like to get a chance to see them again. Reunion Pictures

PHILIPPINES 2024 - MANILA

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On the day of my mother’s actual birthday, we were invited to lunch at Café Rizal. This place used to be the Army Navy Club. It is situated near Manila Bay. Joel and Grace’s family met us inside the restaurant for lunch.

Getting there was a hike, distance wise it was not far from Laguna, however, traffic was really bad. The beauty of having a driver is best. We rented a van with a driver for the entire day. For those who want to rent, it was around US$100 including driver, gas, and toll. We tipped our driver well, I would think.

On our way, I saw the hotel we stayed at when I was on our college field trip to Manila, which seemed ages ago. To our surprise, we also saw a statue of a popular Filipino actor, Fernando Poe Jr., who I was told ran for the presidency but did not win. I need to find out why the statue.

Our lunch was super, as always, the food that was ordered seemed endless. Again, to our host, thank you for lunch. The plan after lunch was to go food trekking in Binondo. It is a place where you can walk around and experience different local specialties. However, that day was not a day to walk about. Not to mention the temperature was like in an oven, it was not fair for my mom to brave that heat in a wheelchair or for any one of us for that matter.

My ever-ready cousin Grace bought tickets to go to Manila Ocean Park. It is located behind the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park. This is called Rizal Park, the name of our National Hero. They have erected a monument where he was shot during the Spanish Regime.

The Ocean Park was not like what we have in the United States, but it has so many species that I have seen only for the first time. There was also an outdoor attraction but chose not to see it because of the super-hot weather. It does not only have marine animals but also other land animals or were they different attractions but in the same building as well as different tickets?

Our day did not end in Manila but rather we were invited to my cousin’s new house. I don’t need to mention how bad the traffic was, it was so bad that my wife and I needed to use the bathroom and we were up in the skyway where traffic was moving like molasses if at all. We had to hold it a lot longer and as soon as we got through our exit, we stopped quickly at a gas station restroom.

At my cousin’s house, we ate dinner and did karaoke afterward. Filipinos like to sing; a home will never be complete without a karaoke system. Well, if there is alcohol involved then definitely, I will have the courage to sing. To my surprise, my cousins Albert and Marc were good singers. Grace, I already heard her sing the night before with live performers, I am not even in her league. Before we called it a night, we planned to go to Pico de Loro in Batangas the next day or should I say later that day. My cousin Albert had to rebook their flight and my cousin Marc had to work remotely or he called in sick. Philippines 2024 - Manila Pictures

2024 PHILIPPINES - 80th BIRTHDAY

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The second day was just for my mother’s 80th birthday celebration. It was decided to hold it on Sunday, one day before her birthday, to accommodate working attendees.

When I walked into the venue, I was impressed with the decorations my cousin Grace prepared. There was even a host for a prepared program which I was not aware of. Probably I was but was not expecting that much. Joel brought a whole roast pig for the occasion.

People were already at the party, including family, and friends who I had not seen in a long time. My mother was not expecting this much preparation and neither did I. Hats off to my cousins. In a way, they were the actual children because they were the ones taking care of my parents.

There was a photo booth, an actual photographer, and an actual program for the celebration. I am only sharing the pictures I took since I have not seen or was given a copy of the photos taken. Day 2 Pictures

After the celebration, my parents went home, and we continued the celebration in our hotel. As always, we stayed beyond closing time.

I would like to take this opportunity to deeply thank family and friends who came to celebrate my mother's birthday, and special thanks to Grace and Joel’s family.