Ka Erdy Manalo

January 2, 1925 - Agusut 31, 2009

Goodbye is not forever

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON

This day is very special to me 1st, it was my son (Ysaiah Yves Ysrael) was born July 17, 1995, in FEU Hospital, Morayta, Manila. 2nd , this will be my 100 posts for this site. While I was writing this blog my sister in law texted me that classes today was suspended due to signal no. 2 in NCR. (let me share a letter I made for him 14 years ago)

Dear Yves,

When you were born two days ago, I've realized that life was so beautiful,

a miracle,

it was wonderful

and magical.

When you opened your eyes,

it was full of sunshine,

and our heart was filled with smiles

happily,

joyfully

we are watching you.

Sleep now my child

and stay with us

not only for a dream

but forever.

/july 19, 1995/FEU Nursery

OMG!!

This blog is not a scened from a prime time news but I'll just want to share this horrible story I experienced last Friday evening (June 5, 2009). Around 5:00 pm when my wife asked me through phone to fetched her in SM North so I leaved my two sons Yves (13) and York (10) in our house. I was early in the mall but luckily there was an on-going International 10-Balls Women Billiard Tournament (those ladies cue artist are really good) until my wife came then we proceed to National Book Store to buy some school supplies. After we buy all items on the list my wife phone my eldest son Yves to ask if he wants to add more but my son insist to talk to me.

So she gave me the cellphone and Yves talk to me in a mild manner but I sensed he was scared a little bit and told me " Daddy, may tao dito duguan dumaan sa bubungan natin at may hawak na kutsilyo." But before he continued the man grabbed the phone and said " Pare pasensiya ka na hindi ko gusto mangyari ito nagipit lang ako may humahabol sa akin." I was shocked but I have to deal with him. "Sino ka ba at bakit dyan sa bahay ko? Please lang huwag mong sasakltan ang mga anak ko" The man said "Walang mangyayari sa mga anak mo basta walang mangyayari sa akin." he answered back. Then I told him to calm down (but actually I was telling it to myself) in a diplomatic way I said to " hintayin mo ako dyan sa bahay at tutulungan kita." (Damned I can't believed I was into a hostage situation and it was my children)

So I grabbed my wife and told her " we have to go home now, there was an emergency situation in our house!" Of course my wife was already in a panic mode when I told her that our sons were taken as hostage. While inside the taxi we are both nervously assuming whats going on in our house. There are some worst scenarios that entered my mind but we have nothing to do but to hope and pray that there is no untoward incident happened there.Oh, the traffic seems to be forever so my wife keep on crying and shouting to the driver to hurry-up. Finally we reached our home and there was no kitbitzer (meron) around and that explained because rain was continuously pouring for almost a week now. Believed me it was the scariest moment of my life when I opened our door.When we saw our children watching TV there was a sign of relief to both of us. My wife hugged them while I was checking the man and found him in our kitchen still holding a knife and I noticed a gun tucked in his waist. When he saw me he apologised and asked for my forgiveness. I've told him to sit down (just to get his trust I have to listened to his stories) and I've learned the he was a former soldier (awol) and being chased by barangay tanod because he stabbed one of his drinking buddies, and in order to escape he ran into the rooftop all the way inside my house.

Just like what I promised him and after I've checked my sorrounding I told him he can go now. But before he do that he requested for a pair of slippers and an umbrella. (that son of a b____ don't want to soak in the rain) My only problem is how to fix my fiberglass roof of which he break in order to get in.I think I've learned something on an actual hostage crisis management.

I embraced my sons specially Yves (who happened to be diagnosed last week of a rare heart problem) and asked if they were alright? Proudly he said " Dad I remembered your instruction that in times of trouble I should be calm and focus". I've told him " you're such a smart and very brave!" and I am proud of you on how you take care of your younger brother and how to handled the situation".He smiled and said " No dad I'm not that brave I'm still scared of cockroaches".

KWENTONG BETERANO

ARSENIO S, NAGUIT
1922 - 2009

Maraming kuwento tungkol kay Francis Magalona ng siya ay pumanaw pero mas pinili ko ang taong ito, na kasabay niyang namatay nuong araw ding yaon. Si Tatang Arsenio ay katapat lang bahay ko at araw-araw ay nagkikita kami at naghuhuntahan sa halos 5 taon na pagkakatira ko sa lungsod Quezon, at sa tagal ng panahong iyon ay itinuring na niya akong anak at kaibigan.

Isang beterano nuong panahon ng pangalawang digmaan pan-daigdig. At katulad ng tipikal na beterano ay maraming rin siyang kwento tungkol sa pakikipag-tungalian nila sa mga Hapon (aka sakang) Nguni't mas madalas ay nakikinig siya sa mga kwento ko na ang karamihan naman ay hindi totoo. Sa madaling salita trip lang ng matanda ang may ka-kwentuhan.

Si Mang Arsenio ay nakapag-asawa ng siya ay desi-sais anyos pa lamang dahil sa may ka-gwapuhan at matangkad marami rin siyang naging babae at pamilya sa mahabang panahon na pananatili niya dito sa daigdig. Kumplikado ang buhay pag-ibig niya, namatay ang una niyang asawa, dalawa ang naging anak niya dito. Sa pangalawa ay hindi siya kasal ngunit lima ang naging anak nila. At sa pangatlo ay si Aling Juliana na biyuda rin sa unang asawa, wala silang anak dahil pareho na silang matanda ng panahon na sila ay magsama. Ikinasal sila nuong 1996 sa maramihang pagkakasal na ini-sponsor ng mga mahilig mamulitikang politiko.

Hanggan sa dumating ang panahon na pinahihirapan na siya ng iba't-ibang karamdaman dahil na rin marahil sa edad niyang mahigit otsenta anyos na. Naging suki siya sa pagamutan ng mga beterano ang Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
Isang araw bago pumanaw si Mang Arsenio ay naka-pirma pa siya duon sa malaking biyaya na matatanggap ng mga beterano, siyam ng libong dolyares na siya ring dahilan kung bakit nagdatingan 'yung marami niyang kamag-anak na hindi na niya nakikita sa napakatagal na panahon. Nang-ibalita ko ito sa kanya, ay pinalapit niya ako at may ibinulong sa akin, inakala ng iba na babalatuhan ako ng matanda pero hindi ko na sinabi sa kanila yung bilin at dito ko lang sasabihin at ito ang bilin niya "Bahala ka na sa mga halaman ko ha, hindi na siguro ako makakap-dilig pa."

Sa wakas ay natapos din ang mahabang lamay at inilibing siya sa Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Paalam Mang Arsenio, kaibigan, beterano at bayani.

NEW BLOG NAME FOR A NEW YEAR

I finally change my blog name from IMPOSTOR to Y. Maybe I'm tired of being an impostor and I need a little make over for my blog site. Why Y? for the simple reason that it start with name Ysrael and maybe it could answer all the Y's in this world.

BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME...

On February 14, 2009 my wife and I will celebrate our marriage vows and it was exactly 14 years when we promised each other the classic line's " till death do us part." Since then my wife always ask me the same question she asked 13 years ago " Why did I love her? and I always answered " Because you love me."

But we are not the issue here, yesterday I watch the Oprah show and it's features a young pinay singer named Charice. Oprah staff documented Charice trip to Madison Square in New York to meet her Idol Celine Dion and the rest is history. When I watch the video footage of Celine and Charice duet the song "Because You Love Me" the audience went wild, everybody was standing as they watching and hearing the two rendered that classic song. The sight was so moving that it gives me a thousand goosebumps. Maybe I was too proud of Charice because of her triumph and the fact that she is a Pinay who give us a pride as a Filipino. And Celine was so humble quite a diva. Check this out!

LATE ENDER

I really don't know if the term "Late ender" is existed or not. The truth is I intent to post a year-ender blog but laziness kill my motivation (too bad for a new year ha!) but I'm not lazy actually I was too occupied with many things that blogging becomes the less priorities. Pardon me but I have to looked back and reviewed what happened to me last year. Obviously I committed more mistakes, blunders,than a good decision. (Luckily no one thrown a pair of shoes at me) Now this year I have to regroup, plans,and more focus.
39 posted blog and 15 drafts not bad for a rookie bloggers ( I maintain 2 other blogs in 2 different blog site, 1 photo/video blog, and 1 scrabble blog)
And the best thing is I have some on-line friends and commenters who support you all the way even I don't meet them personally.

WHERE AM I?

I really don't know what happened to me, over a month ago that I didn't post anything. It's not because I have nothing to post, I think I've just experienced some feeling or attitude that beyond my control. I really don't know how to describe it " yun bang parang tinatamad ka sa lahat ng bagay, wala ka naman problema just don't have the motivation, ewan ko sana maintindihan ninyo ang hindi ko ma-explain na explanation sa isang unexplainable situation like this.
Right now I was busy reviewing all my word stocks for the coming national Scrabble Tournament in Greenhouse Grill, In Quezon City on Nov. 29-30, 2008.
If you are an Scrabble addict like me, you will also believe that the next best thing to sex is playing ..SCRABBLE!!

ANG TATAY KO

GUALBERTO S. MENDEZ SR. July 12, 1912 - August 20, 1977

Ang araw na ito ay kapanganakan ng namayapa kong tatay, at nais kong magbalik-tanaw sa mga ala-ala na naiwan niya sa akin mula pa nuong aking kamusmusan. Pampito ako sa sampung magkakapatid at namulat ang aking kamalayan duon sa dako ng Bago Bantay, Quezon City. (ito 'yung sa kahabaan ng Munoz hanggan sa SM north (dyan sa may EDSA na Highway 54 nuon).

Hindi ko gusto ang istilo ng tatay ko, hindi siya 'yung tipong sweet sa anak. Para bang nai-inggit ako sa mga kapit-bahay namin na close sa tatay nila at masaya. Si tatay kasi disciplinarian, parang sundalo ang trato niya sa aming magkakapatid. (Siguro puma-flashback pa sa kanya ang WWII) sundalong-gerilya kasi siya 'nung panahon ng Hapon. Tuwing ala-6 ng gabi may roll call kami, sisipol siya ng malakas at kailangan sa loob ng isang minuto at nakahilera na kaming magkakapatid sa harap niya. Ang mahuli ay may palo sa puwit, pag may kasalanan ang isa lahat kami ay papaluin sa puwit.

Minsan sa batang isipan ko nuon ay nagre-rebelde ang utak ko sa hindi makatarungan pagdi-disiplina ng tatay ko o siguro ay hindi ko na matagalan yung pagpalo niya sa aming puwitan may kasalanan ka man o wala. Pagkatapos ng roll-call at may munti kaming progama na bawat isa sa amin ay kailangan mag-perform ng tula, awit o sayaw at dito ako laging napapalo dahil ewan ko ba bata pa lang ako mahiyain na talaga ako kahit sa harap ng mga kapatid ko, at siguro mas kaya kong tiisin yung palo kesa sa mapagtawanan ako.

Pero hindi masama ang tatay ko, wala siyang bisyo yosi man o alak at walang hilig sa babae. Kadalasan ay pinapasyal niya kaming 5 magkakapatid na lalake sa may Luneta sa tabing-dagat at kailangan namin suminghot ng sariwang hangin dahil maganda raw yun sa aming kalusugan. Ang paborito kung pasayalan nuon ay ang Quiapo at Avenida. (wala pa kasing mga mall nuon) masaya na ako sa aming pagwi-window shopping sa mga eskaparate ng damit sa Escolta at sa mga hardware ng Rizal Avenue. Minsan ay ipapasok niya kami sa mga sinehan at iiwanan niya kami sa loob nito ng ilang oras (bagamat sabik ako sa mga pelikula ay may namumuong kaba naman sa dibdib ko na baka hindi na kami makita ng tatay pagbalik niya sa loob ng sinehan dahil ang tingin ko nuon ay ang dilim-dilim at maraming tao) pero magaling ang tatay ko ni minsan ay hindi niya kami naiwala. May kabuhayan kami nuon na sa standard ng iba mayaman na kaming maituturing dahil may negosyo kaming 2 panaderya (sinko sentimos pa lang ang pandesal nuon , lutong pugon at malalaki ha) at meron pa kaming groserya na maraming tinda tulad ng mantikang Purico, Star Margarine na nasa lata, naka-bungkos na kahoy ng pang-gatong, marami kaming tinda na kapag bumili ka ng sardinas o gulay may libreng asin, butil ng bawang at paminta ka pa.

Balik tayo sa tatay ko, minsan nag-trip ang tatay ko na bumalik kami ng Bohol (ito yung lugar na sinilangan niya) at magtatanim ng lang daw kami ng niyog. At ginawa niya ito dahil siya talaga ang nasusunod. Ang sumunod na eksena ay sa Tagbilaran, Bohol na nuong early 60's ay hindi pa masyadong umuunlad sa turismo 'di tulad ngayon. Ang hirap ng buhay ko pero nakita ko kung paanong nage-enjoy ang tatay ko. At sa madaling-araw naman ay nanghuhuli kami ng alimango duon sa dagat, ang daming bakawan at naiinis talaga ako dahil madalas akong matinik sa mga ugat nito. Pag-uwi namin ay magu-umaga na at yung na ring huli naming sa dagat ang pagkain namin sa almusal na may katambal na kamote at kamoteng-kahoy. Naiinis ako sa tatay ko dahil siguro hindi sanay sa ganuong lifestyle dahil nami-miss ko yung hot pandesal at tsokolateng mainit sa umaga. Pero sa paglipas ng mga panahon ay natutuhan ko na rin yakapin ang bagong-mundo ko nuon at naging masaya na rin ako sa buhay-probinsiya.

Hanggan sa dumating ang panahon na muli kaming bumalik sa Maynila pero iba na ang setting, yung nangungupahan sa amin dati ay kami na ang umuupa sa isang bahay na maliit sa dati naming malaking-compound. Muling namasukan ang aking tatay pero dahil may edad na rin siya nuon naging security guard na lamang ang trabaho niya na dati rati ay supervisor siya Bureau of Printing bago kami tumulak ng Bohol. At nagsimula na akong makaramdam ng kahirapan dahil nangungupit na ako sa tatay ko tuwing siya ay natutulog. Palipat-lipat na rin kami ng tirahan at halos di ko na mabilang kung ilang bahay na at lugar ang aming nalipatan. Hanggan sa naglakihan na at nagsipag-asawa kaming magkakapatid at napaiba't-ibang landas na rin. Hanggan sa namayapa na ang tatay ko nuong 1997 at sumunod na rin ang aking nanay pagkalipas ng isang taon.

Maraming masaya, at pangit na ala-ala ang ang aking naranasan sa piling ng aking tatay at nanghihinayang ako kahit napagsilbihan ko siya sa mga huling sandali ng kanyang buhay ay hindi ko nasabi sa kanya kung gaano ko siya kamahal. Pero alam kong mahal na mahal niya kaming magkakapatid hindi nga lamang siya showy tulad ng ibang Tatay.

Maligayang kaarawan..tatay at lagi kong binabanggit yan tuwing sasapit ang ika-12 ng Hulyo.

THIS BLOG TELLS HAPPY BIRTHDAY

July is a memorable month, not only that me and my oldest son was born on this month but also it was a paper anniversary of my blog. I'm quite happy about it because it share the birthday of some famous people like George Bernard Shaw, Kevin Spacey, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stone, Kate Beckinsdale, Drew Barrymore, Sylvester Stallone, Princess Diana, Imelda Marcos...
Thank you for those who read and share my mind even the issue is so shallow. The truth is I hate to post blog in english 'coz my grammar is poor but I must admit the fact that writing in english has it's advantage, you create the impression that you are inteligent while writing the most stupid things... but who can stop me from writing of some foolish and non-sense things on my blog.
Oh, before I forgot the real issue here, it's my birthday tomorrow, to be exact every 2nd day of July. Couple of days ago I had some strange feelings how to accept that I become a golden boy.(yes few hours from now I turn 50) Scary, How can I deal with people who will call you "tatang" (old man) few years from now or sooner, but right now I am comfortable when they address me as "kuya" (old brother)
I don't want to look back to some of my misfortune, some regreting moments of my life, careers, lovelife etc..because I was really grateful to God who gave me those precious years good or bad. Now I was blessed w/ 2 kids and my wife, what can i say about her? she's an angel (don't get me wrong she's still alive) My life now is my family and it was all that matters to me.

If life were just, we would be born old and achieve youth about the time we'd save enough to enjoy it.

HAPPY FATHER' S DAY

Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be called Dad.


The idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought the idea for Father’s Day while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909.
Having been raised by her father, William Jackson Smart, after her mother died , Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her, It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter a courageous, selfless, and loving man.
Sonora’s father born in June, so she chose to hold the the first Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.

Father’s Day was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress in 1956. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the third Sunday of June.

INSIDE THE MIND OF A MARRIED GUY

My wife and I celebrate our 13th years together. We exchange our marriage vow on May 1, 1995 and up to this day we are quite lucky that our relationship is still intact and strong. I consider my union with my wife is successful in terms of love and partnership. Even those famous couple had a hard time in passing the 10 years test of their marriage, some ended-up in a disastrous separation and court battles. So what inside the mind of a married guy to make your mariage works?
I have some simple formula to share;

1. Love your own wife
2. It's okay to lust for other woman but not physically.
3. Love your children
4. It's okay to lie but don't cheat her.
5. Always say you love her
6. Make war, (sometimes arguments helps you understand each other)
7. If she is mad, don't panic just ignore her.
8. Help her in some households chores.
9. Avoid bar hoppings and gimmicks you're a married man always remembar that.
10. Make love once or twice a week.

Now, i realized that Prison and Marriage are both institution which are difficult to ecape.