WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG, YOU'RE NOT INVINCIBLE.....

My nephews ( Manang Petty's kids) and some of their friends participated in a basketball game during the town fiesta in their area. But the heat of this particular summer really zaps my energy so I decided to stay put at HQ rather than watch my nephews play. A little bird actually mentioned that my nephews were behind by a big margin in the game anyway so I guess I have been proven right. Who wants to watch and support a losing team? Lol! My apologies to my nephews but I don't want to watch them when they suck at basketball.

It was night time and the boys have not arrived yet. Right after dinner, I heard Manang Petty answer her phone. I did not know who was on the other line but I heard her voice.

"Si Lorraine? Naatake? Saan na sya ngayon? Paano nangyari yun?" The conversation continued but it made me think about the person involved, Lorraine.

Lorraine was the daughter of another cousin of ours, Manong Danny. I didn't really know personally this niece of mine that much since I am not based at Sta. Lucia. And if ever I do come over for a short visit, I don't go out of the house that much. Manang Petts told me that Lorraine grew up being close to her children. From childhood playmates to future drinking buddies, those kids were tight. So we were surprised to hear the news that she suffered a heart attack and her next of kin, given the dreaded "The TALK" by doctors at the Philippine Heart Center.

I know what "The TALK" is. Whenever doctors give "The TALK" to family members of a patient with poor prognosis, a nurse must always be present to witness such conversations. And I have been a witness to such conversations numerous times. Doctors explain to a patient's relatives in simple language what exactly happened to their loved one, any possible treatment modalities and the chances of survival. So "The TALK" helps to prepare the kin for any worst case scenario, particularly death. And why is it important? Because it enables the medical staff to proceed with their duties according to what the patient or the family wishes after knowing of the possible outcome.

On April 30, 2015, we received the news from Manila that Lorraine passed away at the age of 30. How unfortunate that I have to meet some relatives whom I haven't seen for a long time in such untimely fashion. Reunions are celebrated with joy normally but not this one. Instead, it was for commiseration and comfort.

The saddest thing about her death is its sudden turnout. It didn't surprise me though, I know that when the heart is involve, time is of the essence. I have never taken care of a patient who underwent post coronary angioplasty at the young age of 30. Neither have I known of cases of heart attacks in a young female like her. I mean it is possible but I didn't expect it to happen to someone related to me. May her death serve as a lesson to the youth. BEING YOUNG DOES NOT MEAN ONE IS INVINCIBLE. I can only surmise how painful this experience is to her mother, Manang Connie. To witness losing your only child when it should be the other way around, according to the laws of nature. She spoke about how she was able to converse to her daughter and just be with her the night before her death when we attended the final night of the wake prior to internment the next day.

I could have chosen to stay in Sta. Lucia and not attend the wake and funeral. But I recalled the days of my youth, of hanging out in front of the big abandoned garage as we read comics, of playing basketball at the town plaza basketball court at 12 high noon every summer, of wearing only slippers or even going barefoot as we ran up and down the court, of playing makeshift Basque pelota (jai a lai) with rectangular plastic motor oil bottles cut across one corner to its diagonal corner as cestas and a tennis ball and heck, even boxing matches with the use of boxing gloves! They were a part of that. I didn't hesitate, so I  joined the trip back to Manila. Besides, being the cheapskate that I am, I can't refuse a free ride! c",)

May 5, 2015 came and it was the day that Lorraine was laid to rest at Loyola Marikina. The last time I was here was I think 30 plus years ago, when Uncle Tante was laid to rest one rainy morning. I still remember that day, how difficult it was to reach this location before since the earth was wet, the roads unpaved yet and the distance that we had to travel from Sampaloc in Manila felt like eternity. Now. it just seems like a stone's throw away from Gateway Mall. A special shout out to the cab driver who patiently drove his cab that I was in inside the compound of Loyola as I searched for the burial site since I had to go directly to the park. I missed their departure from the funeral home. I am so pleased that there are still cab drivers worthy of the public's trust. And a big thank you too to Manang Petty who updated me of their real time whereabouts as I tried to catch up with them and Manong Andy who drove the van passed the cab that enabled me to find them in the park.c",)

Rest in peace, Lorraine. Your time here amongst the living may be fleeting. but you have brought immense joy to those you love.....

THIS IS WHAT EVERYBODY MISSED.....

Suko Na!

Kiss No. 2.....

Sya, Try Ulit Natin Ito.....

Kiss No. 1....

Time To Give Me A Kiss.....

Aunty, Nakuha Ko Na.....

O, Bitawan Mo Na Kasi.....

Hijo, Pakibaba Ng Siko.....

Just when everybody had left the wedding reception venue of my niece Tonette and her husband Neil, a handful of the groom's relatives stayed over since they lived just across the newlywed couple. And because I didn't have any bed to sleep on at the ancestral house in Sta. Lucia, Manang Petty asked the newlyweds in my behalf if I could stay the night in their house. The cowboy that I am, I was glad I get to sleep on the divan at the living room. I really didn't mind though. I reckoned I would stay for a night or 2 nights at the most because by that time, some people would have eventually left the house with Monday being a day of work. Give me a bed with a tv, I'm okay. I have insomnia and the tv helps me relax so I can get some sleep. The problem is when I do find something entertaining to watch, bye bye sleep.

As I cleaned my camera, inspected my lenses and about to place them back to their cases, my niece called me out to join them in their merriment. I went out and talked to them a bit, played with my granddaughters when my niece blurted out something.

"Aunty, kunan mo kami ng picture ni Neil na umiinom. Wala yun sa reception kanina pagkatapos na mahiwa yung cake dahil walang baso at alak na binigay yung caterer."

I smacked my forehead and realized that indeed that scene didn't happen. Then I replied, "Naku, sana kahit anong baso na lang na may lamang beer ang ibinigay sa inyo para lang makunan lang kayo ng picture ng umiinom after nyo magsubuan ng cake!"

She further went on that they have talked to the caterer and expressed their displeasure when it came to that supplier's service. I also mentioned, "Sorry nakong, hindi ko na napansin na wala yun kasi naman expected ko yung coordinator mo ang magsasabi at magdi-direct.

Although I love taking pictures of events of my relatives, I came here as a guest and I started to notice that the wedding coordinator was not assertive enough in his duties. It came to a point where I had to give suggestions to Tonette for her to be the one to give the orders to the coordinator since he wasted so much time. I assume that anyone who did not know me at the reception may have mistaken me as part of the crew. And I do not want to do that. I wish suppliers will realize that a single bad recommendation can spell doom to one's business. There were just too many lapses and faults. I'm sure Neil knows how to deal with them.

So, I went back to the house and took my camera and acceded to my niece's request. I didn't really know what to do. But I saw bottles of San Mig Light and some pulutan. I have no idea what they were munching on the side but I asked them to get the plate and two bottles of beer. I ordered them to reenact the whole scene. I didn't get my "cinematic kiss". But I knew they enjoyed themselves from this exercise. And that is more important for me to capture as a photographer, the happiness on their faces.

 Hala! Magpakalasing kayong dalawa dahil kahit papaano, nairaos nyo na ang kasal nyo. Kampai! As to those who might perceive my presence at their house would spoil their honeymoon, they already have two kids! Need I say more? c",)

Thanks for letting me stay at your abode Neil and Tonette, Until next time..... Wait..... There is a next time?

HOLY COW!!!!!

What I Ordered.....




My Fizzy Drink.....




Tabasco, Anyone?




The Decor.....









Every once in a while, I crave to eat steak. There is something about the smell of newly charred, succulent meat with mushroom gravy that makes my appetite going and my mouth water. And for all you steak lovers out there, I think to have your meat cooked medium rare is the best way to cook a steak. The meat retains its juices and is not dry. Yummy!

So I just had to give in to my craving one day after attending a private function. I was so hungry that to take pictures of the food I ordered was just an after thought, an exercise I suddenly remembered doing before I devoured my steak since I brought my camera with me. The best part was also having a thick slab of battered and fried cream dory to go with my steak. It was so satisfying. Burp!

A BOY NAMED ADAM.....

This little boy has grown up quite fast from the last time I saw him seven months ago. No more chat, just photos for this....

REVIVING A FAMILY TRADITION.....

Even before my family transferred to our present residence here in Las Pinas, I am no stranger to this area. My cousin, Manong Kelly and his family was one of the early settlers during the time when going to Las Pinas was such a tedious journey. The coastal road did not exist at that time, the main road in Baclaran ended at MIA Road and the area of Pulang Lupa actually smelled of the sea because of the sea salt being laid out in front of the houses to dry and be sold as table salt. My cousin would actually pick my family up in our rented apartment in Sampaloc and we would stay in his new (at that time) house to usher in the New Year. My aunt who used to sell meat and meat products in Central Market would be the one who would cook the food for the media noche. It was a tradition that my paternal relatives observed until everyone grew up and led their own lives and my aunt stopped selling and passed the business to one of my cousins.

A lot has happened since then. My father's siblings have been succumbing to illness, particularly to different cancers one by one. From a brood of six, only three remain. Majority of my cousins are now based in the U.S. And even my nephews and nieces who I used to carry or even play with are now grown up and have kids of their own.

I guess the recent death of one my father's sisters prompted my cousin and my remaining living aunt to revive the family tradition of spending New Year at their place. So right after observing mass for New Year's eve, my brother and I went to their place. Now, the gathering is not about the food and merrymaking anymore. It has evolved into a coming together and keeping in touch with one another.

Just as the clock struck 12 midnight, I went to the second floor and took pictures of exploding fireworks. This proved to be more challenging for me. Unlike the fireworks during an organized show like the pyro olympics where in I can actually see the barge from which the fireworks are set off, I had to anticipate for the area where the next explosion would be. Not all firecrackers are created equal. The ones that actually form glorious light patterns in the sky are more expensive than the ones that just produce a blasting sound. And it is these expensive ones that I looked out for and tried to photograph.

Here are samples of the photos I took. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome 2012!