Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Manila, Philippines and Sacramento, CA, USA! Stayed in Pinas and left for USA on April 16 Easter Sunday, after 2 ½ months, with beautiful lifetime memories! Much Thanks GOD!

            Kept busy by the M. Yorozu proposal for business operations expansion looking for real properties – buildings and lots, scouring the Malate area, contacting brokers and networks for possibilities and potentials. Yorozu and Inada Sans came to inspect several sites. Yorozu invited us to visit his condo at SMSta Mesa – penthouse with fantastic view of Metro Manila! Then treated us to dinner at Yutaka Japanese where he was so gracious to serve us individually to enjoy dish served, making us so special!

            Attended several networking meetings, lunches and dinners with friends to make me gain several pounds which needs to be reduced ASAP!

Significant highlights for the month:

·      Enjoyed my Sr. citizen’s privileges for the remaining days like free movies, discounts, special lanes on all services, meeting up on dinners with friends like Tess and Chito Santiago,  Cecille and husband, artist Gail Gines;

·      Lunch with Arlene and Svein Kvaleen at the Makati Garden Club – membership only place in the heart of Ayala! Network lunch meeting with the Philippines Norway Business Council at Peninsula Hotel with Energy Secretary as Guest Speaker ;

·      Triduum rites of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday were all celebrated at the Sto. Domingo Church, elaborately decorated for the various events – truly wonderful!

·      Upon SAC arrival met by Sean, immersed into the church activities and commitments, like our Tuesday Bible study group ( taking up John’s Gospel, Follow Me, Meeting Jesus, by Edward Sri) with new members;

·      Movies watched for relaxation were: Northern Lights, starring Piolo Pascual; Going In Style, starring 3 old men; The Fate of the Furious 7;

·      While watching Child Genius Show, got the attention of 10-year old Graham Kurtsinger from Verdigris, Oklahoma, the only white among top 5 Asian Finalist. I am so much impressed by Graham who excels in Science and Geography, with 146 IQ at 5 years old, memorized the USA Atlas, the Bible, acts like a human GPS knows all streets of way from any point A to point B in the entire USA, knows details of all storms, and firmly committed to his Christian values – true GENIUS!

·      Happy to meet up with new friends, like Ms. Philomena Salada, Fe Leanio, Grace, Nancy, Barbara, Patty, and share life insights and values!

·      Attended the BCBP Breakfast gathering at Denny’s meeting new friends, as they invited me to the CLP retreat on June 2-4 at Menlo, CA. Looking forward to join with Odette’s husband Robert;

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG

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

Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Manila, Philippines! After a smooth flight from SFO airport, Rose Davies (a neighbor in Rancho and former NPC colleague) and I arrived safely at NAIA airport on Jan. 31 to begin my 2 ½ months stay in Pinas, be with my hubby and friends. Much Thanks GOD!

The month was a flurry of activities, meeting up with friends, business updates in our Fairview Shipping office, attending social events, watching free movies, and many more. I devised a schedule combining business, social, and time for relaxation. Mondays and Tuesdays are for my movies a and time in Quezon City; Wednesdays are free car coding day, Thursdays / Fridays are days in the office, while Saturdays / Sundays are days with my husband.

Significant highlights for the month:

·      Fetched at the airport by Gerry and company in the new Fortuner SUV silver automatic  which was his Valentine’s gift for me to enjoy driving while here; had breakfast at Burger King, then settled in our 9J El Jardin del Presidente condo;

·      Visited Citibank Greenhills to meet with Jenzy and Raisse, to review my investments and consider new products to optimize protection; BTW, made a decisive move to terminate my BPI-Philam Plan which was not serving my interest, even if I lost a substantial amount after 3 years. This was a good discernment  on my part based on the signs that God provided me toward the decision; getting only 20% of the original value (well, you win / lose sometimes), and it is all worth it!;

·      Breakfast meeting with Ms. Doray at Sulo Hotel, my external auditor for 20 years, who offered a Valentine treat of 2-days/nights stay (Feb. 15, 16) at the Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino. It turned out to be a luxurious accommodation – a corner 926 suite with living room set, bar/kitchen sat, bathtub/shower, 2 TV sets, and buffet dinner – so expensive. Doray  and I actually started our respective business at the same time: in 1997, my shipping business so I was looking for an accountant to help me put up a system; then my grad school classmate’s husband recommended Doray who was his co-teacher at BSBA. With God’s Blessings, we have both flourished in our businesses!

·      Lunch meetings with friends Ms. Cora Ignacio at Trinoma, then with Dr. Arlene Bongosia at The Livestock in Sgt. Esguerra; likewise with Agnes Robles and her nephew Luis at Mesa, at Robinson’s Magnolia; with couple Cecille Caballero and husband Redgie at Café Adriatico – SM North EDSA, followed by movie LOGAN; dinner at Alex III with Chito and Tess Santiago, Japanese dinner with Fr. Bobot Clemen and Gerry at Century Park Hotel; More lunches and dinner are being scheduled;

·      Attended the memorable wedding of Joshua and Aileen Carbonell at the Manila Hotel where Gerry was one of 15 set of principal sponsors. The ceremonies and reception lasted more than 8 hours. Joshua is a 2^nd Engineer in one of our vessels;

·      Renewal of my documents: Driver’s licenses for Gerry, our driver Ely and for myself; Phil passport at SM Manila in less than 4 hours; my Sr. Citizen Movie card at the Q.C. Hall for my free movies;

·      Movies watched for free on Mondays / Tuesdays are: Kung Sakaling Hindi Makarating; Space Between Us; John Wick, Chapter 2, starring Keannu Reeves; Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan; The Great Wall, starring Matt Damon; My Ex and Whys, starring Liza S. and Enrique Gil; I’m Drunk, I Love You, starring Maja Salvador and Paolo Avelino; Railroad Tigers, starring Jackie Chan; LOGAN, starring Hugh Jackman;

·      Met up with my lawyer in Bohol, Atty. Benjie Arcamo, who was attending a Convention in Manila, at the Nobu Hotel. I engaged the service of Atty. Benjie who is the No. 1 Bohol Board Member, to handle my real properties in Bohol; while Nobu is one of three hotels comprising the City of Dreams complex, composed of Crown, Hyatt, and Nobu Hotels;

·      I attended the annual Alumni Homecoming 2017 of the College of Engineering at UST where I met up with Fr. Boy Loanzon, Prof, now Msgr. Daniel Santamaria, Prof. Belarmino Viray, Carl Aquino, among others. BTW, the UST Graduate School asked for my Resume and they informed that I am one of the awardees for 2017 Outstanding Alumni. Ceremonies will be held on March 11, so more news on this later.

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

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG

Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Sacramento, CA, USA and Manila, Philippines! I wish you more Blessed New Year 2017 - to my family and friends!!! Following my tradition, I spend part of winter in Pinas to be with my beloved husband – a third of my multi-located family, the other two being in Sacramento, CA and Montclair, NJ, both in USA!

Actually, I just delayed my Pinas trip in order to witness the various activities of the Trump – Pence Oath-taking and Inauguration. Within the 1^st week of the new Administration, many things had been done in accordance with the campaign Agenda, more than the 8 years of the past Administration.  What fascinates me most is the Family Trump – their demeanor and stature. As Mike Huckabee said during the campaign, Trump impressed him by the way he has raised his children/family. The rule is: No alcoholic drinks, no drugs, no cigarettes, no tattoo, and they are truly pro-Life. Donald Jr. Has 5 kids, Eric has 2, while Ivanka has 3 – more to come. Together with their spouses, and with Melania as First Lady and her son Barron – they are just so fabulous and Beautiful! So proud of this Gorgeous First Family!!!

The New Year 2017 started with many Blessings – Our Opus Dei Recollection went smoothly (I was 1^st on Confession as again, organizing the queue and Collection; on our Tuesday Bible Study, we started with MARY – Biblical Walk with the Blessed Virgin Mother, by Edward Sri, headed now by Frank Abi-Nader, replacing Claude who had moved to Peoria, Illinois, and my Adoration Chapel commitments. Since our pastor Fr. Aldrin is on vacation in Pinas, the sub-priest on Tuesdays is another Pinoy priest, Fr. Cormac Lacre from Bohol, my kababayan. Since I helped his seaman nephew be employed in one of our vessels, we go out for brunch after the Mass, as I ask for special Blessings. And the rains had kept pouring in daily that Northern CA is no longer in drought category – GOD’s Blessings!

Sean and I spent bonding time on week-ends as he is always kept busy at work with year-end deadlines and court hearings to catch up; while Sarah continues to enjoy commenting on her victories with her Trump Circle. While our family shares so much Joy in our triumph, we are careful to limit within our circle. We also have our own Republican friends in Rob and Odette Pumares, our neighbors from Sunridge Park, just next to Anatolia.

Significant highlights for the month:

·      On our Opus Dei group (2^nd Saturday of the month), Fr. Turlock is back as he is cleared to drive again, so we got nice counsel on our Meditations while Deidre delivered humorous anecdotes on her Talk; On our Bible Study class, the familiar faces are back together with a few new ones, while some others are missing too;

·      Since I made a small donation to the Trump campaign (Sarah made her own donation too), I received a Cap with the slogan “Make America Great Again” from Pres. Trump!

·      Book read for the month: Resisting Happiness, by Mathew Kelly, distributed to parishioners, Movies watched for relaxation were: and Why Him? A comedy starring James Franco, La La Land, good movie musical, starring Ryan Gosling who won Best Actor, and Emma Stone; Meaningful get-together with friends, and trying new places to dine also comes with additional calories, needing more discipline and Resolution to control weight gains for the New Year!

·      Rose Icararangal-Davies and I are travelling together by PAL for Pinas. She is returning home, after 12 years absence. We were officemates in NAPOCOR (she is a CPA). Then, while here in America, she and my son Sean worked together in the same department at EDD. And we are neighbors here in Rancho Cordova. What a small world – Serendipity!

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG