Summer Outing

I remember a song by Billy Idol that goes like this:

"Hot in the City, Hot in the city tonight, tonight!"

It's really hot and it's summer!!! This year's family outing was at the Island Cove, Cavite. Everybody, the kids specially had fun, given the fact that their cousins from Qatar arrived for the summer vacation. This years' outing was the first without my mother in law who passed away last year.

Here's to share the fun from the Island Cove!

Another Reunion!

Cousin Josephine informed me about the 1st year death anniversary of her Mom - Aunt Loring, and loving wife to Uncle Pepito who also passed away early this year. I would say that this also marks the 1st year of knowing my long lost relatives, hehe!

We arrived late, ok!

Last night was another mark. I finally met Uncle Nando Sumangil who arrived from San Diego, California a few days ago. He is the younger brother of Uncle Onie (based in Texas) whom I have been communicating thru e-mail and Uncle Tito (Minesotta), father to Eric Sumangil.

Other relatives were there namely, Rico and kids (cousin Josephine's family), Emil Sumangil and wife Michelle, Uncle Lito and Mila Santarinala and their son Don (of Concrete Sam Band), so with Untie Nora and Uncle Romy to name a few...

Reunion

I had mixed emotions at that night of July 26. It was the premiere night of our film Haw-Ang (Before Harvest) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in time for the opening of the annual Cinemalaya Film Festival. And it was also the scheduled reunion with my HR colleagues from my former employer--- NEXTEL Communications Philippines, Inc. A company I joined some five years back...

I chose to be with my NEXTEL folks!

We were so glad to see each other again! Former workmates -- Bobet Tarnate, Ronnie Soriano, Cecile Nanas, Bheng Laserna, Eden Florencio, JM Tabobo, Tess Ching, Val Cagsawa, Nancy dela Pena, Hazel Camacho and Torto and another lady (who joined the company after I left). And Of course Roy Evalle, our former boss. We missed the following: Tris Alcanites (who is now in New Zealand with his family), Dino (whom I wasn't sure if he was informed about the gathering at all), Roselle, Mike Lazo, Nino, Manny Constantino, Neric Pagcalinauan, Fe Gutana and Bing Manlapaz.

Each one had their stories to tell. Bobet Tarnate now manages a publishing firm. Ronnie now holds a high HR position for a major bank. Cecile, JM, Eden and Hazel works for different business process outsource (BPO) firms. Bheng is now with an international insurance company. Val with another bank. Nancy still works with Roy. And I manage my own...

Tris chose to migrate to NZ. Dino on the other hand also holds a high position in a manufacturing firm in a nearby province. Manny trains people in a leading bank. Fe is connected with another BPO and Nino manages his own car works business. I have not heard of Roselle, Mike, Neric and Bing, though.

It was also the despedida party for Roy who is joining another "big" company soon. Ronnie's choral group graced the occasion with their heart-warming kind of music...

Pictures ... pictures ... pictures!

The night was just so short so we planned to meet again, soon!