Violet at 28

Yes, it my sister's birthday today. The 28th of October. Violet, or Vio, as she is fondly called is a mother to one fast-growing kid, Miguel. Only last weekend, Miguel turned 12. Wow. Twelve years and soon, he would be going into high school. During last week's Olga's despedida, Celine, Rowell, Francis and I were talking... rather conditioning Miguel to consider going into a high school that would have good chances of leading up to college.
Photo shows Violet (right) with Chief (left)

He was just listening and said, "I don't know to my mom."

Guess, Violet knows better.

I remember back in the early 90s, during that strong earthquake, Violet was living and working in Baguio. And all communications were cut then. And no mobile phones yet... and mom and dad were extra worried about her, so I had offered to take a bus up to Baguio and check her out.

Yes, she was safe and my trip to Baguio would be another blog.

For now, happy birthday Violet! May you always count your blessings with Miguel.

Olga's Despidida

Everybody brought something for lunch at Uncle Edito’s house in BF Homes, Paranaque City. Including the mahjong set. Plus, Melo brought two bottles of fresh carabao’s milk for mom and me! Thanks Melo!

Chief and I had arrived from Cavite, where we had visited Jag Gabutina, who was in the hospital. Dad Gabutina had slept over at the hospital after Vangie had to go home.

When we got to Uncle Edito’s house, Nedda and Victor with Rowell, Francis and Celine and Nedda’s two sisters, Baby and Olga had arrived. Olga was leaving for Riyadh by Wednesday and this family get-together was born out of last Sunday’s “Lechon” Fiesta in Angeles City.

A few minutes later, Melo with Toti and his family arrived. Mario and Cherry and their two kids had arrived a few minutes after we had started to eat lunch.

Guess, no Garcia clan reunion without the sound of marble tiles crashing against each other. This time there was the “junior edition” with Chief, Toti, Monina and Cherry playing mahjong. Cherry was being teased to “upgrade” to the next table. “Puwede ka na sa amin, panay ang bunot mo!” says Mom and Melo.

Their table was directly “back to back” against the “senior edition” with mom, Victor, Melo and myself.

Toti would say, “Tignan ninyo si Tita Meya, multi-tasking, dalawang table ang tinitignan” as mom would also take a peak at Cherry’s deck!

Sitting long at the mahjong table does result to back pain but I guess, it doesn’t matter much as long as everyone is having fun… and even, winning!

By 5:30pm, it was getting dark and we could hardly see the mahjong pieces. Luckily, I made “bunot” twice to capture the “high” (which means the first person to earn 5 chips). “Nakabawi ako” I said to mom. Even Chief won 45 pesos!

But more than the winning (and the losing), it is the family getting together on a weekend, catching up with each other and strengthening the “ties that bind.”

Even if both Uncle Edito and Tita Ache (mom’s elder brother and sister) are physically unable to join us as they both old and grey, we are sure they could feel the laughter and the warmth between all us in their homes, whether it be in Angeles City or Paranaque City! Am sure, even my own dad is smiling to see us together!

Mahjong Fiesta

Fiesta are really big family events in the Philippines.

And last Sunday was the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary is no exemption. It has been a tradition of the Garcia Clan to drive from Manila to Angeles for this fiesta.

Last year, Tita Ache played host to us. Cecile and I, together with mom, Violet and Miguel made the trip. This year, it was different as we all arrived a day earlier, slept over at Melo’s place at Villa Theresa, after a night of dancing!

By noon, we were really in a fiesta-mood and ready to feast on the lechon and other high-cholesterol food. Crab. Shrimp. Plus, fruit salad, macaroni salad, “tibok-tibok” and leche plan. Victor de Vera brought red wine, but nobody picked up the bottle.

And after lunch, the mahjong table was set by Melo and Toti. Mom and I and Victor completed the “quorum.” Luckily, I won early and earned money to last for the next couple of hours. Even mom was surprised I won early in the game. Photo shows my cousin Nedda as Mom watches on.

Today was also the first time Chief sat through a highly-competitive, fast-paced mahjong game. Melo was teasing Chief and Nedda (who replaced Victor) of how slow the game was moving. Toti, his younger brother, then replaced him too. Actually, he just needed a “nic” break. Yosi break. Photo shows Chief (on the left) enjoying the game.

The game ended around 5pm.

Lechon Fiesta

Last Sunday was the feast day of the Most Holy Rosary here in Angeles City. We all woke up at Villa Theresa. It was around 8:30am. Tocino and itlog na maalat was served. I skipped the “red eggs” and just ate tocino with rice.

But what made coffee different was the fresh carabao’s milk. Mom, Chief and Violet enjoyed their coffee. Masarap the carabao’s milk. Melo later said that each fresh bottle costs around 100 pesos. This milk could easily be made as “ulam” and as soup. Melo explained that if the milk was heated, the top layer would form a cheese-like substance. Mom says the milk is used for “tibok-tibok” which is a native delicacy here in Pampanga.

We caught up with the 10am Mass at the Cathedral. It was full house. It was a con-celebrated Mass, with around 6 priests. Everyone was sweating. I bought a 20 peso “pamaypay” for Chief.

We squeezed further inside the cathedral. And stood just 15 meters from the main altar.


By noon, we were really in a fiesta-mood and ready to feast on the lechon. There goes the cholesterol level for most of us... and that includes me, my mom, Melo and maybe, even Victor de Vera (husband of my cousin, Nedda).

Night of Dancing

We went out dancing somewhere in Angeles City. It was mom first-ever to stay or rather sleep over in Angeles City. This capital city of Pampanga is her home province. Photo shows Chief swinging with Dexter.

Together with Chief and me, Violet and her 11-year old son Miguel joined us. GUess, Miguel is amazed as he entered this "dancing hall" and see young and old people alike enjoying the music of a live band called "Decadas."

Also present is my cousin, Olga Seng, who was in the country for a short vacation. She works and lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She had beeb living and working abroad for many years and once a year, she comes home for a short vacation. Photo shows Olga with mom and Chief.

Melo Garcia was our host, together with Cindy and Dexter, who both showed us the grooves and the steps. From LA Walk to cha-cha to boogie, we danced. Sometimes, we were a little shy. But we all had a good and memorable time. Photo shows Melo dancing with my mom!

Towards the end of the night... around midnight, the band sung "Achy breaky heart" and almost everybody stood up and did "line dancing." Melo was leading everyone... turn left, turn right... move up and down the dance floor.

I can sing the lyrics of that song as I scribble these words.

Minnie at 42

It my sister’s birthday today. Fermina was born 14 September 1965. She is 42 years young. Young kase she still doesn’t look much her age. Probably, will pass off as a 35 year old lady. She graduated from UST.... finished HRM. Photo shows Minnie with my mom the night before she left for Canada

For the past year, Minnie, as she is fondly called, has been living and working in Edmonton, Canada. For many years, she worked at Danarra Hotel until she pursued a chance of working abroad. She had worked in Danarra for many years, and often whenever we were around that place, we would pick her up at the hotel. When the three nephews, Carla, Geneve and Nicole, were all still living with us, there would be weekends, they would go to Danarra for a swim.

I remember back in 2005, she made her first overseas trip. Yes, she visited Chief and me in Vietnam. For two weeks, she lived with us at Hung Vung 2 at Saigon South. And for a week, she also bonded with our cousin, Patrick, who also had a long vacation with us. Photo shows my sister with Patrick (left) and Chief (right)

During those days, none of us would have imagined three cousins living together in Vietnam, much less, imagine Minnie traveling out of the country. But now, she is across the globe… on her own and for that we are very proud of her!