June 30, 2007
Dear Loved Ones,
Happy, happy birthday to my grandson MAX BERNARD! He will be 5 yrs old on July 3.
Thank God I am back in Sacramento and work after a week’s rest due to severe colds - change in climate and hectic activities in Pinas. The trip was very fruitful, achieved my objectives – memorable celebration of 33rd wedding anniversary, trip to Bohol, bonding with husband, relatives and friends, photo-op with Senator Chiz Escudero and many more!
On June2, as specified by Fr. Ed O.P., we were 10 at the Bahay Dominiko Chapel (altar has relics of Dominican saints) for our renewal/thanksgiving Mass – very solemn, intimate, joyful, made special with ‘sharings’ by Fr. Ed and friends – Lito and Estrel Mendoza (Opus Dei), Couples for Christ (Gammy and Grace Cruz, Jack and Tess Gelvezon, Vivian Velez) and Tony Palenzuela. We are truly blessed to have them as companions in our life journey. At dinner later at Saisaki, we were joined by other close friends – Fr. Art Dingel, Carl Aquino and family, Tess and Chito Santiago, my classmate Sally and Vic Velarde, OD circle Cynthia and Ingrid, Agnes and Luis, Ed Evangelista, Arlene M. and office staff. My assistant Jessica made room reservation for minimum 30, but more confirmed. After the joyful celebraton, picture-taking, the attendees count was exactly 30 - God Bless the accuracy! And thanks all for your love!
Then came our week-end Bohol trip (June 9) to be wedding sponsors of Jasper and Elsa (based in New York). We were amazed at the development of Bohol tourism – flights overbooked with group/corporate tours. We checked in at Metro Center Hotel to prepare for the afterlunch event in Tagbilaran. It was a ‘big’ wedding with grand reception, family members many balikbayans from the U.S.; then enjoyed a spa body massage to culminate the day. We also attended the clan reunion luncheon the following day in Panglao. We had many discoveries and realizations in Bohol – Gerry decided to retire there and firmed up a plan to invest in a business with my Kuya Rudy, God willing!
One of my mission was to convert assets into cash like stocks, bonds, insurance, real estate. We figured that our children Sarah and Sean who are both in the U.S. would not have to hassle to claim, when we move on. Gerry and I carried out the processes for some days. One day we parked our vehicle at Insular Life (Paseo de Roxas in Makati), walked to Enterprise Bldg, then to PCI Towers(Makati/Gil Puyat Ave.), then to Citibank (Makati Av.), then to RCBC Plaza (Ayala/Gil Puyat Ave.), and back to Insular, in order to file the claims; a few days later, back to the same routine to get the checks. We enjoyed the walking and bonding, it was worth it - as we shared the proceeds! We got 90% of the face value of our insurance (Insular and Sunlife); got a windfall from our Meralco B stocks which I bought at 27 P/share and sold at 97 P/share. Cashouts from other investments made on PNB, Petron, PLDT, PhilamMutual were good too. The experience of enjoying the fruits of investments for ourselves, is quite a blessing!
One downside was the discovery for Gerry (I insisted on his physical/medical checkup) that he had high blood sugar – we are both diabetic, so we now speak of the same concerns – medication, exercise, diet. We are truly soulmates!
Other highlights: Get-togethers with various friends - Lunch with NVSC partners Ozone and Arlene at Italianis(Gateway), Dinner with CFC friends Gammy and Grace, Jack and Tess and Vivian at Ayuthaya(Thai), Lunch with OD Cythia, Mon and Tess at Shabu-shabu(The Block-SM); tour around Eng’g/UST grounds with Fr. Art; overnight stay at Sofitel/Phil Plaza Hotel to go shopping at SM AsiaMall; dental check-up with Dr. Ariel Santos; conversations with Dr. Rudy de Lara, VP Vicky Naval, Cora Ignacio, Margie del Rosario; and picture-taking with Senator Chiz. This was totally unexpected. On June 14, Gerry and I had breakfast at his Figaro Cafe (Senator Chiz usually comes in the evenings). Suddenly Sen. Chiz entered. After congratulating him, we had the photo-op. What a fitting climax to my Pinas visit! Three photos posted in my blog are: 1) at the Chapel Dominiko; 2) at the Saisaki; 3) with Sen. Chiz.
Dear Loved Ones,
Happy, happy birthday to my grandson MAX BERNARD! He will be 5 yrs old on July 3.
Thank God I am back in Sacramento and work after a week’s rest due to severe colds - change in climate and hectic activities in Pinas. The trip was very fruitful, achieved my objectives – memorable celebration of 33rd wedding anniversary, trip to Bohol, bonding with husband, relatives and friends, photo-op with Senator Chiz Escudero and many more!
On June2, as specified by Fr. Ed O.P., we were 10 at the Bahay Dominiko Chapel (altar has relics of Dominican saints) for our renewal/thanksgiving Mass – very solemn, intimate, joyful, made special with ‘sharings’ by Fr. Ed and friends – Lito and Estrel Mendoza (Opus Dei), Couples for Christ (Gammy and Grace Cruz, Jack and Tess Gelvezon, Vivian Velez) and Tony Palenzuela. We are truly blessed to have them as companions in our life journey. At dinner later at Saisaki, we were joined by other close friends – Fr. Art Dingel, Carl Aquino and family, Tess and Chito Santiago, my classmate Sally and Vic Velarde, OD circle Cynthia and Ingrid, Agnes and Luis, Ed Evangelista, Arlene M. and office staff. My assistant Jessica made room reservation for minimum 30, but more confirmed. After the joyful celebraton, picture-taking, the attendees count was exactly 30 - God Bless the accuracy! And thanks all for your love!
Then came our week-end Bohol trip (June 9) to be wedding sponsors of Jasper and Elsa (based in New York). We were amazed at the development of Bohol tourism – flights overbooked with group/corporate tours. We checked in at Metro Center Hotel to prepare for the afterlunch event in Tagbilaran. It was a ‘big’ wedding with grand reception, family members many balikbayans from the U.S.; then enjoyed a spa body massage to culminate the day. We also attended the clan reunion luncheon the following day in Panglao. We had many discoveries and realizations in Bohol – Gerry decided to retire there and firmed up a plan to invest in a business with my Kuya Rudy, God willing!
One of my mission was to convert assets into cash like stocks, bonds, insurance, real estate. We figured that our children Sarah and Sean who are both in the U.S. would not have to hassle to claim, when we move on. Gerry and I carried out the processes for some days. One day we parked our vehicle at Insular Life (Paseo de Roxas in Makati), walked to Enterprise Bldg, then to PCI Towers(Makati/Gil Puyat Ave.), then to Citibank (Makati Av.), then to RCBC Plaza (Ayala/Gil Puyat Ave.), and back to Insular, in order to file the claims; a few days later, back to the same routine to get the checks. We enjoyed the walking and bonding, it was worth it - as we shared the proceeds! We got 90% of the face value of our insurance (Insular and Sunlife); got a windfall from our Meralco B stocks which I bought at 27 P/share and sold at 97 P/share. Cashouts from other investments made on PNB, Petron, PLDT, PhilamMutual were good too. The experience of enjoying the fruits of investments for ourselves, is quite a blessing!
One downside was the discovery for Gerry (I insisted on his physical/medical checkup) that he had high blood sugar – we are both diabetic, so we now speak of the same concerns – medication, exercise, diet. We are truly soulmates!
Other highlights: Get-togethers with various friends - Lunch with NVSC partners Ozone and Arlene at Italianis(Gateway), Dinner with CFC friends Gammy and Grace, Jack and Tess and Vivian at Ayuthaya(Thai), Lunch with OD Cythia, Mon and Tess at Shabu-shabu(The Block-SM); tour around Eng’g/UST grounds with Fr. Art; overnight stay at Sofitel/Phil Plaza Hotel to go shopping at SM AsiaMall; dental check-up with Dr. Ariel Santos; conversations with Dr. Rudy de Lara, VP Vicky Naval, Cora Ignacio, Margie del Rosario; and picture-taking with Senator Chiz. This was totally unexpected. On June 14, Gerry and I had breakfast at his Figaro Cafe (Senator Chiz usually comes in the evenings). Suddenly Sen. Chiz entered. After congratulating him, we had the photo-op. What a fitting climax to my Pinas visit! Three photos posted in my blog are: 1) at the Chapel Dominiko; 2) at the Saisaki; 3) with Sen. Chiz.
Thanks to all who spent time/resources to be with us, your love is greatly appreciated! I have an interesting case study of elections in Panglao. Let us continue to pray for our country and people - Peace and Joy to You. God Bless us all!!!Much love and Best Regards!!!
SUSAN BG
For my complete journals, please visit www.sbgerardo.blogspot.com Thank you!
