3 years in a row

naging abala nitong mga nakaraang buwan kaya natagalan din akong makapagbigay ng kaunting balita sa mga ka-blogger ko. aking napansin na magmula ng maibento ang facebook, unti unti naglaho ang init ng pagiging blogger. halos buwan buwan iniisip mo kung ano ang maibabalita tungkol sa mga nangyari sa iyo.

sa katotohan lang, ang mga naraang blog ko ay aking binasa at nanumbalik ang dating nangyari. ito'y isa sa mga paalala na kung ano ang mga naisulat at nangyari sa mga panahon na iyon.

isa sa mga bagay na aking naisulat sa aking blog nuon ay ng manalolo ang lakers laban sa magic. ngayon taon na ito, naging iba ang aming system on how to pick a winning team. we choose the team who will win and the total score of both teams. it went down until the 7th game. fortunately, i chose lakers to win and the total points is 168. in short, i won the bet. this will be my 3rd consecutive year.

tu di tres maskitirs, beter lak nex yir. deep fried squid wil bi di apitayser. wi wil bi indalging on di "alaskan king crab" courtesy of MAGIC WOK.

hinahanap-hanap pa rin kita

sa araw na ito at kaninang ikalabindalawa ng tanghali nanumbalik ang iyong maagang pagkawala dito sa mundo. hinahanap hanap ka pa rin namin at nanghihinayang sa mga pagkakataon na dapat kabilang ka.

alam namin na dahil sa hilaw na pagiisip kaya mo nagawa ang isang bagay na di dapat gawin. mabigat ang aming damdamin lalo't kung sumasapit ang araw na ito. bumabalik ang magandang nakaraan at nagtatapos sa kadiliman.

ang aming panalangin, maging mapayapa ka kung saan ka man naruruon. at kung sa oras ng aming paguwi, harinawa'y isa ka sa mga naghihintay sa aming pagdating.

mahal ka namin.

MOM'S 90TH BDAY

it was mom's 90th bday last february 3. we celebrated it february 6 at the party hall inside francis and trae's condominium place. about 3 weeks ago, she was admitted at the hospital due to gallstones problem. during her stay in the hospital, they tried to dissolve the stones but were not successful. since her pain was so minimal, she was put on a 'fat free' diet instead. she feels better now but there are moments that she is too weak.

at the age of 90, dad is still at her side. they been together for 70 years now come high or low. that's a blessing!!! come to think of it, it is really a milestone. as a son, i am very proud.

As they say, life is too short to enjoy. hopefully, dad and mom will still enjoy life to its fullest for many more years until their last sunset.

REUNION

one of the sign that you are really on your way to maturity is when you try reconnecting with your high school friends.

last saturday, january 9, 2009, my batchmates in torres high school "67, reunited at my place. some of us live here in toronto and suburbs except for aida abad soriano who resides in quezon city, philippines. she was staying with her daughter in ottawa where she spent her x'mas and managed to come down just to be with us during that mini reunion.

i haven't seen her for 40 years while emil de luna and cecille andrade reyes for 2 years. tess cheng lives in scarborough so every now and then, we come across each other at scarborough town.

from high school, politics and prescription drugs were the topics of our discussion. it was really joyous. everyone were so happy to see each other in their best peak of health. hopefully we can reunite when the weather warms up and meet more of our batchmates near and far in the near distant future in preparation to a grand reunion which will be held in manila on november 2012.

christmas eve 2009-34 lorna rae blvd.

this year x'mas eve gathering was held at 34 lorna rae blvd.. there were some who missed the occassion due to their scheduled flights going home to the philippines. everybody had a wonderful time and stayed over for the traditional "filipino breakfast" christmas day. the pictures above said it all..

christmas decoration 2009

we are ahead in decorating the house this year. as soon as the christmas tree were up, nov. 15, the commander-in-chief aka. "neck" started her christmas appettite for decorating. here are the pictures of the decoration she did.

lobster lunch

last sunday, nov. 1, 2009, we celebrated the "neck" and francis birthday at our place with lobster lunch. it was tim who ordered six three pounder lobster and a one pounder for seyla.

they were huge. i think i will have to pass next time if it happens again. it was so rich that i felt that my blood pressure rised so much that fast. it was a different experience. having one big lobster on your plate, deciding where to start and at the same time maintaining your sanity.

again, happy b-day to the commander in chief and francis.

THANKSGIVING-OCTOBER 12, 2009

every thanksgiving i always see to it that it is celebrated in my house. this is the time that we take our yearly family pictures which will cover our christmas cards.

this year was a lit bit different. i invited the whole barrientos clan in my place with mom and dad as the focus of our picture taking.

the weather was bit a cold. we ended taking pictures inside of my place instead. everybody had a good time as always.

there was a new "paparazzi" who took care of taking pictures with her new loaded nikon camera.

i guess the next stop will be traditional "christmas eve" gathering.

new england/canada cruise-sept.5-12,2009

as i stated on my previous blog, the "neck" and i went for week new england/canada cruise last sept.5-12. peggy's cove, halifax, nova scotia and the bay of fundy, st john, new brunswick are the two places that i want to go back if ever i will be given a chance.

if ever that day will happen, in nova scotia, i wil try and visit sidney and cape breton.

the cruise is highly recommended if you want to see the east coast of usa and canada. when we were planning this trip i was a little bit hesitant. my expectation was not so high. now, i don't regret taking this trip. it opened my eyes that in canada, we have a lot of places to see and explore.

CRUISE FOOD

the commander-in-chief and i went for new england/canada cruise last sept.5-12.

i haven't been to the atlantic side of canada that's why i chose this trip.

one of the things that i enjoyed in a cruise, there is always a night where the main course is LOBSTERS.

lobsters and grilled jumbo shrimps were served during our 5th night sit down dinner. since our dinner doesn't start till 8pm, i went to the buffet part of the ship around 5:30pm and got myself a lobster start. i killed two lobsters. i didn't tell the commander-in-chief until we finished our dinner on that night.

DAD'S 91st b-day

today is my dad's 91st b-day. with that age, mapalad kung ating mararating ang ganoong gulang.

dad used to smoke but quit when he knows that there is nothing to gain. he drinks very very seldom. i think those are some of the ingredients of having a longer life.

i think dad got involved to ballroom dancing when he was in early 50's. that was carried when he arrived here in canada in 1980. alam mong nasa twilight na siya ng kanyang buhay sa madaling kapaguran pagsumasayaw. hindi katulad ng dati na lahat ng itugtog ng dj ay halos walang patid na pinauusok ang tabla sa sayawan.

happy b-day dad. hoping you'll have more b-days to come.

zoe took the "fall"

it was in february when the first death in the family arrived. then death comes every two months after that. there is a saying that " death in the family comes in three's". it is just like a "curse". there is a "supertitious belief and saying" from the elders back home, in order to stop the "spell" , a pet has to pay the "dues" to discontinue the trend.

thats what happened to zoe, she took the "fall".

there was a special mass celebrated by father max at my back yard last thursday, july 2, for the soul of my late brother dick. everybody were there. both cisco and zoe were in full motion, enjoying the presence of my relatives.

the next day, cisco could hardly use his hind left leg. so the "commander-in-chief" brought the big guy to the vet. with cisco's age, we thought that he is going downhill.

saturday night, i took zoe for our usual walk. we did not took cisco with us because of his condition. everything seems to be fine, she pooed 3x. after the walk, zoe was in so much pain.. she could hardly lie down.

sunday, the "commander-in-chief" took zoe to cisco's vet and was given a shot for pain and were advised to see a surgeon for her spinal. so monday am., the "boss" brought zoe to her own vet and was given prescriptions, a steroid for the inflammation and pills for the pain. she was advised to come after a week to see if there is a development.

she never reached that monday, she died in peace last thursday morning, july 9, 2009.

sudden goodbye...

ang puso ko ay umiiyak sa matinding kalungkutan. kakaibang damdamin ang aking nadama. para akong nawalan ng isa sa mga minamahal ko sa buhay. sa anim na taon naming pagsasama, nagdulot siya ng kaligayahan sa aming tahanan at kay seyla.

sa kabila ng aking kalungkutan, i'm still thankful that God took her early so that she will not suffer so much pain. i'm still thankful and guilt free that she died in peace and we don't have to put her to "sleep". i'm still thankful that we were able to give her the best 6 years of her life and never stop loving her until her last day on this earth.

zoe "my tangs", hahanap hanapin kita.

GOODBYE TENGA (big ear)

this picture was taken when i was in the philippines december 2007. his health was up and down, high and low. Last sunday, june 7, 2009, he finally said his final goodbye after years of
sickness.

my unforgetable memories of my late brother dick was the year when they were able to pay my mom and dad for a visit and at the same time, celebrated my dad and mom"s 65th wedding anniversary.

during their short stay here in toronto, we really bonded as siblings.

dick married when he was only 17 years old. i was on my first year in high school when he had his first son. we never really jelled as a brother because he has his family to provide and that time i was up and coming.

when they came over for a visit, i took him and kuya boy to ottawa, montreal and quebec tour. they enjoyed that tour so well and even bragged their experiences when they went back to the philippines. actually, they don't like the idea of going to that tour. they rather keep the money for themselves rather than spending it to the tour. i was the only one who pushed it so hard for them to see the other places in canada. going back, they really acknowledged that without my persistant, they would not see anything except toronto.

everytime i talked to him over the phone to see how he is doing, he always give his best regards to my family and he would individually mentioned every name up to "seyla". we always go back to the days when they were here and very proud of the experiences.

he was finally put to rest last saturday, june 13.

may the Lord's perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace.

lakers/magic match up

just few hours ago, LJ and the cavaliers bowed out to orlando magic.

the nba final will be between the lakers and the magic. i'm sorry to inform the three guys in our basketball pool that 'MAGIC WOK" is again will be doing business for us. the two teams who are going to the finals are the teams that i selected at the draft. so i don't really care who will win. the most important thing is "DEEP FRIED SQUID" will start as an appetizer.

i think this time, i will be having a lobster tail for a change. hopefully it will be soon!!!!

to the three guys, better luck next year.

hahanap hanapin ka namin

itong nakaraang miyerkules, sa takdang oras ng ikalabindalawa ng tanghali, nawala sa aming buhay ang isa sa mga "generation" na magpapatuloy ng 'legacy' ng "barrientos". sa hindi inaasahan ng pagkakataon, lahat ay nabigla sa kanyang pagkawala. napakasakit at napakalungkot ang mga araw na nagdadaan. nagkakaroon ng pangamba kung bakit sa ganoong paraan humantong ang buhay na napaaga pa. may mga buhay na ayaw magtapos kahit na ano mang pagdudusa ang sinasapit sa kadahilang maikli ang panahon dito sa lupa.

katulad na rin ng aking sinulat sa isa mga "blog" ko, na mayroon kadahilanang kung bakit nangyayari sa buhay ng tao ang mga bagay bagay na hindi mo inaasahan sa kasalukuyan. maaring hindi maibigay ang kasagutan sa ngayon ngunit darating ang araw na inaasam asam mong kasagutan ay darating na hindi sa oras na iyong inaasahan.

sa kasalukuyan, hindi lang ang ama at ina ang nakakaranas ng kadiliman ganuon din ang mga kamag-anak na nakapaligid sa kanila. dumadaloy ang luha sa kabigatan ng puso sa tinding kalungkutan.

dito napatunayan na ang pagmamahalan ng isat isa ng kamag-anakan ay napakalakas lalong lalo na sa pagkakataon na ito. nagsasamasama at nagiging isa na palipasin ang bagyong dumadaan.

kahit na hindi namin gusto ang mga nangyari, yuko ang aming ulo at tatanggapin ng bukas sa aming damdamin dahil yuon ang kagustuhan mo. hahanap hanapin ka namin sa mga araw pang darating.

sa iyong pagyao, sana'y maging maliwanag at mapayapa ang daan patungo sa kalangitan. at sa oras ng huling hininga namin dito sa lupa, kami'y umaasa na ikaw ang sasalubong sa amin sa gintong pinto ng walang hanggang kaligayahan.

NBA SEASON

the nba season will be over again in the next few weeks. as always timmy, francis, john and myself will be picking teams who we think will be the nba champ for this year.

there will only be one champ and the guy who pick up that team will be treated to a nice dinner to a place of his choice.

last year, my boston celtics were the champ so i was treated finally last sunday where the best deep fried squid is available, MAGIC WOK.

we, me and the "neck". were the first one at the restaurant. as soon as i got seated, i ordered a deep fried squid as for our appetizer. as soon as the three financial expiditers came in, we ordered a total of 5 plates of deep fried squid. timmy killed half of the 5 plates. he ate them as if it is "rice".

it was so nice to be treated. i wish my luck continues and be able to select the right team again this time.

the "financial expiditers" are thinking of changing the format regarding selecting a team. it will be something to look forward to.

on the sad note, after the ninth day devotion of "bayaw", ate bernic's best friend, ate marina, came over from seattle, washington to pay her a visit. i was able to see them, she and her husband-kuya cesar, after 40 years.

early yesterday, march 15, they got involved in a head on collision. both of them died. they were coming home for a night out when a young lady crossed their pathway. the young lady didn't make it either. a very tragic accident.

i truly believe that when the time has come for you to leave this world no matter where you are... when your time is up.....is time to go.

you will be proud

the other day, i was reading a filipino newspaper "balita", i came across an article about two filam girls from california, they called themselves "rin on the rox". they started singing about six months ago inside their washroom. ellen degeneres was able to discover them guys thru the you tube.

i was amazed and i like to share it to all my fellow bloggers, in case they haven't heard about these two ladies.

check out also charice pempengko and arnel pineda. i think you will be proud.

i don't know about you but myself, i like to sing when i'm taking a shower. the sound is so different, especially when i'm belting out "ip the fictures faints". maybe francis should take a note of this, so he could tape his voice with his rendition of "o canada".

speaking of singing, the other day, the "neck" was singing her favorite song. i told her that her voice is good for radio and tv. she came up to me and said "really"? and i said yes, because if it is on the radio or tv i could always shut down the radio or tv anytime i want to.

last february 17, bayaw "jessie" was finally put to rest in resthaven and his ninth day devotion ended last friday, february 20. i'm now in the midst of changing my wish regarding my ashes when time comes.

happy b-day christy

happy b-day to christy tomorrow february 5,

hope you'll have many more b-days to come.

thanks a million for keeping and sheltering grandma when it was really needed.

HAPPY B-DAY PURITY MAKUNATI

it was mom's 88th b-day yesterday. she was born feb. 3, 1920. i know, she is suppose to be 89. according to people who practice chinese supertitious belief, when the sun starts to set on you, hindi mo raw gagamitin ang may 9 sa b-day mo. kaya, si mom is either 88 or 90 years old. i chose the former because mas bata.

pagakatapos ng ilang buwan away from their apartment due to the event that no one suspected, they are both back now to their own nest. they are together again.

i would like to thank those people who one way or another extended their help in time of crisis. i really don't have to mention their name for they know who they are. i would just like to extend a special thanks to christy for having and taking grandma under her wings when things were not that smooth. to mama nitz, for coordinating things , sheltering and looking grandpa's welfare while their place were under siege.

minsan, nakapag-iisip ka kung bakit may ganoong nangyayari. isang kasagutan lang ang nakalaan sa mga doubt at bagay na bagay na kung bakit nangyari. the always answer to such question is "THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON".

X'MAS DECORATION 2008

in a week time our x'mas decoration will be finally set aside for another year. i would like to share with you what the commander-in-chief did this year. it was different from the previous years.