MY GRANDKIDS AT AMPY'S BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

Amparo  Gonzales is Mia's paternal grandmother. Mia's dad, Michael is her only child and for his Mom's birthday this year, he pulled all the stops. They had a family cruise at the Bahamas (Mia included of course ) and from the warm tropical Islands, they came to  frigid Toronto for a dance party at a Holiday Inn in the Don Mills area. Four of my six grandchildren were there. Oliver, my eldest is one of Mike's long time friend. For convenience because Oliver at present reside in Burlington, Ont. he booked one of the hotel suites for the night.

Indeed, it was a night to remember. Ampy the honoree was pretty and gracious as ever; Mike did an excellent job piecing all things together to make up the excellent party to top all parties.

Of course watching the grandkids enjoy themselves, horsing around in the empty hallway and lobby, playing in uncle Ollie's hotel room and seeing Mia and Emma do individual Karaoke solos was the icing in my cake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ampy..Good job, Mike..!!

PHOTOS DURING JR'S BAPTISM...

James Rodolfo ( named after Daddy and Grand Daddy ) was christened last Sunday, Feb. 26. The reception took place at his parents' residence in Holloway st. Markham, Ont. His parents are Jimmy and Jehan Manuel Valin. His mom is from Ariston, his dad from La Union.Welcome to the Christian fold, J.R.!!

URDANETA, THEN AND NOW

"What do you want to drink?' asked my reception party as I settled down on one of the seats inside Jolli Bee.."I want a big cup of Pepsi.." Ester sent somebody to buy a drink for me.The last thing I needed after that long hike is to stand up in a long line just to pay one measly cup of pop..I was given that blue colored Pepsi. It is like drinking a cold glass of Windex with a straw, but it was really refreshing. After my drink, we headed out to the market to buy some groceries.You need a local to help you to buy fish and vegetables if you are in Urdaneta: and it is always a colorful experience especially exploring  the wet market.. Ester knew the sections where to buy whatever we need for the day. As soon as she started haggling for prices, I would walk away because it is something I am too embarrased to do: If a vendor says 20 pesos a kilo, I would give him/her exactly that. I always imagine the vendor has a family to feed, life is hard otherwise they wont be here selling stuff..Besides, I say if you convert the pesos into $, the price being asked is still cheap compared to what you will pay if you buy the same thing in North America. But my wife would always say "You men do not know how to haggle.." Its true, so we will just leave that the women, thats a woman's job!

The vendors are huddled so close to each other that sometimes I feel so afraid I might trip over a peanut vendors BIGAO and all of the peanuts will be scattered all over the roadside.But I did love the Tinapa made from Galong gong and Bangus and some smaller fish. They manufacture these ones as Cottage industries in some houses in Bayaoas close to the town proper.I also saw jars of of the reddish Aramang and thought how nice it would be to eat some green mangoes with them..After the big earthquake in the 90s, many of the big businesses established themselves in Urdaneta away from the massive rubble and devastation left in Dagupan..But then, like the mythical Phoenix bird, Dagupan rose to life again, bigger and better than ever..But it seems Urdaneta, now a city, is just a money maker as Dagupan because it would be catering to the surrounding smaller towns like Asingan, Villasis, Binalonan, etc. The people of these towns would rather go to Urdaneta at least to save time if not money.. Demographics have changed a lot since then and is still changing as I write..

In the late 50s, Urdaneta was just another small town where I went each time I do not have much money to splurge. Movies then were my only means of escapism from the humdrum life in Asingan. There were only 2 theatres at that time: the Nela and the Elite. The Nela was located near the Asingan-Urdaneta crossing and Elite stood facing the old marketpace. Tagalog movies were shown in the Nela and the English ones were in the Elite..Maybe both theatres were owned by a single person for they looked identical. At daytime, the interior of each theatre would feel like a sauna bathhouse, especially when crammed with patrons. The seats were full of bedbugs for those were constructed out of long boards nailed together.No cushions, no armrests. The seats are smaller boards, maybe three of them nailed together. Those pesky bloodsuckers would then lodge between the boards right under your butt. Often, I would see a patron stand up, burn a piece of paper and put it under the seat to broil the suckers which would drop to the floor. But this is only when the theatre is almost empty. And there were the  peanut vendors who would be walking around every time calling out MANI, MANI ( peanuts, peanuts ). No popcorn stands in the lobby here unlike in the US. For ventilation there were only a couple of electric fans to blow away the smell of perspiration and urine from the yucky washrooms. The mixed blend of sweat and urine smell would  hit your nostrils like a sledgehammer upon entering the curtain draped doors. But after a few minutes, your sense of smell would get used to it..It would take you awhile to get adjusted to the darkness inside.No ushers, they cant afford them.  You  have to look for your own seat. Sometimes there was a big post between an empty seat and the movie screen..If you have less luck, you will wind up with a seat near the screen and near the toilets. You would need gas masks if your nosetrils are very sensitive in this case.

With 2 pesos then, you can already enjoy a Saturday Movie matinee. 50 centavos would bring you from Asingan to Urdaneta and back..50 centavos would buy you a movie ticket ( orchestra ) and you still have some change maybe for some magnolia ice cream or some roasted peanuts.Thus in here I saw many classic Black and White Tagalog movies like DARNA ( starring Rosa del Rosario and Ben Perez ), or BERNARDO CARPIO ( Cesar Ramirez and Alicia Vergel ).The last jeep for Asingan would leave at about 5:30 or 6:00 pm..If you miss this, you have to wait for 8:30 pm to catch the Asingan Pantranco bus from Manila, assuming it was not cancelled.

My reminiscing stopped when my sister called me after she hired a tricycle for Asingan. Safety is always a risk but so far no hold ups along KETEGAN happened, at least not yet. The tricycle drivers are a brave, hard working lot and they do not also like to lose their livelihoods. So I squeezed myself into one of those vehicles: 3 passengers could sit inside and a 4th one could ride behind the driver. Then we would drive to Asingan in a comfortable speed and after half an hour or so, we would reach Home, Sweet Home--#

 

TARLAC, THEN URDANETA

I took a La Mallorca bus (?) on my way back to Asingan. It made a stopover in Tarlac at the old Pantranco station. Only there is no more Pantranco. In the old days there was a multi garage for Pantranco bus arrivals that would afford a break for the travel weary passengers. A multi purpose building have taken the place of that garage. I checked the inside and it looked quite different. It has an airconditioned dining room, some CRs ( again you have to pay ) a take - out counter selling baked goods. They carry the many types of bread I used to buy before in Dagupan. One was the spiral bread, round in shape with lots of butter and sugar on it called ENSAYMADA. People in North America would abhor these snacks: "Too much fat and too much sugar," they would say. Amazingly enough, Filipinos thrive on those "forbidden" snacks and even those foods with high salt content like Lingayen Bagoong, Aramang Guisado or the sliced pork bellies then fried to extract the pork fat..We save the "sitsaron" to be eaten dipped in vinegar or cooked with Pinakbet. I love the pork fat when I was young. I mixed it with newly cooked rice then sprinkle it with a bit of bagoong. I could not get enough of it.Even now I still buy pork bellies in the Asian market in Weston near my house. I extract the fat, eat the sitsaron but the taste of fresh Philippine pork is not there.

The snack vendors in Tarlac were still there. Some roamed around carrying a clear plastic bag chocked with packaged SITSARON. The vendor has also a bottle of seasoned vinegar attached to his belt. The sight of the sitsaron, followed by a glimpse of the vinegar would set your salivary glands in motion. Too bad I soon have to go back to my bus..All buses are now parked in the grounds and you have to remember your bus number if you plan to get out for a break. If not, you will find yourself up shit creek without a paddle. The buses all look alike and sometimes they shift places to make room for new arrivals.. I wrote the number in the palm of my hand. I got antsy when I heard a bus roaring, ready to take off because sometimes the dispatcher do not announce the departure of a certain bus...

****

I know we were already close to Urdaneta when the bus stopped at the end of a long line of vehicles as far as the eyes can see. North American motorists won't know the meaning of Traffic Jam until they would see this line up. The bottleneck is in that crossroad one going to Dagupan in the West and another to Baguio on the North.No diversion road yet.Maybe an overpass, sure, but no one likes to build it!! For purposes of comparison,it might  take you say, half-an-hour to traverse a distance of 40 kilometers along the clear highway, but once you get near Urdaneta it would take you sometimes 2 hours to travel 4 kilometers. At least that's what happened to me then..I keep texting my sister every 15 minutes least they would think I was not coming home yet..Text messages flew back and forth until I reached the site of old movie theatre owned by the businessman Mr. Okol...Then I hopped off the bus and started walking. It took me some more time reaching the Magic Mall..There was a barricade, a high fence in the middle of the 2 - lane main street.I can not jay walk to the other side because of the high fence. I guess they put the barrciade up to prevent some motorists ( except the bus lines ) to make a U turn whenever they feel like doing it! While walking, I had to deal with the humidity, the sun's heat the unruly crowd with persons who loved stepping on my shoes. Gawrsh, where did all these people came from? I asked myself while stepping aside to avoid a tricycle which was about to hit my ass.

Finally I reached the mall. I kept using the cell phone text to guide my bearings..I entered Jolli Bee, a well-known hamburger joint..No Ester in sight..I texted again.."Am here in Jolli Bee..cant see you!" I was at the end of my patience..Just then I heard a shout: "Over here! over here!" The place was packed like a sardine can and they were on a far corner table waving their hands like crazy!!---##

WELCOME DJ! ( a photo essay )

I would like to introduce DJ Costes, the son of my nephew Donato Costes who is now residing in California. As far as I know DJ is the 4th Donato Costes in our family.

The first Donato Costes served as a Mayor of Asingan around the '20s. He was a businessman-politician and one of the streets at the back of the Municipal Building is named after him. One of his 4 children is Vicente, my father. His first born son, my elder brother was named Donato.

My brother finished Mechanical Engineering at the Polytechnic University in  Manila. Fixing anything mechanical is his forte. He came to Canada in 1975, same year as I did.

He has only one child, Jose Donato Costes. He is called Don for short. He grew up in Toronto, took Computer studies in Ottawa. He worked in India for 1 year before finding work in the US.

Don's first born is DJ, short for Donato James.

Best wishes for you, DJ!!!---#

PAMPANGA TRIP, part2

I woke up the next morning wondering where I was. I felt like crap because I never had much sleep the night before. I was close to dozing off when I heard some explosions in the mall across the hotel. I swore those were gunshots. So it took a while before my sleep came back. I was thinking the next gunshots would be at the door of my room.

 I woke up at 5:00 am Philippine time ( as usual ). I took a shower, packed my things and then I went down  the lobby for breakfast. I asked the receptionist about the gunshots but he said they were only fire crackers..Firecrackers, my ass, I said silently.I was not born yesterday. That night clerk did not know how to lie convincingly.He could just have said "I do not know, sir.."

I sat down in the dining room which looks almost like one of the eateries in Urdaneta. Only this one has fewer flies.I ordered Pampanga Tosino, scrambled eggs, fried rice and coffee..I asked that  all 3 would be in one platter. It was brought to my table by the waiter who also doubled as the cook. It was not as delicious as I expected. Then I asked how much was the bottled water on their counter.."30 pesos, sir," the waiter/cook answered and then continued in a low voice.."but if you go to that sari-sari store across the street, you would get them for 10 pesos only.." I admired the guy's loyalty to his employer. I guess like most workers in the Philippines, he was just working for peanuts and would be willing to sell trade secrets for a moderate fee. "Thanks, buddy" I said and left enough change for his tip and stood up. Geez, that tocino left me very thirsty and I had to slake it before I went bananas.

The store was there and as I walked towards it I caught sight of two dogs having sex right in front of the hotel. And nobody seemed to mind them like it is just something ordinary. Well, it is common in the Philippines especially in the boondocks. The canines were not making any lewd movements anyway. They were just standing there quietly, posterior to posterior; no straddling. Like nothing is happening. But if this took place in Asingan, kids would start throwing stones at them and laugh as the 2 dogs would start running away, one dog going on reverse.I walked on to the store..It was too early in the morning to be bothered about things like that...

Yes, the waiter was right. So I bought a couple of them, and headed back to my hotel room so I canuse the CR. The dogs were still in front of the hotel.

My friend Lenny and her family including Edith arrived at 8:30 am. Before I left the hotel, I paid my bills to check out then I went out to the main street with them.

First we took a jeep to Magalang. As we approached the town ( which looked just like Asingan in a way ) the profile of Mount Arayat grew bigger and bigger. Then we reached the town and hired some motorized tricycles to bring us to barrio San Pablo. The place now really looked desolated and quiet. There were just few houses there and all the people there are blood relatives. Yes, do not mess  with anyone in that barrio or there will be blood. Not theirs but yours.

The Baptism was conducted by a farmer who doubled as a minister of a Rizalista church. He was wearing a black bishop's hat and when he wore his priestly vestment, I saw that there was a Filipino flag embroidered on it. He wore it only when he started the rite because it was so darned hot then. He would sweat like a pig if he wore it for an hour.The rite, prayers and all ended after half an hour..Then we had the usual conversation and Lenny and I were the first ones to sample the food..Good cooking. you know how good Pampanguenians are when it comes to cuisine.

When Edith came back from a youth meeting in their church ( she belongs to the Nazarene, a Christian church established in Pampanga by a Korean Missionary ) I told her I had to go back to Pangasinan. She and her two brothers brought me to this part in the Poblacion in Magalang where a bus from Manila would stop to pick up passengers. We waited for about 20 minutes then it finally arrived. We said final goodbyes and my visit to Pampanga ended as fast as it started.

15 minutes after I settled down on one of the seats, I texted my sister Ester I was arriving in the afternoon..

She texted back and told me they will be waiting at the Magic Mall in Urdaneta. Then I switched off my cell phone, stuffed it in my knapsack and tried to catch some shuteye.---#

SPIDER FIGHTING, ANYONE?

by Arsenio Macanas

The Spider Fight(pa-angat ti lawlawa) was one of the kids' past time before in Cabingcolan. It became so popular then that it became a gambling sport for adults just like cock fighting (Bulang). We were then a group of cabingcolan kids whose hang out was in the Bangcag ( Ilocano term for farm ) trying to find a great warrior- spider. This refer to a certain specie which is a real killer.. This Great Spider Hunt happens every summer when the rice fields are dry and parts of it were planted with monggo beans. These plants are the spiders' favorite home. A fellow name David Biagtan is unbeatable in finding these spiders! I was always beside him when he is on the hunt just to learn his secrets… But if he noticed I am following him he would stop and get mad at me. It is so surprising how in just one whole day he can fill up 2 empty match boxes with spiders… The empty boxes are divided into 5 or 7 small rooms : one room for one spider. If you put 2 spiders in one room one will surely be eaten!

To find spiders, we had to comb the monggo fields and the trees during the middle of the day. We aim our eyes from branch to another against the sun to catch the glare came from the spider-web (The whole web will be hard to see during day time)Night time is the best time to find spiders. Especially with flash lights. But parents will get veeeery mad if you tell them you are going to the fields at night just to find spiders. What if you step on a snake which is also out looking for snacks?

So we went out during the day to find them. Can you imagine how kids look like and smell after a day under the sun? I am sure you will say "yew!" ( my daughter favorite expression). Anyway, after we went around the fields finding spiders, we would race to the small river (banawang) and dive in. The rivers during those days were still clean and unpolluted. Nice to do swim in. But the worst scenario to think at the end of such day is :I have to prepare my butt when I get home because my parents don’t like me to play with spiders and to go to the banawang. I can’t lie because my red eyes would tell them..(Busteeed!). I’d been like that before but I don’t care! I was a happy kid that’s all that mattered then.

I want my spider to be a warrior one… I learned this technique from David. It’s a long process but I enjoyed it… So, all of thosenew spiders I found, I made them fight each other until a single survivor remained. That was my champion Spider! Before I confront my spider to a fight, I starve it for 3 to 5 days . Now and then I let it fight so it can practice..It will win but no bets involved. I never brought my spider to the betting arena because I don’t want to gamble. My spider was then the talk of the town… many adults guy wanted to buy it… At first, I didn’t want to sell it, but the offers were very tempting. They offered me 10 Pesos. Wow, that’s a lot of money during those days.. Eventually, I sold it. After that I was not able to find anymore another great spider fighter … until my addiction for spiders went away.

The funny thing is, during the summer in my backyard here in California, there’s a lot of spiders hanging around and I don’t want to touch them even though those spiders looked the same like the ones we had back home in the Philippines. I think I have developed"arachnophobia"… Really I’m now scared of spiders. Probably I read too much about black widows, tarantulas and other venomous spiders here.

How about you, are you scared of them too?--#

MORE PHOTOS!!!

As I have promised, these are the photos from the story which I published earlier..Thank you, thank you!!

A VALENTINES PARTY TO REMEMBER

So what did you do last Valentine's Day?

Had lots of fun?..Got so smashed they had to drag you out under the table? Or just waited all night watching some late, late show waiting for that phone call that never came?

Miguelita being the Branch Manager of the Queen/Saulter TPL branch was invited as a special guest to a 25th Anniversary celebration in honor of the Ralph Thornton Centre (RTCC) which took place in the evening of February 14. .Her special guest was moi. And am so happy I was.

The RTCC occupies the 2nd and 3rd floor of this government building along Queen street East. The centre sponsors various activities and projects geared to help the Community of South Riverdale. So part of Miguelita's job is dealing with the patrons of RTCC which would borrow books and other materials they need for their special pursuits. These pursuits usually are: looking for jobs, learning English, learning Ballroom Dancing, Learning Computer skills, and lots of others. Sounds like something Asingan needs, no? Or for that matter, the WHOLE PHILIPPINES.. Such Community Centres here in Canada ( and in the US where these are Centers due to the fact that part of our words are still spelled in the British way ) receive good funding from the government.

So Miguelita was with friends that night. She introduced me also to some of them and the REAL fun for me started when the party chairperson asked me to do a set of piano pieces ( about 1 hour ) while the guests were eating. There were 2 of us pianists that night, and the other one was a young Chinese youth who played mostly classical music ( the stuffy, high brow type which nobody really listened to ). When my turn at the piano came, I rolled out the bouncy, old time tunes with a beat.Miguelita said she saw many people on the food line dancing. Then a mature lady came and asked me if I know certain songs. She gave me the titles and I said yes. Oh they are songs like ISLE OF CAPRI, WHISPERING HOPE, LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART, DANNY BOY etc. ) She took a microphone and sang in front of the appreciative audience. Mostly young professionals, the cream of the crop of South Riverdale.

And Miguelita had her fun posing with the political bigwigs who came..The biggest of course was Jack Layton. Jack stole the political limelight last November 2005 when he called for a vote of non confidence against the incumbent Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin. An election was called ( maybesimilar to the snap election that took place during the last days of the Marcos era.) and Stephen Harper a Conservative candidate became the next Canadian Prime Minister. Jack Layton was the candidate representing the NDP. Of course Paul Martin ran also and unfortunately he came only second to Harper. So no People Power in Canada, eh? Just the old fashioned democratic process.

Layton appeared in the numerous TV debates that took place on national TV weeks before the election. He showed up in the RTCC party ( with a number of body guards of course ) only because he started his political career here in Riverdale and at the RTCC. He is one man who do not forget where he came from and who knows? He might yet become a Prime Minister of Canada someday.

Did we have fun last Valentines Day? Let the photos speak for themselves!--#

 

 

 

 

 

ASINGAN PHOTOS ( from my front window and beyond)

More digital photos from my archive..Taken during one of those dog days in Asingan..These were taken early in the morning..But as the sun goes up, the people start walking in, out and about...Life in Asingan ( during summer ) is kind of alive and fluid. Just stand on the edge of the street and someone will engage you in a conversation eventually...But when the rainy season comes, then you will wonder "Why am I still here in Asingan?.."

FROM ARSENIO

I’m back, sorry to every one for my not responding to your postings. I have been busy getting my business back on track… kind a little shaky ups and down but I hope it would be fine., Business is a gamble and taking risks…Business gambling (the only gambling I know ) is not the same as Casino or Poker… Business is slow now a days, due partly to last year's calamities..

To Manong Vic, I browsed through your journal and I read the entry from Ambassador Rudy Dumapias. Nothing to worry about and no need for any apology. However the apology is very much appreciated… it’s my or our pleasure to be recognized as one of your friends and acquaintances. Sir, your words are true… I did talk with my dad and he appreciates everything and he was happy to hear from you.  I realized that parents need our attention, not just the material things. It is  not too late to give both to them, especially my dad… Since he retired 3 years ago I sensed he feels bored, tormented, and alienated. That is why some of our old folks want to go back to the Philippines after they retire … Main reason: their money ($ pension) can afford 5 or 10 maids, and  they could hang out everyday in the old neighborhood. How about here in the US? As  I have said they feel tormened. We tried to convince them to return home but their answer is No, They said they are not comfortable there anymore. Anyway thank you Ambassador Rudy Dumapias for the lessons you shared. I made my dad happy when I talked to him telling stories and shared memories, I made him smile and I gave him the printout from your article and the ones from manong Vic… my mom read it all to him. Sir Rudy D. my parents want to show their appreciation to you for your concern.

Manong Vic, my Mom love your writings. She told me to print more stories for her and that’s what I did. My mom is one of the frustrated journalists. She only finished 2nd year high school but I was relying on her to correct my English even when I was already in College. This is what she always say to us, "if only I reached College probably I finished my dream to be a journalist. Too bad we were poor before and that I was orphaned  when I was young."

Well, it’s  too bad nobody among us (her children) got her talent… but I hope her genes will spread out to her grandchildren.

My dad will be scheduled next week for the amputation of his left leg, caused by his diabetes. We hope he will be fine and may God help him.

God bless you too and your family.

Always,

Arsenio.

****

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts..Good luck to your Dad, and I pray to God he will be OK...Here are some  Asingan Trivia, and I will keep on writing other ones as I recall them..

______________________________________

YEARS AGO IN ASINGAN

Years ago when the weather was balmy, people of all ages gathered in the town plaza to fly kites.. Up in the sky you would see kites of various colors, shapes, sizes..On the ground would be the proud owners, holding on to the stout strings of their kites, giving it a tug every now and then and socializing with the other kite enthusiasts..The multicolored paper covered fliers etched against a deep blue sky is breath takingly beautiful. Sometimes ( but very rarely ) there will be a "kite fight" Combatants would try to ram each other's kite until one is completely stripped of its paper covering.

Some kites had fancy designs and fancier tails.It provided a chance for Asinganians to hob nob with each other. Nowadays, you could not fly a kite anymore in our town plaza.

****

During town fiestas, barrios would build small bamboo and nipa huts somewhere in the plaza..They would be exhibiting some unique crafts or agricultural products. I remember one time seeing a huge SINKAMAS on display there.It was bigger than a human head. There were also displays of other vegetables in peculiar shapes which attracted many visitors. I think there was also judging of these barrio displays. Crafts from Elementary students were also on display..Those were the handiwork of Gr. 5 or Gr. 6 pupils who took Industrial Arts classes in the Dupac Intermediate School.(This is how the school was called during our time)

The Rizal Academy at one time sponsored the Troop 52; (a Boy Scout school brass band used in school PMT Pass-in -Reviews) to join the Town beauty Parade..The troop 52 may not play like the John Philip Sousa Band but they could provide decent band music considering that the players are all high school students.

Part of the events tosee during the town fiesta was dumb bell  calesthenics performed by Elementary pupils. I was one of them although I considered this exercise before as a sheer waste of my time.

****

The other local brass band consisted of the Senior musicians: Mr. Tabion, Mr. Badua, Mr. Guillermo and Mr. Sison..( Please correct me for possible mistakes in the names ).I know Mr. Guillermo played the trumpet. I believe the rest (except for Mr. Sison who played the snare drum or the bass drum) played the sax and the trombone.They would assist the local funerals which took place almost everyday..They would also assist the dawn masses playing a piece called the DIANA ( pronounced Dee-a-na )..I still know the tune by heart and it was the harbringer of the Christmas season in Asingan once it start waking you up at 3:00 am in the morning together with the pealing of thechurch bells.This took place every 16th of December.The choir then was accompanied by talented keyboard organist until a certain year when the organ was abolished ( maybe by the big earthquake which really crushed the s---t out of it when it brought down the whole church ) Accompaniment now is done with powerful amplifiers with equally powerful speakers playing canned music.

****

Many years before Karaoke became an international fad, I and a group of music lovers in Asingan were already practicing this music novelty. I remember Isaac Directo Jr. ( one of our friends with Julie, Susan, Mildred - the Delmendo sisters ) who was a good singer singing in the local circuit. By local circuit I mean the non - paying gigs in town like school programs, barrio dances, etc. Junior, (his nickname) could sing like Sir Paul McCartney and during one of our week - end trips to Binalonan to join the Saturday night Pauper's Club amatuer singing contest, we made friends with the local band called THE CIRCULARS. Those guys could really play like the Beatles, or the Animals or Herman's Hermits., One time, we recorded Junior singing YESTERDAY on the now obsolete and quite heavy reel-to-reel tape recorder in the practice hall of the band. I had to lug that monstrous mother f-----r  from Asingan to Binalonan and back. During that time only a few people in Asingan had cars and we could not bum a ride from any of them. So we had to take the public transportation all the time, coming and going. Anyway, we used Junior's rendition of YESTERDAY  during one Asingan school program. He sang with the recording while lip synching. The audience were amazed. They said it sounded like a Beatles recording..Well, duh! it was a RECORDING (including his voice ) but they just did not know it at that time!So later on as his services became more in demand, he had to find other songs to sing to be accompanied by a canned (recorded) orchestra. During those days, local sound systems were still using those 45 rpm records. Many of these have orchestral or rock band music suitable for singing along. Thus Junior found his orchestral back-up in some of those 45 or 33 LPS..This took place in Asingan many, many years even before the word KARAOKE was  thought of..

P.S. --The only way to learn how to write is to keep on writing no matter what..!It is true I went to Journalism school but I learned writing  before and after Journalism school..Happy to know you are back in circulation, we miss your postings too, you know...

THE PAMPANGA TRIP ( continuation)

When the Viron Bus reached the entrance to the North Diversion Road ( also known before as a SuperHighway ) it slowed down before it would make a 1-minute stop for passengers who would like to disembark. A number of vendors scrambled to the door and windows hoping to make a sale with the passengers."Mineral, Mineral!!" meaning mineral or bottled water. Or SITSARON ( pig chips as my grnadaughters call it ) ..No time to buy anything, I had to jump out before the bus might take me straight to Manila.

My reception Committee was a group of three young girls, still in their Senior year in Computer Science. After a brief "Hello, how are you?" we rode on a passenger jeep headed for the Dau Poblacion. They looked OK and I invited them for lunch at the Nepo Mall, a franchise Mall found in almost all big cities through out the Philippines.Edith is the name of my friend's younger sister who was asked to meet me since her sis was working. The two others are her friends who are familiar with the place where I would get down.

The way to Dau was the familar narrow two-lane road dominated by tricycles and jeepneys and a few cars. At first all you see are the banana trees, or acacia trees; once in a while you will see a clump of bamboos. Beyond these screen of shade trees would reveal a pretty pastoral view. Green fields are seen on both sides. On our right would be the blue profile of Mount Arayat, a noted hideout of HUKBALAHAPS, a well known group of rebels who do not obey any laws of the country. They are mostly bandits ( so I heard ) just like the time of Robin Hood and his Merry Men in England. King John's counterpart would be President Arroyo of the Philippines although I am not telling that she is as corrupt as the brother of Richard the Lion Hearted. It will not be fair for me to be telling political views in this entry since I am not living in the Philippines right now..So far, the HUKS ( shortcut for the tongue twisting name ) do not seem to pose any kind of threat. They live peacefully in unknown spots of the forests girdling Mount Arayat. They have their womenfolks and children too and some peole say sometimes the men folks would ask for rice and vegetables from the nearby villages so they have something to eat.Of course, they always bring their high powered guns during these collection tasks to ensure a good turnout of "revenue." They can not hold jobs, naturally They have personal reasons for joining the movement, mostly economics.. Jobs in the Philippines are so scarce that many kids learn how to sell, beg, forage the garbage to pick up recyclable stuff which they can sell to a middleman. Thus the emphasis is in education, at least a University or a College diploma.

The three ladies with me were quite lucky they are in College. Edith's parents are in Alaska but since they went to the US as seniors, they could not send money to their children here in Pampanga. Jean, the other girl have parents in Europe; she enjoys amenities like regular allowance and a good house to live in..Edith hopes against hope she could be sponsored as an Immigrant to Alaska also but she is 22, nearing the cut off age for children to be sponsored by parents. All of them like to get out of the country at any cost, at any way..They were asking me to find them prospective husbands in Canada..I told them the women in Toronto outnumber the men..

We had lunch at a Pizza restaurant inside the Nepo Mall. Surprise, surprise, they had blue colored Pepsi which we did not have in Toronto. The mall had 4 floors. Half of one floor was a karaoke area. You pay 5 pesos for a number of songs, you hold the mike and you have to sing regardless whether you can hold a note or not. If a singer is good, a big crowd of shoppers would suddenly appear to hear who is singing..If a bad singer takes over, the crowd dissapears as quickly as it appeared.

That evening they brought me to this hotel which is not really a classy one, but heck I just want to spend one or two nights there. There was a single bed, an air con, a phone, a TV. But it was not the DUSIT Hotel. Oh heck, I was tired and needed a shower. So I registered at the desk and signed for a single room. When the female receptionist saw my 3 companions, she gave them a dirty look. She thought they were hookers spending the night with me! Edith said she and her cousins will pick me up the next day to attend a baptismal ceremony in their barrio in Magalang, one of the towns under the shadow of Mount Arayat.--#

****

Later today, I will post some photos and stories of the visit made by Mia and Emma to our house last Feb. 12. Fr. Bob was on holiday so it was Fr. Louis, a Franciscan priest who celebrated the Mass. Miguelita was the Reader, Mia was the Psalmist and this Sunday all 4 singers were there: Caitlin, Emma, Kim and Mia..Fr. Louis topped his sermon with a funny ( but meaningful ) fable about the mouse and the mouse trap. Will relate it today in a separate entry.

In the afternoon, Caitlin came over the house for a couple of hours to join Mia and Emma. I lent them my video cam and the use of my Digital recording room. They locked the door, of course so they can have privacy for their fun. I showed them how to use the equipments in the entertainment room so they can record their singing digitally on blank DVD-Rs  which I can always convert into a CD-R later. Now a days, kids are such geniuses in operating high tech equipments and Game consoles. Heck, I never had these when I was a kid in Asingan!

It was fun listening to them do their thing inside the TV Room..Afterwards, we went across the street to buy some chips from the Korean store. Then we watched and listened to the playback of their live recordings while munching our chips. A very good day, I would say..

TTFN!

FEEDBACKS

hi Vic

You're sure busy with the journal...I enjoy reading it ..keep up the good job.  I like the pictures of  Emma, Mia, Dillon and Chloe.

Regards.
Vicky

*****

Thank you, Vicky!

*********

After two years in College, I opted to take a year long leave and to stay in Asingan. I was so unhappy and homesick while in Manila. The prospect of taking a whole year relief from school work seemed appealing at the time. That two- month long school vacation ( April and May 1960 ) I joined the Catechitical League organized by the incumbent Parish Priest of Asingan, Fr. Lazaro de Guzman. For a whole month, we went to church every afternoon to take a crash course on basic teaching skills plus a grasp of what we will be teaching which is Catechism.Angelito Domaoan and Philip Martin were with me in this activity. The lectures took place from 3-5 pm; but at 1:00 pm, many young people were already in the church yard playing soft ball or volley ball or just simply talking. For them, it was a relief from humdrum housework. Many were the Asingan youth who can not afford to go to College. For those interested, they could also join the choir, which I did. After a month of lectures, the Father felt confident we can to the job as Catechists.There were about 30 plus of us, including the ones from the barrios.

Starting the following school year June-March, we went to teach Catechism in the North and South Central schools. At the South Central School, I handled the class of Vicky Fernandez and Tessie Cruz. If I remember right, we went to their class twice a week for the whole year. Vicky was the friendly and attentive type of pupil, Tessie Cruz, her bosom buddy was the quiet type. The purpose for the Catechism teaching and study is to prepare them for the General Communion which would take just before the graduation from their academics.

Vicky and Tessie eventually joined the church Catechists and the choir since one of them was Juanita Orpiano who was also from Dupac ( Vicky's folks are from Dupac ). Everything went well. We survived the ordeal of preparing breakfast for their Communion Day. We woke up at 3:00 am to helped out cook breakfast for almost a 100 kids (that included Vicky and Tessie). We brewed coffee in big containers; cooked scrambled eggs in woks, and hundreds of pan de sal were ordered from the Villar Bakery. During the Mass that morning, the church was wall-to-wall with kids. As a token of his gratitude, Fr. de Guzman not long after treated his catechists and friends to an excursion to Baguio City.

The year of vacation came to a close and I had to prepare myself again for College. Then I also heard that Vicky and her family were to leave for California. On one of the last days of that week before I went back to Manila I went to see Vicky to ask if she was really leaving for good. I saw her playing ball with a group of kids from the marketside. If I am not mistaken, she was still in her green Girl Scout uniform. "Yes, it is true," she said. It was a kind of bummer, because again I felt left alone. Friends and classmates left for abroad and there I was, still stuck in Asingan.----#

 

MORE FEEDBACKS

Mr. Costes,

I hope that you are keeping well.  I want to thank you and let you how much  I'm enjoying your journal, the Asinganian.  I always find it to be an interesting read, and is much more enjoyable than some of the books that I have to read for school.  Stories like your trip to Chinatown made me smile,
and the one about the photographer and the priest had me laughing out loud.  I also very much like a good ghost story and yours fit the bill.  You paint such a lovely picture of the town you grew up in, the countryside of the Pilippines as well as the hustle of Manila that I not only see it in my mind, I am transported there.

Thanks again, and I always look forward to the next entry.  All the best to you and Mrs. Costes.  See you soon!

Mike Bartlett

*****

Thank you! By the way, Mike Bartlett is a very friendly and likable fellow. He is an excellent artist and he likes creating cartoons with markers, brush and ink and the other media suited for this art form. He is taking up presently some Education subjects which someday will qualify him to teach art in Ontario schools. He is the only non Filipino I know who loves DINUGUAN even if he knows that it is made of. Lechon is also his favorite, especially with San Miguel beer. And he said he likes to sample ALL Filipino foods, except I am sure, the Asucena. His girl friend is a pretty Filipina, that's why and he would like to be "Filipinized" all the way.

***********

Hey ! how's the writer from Canada ? I really enjoyed reading every single line you wrote. Amazing, your memory is still working; not like me, sometimes I even forget my name ha! ha !  just kidding. Am so proud of having a friend, a brother like you who has the talent of writing. I salute you for being such an extraordinary person who has power of intellect. Aside from writing you do play musical instrument, but I dont know if you could sing  ha ! ha ! probably that is my part.  Talk to you again.

Julie

&&&

Thanks for your compliments; Intellect? thats debatable! Oh I can sing, but you wouldn't want to hear my singing voice not unless you are totally stone deaf. Yes, you can really sing O HOLY NIGHT  to my keyboard accompaniment but we never got to do it together much because there came a church regulation not to allow solos during the Mass..But we and the group sang in other places: Binalonan ( the Pauper's Club with the Circulars ), Binmaley, plus the School convocations at the Rizal Academy. I still do the O HOLY NIGHT here in Toronto for the past 25 Christmases, I think you also do it in LA every Christmas too. Strange how one song could bridge the gap from 1966 to 2005. Now came the Internet which really could connect friends from different parts of the world!

Take care!

MIA AND EMMA VISIT OTTAWA

Okay, here is a brief geography lesson on Canada, your friendly Northern neighbor..

Toronto is NOT the capital of Canada although I believe it should be. There are more Shopping Malls in Toronto. But it is the capital of Ontario.

Ottawa  is the CAPITAL  of Canada. It is a quieter, more laidback City except during Canada Day when there are more fireworks in Ottawa than in Toronto. But hot dogs are cheaper in Toronto on Canada Day. 10 cent hot dogs, wow! But only if you can bear standing in a mile- long line of hungry celebrants waiting to buy the cheap stuff at the front lawn of Queen's Park.

*********

Mia and Emma love Ottawa, not for the sights and tourist spots or anything else; but for the chance to play with their cousins Chloe and Dillon! Here are the photos to prove the case in point..

VISITING ASINGAN IN '95

In a message dated 2/9/2006 Angelito Domaoan wrote:

  Hi Vic:  

I don’t know Rogel Baquiren, your student . He has brown complexion like me and he is a very nice guy. Our trek to Agpay; I remember every detail of it. Remember when we were encircled by some cattle at the top of the mountain.? The funny thing is that they were all looking at us in the dark.  Somebody commented that they might be  ghosts. One of us said let’s get out of here quietly so as not to disturb them. I breathed a sigh of relief when we are out of that predicament. Do you remember already the name of the younger brother of Rogelio Coquia? Let me know. Do you have the copy of our picture with the brother of Rogel Coquia? I love that adventure in Agpay...

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

For sure, I will write something about Agpay...Thanks for providing me the episode about the cows..Did you go there with us twice?...I think we enjoyed it because of the scenery, the camarederie and the sense of adventure..Passing thru the trail surrounded by trees, grass and rocks is the fulfillment of the fantasy scenes we saw in Tarzan or Jungle Jim movies..The only thing missing in the Agpay adventure are the headhunters..ha-ha! Baquiren was called JESS LAPID by some of his classmates before..He was a dead ringer for the Filipino action star..He's older than most of his classmates..His dad is the conductor of the defunct Angat transportation and he was a comical, funny guy..In one of my later Balikbayan trips, I met him again..He worked then as a tricycle driver for the sister of the late Mr. Gascon..The sister ( I  can't remember her name at this time of writing ) lived in a house 3 doors away from our old house. So Rogel and I planned and executed this picnic in San Manuel in a place called BUTAO ( what a name! ). Our companions were some friends from San Vicente led by Vic and Lita Gamazon..The photos of the resort must be in the San Manuel section of Pang.Org..We brought lots of meat dishes ( Lita sells meat at the market )  and then we just bought drinks from the resorts cafeteria. The swimming pool was natural made. Meaning it is a live spring and water changes every minute..The only problem would be the coldness, but it is not that cold..There are changing rooms, a second pool plus picnic tables..Sheltering trees also abound. Francisco Malala and Nonong Necessito accompanied us in this picnic. At that time, both of them were managing an Asingan weeky (Hometown News I think)..That was my longest holiday there in Asingan, about 3 months I think..I bought an open ticket and it took me a while before I was able to book a return passage to Toronto due to booking problems at the Cathay Pacific Airlines...I was so homesick during the last days of that holiday because the rainy season changed the atmosphere in Asingan from the sunny April days to the monsoon season of June..So happy was I to be back in Toronto!

PAMPANGA TRIP ( Balikbayan's Diary )

After a couple of days alone in Asingan ( my wife was in Trinidad ), the wanderlust bug bit me and I wanted to go elsewhere. I packed a small knapsack with clothes for a 2-day trip. Then my 2 sisters asked me where I was going.

"Pampanga.." I answered. "Pampanga??" they asked with arched eyebrows.. "We do not know anybody in Pampanga.."

"You dont, but I do..I know some people there.."

"How did you met them?"

"Through the Internet.."

If I was a 16-year old then telling this to my parents, shit would surely had hit the ceiling. But I was a 63 year old person. Seen all, been there, done that! How can they refuse to let me go..

"Arent you afraid?." they asked me.

"No " I said. "Besides my wife knew about this trip"..My sisters were a bit concerned because I was about to enter unknown territory . But I love going into the unknown. There is a little adrenalin flow.."What if..?" my 2 concerned sisters said ennumerating a number of "what if " factors. To hell with the what ifs..I murmured..A few minutes later, I went out of the house with my digicam, knapsack and my NOKIA cell phone.

 

So at 7:30 am, I was already in front of the Municipio, waiting for the Viron Bus bound for Manila. A few other people were there. One was. Amado Benito, a retired Army Colonel whose wife was going to Manila. Amado was my classmate since Elementary, and nobody would expect he would retire as a Colonel because he was then very shy. But as he grew up, his personality turned about 180 degrees from a shy guy to a dashing Army Officer.

Two Balikbayan trips ago, we visited his camp in Binmaley. "We" included the late Gregorio Velasco Jr., Johnny Sindayen, the late Butch Agtarap, and some others. We talked up to the wee hours in the morning beside the waters of Lingayen Gulf with the sea breezes blowing into our ears.When I felt sleepy, Amado lent me his room and they continued their talkathon further until they fell asleep in the seaside picnic table. When I saw them when I woke up, I heard that Junior ( his actual name aside from BOLOG) had already jogged along the coastline and he was able to reach Lingayen and back.

That morning in 2003, Amado was already retired, looking leaner than the last time I saw him. His asthma started to bother him, he said. But the gleam in his eyes was still there and he was always active.A retired person MUST always be active. "In fact," he said " we just celebrated a reunion with some AFP retirees."

The ubiquitous cell phone was my sole guide to my destination. Every now and then it would chime, and our text messages would appear something like these:

Were r u now?

Am still weting 4 d bus

IC..wat time s 8 arriving?

MeB 8:30..wont B long..

Call again F U are close to Pampanga

OK

I do not think texting would be helpful for the Filipino youth in mastering Spelling, Grammar, Writing a good paragraph, etc. Every new technology has its downside. But one can not deny how helpful this gadget is..In Toronto, we seldom text each other..Either we talk live or leave voice mails..But some friends in the Philippines are so afraid of displaying their cell phones esp. in jeeps or buses in Manila..Or maybe using it in some forlorn alley. Snatchers never rest; they are always on the look out for a prey with a cell phone to pounce on.Here in the US/Canada , if a cell phone is lost and is found by  anybody else aside from the owner, that's it. It could not be used anymore. It could be unlocked, I guess but cell phones here are so cheap that one would just buy a new one rather than paying much money to the techie who would open up the cell phone to change the chip inside.Besides you will still have to buy a charger..

 But not in the Philippines. Many Filipinos are such geniuses in  doing things, especially stealing. In Asingan I am not afraid of using it in public or walk around pressing the keys to communicate with some one. Although one time I almost fell from the stairs while pressing the keys of that f...g cell phone. But it is a good way to pass the hours if you are bored stiff and there is nothing else to do.

****

On the way, I saw some new landmarks in Tarlac, particularly in the Hacienda Luisita, owned by the Cojuancos. There is a big shopping mall in the Villa Luisita with theatres and all the works. Too bad the bus could not stop inside the area. Instead it stationed in a rinky-dinky eatery just outside Tarlac, Tarlac just before Bamban. I got down to use the bathroom which was not an improvement over the ones in Trinidad. I saw some snacks there but it seemed that the flies had already beaten me to it. Some vendors were waving some TUPIG ( a delicacy of sticky rice and sugar wrapped with Banana leaves ) at my face but I did not budge. Those TUPIGS in bus stations are just plenty of banana leaves  wrapped around a bite size TUPIG. Basically you are just paying good money on a whole wad of dried banana leaves.

The regular route to Manila before used to pass through this scenic area in Bamban. It consisted of some low mountain ranges and on one of these elevated peaks is a grotto of the Virgin Mary. We went up to this grotto one time with Fr. Jose V. Ferrer and the church choir of Asingan. It is a beautiful wooded area which reminded me of the Virgin Mary's Shrine in Baguio City. In both places, you have to walk a very long flight of steps, not very good if your knees are already wobbly.

Many years ago, a Hollywood movie was shot in these parts: it was entitled MERRILL'S MARAUDERS the last film of the 50s Superstar Jeff Chandler.It was also one of the only 2 Hollywood movies in which the popular Filipino star Pancho Magalona appeared ( The other one is THE HOOK where he starred with Kirk Douglas.). Both movies are of the war-action genre. (Samuel Fuller who made THE BIG RED ONE was the producer of MERRILL'S, Pearlberg-Seaton, a top movie producer team did THE HOOK) Pancho was married with another superstar of the '50s, Tita Duran. One of their children, I heard is one of the current Filipino rappers. Pancho has a good voice and his English diction is very good inspite of the inborn Filipino accent. There was a hoopla then that he might become popular in Hollywood with these two new films. Unfortunately, in the second movie THE HOOK ( rarely shown on TV or even in video ) he played a Korean prisoner and he did not have even a single line of dialogue. That was the end of that dream, but he remained popular as a star, singer and a dancer during those days when Sampaguita Pictures was still one of the big movie studios in Manila. But back to my original story...

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo with its Lahar aftermaths messed up the route to Manila. It does not pass thru Bamban anymore. Instead, it takes a very round about way to avoid the Lahar covered roads and fields. The bus goes thru unseen barrios of Tarlac winding through very narrow roads before reaching the Tarlac-Pampanga border. And before I knew it, it was already close to the provincial border where I was supposed to get down. My cell phone began chiming like crazy, reminding me that my disembarkation point might already be close at hand!---#

( to be continued )

 

MORE ABOUT JOHNNY

  An e-mail from my buddy Lito,

Hi Vic: I don’t know whether they are related to the Principal Inocencio Pascua. I know his Mom and Dad; they  resided near the Agne family.. Juan is second to the eldest His eldest sister is pretty and light in complexion. I forget the name of her sister. She usually has pink cheek s. I know his dad and mom. His dad works with Laki Moniang's rice mill. His mom is small lady with a light complexion. I don’t how many sibling Johnny got. They usually pass by that narrow street going to the  Dupac Public  Intermediate school

Johnny's respond:

Manong Lito Domaoan. is correct about my parents……The late Mr. Inocencio Pascua  was a relative of ours….the sisters are Mrs. Emerenciana P. Esteban (Wife of Mr. Jovencio Esteban) Mrs. Pastora P. Agapito Millano (wife of Mr. Roman Agapito) and Mr. Crisanto Pascua in Dupac. M. Lito forgot the name of my sister Lydia (Juliana in school)…I have one brother and 7 sisters….

.It’s true my dad worked in the rice mill of Lakay Moniang & my mom was a plain housewife and a market vegetable vendor…..After  the planting season my dad worked in the rice mill to support us in everyday life  and sent us all to college……Thanks  God we all graduated from college……2 were Commerce graduates and the rest became teachers.

Life is soooo hard for our family but slowly and surely we survived the challenges , trials & tribulations. …We thanked our parents for their support.

The road next to Manong Lito”s house was the road I used to pass everyday in going to  high school. Also  when I went back and forth to Bayambang every week…. I remember those days when I passed that street wIth a  Bigao* on my head to sell vegetables in the streets…..I did this from Gr. 1V to 2nd year high school.The Agne family was our only neighbor across the NCS old Home economics bldg..

Til next time!

********

*Bigao (Bi-GA-oo)..A shallow container woven from banboo. Used in the old days for carrying veggies or for winnowing the newly polished rice. Carrying a bigao full of stuff is quite a feat.

Once I saw a woman carrying about 3 bundles on her head ( one atop each other ) and at the same time carrying a basket on each hand. This woman is a snack vendor in Asingan and she usually brings her stuff to a roadside in front of the Salcedo building at dusk. Then she sets up her cooking wares and cooks bibingka or tupig. She also sold balut wrapped with towels for insulation.She usually sits on her spot for about 4 hours or until there are no more customers. Mimay, the well known peanut vendor in the '50s was one of the Asingan sidewalk sellers.

This Journal relates real life stories about Asinganians. True life is usually more dramatic and more memorable than fiction.

God  bless us all!

A FEEDBACK FROM PAULA

Vic, I seldom have time to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog.  I love the pictures of the floats, and this article about Trinidad.  You have come a long, long way since the days of just doing the music on the puter.  I assume you have taught yourself to do the web page & all that goes with it.  You do a wonderful job, and I feel like  I have had a short visit into a world I would other wise never be able to visit.  Take care, stay safe,  Paula
Comment from pbcaldw - 04/02/06 4:25 PM

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

Paula Caldwell from Kentucky is one of the few loyal friends I met thru the net. I must have been corresponding with her for almost 10 years already, which is quite a record.

Thank you, Paula!

JOHNNY WENT TO COLLEGE

(Names under the photos are more legible if you view them with a SLIDE SHOW feature of your Computer's Photo software. Thanks!)

by Johnny Pascua

    After graduation from high school I didn’t know if I could go to college or not because my parents were  too poor to shoulder the expenses. But due to the constant  conversation of my father with the  late Mr. Fely Cabais , my parents inquired from other people on how to shoulder such expenses .

My parents were told they could buy a calf  for me to take care of and when it was ready for market we can sell it and they can pay for my tuition fee, I Said no, cuz I knew the hardship of going to the field and cut grass/pasture  rain or shine. Finally they were convinced so I took the entrance exam.

My father told me if I fail then I will not go to college. I said YES.  With the help of God I passed  so they sent me to study in Bayambang. For the Ist & 2nd year my tuition fee was 68 pesos each year and 88 pesos for my 3rd & 4th year. , 5 pesos was the rent for a small room every month for 4 years. It was a house  full of women; I was the only man in the house.

Every Friday afternoon I have to go to Asingan to help my father in the field during the week end.Late in afternoon of Sunday I would go back to Bayambang with my 1 week subsistence. Plus my mom gave me 5 pesos for my fare (back & forth) every week.

So you can just compute how much money I spent for 4 years in college. Also I have to bring a bundle of firewood to cook my food, others used a kerosene stove . I'd like to give credit to my grandfather who supplied my firewood for 4 years. I was lucky to be able to teach in our town Asingan from 1962 to the time I came  to California in 1985.---#

*********

Bravo, Johnny. There is nothing like Patience, Hard Work and Education to bring us to places. Hope your piece will inspire the other Johnnys everywhere ( or shall we say, Juan dela Cruzes?) .

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

notes: Bayambang has a well known Teachers College at that time....At present the exchange rate for the US $ agains the peso is about 50+ pesos...Calf is a young ox/cow. I had the experience of taking care of a calf when I was in the Elementary. For 1 week, I brought the calf to pasture in the backlot of Dupac school. At the end of the week, the animal was slaughtered for the wedding celebration of our eldest sister. I was a bit traumatized when I heard it being butchered in our backyard but I was able to overcome it when I tasted the dishes during the wedding feast.---#

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

feedback from Lito Domaoan

Is that Juan Pascua your classmate? I think Ireneo is the uncle or cousin of my first cousin George in Toronto

That's him, Johnny, my classmate, my first buddy on my first day in Gr. 1 under Mrs. Lising....The Pascua family in Macalong is quite big..Remember the teacher/principal Mr. Inocencio Pascua?..and also Aurora Pascua?I remember her dancing in Arabian costume to a song by Alex Romero(ON WINGS OF SONG)..Miss Remedios Jose, if I am not mistaken taught Alex that song.It was part of our graduation ceremonies, Grade 6 at the Dupac Intermediate School ...Those days when we were still in short pants running about in the school yard.Gee! I can remember events that happened in the 50s better than what I ate for breakfast yesterday....

MORE ON DR. ESTHER HUFANA

Dr. Esther R. Hufana ( or Manang Esther ) as a retiree still teaches Linguistics at the St. Louis University and Baguio Colleges Foundation. She travels around the Philippines to accreditize different schools and Universities.  Her extensive travels go further into different Asian countries for various lectures and other related work.Her recent  visit brought her to Beijing, China.

The other year, she received some airline tickets for Thailand. She received an invitation from two grateful Thai students who put up a University in their area after finishing their Doctorates in St. Louis University. Manang Esther is one of their professors. Her visit should have been on the last weekend of that December.

Unfortunately, on the 26th day of that December, the tsunami rolled into various areas of Asia killing thousands of people who were caught unaware. For her, it was a rather chilling close call with what might have happened if she was already there at that time.---#

Miguelita Hufana Costes

A VISIT TO TRINIDAD

At one point in our holiday, Nene went up to Trinidad, Mountain Province, to spend a few days with her family. Her sister, Dr. Esther Hufana is a retired University Professor but like many other retirees, she is still working on accreditizing various Colleges and Universities all over the country. She owns a beautiful house on top of a hill outskirts of Trinidad. The surrounding view is astounding. A good place to hibernate, to recharge and maybe write some poetry, stories if you are in  that kind of thing.

Pare Alex Romero brought us up to Trinidad because he was bringing back his daughter anyway to Baguio. They have a house in Pacdal where she was staying while taking up some courses at a Baguio University. We arrived in Baguio at around 9:00 am and for old memories, we all went to a nice restaurant on top of a hill. Gee, Baguio must have more hills than you can count.The place is called BARRIO FIESTA. Again we ordered the kind of menu which we can never taste here in Toronto.

Our first problem was contacting Nene's sister. We dont know her address in Trinidad. We only know her cell number. And at that time I do not have my cellphone. Tough. Tougher than finding a needle in a haystack. Alex found a waiter with a cell phone and we agreed to use the phone for a fee of 30 pesos. But the trouble with cell phones in the Phil is that they seemed to be made mainly for texting..If you try to use it for live converation, pretty soon you will run out of battery power. Besides in some areas, ( esp. because of those darned hills ) sometimes you could hardly get any signal. After a few misses, we were able to get hold of her niece. Then we were told to meet them at a high school in Trinidad and from there, we will proceed to Manang Ester's house.

We found the high school all right. Then again came a period of waiting. Balikbayans really have to have tons of patience. And must practice the art of waiting because in the Philippines, sometimes schedules and agendas are not cut and dry. You have to be very flexible like a rubber band. Filipino time, yes thats a nice excuse for being  flexible.. So I had the pleasure of looking over the high school campus while looking for the wash room. In here they call it the comfort room. And in the Philippines, most washrooms are of 2 kinds: for minor and major necessities. I saw a wash room in Wright's Park one time. A sign outside says: IHI:1 PESO..TAE:2 PESOS..Want the English translation? It is the minor and major necessity I was talking about earlier.

Soon our hunting party found us and we proceeded to our boarding house. Alex left his car in the roadside because we still have to climb a steep road leading up to where the house is. "is it safe to leave the car here?" I said."Yes, yes..the people here are good. They wont steal anything much less a car." Well if they swipe the car, what will they use to start it?..And will they push the car over this hilly territory just for what? Somehow the logic was there. The car stayed at the bottom of the hill overnight and yes, it was still there in the morning.

All around the area are flower farms for want of a better word. They raise flowers which are bought by merchants from the lowlands. Flowers ( as you can see by the Fiesta photos ) are very much in demand in many places for weddings, fiestas and maybe even funerals.

I stayed in Trinidad overnight; the next day Alex and I went down again back to Pangasinan. We dropped by Urdaneta first to check out the local Mall then back to Asingan at about 2:00 pm. Before I went home, Alex brought me to the cemetery so I can visit my parents' resting place. I dont want them to come at night and tickle my toes. Then I went to the school where Menchie works. That was the time I showed her how a digital camera shot could be downloaded into a computer so you can use the photos in several applications.

A balikbayan holiday is similar to what Forrest Gump said at one time. To rephrase it I would say " Balikbayan's life is like a box of chocolates, you do not know what you can find in it. " Does it make any sense at all?I wonder!---#

PARADE OF BEAUTIES

These photos were shot in the old fashioned way using 35 mm. film. I had to scan them so it could be published in the web and scanning photos would really take time and patience, not to mention whether you are scanning them in the right manner. Anyways, I did the shoot from our front window, I had no zoom lens at that time otherwise closeups of the beauties could have been very much welcomed. 

But if you do want to check the faces in close up, save the photos in JPEG or BMP then open each photo file with the PAINT program. It will blow up the faces larger. PHOTOSHOP will do a cleaner zoom feature.

Have fun!!--#

The Asingan Town Fiesta coincides with the closing of school work and traditionally, Asinganians welcome it as  multiple days of  "vegetating" ( a new colloquial term for relaxing ) or "chilling out". But the hosts or people involved in the celebrations would be anything but relaxed. The house has to be cleaned, curtains to be hung, the livestock have to be slaughtered. I miss the sounds and sights of Asingan fiestas.

Guests are always welcome because of traditional hospitality even if they sometimes make funny remarks about our town. One visitor from Manila  said one time while watching the parade of our beauties: "Ano yan, Senakulo?" What could you say to a remark like that?  Killing the guy is out of question.

Anyway, these photos were shot in 1999. The sights won't change. The streets will be converted into a huge flea market as usual, the plaza will turn into a midway, there will be a dance every night for those who have taken ball room dancing courses. Meeting the Asinganian Balikbayans would really be something. I will take a raincheck this year, maybe next year I will be there. Maybe....

 

 

MORE FEED BACKS

More from my sis Ester Lomboy:

Will send you  e-mails regularly about Asingan after the closing of the school year. In summer, I will be  more or less free. The two ladies are quite loaded too. Until now, I haven't seen the book where Ana is a co-author. I have to buy my copy.  Her next publication will be released internationally as a co-author to another Prof at UP.   The launching will be at Switzerland and she is promised a free tips for the book launching Medyo duda at takot na ako so i told her I talk to her professor ( co-author ). Am happy about Ana's writing prowers just like you sana madevelope to the fullest.   Regards and Happy Valentines to all.  

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From Johnny Pascua:  

Hello !!!  Vic,

       During the entire administration of Mayor Dario R. Navarro & Mayor Felixberto R. Ramos……I was lucky enough to be a part of the master of ceremonies duringthe coronation of  our town fiesta royal family……among my fellow emcees were Mr. Eugenio C. Pico; Mrs. Elizabeth dela Cruz Par; Mrs. Esmenia R. Orallo; Mrs. Cristina Mendoza Dumlao; Mrs. Esther  Costes Lomboy; Mrs. Alejandria S. Javier; & others I failed to mention.…….    Those were the days……it’was sooooo exciting and the towns people and visitors enjoyed  watching us w/ jokes and ice breakers.  I enjoyed much in emceeing from the presentation of candidates until the last canvassing when we were in the town plaza up the wee  wee hours the next morning until the next queen is announced ……I salute all my fellow emcees coz they were the cream of the crop, they were the best in emceeing during those times……teachers are teachers….they have good command of English but not me , I’m not good…..in that……okay!!!!

Some of those who knew me in emceeing sometimes called ; the Rod Navarro of Asingan, the Joe Quirino ..okay ngarud”   & maestro Johnny…..I enjoyed emceeing too in scouting activities locally, provincial and national levels…..I am not bragging but we rue those days… happy days…….

Again,

Johnny

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Belated congratulations to my nephew Don Costes ( the son of my brod Donato ).His wife Melen gave birth to a baby boy and they named him Donato also. He is the 4th in our family to bear the name. They are now in San Diego, CA.

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NOTE: Typographical errors are there unintentionally..I am a one man band: web page administrator, writer, editor, photographer aside from being a house cook in addition to my duties at church..So, keep on watching for typos and grammatical slip-ups, it will be a good training if you wanna be a writer/editor someday..I see those slip ups too but going back to the web page to correct just two or three is a pain in the ass..so let it stay there!!!

E-MAIL FROM MY SIS

I received an e-mail from my sister Ester. Among other things she mentioned some items  in the coming town fiesta...  

The town fiesta  again  will include the Balikbayan night to be handled by Joe Delmendo  and the  Achievers night ( which I and Mariet Escorpizo will chair.) I will give you the names of former achievers and this years achievers later. First in the list is FVR and we hope to come up with the achievers circle to propel Asingans development.  We will publish a book on Who is Who from Asingan. Please give us some tips how to make it more interesting....  

 I will e-mail you general tips on book writing and publication later on a case to case basis..I have to work on what you will be writing..Will base my tips on what you will start writing and publishing...  

 Good luck to your efforts for the Fiesta. Wish we could be there personally..I hope someone in Asingan could send me some digital photos of the canvassings and other relevant preparations of the upcoming affair.Fiestas are always memorable and happy because of family reunions. Lucky are the balikbaayans who could make it home for the fiesta!----#  

A few photos re: some past Fiesta beauty Queens will appear next in  this Journal  

MARLON AND MY BROTHER

It was my brother Donato who met Marlon first during one of his earlier Balikbayan trips. He described Marlon as very friendly, very curious. When Donato was working on something in the old house Marlon would come up to him and ask: "What are you doing, Uncle?" Uncle would be a better word to use. Although it is not strictly right ( it should be Lolo ) but us Seniors are a bit sensitive when it comes to age. We want to stay young forever even if we know we can't.

Donato would then start a chat with marlon who was quite a good conversationalist. He would talk about his Mom and Dad. His dad Angelo was a favorite of my late dad before. He would always share our meals with him, even if at times, there was nothing much to eat. Gildo grew up with a knack for electronics and when he got married with Marivic (Bing), a pretty girl from Urdaneta, he supported his family by repairing various electronic equipments:TVs, stereos, toasters, etc. almost anything that runs on electricity. He also put up a small house for him and his family at the back of his parents' house Mr. and Mrs. Teofilo Sampaga.

In one of his conversations with my brother Donato, Marlon said "You know what? Our dog had some puppies last night!" He was so proud in announcing the good news. "Oh yeah?" answered Donato .." Can you give me one if it is okay?" "Oh sure, " Marlon said.."I will tell it to my dad, I think its gonna be okay.."

Then his holiday winded down. It was time to go back to Canada. As my brother brought down all his luggages to a waiting Toyota in front of our house, Marlon came again and asked him:"Where are you going?"

Donato said: "I am going back to Canada. See you when I come back.."

Marlon immediately said: "Wait, wait I have something to give you!" He dissapeared for a while and when he came back, he was carrying a cute puppy..

"This is for you, Uncle.My parents said it is okay for you to take him.."

Donato just smiled, rubbed the puppy's head and said:"Thank you, Marlon..But you know what? He is too small to ride in the plane yet..So I will leave him here so when I come back, thats the time I will get him, okay?"

The answer is plausible enough for Marlon. He said "Oh, its okay then..I will take care of him for you..."

When I took my vacation in 2003, I met him for the first time. When he learned I was Uncle Donato's younger brother, he said "Oh..I still have his dog!..He went to his house and brought it out so I can see it..It was a beautiful dog.

Luckily, he did not give it to me on my last day in Asingan so I can give it to my brother here in Toronto.---#

 

FEEDBACK FROM ANNIE RE: BALIKBAYAN MEMORIES

The Rodriguez Store you mentioned in your journal today are operated by my cousins.That one in front of your house is run by Rizaline Yapjoco and the other store close to the market (must be the Mother Store )is under Eugene (  Jing) Macanlalay.

Their mother  is my father's sister and I was with them most of the time as a part time employee when those 2 girls were in  college in Baguio. I had to stay and  tended their store. Payday for the Asingan teachers was usually busy because they came in  to cash  their checks and I  was just by myself in the "cash register" which is just a  tiny calculator and piece of paper.  

While they were  expanding,  I had to check  the incoming deliveries to the store and mind the customers who came to pick up their groceries. Sometimes I picked up a sack of sugar with the help of the  tricycle driver and throw it at the back of their  carrier.

Those were the days I spent with  them.I was then  widowed at an early age and then I lost my grandmother the following year.Their mother acted as my mother/grandmother and their father was also my baptismal Ninong. Their parents also stood up as the foster parents of my daughter and the sisters acted as their sister. That's how close we are and  at that time. At present, they are the ones watching my father as he also  has to close his tiny store at 5:00pm  and he goes  to  them to help  out . .

Keep posting and I am enjoying it.  

Regards.  

Respectfully, Annie C Cano

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Hi Annie,  

Gee, your feed backs really are just as interesting as my entries, I did not know they are your cousins; next time I take a holiday, I will surely mention you to them..I do not know who was at the cash register at that time and if I am not mistaken, they are already using electronic cash registers.

When I entered the store, my grandnephews would suddenly be behind me and I was so happy to buy snacks for them. (Marlon, Ailene and Jasmine) I feel like I was with Emma and Mia, my grandkids here in Toronto. While inside the store, I always ask what they want and they would just smile ( Nahihiya siguro ) Then I will be the one to pick up the good stuff, esp. if I am familiar with the brand.

I picked up one time some Pringles. In Asingan at that time it cost 65 pesos..I do not think ordinary kids would buy that for snacks otherwise they would get ____ from their parents. They said they never tasted Pringles yet, and my heart just melted.

I bought more than one package for them and we ate them in our house. Marlon is about 10, Jasmine is 8 and Aileen is still in kinder. That is the "magic age" for kids when they are so sweet, innocent, cute and unihibited. I also bought them HI-RO cookies, the equivalent of our OREO though it does not taste as good. Plus the Sunflakes which had been around in Asingan for ages.

I really miss them at this time. Their Mom really made a big sacrifice leaving them (Marlon and Aileen) for Saudi, but it was a good chance to earn some money, which eventually, will be for the family.--#  

MORE BALIKBAYAN MEMOIRS

One of the highlights of my 2003 holiday in Asingan was attending the Christmas Party of the Delmendo Cable Company owned by the Mr. Jose Delmendo. After working in LA for several years, he retired and came back to Asingan to put up a TV Cable company. I saw most of the equipments of the company in the family residence in Calawagan; service trucks, a huge Satellite Antennae, several AV equipments. Our host that time was Susan Delmendo Santos an equally enterprising family member who has several projects to her credit both here in Asingan and in California. Well, it is not easy to put up a business here in Asingan, but he did it. When my wife and I spent a night at the Crystal Glade resort in Ariston, I saw a HARRY POTTER movie thru a small TV in our room. The resort subscribes to the Cable company. Felt like I was back in North America while watching.The reception was pretty good. The only thing missing was a local Asingan TV Guide but I guess this might come later. It would need another enterprenuer to put up a Print media in Asingan and neighbouring towns if no project like this was established lately.

That morning we attedended a Mass at a private chapel beside their family home. Then we were treated to a sumptous grub fest in the Company social hall. I saw several guests of honor who attended the affair. Mr. Dominador Delmendo, the surviving parent of the family, distributed bonus cheques for the employees. While eating broiled fish, barbeque and other native dishes, an impromptu program of karaoke singers gave some entertainment. Jose ( or Joe ) was in California at that time due to spend Christmas with his family. Me and another employee of the firm gave some speeches; I talked mostly on the latest trends on TV broadcasting as I observed it in North America. Susan was a very amiable host and at one point she took the microphone and conducted a TV style "Pera o Kahon" skit with one of the employees. We and the audience enjoyed ourselves. But then we had to go so we bade goodbye to Susan who promised to bring us to Baguio in a future date before we go back to Canada.

So back to our house the family home where I grew up. Our constant visitors were 3 kids: Marlon, Ailene and Jasmine Sampaga. Marlon and Ailene are the children of Angelo ( Gildo ) Sampaga,one of nephews who lived just next door.Marlon reminds me of Gildo when he was of that age: active, happy go lucky and very accomodating. At that time their mom still livedwith them ( now she is working in Saudi Arabia ). If I had a chance, I would bring them across the street ( the same thing I am doing with Emma, my grandaughter here in Toronto ). Why did we cross the street? To get to the Rodriguez Grocery. This store was just booming and huge delivery trucks arrived everyday. The 3 kids and I would check the shelves for the brand of snacks they had:I always bought the brand of chips that was imported and the store had quite a few. We would complete the shopping with a big bottle of coke and then back to the house for a midafternoon snack. Even the family dog came along. Marlon who is quite a good reader, would tell local stories or would discuss one of the books we brought home for him:ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS. After a while, especially when the sun was getting low in the horizon they would go home scurrying down the same stairs which I did when I was their age.

Lunch and supper would always be with my sister Ester and her family in the silong ( first floor ). Then a little TV and after wards we go back to our sleeping quarters in the second floor. Sometimes my cel phone would sound off..I checked who sent me some text messages. I met quite a few friends who left me their cel numbers. Those cel phones were quite handy. They were like tiny computers where you could IM cheaply anybody from Aparri to Jolo. Except for the first night, sleeping in Asingan was fairly relaxing inspite of the various outside noises. I guess your brain got immuned to them somehow and I would wake up  almost the same like here in Toronto.But if you are used to a built in bathroom in your bedroom, then you will be making lots of adjustments. This is especially in the case of kids who grew up abroad and would be sleeping a few nights in Asingan.Experienced this in 1988 when we went home with my three young kids. Fun for us but not for them!!---#