Dear Loved Ones,

Pleasant Greetings from Sacramento, CA! May you all celebrated Valentine’s with joyful love and thankfulness with your loved ones, physically near or even miles apart. Gladly, on V day, all my loved ones called up, including family, nephews and cousins – truly love in the air!

On our monthly Catholic Lunch Club held on February 19 at the Radisson, the guest speaker was Larry Schauf, Federal Prosecutor and active on the Shroud of Turin Education and Research Association. His presentation was very interesting – The Shroud : On Trial – both sides of the prosecution and defense; the Facts: The Image, The History, The Science. It answered such queries: Is the Shroud of Turin the burial cloth of Christ or a medieval forgery? Amid all the sensationalism and hype, what are the facts? What does the evidence say? Based on the testimony of world renowned shroud experts, the prosecutor presented arguments for and against it’s authenticity in the context of a federal trial. As a jury, the audience voted on the final verdict. The Shroud of Turin is the priceless shroud of Christ! Personally, with my strong Faith, there is no need for any evidence to convince me /prove the reality of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! However, the Shroud is a welcome affirmation of our Catholic Church as founded by Christ – One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic - based on Scriptures and Traditions!

An added feature in our Bible study class is the sharing of snacks – solid and liquids, sponsored by 2 persons each session, before we view the video. It provides for more camaraderie and cheerfulness among attendees. We feel closer to one another though I have to miss some sessions as I embark on a 1-month vacation to Pinas on Feb. 21.

Dateline Pinas: Thank God for a smooth flight on Feb. 21 from SFO to Pinas via Narita onboard DELTA airlines for a 1 month vacation. Itinerary include 2 weeks in Manila, 10 days in Bohol, then back to Manila before flying back to SFO on March 21. The first week of arrival, I embarked on getting business updates in the office, prepared documentation for my filing of retirement from the SSS, Pag-ibig, renewing my Pinoy driver’s license and other senior citizen benefits. Going around through the various government offices, complying with the red tape requirements brought reality check that I am back in Pinas, with many replicated tasks of getting many photos for various IDs, which could have been addressed by the SSN in the U.S. For my driver’s license alone, I sat in for 3 poses – Drug test, medical, then license itself, with corresponding fees. I paid PHP 1000.00 for my license.

Evenings of Feb 26 was spent on dinner reunion with USAT Engineering 1970 batch mates at the Q.C. Sports club with 30+ attendees. Sponsored by 5 of us balikbayans. Then on the 27th was the UST Grand Engineering 2010 Alumni Homecoming held at the Plaza Mayor UST grounds where we got medals being Ruby (40th) jubilarians. The event was hosted by the silver (1985) jubilarians. They did a great job at organizing – interesting attendees (50th, 45th, 40th, 35th, etc. jubilarians), delicious food, marvelous entertainment, energetic dancing, culminated with fireworks. Great to be with Lin with hubby Dan, Loida (as we did in 2005), and now with Dolly and Emma with hubby Bill, and with my own hubby Gerry. Before going to the grounds, had a reunion with Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. at the Chapel area, and attended anticipated Mass at their air-conditioned Chapel. I am still adjusting to the ‘sweltering afternoon heat’ climate in Pinas which had induced my colds and cough.

Sunday Feb 28, Gerry and I went to Mass again at our Good Shepherd parish church (air-conditioned too), before we had lunch at Tong Yang SM Fairview, with our CFC friends Grace Cruz, Jack and Tess Gelvezon; had fun updating on each others’ lives, before shopping for fruits at the Hypermart. Some observations: SM had gone on / over-reached to complex mega-mall heights, displacing small businesses in the neighborhood. Sobra na! More on my Pinas journey later!

Attached are 2 photos each of: Eng’g 1970 batch reunion (me in black), and at UST Grand 2010 Homecoming event (with our medals, me in pink). Let us continue to pray for our country and people. Peace and Joy to You and God Bless Us All!

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG