Dear Loved Ones,
Pleasant
Greetings from Sac, CA, USA! The first half of the month covers the 2nd part of
my Pinas sojourn (June 10 – July 14, while the 2nd half of the month
was back to reality in sweet home
Sacramento, after our Hawaiian holidays!
Sean’s
arrival in Manila via Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines was anticipated with
excitement, after 7 years of being away from Pinas for his US college education
at CA State Univ Sac for his Accounting degree and 2 years work at EDD. The
welcoming party was led by his Ate Jessica on her Isuzu Sportivo with driver
Obet, who also served me on important functions for which I am grateful always!
From his airport arrival at 6pm, we had dinner at Alex’s for the favorite
7-course Japanese meal. The next day, after his 1st office visit, Sean
treated his Claret mates and teachers for Jap dinner buffet at Wacky Mix
Trinoma, under heavy rains/floods.
Wednesday, between vehicle coding slots, we visited Citibank Greenhills for new
USD/PH accounts and investments. Then Sean continued with his Claret reunions
and treats. The joke was that he was fulfilling some ‘wish ko lang’
commitments, thanks GOD!
July 5 was my 9am appointment
for my Pinas passport renewal and with complete support staff work by Kaye, I
breezed through the DFA complex, finished the entire process before 10am, using
the senior citizen lane – truly very advantageous – more power Pinas! Sean
continued with his reunion escapades, scouring the Makati, the Fort, Ocean park
Manila area – had so much fun rediscovering Pinas, with all new amenities!
Friday July 6 was a big day for Fairview Shipping on its expanded office
blessing: started with 11am Mass by Fr. B, blessing with coins/bills tossing on
all rooms of the 3-stories, 2-units expanded office; sumptuous lunch of lechon,
chicken, shrimps, oysters, pancit, veggies, salads, cakes, and more for over
50 guests; followed by karaoke till
midnight participated by everyone present. Another great news was that Pinas is
now a lending country extending USD 5billion to economically strapped European
countries. Fairview Shipping’s status is a good example of economic prosperity experienced
in Pinas, Thanks GOD! We are extremely grateful for being instruments as our
life-mission in upgrading economic stature for our countrymen.
Other highlights for the month:
·
With office staff having lunch together, I used some minutes to
inculcate in them work ethics, values, and performance standards expected from
them; using Sean’s performance evaluation of 99.25%, I cited factors on which
their individual ratings will be benchmarked;
·
1st week-end was hectic: We visited our Fairview home; Sean
reunited with friends Jumbo, JR, Ge, and Yves – they all have grown up; we all
had lunch at Maximix. While Gerry and I watched Amazing Spiderman 3, Sean
bonded more with the guys. We rested for a while at El Jardin before our 6:00p
dinner appointment with Capt. Palenzuela’s family at Annabelle’s. Wonderful to
be with them: wife Lucy, daughter Malou, husband and 2 daughters with 3 nannies;
shared family updates, and glad to know that Tony and Lucy are set to
US-migrate on July 29; welcome to CA!
·
On Sunday, we had lunch with Manang Nene and Bing Manglicmot at their
Madasalin residence; this couple had been very supportive of us from the start
– our wedding, over the years with Sarah and Sean, even following up on our
whereabouts – thank you!
·
As arranged by Fr. B, we attended the 7:00p Mass at the St. Pio Shrine
at Eastwood, met up with the Santiagos. The church is truly impressive, with
relics, testimonials of healings, and more amenities. During offertory, Yssa
sang with a soothing, amazing voice! Later, we met up with her family, though
declined our dinner invitation. Our group (Fr. B. Gerry, Sean, myself and the
Santiagos – Tess, Chito, Yumi and Dr. Darchy) enjoyed Jap buffet at Sumbokojin
Eastwood;
·
As Gerry planned, we checked in at Sofitel Hotel on Tuesday, to do our
shopping at MOA; met up for Singaporean dinner with Gammy and Grace Cruz, Babes
Velez; Sean rendezvoused with friends, shopped for Magic Sing, and many more;
we truly enjoyed our stint at Sofitel with nice amenities;
·
Great news for Sean: on June 11, he received the message from EDD bosses
that he got the Tax Auditor III position he coveted – wonderful to get while on
your vacation, what a blessing
·
We left Manila evening of July 12 for Honolulu, joined tours including a
boat dinner cruise and show with Lani Misalucha; visited the Pearl Harbor
Arizona shrine, city tours, dinner at P F Chang’s, walks along Waikiki beach, more
shopping; then left for Sacramento evening of July 15, arriving safely home -
THANKS GOD for a great, fun and fruitful vacation!!!
Attached are 4 photos during
our July vacation in Pinas. 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
