Hector and Rene Velez

Last 18 April 2008 was my dad’s birthday! He “moved on” last June 4, 2001 while Cecile and I were still living and working in Vietnam. I could never forget the last words he told me as I left that morning in April 2001. He said, “Baka di mo na ako abutan pagbalik mo.” True enough, we received an early Monday morning call at our 1st Greenhome in Tran Nhat Duat. Dad had moved on. And the next day, I was on a flight back to Manila.

Last January 2004, during our first trip to the East Coast, Cecile and I surprised my ninong, Rene Velez (dad’s eldest brother) with a visit in New Jersey. And he was indeed surprised, even close to tears. He said to me, “Akalain mo, ditto pa tayo magkikita ulit.” A few days ago, I received a text message from Patrick asking me to call New Jersey and missed calls from Renelle. Those were more than enough signs. And true enough, I called and talked to Tita Nenen and Renelle (my cousin). He, too, had moved on.

Both brothers have “moved on” to beyond life here on earth. They are probably side by side, watching me scribble these words. Hopefully, happy and smiling that both had lived a full life with their families here.

Now, our last visit to the East Coast last December 2007 was made even more memorable as it was the last time, I would see Tito Rene smile. Even though he was sick and in bed, Cecile and I, knew that he was really more than happy to see us. I also saw tears in his eyes.

Thank you for being good parents to us, all of us, from New York to Makati.

We will miss you both!

Visiting Daet, Camarines Norte

Since Saturday morning, Miguel and I have been in Daet, Camarines Norte. We arrived here around 5am, Saturday morning via a Philtranco bus which left Pasay City Friday night. Around 8 hours by bus.

We are currently staying with Robert and Cely Pilar but will be moving out Monday morning as both would be going to Manila.

Photo shows Miguel in front of the municipal town marker.

It is Miguel's first visit in my dad's hometown or his lolo's hometown. It is homecoming to Miguel's grandfather's roots. Going around the city to meet many relatives for the first time. For me, needing to attend and get updated on dad's property agrarian issues.


Our appreciation goes to Robert and Cely Pilar for the kind and warm accommodation. Photo shows us with Tito Dasoy and Tita Ludy and Robert and Cely Pilar outside the front door of their home in Daet.

Parenting in Tagaytay

Trey Novales. Miguel Pareja. What do they have in common? They are my “inaanaks” with my best friends, Bob and Monch Novales and Cesar and Marivic Pareja. And last weekend, Chief and I had witnessed and experienced how our good friends have raised their kids as we shared a weekend at Crosswinds Tagaytay. This photo above was taken by Trey. And below, he also took a picture of his mom and dad.




Photo shows Rad and Trey and their PSP. Photo was taken by Iya Pareja. Trey took fancy with my Canon “Rebel” DSLR and snapped more pictures than I actually did. Maybe, around 100 pictures. At least, I didn’t have to worry about the cost of a roll of film. I told Trey that his dad used to be a photo hobbyist himself, back in UST and the boy seemed to have picked up the hobby.



Photo taken by Trey from the second floor attic of the vacation house of Bob's brother at Crosswinds, Tagaytay.

Monch always cautioned Trey while he was holding the camera, fearing that the boy might drop or damage the camera. I didn’t worry a bit and was more glad to see Trey taking an interest in photography. I gave him so tips and directions in taking landscape pictures while Matess shared some minutes on close-up photography.

Miguel was off to Boracay for his own holiday vacation, so it was only Iya who shared the weekend of Red Dog. We were teasing Cesar as he couldn’t say the “magic words” to Miguel as he was boarding his flight to Boracay. But we were sure that Cesar shows and expresses his love in more ways and words! Photo of Cesar and Marivic Pareja with their daughter Iya taken by Trey Novales just a few minutes before we were all scheduled to go back to Manila. We decided to leave mid-afternoon as we were anticipating many other urbanites returning from a long weekend.

For Chief and myself, this weekend in Tagaytay was another eye-opener as we continue to dream about being parents one day. If CG was alive today, CG would surely have added extra smiles for this weekend!