A-L-O-N-E…Again? This was not the first time that I was being left alone. This time I no longer wonder why. Just like other normal people, our helpers enjoy vacation during holidays. More so during Christmas Season and so they were all gone to their own hometowns. It was ok if it was not the time when many members of my family came to celebrate the event with us. The Celebration wasn’t diminished in anyway. So, the day after the big event of the Incarnation of Jesus I was left alone, as usual. My bed felt so caring I didn’t want to leave it too soon as I still enjoyed caressing my long pillow, but I was more excited in acquainting myself with the new Apple Ipad gifted to me by my children. I just heated the left-over food for my breakfast. Though I was pretty used to being left alone after the holidays I now realized that having to attend to so many things wasn’t actually that easy and fun. I had to reply to many greeters, look at my NEW Ipad to discover that I wasn’t that computer literate after all. I met many words quite Greek to me and just to avoid disaster by doing something I was not acquainted with, I decided to go to my favorite Netcafe for assistance in using my NEW Ipad. Good that someone patient enough tutored me in dealing with my NEW gadget. Again I heated the still remaining left-over food for my lunch and afterwards excitedly opened my NEW Ipad to practice until I gathered little confidence to use it while gradually learning finer details of the amazing technology that only very few grandfathers have the nerve to try using. Mild rain shower made the situation a bit gloomy and very ‘unchristmassy’. I was beginning to focus my attention to my senior moments saved by the non fulfilment of the prophesized end of the world. My first aid when gloom is hovering and loneliness is inviting me to panic with myself, I started singing a happy tune and all was well again. Who cared if I was alone?

NURSING HOME When a became a senior citizen a good several years ago, I started looking for a Nursing Home, just in case I would be needing to enter one. Feeling that all my children would go abroad and no one would be left to take care of me and my wife I decided to scout for a good Home for the Aged. I volunteered my services to a private Nursing Home, the Haven of Peace Foundation, on condition that when I turn too old to offer my services I would be freely accepted as one of the boarders. The Board of Trustees liked my idea but how to implement fully my many suggestions would take a lot of brainstorming to be realized. So I went to the Golden Acres, the Government’s Home for the Aged to inquire if my suggestions would find ways in the institution. In the course of my conversation with the Chief she was somehow amused when I told her that I have five children, all professionals and were all doing good. But her amusement turned serious when I asked her if she was sure her own children would decide to take care of her when she reach her ripe age. Anyway she suggested to me about a good Nursing Home called Mama’s Care, run by Belgian Nuns, somewhere in Tanza Cavite. I forgot all about it until last week when me and my wife was discussing the fate of a relative who was beginning to show signs of Alzheimer’s disease and might be needing a Nursing Home soon. We decided to go to Tanza to find and inquire at Mama’s care. Not knowing the exact location, we started inquiring here and there until we were shown many places none of them Mama’s Care. At one point a talkative woman heard us inquiring and volunteered herself to accompany us to the place which according to her was not in Tanza but at next town, General Trias. After tolerating all the traffics and other obstacles along the way, we reached a placed with beautiful building and a well cared surrounding. But it was not Mama’s Care and wasn’t run by Belgian Nuns. Instead we discovered Mama’s Hope Haven, a private Foundation run by the Born Again Christians catering to lost and abandoned senior citizens and youth. It seemed to be a very good place to stay but they only accept the lost and abandoned individuals. Realizing that is was not that easy to find a Nursing Home nearby I finally ended up googling just to discover hundreds of Nursing Homes offering all kinds of services that now I wasn’t sure if it was my senior limitations that made me confused as to which was which among the Homes for the Elderly. My wife and I agreed to scout further until we find the one Home for the Elder that offers the best bargain, just in case we need to stay in one.

GRAND SANGHIYANG FESTIVAL 2012 I like it, to begin with, all because for the first time it was intentionally presented for its true meaning – A Thanksgiving. Immediately I want to congratulate the Alfonso Council of Tourism for bringing out a truly relevant celebration for the town of Alfonso. The First Day was instantly impressive with all the Municipal Officials and Employees parading in colorful uniforms. However, since it was supposed to be a Parangal ( not Papuri) to PIRITAY who was known in Alfonso as the Fairy protecting the environment, always wearing red attire whether she appeared as an old woman, a beautiful lady or a pretty little girl. It would have been more symbolic and appropriate if all the participants wore red attire in different designs and presentations. Pritiya’s float should have been the grandest since she was the honoree and the little Piriritays all wearing red too. Her Alagad, KURINGO, who was capable of appearing as human or animal and could multiply itself, according to the legend, in any number could have participated as several costumed animals. The floats of Ginang Sanghiyang candidates needed more improvement with simplicity and symbolisms. Participation of Cut Flower Farms was not felt by the community. It could have added more color and freshness to the celebration. The Tingkoraw Art Exhibits could be filled with more antique collections and should be labeled properly, while KAINANG BAYAN was totally missed by many. KAUNAN rites with its conceptualized HARANA wasn’t corrected by a hurriedly built tent acting as the grandstand. Day 2, the Street Dancing Competition was somehow disappointing. I was expecting a colorful costumed-flowers and vegetable dancers showing the environmental products of Alfonso’s farms and backyards but instead, onlookers were treated with the usual colorful and jumpy painted tribes not found anywhere in Alfonso since time immemorial. The actual Sanghiyang Ritual of Thanksgiving was touchy enough but the lack of Temple Altar and proper offerings on the Dulang was not given emphasis as the Sayaw sa Apoy. But anyway Alfonseños enjoyed enough and that was worth it all. I did not have a chance to watch the Gng. Sanghiyang coronation night. But I was told by someone who attended that it was in fact a grand memorable Pageantry. I give the whole event and average grade of 70%. There were defects that are manageable and could easily be corrected. Mabuhay kayong lahat.

GOD’S LOVE The family of my youngest daughter spent their long All Saints’ Day vacation with us in the province. Said vacation turned out to be a very revealing learning occasion for us grandparents with their four year old daughter and two year old son. The two kids showed how disciplined both they were. The girl could already lead the prayer before meal which she showed her seriousness in a big restaurant when she reminded everyone to pray first before eating. She was curious and inquisitive about many things. Her one-liner always served as a source of wit like when asked by her mother what she was looking at, she replied confidently by saying “Mama, I can see it very clearly with my magnifying eyes!”.When her grandmother asked if she liked the soup, she answered “It is just right Lola”. The wit of the two year old boy was another thing. He kept on roll-calling Lola, Lolo, Papa, Mama and Ate every now and then. He did not want assistance while eating or while climbing stairs, table and chair. He ate messily but I simply enjoyed whatever he was doing or saying while carefully watching his every little move so he won’t be hurt. As if suddenly enlightened, I quickly saw the goodness of God. How he enjoyed and tolerated whatever His creatures did in messing things left and right but at the same time seeing to it that they were all protected from harm. If an ordinary mortal like me could tolerate and accept whatever my grandchildren were doing while at the same time keeping them safe from harm, God must be a million times more tolerant while happily enjoying what His creatures are doing. And God would certainly keep all His children unharmed.

CAUSE AND EFFECT Hermes Trismegistus is known by the Greeks as the three times great. The same person is the one the Romans called Mercury with his winged shoes and hat. He is considered as the father of Science. He propounded the seven Mighty Principles of Life which are considered the keystones of knowledge and are the rule of life. For our purpose on this topic I shall discuss only the Principle of Cause and Effect which states: “Every cause has its effect and every effect its cause”. This law proves that all things happen according to laws and coincidences are result of unrecognized cause. Everything that we can comprehend are effects of different causes. Each effect has its own cause which in turn was just an effect of something that caused it previously. Things that we see and feel are not necessarily satisfactory but it could eventually be the cause we very much want to attain the effect that will actually satisfy us. For instance, we may not be happy with the unfinished projects we see around us the resulting mess effect out of unguarded causes. We find it difficult to solve problem effects as we find it even more difficult to trace back the root cause could merely be an effect in a series that happen way, way back. Goldman and Silva illustrated this principle of cause and effect through a short anecdote: One day a leaf fall in a California forest. It landed on the forest floor, and a fat green caterpillar that was inching along had to make a sharp turn to avoid it. The caterpillar came to a log and crawled up the side. Just as it reached the top of the log a man came by and sat down, squishing the caterpillar. The man jumped up and felt the goo on the seat of his pants. On returning home he changed clothes ad took the pants to the local cleaners. While there he met a young woman and began a conversation, which continued at nearby coffee shop. They began to date, fell in love, married and had a child. Their son being very clever, did well in school, became an attorney, and went into politics, rising in his party. And so, because a leaf fall in the forest one day, Richard Nixon became the 37th President of the United States. (end of the anecdote). But not all unguarded series of cause and effect lead to a happy ending like that of Richard Nixon’s story. A strong willed leader could sometimes guard and guide causes in order to gain good effects or results. For instance a small sari-sari store allowed in one corner of a clean street serves as a cause that gives effect to many similar stores which in turn serve as causes that give effect to bundles of garbage thrown around until the effects become causes to finally turn a clean thoroughfare into a virtual market place. Intelligent recognition of the effects could easily lead to the proper recognition of the causes that could actually be guarded and guided accordingly. The Newly organized Alfonso Council of Tourism shall sponsor a Grand Sanghiyang Festival this Coming December, 2012. I am hoping that they will be able t to find or create causes that could give effects worthy of presenting to incoming tourists and local visitors.

SENSIBLE Whether you, are an ordinary Alfonseño, an eager Balikbayan or a curious new-comer to Alfonso, you will all extremely enjoy the unusual sight and sound of the unique modern community. All your senses shall be highly stimulated as quickly as upon your arrival. The main Mabini street from the welcome arch at Palinta which used to welcome anyone with a pleasant decency is now a virtual Matket Place complete with all the market trimmings up to the far north end of the road. You will hear all kinds of sounds with their intricate timbers from bells emitted from many school in the vicinity, to roaring of different intensity produced by hurrying tricycles, jeepneys, giant buses and hundreds of motorcycles hurrying left and right at no particular pattern, multiple private cars that are now more common than common colds. Be ready for irritating tinnitus or little deafness later. You may no longer experience the smell of pilipig and other native flavors but as you stroll down you won’t miss the scent of different fishes, of garbage from many corners and assorted other smells most difficult to describe, coming from everywhere. To end up with allergic running nose is not uncommon. Merely looking around will provide you with multitude of eye-sores ranging from hanging broken posters, uneven signs, dumped garbage, graffiti of all kinds and the likes. At the end of your visual scanning be ready for a genuine eye sores. It is also interesting to try your calisthenics from avoiding the many movements of almost everything along your way merely to prevent any serious accident that may harm you greatly if not avoided. All these are easily experienced from what used to be the most welcoming street of the town. Other streets and Baranggays have their own peculiarities but as a whole as I always say, Alfonso remains a Paradise. After all your senses have experienced all the negative effects of a rotting world, if you make a little introspection you will easily realize that behind all the dark and unfavorable results of unguarded progress lies still the unaffected paradise of people unchanged by a cruel though supposedly more civilized society. You will still meet the ever helpful and understanding friends, the welcoming, kind and loving relatives. Behind the mechanical and unethical noise everywhere, women are still cooking delicious kakanins and many well-loved delicacies such as tabliya, achara, pastillas, valenciana, tinumis, adobo, sampurado, palarusdus, puto, kutsina, and many many more especially the most symbolic palutang. Men are still working hard for their families. Women still attend to their homes and children. Lolos still quickly shares their wisdoms and experiences as Lolas remain prayerful, loving and hospitable. Young men and women still value their reputation and are aware of life’s values. Religious chapels of different sects are everywhere. It is therefore not surprising that there are no Beer Houses or Red cottages as there are also no big factories and multiple employees coming from everywhere. Beautiful Resorts are sprouting left and right. No wonder Alfonso is quickly turning into a Retirees Haven. My only fear, God forbid, is the time when Alfonso shall be peopled by retirees from everywhere displacing the original Alfonseños and Allfonseñas who kept the culture and heritages of this Paradise for a long, long time. When that happens I'll be turning in my grave in protest because being an incurable patriotic of the old town, I belong to Alfonso as Alfonso belongs to me.

THEY CAME, THE SAW, THEY CONQUERED The family of my eldest son who was based in Sydney, Australia paid us a visit early this month of July, 2012 with his pregnant wife, eldest daughter and two naughty little boys. They all came to visit Lolo and Lola. What a wonderful feeling for me and my wife to see their family that also reunited with the families of my two daughters based here in the Philippines together with their two children each. They saw how my wife and I lived with one gardener and a weekly part time maid. They learned that my wife went to Manila weekly for three days to visit the families of my two daughters and to attend to her business hobby selling varied items of interest. My son’s family weren’t fully happy in their vacation because my daughter-in-law who was four months pregnant had spotting, so, I told her to rest and stay on bed most of the time. My two grandsons were both very quarrelsome as they were experiencing strong sibling rivalry to the point that they fight about anything. My son seemed so tired and burnt out in spite of her understanding and very helpful daughter. During playtime I created several origami figures like airplane, boat, flapping bird, and many others to the delight of the children in spite of their roomful of toys back home. Every time they broke a figure all they needed to do was approach Lolo for a replacement with a new figure. Their parents realized that after all children’s happiness could just be a piece of folded piece of paper done in their presence. One time the two boys won’t agree on how and what to eat. I talked to the elder one saying: “Whenever you are eating anything always share it with your younger brother”. He did what I suggested and began sharing his spoonful of food which the younger one seemingly appreciated so much. So, I told the little one that after swallowing the food that his brother shared with him, he should say “Thank You Kuya”. He too, followed my suggestion. His father hurriedly took his camera to capture the momentous drama of friendship. I bragged to my son: “See what a simple word ‘sharing’ could do when correctly applied. The two boys also shared their toys afterwards by exchanging. We had a chance to go to Tagaytay where the children enjoyed horse-riding. The following day they moved to Manila to attend to their various appointments. I was again left with my echo, my shadow and me. They conquered my heart which they left once again empty… to be filled once again with confusing, troublesome and unavoidable senior limitations while slowly walking through the shadow of the sunset.