CATS AND DOGS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlsQnQP53Hs


ThE ABOVE video clip was shot during my second day in Asingan. My sister Ester showed me these cats and dogs ( natural enemies ) but since they grew up together as newly born kittens and puppies they now became natural friends, as this video clip shows...

photos from ONE ASINGAN GRAND REUNION

photos from the FIRST ONE ASINGAN

GRAND REUNION

GUEST SPEAKER: ex-President Fidel Ramos

COORDINATOR: Mr. Rafael Agsalud

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY ALMA B. CHEW

SOME PHOTOS FROM THE PAALL NIGHT

(PHOTOS WERE CAPTURED FROM A VIDEO CLIP)

Queen Beatriz dancing the night away. She is the younger sister of Purita Palma Dagang, one of my high school classmates...

Beatriz under a photographer's flashbulb..

This group must be looking at something exciting...

Carmen Munar and partner marching around the auditorium...

Nothing like dancing girls to while away the boredom in case it sets in!

A SCENE FROM THE VIDEO CLIP RE: PASSION PLAY IN ASINGAN LAST GOOD FRIDAY


The Gospel According to Saint Mark, Chapter 15

1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.

3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.

5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

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NOTE: The reading in the Video Clip is in the Ilocano dialect

class 77 movie slide

Bella's Video

two photos of Ferdinand Ignacio

from Ferdinand Ignacio

Good day to everyone,

After 2 weeks of recuperating from my trip to Philippines for our class of 1977 reunion finally I'm back on track. I'm sorry for this delayed update of our very successful first Class reunion. Everything went well as planned, despite of all the chaotic situations that incurred before the reunion. With an overwhelming welcome from our classmates in the Philippines, it was worth the trip indeed. Everyone was happy once again to meet & greet, not only our classmates, but the respective families after 32 long years. We had a Motorcade in the morning and at night we had the Program and Ball on the 16th of April. On the 17th we had our Classmate’s Picnic together with their families at Crystal Glade Resorts.

Each day we had invitations from our classmates to hold other gatherings for members of our class only. I get teary eyed when I think of how grateful and happy I am to be part of this class. Our lives have changed, but our spirits are still the same as when we were in High School. It's is so unfortunate that we didn't get to see all of our teachers, only Madam Marieta Micu Escorpizo and Madam Felisa Agpalo Castillo who had the chance to grace our Program. None the less it was a very successful event. "TOGETHER AGAIN" is very appropriate theme. We could still see and feel the togetherness of our class, and the manner in which we were molded by our teachers. Everyone is still so helpful and caring to each other, just like brothers and sisters.

On behalf of our Class of 1977, I'm so happy and proud to announce that we donated P42,220.13 Philippine currency to the Principal Head of Luciano Millan Memorial High School. The donation was awarded at Matea Cajalne residence in Bantog Asingan Pangasinan in the present of Erna Pico Villota, Francisca Pico, Cleody Fe Untalan De Vera, Matea Cajalne Basa (husband-Teddy Basa ), Adelina Basaen Gabe, Maritess Castillo, Rosita Labugen Cajalne, Rizalina Carig Aying, Alfredo Medina, William Pacaba, Leonardo Balisacan and myself.

We have also $1,000.00 money left in the bank for our class fund. The organizing committee myself (Ferdinand Ignacio), Arsenio Macanas (absent), Maura Soliven Gabriel, Rizalina Carig Aying, Cecilia Rodriguez Serrano and Marcie Lucero Tesoro (Adopted Alumna- our Guest Speaker) and some of our classmates who attended the meeting at Urdaneta Garden Resorts had decided to convert the $1,000.00 into peso account to avoid bank fees from dollar account of which we don't have the minimum amount needed. Of the $1,000.00 dollars converted to pesos. P20,000.00 pesos is open for our class member who is in need during emergency situations. This is a first come basis. Each individual is allowed only to loan a maximum of P5,000.00 payable in three month or earlier with "NO INTEREST".

The bank account is under Rizalina Carig Aying "AND" Cecilia Rodriguez Serrano. I talked to Rizza before I left May 5, 2009, that it should be "AND" not "OR" when Rizza and Cecilia will have that money converted into Pesos account and have it deposited in Asingan Bank for easier access for emergencies. I would like to have a very transparent accounting of our money and expenditures to avoid confusions. I will send a copy of all our expenditures once I received from Rizalina. If you have questions please do not hesitate to email me: taasakofi@earthlink.net (personal) or fignacio@slacal.org (work) or call me anytime at (work) 415-434-4900 ext. 127, (cell) 415- 290-6748, (home) 707-649-8117, nights and weekend only.

From the bottom of my heart I want to personally thank all of my classmates for your untiring support, financially and spiritually. This Reunion would not have been a success without you. To each of the husbands, I'm so sorry we took your wives away, to be with us (instead of cooking and tending to your families). Thank you for your patience. To Marcie Lucero Tesoro, thank you for having us and having you our very first adopted alumna. Giving four scholarships was truly amazing, and a very generous gesture, and a lifetime gift to deserving kids and their parents. Again, thank you all and we’ll see each other again!!!!!!!!! April 2011.

Respectully yours,
Ferdinand V. Ignacio

KARAOKE TIME!!

This is one of the popular new generation of Karaoke machines which is very common as an entertainment tool back home . This unit is the lowest in price when I visited Appliance Center in San Juan at that time. It is 8900 pesos which offers: about 2,000 songs, one cable microphone ( with a built in remote control on the mike's body ) a wireless remote, a song list and manual, a auto voltage AC pack , a USB cable and a microphone screen ( looks like a mini shower cap for the microphone's head ). For hygienic purposes, each singer should have 1 screen for his/her use because it catches the saliva emitted by the last user. The other units costing 20,000 pesos have more accessories but the basics is just you need in the meantime. You can always add the extras as soon as you find a need for them.

The unit, ( called Ziller ) also comes with a satchel case where you can keep the machine in case you want to use it in another house.

I kept the machine in my carry on luggage on my return trip because I am afraid it might get swiped from the checked - in baggages. Yes, there are some pilfering done in some airports.

One can see from the photo that 2 microphones could be used, and the 2nd could be an ordinary one as long as it works. There is the power switch on the left, then a "magic eye" in case you want to switch the machine on/off thru the remote switch and song selector.

One has to connect the unit to a TV and a good stereo to give that almost perfect sound of an orchestra accompanying your singing. Plugging the unit to a video and audio monitor is a child's play.

Now some technical tips concerning the music capability of this thing..

Human voices have different ranges. Thus sometimes, the key or pitch that came with the song will not suit a singer. Too high or too low. If the track is too high for you, you can change the pitch to something lower. and vice versa...

E.g. If the song is written in key of C and the highest note in the song is a high F which cracks your vocal chords, then lower the pitch by using the remote or the microphone's panel. Not everyone knows how to change the pitch. In this machine ( and maybe in similar models, ) this is the way to do it. Lower the pitch in 3 clicks, and the pitch will go down from C to an A Major..

You can do this by: first you access the song by punching in the numbers. Once the song title is on the top of the TV screen, press the START button twice. If you press it once, it starts playing and changing the key while the music is playing will make it sound horrible ( like an LP record slowing down). Press it twice and the playback goes into a pause. While the music is on pause, go to ADJUST in the remote/microphone. Press it twice and the menu will show the changing of pitch option. Then, change the pitch by pressing the arrows on the remote. Wanna make it go down? Press the left arrow. Go up? Press the right arrow. Then press the START button and the track starts playing in the ADJUSTED pitch.

Nothing better than singing a Karaoke song in the right pitch. Remember there is a crowd of critics out there listening to you especially your mistakes..:)

Do not mind the scoring of the song. Some songs are built in with high scores, some are with low. What is important is that you enjoy singing and you are entertaining your guests...

There are more techie tips re: Karaoke which I could write about. Will do it as the need arises...

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DVD Piracy in Urdaneta and else where

DVD Pirates
are still raking in quite a good revenue not only in Urdaneta but also in Manila and other big cities. They have this DVD that has 10 movies recorded in the slowest speed ( about 8 hours playing time ). So you have a mixture of Classics plus some which are still being shown in the theatres, ( but already available in the Internet ) all in one disk. The single disk is packaged in an 8 by 10 plastic pouch which features the miniature cover designs of these 10 movies.

Adding insult to injury, the DVD is marked as Blu Ray. Those people who designed the package does not seem to know Blu Ray from a pile of dog crap on the roadside. Well, anything goes in the Philippines as they say, whether it comes to DVD production or running the government.

The legitimate DVD releases that are sold in franchise stores like THE ODYSSEY cost about 700 pesos per title. That comes to around 17 $ Canadian. Not bad. Considering that the new releases here in Toronto cost around 25$ ( in regular DVD format ) and 32$ ( in the Blu Ray version ). And unlike the "Blu Ray" discs sold in Manila, you can not play this Blu Ray disk in an ordinary DVD player.

These legit DVD copies are released by the Philippine Video distributors like Viva Productions or ABS CBN but they still carry the Warner Bros. or 20th Century Fox logos. I was advised not to buy this legit copy. I asked why. My companion said,

"With 700 pesos you can buy at least 50 pirated movies.." Maybe he has a point in there..

And these pirated copies are sold in the corridors of big malls like SM or the Magic Mall in Urdaneta. Now where is Mr. Manzano, the movie and anti - Piracy buster when you need him?...

a feedback..with some supernatural elements..:)

Are you the one who took the photo of Nemesio & Purita Dagang?

It was a very nice shot! ( Thank you! )

Don’t expect parking authorities in Asingan. You are not in Toronto or in the US. There are no parking rules. The best way is to put up your own sign in front of your house. ( Trouble is someone might steal the sign and throw it away..Vic )

Wow some progress in Asingan. What is that Chapel's denomination?. ( The Protestant church. I think it is called the Methodist. )

You are in your Barong Tagalog get up. Do you have luck in picking up some gorgeous ladies in the auditorium? ( Nope, I was sh...t out of luck that time..)

Those are beautiful dogs I love it. I can’t imagine that Annie's grandma appeared in the picture instead of her(Annie) It’s like a horror story which I have seen only in movies or TV not in reality. ( I also saw one myself. A friend showed me a group photo with his present wife present sometime before they got married. Instead of his wife's face, it was the face of one of his ex- girl friends. I know his wife's face and also the ex. The scary thing is: the ex died before that photo was taken! This is not BS, it is true. I also saw a group photo inside one of the big houses in Asingan. One of the images in the photo was a blurred shillouete of a woman. And the subjects in the photo swear that they did not SEE THAT WOMAN when the photo was taken! )

The question about heaven is really fascinating but nobody really know if its true or not. You really have to talk with somebody come back from the dead so she/he could tell you about it if he or she went to heaven.

I have some weird stories to tell you next time. ( Oh, I love those stuff! Keep 'em rollin'!!--vic )

Buddy Lito

A NOSTALGIC POEM

"Welcome back son, I seem to hear.."

" Pull up a chair and have a seat..."

"And there, I think I saw a face......"

GOING HOME

Some say that when you go back home,

It's like returning to the womb,

Which anyone could readily see,

Is just an impossibility

For my home is now an empty building

Where once there was a lot of singing

An eeire silence now took its place

And I there! I think I saw a face..

"Welcome back, son" I seem to hear

"Tis good that now you're finally here,

"Pull up a chair, and have a seat"

And on the table. there is something to eat.."

I see their images inside a frame

Their smile is sweet, its always the same

I move about; their eyes would follow

Even when I sit beside the window

The view of Asingan meets my eye

The verdant trees, the azure sky

Behind that tree line lies a road

Which in the past, I always trod

Then barked the dogs, while voices screamed

As if to wake me from my dream

I heaved a sigh, the guys are here

I hope the heat will be easy to bear!

VIC COSTES -O4/24/2009

MUST LOVE DOGS...

DOGS ARE A MAN'S ( AND A WOMAN'S ) BEST FRIENDS


Her name is Helen..She is the friendliest of them all. On my second day, she was already eating from my palm..


This is the mother of them all...Very pretty..

This one's name is Bogart. His nick name is BOG-BOG...

All three have the same fur colour, but quite different faces..In the morning, my sis feeds them first so they won't be begging while we are having our breakfast. But dogs will always be dogs, especially they would smell food...

Nice doggie!..It did not take them long to get used to me..There is quite a menagerie here in my house in Asingan. There are seven cats, two ducks ( a pair ) and about 200 piglets right there in the backyard...

more photos from Asingan

Mr. and Mrs. Nemesio Dagang..Mrs. Purita Palma Dagang is a member of class 58, Rizal Academy. I think she belonged to a group with Amelia Eleazar, Nueva Domaoan and Editha Chua. During the Balikbayan Night I also saw 2 other members of our batch: Rogelio Vicencio and Rodrigo Esperon..Rodrigo ( elder brother of Gen. Hermogenes Esperon ) has grown to be a six footer.

The famous Rodriguez Mart sign. It is a nice place to buy some snacks, cosmetic supplies, liquor, cel phone load,..It made our place very busy, too busy because the delivery trucks that unload their supplies park just right in front of our house. One thing Asingan needs are stricter by laws for proper vehicle parking. Anybody could just park anywhere anytime of the day..Maybe there are such parking laws but where are people assigned to enforce them...?

The Methodist church at the corner beside the Agsalud residence..It underwent quite some changes...

Just your friendly, neighbourhood cyberscribe..So much to write about, so little time to do it...:)

Dreams are the stuff ...

DREAMS ARE SOMETIMES THE STUFF LIFE IS MADE OF

I am more scared of human beings since they have the capability of hurting me or whatever that make them fulfill their uncontrollable wishes. On the other hand,I believe ghosts are the ones who need us to say for them some prayers so they can find their way to their eternal resting places.Especially those who met untimely deaths.

Ask me why. I have some recurring experiences. Whenever I am down and in tears, I would eventually dream of my first husband. He would always tell me to be strong and happy; to do the things we didn't have the chance to do together.

And each time my bull-headedness takes over, ,my aunt Mila, my grandma and he would show up in my dreams. I would see them pulling my feet towards the door and before I knew it, I would be screaming and my hubby would wake me up saying I have a"visitor".

We went to Sta.Catalina, California few years back to pay a visit to Delia Acoba and had dinner with Zeus and Ben. On our way back after swimming, scuba diving and eating with the rest of my hubby's friend, Martin took me a picture of me while we were at the ferry.

My face in the photo turned out to be my grandma's face. My mother and sister mentioned that the woman in the photo it wasnt me but my Lola Banit as she was fondly called.

I still have dreams of my first hubby being shot to death and I never had the chance for me to say goodbye. Also of my Aunt Mila who didn't make it after her first attack, and likewise of my grandma who was always there during those times when I needed her the most.

The only time I can still talk to them is during these dreams. They always tell me that I sometimes I have a stubborn attitude towards my hubby.-----#

Annie Cano

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In the past ( and sometimes at present ). I am also visited by some of my friends who left this life for another world.

One time here in Toronto, I befriended a man here in Toronto named Tassy. His actual name back home is Tacio. He had a good tenor voice and many times, I accompanied him in public singing some Kundimans like ANAK DALITA or PAKIUSAP. He would come to our house to practice and we would have a good time going over some other songs.

Then I heard he became very sick. He had lung cancer. A few days before his death, some other friends told me he was asking for me. I kept postphoning my visit until I heard he passed away. The only time I saw him was during his wake.

Three days after his funeral, I saw him in a dream. It was a sunny afternoon and I remember the sun was bright yellow. He stood at my door, smiling warmly and he was carrying a brown suitcase like he was going away. I shook his hand and all of a sudden, I woke up. I woke up with a good feeling like he forgave me for failing to visit him. I never dreamed of him anymore.


Another friend I saw once in my dreams is Roy, a good buddy from Bontoc. We graduated from Adamson University together. I never saw him for several years, then I found him again through the Internet.

We exchanged e-mails for almost a year and he told me how life was treating him in Manila. He served in the Philippine Armed Forces as an Officer. Since he finished Chemical Engineering at Adamson U. he had a good position in the PAF.

He retired and he was about to get married a second time when he was hit by a jeepney in Quezon Boulevard. He died after a couple of days in the hospital.

A few days after, he appeared to me in a dream. In my dream, I was talking with him through telepathy. I asked him: "Have you seen Heaven or Hell?"

His answer, again in a telephatic message was: "We create our own heaven and hell here on earth.." As he conveyed this message, he raised both hands. One hand was holding a piece of a cloud and the other was holding something like a small bonfire.

I woke up and I never dreamed of him anymore.---#

vic costes

REMEMBERING HONORIO

REMEMBERING HONORIO

Honorio and I shared a love for music and electronics a long time ago while we were still in Asingan. Both of us were studying in Manila, but during summer breaks we hang around in in the old hometown waiting for school to resume.I spent a part of the summer holidays ( April to June ) taping music with the use of the old fashioned Akai Open reel tape recorders.

His dad worked abroad at that time in the field of electronics. I would go to his house in Cabincolan and would spend hours transfering music in open reel tapes ( the forerunner of audio cassettes and CDs ). He had this professional Akai open reel player/recorder which could accomodate 12" reels. He fed the signal to a powerful stereo player which used large speakers. At that time, Dolby Surround sound was unheard of yet.

Sometimes, he would also visit me . He was a pleasant, easy to get along with and he had this unforgettable smile. His knowledge for recording equipments was also extensive. One New Years eve in Asingan, we walked from his house to mine. He was carrying a portable tape recorder which used used 4 "D"battery cells and a 5" open reel tape. While we were walking, we had the record button on, so we were able to capture the sounds of exploding fire crackers along the road and other ambient sounds which broke the otherwise quiet atmosphere of Asingan during the '60s. Bamboo cannons ( called bung-bung ) could also be heard all around. These noise makers used calcium carbide ( carburo ) plus water and the sound could damage your ear drums if used too much of the chemical.

I never saw him anymore after our college days. The last time I saw him was during one balikbayan trip. We were both crowning guests during a dance at the Asingan auditorium. He came from New York and I from Toronto.

I kept wishing I could go and look him up in NY since Toronto is just about 45 mins away by plane. I guess its kinda late now.

Hey Honorio, have a pleasant journey and I will always remember you in my prayers!..

--vic

Archie's Recipe for Tilapia

TILAPIA WITH Yogurt peach

For more than 3 years as a temporary retiree, I was the chef /cook in the house for my two children and beautiful wife. During my 3 years preparing home food cooking I got to see variety of fish on the grocery but Tilapia is one of my favorites as I can say a typical Filipino delicacy.

We like this fish very much, not only it is mild but it is also very inexpensive and easy to make at home. Another plus, it doesn’t make your house smell when you cook it. Then, I don’t need to spray my Fab-breeze.

For this recipe I coated tilapia with shredded Parmesan cheese, sauteed it until it was golden brown and topped it with a tomato-basil yogurt peach flavor. It is fast and delicious, perfect for every meal.

It took me a few tries to get the coating just right for this recipe. The first time I tried there was virtually no Parmesan breading left on the fish but I found that it was best to lightly dust the fish in
seasoned flour, then egg, then the Parmesan French. The result was a light flaky coating that nicely complimented the fish.

You will need:
* 3 tablespoons olive oil (light) * 2 cloves garlic, minced * 10-12 cherry tomatoes, halved * 1/2 cup cream or 1 cup of yogurt peach * Small handful of fresh basil leaves * 7 Tilapia fillets * Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper * 1/4 cup flour * 1 egg, beaten * 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese * 1/2 cup breadcrumbs * 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and
cook 1-2 minutes. Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to
medium low and add cream. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Sauce will turn slightly pink
and coat the back of the spoon. (Note: It is okay if the sauce boils slightly.)
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet large enough to fit both
fillets.Rinse and pat dry the tilapia fillets, use paper towel to dry. Season both sides
with Sea-salt and fresh cracked pepper.Combine Parmesan granulated or minced
garlic into a bowl.Dredge the seasoned tilapia fillets in the seasoned flour then
shake off excess. Dip in to the beat egg. Press into Parmesan/minced garlic
mixture.Place in heated skillet and cook 3-4 minutes per side. Fish will be golden
brown and will flake easily when done.When you remove the fish, chiffon
(gerretem nga kasla marantid-dog diay bolong na) the basil (Note: To do this,
simply roll up a few basil leaves and gently chop). Stir the basil into the sauce.
Season with salt and pepper if needed.Lay fish on a serving platter and spoon
sauce over the top. Serve.

Pahabol: Mashed potato with garlic4 cloves of garlic (mince it).6 red potato (don’t peel it).3 table spoon of butter (I can’t believe its butter or any no fat butter)

Sea-salt to your taste.

Instruction:Halves the potato but not peeled put into the casserole with full of water. Boiled the potato until tender.

Remove the water from the casserole then mashed the potato.While mashing the
potato mix the minced garlic, butter and sea-salt your taste.After mixing transfer the
mashed potato in the plate or bowl then serve.

I served this with steam or boiled (isanglaw mo bassit) asparagus and my Creamy Mashed Potatoes it is delicious.

Enjoy!

from Archie Macanas

opening a business in Asingan

A VIEW FROM OUR HOUSE...THE RODRIGUEZ MART HAS PRACTICALLY CAPTURED THE GROCERY MARKET HERE IN ASINGAN..

One computer cafe occupies the old office of Atty. Viray. This lawyer's office has moved just around the corner, still on the premises of the church yard...

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from the Asingan Message Board...

Hello, Manong Vic...

My name is Vilma, you don't know me personally but I am an avid fan of your postings here. Anyway, I was wondering if I may ask your opinion...how's business in Asingan? We are planning to acquire a small commercial property in Asingan (town proper) and thinking of putting up an Internet Cafe equipped with Printing, copying, faxing and school supplies. My tatay has a small fast food eatery in Asingan and he said that business is slow at the moment, so we are having second thought...your opinion is very much appreciated, thank you and have a great Victoria Day long weekend!

--Vilma Basa...

While I was there, I patronized a couple of Internet cafes ( one door apart ). It is a very popular activity now a days..They also have DSL. One cafe caters mostly to kids and young people because the kids go there for games. The other one beside it have snacks on the side and it has a different clientele. People who patronize this 2nd cafe go there for chats, ( with webcams owned by the cafe of course ) or to send e-mails. Even the barangays have also net cafes because not very many people in Asingan afford a decent PC...

The Net cafe in Atty Viray's office offering mostly games charge 15 pesos an hour: the one beside it charges 20. The cashier in both cafes sleep there so they can open the cafe early in the morning. Both cafes are open 7 days a week.. Both have only electric fans. Each has at least 10 computers. ..

The ones in Urdaneta ( in Magic Mall ) are air conditioned and they charge 30 pesos an hour...

My nephew beside our house opened recently a small take out restaurant and their pancit, etc. are sold as fast as they are cooked because the Rodriguez grocery have made that area a very busy commercial center. There is always a line up of costumers in the Grocery which sell foods, alcoholic drinks, etc. Good revenue makers are the Globe or Smart cards. People are always buying loads for their cel phones..

When I was there I saw people come and go in the mart, in the cafes, everywhere... Asingan is now busy 24/7. But sometimes brown outs occur. Everyday. Rodriguez Mart has always a standby generator, only for the store..The length of brown outs vary from day to day....

Asingan has no digital studio that prints photos from digicams, so Asinganians have to go to Urdaneta for their prints. One good PC with a matching colored printer can provide the printing needs of the locals. But it needs one with technical savvy plus a reliable source of printing paper and inks..A popular printing medium is the "tarpaulin". It is a poster size printing method where calendars with different photos are done. Nice as gifts. Or advertisement if you wish..

***********

Re: opening a business in Asingan...It depends on the capability and interest of the individual who would own or manage it..If I am the one to open a business there, I would chose a computer center too. One with needs which are in demand by the locals: printing, faxing, photo printing capabilities, etc..

This is a year long project. I forgot to mention to you that digicams here in town are used in the production of IDs. ..Maybe for schools, institutions, etc. The digicam is used to shoot "mug" shots of people, then these are glued to ID cards printed on templates with their names, names of institutions, and other pertinent data...Somehow I was tempted one time to extend my stay to 6 months just to open up a shop in the ground floor of our house. (I did this years ago when VHS tapes were still a fad).

I do love tinkering with PCs and also shooting and printing photos..Our house is right in front of the Rodriguez Mart. But then, I changed my mind.

If you love the town and like serving the community, then it is okay...But for one who has been abroad for so long and would like to go back to Asingan for keeps, it might work. But then, it might not..Ideally, one needs a good and honest manager to stay in Asingan and to mind the store. This is the hardest thing to do, like finding a needle in a haystack.

And you also need a big stash of money to fulfill this project...

from a posting on the AMB...

Two nights ago was Arsenia's big night at the auditorium..

I remember flashbacks of last year's festivities, including the honor guards ( they were there again that night ) ..Loreto Salon & his better half were also here.

One of the emcees was Danny Nitcha .Two of them did a very wonderful job..It was like listening to an American TV program, what with their American accents and all..Well, both of them grew up in the US anyway. Asinganians ( or Filipinos for that matter ) who immigrate to the US at a very early age would acquire a seamless command of spoken English as they grow up....


Arsenia was the belle of the ball of course, since she founded this organization and it will be an ongoing thing comes April every year.

Purita Palma Dagang was also present together with husband Nemesio and her sister Beatriz.Beatriz was unanimously selected as the muse of the night because she deserved the honor. She was pretty as a picture that night. ( I still have to reprint their photos in my Blog. Technical glitches, I would say. Their countenances hardly changed at all with the passing years. )

Then came another highlight: the auction sale to raise funds. A small goat was donated by Carmen Munar and bidding started with 1000 pesos..Bids went up until it reached 30,000 pesos and then the bid closed there. In the history of Asingan, it is now the most expensive goat and I wonder what the anonymous buyer would do with it..:)It would make the most expensive caldereta and I do not think the new owner would do that..:)

During the coronation, some fireworks were lit and it gave such sound and light to the Asingan sky..

I also received a plaque for Ferdinand Marinias the creator of Pangasinan.Org. In my brief acceptance speech, I mentioned that he deserves the award because his website so far have already received more than 4 million clicks. It is also the melting pot for Pangasinenses all over the globe. In addition, it has a program of donating back packs for the the school kids in different elementary schools of our province..It is a very selfless deed by Ferdinand ( also known as Dahman : the man ) because he does it for the love for people, for the children and for bringing townmates together...

I saw Fidel Agsalud, looking "young" as ever because he likes laughing and telling jokes..I also met Mayor Lopez who gave a simple speech about Asingan and its people..Across the auditorium from where we sat I saw Vicky F. Tejada. Never saw her for quite sometime already, so I went over to her box and traded a few laughs. I visited her family in Sacramento twice in the past. She and her husband Leonardo Tejada are such pleasant hosts.

Lastly, Juliet Uson from Domakit/Hawaii graced us with her presence..Polly too, was there...All in all, it was a pleasant night, one to be remembered for a long, long time....

Attended the Balikbayan night the next night..

The exciting part of these reunion gatherings are the chats with long lost friends in there.I do not go much for the dancing. I have two left feet, if you know what I mean..

I usually enter the auditorium thru the back way: the former site of the Bonifacio monument, right straight to the Presidential tables..:) A Balikbayan seems to be treated differently..!! Then when people start recognizing you, youd better be ready to answer smart..:)

Common opening lines are: Kumusta ka?..then you still know me?..My answers are either a) your voice is familiar, cant make out the face..b) wait, your name is about to pop out in my head...c) ok..dont make me suffer, tell me your name and let us get over with this..:)


Inside the auditorium, lights are spell binding, the orchestral sounds brings you back to a time when you are outside of the auditorium fence, looking in..

Now you are inside, looking at the outside..at the rides ( ferris wheel, a mini roller coaster with screaming riders, karaoke joints, lots of balut and penoy delicacies - one balut cost 11 pesos, penoy is 9 pesos ) Now that I am back in Asingan trying to relive my childhood fantasies, I am afraid to eat them! Not with the stories I hear!---#

AN OUT-OF-TOWN PARTY

It was a rainy evening in Mangaldan, but neither rain nor storm could stop our trip...

First of all, the food was delicious!..There were lots of broiled bangus!

My two nieces: Anna Marie and Teresa Costes Lomboy. Both of them have just graduated Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines. The two are now enjoying prestigious jobs which involve extensive writing and editing of Environmental /Science /Research papers.

My sister Ester and eldest daughter Teresa...

Let us not forget the fabulous entertainment!! Its worth the long trip to Mangaldan...

ONE OF THE PARTIES I ATTENDED
took place in Mangaldan in the residence of a Provincial Legal Officer. She is a friend of my sister Ester Costes Lomboy.

This lady lawyer is one of those who do not have to go abroad ( her husband left for California years ago; she did not budge from her work at the Capitol ) because she occupies a high position . Ester and my brod-in-law never fail to attend her party because a) they are good friends b) the food is excellent, c) the entertainment is fabulous.

She always hire this 3 piece Band. It consists of a pianist-singer and two lady singers/dancers. As we entered the make shift tent in her front yard, I saw and heard the Band. The pianist was accompanying the 2 singers who were singing some bouncy, modern tunes. The audience was mesmerized by their voices, others by their undulating bodies..Me? I was just playing the friendly neighbourhood photographer...:)


Then, the real entertainment began. It was a long break time for the 2 lady singers for when our hostess took the microphone, she commenced an impromptu musical program. Seems as if all the diginitaries who were there ( i.e. the Mayor of Mangaldan, the Vice Governor, etc. ) came prepared with a song.

The pianist was prepared too. He could accompany every song the guests threw at him. Our hostess was a good singer herself ( a singing lawyer ? ) and she enthralls everyone with her sweet vibrant voice and would sing a duet with whoever wants to perform with her...

And the singing party went on and on. But we had to go because we are the ones who would take a very long trip back to Asingan. And the weather, since the start of the party was pretty rotten.

Seems as if the rainy season has moved to last week of April. Maybe because of global warming?-----#

vic costes

a catered affair

Say cheese ( or happy!!!) everybody!!

Well, it's a long way from Los Angeles...:) At least all the family gathered together in one place...

Lady in green is Gloria, the eldest of the Delmendo sisters..

Keep on smiling ladies, a smile is your umbrella on a rainy day. And it rains in Asingan almost every afternoon...:)

Then there was this party at the Delmendo residence. Two parties actually, back-to-back. On April 11, Mildred D. Eslava celebrated her birthday ( don't ask me how many candles graced her cake ) . This took place at night.Lots of food, music, singin'..

The next day was the death anniversary ( palagip ) of their parents Mr. & Mrs. Dominador Delmendo. The photos here were taken during this April 12 shindig. It was a catered affair and the waiters and waitresses wore Filipino native costumes. The party must have lasted until night as guests came in and out. The town mayor ( Hon. Carlos Lopez Jr. ) also came and he sang one song with the Karaoke machine before leaving.---#

JULIET AT THE CRYSTAL GLADES...

Juliet at Crystal Glades...

Guess what, Juliet?..:)

from a past posting at the Asingan Message Board...

JULIET USON surprised me yesterday Saturday while I was in the Internet cafe..the last time I saw her was in Hawaii a few years back.

I was trying to wrestle with the crazy keyboard of this Internet Cafe when she showed up and invited me to join her in a swimming party. But we will not swim, she said. We will just chat..

Our first destination was STA ANA which we found to be very crowded, very noisy and very BAKYA because the stall rentals were very cheap..Every Tom, Dick and Harry in Asingan seems to be there!

Besides, JULIET and party had no reservation so we were up s..t creek with no paddle. All huts were taken. The owner of the area literally drove us away because our van was occupying space..Sad.

SO we back tracked and dropped into Crystal Glades instead which was already close at hand. . The resort is a bit pricey but you have privacy, a nice pool and a small building with a Karaoke machine ( those kinds which play 1 song at the clink of 5 pesos )

We reserved the place for 2 hours..It was Juliet and I who did most of the singing.The one time beautiful joint is now run by Aurora, the sister of my kumpare, Rudy Manuel.

From there, we went to Domakit for a delicious lunch. It consisted of broiled tilapia ( well done ) dinuguan, tinola, and some home made dessert. It was good.. She showed me their ancestral home ( I bet her sis Marcie was also here last year ). We had lunch in a Gazebo with her kinfolks.. She was expecting a Dance Instructor so I took off. Her relative, who came all the way from Baguio brought me home in his air conditioned car.

Thanks for the lunch, Juliet!!---#

EXTREME AIRPORT BLUES

During my departure procedures, I ended up paying 7,000 pesos at the airport counter because the airline people said my luggage was over by 4 pounds, not kilos, but pounds! Funny because before I left the condo I made sure I didn't go over the required weight.

I am wondering now if the airport scale is the same as those "prawns/shrimps" scale from Pozurobio???? I didn't want to throw away anything or hand carry anything due to my left hand being weak so I just paid the damned amount. Once I got through the counter I had to pay additional 750 pesos (exit fee?) Now, what the heck is an exit fee??? I want to go home so I just paid it.

Heading over to my gate I encounted another security check. By this time I had my passport, cellphone and other documents on my hand. I still had some pesos left over and since I had all kinds of papers on my hand, I put my money within my passport. My phone rang so I answered it while going through the security. I don't normally talk on the phone while in front other people. I think it's just bad manners, but for some reason I did it this time...

Guess what? When I handed the security guard my passport, they said "maraming salamat po" and took my money. I put my phone on hold and politely told them it was not for them, but they argued and said I didn't need the pesos anymore to where I'm going. I think I had about 1,500 pesos. Again, I gave them the 750 and just left. I am already tired arguing with those numbskulls.

By then I started to feel hungry. I stopped by one of the kiosks. I bought an ensemada and a bottled water. Bear in mind I had already gone through several security checks at this point. By the time I found a chair, guess what? It was time to board. Thinking that I had already gone through the security checks I proceeded to stand in line to board. Guess again? They told me I was not allowed to bring my snack and the bottled water!!!

I was so pissed (and hungry)!!! I argued with the security. In Maui and Honolulu, there are several restaurants/kiosks that sell food AND WATER BEYOND the security checks. I was able to bring food AND A BOTTLED WATER on board the plane from Maui to Honolulu AS WELL AS FROM HONOLULU TO MANILA.

Needless to say, I didn't want to give any reason for Manila authorities to detain me so I opened up the pastry AND THE BOTTLED WATER and dumped everything into a garbage can in front the security. The security guy said I didn't have to do that so I answered,"I'm just making sure that these are really going to the trash and not for anyone's consumption." I was really pissed!

So I boarded my flight hungry and I found my seat. I was fortunate that the seat next to me was not occupied. I occupied both seats and fell asleep. When I woke up it was 15 minutes before arrival time in Honolulu. If I wasn't on board the plane, I would have thought I was just dreaming. Yep, the vacation went by too quickly and all I have left are the happy memories to offset those nightmarish experiences at the airport..

---Marcie Tesoro

*****

Indeed, it is a nightmare at the NAIA...The 750 is a legitimate fee paid by everyone who departs from Manila. But I believe the 7,000 pesos to cover just 4 pounds is way, way too much!

--vic

LONG VOYAGE HOME

An idyllic, pastoral view of Asingan's Greenfields...

FROM TATANG IGNAS

You set a good example to other Message Boards to emulate -- specially those who can eloquently narrate the highlights and sidelights of their vacation in their native hometowns through essay/feature writings and snapshots to capture delightful moments of camaraderie. If I do have the chance to visit Santa Maria soon, I will do the same. Thanks for sharing!

--TI, Sta Maria, Pangasinan..

Thank you, Tatang Ignas!

IT ( Information Technology ) is now at its best through the Internet. It puts one over the Print Media because typing on the Net is so easy, printing your story is done with the punching of a key and almost everybody with an access to a PC can immediately read your message.

I also admire your KALAPAW because it features the best of what there is: pleasant/funny stories to read re: Sta. Maria, news updates of townmates from every part of the globe and photos ( whenever available ) of people from your town who opted to seek fortune elsewhere. I am sorry I was not able to take photos of your town as I planned.


The Viron bus turned left to San Patricio near where the two palacial residences of the Torres brothers are located and on to the long bridge that marks near the border between Asingan and Sta. Maria. This bridge was said to have been constructed with the initiative of ex - Congressman Ranjit Shahani. At the crossroads where a left turn will bring you to Asingan, one would find a group of ragtag stores, shops, etc. taking advantage of the motor and pedestrian traffic passing by. When the bus reaches Asingan, one could hardly recognize the riverside skyline anymore. New houses were built and one could hardly tell which one belongs to whom.

It was a very pleasant trip, indeed especially for one who have not been home for almost six years!----#

VIC

short message from Fred Palma

Thanks for the info Mng Vic! I saw part of a video of the PAAL Reunion of my sister Beatriz at my Mom's house last Sunday. I saw you making a speech but I could'nt hear because of the crowd noise. I have to borrow & watch the tape again. Looked like a fun, successful reunion you guys had!

fred palma

*****************
Thanks, Fred! I met your 2 sisters at Polly's place. Purita is my classmate during our Elementary days up to high school. I was able also to take some video clips of your sister during the PAALL night. Will send a clip to you after I have downloaded it in my hard drive.

My compliments to them. They are still gorgeous looking like the days when we were still in Asingan during the 50's- 60's..They are also as friendly as ever..!

During the Rizal Academy night, I chatted most of the time with Nemesio, your brod in law. I was not too much for dancing ( cuz I am not good at it ) but I preferred walking around and conversing with long time friends ( and newly found ones ).

I am not too much for Public Speaking too. My voice is soft and no wonder you did not hear me that much and it could not rise above the noise of the crowd. But one feels a little "high" going up there and saying a few words to the home grown crowd.

What I really love during these reunions are the the reunions ( even if these are just short ones ) with old friends.

During the PAALL night, I talked with Fidel Agsalud, brod of Tristan and Noemi. I learned later that Fidel's better half is the current Dean of the Asingan PSU.

During the Balikbayan night, while the coronation is going on, I found Rodrigo Esperon ( the older brother of General H. Esperon ), Sammy Arzadon and half an hour later, Rogelio Vicencio, a class '58 join us too in our conversations back stage. Covered a lot of lost years with both of the class 58. Rodrigo is "popular" with our Grade 5 teacher before in Dupac because he had the knack of raising the Blood Pressure of our teachers each time he entered the classroom!

But hey, more than 50 years later in 2009, we are back in Asingan, laughing, happy we are still alive and kicking!..

He invited us to his family house the next day with Rogelio. Was not able to make it because of our trip to Baguio with the a few friends. Rudy and Rogelio, it turned out were also close friends before. Rodrigo said.."Do not miss coming tommorow. There are a lots of good drinks in the house because the General will be arriving tommorow!..."---#

Vicky Fernandez-Tejada, seated middle in the front row. I met her decades ago when she was still in the South Central School. We visited her ( Miggie and I ) in Sacramento CA twice. The morning after the photo was shot, she was to visit Ilocos Norte, the home province of her hubby, Lenny Tejada. Their box iis just in front of the orchestra, so no conversation is quite possible because of the blaring music...

The 3 winsome ladies in the front row are: Susan D. Santos, Mildred D. Eslava and Gloria D. de Leon. I met Susan first time when she was THIS high....:) All three of them can carry a tune, whether as soloists or as a group. Thanks for inviting me to your lovely home, Susan!

OK, from the left: Mr. Malilay, a veteran of Asingan's teaching force, then Felicitas Victorino Pascua, Francisco Pre, myself, Josephine Victorino and last but not the least, my very popular classmate, Johnny Pascua ( Heerrre's Johneee! )

Just shooting the breeze with Teresita Ong. She is now a well established business woman in Asingan..

Danny Nitcha, left is working as one of the emcees of the PAALL Night. Danny is Vicky Tejada's cousin . Both are from California...

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more photos to come...

MORE ASINGAN HOLIDAY PHOTOS...

What is a Town Fiesta celebration without the Mammy Juanitez orchestra, playing the exciting music and its dancing girls ensemble providing a soothing sight for sore eyes?

One of the first Internet friends I met in Asingan last April. Bert, ( Loreto Salon ) his kinfolks and I shared an afternoon of Light Beer, fingerfoods and Karaoke at Polly's.. Lots of laughs that pm. Some jokes can not be printed..:D

Dr. Marrieta M. Escorpiso and Carmen Munar. I stand to be corrected if I made any misidentification error...

A faculty member of St. Louis Bertrand College ( former Rizal Academy ). Purita Nunez, I presume?

Juliet Uson, during the Balikbayan night. I met Juliet at the AMBoard years ago. She was our host during our visit in Hawaii. Then we met in Asingan again ( who would think of that?) . She invited me to see her ancestral home in Dumakit. We had a sumptous lunch with her kinfolks. I also have a video of her special dance during the Ball. I have another photo of her somewhere in my stuff from Asingan.

ALOHA, Juliet!

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MORE PHOTOS TO COME...