another article on Ms Hufana

It was really a pleasant surprise to finally hug and exchange past childhood and grade school memories with our dear teacher Madam Esther Hufana after 40 years, and it looked like it was just a few years back, and to see her, in her current situations and looks, brings back smile and happiness to all of us , that somehow has, and had connections with her.Kapitana and i were able to snatch a few hours of her hectic schedule to surprise our scheduled SMPNC meeting and boy!! when we arrived at our president's home, where the get together was supposed to be, it was just a couple of members that were there and they're not even former students of madam Esther's , but by the time each of them arrived , you can feel the surprises and amazing exchanges of hugs and handshakes, and it was a sight , one can never forget if only a man can hold his tears of joy, i think i did not , because of the feeling of being near her, after all these years.From the time we bid goodbyes and another sets of hugs, hugs which i think will be for another years to come,to the moment we hopped to our car, and bring her back with Aunt Ludy, to Hayward Ca.,it was then that we realized the huge impact of our dear madam in our lives.She promised to get in touch someday whenever she's in the bay area and we sincerely told her and extends her our welcome and invitation to be with us, in our future get together dinner and dance, for she emphasized that she could still dance, and she doesn't want to be left behind counting stars alone hahahhhhhhh!!! anyway,we left her at Auntie Alice's son's home and bid her goodbye for her trip back home and ended another chapter of fun with our dear teacher , Madam ,Dr. Esther Hufana. ----mp

from the Sta. Maria Board of Pang.Org

What a pleasant surprise

 

to see and hug MADAM ESTHER HUFANA yesterday after more than 30 years! Yes, she was here in San Jose, California along with her cousin Ludy. Actually, it was an Officers' Meeting of the Santa Maria de Pila Association of Northern California at the "Kalapaw ni Tang Ignas". Most of the key officers were here. I never expected that MR. POGI AND KAPITANA went to Hayward to pick up Madam Esther so she could also join us for a get-together instead of today as planned in Union City. Her former elementary pupils who brought back unforgettable memories with her are: AIDA APIADO-TADEO, JOSEPHINE CLARIDAD-AQUINO, ALBERT TUAZON, ATI, MR. POGI, KAPITANA AND TANG IGNAS. Am so grateful, it was a happy reunion, dining together with delightful foods she really craved for -- balut, dinakdakan, pansit guisado, eggroll and a glass of red wine. At her age (early 70s), she is still stunning with a very retentive memory. She maintains an active lifestyle and her sexy move (the way it was in the 70s). While we're waiting for the rest of the key officers to arrive, I opened my pc and showed her my previous posting about her, that Manong VIC from Asingan Message Board planned to include it in his publication, Sunshine Stories in Pangasinan -- MADAM ESTHER HUFANA: A Little Slice Of My Childhood Memory Of Her. She and her cousin Ludy were laughing but were impressed with this short literary composition. I already had the courage to ask her if she belonged to NORA or VILMA camp in the early 70s. She said smilingly, "Never, because I'm focused to my profession teaching English!" Before she left, she told us, "Ita, ammokon dagiti tawagak ken pasiarek inton sumaruno a panagbakasyonko ditoy California." With God's grace, we hope to see her again in the near future! ---Tatang Ignas

from Sta. Maria Message Board

Pangasinan.Org

Mist Of Tears Amidst the Desert Sun

Alone and submerged in my deepest agony of pain from the loss of my beloved pet, I sit and reflect on how good life has been for me despite of all the trials that I was asked to go through. Change they say is good but I often wonder if these were all true as I have managed to see the path of darkness whenever I opt to go for a change. The beauties that I see in my surroundings are nothing more than a fixture of temporariness in this tumble world of ours. People in our lives come and go and new sprout of lives replace the old but it seems like I cling more to the old these days than to the new.

The silence of the night under the bright and hot desert sky is deafening to say the least but I hear shouted whispers from a distant past. I could not help but to succumb to this tiny inkling memory of what my life has been in the last few years. I have lost so many people in my life, people who left thundering presence in my existence, I have cried about their loss and departure but nothing could be compared to the trauma I have inflicted upon myself when I lost my beloved Nigel. As days go by, my dog reminds me more and more of how wonderful of a life he shared with all of us as I see my now little Sydney mourns endlessly his passing. Sydney is 6 _ years old. She came into our lives when she was mere 8 weeks old and was not once separated from Nigel from that point on. We made sure that they were always together as they both kept each other company during the long hours we were away from home. Sydney has never been the same since Nigel passed. She has spent the last several nights following Nigel's death howling like coyotes in the dead of the night. She has allowed no one to come close to Nigel's bedding and would protect his bowl from anyone who would dare touch it. I cannot look at Sydney without the thundering wail that is about me when I see her sadness. I have not a thought that an animal could feel such an emotion to the point that she stopped eating but only drinking followed the days of Nigel's death.

The heat of the Arizona desert sun could melt even the coldest soul I thought. However in Sydney's case she has managed to freeze her doggie heartache in the time before her as she has spent her days just smelling what was left of Nigel's scent in the house. My Mum broke in tears as I described how Sydney has behaved after Nigel's demise. No one could fathom that such impact could affect an animal the way it has Sydney. My son however is lost at confusion on what is now before him. I am finding more difficult to explain things to him as I myself is sorrowed terribly to what is now happening to poor Sydney. She is drowned in the mist of her doggy tears amidst the heat of Arizona sun. The sign of worrisome emotion could be felt and seen on my face when I think of what shall become of Sydney if she continues to mourn the way she has these past two weeks.

Death has become more like a beginning for me in these last few years. It appears to be that each time someone leaves me a new beginning and the brightness of the horizon afar is seen clearly. The passage of time has taken a great toll in me emotionally. I fear that in order for me to roam a peaceful and content life something must give and depart in my life. I just want to envelop myself in four corners of my emotional wall and barricade myself from the outside world.

photo and article by Deedee

AN ENTRY FROM SONNY ESPEJO

 

I am now back in the UAE  but Im still glowing from that rare blast-of-the-past get-together. Here are two pictures taken of members of RA Class 77. Our number now is not even near as formidable as that of PAALL or that of RA Class 83. However, what we lack in number is more than made up for by loyalty and enthusiasm. But hey, we have not organized yet and that was just hatched spontaneously in a day- almost on a whim. Watch out for next year when we go full-blast!

 

Stragglers from Rizal Academy's Class of '77!

 

 

Picture1- left to right: Lamberto Sison, Walter Robina, Villamor Ganir, Claudio Tolosa, Isagani Espejo, Victoriano Rolusta, Concepcion Libunao, Belma Ordonio

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

Picture2- left to right: Lamberto Sison, Walter Robina, Villamor Ganir, Claudio Tolosa, Catherine Delacruz, Isagani Espejo, Concepcion Libunao, Belma Ordonio

 

 

Tags: RA Class Reunion, Sonny Espejo,

the day of the FLAMING trees

Mother Nature works with amazing precision. Every year, during these dates ( May 15 inclusive : give or take two days ) all the crab apple trees in our block and I bet in all Toronto would bring out their red foliage. The landscape would show briefly a mottled red and green. Just for a couple of days. If you blink, you might miss it!

Beside our deck in our backyard, there is one such tree. A few days before Victoria Day, over 20 years ago, our real estate agent showed us the property. . I saw the flaming tree at the back and I said to myself.."I want this place. I want to have a big backyard. " My wish came true a few days afterwards after we signed  the purchase documents.

Every year, after the snow clears away, I "play" at  the base of this tree. I create a miniature village made of porcelain houses. These are really tea candle holders and I can place lighted tea candles at night, if I feel like doing it. They would give an eeire look during summer evenings as if I am staring at Middle Earth.  Miggie  and I would have coffee or tea during such interludes, enjoying the night breeze and listening to the birds who are still doing their mating calls or matings. We have also around twenty moonbeam lamps distributed around the perimeter of the backyard. You know, those gizmos that absorb solar energy during the day and let it flow out at night in form of light.  When I look at the lights from the railing of our deck, I imagine myself to be a ship captain  looking at the dark ocean.

It is a long week end for us, Victoria Day and I think to our friends south of  the Canadian border, it is Memorial Day.

Happy long week-end, every one!---#

 

A close up of our backyard crab apple...

 

There is my fiery tree and its village at the base. I do not know where to place the wooden house. It is so big. So on top it goes!

 

A close up of its base. There is this mini water fountain and grandma willow beside it. If your eyes are good, you will spot Pocahontas. She won't dare jump into this pool...

 

The other side of the tree..The houses look better in real life..if you would come to visit..:)

 

There are four figures beside the tree at the foot of our deck. A rabbit, a boy, a girl and a pig..They are staring at something on the tree..

It is a porcelain girl swinging her heart away!

 

 a long shot of the figures...The stone pathway leads to the driveway and out into Dixon road...

 

At the fringe of our garden are several flowering plants..One such is the Trillium, Ontario's Provincial flower. 

 

This house is in our front yard. It is made of wood. Including the Model T Ford beside it...

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

 

 

 

LAM-ANG AND THE 

 TALKING ROOSTER

In the days when the world was still covered with virgin forests, there lived in the northernmost part of the Philippines a couple: Juan Panganiban and his wife Namungan. Namungan was about to deliver a child when Juan went up the mountains to visit a troublesome native tribe called the Igorots. The Igorots are similar to the North American Indians.

While her husband was away, Namungan gave birth to a baby boy. The baby was extraordinary, for he spoke immediately after his birth.

"Where is my father, ?" were the first words of the newlyborn baby. Namungan said: "He went up the mountains to bring peace to a  troublesome tribe of Igorots. That is his job. Your father is a peacemaker."

"Hmmm," said the baby. "Okay, I would like you to call me Lam-ang, and I want to be baptized on the third fall moon. Please get all  the elders of this village as my sponsors."

For nine months, Lam-ang waited for his father to arrive.

Seeing no sign of his return, he decided to go after him. After traveling some distance, he stopped, rested under a tree and fell asleep.

It was then he dreamt that his father died a terrible death at the hands of the Igorots. Lam-ang woke up very angry believing  that his dream was real. He resumed his journey in haste, and a few days later he reached the Igorot camp.

Indeed, his dream was true. All the natives were still  rejoicing at the death of Juan. Lam-ang swooped down on the Igorots and because he was unusually strong, killed all of them with his bare hands. Then he rushed back to his mother to tell her the sad news.

Upon his return, he went to the river near his house to take a bath. his journey to the Big River in the North.He did not take one for weeks because he found no river in the mountains. Lam-ang was so dirty that the water became muddy and all the fish in it died as soon as he dove in.

At home that night, he learned about a very beautiful and rich woman named Dona Inez living somewhere in the northeast. Lam-ang decided to visit and woo her, much against the will of his mother.

His mother reminded him that he was only ten months old.

"Yes but I look, feel and think like I am already twenty years

old. And right now, I feel like going out and getting married." And who

could stop somebody who had just killed one thousand Igorots? So out he went bringing with him his white rooster and his dog.

Upon arriving at the house of Dona Inez, he found it wall to wall with suitors. To get attention to himself, Lam-ang put his rooster on the ground near an empty hut. Then he let the rooster crow. The rooster's crow was so loud that the empty hut collapsed. Next he called his dog and asked him to bark. The barking was so violent that the collapsed hut was erected again!

Dona Inez heard the commotion and she went down to see what  was going on. It was the rooster who could also talk, that told Dona Inez about Lam-ang's marital intention.

"My master is the strongest, the richest and the wisest man in  the land, " the rooster boasted. "When he was born, he could already speak. After three days, he could already walk. At nine months, he killed one thousand trouble-making Igorots."

In response, Dona Inez and her parents requested from Lam-ang some land and gold as dowries. Lam-ang left, and after a few days, he came back riding in a boat laden with gold. Lam-ang's treasure was more valuable than all the land of Dona Inez's family. Consequently, marriage was arranged.

The wedding was pompous. There was a week of eating and dancing.

Guests ate all they could and each one left with a gold piece as a parting gift.

Weeks later, Lam-ang went to the river to fish. On the way, he  had a premonition that something was going to happen. Nevertheless, he continued.

He set sail on the river with a small fishing boat. Minutes later, a giant fish surfaced, bit one of his arms and dragged him underwater.

Beneath the water, Lam-ang lost all his strength. After a useless struggle, he died and his body was left entangled in the dense water weeds at the bottom of the river.

For so many days, his wife cried in sorrow . After three months,Lam-ang's rooster approached the widow.

"Gather up his bones and pile them on the river bank, " the rooster said. "He advised me before what to do if this happens. "

"Why did he tell you, and he never told me." said Dona Inez.

"In this part of the world," answered the bird, " a rooster is  man's best friend, especially if it could talk like me."

Anyway, with the help of a local diver named Marcos, Lam-ang's bones were recovered and arranged into a pile on the river bank.The rooster approached the heap, uttered some strange words and behold, Lam-ang appeared again, alive as before!

Lam-ang and Dona Inez rejoiced immensely. They had more adventures, many children, and a lot of grandchildren, which brought them joy to  the end of their lives. -----#

( from WHY AM I BROWN,  a collection of  Filipino Folk tales compiled by Miguelita Hufana Costes )

a work of fiction...

( This is an excerpt from THE DIAMOND CRUCIBLE and other stories, an anthology of unpublished stories which I have written recently. Hopefully, it will come out in paperback form within 10 months from now. Copies for sale will be available on line. )

 

The Diamond Crucible

To Diameda, an airport is like a hospital.

All around her are people waiting for flights, looking at their watches, playing with laptops or merely snoring away the minutes of waiting .
In a hospital, babies would arrive, no, no,  not through the Stork Express. On the other hand, people die in their beds leaving for worlds unknown.

 

A few minutes ago, she just hugged and kissed goodbye a very dear friend, Melody. Di, short for Diameda, affectionately calls her Mimi.

Mimi is the manager of the Facility where she worked for the past month.

Mimi is a sweet lady of about 65, still spritely, still brimming with jokes and one-liners.

Mimi was in tears as they said good-bye..

"Sweetie," she said, "if you can not make it, please come back here. You know you are always welcome to stay..Forever if you want..I and all the staff love you"

"You know that I love nothing better than that.." Di affirmed.." But I have to go back. I do not belong here. My kids are waiting for me. I have to look after them.."

"Yes, Ceasar's Castle is waiting for us too..My cousin will always be there.."

Yeah," Di rejoined. She smiled but her eyes were moist. ."Free food, free shows, what more could a fun-loving girl like me want?"

Eventually, Mimi walked away to her car.  Di's heart almost shattered. She  walked towards the airport doors, through the mazes of counters, security guards custom officers until she found Gate 29. The Seattle bound flight was still half an hour away. She sat down, composed her thoughts, tried to sleep. But the Sandman refused to approach her with his sack of soothing sands...

So, with nothing else to do, she sifted images in her mind.

 

She saw herself again riding on that bus headed for Reno, Nevada. The tourist spot is a glittering oasis in an expanse of desert. It may not be as exciting or mind boggling as Vegas but it is a good place nonetheless. To hide? To lose oneself? But for how long?

San Francisco to Reno took several hours to travel. The bus window showed nothing but blackness, orange street lights, some signboards few and far between. Ocassionally an outline of a mountain would pop out amidst tree shadows. When the man beside her started to sleep,  his head would inadvertently drop to her shoulder. She would stir and he would open his eyes and say: "Sorry.."

"It's all right."

Five minutes later, again he would fall asleep . Same thing happened. Again he would say "Sorry.."

But her main concern was where she is heading. She had a handwritten name, a phone number and address on a piece of paper in her purse. It was Mimi's. Just in case something happens and the girl waiting for her at the Reno bus depot wiill miss her, then she could call the number on that piece of paper.

"God, I hope not.." she said. She felt like a fish swimming in murky, uncharted waters...

She took a glimpse at her seatmate. This time, his head was resting on the window. He was sleeping like a big baby. Then, she looked at the magazine pouch in front of her. There were a couple of magazines and a small pocketbook. She took the book out. The title was: HOW TO WIN BIG IN CASINOS..""Great," she thought as her lips curled into a slight smile."Just what I need. A  jackpot with my last 20$ bill.." Then she sighed and closed her eyes.

This time she thought of home, sweet home in the Philippines.

 

She had a happy, comfortable life in Baguio City. Her husband was a warm, caring person. Plus he had a very good job as a manager in an American based company. After their first child, a girl arrived he was promoted. Filipinos call this a good sign. But now he had to do lots of traveling to promote the company in various cities in Central Luzon. But always he managed to come home every two or three days.

A year later another child, this time a boy arrived. Only then they decided to put an end to it. They adopted the natural  method of contraception and so far, it worked.

The boy was barely a year old when that fateful event in July, 1990 took place.

Di went down to the cellar of their company's building when she felt the floor beneath her shake, gently at first. Then it turned violent. There came a hideous sound like a big, rolling thunder.

"Oh my God, earthquake!!" she screamed as she fell to her knees. She heard the crashing of glass windows and the scream of her co-employers in the next floor. The lights went out. The first thing that went to her mind were her kids..But she did not want to  move yet. When the shaking stopped, she jumped to her feet and rushed towards the EXIT door.

Everyone was almost gone out into the streets. She rushed out too. She wanted to go home immediately..

Outside was a scenario of people scurrying up or down. Some jeeps, packed with people were heading towards the city proper..After hailing two of them to no avail, she started to walk herself, as fast as her feet could carry her. When she looked at them, she found she lost her sandals and there was blood between her toes. She must have stepped on the broken glass as she went out of her building. But she never felt any pain, until she saw the blood, her blood.

She could never forget that scenery as long as she lives. Trees fell, people crying and running, the famous Pines Hotel toppled like a deck of cards...

When she reached home and found her two children safe, again she broke into tears, this time praising and thanking God..She also hugged Eliza, her faithful servant who took them out from school and brought them home. Her husband was on the road..Now she started to worry about him..

All cel phones did not work. There was no power and all transmitters were inoperational. She can not phone her parents in Urdaneta to tell them they were safe. She went to the bathroom to get alcohol and bandages for her feet.

It was after two hours later when someone knocked at the door and told her the grim news. They found her husband and two companions in the company car which went down Kennon Road. All three of them were dead..

That was the day when everything went downhill for Di. Her good life burst like a soap bubble. So full of colours at first, then the color spots were replaced by black holes until it popped into oblivion.

That single day and its aftermath had an unforgiving domino effect. Having lost her husband and her parents are already too old to support her and her kids, she eventually tried to apply as a nanny for Canada.

She made it, at the cost of being separated from her two children whom she left under the care of her parents and one sister..

 

Her reverie stopped when the bus pulled into the bus depot in Reno, Nevada. When she stood up, the man beside her was still asleep. After taking her small overnight bag fromthe overhead compartment, she shook the man's shoulder.

He woke up and said "Thank you.."

Di just smiled at him. Then she started to follow the line of passengers going down the bus.---#

*********

 

(I have been a Dad's girl right from the start. Even  in my postings. Seldom mentioned my Mom. Now on this day, I pay tribute to  her relentless perseverance and selfless love for me. She have loved me from the day I was born--up to now.

This poem is for my mom in Manaoag: on this day of days for all Mothers!)

TO MY MOM

 

Now I fully understand the meaning of Motherhood..

 

The hardship and the pain of being away from my children...

 

But Pain and Pleasure are the two sides of one Coin...

 

 

Hearing their voices over the air waves..and seeing their happy faces

via Broadband (they could see my face too!)

 

I feel undescribable Joy...

 

Yes, my heart grieves

 

but I never forget

 

How to Smile......

 

 

---Rain

Mother's Day  2008

 

( the  picture at the top was e-mailed by my children. Want to share them with you...)

 

MORE INSIGHTS FROM VAN

Vic,
Thank you for the direction on how to reach Santa Ana, Asingan where that river's water seem to be very conducive  for swimming. Yes,  I have the itch too to  go there and swim.Again, thank you so much!!!!!.

I just played golf yesterday and indeed the course and all the vegetation around it are springing it up. The ducks, the geese  , the rabbits,the cots , sqirrels,a few of deer that dot the fairways are gleefully entertatining me.Beautiful panoramic scene rendering the mind body and soul in sync  in PEACE.Again, thank you!!!!

Van

***

My pleasure, Van. Do you know that Sta. Ana was once the scene of a mild "rebellion" during the Spanish times?Check the following link, from one of my other Blogs:

http://journals.aol.ca/mabait42/OLDPANGASINAN/entries/2006/07/07/an-incident-in-sta.-ana-asingan/1147

 

By the way, I learned sometime ago that Sta. Ana is not part of Asingan. It belongs to our neighbouring town, San Manuel.---#

Vic

Ros D. Balane's Family photos

Pare Vic,

 

These are our family pictures. No. 1 picture includes, from left: Arlan (your inaanak), Alana, Mia (my first apo, Arlene's daughter), Arlene, Abijo, Alta & me

 

next picture includes, from left: Arlene, Alana, Arlan (your inaanak), Alta & me 

 

ros

 

No. 1

 

No. 2

 

Ros Balane ( married to Alta, from Urdaneta ) and I shared a number of years working at the UP College of Forestry.  He finished MassCom at UP Diliman. In fact, he was the one ( I think ) who interviewed me when I applied for a  vacancy at this College nestling at the base of Mount Makiling.

He's a great guy, ( what can I say ) and when we run into some Writer's Block, we just talk away until we finally hit on some good ideas. Then it is just a matter who finished a story first.

One of our co-workers in UPCF is now in Toronto, Rose Tijam ( Hi Rose! ) She writes for a Filipino Community Newspaper. It is one of those free pick up copies found in many Filipino stores in Toronto.  These carry nice items about the Motherland, mostly about entertainment or politics.  These are  also handy if you are wrapping some tinapa for relatives or it there is a new puppy in your house that needs to be house broken. ( Don't shoot me guys, I am just kidding )..

Ros and I shared lots of adventures ( and misadventures ) and its a wonder we are still alive..As they say, only the good die young, tama ba, Pare ko?

 

He is still working for the Philippine government and will be retiring soon.  Like many others, he is setting his sights in seeing other cities, Toronto for starters.

Good luck Pare Ros..Keep your e-mails and photos coming.---#

 

 

back to the town fiesta

two photo groups  after the motorcade..

by Arsenia de Gracia

1) These are Pacifican Institute Grad. I hope some of you will be able to recognize them. It will be a guessing game/trivia who can identify them. some belongs to class of 1952. One is a mother of one of the Councelors elect in Asingan and others in the pictures. These gradutes promised to find all of their co-alumni's for next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) My Class of 1972 and 1 from 1971 which we included.  Special mention to our classmates. PATRICIO TANDOC JR.  Of DOMAMPOT , The BARANGGAY CAPTAIN  or Kagawad?, and  RECTO ROMERO  (sitting in front row) of Bara/Sanchez # 1KAGAWAD  as well as former KAGAWAD ALEJANDRO TUBERA  (he  has a green blue eyes) of BANTOG and other CLASSMATES OUT THERE that made it through.

I AM PROUD TO BE A PART OF A TEAM OF PARTNERS WHO CARES!!! PAALL IS HERE TO STAY for the next generation to come!.

 

 

 

 

One of my good buddies is a graduate of Pacifican  Institute is Mr. Ben Hur Soloria. He is a retired USN working in the Medical Corps. After retirement, he took advantage  of the Educational Benefits of the USN. He took up Nursing. He is now busy in his profession helping his wife, among other things, run a Medical Office.---#

--Vic Costes

feedbacks from Van

FEED BACKS..feedbacks...Feedbacks...feed

Indeed spring is all what  we want for but there will always be winter , summer or fall in life that we must go through. But then, we know that spring  will come.It will come  and life  goes on.Happy spring.---It reminds me of my Dad's favorite song--Springtime In The Rockies.

Thank you for that cute simple  vivid story  that epitomizes spring.It is a fleeting joy and feeling of peace reading it.

Van

That song is the favorite  of the Senior's home where I volunteer. They still enjoy singing it. They must have done it already a hundred times. Their faces are happy each time they warble it, though I know that their their springtime ( their youth ) is already past behind them.---#

Vic

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

Vic, Very seriously. I want to get the direction to that Santa Anan, Asingan by the river.I want to swim too in that clean river where there are no carabaos upstream.

Oh!!! what a feeling to swim in a flowing river .

Van
Thank you so much in advance. Again, kumusta.I enjoy looking at the pictures.They speak a thousand words....

********

HI Van,

From Bayambang, proceed to Sta Maria de Pila, then take the long bridge going to Asingan. But instead of going to the town proper, go instead to Bantog or Ariston..Meaning turn right when you get to the first crossroad. Going left will bring you to Asingan. Going straight might bring you to Binalonan or San Manuel. Once you reach  Ariston, you can ask directions from the owner of a resort Crystal Glades on how to reach Sta. Ana.

To tell you honestly I have never gone to Sta. Ana yet. But I know Sta Ana is already close to Ariston.

After seeing how wide the river is ( seems to be as wide as the Mississipi or the Rio Grande ) my travel lust started to itch.---#

--vic

Rites of Spring

( apologies to Igor Stravinsky)

I surely want to write about spring 2008, faithfully, meticulously and enthusiastically. The coming of Spring is like the visit of  a friend whom you have been waiting to arrive for so long. And you'd wish the visit would never end...

As spring commences  my backyard becomes  a play yard. Mating calls of different birds sound all night long. Don't they ever sleep? One could discern different avian species by their individual sounds, tunes and intensity. Back home, the only sound I recognized are the doves which at one time inhabited our attic. They slept there, they bred in there they defecated in there. Then one day, they just left as sudden as they appeared.

When morning breaks now a days I could see them mostly in pairs. Yes, these are the  love birds,  chasing each other in the grass, then on the branches and somehow they would dissapear in the bushes.

How do they make love?

Remember the barnyard antics of the rooster and the different hens? It is almost the same. The rooster jumps on the too willing hen. In our house before, there is always one King Rooster..He looked handsome, alert and very virile. His main job was to make the female ones happy and productive. They must produce lots of eggs, otherwise to the pot they would go!

Let us go back to the little brown birds in our backyard..

The small male bird would sit on top of another, making twittering sounds. It seems their mating lasts only a few seconds. But their companionship remains very constant. You would see them always flying together. Sometimes I see them doing it airborne. I just wonder how effectve it is.

 But wait for a few more weeks. The female of the species would soon build nests, lay eggs, hatch and the baby birds would be mingling with the others  trying to learn the mechanics of survival..

 

Ahhh..the joys of spring. The forsythias are in full yellow attire. Same yellow flowers would turn green in a few days. The tulips are now in full regalia.

Soon the phlox will dominate our front yard. In our backyard, we have small statuettes of houses, animals, flower baskets, etc. I amthe one arranging the figurines, trying to create a story situation in each group. When Emma pays us a visit, she would look at them and somehow tries to improve the arrangements so they would tell a better tale.

Photos would follow next.----#

 A RIVER  PARTY, AWRIGHT!!

These are the photos taken in Santa Ana/Karayan.  We went there to celebrate my mother's 75th Birthday.  The cottages(maybe 25 or so) rent from 200  to 300 pesos.  Why the difference in prices? 

 

The explanation I got was 100 pesos goes to the barangay.  Whatever that means.  Anyway, eveybody seemed to have a good time.  So many people there, looks like the cottages are full by 11:00AM.  We had  music background because the store which is located in the middle plays Karaoke and you can go and sing as well. 

 

 In the store you can buy everything you need like beer, one bottle is 65 pesos.  Also, they have a restroom, if you use the toilet,you will pay 5 pesos, change clothes-2 pesos, to rinse and change clothes-5 pesos.  Once in a while a tricycle will come by selling fish to B-BQ and Laing Bicol Express came, a bowl of Laing is 20 pesos. Not bad. 

NO BATHING SUIT ALLOWED just kidding I made that up.  Seems like everybody  like to swin in their clothes. 

Cheers!

Marcie

-Photos by Marcie, Captions by Vic-

Waterfront Real Estate in Sta. Ana, Asingan...

 

Breathtaking mountain view...

 

Happy and friendly locals...

 

Clean water, no carabaos upstream..:)

 

A bunch of bathing beauties. I thought NO BATHING SUITS ALLOWED?..:)

 

A fluvial birthday party for Marcie's Mom...

 

Hope someone did not forget to bring the knife...

 

Aha..at least somebody's doing the cooking..:)

 

Shoot...I am already hungry..:(

 

The Two Faces of Niagara:

the springtime...

The statuesque Ms Esther Hufana

Fe Hufana and her two grandchildren- Mia Gonzales and Emma Forbes

 

Grandma Miggie, Fe's first degree cousin

 

 

a group picture....

Grandma Fe and Emma..

 

Rainbow Falls...due to  the prismatic result of Rain and bright sunlight

"Look, look, look  to the Rainbow!"

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

..and the wintertime...

 

Rain is so cold she's about to turn into a popsicle

 

the skyline of downtown Niagara..

 

"Wanna sit on the railing?"

 

Maid of the Mist...and the wintry winds...

 

The Peace Bridge in the background...the border 'tween US and Canada...

I can not believe that many would admit how great an influence a teacher could be in their lives. One such teacher ( now a retired Professor, a Doctor in Linguistics ) was Ms Esther Hufana. She spent a few days with us one week end. I posted about her arrival in the Asingan Message Board. A day later many ex students of hers started posting on the Board or asking for her on my phone. When I posted the same entry in the Sta. Maria message board, more postings popped up mostly her students at the Elementary School in Sta. Maria de Pila where she started her teaching career. Here is one such, and judging on the way he/she writes I would say she/he learned a lot inside the classroom  of Ms Esther Hufana.

MADAM ESTHER HUFANA: A LITTLE SLICE OF MY CHILDHOOD MEMORY OF HER

Ms Hufana and her cousin Ludy in a photo taken recently at the revolving restaurant atop the CN Tower in downtown Toronto.

 

I do  still remember. I was in grade five. Back then, most of our classes were held in one of the classrooms in the old Intermediate Building.

The capiz windows were wide open during summertime. In December, they were accentuated with an array of colorful Christmas lantern display. The whole structure of the building was made of wood except the stairs and the stage at the facade, right in the middle facing the grass lawn. Underneath is an open space, where school children would hide and seek during recess time. Also, a good hiding place for "buntayog" after class.

In the early 70s, the building was deteriorating. The walls separating the classrooms were loosening up a good contact with the vertical columns and posts, as nails and screws holding them in place were rusty and corroded. The end to end corridor seemed to shake easily (kasla kanayon nga aggin-gined) when fellows started running to and fro in a race. Linnumbaan, iggem ti tsinelas! Certain portions of the floors damaged by white ants, disperately need replacement slabs. No saanmo ma-alwadan, manarpaak. Ma-iyabutka a saanna oras. Masaktanka la ngaruden, mabautka wenno makeddelka pay if one of the teachers is around.

Who could ever forget Mrs. Luz Lomabao, Mrs. Fulgencia Tangco and Mrs. Trinidad Ferrer? ..... Madam Esther used to hold her English classes in this old building. During the school opening in July, at the start of our lesson, where we write formal and informal theme compositions, she checked if each pupil has a spring notebook for English. We formed a line in front and will hand over to her. When it was my turn for check-up, she looked at me with obvious disapproval and said, "Ahhhaaaa, Norraaaaaa ti cover na! I don't like this. Buy this kind", pointing to that classic, brown-colored Golden Gate notebook.

I was so afraid to say about it, huh! I didn't choose mine though. My mother used to do all the shopping of school needs for me and my siblings. In the early 70s, the NORA AUNOR-VILMA SANTOS rivalry and popularity were so intense and on its highest peak. Diehard Noranians and Vilmanians fought each other -- mouth to mouth, even fist to fist. So even notebook covers, tabloids, komiks, t-shirts and the "patalastas" on TV have given way to frequently advertise and idolize the "Golden Voice" Nora and "The Sensation" Vilma 

I did not dare  ask then Madam Esther if she was a member of the VILMA SANTOS camp. ---#

Valerie, Rodolfo and Arsenia...Getting ready for the Parade

 

  Here  are more of the FIRST PAALL ALUMNI  GRAND MOTORCADE PARADE last April 12, 2008. 

I am still teary eyed and overwhelmed after seeing all the support and dedication showed by Alumni as well as the sponsors, donors and people of Asingan who were there to witness the Grand Events. and specially Thank  you, Manong Vic  for posting us in your Blog and Asingan Message Board for all Asinganian's to see locally and abroad.

 

Your dedication as an Asinganian to show that we your townmates could make a difference in other peoples' lives is greatly appreciated. 

 

I do hope next year will  even be better, I am inviting you to ride in one of the Floats of your choice. Hopefully though you can come  next year.

 

I have a lengthy video of the entire Marathon, I tried to send it but it  didn't go through. As you noticed, different Classes  are sporting t-shirts of different colors to indicate  the year they graduated. I can't wait for next year!.

 

TO: ALL PAALL ALUMNI, VOLUNTEERS,   SPONSORS, DONORS AND ASINGANIANS WORLDWIDE, THE BEST IS YET TO COME TO OUR BELOVED TOWN ASINGAN FOR THE DEDICATION AND COMMITTMENT OF ALL CITIZENS CONCERNED TO MAKE ASINGAN AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO LIVE.. AND WE WILL BE THE MOST HOSPITABLE TOWN IN OUR PROVINCE!!!!!!. LET US ALL HELP ONE ANOTHER, LOOK BACK AND COMMIT FOR GOOD CAUSES AND SUPPORT PROJECTS OF YOUR CHOICE.

 

LET US ENCOURAGE A DRUG FREE ASINGAN  BY EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN AND ENCOURAGING THEM GO TO SCHOOL.

 

Thank you and respectfully yours,

 

Arsenia Navalta De Gracia

PAAL Founder, President

 

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photos of present day Asingan...as shown during the Motorcade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

more photos to come....!