Mom Meets Cousins

While we were visiting Tita Celia at Rm 211 at the Angeles University Foundation Hospital, three ladies brought smiles and surprises to my mom.

The three ladies were 2nd cousins whom my mom has not seen in nearly 20 years.

Miguel at Krispy Kreme

Today, before going to Angeles City, Pampanga, to visit Tita Celia, we all stopped at Bonifacio High Street to buy “pasalubong” for our ailing Tita and cousins, Nedda and Baby Seng.

My mom arrived at our greenhome in Legazpi Village around 8:30am. Violet drove the Starex. Sonya, our labandera, had gone along so she can save some money from “pamasahe.”

Chief and I were nearly ready when they arrived. I had already loaded some of the stuff we were giving our other ailing relative, Uncle Ming (Hermilo Garcia). These stuff included some old shirts and pants for Michael. I also asked mom to buy a half-sack of rice for them. Our Uncle Ming live in an apartment in Marikina, together with his long-time partner, Jasmin and only son, Michael.

Since I was driving Shaq, the direction I took from Ayala Avenue was towards The Fort, Taguig. It was a quick drive up to Bonifacio High Street. We were there already a little past nine. There were only a few customers inside. Sheryl, one of the friendly crew, quickly gave Miguel two pieces of “honey-glaced” donuts.

I first ordered a dozen assorted. Then, split that into two boxes of six donuts each. Then, ordered one more box of six assorted donuts. And Sheryl gave Miguel two more complimentary donuts. (See picture of Sheryl with another crew and Miguel)

Thank you to the staff of Krispy Kreme, Bonifacio High Street.

Ultimatum

Often, when our presence is not recognized by other persons, we would issue an ultimatum. Often, people don’t recognize the presence of other with whom they don’t have faith and trust in. Credibility is important.

For Jason Bourne (played by Matt Damon), he chases his past from Paris, Madrid, Tangiers to New York to make his presence within himself.

Last Sunday after Mass at Don Bosco Church, Chief and I watched “The Bourne Ultimatum.” This is the third sequel from the Bourne Trilogy based from the characters created by Robert Ludlum.

Damon goes through a series of shoot-puts and car chases until he finally discovers his real presence when he comes face to face with Dr. Albert Hirsh (played by Albert Finney). Dr. Hirsh did some “psychological conditioning” on the real David Webb to establish Jason Bourne.

The movie has already grossed $69.3 million in ticket sales in its first weekend of release in North America. Here in Makati, Jason competes with Lee and Taylor (Rush Hour 3) at the cinemas.

(Photo fron IMDB,com

Mom Is home!

Mom is home. She arrived this morning aboard a PAL flight (although if it were Chief and I, we would probably be traveling by Singapore Airlines) from Los Angeles, California. The flight was surprisingly on-time. It was the baggage retrieval that nearly took over an hour that Miguel was getting impatient.

Miguel would often ask, “Why is it taking so long?” I would explain that planes arrived one after another, and each probably had 300 plus passengers and thus, this would take more time.

But I guess, inefficiency, contributed more to the delay than volume. How can we expect the country to move forward at a pace like Vietnam or even Singapore, when our front line airport services are not efficient. But that would be another blog.

Mom quickly hugged Miguel upon seeing the fast-growing boy. Now, he was the only apo staying at home, and had all the focus and heart than lola could give.

Until, Chief and I become grandparents would we really feel all the affection and care my mom has for all her apos, Carla, Geneve, Nicole and Miguel.

Parenthood will ultimately lead to grandparenthood!

Sabado Nights at Podium

It was a rainy Saturday night when a few close friends got together to say goodbye to Olwen Powell Abergas who was going back to New York City on Wednesday, 23 August 2007.

Dinner was at Crust Asia at Podium. Chief and I rarely go to Podium and took a couple of wrong turns. I should have turned left at ADB Avenue from Ortigas.

Bong Lopez said, “Ikaw… dalawa ang kasalanan mo. Short notice na ang invitation mo. Tapos, late ka pa.” But he was just joking and appreciated being here. Also here was Cesar and Amvic (proud parents of Miguel and Iya) and Alain Carag. Matess Salviejo, who was doing late work at GMA was finally able to join us at UCC Café.

Dinner was at Crust Asia. Php 6,000 plus. Wow. Kind of expensive. Guess, am not used to spending around 600 pesos per head for seafood. Although the squid and crabs were good. Specially, the garlic. The bagoong rice was also good.

Plus, free unlimited hot tea and photos of April, the lovely waitress, who greeted us. Bong was enjoying conversation with April and how the famous 12 girl band from China (I think) ate at this restaurant. See photo of April with Bong.

Cesar and Amvic showed off pictures of Iya and Miguel. Iya was turning out to be an “Angelina Jolie” look-alike while Miguel enjoys being part of the Ateneo Cheering Team. Sorry, the Tigers defeated the Blue Eagles a couple of weeks ago!

Alain was using his new Canon EOS DSLR, which I hoped to also buy someday. Chief wants a big LCD TV. But we are currently saving for the U.S. trip, so all those big purchases would have to wait until 2008. Alain says, “Pina-greet kita kay Ali noong birthday mo.” He is referring to Ali Sotto, who was my classmate in Comm Arts, years ago.

Matess joined us at UCC Café. Seeing Marvin Augustin in near our table, she quickly made “beso-beso” and “tsika” with the celebrity. She finally got our go signal to do a love story feature on Chief and I. Ha? Yes, we will be featured on “Mel and Joey?”

Abangan. CG must be very proud!

Mom Home By Monday

My mom is coming home on Monday. Chief and I are picking her up at NAIA at 5am. Luckily, Monday is a holiday, Ninoy Aquino’s holiday.

Mom has been away for a few months, visiting my youngest sister, Minnie, in Edmonton, Canada. While in Canada, she continued to play the role of mother to my sister Minnie. She would cook meals for her (and even her other Pinay friends).

We are “sigurado” (sure) that she brings a lot of stories and “pasalubong” for Miguel at home.

Mom really wanted to go on this trip as she misses her apos, Carla, Geneve and Nicole, who are now in California. (Photo shpws mom wit her apos and their mom, Laly) For a few years, the 3 girls lived and stayed with her at our home in BF Paranaque, until Laly "petitioned" them to the States, where they have been living together since July 2005. Chief says she remembers that month, coz we returned back to Manila from Vietnam, afer our own "tour of duty" abroad.

At 70 years old, we were initially kind of worried about her taking a long-haul flight to the West Coast, getting her heavy bags from the conveyor belt and pushing (or pulling) these bags through a crowded airport. But she made it and is coming home on Monday.

Welcome home mom!

Egay Brings Rain and Relief

Egay is the name of a good friend of mine. He was the former boyfriend of Cecil Villa, one of my barkada from Comm Arts in UST. But now, Cecil lives abroad (I think somewhere in France) and Egay is married and a parent to one child.

There is another Egay that millions of Filipinos are familiar with. Yes, “Egay” the storm that brought much needed rain to the Philippines for the past four days. The eye of Egay would close to within 100 km of Bataan Island on Saturday as it blows toward Taiwan. According to PAGASA, (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), “Egay” (international codename “Sepat”) was moving toward the northern tip of Luzon with gusts of up to 220 kilometers an hour.

“Egay” continues rains to dry agricultural fields up North, either to the delight or disgust of farmers. Other families were sad and angry as “Egay” brought floods and landslides to them.

“Egay” also made millions of students, including my own thesis class at UST happy. Imagine, no classes for a long stretch. I bounced off an email to my thesis team, Eia Belveder, Kristine Buendia, Jeeno David, Jessa de Guzman, Cheska Genato, Lyan Go, Migs Gutierrez, Christine Kiac, Kristel Leonardo, Gian Nealega, Andrea Ong, Asia Parreno, Marianne Quan, Lloyd Querijero, Jac Remo, Chico Santos and Ingrid Torricer to keep the focus and maximize these free days to make their parents happy next year by finishing their thesis and graduating in March 2008.

It is times like these that give parents opportunities to find quality time with their children. Go the mall and watch “Rush Hour 3” or “Bourne Ultimatum.” Spend hours at Time Zone. Eat out at Jollibee or Italianis. Or just stay at home, enjoy home-cooked sinigang or nilaga.

For me and Chief, we just enjoyed a nice breakfast. Omelette with kamatis, potatoes and green bell pepper. Plus, pork and beans.

Later, we might do some groceries, go to a wake and meet Olwen and some friends for dinner.

Enjoy “Egay” weather.

Maribelle breaks the silence

Last night, we had a surprise visitor which broke the silence as we were watching TV. Yes, Maribelle Regino was in Manila and wanted to see us. And I told Chief that instead of eating out with Maribelle, why not just have her come over at our greenhome.

So, I drove off Shaq heading for Hotel Intercon while Chief stayed at home to prepare nilaga and crab omelette for our guest.

By 8:30pm, another friend was amazed at our 66 sqm abode at Legazpi Towers 100. She quickly noticed (like Olwen a week ago) our furniture shipped from Vietnam. She took particular notice of the Hue Cabinet which we bought for US$350.00 at a garage sale in Phu My Hung.

She also saw the Indonesian decors we bought during our trip to Jakarta in 2004, as well as Mila’s gift… a tea box with a frog etched-design on the cover.

We caught up with a lot of kuwentos. Olwen probably was “nasasamid” as we were talking about him too. We also talked about Bong Lopez, Jenny Florendo, Jun Maniego and other ex-JWT friends.

We have always wondered how Jun Maniego is now? He has not really kept in touch with us.

But this blog is about Maribelle. Back to her. She is now based in Bangkok, Thailand, and stays on the 9th floor of a high-rise condo. “Hanggang 9th floor lang ang naabot ng ladders ng firetrucks in Bangkok” she told me as we were going back to the hotel. Atleast we were just on the 2nd floor. Firetruck’s ladders not needed.

Olwen's Excitement

Last December 2001, Chief and I made our first trip to the United States. We were overwhelmed by excitement and euphoria (which I still need to blog) as we visited family and friends. One of those friends is Olwen Powell Abergas.

Last Wednesday night, before my birthday, the excitement extended to our own greenhome in the heart of Legazpi Village as Olwen made a “state visit” into our humble abode. We had met him earlier for dinner at Dad’s Restaurant at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City and made a quick 15 minute drive back to our greenhome in Makati for red wine and stories.

“Parang museum ang bahay ninyo,” says Olwen. We could feel his own excitement of seeing our place… and even being first among our friends to see our home.

He admired the furnitures and fixtures which we had shipped back from Vietnam, plus the other stuff we had accumulated through the years.

But more than the physical surrounding, it is the solid friendship between us and make our greenhome an even more memorable place to be in.

For many hours, we talked about family and friends and life between the New York City and Makati.

Melanie born in 1957

Now ten things about Melanie Griffith, beside being born on August 9, 1957 and being married to Antonio Banderas.

Only child of actress Tippi Hedren (of Swedish, German, Danish and Norwegian descent) and eldest child of Peter Griffith, (of English, Welsh, Scottish and Dutch descent)

Began work at just 9 months old in a commercial and later became an extra on Smith! (1969) and The Harrad Experiment (1973)

Substance abuse problems derailed her career for nearly a decade.

Made a comeback in Brian De Palma's Body Double (1984) and The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990).

Played the title role in Mike Nichols' Working Girl (1988) where she earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress and won the Golden Globe award as Best Actress for Musical or Comedy.

In 1995, she met her husband Antonio Banderas in the movie “Two Much.”

Griffith has been married four times. Don Johnson in 1976, Steven Bauer from 1980 to 1987, remarried Johnson in 1989 and 1996 married Antonio Banderas.

In February 1999, Griffith made her stage debut at the Old Vic in London, England, where she acted with Cate Blanchett in the Vagina Monologues.

Made her Broadway debut, playing Roxie in the musical "Chicago" in 2003.

Her husband Antonio Banderas was appearing across the street in another musical "Nine," at the same time.

Eric born in 1968

Please allow me to write about two people with whom I celebrate my birthday with. Eric Bana and Melanie Griffith.

Ten things about Eric Bana besides the movie “Troy” and “Black Hawk Down.”

Born Eric Banadinovich on August 9, 1968.

Began his career as a comedian in the sketch comedy series called Full Frontal

Played the role of American Delta Sergeant Norm 'Hoot' Gibson in Black Hawk Down (2001)

Was Bruce Banner in the Ang Lee directed film Hulk (2003).

Is considered in Australia as an accomplished dramatic actor and comedian.

Married to Rebecca Gleeson in 1997, after Bana proposed to her while on a trip to the United States after being named "Bachelor of the Year" in 1996 by Cleo Magazine.

Has two children, Klaus and Sophia and limits his as his work to one film per year so he can spend time with his family at their home in Melbourne

Is a motor racing enthusiast, and participates in various motor racing competitions in Australia.

Purchased his first car, a 1973 XB Ford Falcon coupé, at the age of fifteen for AU$1100.

In 2004, Bana purchased a Porsche 944 to compete in Australia's Porsche Challenge.

A daughter's promise

Last Friday night had a date. We had dinner at Heaven and Eggs (a place where we are “suki”) and then at Cinema 3 of Glorietta 4 Cinema. Chief and I had many good laughs from the 3rd sequel of "Rush Hour" starring Jackie Chan and Chrsi Tucker. I guess the biggest laugh could be on Chris Tucker as he really looked overweight in this movie. While he still has the moves, specially, during the first scene, when he was a traffic policeman in Los Angeles, seeing his “big self” on the big screen could be annoying.

This is third installment in the martial arts/action-adventure began with Rush Hour (1998) and continued with Rush Hour 2 (2001). The film is set in Paris, New York City, and Los Angeles. Rush Hour 3 was released on August 10, 2007, one day after my own birthday.

The movie begins 3 years after the end of Rush Hour 2. Carter is now a traffic guard on the streets of Los Angeles while Lee is now the bodyguard for his friend Ambassador Han, who also appeared as a consul on the first film.. An assassination attempt on Han's life takes place at the World Criminal Court. Lee traces and pursues the assassin and eventually catches him, discovering that the assassin is his godbrother, Kenji. When Lee hesitates to shoot Kenji, Carter shows up driving towards the two but Kenji manages to escape.



In the hospital, Han wound is not critical and will make a full recovery. His daughter, Soo Yung (Zhang Jinchu), now grown up, arrives. She asks a promise from Lee and Carter to capture the one behind the assassination in order to ensure her father's safety.

In Paris, the final scene brings the two heroes at the Eiffel Tower to rescue Soo Yung. Kenji challenges Lee to a sword duel until both fall off the tower and get caught in a safety net. Unfortunately, Kenji's sword cuts the safety net open and it collapses, leaving both men hanging on for dear life. Kenji then willingly lets go of Lee and falls to his death, saving Lee's life.

Even with Kenji dead, more Triads arrive. In order to escape, Lee and Carter use a French flag as a parachute and float to safety. Unfortunately, they are confronted by Reynard, who is holding Genevieve hostage. Fortunately, George arrives and shoots Reynard before he can harm anybody else. The police then arrive and with the case closed, Lee and Carter leave the scene dancing to War.

Maybe, on Rush Hour 4, Soo Yung will play a bigger role and kick more butt!

Enrique and Aileen

If there were two people i wanted to watch and listen and meet at the 1st IMMAP Conference, they would be Enrique Gonzalez of IPVG and Aileen Apolo of Google Philippines.

Josh Harnett & Too Late The Hero

Yes, Josh Harnett is in the Philippines doing a movie entitled, "I come with the rain: somewhere at Mt. Diwalwal.

According to a new report by Edith Regalado, published in today's issue of the Philippine Star, the Hollywood actor treated the film and production crew to lechon (roasted pig) and beer.

I last remember watching Joshua Daniel Hartnett (born July 21, 1978) in the movie “Black Hawk Down.” I didn’t even watch this movie in the cinemas but only caught it on cable when Chief and I were still in Vietnam.

Back in the early 70s, my dad used to work for Vicnayve Productions, which worked with American companies to produce movies in the Philippines. There was a film production boom in the country during those Marcos years. Apocalypse Now was the most popular movies filmed here in the country.

One of those smaller movies shot here was “Too Late The Hero.” Directed by Robert Aldrich, tt starred Michael Caine and Cliff Robertson. I remember my dad, Hector Urbano Velez, use to bring home publicity photos from that movie. I now wished I had joined my dad “on location” to witness a movie being made.

But my dad has moved on already, and today my birthday, am feeling a melancholy about my dad not being around as I celebrate my birthday!

Miss you dad!

Out at Serendra

Serendra is one place Chief and I enjoy going to. It has wide open spaces. Lots of walk but less the crowd and has some of the better restaurants and shops in this part of the city.

Today, Chief treated me out for an Italian birthday dinner at Baladucci. Have to seek out what that words means in Italian. This restaurant reminds us much of one of our favorite restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City called "Sta Lucia Restaurant" which was the first restaurant Chief and I dined at when I first arrived at HCMC back in April 2001. That could be another whole blog.

Tonight, it was all Serendra. Baladucci for dinner and Mary Grace for dessert. Chief had brewed coffee and shared tiramisu and rum cake (which I didn't fancy much).

"How are you feeling?" asks Chief.

I replied, "Am feeling tired." And she was surprised and said, "5 years palang tayong married, tired ka na."

Of course, I didn't mean it that way. AM just feeling tired on this day... and these weeks and it just so happen that today is my birthday. Now, am asking myself, why am I feeling tired. Not really up and excited on my birthday. Maybe, it is because that my parents are not around. Mom is still in the States. Dad has moved on since 2001. There was the recent debacle with a client event. Nothing much to celebrate. It seems to be just another day.

46

Soon, I write about the top 46 movies that have touched my life and of parenthood that Chief and I share here at our own Greenhome.

On top of the list is the 3rd edition of "Lord of the Rings" which Chief and I watched in New York City last December 2001.

Eagles Fly Again

During the mid-70s, I was studying at UST High School, together with my best friends like Bien Perez, Bob Novales, Bong Lopez, Cere Castaneda, Roy Roque, and many others.

We were listening to music from “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease.” And “Hotel California” which would blast out from jeeps and provincial buses in Metro Manila.

The Eagles were among the most successful recording artists of the 1970s. Their best-selling studio album Hotel California is rated as the 37th album in the Rolling Stone list "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" and the band was ranked #75 on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time

They “broke” up in 1980 and Glen Fry’s music was heard on “Miami Vice.” I could here it now and see Sonny Burnett aka Sonny Crockett driving fast in his Ferrari. “You belong to the city.”

In 1994, they got back together for “Hell Freezes Over” and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Don Henley has recently announced a studio album is coming out on October 30, 2007. This will be the first studio album by the band in 28 years. Guitarist Joe Walsh says the group plan to tour extensively after the release of the new album.

"We're just finishing vocals and mixing it. We're all finally signing off on it," Walsh told Billboard.com All of the band members -- Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Timothy B. Schmit and Walsh -- wrote songs for the album, which he said "go in some really, really new, different directions. It's hard to compare to anything that I hear out there now."

Am sure many parents in their 40s would be among the first to buy this new album a couple of months from now. I would.

Tiger's Make Thomasian Parents Proud

Tonight, the UST Growling Tigers made Thomasian parents proud at the Cuneta Astrodome and around the country, and here at Legazpi Towers 100 as the Tigers defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles. The Tigers ended the first round of the 70th edition of UAAP with a landslide win over the Blue Eagles.

Jervy Cruz and rookie forward, Khasim Mirza, played big roles for this victory. Of course, it was still a total team effort under the leadership and mentorship of Coach Pido Jarencio.

Chief observes that Jarencio’s style is “hand-holding” the players. Not applying much pressure but rather letting the players enjoy the game. Even Dad Gabutina was swapping text messages with Chief as we were watching the game at home.

Originally named as the Glowing Goldies, the name had been changed starting during the 1992-93 season. The Seniors' teams have won 34 titles, the most in the UAAP.

Homer and Bart

I really haven't watched an episode of "The Simpsons" in a long time. But last Tuesday, I really needed some time for myself, away from home. I really needed a good laugh. So, after doing some work at McCafe in Greenbelt 1, I watched "The Simpsons Movie."

While the movie takes a crack on environment issues, spinning-off "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore into "An Irritating Truth" with Lisa Simpson. Funny, by coincidence, I was doing an article on the environment and interviewed Secretary Angelo Reyes himself a few days ago. But that is another blog.

This blog is about parenthood and I would like to talk about Bart and Homer Simpson's relationship.