Graduations and Other Highlights of my Vacation

Twenty two years ago, Marvin James, my second child and eldest son was born in the midst of our financial instability and uncertainty. I was freshly kicked out of my job from (Imelda Marcos') Ministry of Human Settlements as a result of the upheavals wrought by EDSA People Power I. Suzy and myself are both unemployed as she had to stay home full time to take care of our two kids. Being young and barely experienced engineer, I had a hard time competing for whatever engineering jobs there were during those crisis years. With no one willing to give me a break, I had to go back to where I had a chance at excelling - the academe. It was on my first year as an Engineering Instructor at Saint Louis that James first saw light. Despite the difficult times, I remember being very excited and extremely proud of my first son. In a way, he gave me hope and a new resolve to work harder to provide for their future.

Now, two decades later, my excitement and faith in my son is proven right. At last, I am taking my just reward. James have grown and matured into a fine young man - a Civil Engineer, albeit a neophyte. I guess any parent would be proud to have him for a son. Thanks mainly to my wife, Suzy who did more than a splendid job of raising my children almost singlehandedly while I worked away in Makati and now, overseas.

If there was nothing else but James graduation, it would still be more than worthwhile to be home this year. Here are some of the highlights of my vacation in pictures...

Just before the ceremonial march:

The two people who worked hardest for the realization of this dream,
M. James and my wife, Suzy.


Me, sharing in the limelight and luster of the moment...

Kami naman!!

Ivy and Monette got to have their pictures taken, too...

Isa pa, isa pa...! Just in case you missed how proud I was...

Ako din, ako din!! Ivy is agaw-eksena as usual...

With Lilibeth, his very special friend...

she's an industrial engineer.

With Beth's parents... Uhurm, looks like a preview of some event to come...

Picture...picture! After a simple (and a must) al-fresco dinner at Dencio's Grille

on the top floor of SM Baguio, overlooking the city of pines...

The morning after is not complete without a mass at the Baguio Cathedral...

Two of my babies, Rachelle and Ivy. Can you spot the other one

due in 5 months? hehehe...

Say cheese!!!

The two nurses in the family plus the perennial clown...

Dejavu:

Suzy and I posed the same pose on this same spot

some twenty three years ago.

Back then, she's all dressed in white...

Breakfast at good ole Rose Bowl...

The First Lady.

She looks every bit a lovely First Lady to me...
But she does not like to be called that...

'First' alludes that there is a second,

or a third... hehehe.

My Fair Lady would be fine, I guess.

with the President:

(of North Central School Grade V class of '71 hehehe).

Ninong at Ninang:

Here, were all dressed up for a very important event...
We stood as principal sponsors for the umptenth time. This time,

to the newly-wed couple, Engr. and Mrs. Christopher Angala.

Congratulations and best wishes to Chris and Marcie!

Two Ninangs: Also with us is Dean Carisa Blancas of the University of Baguio,

also a perennial favorite choice for a Ninang.

Remembering Jay-ar: We always make it a point to be with our dear departed every so often. Light moments with Monnete and Ivy as Marvin and Suzy looks on. Rachelle's taking

the picture behind the camera. The Forrest Lake memorial park in our town, San Juan,

is probably the best in LaUnion.

I cant remember what Ivy is so excited about. Here, she outdoes julia roberts for the world's widest grin!

Now I know what it was. Its the calesa ride in Vigan, that's what!

Its a common ride during my elementary days... Now, it has

become some kind of an oddity.

Melee at dinner time. All the best places in the world,

could never be near as fun as being home sweet home...

Already looking forward to my next one.