Vodka In Her Hand

Tita Lourding Velez had a full life at 79 years old, even if she would normally have a glass of vodka in her hand. Greg Jarencio said one of her favorites was Vodka crystals. Now, that I have to find out. Photo shows Greg Jarencio, Mom, my sisters, Violet and Minnie, and my wife Cecile, during a birthday celebration.

Cecile and I went to pay our last respects to her last Friday night at Mt. Carmel Church along Sta. Mesa, near Broadway Centrum.

Cecile had picked me up from school, since I had an early Friday morning class and decided to stay for thesis consultation the whole day.

We arrived at the wake around 8pm and greeted Tito Pepe and Tita Irene. Tito Pepe is dad’s first cousin. He is a famous ophthalmologist in Manila but age has also slowed down his career.

Then, we caught up with Greg and Monet Jarencio, swapping stories about family and advertising. Also, made kuwento about our recent trip to the East Coast and meeting up with my dad’s brother, Tito Rene and Tita Nenen.

Cecile recalled that during mom’s 70th birthday, Tita Lourding came to Aristocrat Restaurant, where the birhday party was held. She was already in a wheelchair but still had a glass of vodka in her hand. See photo.

Cheers to Tita Lourding!

Barbie and Transformers

On our last day here in Oakland, California, Nicole Velez, my youngest “pamangkin” was making “lambing.” Result: Laly and I drove to “Toys R Us” the most famous and the second largest toy store chain in the United States. Wal-Mart is the biggest chain. And this outlet was only a 5-minute drive from Laly’s home in Hayward. Photo shows me and Nicole outside the store. Photo taken by Laly.

Cecile opted to stay at the house and pack our stuff as we would be leaving for Los Angeles soon.

Toys R Us has 587 stores in the United States and 600 stores in 29 other countries. I remember the first time I went to this store in HK around 1988, together with Rene Bernal. I was overwhelmed by all the toys one could get… and I was already 28 years old then. I bought my first remote control racing car. Forgot how much it cost. But I know Rene was surprised how much I enjoyed this toy as I put it into gear just outside the store’s doors, after I had bought it.


Now, it is Nicole is having fun shopping for toys. She quickly picked out a “Barbie” doll set, which was pretty expensive. Around 30 dollars. I also got her a smaller “Barbie” set as she has started her “tantrums.” She just wanted both toys. She is really spoiled by her mom. Photo shows Nicole enjoying her new toys.

Laly bought Miguel a transformer-inspired Star Wars set, while I got him a smaller “Transformer” toy worth around ten dollars. I could have bought something for myself but didnt want to start collecting "Transformers" even if I also enjoyed the movie. But for myself, I got three tanks! Those die-cast toys.

The flagship store in New York City's Times Square is the largest toy store in the United States, has a colorful ferris wheel, a lego display, and roaring dinosaur!

It Charles Lazarus who started Toys R"Us in Washington, DC during the baby boom era in 1948. The store was then a baby furniture retailer known as "Childrens Supermart." Later, it was "Children's Bargain Town USA".

Today, the chain gives smiles and tears to millions of kids like Nicole and Miguel around the world and to adults like me, who discover a world of toys.

Lito and Ana

Lito and Ana Vergara drove all the way from Long Island Sunday evening to meet up with Cecile and myself at Jackson Heights. Earlier, Cecile and I, together with Renelle, Ben, Patrick and Tita Nenen had lunch at Renelle’s house in Demarest, New Jersey.

Lito had learned from Paeng Adriano that I was in the East Coast and “insisted” that we meet up, even for an hour. I have not seen my “cheatmate” in 30 years, since we both graduated from UST High School.

Meeting up brought back so much memories of UST High School. He even remembers my handwriting. Skewed to the left. Big curves. Ana even asked me to write down something so she could see proof. I wrote down “Lito Vergara” in an envelop. And, Lito was right. Cecile validated it too.

We just had salad and drinks at Texas Grill, at the corner of 84th Street and Roosevelt Avenue. Cecile had red wine. Ana had strawberry daquiri.

For nearly, one hour and a half, we caught up for the years we have not seen or talked to each other. Lito and Ana talked about their love story and family. We listened, despite being tired and sleepy (as we have been for the last few days.)


Lito still recalls “Niyere” the main character of a play I wrote back in high school for our English class (but I think it was for our Spanish class under Prof. Verzosa.) He describes the main scene where in African terrorist disrupt a U.N. meeting with their guns hidden in pizza boxes. I had really forgotten all about that play in years.

Today, Lito and Ana are proud parents. His big SUV plates say “V Boys!” Thanks Lito and Ana for meeting up with us and bringing back fond memories of high school and sharing your love story with us. See you soon in Manila.

Arrived at 12 midnight

Yes, Chief and I arrived at 12 midnight from Narita International Airport and actually, left NAIA a few hours ago.

Leaving NYC

Leaving NYV in a few hours.

Lunch at Renelle's

It is our last weekend here in the States and we are having lunch with my cousins, Renelle, Ben and Patrick and their mom and dad in New Jersey. Unfortuantely, Renee was not feeling well and couldn't join us for this Sunday's lunch.

Coffee with Kaye

Yes, after three years, I finally caught up with Kaye Tyapon. The last time we met ad talked about life, family and parenthood was more than 3 years ago, in Cebu City, where we met for the Ad Congress.

Now, she and Andrew are here in New York City and we met for a long chat at Starbucks at the corner of Lexington and East 40th Street, just walking distance from McCann Erickson amidst the chilly winter cold.

First Day of 2008

Cheers to 2008

After dinner with Olwen's friends, we came back home to Jackson Heights and wait for the Year of the Rat, 2008. Olwen brought out red wine. There was chips and cashew nuts, which I had bought in Salcedo market and brought all the way to the States.

We were actually tempted to join the millions in Times Square, but I guess, since we had done that already during our first trip last December 2003, it wasn’t as tempting as before. Besides, some peace and rest would do us good as we had been walking and walking around Times Square for the past few days.

Olwen called up Love Abergas, who was now in Canada, spending the holidays with Eric and his family. We tried to call our families but the lines to Manila were clogged up. Just can’t imagine how much Filipinos in the States are trying to call home at this time.

East coast time is thirteen hours ahead of Manila time. There still practice DST here in this part of the world. Daylight Saving Time.

Mom, Violet and Miguel are probably at Tita Cabanela’s place in La Vista, together with Auntie Cely and Tito Domeng Octa. Mom and Dad Gabutina are probably at home in Golden City, Cavite.

Whatever lies ahead for Chief and I in 2008 remains to be seen, but we always hope and pray that there is a chance for parenthood this year. Happy New Year to all our families, relatives and friends and to Christian Gabriel!