Rebel Vulcan Mothers

Yesterday, we saw an episode of Enterprise. Earth's embassy on Vulcan is bombed. Both humans and Vulcans dies in the attack and evidence points to the rebels "Syrranites. They are rebel Vulcans that follows revolutionary interpretation of the teachings of Surak, the father of Vulcan logic.

Aboard the Starship Enterprise, T-pol receives a "family heirloom" which is actually a secret message from her mother. who is now part of the rebels. T-pol is played by Jolene Blalock. She is a Vulcan who serves as the science officer aboard the starship Enterprise.

Soon, she and Archer embark upon a treacherous journey through the Vulcan desert to look for her mom. They have to survive electric sand storms and beasts, until they finally meet Arev, Vulcan.

Arev asks Archer "Who said 'Logic is the cement of our civilization, with which we ascend from chaos, using reason as our guide'?

Guess, it all part of logic and reason for a daughter to find her own mother.

Lessons from The Wild Hogs

Chief and I met up with Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy a few weeks ago at the Power Plant Cinema in Rockwell. We watched the four middle-aged men hit the road to rev up their boring city lives with a freewheeling motorcycle road trip.

Sometimes, we all take a moment to stop and look our “boring city lives.” Review our daily grind between home and work. And wish to get away from it all.

“Wild Hogs” did give us a moment to get away from it all. Maybe, even a bump or a push to get me “on the road” with my best friends.



I could imagine me, Cesar Pareja, Bob Novales, Guy Oria and Bien Perez getting on the road like the “Wild Hogs.” Driving all the way up to Baguio. Or whitewater rafting in Cagayan? Kayaking in Taal Lake? Or Pagudpod?

Or even with my cousins, Mario, Atok and Beng-beng?

The movie is more than about the fun on the road. The breather from the stress and tension of our jobs, maybe, even of our own responsibilities with our families.

The uncertainty one faces.

The “villains” in our daily lives, the “Del Fuegos” (led by Ray Liotta) in our lives who reign at work. The bosses who look over our shoulders. The taxi drivers who refuse to give us a ride during the rush hour. Or the bus drivers who cut across our lanes along EDSA.

There are also heroes. Woody Stevens (John Travolta), Doug Madsen (Tim Allen), Bobby Davis (Martin Lawrence), and Dudley Frank (William H. Macy) are at first reluctant heroes.



Staying for the night in a small town in New Mexico, Dudley discovers his love for Maggie (played by Marisa Tomei).

The next day, the “Del Fuegos” begin to terrorize the town.

Dudley’s love turns into strength and courage to face the “Del Fuegos” as they attempt to burn down Maggie’s diner.

Soon, the “wild hogs” are fighting the “Del Fuegos. Outnumbered, the four are easily defeated, until all the townpeople come to their rescue. Even the original biker, Peter Fonda (his character from “Easy Rider”) comes to the rescue.

Everyday in our homes, there are heroes. Our own parents, Hector and Meya. Edwin and Aurora. Throughout their lives, they have always sought for what is best for Cecile and I. They have become our “heroes” to give us a good Thomasian education. Make us become better persons and real Christians parents.

Uncle Firmo and Tita Eva

We lost two relatives last week. Or rather, they have moved on beyond life. Beyond the daily grind of living and surviving through old age.

Uncle Firmo was my mom’s elder brother. He had lived alone with his grandchildren for nearly 17 years since the death of his wife, Aunt Mary, in 1990.

He lived in their old house in Cubao. It was just a few meters from our own old apartment in 64 West Point Street. During the 70s, whenever I would come home from ICPS (Immaculate Concepcion Parish School), I would just drop my bags, run to their house and meet up with my cousins. We would play basketball or race Matchbox cars.

Today, we are all grown up. Uncle Firmo’s two sons live and work in the States. His eldest son, Ricky, flew in Tuesday from the States to attend the wake. Another son couldn’t come home. Only Atok was around and had worked on all the funeral arrangements.

Tita Eva joined her husband, Tito Nick, nearly one year after he died. She died last Friday, 11 May 2007. And will be cremated on Wednesday. Boyet and Tessa and their 3 kids, Chuchay, Chino and Chinky had been with Tita Eva through long days and nights. Cared for her. Kept her company and spirit high despite her growing tumor.

Here is a link to what Chuchay wrote about her grandmother. http://www.thecitylifestylist.com/

Photo shows Kuya Boyet reading God's words during Mass last Sunday.

Both Uncle Firmo and Tita Eva died peacefully in their sleep.

Both had been parents to our cousins who continue to face the challenges of raising their own kids the way their own parents probably would have raised them… with a lot of Christian love, uncompromising care and moral guidance amidst a fast-changing world.

Uncle Firmo and Tita Eva…good luck on your journey to meet Christ and give my dad a tight hug when you see him along the way!

Sparks and Smiles

Just waiting for Cecile's parents here at our Greenhome, somewhere in Legazpi Village.

Cecile is catching some sleep in the sofa.

Am watching the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Net playoff game.

We are all visiting Tita Eva in Quezon City. She has been sick for the past few months, but continues to be under the tender loving care of Boyet and Tessa and their 3 kids, two daughters and one son, fondly called C1, C2 and C3.

Dad Gabutina hasn't seen his sister in a long long time. She was not able to make it during the Gabutina Clan reunion last December. Cecile and I did visit her a couple of months ago. She was cheered up when we visited her. But with the passing away of Tito Nick last year, her zest for life has affected. And visits from relatives and loving care from Tessa and Boyet and their kids do give her lots of sparks and smiles!

Chinkay also proudly showed off her artistic prowess. She is building her own portfolio. Boyet and Tessa are very much supportive of her creative pursuits, bringing her to art exhibits and buying her the tools of her craft. Really cool and loving parents. Hope Chief and I would be cool and loving parents soon!

Boyet is the elder brother of Jeffrey San Diego, who was my classmate in UST HIgh School. While Tessa is into writing romance novels, very much like my barkada, Edith Garcia from college. Boyet and I also share the same "activism" during his days at U.P. while me... as a labor union officer during the long strike at the Manila Bulletin in 1987.

Worker's Parenthood

During the mid-1980s, I was an active union leader with the Bulletin Employees Union. That was more than 20 years ago. The Manila Bulletin was my first job. My mom recommended me to the late Mariano Quimson, who then the President of Manila Bulletin.

Quietly, I worked for five years with the Advertising Department. Accepting classified ads. Proofreading copy. Measuring ad space. Responding to advertiser’s complaints. Worked in all three branches. Cubao (front of the old Mamunluk Restaurant). Makati Peninsula. Grace Park, Caloocan City. Earning around 6,000 pesos a month.

Sometime in 1987, I was elected to the Board of Directors of the BEU (Bulletin Employees Union). A series of union-busting activities by management led to a company-wide strike in August 1987.

How does being a labor union leader relate to parenthood? At that time, I was young. Single. Only had a girlfriend. But I saw many parents among the union members who were sacrificing their life and careers for what they believed in. Their rights was workers. Organized union. Respect for law. Just and fair wages. All of which would ultimately benefit their own families. And make them even more responsible parents.

It has been over 20 years since the strike. Many of us from the BEU had moved on. Others continue to work for the Manila Bulletin. A few joined the Inquirer. Some ventured to their own business.

Me? Still on the road for the pursuit of parenthood.

Today, Chief and I pay tribute to all the workers who get less for a day’s work. Specially, those out in the open field and out of the country. We offer prayers for strength and hope for a better life with your own families.

Off To Coron

Finally, Chief and I are went on our first local trip, since we took a December 2001 trip to Boracay. We flew down to Coron, Palawan last Wednesday, 04 April 2007. We booked just a few days before the Holy Week. Luckily, our friend, Chin, was able to find us SEAir tickets and accommodations at his place called “Darayonan.”

At around 1pm, we were on a taxi going to the Domestic Airport. A regular 20-minute ride stretched to 45 minutes. Heavy traffic. Our taxi driver took a shorter route, passing through Nichols Air Base. Today, I learned a new route. Good.

Checking in wasn’t a hassle except that I didn’t bring an real ID. Left my UST id and driver’s license at home. Even convinced Chief to do the same. Luckily I had an old BPI ATM card which allowed me entry into the airport.

“Sabi ko na sa iyo…” Chief said to me.

We were the first to check into the SEAIR afternoon flight to Coron, Palawan.

We saw David Guerrero of BBDO in the waiting lounge. Angel Guerrero was also around, together with her sister. But our paths didn’t cross. Now, I wished I had come up to them and exchanged pleasantries. Chief had not personally met David. Angel used to work for McCann. She is also a Comm Arts grad from UST. Same blood. But different types.

Chief was assigned Seat # 19. I took Seat #17, just in front of her. Chief asked why we were not seated together. “Kailangan po balanced ang weight ng plane,” explained a stewardess.

I chuckled a little as it emphasized my point that Chief had gained extra weight through the years.

It was a two hour wait for an hour flight, flying around 10,000 above sea level.

SEAIR gave out complimentary Nestea drinks for the one-hour flight. Really a budget flight. No in-flight service. No stewardess to explain emergency procedures. Only the pilot said, “In case of emergency landing, life vests can be found underneath your seats.” DG455 really a far cry from an SQ flight.