Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Manila, Philippines! I am glad to decide on spending the Lenten season here with all the traditions that come with it like Retreats, recollections, community prayers, and many others; after 9 years of missing these Lenten rituals, much Thanks GOD! HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!

My daily Masses are divided between Sto. Domingo Church and the Holy Sacrifice Church at UP, complemented by the EWTN Masses and the retreats of Fr. Wade Menezes and .other priests. I basked in the glory and splendor of the colorful traditions and rites  of the Catholic churches such as the stations of the Cross, ‘pabasa’, siete palabras. And many rituals; the special prayers after Mass, such as prayers for peace and reconciliation, prayers for Pope Francis, for the Middle East are so touching, always move me to tears.

Continuous meet-ups with friends always come with either lunch or dinner, like the birthday lunch with Ms. Cora, dinner with Tess and Chito, lunch meeting with the Philippines – Norway Business Council with Peter Wallace as speaker who presented the current business-political environment, and meeting with my partners in our Nordic Ventures Consultancy Company. Sadly, the Pnoy Aquino administration is at its lowest popularity now as shown in the survey conducted during the meeting. I hope this will tide over and Pnoy survives the crisis for the good of the country.

On the business side, FSAC is enjoying continuous prosperity, THANKS GOD, as we continue helping people. Actually, my activity schedule had been programmed by Jessica, relative to the requirements for the renewal of our License. Thus, I had to attend seminars for shipping executives at the POEA, renew my NBI clearance which had been scheduled on-line but I have to appear physically for the needed picture-taking; signing of renewal documents, and many other important tasks. Simultaneously, I was kept busy shopping for the furnishings of our newly-blessed condo unit at 24H, 8 Forbestown Road, West Crescent Park Road, Forbestown Cnter, Bonifacio Global, Taguig City, Metro Manila. Getting around Metro Manila malls and shopping area was a very exciting experience! Supervising the deliveries and installation works, scheduling were challenging as well, engineer again!

I was looking forward to my Mondays and Tuesdays in QC for my free movie days, after my noon UP Mass, go straight to the mall for movies, shopping, food, with Senior discounts, including free parking. Truly, it’s more fun in the Philippines! My co-golden jubilarians in Panglao continue to communicate with me and I enjoy their love and concern – real renewal of friendships for a lifetime.

Other Highlights:

·      Movies watched for free: That Thing Called Tadhana, Kingsmen-The Secret Service, Crazy Beautiful You, , Kidnapping – Freddie Heineken, Unfinished Business, The Gunman, starring Sean Penn,  Cinderella.

·      Continues meet-ups over food with my NVSC partners and friends;

·      I enjoyed the of my assistants, cadets  Steven and Rover who served as my driver; the good news is that both of them joined on board vessels on my last week there; they left ahead of me; so happy for them!

Attached are 4 photos with family and friends. 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

Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Manila, Philippines where I am on 2-months journey for work updates, rejuvenation, and respite! The PAL flight to Manila was smooth and fine as we arrived early morning on Feb. 10, thanks GOD!

After getting to the groove in our FSAC shipping business with office staff meetings and updates, my first social event was the annual UST Engineering Homecoming on Feb. 14, where I got reunited with Fr. Richard Ang (UST Vice Rector) and Fr. Boy Loanzon (Eng’g Regent), and I got my 45^th year medal (Sapphire). Before that, I got invited to the Hall of Fame awards held at the UST Alumni Hall where my fellow Civil Engr. Benjie Saldua was one of the awardees. We were serenaded by the One Voice chorale over merienda and later, dinner. It was a memorable celebration of Valentine’s day!

The following week was filled with meet-ups over lunch with friends and relatives before leaving for Bohol for my major mission on Feb. 18. Upon arrival, my classmates came promptly at 1:00pm for the detailed discussion of our San Agustin Academy(SAGA) 1965 high school Golden Reunion / 50 years. As our invitation hyped: “It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years! Come and reminisce with Class of 1965 of San AGUSTIN Academy on Feb. 21, 2015, 10:00 AM until 5:00PM at the Panglao Island Convention Center. Program of activities were laid, task assignments given, and everyone cooperated, committed to make our reunion successful.

On Feb. 21, as early as 9:00A, all classmates were on hand to dress up the venue: promptly we started with the Thanksgiving Mass presided by Fr. Victor Clemen (who I brought from Manila) and Fr. Victor Bompat, also a  close family friend:  2 Victrors meant a lot. After the Mass, we proceeded with the main event – the re-acquainting with our classmates, 18 of us, telling our life after SAGA in 3 minutes each. Of the original 40, 12 had passed away while the others cannot be located. About 50% is a good attendance! We all had fun listening to the various stories – highs and lows of lives. As Valedictorian, I shared last and here it is:

Good morning everyone! I am so blessed because I was born and raised by parents who were good role models – my mother Aurelia was my Grade 1 teacher, while my father Primitivo was my Grade 6 teacher. I remember we attend Mass everyday before going to school. At age 7, my father told me that GOD gave us gifts: when asked to sing, you sing; when asked to dance, you dance; when asked to recite, you recite; otherwise, those gifts will be lost; I am blessed because I was surrounded by smart and intelligent classmates who provided stiff competition, pushing me to work hard and excel; I am blessed because I had superior teachers who inspired me to strive for higher goals; I remember Mam Nanie, in her Literature class, clearly explaining Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice the concept of ‘a pound of flesh; Mam Eunie Penales teaching Algebra confidently, making me believe that I was also good in Math and Science that I took up Civil Engineering. I am blessed that the UST seminarians convinced my MOM that I go to UST instead of UP, concerned that I would become a communist.

Over the years, I was able to strike a balance with my professional career and my family life as wife, mother and grandmother. When we moved to America, my son asked to take my UST Ph.D. in International Business diploma to hung on the wall of his home; then when his friends would comment ‘Wow, your Mom has a Summa Cum Laude grade on the bottom, Sean would say, ‘She has 3 Masters courses – M.S. in Mathematics, Masters in Business Administration and Master in Hydropower Development which I got in Norway.” For a parent, the best compliment is emulation as both my son and daughter have their Masters in Business Administration.

For 18 years now, my husband and I operate an international ship manning business helping our countrymen earn US dollars, with our partnership with Japanese and Norwegian shipowners. Even if medyo mayabang, I am telling my story in order to honor our Principal Miss Filomena Clemen and make her proud of her wise decision to give me the title Valedictorian. For the next chapters of my life, I will continue to do my best, letting God do the rest; work hard, and pray hard!!!! Thank you (long applause). . Lunch is ready!

We had lunch buffet for 60 persons; then musical program followed, videoke, parlor games, more dancing and singing; I gave out $ 10 prizes for each. The following day, our group went on an island hopping tour by banca – to Virgin islands (shrine of St. Padre Pio), Balicasag, Pontod, and around Panglao. Much Thanks for the beautiful memories to live for!

Attached are 4 photos with family and friends. 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

Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Sacramento, CA, USA!  The most anticipated season of the Christian world commenced with Advent preparing for the commemoration of Christ’s birth – season for sharing, giving, mortification, and remembering: calling to mind the Nativity scenes and all its meanings, especially memories of Bethlehem where we sang carols during Mass in our visit last year; life has never been the same since then!

The Holy Land experience last year brought significant improvements on living: priorities, values, relationships, and service to GOD!

The month was a flurry of activities: in Church with our Opus Dei group, Adoration chapel, lunch meetings, shopping, and highlighted with the completion of the 9-days Novena morning Masses towards Christmas. With the brrrry cold weather, this was the most challenging to accomplish – Much Thanks to  GOD as He allowed me to fulfill my life tradition even as I experienced severe colds after Dec. 25; what is so grace-filled is I am able to fulfill my assignments as Eucharistic minister for the Body and Blood of Christ as scheduled – truly meaningful! I have so much to Praise and Thank God for: Good Health for all family members, Peace, Joy, Love, prosperity and continuous source of income in our business, and ability to help others through our international shipping business!

            With so much critical incidents around the world, I just appreciate all the blessings on my family, friends, and the peaceful experiences in my little world as I watch it slowly grinding around me, doing my own share of apostolate / evangelization – what a blessing!

Other highlights:

·      2^nd Saturday Opus Dei Recollection with Fr. Turlock, confession, benediction; Talks  on Holiness and Family Life were held at our new St. Jude Room; we also have the new St. John Paul II meeting room;

·      My regular work-outs in our gym is fruitful as the aches and pains on my body and legs are slowly disappearing – with needed commitment to schedule; Likewise, Sean introduced me to Happy Massage for a 1-hour foot/body massage – very therapeutic, after 8 years, I am enjoying refreshing, little self-indulgence – amenities;

·      Dedication to my church commitments as Eucharistic Minister, Adoration chapel time including additional hours as substitute when called, arranging images and paraphernalia and church library duties;

·      Sent out the traditional snail-mail Christmas cards to family and friends;

·      Streamed Live over EWTN, I watched the beauty and splendor of the orthodox Maronite traditional rites celebrated with Pope Francis in Istanbul, Turkey over this week-end – so inspiring and moving! 

·      Communicating continuously with our contacts in our SAGA 1965 Golden Reunion FB website; we pray for maximum participation in our Feb. 21, 2015 event!

·      Movies watched: Into the Woods, Unbroken (directed by Angelina Jolie, re-affirmed my admiration of her); followed and watched in wonder the pre-nuptial, and wedding activities of the Dingdong-Marian Royal Wedding of the Year; amazed by their Love for each other; so happy and proud of their Catholic values – wish them the Best for their Life together!!!

Attached are 4 photos with family and friends. 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

Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Sacramento, CA, USA!  The most anticipated season of the Christian world commenced with Advent preparing for the commemoration of Christ’s birth – season for sharing, giving, mortification, and remembering: calling to mind the Nativity scenes and all its meanings, especially memories of Bethlehem where we sang carols during Mass in our visit last year; life has never been the same since then!

The Holy Land experience last year brought significant improvements on living: priorities, values, relationships, and service to GOD!

The month was a flurry of activities: in Church with our Opus Dei group, Adoration chapel, lunch meetings, shopping, and highlighted with the completion of the 9-days Novena morning Masses towards Christmas. With the brrrry cold weather, this was the most challenging to accomplish – Much Thanks to  GOD as He allowed me to fulfill my life tradition even as I experienced severe colds after Dec. 25; what is so grace-filled is I am able to fulfill my assignments as Eucharistic minister for the Body and Blood of Christ as scheduled – truly meaningful! I have so much to Praise and Thank God for: Good Health for all family members, Peace, Joy, Love, prosperity and continuous source of income in our business, and ability to help others through our international shipping business!

            With so much critical incidents around the world, I just appreciate all the blessings on my family, friends, and the peaceful experiences in my little world as I watch it slowly grinding around me, doing my own share of apostolate / evangelization – what a blessing!

Other highlights:

·      2^nd Saturday Opus Dei Recollection with Fr. Turlock, confession, benediction; Talks  on Holiness and Family Life were held at our new St. Jude Room; we also have the new St. John Paul II meeting room;

·      My regular work-outs in our gym is fruitful as the aches and pains on my body and legs are slowly disappearing – with needed commitment to schedule; Likewise, Sean introduced me to Happy Massage for a 1-hour foot/body massage – very therapeutic, after 8 years, I am enjoying refreshing, little self-indulgence – amenities;

·      Dedication to my church commitments as Eucharistic Minister, Adoration chapel time including additional hours as substitute when called, arranging images and paraphernalia and church library duties;

·      Sent out the traditional snail-mail Christmas cards to family and friends;

·      Streamed Live over EWTN, I watched the beauty and splendor of the orthodox Maronite traditional rites celebrated with Pope Francis in Istanbul, Turkey over this week-end – so inspiring and moving! 

·      Communicating continuously with our contacts in our SAGA 1965 Golden Reunion FB website; we pray for maximum participation in our Feb. 21, 2015 event!

·      Movies watched: Into the Woods, Unbroken (directed by Angelina Jolie, re-affirmed my admiration of her); followed and watched in wonder the pre-nuptial, and wedding activities of the Dingdong-Marian Royal Wedding of the Year; amazed by their Love for each other; so happy and proud of their Catholic values – wish them the Best for their Life together!!!

Attached are 4 photos with family and friends. 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