Various Happenings, Post Christmas 2007
I forgot to mention in my previous blog that Eduardo Ocampo, another Class ’70 alumnus passed away before Christmas. Donna and I went to GSMP (Good Shepherd Memorial Park) to pay our respects. He was classmate and friend Tonette’s brother-in-law. Tonette wasn’t there when we arrived. The sad part about it was that his wife (Tonette’s sister) was in the US and because of the proximity to the holidays, was not able get a flight home. Jesus Naval, father of a friend, Kit also passed away but when we arrived that evening his remains have already been taken to Angeles City for cremation. Kit is Nestor and Emy's first cousin.
Thursday December 27, my colleague in ANASI Ruston Banal, Jr. from Betis invited us in the inauguration of the Betis Museum showcasing the history of Betis and its church. Donna and I went and I have to admit Ruston did a great job with the museum.
And here he is with friend Rona.
He did majority of the research work involved. The who’s who of Guagua was in attendance. The governor (who incidentally was the former parish priest here) was supposed to cut the ribbon but he got held up and was only able to show up during the awards ceremonies later that day.
Below are actually pictures in Betis church, the retablo and its ceiling which reminds me of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican in Rome. A gentleman and artist from Betis named Victor Ramos was responsible for re-doing the paintings on the ceiling of the Betis church. He worked with my brother Rafael in Clarkview but when business slowed down he went solo and did other things, one of which was to rework his church's ceiling paintings. I still remember him bringing his banduria (Philippine mandolin) to Angeles, he played and I accompanied him on the guitar. A year after he completed the paintings, he passed away.
We couldn’t stay long and wait because we had to attend a birthday party in Apalit. The uncle of the mayor of Apalit celebrated his 60th birthday and there was a huge celebration for him complete with a live band and all. This time it's Apalit's elite who's in attendance here. The celebrant is married to Pat’s sister Daisy and Pat is Donna’s school mate.
The day after, Alan’s wife Neneng invited us for lunch at their house in San Fernando Subd. Alan also invited Archie Reyes, the governor’s chief of staff. He’s Alan’s friend and former co-worker for 10 years or so at PAGCOR. He still remembers me from a previous visit with Among Gov. It’s our conversation after lunch with Neneng that made me realize how their school, Filbern has such good potential to have Capampangan integrated into their classes. I told her to invite me once they have something like this going on in their classes so I can observe.
Before we went home, we dropped by Kit’s house (she lives in the same neighborhood) to give them our condolences. She was out taking care of stuff but her Mom (Imang Carning) was there so we talked with her for a while. Kit's Aunt, Dang Puring was also there, she's Imang Carning's older sister. Nestor, thanks for the comments/corrections.
It was Dr. Morales’ turn to invite us for lunch Saturday at Fortune’s Restaurant and later that evening we attended the annual homeowner’s association Christmas Party here at Greenfields. They roasted one whole cow! I mean A WHOLE COW! Did I mention it was a whole cow? Donna and I got introduced among the ‘newcomers’ in the neighborhood since we didn’t make the 2006 party.
When we went to Europe we met Lyan in Spain and she was with us when we drove up to Portugal to visit Fatima. She came with another friend Lilibeth who's from Germany.
She turned out to be the daughter of our neighbor, Dr. Carlos.
Here she is between Donna and her Mom.
Thursday December 27, my colleague in ANASI Ruston Banal, Jr. from Betis invited us in the inauguration of the Betis Museum showcasing the history of Betis and its church. Donna and I went and I have to admit Ruston did a great job with the museum.
And here he is with friend Rona.
He did majority of the research work involved. The who’s who of Guagua was in attendance. The governor (who incidentally was the former parish priest here) was supposed to cut the ribbon but he got held up and was only able to show up during the awards ceremonies later that day.
Below are actually pictures in Betis church, the retablo and its ceiling which reminds me of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican in Rome. A gentleman and artist from Betis named Victor Ramos was responsible for re-doing the paintings on the ceiling of the Betis church. He worked with my brother Rafael in Clarkview but when business slowed down he went solo and did other things, one of which was to rework his church's ceiling paintings. I still remember him bringing his banduria (Philippine mandolin) to Angeles, he played and I accompanied him on the guitar. A year after he completed the paintings, he passed away.
We couldn’t stay long and wait because we had to attend a birthday party in Apalit. The uncle of the mayor of Apalit celebrated his 60th birthday and there was a huge celebration for him complete with a live band and all. This time it's Apalit's elite who's in attendance here. The celebrant is married to Pat’s sister Daisy and Pat is Donna’s school mate.
The day after, Alan’s wife Neneng invited us for lunch at their house in San Fernando Subd. Alan also invited Archie Reyes, the governor’s chief of staff. He’s Alan’s friend and former co-worker for 10 years or so at PAGCOR. He still remembers me from a previous visit with Among Gov. It’s our conversation after lunch with Neneng that made me realize how their school, Filbern has such good potential to have Capampangan integrated into their classes. I told her to invite me once they have something like this going on in their classes so I can observe.
Before we went home, we dropped by Kit’s house (she lives in the same neighborhood) to give them our condolences. She was out taking care of stuff but her Mom (Imang Carning) was there so we talked with her for a while. Kit's Aunt, Dang Puring was also there, she's Imang Carning's older sister. Nestor, thanks for the comments/corrections.
It was Dr. Morales’ turn to invite us for lunch Saturday at Fortune’s Restaurant and later that evening we attended the annual homeowner’s association Christmas Party here at Greenfields. They roasted one whole cow! I mean A WHOLE COW! Did I mention it was a whole cow? Donna and I got introduced among the ‘newcomers’ in the neighborhood since we didn’t make the 2006 party.
When we went to Europe we met Lyan in Spain and she was with us when we drove up to Portugal to visit Fatima. She came with another friend Lilibeth who's from Germany.
She turned out to be the daughter of our neighbor, Dr. Carlos.
Here she is between Donna and her Mom.
posted by reyjay @ 10:52 PM
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