Fare Thee Well, Lolo...

Hello blog world!

I regret to start this post on a rather sad, sad note. 

You guys know how I've been visiting my grandfather in the hospital since May. I wouldn't go into details of what was his illness because I can't, even if you ask me to. All you have to know is that he suffered during the last 3 months. For a while, he responded well to the treatments and was even given permission to go home and continue medication there. However, just 3 weeks later, he was back in the ICU. 

And last September 3, he finally went. :( Needless to say, I'm very sad. Partly because I don't want him to go. But frankly, it's time. He lived 86 good, long years. And the last 3 months were just too painful to witness. I'm sad mainly because I will really miss my dear lolo. :( Nothing could have prepared me for the sadness I felt when I found out the news.

   

Professional life: My lolo was a colonel in the army. Actually, he's the head of dentistry of all Philippine Army, Navy, the Marines and Air Force. He's a smart one, finishing 4th in the dental board exams. I'm very proud to be his grandchild. (Too bad I didn't inherit his brains though. Hehe.)

Colonel Iñigo F. Farrales, Jr. Lolo to me! :)

In Baguio.

Looking good!

During a dental mission in Congo, Africa.

Coming back from the mission in 1961.

My lolo at work.

He made sure all the army had perfect smiles! Hehe.

Check out my lolo's "kisme" hair ala Superman!

This was the latest photo of grandpa before he had the stroke. He was being promoted as Chief AFP in dental. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to assume the position because he fell sick. Eventually, he had to retire.

Family life: I thank lolo for giving me and my brother the best dad in the whole world as well as awesome aunts and uncle!

Lola and lolo on their wedding. :)

The Farrales family sans my dad. He wasn't born yet!

With the eldest, my uncle Ed! 

They are finally re-united up there. :)

There's my dad popping in my lolo's photo!

Another photo of my dad ruining the moment. Uh-oh lolo's not pleased. Hehe.

At their Fort Bonifacio home. My dad has sumpong!

The Farrales family complete with my dad!

It still feels weird with my lolo gone. Whenever we visit my lolo in their family home in IVS Marikina, it's customary for us (especially the grandchildren) to go in his room first to mano and kiss him on the cheek. (He had the stroke when he was 56 you see, which caused one part of his body to be paralyzed. He had to spend most of his time laying in bed.)

But you know what though? Even if he spent the last 3 months of his life in pain, I know he went very happy. Why? I will let you know on my next post. :)

Toodles for now! :*

Some Family Fun Today

Today, I hung out with my 20 year old cousin Mike from the States who's here for a week long visit. It's his last day today so me and the boyfriend took him sight seeing.

A very important question: Where to take him? This can be tricky since:

• Although me and Mike are cousins, we weren't exactly close in terms of relating to each other because we're so far apart and the last time I saw him was like 4 or 5 years ago so I have no idea what his interests are. I needed a place that offers a lot of activities.

• He's a guy so I'm thinking "What do guys love to do in common?" Drink? Smoke? Holla at some chicks? Yikes. (Good thing the boyfriend has a day off from work so he was able to come along.) The place had to have venues for these activities as well.

However, when I asked him if he wanted to do something in particular, he just shrugged and said, "Whatever you guys do on a daily basis."

With that I decided to take him to...Bonifacio High Street. Haha. Well for one thing, it's new. I'm pretty sure he hasn't gone there during his previous visits. For another, the place has a very nice view. We took a lot of pictures for him to show his friends back home. But more importantly, it's sprawling with shops, restaurants, bars and people. We had fun walking around, looking at shop windows, taking pictures, observing people and just talking. In a matter of minutes, all awkwardness between us died and before we knew it, we were all laughing and talking like old friends. I guess with family, it's natural to just relate well--despite the distance.


Funny story (or not). On our way back to the parking area, we were halted by a couple of models doing a promotion thing for Fox channel. It's a photo contest of some sort, where joiners are asked to pose creatively against a 3D Fox logo standee (or whatever it's called). I decided to register us just for the heck of it. But after 3 poses (lame ones I might add), we all agreed that those were the most embarrassing and excruciating 25 minutes of our lives--standing there and thinking of what pose to do next while all the people behind the promotion were waiting, pretending to be patient with us. I mean, come on! There's only so much you can do with a 3-letter standee. At least we gave it a shot. Haha.

*By the way, the winner of the most creative pose gets a free iPad so visit their site to find out more about the mechanics -- > So Manila So Fox I can't wait to see our photos posted online. I'm totally kidding. I can wait.

Oh. The boys gave the arcades a try as well. They played shooting games while I took their photos.


We had to head home by then because we have a dinner with the rest of the family but me and the boyfriend promised to take Mike to Eastwood City afterward for coffee or dessert.

We met Brizie and Albert for that so Mike could loosen up some more. We went to Eastwood City in Libis and after going around and taking more photos, we finally sat down to down some beers--to make this evening more worth it. (All coffee/dessert plans were thrown out the window.) Haha. It was pretty cool seeing my cousin hanging out and laughing with my friends. I truly had fun.


To be honest, although I was all up for taking my cousin around, I also had my apprehensions for doing so. Aside from those mentioned above, it was mostly because I was afraid he won't have fun. Given that he grew up in the States, our ideal activities here might not be as exciting as what he's used to there--being Westernized and all. A typical hang out day for me would consist of a movie, a dinner and maybe 6 bottles of beers. However, seeing my cousin laugh and take pictures of things around him made me believe that he had fun as well. It made me realize that he wasn't after the typical things he does in the States--he wanted something DIFFERENT and REFRESHING. I mean I would, if someday I get to visit him in L.A. Fact is, he didn't grow up here but is technically Filipino so almost everything is of interest for him (even if he had been here several times already)--like how girls dress, how we talk casually, the traffic (which he described as awesome) and other things. I'm happy I was able to show him around for an "update," even if it didn't last long. And big thanks to my friends and boyfriend for being such good sports and coming along! I know Mike had more fun because we were a group. :)

In exactly an hour, he and his mom would be on their way to the airport to board a plane back home. I'll surely look forward to the next time Mike pays the Philippines a visit.

For now, here's wishing them a safe trip! :)

Thomas Frank

Here are recent photos of Thomas Frank, the cutest baby in the world! *I'm his aunt and godmother in one and that gives me every right to claim that he is. Haha.*

These were taken last Sunday.

Hugs and kisses, TF! :-*

Weekends of March: Weekend 3

Spent Saturday of the third weekend with the fambam. It was one of my godson's 1st birthday and we're invited! Free McDonald's for the win! Aside from the food, there were games and...wait for it...mascots! Aww. Childhood I miss!

Me and baby Rhamiel :)


Ballooooooon!


Ben 10!

I ended the day with a workout at Gold's Gym with the big brother. Gotta lose them unwanted pounds!

Sunday was clean-my-room day. Operation clutter away!

Uhm it wasn't exactly what you'd call a stellar weekend but being with my family and spending time at home is quite rare so it's good enough for me. :)