Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Manila, Philippines! So blessed to be enjoying my continuous sojourn in Pinas with many wonderful surprises, and magic moments, building up beautiful memories! Much Thanks GOD!

One memorable event was the 79^th UST Graduate School Alumni Homecoming 0n March 11, where I was one of the awardees of the  6^th St Antoninus of Florence Award as Outstanding Alumni, given only every 10 years. St. Antoninus is the patron-saint of the UST Graduate School. I was so humbled to share the prestigious Award with other awardees like Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Hon. Sec. Regina Paz Lopez, Carmela ‘Mel’ Tiangco, among others. Printed on the Souvenir Program, opposite my photo, as follows: ENGR. SUSAN B. GERARDO, Ph. D. obtained her degrees in B.S. Civil Engineering (19700, Master of Business Administration (1996), and Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce (2000), UST. She has a total of 45 years of work experience both local and international, encompassing diverse levels of work functions such as education, training and development, projects management, communications, marine transportation in the fields of engineering, education, global business and management, among others. She was the founder and organizer of the Fairview Shipping in 1997, and is currently its chairperson and president managing 30 international vessels benefitting about 1,000 families earning US dollars for the Philippine economy. The award was a total surprise, timely that I was present in Pinas to receive it. The process how I got it is a happy anecdote in itself, and I just basked in those joyful moments – truly GOD is GREAT!!!

On March 15, I joined the Opus Group of ladies on a Pilgrimage to Pililla, Tanay, and Antipolo, Rizal. We left at 5:45 AM from the Dela Strada Shrine in Katipunan on a new, comfortable JBL bus. First stop was the 225 MW Windpower towers in Pililla; then to the Regina Rosarii Contemplative Shrine of our Lady run by the Dominican sisters atop the mountains of Tanay9 (breathtaking site of beautiful mountain ranges so ideal for meditation and prayers where we attended Mass at 11:00 AM, followed by lunch at Paseo Rizal, delicious array of native food, with soothing piano melodies entertaining us; we also marveled at the Art gallery and gift shop called ‘Kalingang Pilipino’; then we proceeded to the Tanay Church of San Ildefonso de Toledo parish, visit to the Blessed Sacrament, listened to a short talk about the 400 years old church housing a relic of a piece of bone of San Ildefonso; then to Antipolo to the PINTO Art Museum where we saw and appreciate art and culture through the massive collection of paintings, sculptures and interiors inspired by local artists, sitting on a 1.3 hectare property known as Silangan Gardens, all white structures with Italian ambiance.

On the business aspect kept busy with visiting Japanese executives including M. Yorozu, Ueda, Jin Watanabe, Y. Watanabe SANS. We held a confidential meeting with Yorozu, Gerry, and myself on strategic plans for expanding FSAC business operations as they are bent on acquiring bigger real properties for upgraded business. GOD, Please help us!!!

Visited my home province of Bohol, May 21 – 24, where I checked in at the Metro Centre Hotel. Upon Arrival, I had a meeting with my lawyer, Atty. Benjie Arcamo, as we planned strategy to handle the case on Valenzuela property in Panglao, called cousins Judge and Demie A.; the next day met with Kuya Rudy and wife Salia, where he surprised me with the PHP 0.70 M check instead of the promised PHP 0.10 M amount. What a welcome surprise (big difference)! In reciprosity, I treated them (Kuya, Salia, Joan, Efren, and Babie for lunch at GERARDA’S, Tagbilaran’s fine dining place. During my stay, I enjoyed Pilipino breakfast, meals at Chowking, shopping at Altura’s. On Friday, Efren fetched me to visit Panglao, my hometown, visited my parent’s grave, beach, our San Agustin church, and environs. Our old church, which used to be covered with moss and darkened green, was acid washed to reveal the original marble block of white stones reminiscent of grand churches in Milan and Rome – truly magnificent Romanesque style! I was so fortunate to have C/Engr Efren as my photographer and driver. We also dropped by the home of Fr. Felix Hora who also joined us for lunh at the home of Efren and Babie, before they packed my entire luggage with bringhouse for Gerry.

 

Other highlights for the month:

·      Continued with my meetings with various friends: birthday lunch with Cora I., Cora Centeno, and Aida Macabasco; lunch meeting with Agnes Robles and nephew Luis Florendo at MESA, Robinson’s Magnolia;

·      Movies watched for free on Mondays / Tuesdays are: The Guardians. Produced and starred by Russians, Baka Bukas, starring pretty ladies with  lesbian opening out theme, Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson,  a British production, and the Last Word, starring Shirley Maclaine and Amanda Siegfried;

·      Happy, happy birthday to Sean on his  30^th birthday!!!

·      My Pinas  journey continues, and more updates later . . . . .

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG