Family Swimming at Sun City

Last June 15, kasama ang buong Pamilya sa angkan ng Pioquid at Minglana, nagkayayaan kaming mag swimming sa Sun Ciy, Pansol, Calamba, Laguna. Double Celebration itong maituturing. Celebration ng 8th Birthday ni Sam at Father's Day na rin. Nakakatuwa lang at sa mga oras na yun, nagkaroon ng family bonding.

Nakakatuwang makita ang mga magulang, asawa, anak, pinsanan at mga pamangkin na nagkukulitan habang ini-enjoy ang hot spring. Sulit ang gastos at pagod sa preparasyon, atleast, nakita mong sila'y masaya.

Hay! sana, masundan!

A tribute to a Father

Nuong Linggo, June 15, umapaw ang CP ko sa mga text messages na dumating. Puro's pagbati ng "Happy Father's Day Drew"

Dapat nga siguro, 1 whole week celebration ang Father's Day, dahil kung tutuusin, hindi kakayanin ng 1 araw, o ng 1 linggo, o ng isang taon pa ang magagandang bigay ng mga ama sa mundo. Ipinagpapasalamat kong ang tatay ko ang numero uno kong idolo, sa kasipagan, sa kabaitan, sa pagaaruga at pagmamahal.

At sa araw ng mga Ama, magandang balikan ang mga kagandahang naiambag sa atin ng ating mga Ama, na dapat ipagpasalamat.

A Happy Fathers day to all the Dad's out there specially to my 2 Father in Law, Papang Fred, Daddy Romy and my only Dad, Lucito Minglana.

Honga pala, Dad narin pala ako! Happy Father's Day to me.

PS. Salamat sa lahat ng mag bumati.

Happy Birthday my dearest daughter Sam

My daughter's growing up so fast
eight full years have now past.
From infant it's quite the contrast
I wish those days could always last.



Letting her grow up, is so hard
I hold her in highest regard.
The works she's written avant-garde
my daughter is a brilliant bard.

Her writing started very young
words seemed to roll right off her tongue.
Some of her works are lyrics sung
it's the elite that she's among.

I hope my words aren't too cliche
and now without further delay.
The wishes that I now convey
I say Sam, Happy Birthday.

Alvin Minglana to Bermuda

Isang napakagandang oportunidad ang dumating sa buhay ng kapatid ko. Opportunity to work as a Senior Accountant sa isang Top Financial Company sa Bermuda. Direct hire sya dito, at ang maganda, lahat ng expenses nya sa preparation at pagpunta sa Bermuda, sagot ng company na nag hire sa kanya. Ayala Land ang pinanggalingang company ni Alvin or Bheng sa tawagan namin at Financial Analyst na sya doon.

Hinatid namin si Bheng kagabi (8pm) sa NAIA. He's flying to Bermuda, a British Colony sa Atlantic. 1 hour airplane trip lang eh nasa New York kana. Sabi nga nya, baka sa New York na lang sya mag spend ng Christmas at New Year.

Di ko nakakitaan ng kalungkutan ang nanay namin. Sana'y na raw syang pareho kaming nasa business trips parati pero ika nga, iba parin ang ibang bansa. Matagal tagal syang mawawalay sa amin. Kahit ang tatay ko, nagpakita ng tikas ng loob (ewan ko lang kung umiyak). Pagkatapos mag-paalam sa lahat, lalo na sa anak kong paborito nya, niyakap ko na ang kapatid ko at nag-biling magdasal, maging smart at mag-iingat palagi.

I wish all the best in life for my brother pero ang sabi nya, gagawin nya ang lahat para mas maiangat ang antas ng aming pamumuhay lalo na para sa mga magulang namin.

Manila Ocean Park

Last June 3, sa request ng anak kong si Sam, nagpunta kami sa Bagong Manila Ocean Park. Sa likod lang ito ng Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park Manila.

Malaki na nga ang pinagbago ng lugar. Bagamat di pa gaanong tapos ang istraktura, marami nang mga tao ang dumadayo para masaksihan ang mga naggagandahang nilalang ng dagat na ngayo'y nasa park. Di lang ito basta park, may future plan din para sa mga hotel and mall settlement dito.

Sa halagang 400php per head sa adult at 350php sa seniors and children, maituturing na may kamahalan bagama't sulit ang pagbisita sa lugar na ito lalo't underwater enthusiast ka. Talagang nakaka-engganyong matanaw ang mga nilalang ng dagat na ito. Sana nga lang, di sila naaabuso.



Isa pang sayang ay ang nakakadismayang hitsura ng manila bay na nasa likod lang ng park na ito. Makikita mo ang napakaraming lumutung na basura. Senyales ba ito ng maunlad ng bayan o bayang kulang sa disiplina. Hay!

Di bale, nag enjoy naman ng husto ang aking anak at ang aming buong pamilya sa Ocean Park.

See more pics!

My SAM's 1st communion

Before her 8th birthday, my daughter took 2 more catholic sacraments. Confession and Holy Communion.

I took a leave to attend my daughter's 1st communion on May 30, 2008, Friday at St. Joseph Parish Church, Taguig City. Proud to say, she's on the right path. Thru the guidance of my mom, who took care of her in my absents (since i'm working), she guided my only child on defining what is right and wrong.

Oh one more, May was also dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary, and my daughter took part in the celebration of the Flores de Mayo

I'm one proud Dad!

See more pics!

Paying homage to my Mom's root in Aklan

I still have this great recollection of what my mom's ancestral house looks like, the environment, the houses, the rice fields, the river. But, to SEE AGAIN is to believe. I'm fortunate to see that last May 2, 2008.



I've scheduled a summer getaway heading to BORACAY with my wife. 4 days in this treasured Philippine beach. Conscious of the location (AKLAN), I immedietely think of visiting my Grand Pa at Jugas, New Washington, Aklan, a town after Kalibo going to Iloilo. So before our Cebu Pacific Flight by 8am at Manila Domestic Airport, I immedietely ringed my cousin, Psyche Mae. I asked her to accompany us to our Grand Pa's house. In short, she became our tour guide.

We are at Kalibo Domestic Airport by 9am and my cousin Psyche are waiting for us on the airport gate. I've asked our friends who came along with us to Boracay if me and my wife Mina could pay a trip to my Lolo's house. No one oppose...hehehe.

First, we visited my Aunt Mila's house, near Kalibo Airport. She came along with us, with another cousin of mine (sorry, forgot her name). Then, we went to Aunt Susettes house (she's the Aklan Provincial Capitor assistant Provincial Treasurer). Our cousin Hanna also came along. We made sure that lolo will be surpised on our visit. I've bought chocolate cake and black forest cake of Red Ribbon from Kalibo Gaisano Mall. Before going to Jugas, we took rest at my cuz Psyche Mae's house.

Heading to the Barrio took as almost an hour of mixed cement and rough road. Though the weather is too hot, I manage to enjoy the sceneries as we pass by what my mom foretold places to us like Candelaria and Banga, the rice fields and the Nipa plantation, the fish ponds.



Lolo, here we come! Atlast, after a long winding rough road, I stepped in the house, to where my mom came. I'm really astonished on the place. A real old barrio, were handicraft and farming is the main source of income. I saw my Grand Pa, very old and weary, always asking apologies for he's familiar with our face, not with our names anymore. He's more than 90 years of age. I can't withstand my Grand Pa's condition and immediately called my mom of the situation. What assistance we could offer.

I've also noticed my cousin Joan carrying sacks of "palay" on her shoulder. Imagine, a 21 year old girl. I was touched by heroics, standing as the light of the house. She even cried when she saw us. She was overwhelmed I guess. (Don't know where her mom by that time).

We thank GOD for the food on our table (lots of Fried Galunggong, Sinigang na Galunggong din and steamed talbos ng camote - my request). We ate altogether. One of the happiest moment I've experienced. I've let them show some pictures our our family in Manila via my laptop. We went to our Aunt Pilings house. I manage to see the new unfinished bridge connecting two barrios in between river. Before this bridge came, one of my Grand Pa's business is transferring people from one side to the other using their boat. My mom usually tells us story bout that. I came close on seing the NIPAS where my mom confessed she hate to tie up to make the "SASA", later will become the native roofs of the "Bahay Kubo".

Ah! too much of the memories isn't it. But one thing I notice, I really felt sorry for the condition of my Grand Pa, his room, no fan, not to mention other unhygienic things... It caught me mad once in a while.

Time comes, need to go to Bora. I gave my Aunts and my Lolo a very warm hugs and kisses, promised to visit them again. I've even inserted money to my Lolo's pocket.

Miss my Grand Pa so much.

Mom's May Day!

Almost all the festivities in the Philippines are held during the month of May. Don't know exactly when it did start. But one thing I know, this month also marks my mom's natal day.

On May 3, that will be her 65th year in this world. I salute my mom for bringing us to this world, providing us all our needs and being our best teacher. She had made us what we are right now.

Not to mention all her sacrifices for us, she had made every second of our life fruitful, for us to enjoy the world, others aren't lucky to have. My mom is the instrument of my success. We, her sons and grandchildren are her living treasures she had made to. And I am proud to be her son, her eldest.

Love you mom! Wishing you good health, long life and all the best in your life. Happy birthday and mothers day too! Ariba! to the best mom!

PS.: Don't worry Pop's, it will be your turn next month.

sam minglana: top 6 out of all grade 2 students

Indeed my little girl is tough! I'm a proud dad of this little achiver girl. she made it to the top inspite of tight academic competition. As her reward, I'll let her choose between music summer class or swimming lesson.

Me and Mina's BIG Day - November 24, 2007

After 3 months of preparation, finally, kinasal na rin kami ni Mina. We gone through lots of challenges bago naganap to. We've finally ripped the fruit of our sacrifices. Gosh, di pala biro mag-asikaso ng kasal. Hands-on kami sa preparation. Sa documents palang namin, dapat, accurate.

I'll write more on the details. Kaka-online ko palang, kaka-excite mag kwento. Sa ngayon, back to work muna.

Isisingit ko mamaya ang mga detalye.

Ito nga pala yung link sa online pix :

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/andrew.minglana/DrewAndMinaSWeddingNovember242007

My Daughter's Blog

Kakatuwang gumawa ng write-ups lalo na pag para sa anak mo. Inspired by the blog of Senior Apol to her daughter Pia, I've done the same for my daughter.

Link: http://samsosweet.blogspot.com

Ok na outlet ng mga naisin mong sabihin sa anak mo. Ipapamana ko to sa kanya.

3rd Year with Mina

Hi Mina;

Kung tutuusin natin, napaka bilis ng panahon. Hindi ko akalaing talong taon na pala ang nakakalipas nung maging tayo. Di ko na rin mabilang ang mga pangyayaring nagdaan sa ating buhay. Magkasama tayo sa hirap man o ginahawa, sa pag lutas ng ating mga suliranin sa buhay, sa pag-balangkas ng mga desisyong humulma sa ating hinaharap.

Sa loob ng tatlong taon, binuo natin ang pagsasamahang hindi matitinag ng kung sino man. Ang pundasyon ng pagtitiwala sa isa't isa, ang ating malayang opinyon na sa huli'y magbubunga ng pareho nating pag-ayon.

Salamat Mina, sa loob ng tatlong taong pagmamahal na walang kapalit, tatlong taong puno ng pag-aaruga at pagmamalasakit. Salamat sa pagtanggap mo sa aking anak. Salamat sa pagtanggap mo sa aking pamilya. Hindi matutumbasan ng kung sino man ang iyong ipinamalas.

At sa nalalapit nating pormal na pag-iisang dibdib, ipinapangako ko ang aking wagas na katapatan, wagas na pagmamahal na kamatayan lamang ang makakapag-hiwalay.



PS. Saan ang date natin? :) Chef Angelo kaya muna tayo? Hmmp...

1 Document to go

Sa wakas, nakuha ko na rin ang Confirmation Document ko last Thursday, September 13, 2007 sa Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Silang, Cavite. Thanks kay Ate Jho Corro, nai-coordinate na na agad sa Parish yung information kaya madali ko lang nakuha.

Hay! 1 more nail nalang sa coffin to go. Banns nalang sa Parish namin.

Tinininininggggggggggg.....Tinininingggggggggggg... sound of the glasses.

Hanggang kelan?

Yan ang tanong sa akin ng mga magulang ni Mina. Kakahiya man, di namin ma set kung kelan talaga kami papakasal. Laging rason ko, " Busy schedule ko". Ganon din si Mina. Last year, nag set kami na December, pero di natuloy. Nag set din kami ng February ngayong taon, di parin natuloy. Pinaka huli, May ngayong taon, pero alam na naming di matutuloy.

Hay! Pero may nakapag sabi sa amin, bakit di talaga kami mag set ng fix date, pag-laanan ng oras ang preparation. Nangyayari kasi, dahil sa walang fix date, it tends na mag-adjust ng mag adjust. Pero kung meron set fix date, may konting pressure on our part para maging seryoso.

Hay! Nasabi rin ni Chippy, baka ang totoo, hindi pa talaga kami handang magpatali sa isa't isa. Oo nga naman, pang habambuhay na pagsasama na kaya yun. Hmm...pwede! Pero committed na ako kay Mina.

Ah basta, promise, pag di pa to na set sa lalong madaling panahon....ewan ko nalang.

Remembering my Fr. Als's 15th Death Anniversary

Oh my papa! To me it was so wonderful....

A painful song I've learned from our Alma matter, sang when a great man left his children to join his Master. Still the song echoed in my ear, a bit with tears from all those who love Fr. Al so much, the great servant of the poor.

49 days after his death, I came to SMS to study for free. With out knowing how great this man is, i usually play beside his tomb rested in front of Doty building. Till our sisters shared us his teachings, his beliefs and love of GOD, I've realized, I was on the right path.

Before August 15, 1992, the sisters let us watch the video coverage of Fr. Wake. Everyone bares the pain of his lost, even us who didn't got the chance of an outright contact with him fell deeply sad.

As the sisters foretold us, Fr. died peacefully. He really prepared for that time when it came.

And now, it was 15 years since this great man left us but made a mark for each one of us of his legacy. To practive love for each and everyone of us.

We love you Fr. Al.