Happy Birthday, Tommy!

It's little Tommy's 5^th birthday today! The photo shows him blowing the candle, with cousin Ling-Ling looking on.

With the looming economic meltdown, such occasions must continue for the sake of our children. Some people say that there'll be no Christmas because of difficult times. No, this kind of mentality must be stopped! We might say that it's the quality that is important, not the quantity of food and drinks. Let the spirit of love prevail always!

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18.3-6 RSV)

Judge Fulgencio Z. Anicete, 1931-2008

Exactly a week ago, my beloved father passed away quietly, ending a long bout with COPD, exacerbations of which became more frequent lately. I'm sure he's resting there in heaven, watching over us on earth. Requiescat in pace...

Many relatives and friends gave their gestures of love and support, including from my godfather, Ninong Amor, all the way from California. He sent me and the family many letters of condolences. I published part of his letter to me in Capampangan, our mother tongue...

'...Ketang belita meng meangu bie at angga na ketang aldu ning pangakutkut na, alos e mamaku keng kanakung kaisipan itang larauan na, babalik itang milabas a madalas keng misasabi ketang Judge's chamber na, at kareng lakad mi keng Rotary Club. Unabis, keng pamiabe mi, ala kung atatandanan a mikontra kami. Istung ating pisasabian keng kapulungan a tatagunan mi, parati keng mikakampi anya malagad mung tutu ing ating sasalangsang. Balu re amanu ing Compare ku. Mayap at tapat yang kaluguran y Daddy mu. Dakal ya likuan a kayapan.

Nung sanang mikapamikatagun ku, adinan ke sanang makuyad a eulogy ketang burul na; a sabi ku sana...

"Makanyan lalabas keti babo yatu,
anti mung paninap ing bye na ning tau;
ayup yang linimpad, besibas yang atu,
sala yang kinislap, mipaid yang banglu,
ban lalam ning aun kasakmal nyang abu!

"At ika Judge Fullen Z. Anicete, e raka kalupa
deta ning keraklan taung mauala bie,
ayalang melakwan nanu man ping bague;
king ika daka'la't myaliwang adle
ding keke likwan mu king ba'kang e mate.

"Lalam nang marimla ning kekang kutkutan
painawa nakang mitmung karatunan,
ya nang sunlag keka ing tune katutwan
at king paglakbe mu aliwang balayan
manatili keka tutuk mung kanwanan!"

...Nung nanu ing panandam yu king panga-angu na bie ning Compare ku, aliwa mu ykayu ing menandaman. Dakal la, at kayabe ku kareta. Sana ing panaun supan nakung masalese, at king pamanantabe ning Mayupa, itang meging kaburian na, mipamintu keti sulip anti banua, kalupa na naman ing pamagbalik na kaya ning kayang lelangan y Fulgencio Zabala Anicete. Midinan ya sanang lubus a katajimikan...'

Merry Christmas to All!

God grant you...
the light in Christmas which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is love;
the radiance of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief in Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ...

~ Wilda English

Another year is almost over, and a new one is about to begin. Let's all forget about the past, and have a clean slate again--turn a new page as they say. We learned from our mistakes, and let us go forward and really understand what is really important in life--people and our mutual love and concern. Yes, work is important, game is important, but we shouldn't forget the essence--God; and he's reminding us this season to retreat temporarily... inwardly, to think and to meditate... Put back Christ in Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Tony Joacquim's Baptism

Cousin Dodo invites everyone to the baptism of his brand new baby—Tony Joacquim—who was born in December 2006. Tony will be baptized at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, on February 18, 2007, 12:00 noon along Kamagong Road, San Antonio Village, Makati City, PH. Reception immediately follows at DAD's – Kamayan, Glorietta, Makati City.

Happy New Year!

Two thousand six was the year 3 of our folks passed away: Tita Adíng, Tito Ben and Tito Áble, all Anicéte brothers and sisters (Tito Pol's siblings for those who may not know them) whom we all love. Tito Áble just passed yesterday, and we all grieve with his loving widow Tita Atríng, and children Diding, Paeng, Omar, Tess, Kiks, Cathy, Leah, Grace and Anoy (sorry if I missed a name), and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Someday we'll all get together in that great mansion that Christ prepared to all.

Then 2 of our cousins continued with that cycle of life: Sonny married Juzy, and Regina wed Cliff in June and October, respectively. Dennis and Tina gave birth to Neo Dennis Jr. last 7 December, and likewise Kuya Dodo and Jen brought a baby (what's the name?) days before Christmas. Let's all pray that graces always come their way, and everything turns up well.

Several devastating typhoons also visited us (as always because we're in the typhoon belt), and one in particular (Durian) destroyed Bicol, particularly Albay, and killed several people around Mayon Volcano. All over the world, violence and darkness are on the headlines. Saddam Hussein was hanged with mixed reactions (I'm against the death penalty by the way) among his people. I don't know if there will ever be peace in the Middle East, especially with Iran's president's rhetorics (he wants to erase Israel from the map, remember?).

With all these things happening in 2006, some people are now hopeless and afraid of the coming year. But all we have to do is "only to be still, and God will fight for us" (cf. Exodus 14.14). Let's pray for this needed grace, and trust in Jesus, whether we're down or up.

Happy New Year to all! May 2007 Anno Domini be a wonderful year for all of us.

Sonny & Juzy Wedding

From the wedding of Juzy and Sonny.

Vargas Golden Wedding Anniversary

Last 20 May 2006, Ret. Lt. Col. Honorio V. Vargas and Mrs. Gloria C. Vargas (we fondly call Tatay and Ima) renewed their marriage vows at the historic Binondo Church, as witnessed by their children and grand children; it was their golden wedding anniversary. The occasion was very happy and solemn.



The family offers sincere thanks and gratitude to all those friends and relatives who graced the occasion physically, and in spirit. These images are sent with love from our humble home in Apalit to all the world, particularly those in the States and Canada.



To see more pictures (photos are not repeated), see 4 at the Vargas url, and 64 from my Multiply site (Parts I, II, and III).



By the way, belated Happy 71^st Birthday to Uncle Rudy (or Ruding over here)! Please extend our greetings from the Philippines!