 | Welcome to the World as We see it | Apr 30, 2007 |
|  | In the beatles' song " When i am 64" there are very evident lyrics that can be related to Dick's life even he reached the age of 69.
When I get older, losing my hair
Many years from now...
Will you still need me
Will you still feed me...
However, Dick looks younger than his age of 69. He used to tell me that "lawyer doesn't retire, they just die". He is still actively working in his law office at Kingswood and enjoys his craft.
Last Aug 12, he invited us to celebrate his aug 15 birthday at his house in Philam Village after the 7 pm Holy Mass. We thanked him and his loving wife Baby who prepared sumptuous dinner. We appreciated the pasta prepared by Choie, loving wife of Glenn. The main dish was lengua ...worth dying for. And not to mention the italian wine"tribentu tribu".
Please enjoy the photos as we salute the 69 year old Dick who is married to a grandmother, Baby and a grandfather to his 12 grandchildren and a father to his 5 loving children. It is already small local church. Happy Birthday and see you next year for a grand celebration of your 70th bday . |
| | Francis, Mar, Bobby and I visited Florenz in Marikina. We learned that he didn't feel well since 5 days ago. When we arrived at his place, Florenz gladly invited us to take our lunch at Pan de Amerikano. Mar intrigued me that when we reached the place he was sure that i would start taking photos. He was right. I felt in love how the place was arranged. They used environmentally friendly plants all around. their special motif was "chess game exhibition". Enjoy the photos and focus on every detailed arrangement. The price of the food is reasonable. We planned to be back .
i have included the photos of Sean the only grandson of Florenz, a very energetic young boy. |
| | Angel, Eddy and I agreed to take our lunch in Manukan restaurant where waiters,manager, security guard and other employees used to sing variety of songs to their clients. We agreed that it was Eddy's birthday( eddy's real bday is still on jan 21) . When we arrived at the restaurant, we met our good friend and a brother Mandy Zafe, the present president of the Immigration Officers of the Philippines. One of the friends of Mandy gamely sang several songs. I was impressed by one of the players who played the bass guitar then piano. Pls note his smile, talent and his vintaged hat. Not to mention the sumptuous lunch, the music was really very entertaining. |
| | We were almost complete at 6pm at the Focolare South in Paranaque. Glenn F brought the pasta well prepared and cooked by Choie his loving wife. In a few minutes, we were clapping our hands because Don came with Italian food galore from Santis. After watching the short DVD presentaion of Orly Tiongco's 2nd one man show invitation in Le Soiffle in Rockwell, We prayed the before meals prayer. We started taking our dinner. Then we sang Happy Birthday Song for Don with blended second voices.
Dick politely asked Glenn (from Lukban) and Doy shared how they met the life of unity. Both were leaving for Lopianno, Italy for the school of single focolorino. Both of them would dedicate their life at the service of the Opera and that of the Mother Church.
Glenn as a young gen 3 met the life of unity in a gen concert. Inspite of a distance in lukban, quezon he managed to continue living the life of unity with other gen. At a tender age of 3, his mother died and he was brought by his father to his aunties at the age of 11 after which he had seldom contact with his father. He was impressed by the love of the people who continuously visited them in Quezon. He finished his college as agriculturist.
Doy shared how much he fell in love in the life of unity when he was still a theologian. What he lacked was just one step of ordination for priesthood where the whole town in Iloilo was already preparing for that great day. But he thought otherwise. He decided to go to manila to try his luck. He continued to be in contact with focolare in Manila and Tagaytay where he found his new vocation. He was inspired in the movie of Pope John Paul II to enter in life of being a single focolarino. He commented that he was so happy to be with the focolare family.
Please note both Glenn and Doy had a particular smile which expresses a newly found vocation. We wish both of them all the blessings of God that they remain faithful to their call. As Ruben aptly advised them :
1. to live the life of unity ( Jesus in the midst)
2. to be faithful to the charism in suffering (Jesus Forsaken)
3. to be loyal to the source ( the life of Unity given by Mama Chiara)
and to Don thanks for the beautiful evening celebrating your bday and to Glenn F for sharing your joy of finding a new job.
What a beautiful evening to be with a FAMILY ! not in the photo: Lowell : still in Sta Isabel College, Jan Caballero and Manny Gacayan. |
| | Pls find the photos given to me by Henny. I took them in my daughter's camera (nikon D40) . Enjoy the nostalgic past which can be appreciated in the present. For Nene's friends and relatives, these photos are of great value. Thank you for your time. |
| | We celebrated a requiem services ( Holy Mass and Requiem Prayers) for Nene Lopez last July 29, 2008 at Our lady of Remedy (Remedios church) in Malate, Metro Manila. Henny, the brother of Nene led a small number of friends and relatives. Please note that Nene taught Pilipino subjects for several years before she left for United States at Malate Catholic School which was founded since 1907. The former teachers , friends and relatives organized this festive celebration. Ramsey the nephew of Nene and son of Henny was also there. Ms Dolly Soriano led the celebration not only in the Holy Mass and requiem services but also organized a sumptuous dinner for all the guests. The tarpaulin picture summarizes the life of Nene... " Loving God, Family and Friends...Nene .. She brought inspiration and peace to everyone. Nene, Thank you for your life........Henny and Ramsey Lopezbanos pls find the eulogies of Nene prepared by her niece, Pia Lopezbanos -Carrion and her brother, Henny.
EULOGY
For NENE AGNES
31 July 2008
Nene took on many roles as demanded by circumstances.
She was sister… teacher… mother… spiritual guide… friend.
And she took on each and every single character with a fierce determination and ownership, tempered by much joy
and contentment of being in the moment.
As a catechist, she dedicated her teen years serving God,
and had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother
as a member of the Legion of Mary.
Through all the trials the family has weathered, it was clear that Nene
had committed herself to welcome the will of God the Father
no matter the difficulty or the obstacles.
Nene epitomized calm, inner strength, and peace.
She always trusted in God’s immense love and this provided her
with such moral strength and inner courage, which enabled her,
despite her petite frame and unassuming presence,
to lift up the spirits of those around her.
Auntie Nene was a lady with a happy and cheerful disposition, who always saw the bright and positive side of everybody.
Friends and family from Cebu --- a province in Southern Philippines where she was born and where she spent her young years --- remember Nene as the warm and hospitable companion – who always welcomed relatives from the province to their humble home in Manila. In the 1950s and the 60s, Nene would take time off from her full load as teacher and Guidance Counselor at the Malate Catholic School --- to chaperone friends and family from the province on many shopping trips around bustling Baclaran, Divisoria, Pasig and Cubao --- or wherever there was a garden exhibit. She did all of these with a cheerful heart, even if she did not enjoy shopping per se. But she liked plants, and enjoyed communing with nature. When she would return home to Cebu to visit, she made it a point to visit Mantalongon and the beaches of Tawi-Tawi or Santa Cruz.
She also liked music. She would spend hours seated beside Darling ---
a dear relative from Cebu who was an excellent piano player. And she would just smile and sway, taking in the beautiful music from the ivory keyboards – even when they were just a set of repeated piano exercises!
Nene held a staunch belief in the value of family.
In her heart, Auntie Nene valued togetherness, which she strived to keep even in its most abstract form… in her heart. Her treasured moments would be even the shortest long-distance phone call or the briefest visit from family whenever these were made possible.
While Auntie Nene may not have had her own (family) as she opted for a life of single blessedness, she was loved and surrounded by her immediate family – siblings, nephews and nieces; and even her extended family of co-teachers and students; and her circle of close and loving friends in America. These were people whom she enjoyed to be with,
and who in turn, enjoyed her company as well.
Despite her seemingly serious composure, Nene was a lady
with a happy and cheerful disposition. She appreciated music,
marveled at nature, and delighted in the stories and laughter
shared with people around her. Some would remember her fondly as someone who never turned down a line dance!
Nene lived a full life.
She has witnessed numerous sunrises and sunsets,
and has experienced many serene dawns that always led
to brand new days.
Until the dawn of July 20th 2008, when her Creator knew
that Nene had an abundance of dawns to last her a lifetime,
and quietly, calmly called her Home.
She is now survived by her youngest brother Eugenio (Boy), his wife Carmen (who was with her in her final hours) – their children Pia, Ramsey & JoAn… Two nephews --- Francisco (Iskho)-- the son of her elder sister Remedios; and Petronilo (Bitoy) – the only son of their younger sister Lourdes; and two cousins --- sisters Corazon & Concepcion (Conching) --- children of her father’s younger brother (who also now reside in the US with their own families).
Nene.
An inspiring source of peace and calm.
Finally happy to be Home in a special place with Jesus and Mary.
MY SISTER NENE
(recollections of her younger brother – Boy)
As a kid I played all the time.
I remember her watching over me as I played with the neighborhood kids.
I remember her with other catechists.
She devoted her teen years serving God and had a devotion to the Blessed Mother as a member of the Legion of Mary.
I remember her preparing me for my first communion.
She was there when I lined up for my first confession.
Again she was there at the communion line watching to be sure that I behaved when I received Jesus for the first time.
At bed time she would be there just to be sure that we prayed the rosary before we go to sleep.
After college she had to teach, first in Cebu then in the Malate Catholic School in order to help with the economy of the family. Loving the family, she gave up an earlier wish to enter the convent.
In the school in Cebu, as well as, in Malate, she touched many lives. Many of her students continued to keep in touch with her even when she was already living in the United States.
Like all families, our family passed through many strong trials. There was the life of evacuation and horror of the 2nd World War. Then my other sister had a serious sickness. Then there were the deaths of my mother, Ate Meding, my father and ate Baby. In all these painful moments I sensed my sister Nene a source of peace and calm. I know now that Nene continued to love God which was the source of her moral strength and which helped lift up our spirits. She was tough. I sensed it then, but now I am sure that she had this determination to welcome the will of God in all things.
I have no memory that she made a misstep in the paths that she followed in her life. It must be the Blessed Mother who guided her all along.
At our wedding, Nene was there to make sure that everything would go well. In that important step for us,
she again was a source of peace and calm.
My bride Men and I truly felt her love.
It was a joy and an honor to journey with her as a sister,
as a teacher, as a spiritual guide, as a friend.
She was there in my baptism I am sure.
She was in all the Sacraments open to me as I live.
In all the important moments of my life, in success,
in failure, in ups and downs, she was there with her strength of God and her human limits.
It is not possible to mention all her goodness.
I can never do justice to that. I feel it is I who fell short in reciprocating her love.
In the most difficult moment of her trial, Jesus must have helped her. When Men telephoned to update us that my sister had died, I understood that she did not notice exactly when Nene left.
Nene went so peacefully that no one noticed her leave.
That is the way of my sister Nene. She loved to the end of her life. Up to her last breath, she was a source of peace and calm.
I can say she is a special, special person and I am sure that she is now in a special. special place in Paradise with Jesus and Mary.
Her brother Boy (Henny)
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| | Atty. Orlando Tiongco, as Orly fondly called by his friends, was telling us that his painting talent came to his life as a gift from God. He had no formal schooling on painting. However, one day while in a vacation in New Zealand with his family, he started painting. To his surprise, he started one ...then he had his one man show in ayala alabang town center, by sept 5 it will his second one man show in Rockwell, Makati at Le soiffle.
We had a wonderful time with his family. Not to mention the good food and fine red wines. Thanks for the acts of love of Emilie, Orly's loving wife. Please enjoy the photos and feel as if you were there. |
| | The 85th birthday celebration of Inay Maring, our mother was so simple yet profound and full of laughter and fun. There were also lots of sharing. Inay was in ahappy mood.
She is healthy. She doesn't eat any meat only fish and veggies. She loves Sustagen Premium Choco. She has passed 2 strokes with flying colors. She easily recovers. Her blood chemistry is perfect within normal limits. She has fighting moods but always prays a lot. She loves praying rosaries. Her normal words "I love you all" ..."how could you"
Her request was granted..to have a family picture. The best place for picture taking was the historical entrance door.The food was good..lasang batangas..ang sarap ... the suman, parailos(pinindot), tilapia, higado, adobong batangas, nilagang manok, indian tea, orange juice, etc. hope you enjoy the photos.
note not in the photos: johnny and meps are in newburgh, new york
indira and aldo are in london
franco is working at skyes call center
trinka and marco came earlier
thanks for your time.
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| | For many of us (sikstyeyt bats) who were with Ping in Mamon Luk in 2006, they can easily relate these photos. This is very memorable because it was the last meal we had with Levi Buenafe. Levi asked florenz and me if he could have another round of siopao, we readily answered "of course !" .
We (florenz, bobby, mar and me) had really a good time. We recalled the place we were seated. We remembered that we were all perspiring due to the hot weather.
the first set of photos was our meeting with monsi bert habos. for some of us monsi was our classmate in san carlos. he is still strong but complains of his unnerved muscles on his face..eka nga niya "matanda na".
Sabi namin " stay alive and remain happy. enjoy the photos.
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| | For us, Fr Itoy remains a simple and smiling priest who is based in San Carlos Seminary. But you will know him better when you see these photos.
In the thanksgiving mass in Dominga last wednesday , I asked why was his right hand was covered a with bond. He started opening it. I asked him permission if i could take some photos and he said yes. He told me that while in vacation in banawe, he fell down. Then he was operated. This would be in 2 months before it would be removed . What struck me was how he managed to accept this with a smile. Pls focus your attention to last 2 pictures (visualize this if you were the one who has the stapled hand like his) . then share your thoughts with me. thanks. |
| | After the death of Chiara Lubich last March 14, 2008, there were global delegates in Rome for General assembly to vote for the president and co president last July 5. Pls visit focolare.org for more details. Here in Manila. we had a thanksgiving mass officiated by Fr. Itoy Ignacio in Tramo, Pasay City. We thanked God for the newly elected president Maria"Emmaus" Voce and her co president Rev. Fr. Giancarlo Faletti.
This was historical for all of us. This was the first time we experienced cyber conversation live from Rome with Ray and Mariella thru the Skype. Pls enjoy the photos. Thank you |
| | My classmates (mar viray, bobby samson and florenz santos) invited me to join them in balayan, batangas for the town's fiesta. We were amazed by the town's tradition to parade roasted pig( parada ng lechon).It was also their tradition to douse people with water to commemorate the baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist during their time. However, this was done in a merrier mood. Please observe the jolly and happy disposition of everyone. I was fortunate to station myself in a stage and I freely took pictures with great ease(not endangering my camera). Pls send your comments and enjoy the photos. |
| | Pls visit the new South Focolare in Paranaque City by seeing the photos. We had simple blessing celebration officiated by Fr. Andrew and Fr. Roland. We harmoniously sang Ave Maria before we entered the house. There was communion of goods ...some brought lots of food . We called it Pansit Festival. Thanks for seeing the photos. |
We wish our only daughter ILYANA VITA...a happy happy bday. We prepared the video the whole afternoon.We enjoyed making it together.
The video recalls from the first photo ( by caesarian section) up to the present. Most of the photos show her friends and relatives. Enjoy watching it .
Babbie and Tony Endaya Ilyana's 23rd happy bday may 28 08 .wmv (24.0 MB)
| | It has been my great desire to help young people. I remember when I was still a college student in San Carlos Seminary, we worked a lot for the youth ministry in parishes. Last May 23, my friend Chito invited me to present a module. The topic was WORK. I prepared myself by coordinating with him and I studied the module itself . When I met the group, everyone was very ethusiastic. I gave the values of work and emphasized that work is doing the will of God. However, the first actuation of work is Providence (the love of God for us). The session was basically interactive and evocative. We had a simple Silva Mind where we relaxed and felt better by breathing slowly while our eyes were closed. There should be follow-ups on these young people. They hungered for better coaching in their life. I emphasized the importance and value of FAMILY. WE wish the best for all of them on their graduation this June 3, 2008. |
| | Gen 3 is the young generation of the focolare movement aged 12 to 17 years old. This is a global celebration all over the world. They went to several homes for aged, home for the broken youth and even helped in the painting of the housing project "Sulyap" in Quezon City. For the culmination of all those activities, they celebrated at the Lay Force bldg in San Carlos Seminary. Inspite of the warm temperature of the hall, they managed to sing and dance and even share their experiences how they took care of those whom they visited. They shared the word of life to them.Pls go to http://www.focolare.org/articolo.php?codart=5612
Thanks for your time and enjoy the photos. Comments are very much welcome. TY
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| | Lukban's pahiyas is one of the most celebrated fiestas in Quezon province. Pls enjoy the photos where lukbanians give honor to their patron saint of the farmers, San Isidro, where they decorate their houses with their products (fruits, vegetables and rice paper ("kiping"). Their creativity is amazing and impressive. After the event, one tells himself "i would like to be back here next year".
Pls take your time esp on the decorations and see for yourself the details. Your comments are highly appreciated.
Pls visit http://guides.clickthecity.com/travel/?p=259 for more information....
I would like to call your attention on the last series of the photos. the majestic facade of the lukban's cemetery. it is unique to see the tombs before the facade, isn't?
Tony E.
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| | My classmates (florenz, bobby and mar) and i left manila as early as 5:00am for lukban"s pahiyas. Len, the loving wife of Florenz and Johnny, Florenz's neighbor were also with us. It was providential that we were able to hear the Holy Mass at San Isidro Parish Church . Pls see and enjoy the photos. Thank you |
| | It is our family tradition to celebrate mother's day. This year 2008, we went to Lutong Macao, Makati City. As explained in the video, Franco and Fiel treated us. There were lots of fun reminiscing the past and planning for future activities of the family. Our guests were Mae, the girlfriend of Fiel and Jamie, the girlfriend of Firanco. The food was good. At the end, Ilyana and Froi were thanking the elder brothers for the great treat. Babbie was so happy receiving flowers....look fresh (but it is plastic courtesy of the restaurant ..ha, ha, ha). She has been looking for that dimsum xiao long pao w/c is like siomai with soup inside.. Finally, she found and liked them . We went home happy. |
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