To my wife and children-whose love has been my foundation and support carried me through every challenge.
To my grandchildren - my greatest joy and living legacy.
You are the light that brightens my days and the hope that carries our family into tomorrow.
May these words remind you that you are deeply loved, endlessly supported and always capable of achieving beautiful things.
Everything I write here is inspired by the dreams I hold for you and the pride I feel watching you grow.
To my parents-who taught me the value of hard work and perseverance, whose support gave me the courage to rise where I fall.
Your dreams that never came to pass and all the nights you cried in silence, helped me dream big, cemented my will to not let this happen to me, to my children to their children.
To the younger version of myself-the dreamer, the fighter.
This is the story you have always hoped to tell one day.
And to all my friends who never ceased believing in me.
INTRODUCTION
There is an old saying that goes "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".
For me, that first step was taken one fine morning of the 5th of November, 1959, when my younger brother (the youngest of four siblings) joined me in the journey we all take, life.
That was also long before I even knew I was in a journey, let alone where it might lead me to.
Though my story has heavy emphasis on the milestones I have crossed, it is also about the moments and people that shaped me into the person I am today.
WHERE I GREW UP
The Neighborhood
Early Childhood
THE GAMES WE CHILDREN PLAY
Jolen/Marbles
Sapi-sapi/Tabanog/Kite
Kote/Kasing/Tops
Sungka
Singgam
Water World
Some of the games we played were rough, risky, gross, some were now-a-days considered cruelty to animals and some even had us run-in with the law.
The Chanel Swim!
The Game of Gross!
The Run-in with the law!
GRADE SCHOOL
The Rivalry
Cub Scouting was one of the most profound influences I had in grade school, and I think, I speak in behalf of those who were lucky to have been in it.
In the photo below (courtesy of: Loloy Nasser A Batoy), are shown 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders grouped into two: Kawan 39 under Mrs Emperatriz M Buendia and Kawan 40 under Miss Libertad C Celemin.
Kawan 39, Kawan 40 Attention!
Class 1968 Photo
Class 1968 Mates
The Few, The Proud, ACES Class 1968
The Gardeners - ACES Grade V 1967
The year 1968 was a great year for me, I graduated TOP of eighty-two (82) boys and girls.
However, I was apprehensive and...
Here's Why
PROUD TO BE AMONG ALORAN'S CHILD-ENTERPRENEURS
Icedrop Dairy King Popsicle
The Shoeshine/Shineshoe Boys
A little act of kindness quietly changes the moment. It's the smile given without reason, the door held open, the message that says "come inside, you are welcome".
It asks for nothing back, yet it softens hard moments, reminding someone they are seen.
It doesn't need to be loud to be powerful, often, it's the smallest acts that leave the longest echo.
HIGH SCHOOL
How Religion Influenced Our Choice of High School
The Freshman
In my four years in High School, I have always shied-away from extra-curricular activities, like dancing, attending student seminars, or anything that entails extra expense, for obvious reason.
I made this an exception.
BSP 4th National Jamboree
My Senior Class Advisor/My Mentor
The Expectations
FAITH, RELIGIOUS & CIVIC OBSERVANCES
Religion
Holy Week
Fiesta
Sambat
Hugos
Kalag-kalag
Sta Cruzan - Rayna-rayna...
Sta Cruzan - Luthang/Lantaka
Flores de Mayo
Funeral
PASSED-DOWN...TRADITIONS, FOLKLORES
Minagso-on
FOREVER YOUNG
Growing up as a teenager in the 1960s meant coming of age during a time of energy, uncertainty, and change.
Music was not just entertainment - it was a statement, blasting from radios and record players and shaping how teens dressed, talked, and saw the world.
There was still innocence in hanging out with friends, singing The Beatles, The BeeGees, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, and countless others, but it was mixed with growing awareness that the world was shifting, and that young people had a voice in shaping what came next.
The Coming Of Age
Fashion
Harana
Kun Ako Ang Mani-id
Bayle
Inum
Manukos
COLLEGE
College, here I come!
Cebu, the Queen City of the south!
A Workhorse!
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES? or BLESSINGS-IN-DISGUISE?
Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA)
Philippine Military Academy (PMA)
MY ATLAS MINING DAYS
Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation (ACMDC) was founded in 1955.
When I was hired in 1976, ACMDC was the second largest copper mine in the world - second only to Chile, in South America. Located in Lutopan (later renamed Don Andres Soriano - DAS, after the founder of ACMDC), Toledo City, was the largest employer in the province of Cebu.
I have learned heaps of things in my five years of employment, both as Electrical Draftsman and Computer Programmer, met many co-workers turned friends, whom I still maintain contact, albeit seldom.
Carmen Project
Electronic Data Processing
The daily 4PM walk to...
GOING TO FRONTIERS WHERE FEW HAVE GONE BEFORE
Going To Frontiers Where Few Have Gone Before
NEW ZEALAND Aotearoa (The Land of Long Clouds)
Torn Between Gratitude and Opportunity
MY AMERICAN DREAM
Could This Be Just A Pipe Dream?
The New Zealand Option
A Dream Come True
The Road Warrior
The Clients
THE PRIVILEGED GRANDFATHER
Being a privileged grandpa is not about wealth, status, or possessions.
It's about the rare and beautiful opportunity to witness life continue through the laughter, curiosity and dreams of granchildren.
As a grandpa, I feel privileged in understanding that each moment spent with them - whether telling stories, sharing simple lessons or just listening - is a gift that only time can offer.
I carry the wisdom of many years but learn again to see the world with clear eyes through my grandchildren.
Their questions and curiosity bring back forgotten wonders, and their small achievements feel like great victories.
In their presence, I remember that love, patience and kindness are the most precious things I can pass on.
More than anything else, I'm being grateful - to be there for their birthdays, their first day of kindergarten, for a walk to their school bus stop, their recitals, playful afternoons, quiet conversations, and for the chance to guide them without controlling.
It's the joy of knowing that while time moves forward, a part of my heart continues to grow in the lives of my grandchildren.
In the end, I realize that the greatest privilege of all is not what I give to my grandchildren, but the happiness and meaning they bring into my life.
Alexander Emmanuel
Jeremiah (Dodong-Booba)
Jesse Noah
Olivia Melissa
Lexi Jean
Joslynn Amaya
MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THESE
A Catastrophy
But, Lolo you are also a boss
Not that way Tata!
Shopping, basketball & billiard with the Princess!
I see the moon... La Mar..
No twinkle twinkle Lolo..
Olivia's first day of Kindergarten
Lexi's first day of Library Class
My weekend sleepover buddies..
Anino ni Lolo..Lolo's shadow..
You are not listening, Lolo..
Do you have family Lolo? We are family right Lolo?..
Mga apo ni Lolo/Lolo's treasures 0..
Mga apo ni Lolo/Lolo's treasures 1..
Missed Opportunity..
MY 40-YEAR WAIT
On The Way To My Redemption
On The Day Of My Redemption
RETIRED BUT NOT TIRED
The day my faith in my fellow Aloranons was strengthened to the core!
EVERY PLACE VISITED..IS A PRIVILEGE!
Philippines - Baguio City
Philippines - Bantayan Island, Cebu 0
Philippines - Bantayan Island, Cebu 1
Philippines - Bicol Region
Philippines - Bohol 0
Philippines - Bohol 1
Philippines - Boracay Island, Aklan
Philippines - Caluya Shrine, Sapang Dalaga, Mis Occ
Philippines - Cebu City Shrine & Landmarks
Philippines - Cebu City Siraw Flower Garden
Philippines - Cebu City TOPS
Philippines - Cebu City Temple of Leah
Philippines - Cebu City Fort San Pedro
Philippines - Cebu San Remegio
Philippines - Coron Island, Palawan
Philippines - Dapitan City Rizal Shrine, Zambo Norte
Philippines - Guimaras Island, Guimaras
Philippines - Hoyohoy, Tangub City, Mis Occ 0
Philippines - Hoyohoy, Tangub City, Mis Occ 1
Philippines - Ilocos Region 0
Philippines - Ilocos Region 1
Philippines - Ilocos Region 2
Philippines - Ilocos Region 3
Philippines - Ilocos Region 4
Philippines - Ilocos Region 5
Philippines - Ilocos Region 6
Philippines - Iloilo Iloilo City
Philippines - Iloilo Garin Farm
Philippines - Iloilo San Juaquin
Philippines - Kahakay Resort, Conat, Aloran, Mis Occ
Philippines - Leyte MacArthur Shrine
Philippines - Leyte Merida Loloy Caras/Lisa
Philippines - Leyte Matalom Nanay Babes
Philippines - Leyte Tacloban City
Philippines - Manila
Philippines - Don Vic Mis Occ/Osmena Zamboanga del Norte
Philippines - Zamboanga Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte
Philippines - Zamboanga Peninsula
Austria - Vienna 0
Austria - Vienna 1
Austria - Halstaat
Austria - Salzburg
Bahamas
Belgium - Bruges
Cambodia
Canada - Quebeck
China - Zhangjiajie
China - Shanghai
China - Guangzhou
China - Macau
China - Beijing Forbidden City
China - Beijing Great Wall
China - Beijing Tiananmen Square
China - Beijing Temple of the Sky
China - Beijing Olympic Village
China - Taiwan
France - Nice
France - Monaco
France - Monaco Monte Carlo
France - Paris
Indonesia - Bali 0
Indonesia - Bali 1
Italy - Florence
Italy - Napoli
Italy - Pisa Livorno
Italy - Pompei
Italy - Positano
Italy - Rome
Italy - Venice
Japan - Tokyo 0
Japan - Tokyo 1
Japan - Tokyo 2
Netherlands - Amsterdam
Spain - Barcelona, Catalonya 0
Spain - Barcelona, Catalonya 1
Spain - Montserrat
Spain - Palma Majorca
Spain - Tibidabo
Spain - Valldemossa
Thailand - Bangkok
Turkiye - Istanbul 0
Turkiye - Istanbul 1
Turkiye - Cappadocia - Air Balloon-ride
Turkiye - Cappadocia - Cave Hotel
Turkiye - Cappadocia - Cave/Underground City 0
Turkiye - Cappadocia - Cave/Underground City 1
Turkiye - Ephesus 0
Turkiye - Ephesus 1
Turkiye - Ephesus 2
Turkiye - Ephesus 3
Turkiye - Ankara
Turkiye - Kanakkale/Troy
Turkiye - Salt Lake
Turkiye - Bosphorus Strait Cruise 0
Turkiye - Bosphorus Strait Cruise 1
UK - London 0
UK - London 1
UK - London 2
UK - London 3
UK - London 4
US - New York Niagara Falls
US - New York Kittatinny/Delaware River
Vietnam - Ho Chi Mihn City (Saigon)
Vietnam - Da Nang (Friendship Bridge)
Vietnam - Da Nang (River Cruise)
Vietnam - Da Nang (Dragon Bridge)
Vietnam - Da Nang (Tricycle ride/Pink Church)
Vietnam - Da Nang (Cultural Show)
Vietnam - Da Nang (Coconut Boat Ride)
Vietnam - Da Nang (Beach)
Vietnam - Da Nang (Bana Hill)
Vietnam - Hanoi
Vietnam - Halong Bay (Speedboat ride!)
Vietnam - Halong (Hang Sot Cave)
Vietnam - Halong Bay (Cruise!)
Vietnam - Halong Bay (City Night Tour)
Vietnam - Sapa/Fansipan
THE FAMILY DYNAMICS
Family dynamics are said to be the subtle forces that shape...
IN MY TWILIGHT
I sometimes wonder what might have happened if I had done the things I thought I should have, not the things that I did anyway, without thinking of the consequences.
Maybe the path would have been smoother, or maybe it would have taught me a different kind of lesson.
If it wasn't smoother, what different lesson would have taught me?, the truth is, I'll never know - only that the choice I made brought me here, with its own mix of loss, growth, and quiet understanding
WHAT IF?