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!

My cousin Renelle

This scribbles are about my cousin Renelle. Wait, sounds like a title of a movie, "My Cousin Vinny!" But photo shows me with Renelle and Patrick.

Renelle is mom to EJ. The eldest of the kids of Tito Rene (my dad’s only brother) and Tita Nenen. Am not sure how old she is? How young are you Nel? Yup, she recently celebrated her birthday. Am sure she had a memorable date with someone special.

Last December 2007, Cecile and I spent a couple of days at her home in Demarest, New Jersey. She also got us (and Patrick) tickets to the Nets and Pistons game. My first-ever NBA game.

She also baked chocolate cookies for us on our last lunch at her home, our last weekend in the States. Even my mom and Violet got a taste of her home-cooked chocolate chips.


I won’t forget the smile in her face when we arrived at her home last 24 December 2007 to surprise her mom and dad. She was jumping up and down outside her door like a little girl. And it was cold winter night that evening. She hugged us tight that swept away the cold.

Back in 2003, she also treated us to watch “AIDA” plus a nice commemorative T-shirt. I remember that Japanese restaurant we first had dinner, on the way to her home in New Jersey. She cried as she opened up her heart and life to us. I felt weak and unable to help.

Now, she has moved on and forward with her life. EJ had grown big and has a rabbit in his room.

As we soon celebrate Valentine’s Day, Cecile and I share our love with Renelle Velez. Happy birthday cousin! May you be blessed with good health and happiness!

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!

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.

Miguel celebrates

Today is Miguel’s birthday celebration. It would a long weekend as Chief and I would drive up to BF Homes Paranaque after lunch to greet Miguel and then proceed to Bacoor, Cavite, to visit Jag who was rushed to the hospital last night.

Chief had been extra worried about Jag’s condition as he is the most “sickly” among the kids of Manny (Chief’s youngest brother) and Vangie.

Mom had called up our Greenhome around 7am to remind us of Miguel’s birthday. Miguel would be having a few friends at home for a small celebration. Minnie had promised to give him a new PS3 while I would take care of the game cartridges.

We arrived at BF Homes around 2pm. And by then, Miguel and a couple of his friends were already glued to the TV and watching "Bruce Almighty."

Happy birthday Miguel!

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!

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.

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!

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!