Belated SEND off "Party"

Zeny with Leslie, Eve and Lydia and inserted pix is Malou Gabriel-Murphy

This is a belated send off party for Malou  Gabriel-Murphy, who is already in the USA when this was held. Because of my physical incapacity, it was held at this late hour with friends at Beautifont , held just a stone throw away from my place. Thanks Eve, Leslie and Lydia for coming despite the late invite.  Regret not having Liza and Alice.

Thanks Malou for the goodies. We hope to see you in 2015 onwards!

The Windsor Castle

Going to England in July seems the best part of the year to enjoy the scenery, as did my sisters, the "Queen and the princesses".

England Visit

My two sisters, Flavie and Susan are visiting another sister, Elvie, in England.
Elvie occasionally visits us in the Philippines for about two weeks, talking, recollecting, just like the old days when we were still singles. She visits our octogenarian father and all the siblings and their families.

Elvie's citizenship is English since her marriage to Geoff.

It was my two younger sisters' first trip to England so they are very excited.
I'm sure they will be chatting till the wee hours of the morning.
This will be their second time to see our nephew and niece and their respective partners.

The first time the whole family visited us in the Philippines was in l980's, when the children were seven and five years old.
The boy wouldn't want to go down the plane because he was shocked by the heat in the Philippines at that time. Coming from the air-conditioned airplane, it was like opening an oven.

Enjoy yourselves. don't forget the pictures!

Ballestamon children of Cavite

Two children of the Balestamons of Cavite, Philippines are missing for over 48 hours already. I can imagine the torment of the parents and the grandparents of the children, aged 6 and 12 years.

If you haven suspicious characters with the children in your vicinity, please report it the authorities.

Meanwhile, I enjoin everybody to join in prayer for the release of the children in good health.

When we pray, please follow ACTS step.
A- Adoration. Adore our Lord sincerely
C Contrition. Repent, be sorry for your sins
T Thanksgiving.Thank the Lord for the blessings we have received, whether
negative or positive
S Supplication Say your petition, not only for yourself, but for other people.

They may not be related to us by blood, but aren’t we brothers in Christ?

Our Lord says through Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Our God listens to our prayers.

"Mamang" Flora Beley's death

Flora Beley, or Mamang to us, passed away last Sunday at age of almost 90. On the burial site, Lottie, a grandchild of Mamang and daughter of Lulu, asked the children and grandchildren how their lives were touched by Mamang during her lifetime. Everybody could not forget how they were cared for by her, the love she showered on them, how she would not forget bringing a little something for them whenever she would be out going to the cinema or she had to attend to something.

In turn, she appreciated their "pasalubong" (gift) of her favorite "siopao.

Lottie asked me to say something for Mamang.

I said that although I am not a blood relative,related by affinity through my sister Esther who is married to Alex Beley, Mamang also touched my life. When she was a neighbor in Las Pinas, Philippines, I saw in her how she cared for her husband and children, like "inakays" (as a hen would care for her chicks), the values she had ingrained in them, the closeness of a clan; her selflessness, how she would give something to her children in need.

Her children who had the capacity to help her financially especially during the latter part of her years helped her. Jon and Lita, Susan and Bholet especially, attended to her physical needs. I applaud you for that concern.

Lottie, related a story of the sentiments of a mother to her children when as a mother was already infirmed, and it was already the turn of the child to care for the old mother, like: (already translated)

Don't be angry with me when I litter,
when I eat remember the time when you were still a child,
I would pick up your litters?

I am sorry, I am not able to reach the toilet in time
Remember the time when you defecate,
I was following you with pampers at hand?

I am sorry, I am too slow walking with my cane
because my knees are shaking.
Remember the first time you had to walk
and I had to hold you by both hands?

Be patient with me if am "makulit"
because my mind already becomes foggy
Remember when I had to teach you your ABCs?

(Most shed their tears) Lottie's parting words: "whatever you do to your parents, it would also happen to you."

Mamang had a great life, among the loved ones. Her trip to Canada and HongKong was sponsored by her children.

Friends- where are they now?

During my wedding at Manila Hilton, Philippines (considered the tallest building, 12 storeys, at that time) at UN Avenue in Manila, I had guests coming from the office where I worked, some friends and relatives. It has been ages since I last saw some them.We have lost touch. Where are they now.

To be or not to be a Godmother/father

When I was 17, I was a sponsor to a baby boy's baptism, I was Godmother. I've had several godchildren especially when I had a better economic status and had a position of authority in the office, children of my office mates. I also sponsored the baptism of the children of some neighbors and relatives. Back then, what I knew was that you have to be ready during their birthdays and Christmas. No seminars were held prior to the baptism, unlike now, the Godparents, together with the parents have to attend a pre-baptism seminar for the parents and Godparents to know their responsibilities to the child. that is, helping each other in nurturing the child towards God's ways, to become a good adult.

I haven't seen my "inaanak" (godchildren) for so many years now. Sorry, I was neglectful of my duties. My only excuse, I didn't know.

The Church is no longer allowing underage godparents. They should at least be 18, baptized themselves, and have attended the pre-baptism seminar. Otherwise, what teaching would they give the child.

Same is true of being a sponsor to a wedding. You have a responsibility to the married couple. If needed, help them financially and spiritually.

Out of the many godchildren I have, I can only remember Nathalie and Theresa Samosa. To others, where are you now?