Thursday, August 31, 2006

Grandparents' Day

Hello All:

Just a reminder that September 10 is Grandparents' Day. If you have stories you want to share or just write lola a note, just post and maybe we can print and show her.

Also don't forget to post pics of birthday celebrants so we can get to see.

Best regards to all!!

Minotte

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

"BE CONSIDERATE!" & "PEACE AND QUIET!"

I can clearly remember our Baguio summers. The horseback riding adventures, the various mountains we discovered and named, the hearty meals of longganisa or sinigang or adobo, the fireplace gatherings and bonfires.

Seldom have I seen Lolo get upset but I recall that he would be very irritated when we would run around the house especially during his afternoon "siesta". His deep voice blurting out "BE CONSIDERATE!" still resounds clearly in my mind as he stops us in our tracks as we attempt to run up the stairs.

He said "BE CONSIDERATE!" over and over and over again. He installed strips of carpet on the floors and the stairs to mute the ruckus but to no avail so he would repeatedly remind us to "BE CONSIDERATE!" and would add "PEACE AND QUIET!" into the equation if things were really getting out of hand. If things got really unbearable, he would administer the "daga" on our arms.

This principle of thinking of others has been ingrained in me. I always try to think about others first before I do anything. I would try to see if any of my actions would affect anyone and try to do something differently or even stop any plans if it would result in any inconvenience to others. I am now passing this to Aina so that she may continue this trait I learned from Lolo.

Wherever we are, I hope that this "BE CONSIDERATE!" admonition that Lolo has tried to instill in us can be truly practiced and even better, passed on to the next generation because all of us deserve "PEACE AND QUIET!".

- kofranks

Friday, August 25, 2006

Basic Instinct

A valuable lesson Lolo taught me, during one of those cubana and beef steak dinners where he had his nightly cerveza, is this:

"Rammy," he said, "Times will keep changing and there will be a time for everything, even a time for war where things get confusing and you might not know where to go or what to do.... just stick to basic Christian principles and you'll be ok."

Lolo seemed to have a prophetic vision of what lies ahead.... or he just learned life's lessons really well and we were just lucky to be there to learn from his experiences.

I think that the secret to Lolo's greatness lies in this. Reverting to Christian principles was instinctive to him. This was his Basic Instinct.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Bakbakan sa Loob ng Bakod ni Uncle Sam

My ex-father in law would always tell me that in America you will be successful.......What he didn't tell me is that in America, everything comes with a price as well!

I left Manila because I just got sick of what was happening. I was confident that with my experience and being married to a Filipino-American, adjusting will be easy. I had enough money saved, and my then wife and I, just jumped!.........Was I wrong! It never occured to me that coming to America will be such a nightmare! First, it took me a year to get my Green Card. Second, cash is KING in these parts, and what money we had left was vanishing in a very fast pace. Lastly, my confidence flew out the window, and I was lost!

I was the General Manager of a Global Company at the age of 30. The youngest in the whole organization...........I would have dinners with people twice my age in the best restaurants, and would travel all over Asia.......next thing I knew, I was computing if I can eat in McDo or watch a movie. I remember having sleepless nights.....being so helpless.

My first job was a Customer Service Associate for AT&T Wireless. In short, sa call center nila. I was being trained together with people who does not even know how to speak English properly. Medyo malabo yata if I stay, and make it a career. I decided to go to Grad. School!

In Grad. School I started re-gaining my confidence because I was up against people that were driven. My goal was to finish early and get a job. My then wife was climbing up the corporate world of fashion in NYC. Oh Yes, the shoe was definitely shifting to the other foot!

I remember when we would attend functions, I would feel inferior because my wife was the one working, and I was just a Grad. Student. Linunok ko lahat.......and it fueled me to strive harder. Sadly, on the night of Dec.18,05...she dropped the bomb! You guys know what happened next. FYI, my divorce went through, and I am actually single again.

In Jan.06 I literally had $94.00 to my name. Puta! hindi ko makakalimutan yon!!! I lost my savings, my house, and my wife in a blink of an eye!!! I remember scavenging for coins in my Jeep so that I know exacly how much I had because to go to NYC for interviews will cost me a lot. I remember I bought a yoga mat and a sleeping bag (both on sale) in Target.....total of $16.00. Every night I would read the book Kuya Franco gave me and pray the Novena from Sylvia. I would go to Church everyday and pray really hard.

Going to interviews was another challenge. I had to sell myself, and make them feel that I am the best one for the job.....despite of what I was going through! My then wife was really out to destroy me....with no concience at all. She did not care what happened to me.....she was out for blood and I was a fool!!! When the first offer came, I grabbed it! I told myself na Puta!.....kakayanin ko to! I would spend 10-12 hours a day at work, often volunteering for extra stuff. My boss even asked jokingly if I go home?? In short, buhay ko na yon!.......I would wake up at 6am leave my Kuya's house by 6:30 be at work around 8:30......and leave past 7pm.

Sa awa ng Diyos, nakaraos na din! My confidence is back, but in a more subtle way. I will move forward but I will always remember, so that I will not make the same mistakes. I lost a lot here. All I wanted was to have a more stable life. I guess one day I will know the reason why. ..........mine is another story of life in America.

Monday, August 21, 2006

You Tube.Com

Nico and Magu have been quite busy conceptualizig, shooting, and editing this Mortal Kombat video for You Tube. Using the Adobe Premiere Pro Maui got in Virra Mall, the boys have created a most interesting clip.

Nakaktuwa these young ones--they are so versed with new software. Now, si Nico na ang nagtuturo sa akin mag-edit! I remember teaching my dad how to e-mail and how to use the mouse. For that matter, I remember teaching the boys how to use the computer noong Windows 98! Baliktad na ang mundo. Of course, they laugh at Windows 98 now. It has been said that an average 6th grader knows more about the computer than his parents.

Hirap na hirap si Magu--ang kawawang talent na abused and unpaid! May costume changes and fight scenes choreography pa!

I just wanted to share with you the fruit of my boys' labor. I believe they have sent it to Franco. Maybe Tito Franco can share some of his videos, too?

Sign in and make balita soon! Post comments or pictures tayo, okay? Calling Tito Mikko and Tito Miguel--watch it okay?

Check out the video clip at You Tube.

Monday, August 14, 2006

mara's visit


mara visited us in CA 2 weeks ago, with her boyfriend, joey. mara had an internship at a vet clinic in berkeley. we are so proud of her choice of study. joey, in the meantime, plans to enter the police academy. it was a pleasure to get to know him more. he eats filipino food and has a cute sense of humor.

that's selena with them, looking gulat.

mara also is on full scholarship at rosemont college, philadelphia. tita maridel has remarried and now lives in new jersey. all the best!

hope the blog pics keep going!

Thursday, August 10, 2006

MATTY NOW


MATTY IS NOW A YEAR OLD AND AS CRAZY AS EVER....


AT COUSIN MARGA'S PARTY...


MY NEW HOUSE...

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD

When we first migrated to the US, I had just graduated 7th grade. I found the thought of traveling and moving to the US exciting (thank God for being naïve). My world suddenly opened up and growing up was fast. Thanks to my parents and siblings, I never felt alone in trying to adjust to the new world.

I hate to admit this but, I was enjoying my new life in the US. It allowed me to re-invent myself and forced our family to form a strong bond that will last the rest of our lives. Of course the first few years were tough financially, but my parents always made sure we had everything we needed and we learned to appreciate what we had. I can’t speak for Ate but, one of my treasured childhood memories is when we shared not only a room but a SINGLE bed between the 2 of us. We made a great team when it was time to cleaning up our room—we hid everything in our closet. The pile got to be taller than either of us. When we couldn’t fit anymore clothes in the closet, our bed suddenly rose up a few inches. PARENTS DON’T FRET…IF YOUR KIDS DO THIS NOW—THEY’LL OUTGROW IT.

I remember my first major culture shock, attending a coed public school. The sheltered and uniformed world of Assumption was gone. I found myself in a class with not only males but all sorts of people from different religious backgrounds and color. It’s true about the young being able to adjust quicker—I never had problems finding good friends in school – of course moving into a block where you’re surrounded by fellow Filipinos helped immensely. The Velez family was a God-send every step of the way…they still are!

Even with all the new things going on in my life then, I still missed all the cousins. Whenever I felt alone and depressed, I would remember the fact that I was once (and still is) a part of something special. I would use that feeling of security to help push me on. This I remember so clearly—having to call on my memories in the compound and feeling warm and fuzzy in the inside. I think for a child, this the most important thing.

yoy

tito cary

when i was younger, i was afraid of tito cary. he looked strict and he did not smile and the legendary and relentless way he trained kuya rosky, franco and randy in basketball was enough to make me stay far away from his way. when he looks my way, i look down in fear.

there was a time that, when he was standing in the terrace, i would wait until he goes away until i crossed to go home kasi baka pagalitan ako!

just a couple of years ago, i got to know tito cary more because he got interested in teaching maui basketball. maui and i both cried after tito cary's rigorous and unoffical sunday training because neither of us were ready for serious repetition with no positive reinforcement. i remember randy coming to the rescue to demonstrate the shots so maui could have a break.

maui himself said it was his "lay-up that lolo cary taught me" that got him into the HS PAYA team. i know maui's confidence continues in sports because of what tito cary taught him.

tito cary got interested in correcting nico and paoi while the boys were playing hoops, just having fun. but tito cary couldn't stand that they had the wrong form so he said "maturuan na nga!"

nico treasured all the training he got before we left. he understands the importance of knowing the basics correctly versus copying the fancy NBA antics. i wish tito cary taught him more but nico will have to carry on.

"ang buhay ay parang basketball" tito cary told me. and we actually carried on many animated conversations about NCAA, UAAP, etc. kaming 2 lang, say mo. "basta basketball, naka-ngiti yan," said franco.

and it's true. tito cary is a different person altogether when he is talking about the passion of his life. he is gentle and relaxed, and always smiling. i hope he gets to coach basketball soon. sabi nga namin, kahit sa la salle. (??) basketball brings out the best in him.

Kristine's baby MATTY




Welcome to Tilamsik:

Matthew Rodrigo (Matty)
born June 15, 2005.