Delphio....

It’s been for quite sometimes now that I’ve been communicating with some of my brothers and sisters in my fraternity. It was an accident that my hands got itchy again and googled on my fraternity. That was my lucky day though, as I found a ning.com account on my fraternity. This was made by a younger brod.

To my astonishment, there were chapters established in Northern Luzon and Mindanao. Mind you, my fraternity in the university no longer exists and yet, these chapters have been there up to this date. My reaction was obvious.

I first go over the site and make some comments. Younger people at their age seems to have every day of enjoyment and camaraderie. Of course that’s the very real purpose.

And I also discovered that they have done much, specially the Southerners (i’m getting impolite now!).

Way back in 1982 when I was the Grand Omicron, we did some “general convention” of sort in the university. On that same day, a Southerner (here I am again!) accidentally came over. We don’t invite him but here comes a missing link. Bro. Doods (can’t remember his surname) is from MSU in Kabacan (don’t know if it’s right!). He came over to the university only to ask for admission requirements or graduate studies but stumbled on the occasion. We welcome him of course and investigate his “Deltan being”. From there, we found the existence, strength and “what have you” of the Southern chapters. There were some differences though, but he’s firm on some historical facts of having the fraternity founded first in the South. Something which we classified as an “misinformation”. Where is brod doods now, I don’t know!

The latest happenings though, started my interest. Never mind the difference, what is important is now I’m having new dimensional contacts with warm bodies. Warm bodies in my fraternity. JFY or however..

Live long Delta Phi Omicron/ Omicron Phi Delta.

God is good..

God is so good!
Today I received two good news from home. My father was already discharged from the hospital and the doctors found no cause for alarm. Although his sugar level drops down, he can received oral medication to correct it. Rather than injecting insulin, he can take tablets for that purpose. A better and convenient way, should I say. I thank God for that. He really makes wonders.
My niece by my older sister passed the nursing board examination. Something we really make proud of. My Ate Linda and Kuya Dado really did everything just to cope with Em’s studies. A situation reminiscent of what our parents also gone over, while trying to support our studies. Just imagine a brood of 8 children being supported by mere farming only. My parents work from dawn to dusk tilling a small parcel of farmland, letting us live modestly. Education was the only thing they can give as they say. Something which can never be stolen. With this philosophy, they strive hard and harder to give us what we have wished.
Ate Au and Kuya Francing, me and my beloved Nene, Meng and Gie, Luchie and Rey, Be and Randy, Issa and Apin. We’re all taking the same trail. Trying to have the best for our children. It’s good that we’re working in pairs. My sister Leonor was widowed with two children. But I’m sure God will always guide and give us the means. A gift and grace that will always be there. It’s the will to give, survive and be victorious . God is good, He will lead us to achieve that.

Pretty Lei...

I’m feeling good nowadays. My work is a little bit lighter and coming into order at least. Compared in the last months, I’m lucky to endure the pressures of work. Considering that I’ve been covering much, or almost, the whole of the departments inventory work. Whew, I can a little bit relaxed and enjoy some lighter moments.
Last night, I called somebody very dear to me during my college days. It’s only a blind call and not sure whether I’m calling the right person. I left an unfinished message to their voice box.
To my delight this morning, an e-mail came from her. This is really unthinkable since I didn’t bother to leave any e-mail address to their voice box.
Lea Carmen Rafer Esguerra was a head turner during our college days. With proportionate body, she walks tall, gracefully at the dimly lighted corridors of our INSAME site and everybody will turn their heads for sure. They were two actually, the equally beautiful Francia “Toots” Villaluz. While Lei walks carefully as she is, Toots differently trail her way. Since both came from the same place in Bicol, the “oragons” marked their presence in the institute. I came closer to Lei when we’re in 3rd year, became classmates in some subjects and fancied with common things. She’s a sister to me away from home and I’m a brother to her (I suppose). Getting closer seemed to last long as she sometimes confides to me without hesitation. We joined and participated in some projects which we both enjoy at the most. The association mellowed down when a joined a fraternity and she got committed herself to somebody. Jon was equally talented, bright and the “Alfie Anido” look-alike. I’m glad that Lei found somebody she could trust and go along with. Also a “kaka” on his own right, I believe she’ll be in good hands. Of course, because we're both "Bulakenos". And I’m not mistaken.
At my free times, I searched and googled the web using her maiden name but un-successful. It was only when I tried searching with the “Tormo” as her surname that I finally found her and ended up with a smile.
Hoolala! Friendship comes in so many ways, times and occasions. We became close as we both enjoy similar things and interest, took place in a not so distant past and hopefully relive again. While we’ve gone several changes, stages, distances and phases of life, I’m hoping we could have that friendship again. She’ll remain to be the dearest Lei known to me. One thing is sure though, that I haven't change. I’m still Rene.

en passe requescat....

I’m back! Whew, it's been a long time and I haven’t made anything. I visited my blogsite only to check if it’s still active. I’m afraid that it might be erased due to inactivity. Thanks it's not!
With those napping days, many things had happened. But I won’t spend time enumerating those but would rather singling-out one very sad thing. My kumare and classmate in high school, Connie Benito Martin succumbed to her long illness, the deadly and ferocious mr. C. It was very sad since she had battled long enough, finances, body and spirit all she spent just to come up free and clean. But it wasn’t successful. Even she emerged with the clean bill of health before, she was anxious of the dreaded disease to come again. And she’s right,
Mareng Connie was a very quiet but intelligent girl when we were in elementary. Unfortunately, she transferred to UP IS when we’re in the fourth grade and graduated from there. She transferred to St. Dominic during high school where she graduated also with flying colors. Still the very quiet but intelligent girl, she went to college also at UP. I don’t heard any news since then but we met again in the middle of 1980’s. I’m working at the Provincial Office of the Department of Trade and Industry when she applied for work. She’s very lucky though that we need people to occupy positions in the municipal level and she landed one. She’s a very resilient, patient and hard working officer. Even if she’s assigned to the very remotest place, she never complained.
We’ve parted ways when I joined a private company but never lost contact with her. To seal a friendship to last, I made her ninang of my unica iha, thinking that my angel might inherit some of her beautiful and nice traits. Although inflicted with the dreaded C, I find her strong and jubilant whenever I saw her. She’s always smiling.
Now she’s at peace with the Mighty One. My prayers will always be with her and may she be in her rightful place. Surely, I’ll miss her.

...traise my Roots. (Part 2)

Yesterday i received a message from a "tukayo" (namesake). His name however is a little bit longer , rene salvador ramos san andres. i'm now fond of discovering simple things about anything and his name interest me. "rene" of course is french for "rain"; "salvador" is Spanish meaning "saviour" and "san andres" as one of the 12 disciples. "Ramos" although sounds Spanish have no direct meaning but related to "Ramesh" (Hindi, meaning "ruler of Ram") and "Remus and Romulus" (Roman, these persons founded and rule the Roman Empire). If i'll corelate his name, it could mean "a great provider of relief, life and a great ruler". I haven't met "tukayo" yet, but as how his message sounds to me, my corelation could be true. He's a great lover of music and his music became part of many holy rites. That is the utmost reverance of God, thru the sacrifice of the mass. A very great achievement for a common man who's only wish was to share what God had given him. His "Paghahandog" song was a revelation of the man himself, he's returning the favor to God by offering what was given upon him.
It's another chance of again tracing my roots. While I had at once the opportunity of knowing my Tata Pepe (http://infocount.blogspot.com/2008/05/traise-my-roots.html) , it's another chance for me to become part of another one. It's the truth that however I deny, it has be one. Otherwise, I am denying my own existence.
My "tukayo" could be the sibling of "kamag-anaks" (Ding and Ramon San Andres) we had traced and met long time ago. While meeting them already offered great happiness on our part, it will be personally more exciting for me. Just imagine, a namesake with the same interest, age level and perhaps same likings.
I still have to meet him personally. But right now, I have to think and be thankful of what had happened. What a small world!

hope..hope and hope!

this morning i've learned and have to admit something. I am getting old and starting to forget things. on the way to my work, i have to pass the main gate of the king abdulazis port and this was manned by the port police. they're scrutinizing and questioning every one doing business or working at the port. our company secured us a port pass that we have to show (plus our faces) to the guards for them to let us in. and of all things, i forgot my pass. so, i have to come back and get it from my room.
now things are showing up. silverlinings on top of my head (i'm thankful that at least some hair still remaining), and i'm getting easily tired nowadays. plus, the forgetfull ness. i can not deny it, i'm getting old.
even then, i'm very thankful that a i reached this age. some of my friends and classmates passed away even before reaching their peaks. at my age now (40+), i can not say that i'm still on my peak but i'm hoping i'm still. hoping is free anyway.
this could be the turning age of my lifetime. i think this is the time whein i have to decide which better way should be for me. my child is going to college and still have long years to work after she finished any course she may take. but my love and support for her will remain.
well, today i forgot something, something that could let me in to my work. still, i tried to get it and use it. the thing is, i'm still willing and hoping to go on. until when, that i forgot...

..strive to the finish!

It's summer in Europe and the yearly Tour of France is on-going. We’re able to see and watch the telecast of the action via the Italian RaiSports channel. The tour itself was very exciting especially during the last 500 meters before the finish line. You can see the eagerness and the power each cyclist is exerting just to win the lap. Equally exciting was the pleasant view of the scenery. The greens, roadside towns and suburbs, old ruins and new buildings, gorgeous mountains with its tall and green trees. The tour is the showcase of France itself.

When I was in high school, I have to pedal my way to St. Dominic in the earliest of each morning. Together with my classmate and friend (now a “kumpadre”) Ted, we will glide our way to the town with his old but reliable “diskanso”. I’m using my racer bike bought by my father for 200 pesos. He intentionally didn’t put any brake system for the purpose of me not going very fast. An idea which I many times don't agree with. To cut the story short, I finished my high school seldom riding the tricycle.


Whenever I’m coming home, I still see the same racer bike I used. It’s now hanging in one corner of our “bodega”. It was dismantled but was kept neatly tied and hanged. My father kept it. There were other bikes inside, but this is special. As if a trophy was there standing out with the rest.
Someday I will ride it again for sure. Not joining any race nor going to school. But only to feel my younger years of striving. To feel again how is it get going on places on top of my bike again. It took a lot of pedalling and bumps, scratches and faults, but its’ worth will always remain.