Death of my Second Mother

My aunt was an amazing human being, one of the most generous persons on Earth! She was a Nurse, a Wife, a Mother. Joji, Jojie, Mary Jo, Mohing. To us, she was simply Tita (In)Day, my second Mother who loved me dearly, and we're blessed that she got to see my daughter grow up and was able to give her the same love before she went home to the Lord. She will forever be missed. ❤️

Thank You, April Boy Regino

I was never a big fan of him, but as a music lover and as an artist, I had sooooo much respect and appreciation for him because of his music, and because of the genuine happiness he brought to soooo many people. As an artist, I do music to express myself and because it makes me happy doing it. If what I do makes people happy, that's a big plus. April Boy made a difference in the lives of people, and I'm sure his music will forever live on.

Thank you, April Boy Regino, for your music, for your heart, and for the happiness you brought to millions of Filipinos.

Thank You, Mama Editha

Dear Mama Edith, 

Next week will be three years since Papa passed away, and I still don’t think it has truly sunk in that he is gone. And now you too..

I don't think it will ever sink in that I'll go home to Barili, and not see you both anymore.

Finally though, you can breathe easy again.

Finally, you are reunited with Papa.

Finally, you are Home.

Nine children, 15 grandchildren & 18 great grandchildren.

You have lived a full life, Ma.

You are so very loved and deeply missed.

Give Papa Pete, Uncle Bobby & Kuya Carlo a hug from me.

Tell them I miss them too.

I love you, Ma.

Until we meet again. 💔

RJ Rosales (1974 - 2011)

A very sad & shocking news I received tonight..

RJ Rosales, one of my Filipino theatre heroes and a truly amazing person, just passed away. So young, so full of life. He's only 6 years older than me, and I will always cherish the rare opportunity of sharing the stage with him once, a long time ago. He'll always be one of my most fave voices EVER!

Fly in the wings of the angels, Kuya RJ!

RIP Roseo José Rosales (+)

Bad and Very Bad News

It has been a while and I've been uber busy with the play coming very soon. And yes, the past week has been eventful, to say the least.

To cut the long story short, a close friend had her necklace snatched from her and I wasn't able to do anything but hug her only because I didn't want to leave her, and I thought (I still think) that she's way more important than any material thing, and it was in the middle of an unsafe trip at almost midnight. Yes, I think she's blaming me (even if she says she's not) but what can I do, she's just more important than a silver necklace.

Second event this week is the death of a cast mate's father. Her father had been bedridden already for a year since he got a stroke, so even if it's so sad, the family was somewhat already prepared for the inevitable. As the eldest (she just turned 18), I truly admire her strength.

Now on a lighter and happier note, we were able to perform publicly for the first time last weekend as a promotion for our musical, and we were also featured on TV with my short interview. It was somewhat impromptu, and I didn't think it will come out okay, but it did thank's much to the amazing Rachelle Dangin of ABS-CBN Cebu.

Two weeks more before our play, and I am not at all pressured production-wise because I know we're all gonna be doing our best. What I'm kinda worried about is the marketing. Now everyone has been doing a superb job with the marketing and all, it's just that the Cebuanos are really not that educated yet with things like these. It's sad but I'm not losing hope. We will continue doing our best, and with all the bad and very bad news the past weeks, I'm sure a ray of light, a bunch good news are coming our way soon.

My Mighty Pug

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet.. 

We already miss you, Mighty ♥

A Father's Anguish

Photo courtesy of The Cebu Daily News

Depressing News

The past 2 days have been depressing - REALLY DEPRESSING. Two untimely and shocking deaths hogging the news the past couple of days. First is the suicide of Sec. Angelo Reyes who shot himself infront of his mother's grave with his sons a few meters away, and second, the kidnap and murder of a 6-year old girl by a Filipina and her Caucasian companion.

What is happening to the world?! The chaos in Egypt, the floods in Australia, the unusually cold weather in the Philippines, the snow storm in New Jersey, suicides and murders!

God save us!

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

~Matthew 16:26

So Long, Dobby

I cried when I read it in the book, and I cried when I saw the scene unfold in the movie. Dobby is just a very lovable character, and he died with honor, protecting Harry and his friends.

Dobby has no master,

Dobby is a free elf,

and Dobby has come

to save Harry Potter

and his friends!

Dr. Jose Sal. Tan

This morning, my mentor who became like a father to me, Dr. Jose Sal. Tan, passed away at the age of 66. He was the man who pushed me to become the youngest Master's and Ph.D. degree holder in our school. I have a lot of fond memories of him because before he became my boss and mentor, he was dad's friend from way back.

He was a janitor, a working student who rose to become the President of different state colleges and universities. He was a man who never stopped studying. Even if I was his assistant before, I already lost count of all the courses, both undergrad and graduate, he finished, that had he not been slowed down by diabetes, he would have been studying until now.

The first time I encountered Tito Joe was when I was in high school. I would be at the waiting shed in front of Cebu Normal University at 5 AM every morning waiting for our school bus. Once a week, a tall, smiling middle-aged man wearing a barong would disembark from the jeepney and sit beside me bringing his black document bag. He will just sit there with that smile on his face without saying a word. I would remember him years after when dad introduced me to him.

When I started my first job at the state college (now state university) where he was the President, he would always let me stay at his office so I can learn from watching him work. And boy did I learn a lot working with him for almost 6 years. He's the type of leader who ALWAYS decides on a win-win situation, and in those almost 6 years, I've only seen him get angry once and that happened when he learned that the school Registrar of one of our campuses scolded and humiliated a parent.

I myself was not the best assistant but he never, ever reprimanded me. He always looked at the positive side of things. During the times when insecure people were throwing mud at him, and asked the help of those one-sided, looking-for-fame-and-glamour media people, he never fought back. He was calm and composed, smiling and understanding until the end.

He may have been gone but his legacy, his learnings, the lives that he has touched, the people that he has helped, he will always be alive.

No one is really gone as long as there's someone who remembers

Cerge Remonde

The sudden death of Sir Cerge Remonde earlier today is still not sinking in. He was still very much alive last weekend during our city's festivities. He attended the fluvial parade last Saturday morning, he was one of the devotees carrying the Señor Sto. Niño during the procession in the afternoon of the same day, and he was cheerfully participating in the Sinulog grand parade last Sunday. Wherever he was, he always made sure he would attend the Sinulog every year. No one ever thought that last Sunday was the last time.

To most people, he was the Press Secretary of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. To Cebuanos, he was Cerge the journalist, the aggressive, intelligent and fearless broadcaster. To me, he was Sir Cerge, my father's friend ever since they started in media many, many years ago.

His passing was a shock and a surprise to us, but looking at his last Facebook status which he posted exactly 17 hours before he breathed his last, Sir Cerge was at peace with his Creator and at peace with himself.

Rest in peace, Sir. May the flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Massacred by Cowards

As someone whose family is both in politics and in the media, I ask everyone to pray for Justice. As a Filipino and a citizen of humanity, I ask everyone to pray for the souls of the 57 victims of this gruesome massacre.

Why do people have to kill? For power? For money?

I condemn the perpetrators who did this. I can only think of one word to describe them: cowards. Killing civilians including women, journalists and lawyers in cold blood is a cowardly act. Their souls, if ever they have any, are now burning in Hell.

Miss You Ate, Miss You Kuya

Happy Birthday, Kuya Carlo. I know life could have been a lot better if you were around. I miss you terribly, you and Ate Happy. I didn't get the chance to really know you both, but every time I think about you, I suddenly get that empty feeling inside me again. I know my life is complete now with my family, but you both are a big part of my life. *sigh*

Kuya, you would've turned 31 years old today. Ate would've been 33. Now, I would never know the feeling of growing old having older siblings to grow old with, to laugh with, and maybe even to fight with.

I miss you both terribly. Please continue to watch over us, especially your niece. You've watched over my all my life and I'm so much thankful for that. I wish you're both here so I can hug you. Please continue to pray for us, and yes, I know that someday, we will be together again.

I LOVE YOU BOTH, SO MUCH. ♥

Stephen Gately (1976 - 2009)

With the sudden and tragic death of Stephen Gately, Boyzone will never be the same again. One of only two boybands that I really love (the other is BSB), Stephen's distinct vocals will remain forever in their hits, songs that will live on for the generations to come. I consider myself lucky to be part of the generation where Boyzone once ruled.

Thank you for the music, Stephen.

You're not only talented, you're a brave, brave man.

Now you can sing for the Big Man up there.

Fr. Felix Glowicki, SDB

On the morning of April 24, 2009, a staff member found Fr. Felix Glowicki, SDB unconscious in his office just after his regular routine of meeting the workers. He was rushed to the hospital and was diagnosed as having suffered a slight stroke. Unable to speak, he wrote that he simply lost his footing and fell. At that stage he waived the offer to be anointed, though yielded later. Despite early signs of recovery, his health quickly deteriorated. He breathed his last on May 11, 2009 - Feast of St. Ignatius of Laconi.

Those who knew him will remember a smiling friend, cheerful priest, an indefatigable worker, a firm educator, a gardener, a musician, a youth club leader, a warm-hearted confrere and a model religious. I personally remember him as the person who made the new building of DBTC, and made it beautiful until this day. I remember how he used to go around the campus in his polo barong. Up to this day, he's the only non-Filipino I've seen always wearing a polo barong.

Fr. Felix was just two days shy of his 78th birthday on the day of his burial (May 16, 2009). His confreres in southern Philippines put things this way: "We all know what a blast he will have celebrating his birthday in the Salesian garden in heaven. Look down on us kindly, Fr Felix, great man, good friend! We will miss you"

* Thank you to Fr. Nioret for the pic, text and additional information.

Dr. Eliseo Canton

On March 19, 2009 - the Feast of St. Joseph, Dr. Eliseo H. Canton, succumbed to cardiac arrest at 10 PM. He was a teacher and adviser before becoming the Registrar of Don Bosco Technical High School / Don Bosco Technology Center, and later on became the first dean of the college before leaving to open his own school.

He was a good man and a superb educator. He will be missed by everyone whose lives he touched once upon a time.

I got the picture and the news about Dr. Canton's death from Fr. Nioret, who shared something I'm sure he'll never forget...

I do not know if this is worth sharing. Anyway take this in whatever way you wish.

Last Sunday morning I went to see the remains of Dr. Canton. I never been to his St. Anthony Learning Center in Talisay, so before leaving, I called up the school and got instructions on how to get there. "On the left side of the road before Talisay Central School... there is a sign" was what the man on the phone told me.

So I took the jeepney for Talisay from McDonald's-Mambaling. After maybe 30 minutes, as the jeepney finally turned left for the last stretch of road going to the Poblacion of Talisay, I turned to look out at the left side of the jeep to see if I can recognize the learning center. I looked and I looked and I looked without any luck, until the jeep just stopped. When the jeep stopped l turned to look back inside the jeep to see if anyone is going down. I definitely did not call for the stop. Neither did I hear anyone call for the stop. There was a brief moment of waiting for whoever's going down. But no one was going down from the jeep. I looked at the left side again and there I saw the sign "St. Anthony Learning Center". I immediately alighted and when I did the jeepney moved on.

Question: was Dr. Canton making sure I don't miss his school?

Bro. Berns Villasanta, SDB

On April 2, 2008, the Feast of Blessed Pedro Calungsod - Cebu's martyr, and the birthday of Saint Dominic Savio, Bro. Bernard "Berns" Villasanta, SDB also breathed his last in the presence of his brother, Fr. Patrick Villasanta, SDB, his whole family and his rector Fr. Jhun Paradiang, SDB, after 24 years of suffering since his fatal accident when he was a Practical Trainee in DBTC that left him paralyzed. He had a heart attack at 5:20 am this morning and died at 6:15 am. Bro. Berns almost reached his 48th birthday which was supposed to be at the end of that month.

Bro. Berns was my favorite writer, and one of my most favorite persons. He was extremely good and was very humble. I remember that he once wrote inspiring articles for a magazine anonymously by just signing his articles with A Salesian Brother. It didn't take long though for people to convince him to put in his real name.

I miss his inspiring talks and writings, his wheelchair rides and his smile that never failed to welcome anyone who went to visit him. He is missed dearly but he is certainly now in heaven interceding for us. He had always been an example of zeal in the apostolate even in his condition, an example of joyous fidelity in tribulation.

Pray for us, Brods!


* Thank you to Fr. Nioret for the picture, some of the text and information.

Bad Day

It's my day-off and my new DSL was finally installed this morning. I'm supposed to feel happy but I'm not. Well, I was happy this morning when they installed my internet connection, that meant I don't have to rely on my Globe Visibility anymore. My happiness was cut short though when the Orlando Magic defeated my Cleveland Cavaliers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals. Adding to that, I received a text message from my Coach that I am in danger of getting an FA for failing to meet the quality standards for two consecutive pay periods. Getting an FA means no Bonus and in danger of being terminated if it progresses. Full of mixed emotions, I forced myself to sleep after lunch.

I woke up almost 10 PM and went web surfing, hoping to find something that can brighten my evening. What I found just made me cry some more.

I just found out that three of my beloved mentors in elementary and high school already passed away. What's more painful is that I wasn't even there to attend their respective wakes and interments. I was not able to say goodbye to three of the people I looked up to and respected so much. What I am now is partly because of them. I spent six of the best years of my life in Don Bosco, under their guidance.