part 2: 20 years ago in Asingan

..From the Municipio, we decided to pay a visit to one of our RA classmates ( class '58 ). He is Rogelio Agpaoa, aka Engineer, aka Roger..He did a UN stint in an African nation ( if I am not mistaken ) ..

We went to Sanchez on a jeep courtesy of Juan Sindayen..Our group was a rowdy but not rude bunch..Here are the photos, again lifted out from the video...

 

we passed by the statue of the unknown soldier, just in front of the Agsalud residence. Underneath the statue is a favorite hang out for some kids in the 70s...especially when they have their own happy hour without going into a bar...

 

On the road to Baro passing thru the western side of the market..We call this mini market strip the PUESTO.. I do not know if these are the original buildings of the one that I knew...

 

Dr. Teofilo Bugayong also came with us that time. He is one of our classmates who became a doctor..

 

When we reached Roger's house, Leopoldo del Rio aka Uldong perched himself on a ledge, telling a story with enthusiasm ..Must be a juicy bit..:) Roger at the background is coming out with something in his hand..

 

Here's Roger! It was a vat 69..Good choice !

 

Roger & Rudy Manuel..good buddies..

 

Here is a toast to Roger! Any more bottles inside?..:)

 

 

 

 

20 years ago...

these shots were taken in Asingan..

..20 years is a hell of a long time. Visiting Asingan after such a long time of absence is quite an experience..Now that the town fiesta is just around the corner, why dont you plan a Sentimental Journey back to the land of our birth?...

I took a shot of Mr. Cardinez and a gentleman in front of the old Municipal Building...

 

The ff: were taken inside the Treasurer's Office of the Old Municipio under Mayor Sapigao ( deceased )

Mr. Pre was talking over the microphone, introducing the staff who were working in the Municipio

 

 

The elected officials : 1988-1992

 

 

The venerable wife of the late  Congressman Luciano Millan is the lady in pink...

 

More Asinganian ladies enjoying an afternoon merienda in the old Public Library building of Asingan..

 

These photos were lifted from a home made video entitled ASINGAN REVISITED..It is an hour and a half  documentary which is made up of various shots I took when I visited Asingan for the first time in 1988, 12 years after I left the country.  Video cameras were still in its infancy then...

( more photos from the video next time around )

a moving story from Florendo ( Amading ) Romero

ON FORGIVING OTHERS...

( "forgive them, Father...)

I remember Rudy Dumapias whom you mentioned as one of your close childhood friends.... You were in Grade VI and we were in Grade V.  They lived before at the back street of the market and their house is still there,  I think. They are a good  family, and his father was a lawyer. They came very early to America, I heard.  Maybe he doesn't know me but I want to congratulate him for his retirement... . Now he is devoting his time to serve God as a Pastor and that is another accomplishment. !

I would like to relate to you a parallel story that happened in my life concerning Faith. You can call this a testomony.

 

It all started one day, when my wife Alicia (clinical instructor of U.Pangasinan at that time) brought with her a book: The Holy Bible's New Testament which she bought for 4.50 pesos from a man  who went to their school. . We were  then just renting an apartment in Mayombo. It was my first experience to have a Holy Bible in our apartment. Out of curiosity, I started reading it. One page after another during my spare time until I became addicted and I was already able to finish up to ten pages! It became so very interesting. When I reached the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, I couldn't help but cry, my tears rolling my cheeks. 'Twas like I was already at the scene where he suffered his punishments and finally his death! I became more religious since then.

Then I started making pilgrimages..I  walked so many times from our residence ( Mayombo ) to the shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag, a 21 km. distance. I also visited the shrine of Senior Divino Tesoro in Calasiao. I did these praying to GOD that whatever hardships that my family was encountering would be lessened...

On my birthmonth May, while my wife was on affiliation in Manila, I fervently prayed to GOD to grant  me a gift. Before May 31, my birthday, a telegram addressed to my wife arrived. Although it wasn't mine, I opened it up. To my surprise, the message was that she has to report to their office immediately with her papers! When she arrived, I asked her if she applied for a job in Saudi Arabia. I showed to her the telegram. At this time, Freda was already in Jeddah working in a military base for two years already.

In short, she went to Riyahd and worked there for eight long years with 45 days vacation leave yearly. Can you imagine the sacrifices that we went through, seeing each other 45 days a year for 8 years! Whenever she arrived, believe it or not, it was always like a honeymoon .. We missed each other for 320 days each year! For the  8 years that she was away,  I never slept with another woman. As days passed by, we were able to save for our house and lot in Dagupan, Bonuan Gueset. Bought the lot first, then had a house constructed as days  in 1984.

Then our papers arrived from the U.S. Embassy for an interview towards a visa. I told my wife to resign and work on our papers and she did. We finally came here on June 11, 1990. We waited for 17 long years before coming to the US.

One of the most tragic incident that happened to my family ( as if God was testing how strong our faith was ) was what happened to my brother Reynaldo. As I have told you, he also became religious like me. He also walked pilgrimages to Manaoag and prayed also while walking.

On April 11, 1989 some unidentified assailants pounced him, motives unknown. He received 12 stab wounds and his body was dumped into the canal in Kamarquezan, Bayaoas, Urdaneta, Pangasinan. A big stone was also dropped into his forehead by the murderers thinking it would finish him off so he won't be able to name them in case he survived. It was a tragic, grisly end for my brother who was quiet, religious and peace loving.

The case remained unsolved up to this day..We did not pursue it anymore, anyway we can not bring him back to life. As to the killers, we have forgiven them a long time ago.

 

Reynaldo have a son. He graduated as salutatorian in high school. I talked with him about his ambiton.  He said, he wanted to be a dancer or a singer and go to Manila. Okay I said, but we will not help you. Then I suggested, "how about enrolling in pre-nursing?"

He agreed but he wanted to be in Manila. Again I said, we will not help you in this case for I wanted him to study in Pangasinan. So he enrolled in Urdaneta and transfered to U-Pang later for the internship and he graduated with flying colors. He just passed the board exam, and we were grateful fo GOD! I texted him to apply in Europe. He is presently residing in our house in Dagupan together with my brother Zacarias' two daughters and Gloria's son and daughter, all taking pre-nursing also.

---- Florendo Romero

photos from Arsenia

Introducing, the one and only guy who amazed me with his musical talents. He is  Renato (Rey) De Gracia. He does not like to have his picture taken so I took a stolen shot while he was driving. (way to go, Arsenia, and now you published his  photo to be seen by the whole world  ...:D ) He is a solid New York Giants Fan, as well as New York Knicks. He knows his sports.

Above is my recent picture. It's so cold at home and I decided to wear this fur coat he bought me as a gift.

That's how I look when I'm wearing my other pair of eyes.

Please publish these pictures so Rain, Annie, Manang Poly, Archie and others can meet Rey in his side view mood. He plays guitar very well as well as some piano.

Have a good day, every one.

- Fe

p.s. more photos below. One with Miss Texas, and the others are of my beautiful daughter...

 

 

 

 

Marcie with 2 Lady Prexies

Marcie with Cory and GMA

It is not everyday that we can have a photo taken with our country's President. But Marcie had a couple of snapshots, first with Corazon Aquino, the housewife that took the place of President Marcos.  I was in Toronto during those tension filled days of the first people power. It was the first time that Toronto Star changed its main headline 3 times as it was updating the minute-by-minute events that lead to the oust of FM from Malacaniang. For a couple of hours, there were TWO Philippine Presidents. The oath taking of Marcos and Aquino took place one after the other in separate places with separate sets of judges. Typical Philippine media circus..Only in Manila, eh?

Ex President Corazon Aquino, her daugther Pinky, and some businessmen came to Hanoi, Vietnam on February 20, 2003.   A reception was held in her honor, hosted by the Philippine Embassy.  My husband (who worked at the U.S. Embassy) and I were invited.  The above photo were taken inside the Philippine Embassy.

--Marcie Uson Wise

 

 

The above photo were taken in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Feb. 11, 2002.  President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her delegation came to Hanoi for the ASEAN Summit.  A reception was held at the Melia  Hotel.  All  the expatriate ladies were invited.  I had the opportunity to talk with her and I found her very nice.  She mingled with us and we had so much fun.  Security at that time was very low key.  President Arroyo was there for almost two hours.  She made a little speech but I forgot most of what she said. One thing that I do remember is her telling us, "just continue sending money to the Philippines."  Aren't we all doing that already?--Marcie Uson Wise

 

 

 

last week end's outing

the trip to Vanier, Quebec

Starting from L-R: Michelle, Mia, Miguelita and Emma..They picked us up morning of Saturday on a rental jeep ( a seven seater that could climb up, no sweat, a snowy, Kennon road like terrain )

The trip is one of those family re unions with my youngest daughter Bernadette who was married to the Somerville family in Ottawa, Ontario. Ottawa to Vanier is another 1 hour on top of the 6 hour ride from Toronto to Ottawa...

This is the main attraction of Vanier, a ski slope just about 5 mins walk from the Somerville chalet where we lodged for 2 nights. One pays 50$  a day per person just to use the facilities on top of the skis you have to rent for the day...

 

There is another lesser steep slope just below the other one used by adults. This is where our grandkids learned how to ski. We stood by here for an hour watching them go up by holding on to some contraptions strapped to a constantly moving thingy that looks like a giant clothes line. From the top of the hill you see them whiz down  hoping they wont fall flat on their faces or bump their precious little butts on the snow covered ground.

 

Two grandmas ( Helen Somerville and Mig Costes ) watching out for the 4 little darlings go up and down with Simon Somerville accompanying them with the exercise...

 

Now the posing begins: Dillon Somerville with his cousin Emma Forbes..

 

Peace to you too, Emma...

 

Chloe Somerville..Smile, baby! One is never too young to go skiing..She is in grade 1 ..

 

Grandma Mig, all bundled up....

 

Mia ( "Peanut Butter") all geared up to do some serious skiing...

 

After that hectic fun outside, the kids did a favorite Filipino indoor thing: KARAOKE SINGING! Dillon and Chloe sharing a couch and a microphone...

 

Chloe singing her heart out...

 

a family photo...

Amading and Alicia..and one of their grandchildren....

a feedback:

Hi Vic,

YOU ARE A GREAT, SUPERB, INTELLIGENT AND SO ON, VERY POSITIVE WRITER!!!!!  I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU AS AN ASINGANIAN AND AN EXCELLENT FRIEND!

I thought it takes weeks for you to write a column but here it is! Can't believe what I'm reading is true.  It's like I'm just daydreaming.  Never in my life and in my dreams that my story and ours will someday be in the internet!

I still remember that when you graduated in intermediate you were second to Manang Eva!  Are you a Journalist of any Newspaper or magazine?  You're very deserving!  The column's title, wonderful!!!!!

What can I say?  Let my brothers and sisters read this and I'm very sure they will be very happy too.  THANK YOU VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!  GOD bless and more strength and power for you!!!

Sincerely,

Amadimg

******

TRUTH IS SOMETIMES STRANGER THAN FICTION....

Once Upon a Time in Asingan.....

..there were 4 friends: Lito Domaoan, Ismael Domaoan ( his cousin ), Florendo ( Amading ) Sampaga Romero, Philip Martin and me, the writer of this entry. The time was the early '60s. We have just finished high school with the bleak prospect of going into College.

So we just took it easy for a whole year, staying in Asingan letting the days go by like driftwoods on a strong river. We were waiting where the stream of life would eventually bring us.

We joined a local church club together with other youths , the cream of the crop of Asingan's youth: very smart people imbued with brains, diligence etc. but with one problem: not rich enough to enter College..But we had a whole year to plan what we want to do with ourselves....

So we met regularly, and one time, we had some photos taken for the sake of  posterity.

Then one by one, all the four friends dissapeared from Asingan. Everyone left for Manila, not necessarily to study but to find some  kind of work...

Lito Domaoan was the only one who bid me good bye. He said, "there is a free ride going to Manila ( a relative's car or something ) and I will be going there for keeps. It seems there is nothing for us here ."

We heard that the rest of the group had gone ahead. And so he left. I was left behind in Asingan to wait for the next school year to begin..

Fast forward to the present. Well, Philip joined the US Navy, Ismael and M.Lito found their way here in North America. Amading? Nobody knew where he went. Until recently..

I received an e-mail from him, which partly said:

"Just saw your address in the internet when I went to Asingan site and I read my name re Message# 136. May I introduce myself first before I go on any further. I am Florendo (Amading) Sampaga Romero pinsan of Manong Lilo, who used to teach catechism in the sixties with you. I read your columns but the names mentioned only were Manong Lito, Philip, you and maybe more except me.

This was 50 years ago! Thanks God we're still alive! I missed you guys from the bottom of my heart. Kindly extend my greetings to all those who in one way or another have done what we did before. I salute you for what you are doing re an internet website and I'm very proud to be an Asinganian. I'm married to Alicia (Lumen) Dagang of Macalong, a sister in law of Purita Palma.

My sister Esmer was your classmate before and she died of cancer in 2001, here in Orlando, Florida. To cut it short, my email address is mading.romaga@yahoo.com. Do you know the email addresses of Manong Lito, Philip and Ismael? God bless you and your family.

**********************

To which I answered:

HI Amading!

I mentioned your name too, but in one of those early entries I made in my Blog, about 3 years ago!

Manong Lito, Ismael, Eva, ..they want to get in touch with you too, I am sure..!!

I am sorry to hear about your sis Esmeralda..You have another sis who used to sing in the church with us..I forgot her name already..

Next time, could you send us your photo, also? You have this strong, tenor-baritone voice which could fill up the whole church...

Manong Lito is  okay and so with Eva and Dia. ...Alex Romero ( your Uncle ) is still in Asingan, as you may know...

......

I am so happy you wrote me, buddy!

Write me again, okay?

VIC

****** 

Then he answered back:

WHAT A GREAT DAY! I've found my long lost friend who have dedicated his life for Almighty God's sake and for the Asinganians. Keep it up Vic! "Somgar pay ti dotdot ko nga nakaawat ti email mo kabsat, ken nagtedted pay ti luak ti ragsak ko. "Saan nga OA daytoy but from the bottom of my heart, it's God's blessings for me. Imagine, for almost 50 long years we are just starting to communicate with each other and Manong Lito, Ismael, Manang Eva, Manang Dia and so forth.

You know, for what we did when we were young teaching catechism while we were not in school, we were gifted by Almighty God that almost all of us were able to go abroad and our lives became better than when we were inthe Philippines. To mention them, Manong Lito, you, Philip, Lito Mazano, others and me. Do you think this is just coincidence? I really can feel that this was our gift from God Alminghty.

Who were we before? You and Philip were in a better world. Our life then was so hard... Good that I grew up with my Auntie Felisa who had loved me as her own son. Would you believe that one day when I was in college, I even prayed to God Almighty in Quiapo church that may he will just take me because of our hardship in life. That's how desperate I was before!

Godofreda is the name of my sister who used to sing in the choir with you. She is here also in Orlando. Nene and Freda became R.Nurses, so with my wife Alicia.

Thanks a lot for giving the email addresses of Manong Lito and sisters, also Ismael . By the way, I've got two sons, Daniel and Ariel. Ariel married a RN white lady and Daniel still single at 35.

I'll be retiring on April 30 this year as a working Supervisor of Valencia Com. College at age 65. I don't like to work anymore for the meantime. We came here in June 11, 1990. I'll be sending you our pictures later, okay! God bless you and your family as usual. Bye.

****************

I answered again...

HI Amading,

It is a great day indeed, my friend..And I noticed that you can also write something about the past days in Asingan when we were still free of the "responsibilities" connected with adulthood..

Did you join the US Navy?..I heard something re: this effect but I was never sure..Your experiences ( praying to God to get you ) are quite heart rending..I know you had so many sisters..I still know their faces as children, but I can not remember their names already..Esmeralda, I think was your eldest..Maybe you could ennumerate their names again to me so I could refresh each one of them..But I never knew there will 11 of you...

I also remember a Sunday Times writer-photographer came to do an article re: your Mom SMALL TOWN PHOTOGRAPHER and in one of the photos, I had my side view and you are one of the kids in the background..That was something..If I only have a clipping or a page of that article, it would be a memorabilia...

I also remember thetime yourMom was bitten by a snake in her darkroom..There was quite a crowd in your house then..The snake incident and the Sunday Times photo essay was mentioned in one of my writings ( earlier ones ) and it could only be retrieved by going into the archives of the AJ book 1..So many things/stories re: Asingan before..I even included the incident re: Tata Pili and the priest ( whom he "defrocked" waist down, ) while he was shooting a funeral..It was related to my by my brod in law, M. Lilo..Maybe you heard that Gildo, one of his sons passed away..

Anyways, I have to go out but I could not help writing you to answer your letter..If you have an interesting article re: our town ( as we knew it ) please submit it and I will include it in my Blog..

Thanks, Amading..More power to you..

VIC

*****************

Thank you so much for having given me the opportunity to reach Manong Lito and sisters, Ismael and others.

Never thought that you will be and now the source of my communicating with my relatives,friends and you.

Did not join the navy. My wife applied as an immigrant re her profession in '71 and papers arrived in '89 while she was working in Riyahd, Saudi Arabia. What a memory you have! Yes, we will never forget those years, Mamang bitten by snake, lady photographer in Sunday Times and the hardships that we went through being children of poor couple.

Sorry to hear also about the death of Gildo. How? Haven't heard anything from them. I used to be the operator of Manong Lilo's sound system for years earning 3 pesos a night. Never in my dreams that I could reach America. It was impossible! But now it's true!

Tell you something. I was already 28 and still have no girlfriend. Never planned before to court a townmate 'cause if I do, told myself, I'll just be in despair being a son of a poor couple. Day by day I prayed to Almighty God to find me one to be my wife. Went to novenas in Mother of Perpetual help, St Jude Thaddeus Shrine beside Malacanang and never stop praying. I was at that time a Paymaster of Tamaraw Security Services, Inc.

One day Uncle Alex Romero and Fred Palma came to my boarding house in Jocson st. infront of UST.They invited me to the Juniors/Seniors prom of San Juan de Dios hospital nursing school. I went with them and Alicia, my wife was my blind date. It was a love at first sight! Am I going to court her, asked myself? I decided to pursue my feelings. Made visits every weekends and finally after several months, I proposed and, you don't have to guess anymore.

She's God's gift to me. She's the miraculous answer to my prayers!

My brothers and sisters' names from the eldest: Me, Aurora, Nene, Freda, used to sing with you in choir, Reynald, deceased, Ester, Pepe, Gloria, Zacarias and Josie. Me, Nene, Freda, Pepe, Gloria, Zacarias, selling pandesal early in the morning and Josie are here in US.

There's nothing impossible really even if you are just very poor during your childhood that your future will still be changed by our beloved Almighty God. I tried hard following God's commandments first of all. Thanks God we were able to come here.

Bye now my long lost friend. God bless you and your family circle as usual.

*******************

Indeed, life is beautiful, and exciting..It depends on how we meet it, how we shake it by the hand and how positive we deal with it..

Sometimes, we fear the unknown and we think everything is helpless..

It is not!

Even if life has its twists and turns, if we keep up trusting the goodness of some people and the belief that we are not walking alone in this world, then everything will turn out okay!

Just what my friend Amading discovered for himself...

--vic

***************************

PS..

Know what?  I was able to talk to Ismael and Manong Lito thru the phone already, more then an hour for each of them. You've done a very wonderful job for all of us! Power of the Internet!  More and more power too to YOU my friend.  Don't rush yourself answering my emails, I can understand your situation.  We are no longer young, but I've heard, kalabaw lang daw ang tumatanda!--Amading

 

 

My friend Amading....

 

**********************

 

################################

How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of every day's Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love with a passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. Elizabeth Barrett Browning

B-r-r-r-r !!!!!

Wintry Niagara Then, and Recently

Mike Bartlett, a regular reader of the AJ sent these photos. He said they were taken in 1911 with a Brownie camera. Those were the point-and-shoot models  during those years...

 

The photos below were taken  just last February 2007..Niagara, in the iciness of winter gives an eeire beauty of its own.. No sounds of tourists and cars..Even the roar of the Falls seemed to be stifled..And definitely, no rides in the Maid of the Mist!!

There she blows!

This is the closest place you can approach the Falls...

 

And this is just what you can see...No fun isn't it?

 

Another shot of the same place, from a different angle...

 

During summer, the spray from the Falls come as light drizzle..during winter they come as fine crystals of ice..:)

more winter photos

"T'is the winter of our discontent..."

Barbeque, any one?..:)

 

I am preparing this HUGE ice cream cake for the February birthday celebrants..:D

 

We will eat on this picnic table at the far end of the backyard..for privacy, of course..But don't forget to bring your own snow pants..:)

 

After eating we will have a nice chat on the deck, talking of what we will do come spring 2008...

 

Oooh, I just love winter..I do not have to mow the lawn or rake the leaves and all that boring yard work..:)

 

And when night falls ( or even at daytime ) I have the chance to watch some movies from my DVD collection, half of which are not even opened yet..:)

Yesss..I am getting to like winter. Maybe next year we will move to the Yukon territories, or Yellowknife or maybe  that nice little town called Aklavik ( population: very little ). Will make friends with some Inuits and drive around the tundra with their sleds and Eskimo dogs..:) --- vdc