It's been nine years since Mama passed on and I still couldn't bear to visit the land of my birth, the Philippines. Unlike when Papa died, I went to visit Mom almost every year, for ten years. Somehow, and even though our eldest brother Kuya Muling, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, classmates and some old friends were still there, I didn't have the excitement, stamina and will to retun to my native country, after both of my parents went to Heaven. Anyway, Papa and Mama always showed up regularly in my dreams, day and night, during their upcoming birthdays and death anniversaries, or whenever I visited their Blessed Memories in my website, InSearchOfPerfectFriendship.com.
Not until I got the good news in February of last year from my older brother Kuya Bert when he finally found his ideal wife, soulmate and next bride, that I mustered enough drive and motivation, and promised him to bring my whole family back to the 'Pines for his wedding. Unfortunately, the date that he and his fiance chose for their big day, December 29, 2015, was inhospitable to our children who would rather spend Christmas with us in Vegas. But a promise is a promise, at least for me. So the day after Christmas, I left my family at home in Las Vegas to attend Kuya Bert's and Jobelle's nuptial at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in our old hometown of Macabebe, Pampanga.
My son Osbert bought my round-trip Asiana Airlines ticket which cost a fortune; so I told him not to get me a Father's Day, Christmas and Anniversary gifts anymore, which he ignored. Instead, he and my daughter Claire-Voe lavished me with more monetary gifts, and I was able to update my wardrobe for the trip. On top of that, Osbert gave me more spending bucks when he and Claire-Voe dropped me off to the airport.
In the meantime, Gie and I had ten months to assemble my usual giveaways to my cousins, friends and their children everytime I went to the Philippines, such as baseball caps, fashion jewelries, T-shirts (including Taylor Swifts' concert tee's) flashlights, backpacks, cell phone holders, etc., mostly coming from Claire-Voe and Osbert. Also, I bought new stuffed toys, pens, Transformer & Sanrio goodies and bags for the kids I was going to feed in Sta. Rita (our village,) Lucapon (where my sister Ate Fel used to teach in Sta. Cruz, Zambales,) and in San Pablo City, where Fr. Emil, our former Charismatic preacher and now Rector of the diocesan seminary there is waiting for me, as part of my goal in going to the Philippines.
Just like in my previous trips, I had listed my objectives which were not limited to attending my brother's wedding and having a wonderful time with family, relatives, and friends during the reception, but also seeing my high school classmates because I will not be able to attend our 45th reunion this year, minding our Children's Ministry by feeding and giving some goodies to the children I encounter during my stay, and visiting the people who had assisted me in my spiritual journey, namely: Sr. Marietta, Fr. Emil, Fr. Tony, Fr. Faller and Fr. Fr. Sonny Ramirez.
However, if along the way, I happen to get entertained and bumped into some gorgeous tourist spots that the Philippine archipelago of more than 7,000 islands has aplenty (although I had travelled in parts of Luzon & Visayas, Philippines, and in 32 countries, live currently in the entertainment capital of the world, and purposely didn't bring any camera, cell phone, or laptop because I had no intention of checking my social media for this sojourn, so as not to get distracted and let go of my pride while feeding and distributing gifts to children, relatives, friends and classmates) I wouldn't mind going to Palawan (where Fr. Sonny, who was Mom's favorite homilist on TV and the main celebrant for her 90th birthday Thanksgiving Mass at home and used to invite me but I declined because I didn't want to go there by helicopter;) Pagsanjan Falls and San Pablo City (where Fr. Emil, our Charismatic Group's most notable preacher and comedian, is the rector of the provincial seminary;) Kamay ni Jesus Shrine where Fr. Faller, who has the gift of healing and conducted three of our group's healing services, is based; and Metro Manila's trendy bistros, clubs and restaurants where Fr. Tony, my friend, classmate and regent of the Graduate School of the Catholic University of Santo Tomas, used to take me.
But, God Is Good!...Because he didn't allow me to go to those beautiful places, dine at fine restaurants and enjoy club dancing and bistro music. Neither did He permit me to visit my 6th Grade Religion teacher, Sr. Marietta at her Benedictine Monastery in La Union, Northern Philippines where my nephews and relatives on my mother's side were waiting for me; and sleep in San Pablo City Seminary where Fr. Emil was expecting me; nor visit Fathers Sonny, Faller and Tony.
God Is Great!...Because none of my high school classmates from Santa Cruz Academy in Zambales showed up for our one day and overnight unofficial reunion on my last day's Farewell Party & Prayer Service for Mom & Dad, because unbeknownst to me (until I read their message and found out on Facebook after arriving in Las Vegas) that they couldn't make it to our get-together because they were unprepared.
And, Jesus You Are Awesome!...Because You allowed my brother Bert to make it impossible for me to stay and hold Mom & Dad's Prayer Service and my Farewell Party at his brand new house across the street from our ancestral home, and have it instead, quite fittingly, at Mama & Papa's house which they built for us, their children, 40 years ago; and where they nurtured, shared with us, and kept theirs and our faith in God alive, everyday; but more so, when we all came to join them in celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary, Mom's 90th Birthday celebration, their transition from this life to the next, and during countless Angelus and Rosaries recited by Mom & Dad with our whole family, in this home, until the end of their lives.
Jesus, I Trust In You!...Because in doing so (staying at my parent's home) I got sick from ashma, wheezing and puffing, and had to see a doctor after inhaling some of the dusts while cleaning the house with a hired hand for three days, repairing its plumbing, electrical, TV and washing machine, hiring a laundry woman to clean and arrange all the clothes of my eldest brother Kuya Muling who had been left unattended after taking care of my sister's children (who are now grown ups but don't care about him) because he never got married and had failed his interview to join us in the United States. (Fortunately, my sister promised that she'll take care of him, hopefully, when she and her husband retire in the Philippines this year.)
Holy Spirit, Thank You!...For giving me the gift to persevere while cooking for my brother Kuya Muling, cleaning up after him, washing the dishes and feeding his dogs; but more importantly, for sharing breakfast, lunch and dinner with him at home and in restaurants where we also bonded, the whole time I was there; and for permitting me to share Your Blessings by feeding and distributing gifts to many children, relatives and neighbors before the New Year and after the Prayer Service for Papa and Mama.
Holy Spirit, I Praise You!...For allowing me to discern and gather together the icons around the house and put together Mom & Dad's altar in the same spot where we used to pray together as a family, and convinced Kuya Muling to keep studying and learning the Sacred Scriptures with his new friends in Dating Daan Bible Study Group, while still joining me in praying Mom's favorite prayer, the Rosary, almost every night, and attending Saturday Evening Mass for Sunday in our Catholic village chapel, and keep honoring Mary and receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, like we used to with Mama and Papa, which was quite a feat during my stay with him because he stopped doing so, after joining a Scripture-based Evangelical Church three years ago.
And, I Praise and Thank You Lord!...For teaching me and learning from my brother Kuya Muling, by being with him for 18 days and allowing me to observe him up close, and follow his lead, ever since I had known him, to eat my pride with humility and grace and forget the luxury of where and how I live, to be kind to everyone without expecting anything in return, and to experience the Joy, Peace and Love of the Lord within me, in Mom & Dad's home, in Las Vegas where it abounds with my wife and children, and afterlife in Heaven, where we rightfully and truly belong. AMEN.
Not until I got the good news in February of last year from my older brother Kuya Bert when he finally found his ideal wife, soulmate and next bride, that I mustered enough drive and motivation, and promised him to bring my whole family back to the 'Pines for his wedding. Unfortunately, the date that he and his fiance chose for their big day, December 29, 2015, was inhospitable to our children who would rather spend Christmas with us in Vegas. But a promise is a promise, at least for me. So the day after Christmas, I left my family at home in Las Vegas to attend Kuya Bert's and Jobelle's nuptial at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in our old hometown of Macabebe, Pampanga.
My son Osbert bought my round-trip Asiana Airlines ticket which cost a fortune; so I told him not to get me a Father's Day, Christmas and Anniversary gifts anymore, which he ignored. Instead, he and my daughter Claire-Voe lavished me with more monetary gifts, and I was able to update my wardrobe for the trip. On top of that, Osbert gave me more spending bucks when he and Claire-Voe dropped me off to the airport.
In the meantime, Gie and I had ten months to assemble my usual giveaways to my cousins, friends and their children everytime I went to the Philippines, such as baseball caps, fashion jewelries, T-shirts (including Taylor Swifts' concert tee's) flashlights, backpacks, cell phone holders, etc., mostly coming from Claire-Voe and Osbert. Also, I bought new stuffed toys, pens, Transformer & Sanrio goodies and bags for the kids I was going to feed in Sta. Rita (our village,) Lucapon (where my sister Ate Fel used to teach in Sta. Cruz, Zambales,) and in San Pablo City, where Fr. Emil, our former Charismatic preacher and now Rector of the diocesan seminary there is waiting for me, as part of my goal in going to the Philippines.
Just like in my previous trips, I had listed my objectives which were not limited to attending my brother's wedding and having a wonderful time with family, relatives, and friends during the reception, but also seeing my high school classmates because I will not be able to attend our 45th reunion this year, minding our Children's Ministry by feeding and giving some goodies to the children I encounter during my stay, and visiting the people who had assisted me in my spiritual journey, namely: Sr. Marietta, Fr. Emil, Fr. Tony, Fr. Faller and Fr. Fr. Sonny Ramirez.
However, if along the way, I happen to get entertained and bumped into some gorgeous tourist spots that the Philippine archipelago of more than 7,000 islands has aplenty (although I had travelled in parts of Luzon & Visayas, Philippines, and in 32 countries, live currently in the entertainment capital of the world, and purposely didn't bring any camera, cell phone, or laptop because I had no intention of checking my social media for this sojourn, so as not to get distracted and let go of my pride while feeding and distributing gifts to children, relatives, friends and classmates) I wouldn't mind going to Palawan (where Fr. Sonny, who was Mom's favorite homilist on TV and the main celebrant for her 90th birthday Thanksgiving Mass at home and used to invite me but I declined because I didn't want to go there by helicopter;) Pagsanjan Falls and San Pablo City (where Fr. Emil, our Charismatic Group's most notable preacher and comedian, is the rector of the provincial seminary;) Kamay ni Jesus Shrine where Fr. Faller, who has the gift of healing and conducted three of our group's healing services, is based; and Metro Manila's trendy bistros, clubs and restaurants where Fr. Tony, my friend, classmate and regent of the Graduate School of the Catholic University of Santo Tomas, used to take me.
But, God Is Good!...Because he didn't allow me to go to those beautiful places, dine at fine restaurants and enjoy club dancing and bistro music. Neither did He permit me to visit my 6th Grade Religion teacher, Sr. Marietta at her Benedictine Monastery in La Union, Northern Philippines where my nephews and relatives on my mother's side were waiting for me; and sleep in San Pablo City Seminary where Fr. Emil was expecting me; nor visit Fathers Sonny, Faller and Tony.
God Is Great!...Because none of my high school classmates from Santa Cruz Academy in Zambales showed up for our one day and overnight unofficial reunion on my last day's Farewell Party & Prayer Service for Mom & Dad, because unbeknownst to me (until I read their message and found out on Facebook after arriving in Las Vegas) that they couldn't make it to our get-together because they were unprepared.
And, Jesus You Are Awesome!...Because You allowed my brother Bert to make it impossible for me to stay and hold Mom & Dad's Prayer Service and my Farewell Party at his brand new house across the street from our ancestral home, and have it instead, quite fittingly, at Mama & Papa's house which they built for us, their children, 40 years ago; and where they nurtured, shared with us, and kept theirs and our faith in God alive, everyday; but more so, when we all came to join them in celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary, Mom's 90th Birthday celebration, their transition from this life to the next, and during countless Angelus and Rosaries recited by Mom & Dad with our whole family, in this home, until the end of their lives.
Jesus, I Trust In You!...Because in doing so (staying at my parent's home) I got sick from ashma, wheezing and puffing, and had to see a doctor after inhaling some of the dusts while cleaning the house with a hired hand for three days, repairing its plumbing, electrical, TV and washing machine, hiring a laundry woman to clean and arrange all the clothes of my eldest brother Kuya Muling who had been left unattended after taking care of my sister's children (who are now grown ups but don't care about him) because he never got married and had failed his interview to join us in the United States. (Fortunately, my sister promised that she'll take care of him, hopefully, when she and her husband retire in the Philippines this year.)
Holy Spirit, Thank You!...For giving me the gift to persevere while cooking for my brother Kuya Muling, cleaning up after him, washing the dishes and feeding his dogs; but more importantly, for sharing breakfast, lunch and dinner with him at home and in restaurants where we also bonded, the whole time I was there; and for permitting me to share Your Blessings by feeding and distributing gifts to many children, relatives and neighbors before the New Year and after the Prayer Service for Papa and Mama.
Holy Spirit, I Praise You!...For allowing me to discern and gather together the icons around the house and put together Mom & Dad's altar in the same spot where we used to pray together as a family, and convinced Kuya Muling to keep studying and learning the Sacred Scriptures with his new friends in Dating Daan Bible Study Group, while still joining me in praying Mom's favorite prayer, the Rosary, almost every night, and attending Saturday Evening Mass for Sunday in our Catholic village chapel, and keep honoring Mary and receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, like we used to with Mama and Papa, which was quite a feat during my stay with him because he stopped doing so, after joining a Scripture-based Evangelical Church three years ago.
And, I Praise and Thank You Lord!...For teaching me and learning from my brother Kuya Muling, by being with him for 18 days and allowing me to observe him up close, and follow his lead, ever since I had known him, to eat my pride with humility and grace and forget the luxury of where and how I live, to be kind to everyone without expecting anything in return, and to experience the Joy, Peace and Love of the Lord within me, in Mom & Dad's home, in Las Vegas where it abounds with my wife and children, and afterlife in Heaven, where we rightfully and truly belong. AMEN.
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