On October 1, 2015, we went to
Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan, Philippines to visit my aunt, Dolores "Nene"
Balajadia Villaluz and her family there. We went there at night because
we came from Holy Cross Memorial Park and we visited our relatives in
Caloocan City. It was raining and we got stuck in traffic that's why we
went there at night.
Because of my hectic schedule, I decided
to proceed my visit to my aunt even at night. I want to see my aunt
there while she's still alive. My two uncles, my aunt, and even my
father are already passed away. I have four aunts left, my father's
remaining siblings. Two of my aunts are residing in Pacifica,
California, USA.
Tiya Nene and her family are long time
resident of Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan. They are big family because her
children have grandchildren. Tiya Nene and her husband, Tito Mario have
great grandchildren. Almost all of them are residing in a same house or
residence. They still have sari-sari store at their house until now.
That's their source of income until now. They are selling foods,
household items, cigarettes, soft drinks and so on. Many of their
children as well as their grandchildren are finished in their college
and have stable job.
Tiya Nene is weak already because she
can't walk very well and she needs an assistant especially for using
restroom and bathroom. Sometimes Tiya Nene is forgetful especially at
her age according to my cousins and their children. Thanks God that Tito
Mario is still in good condition and currently manages their sari-sari
store.
While traveling to Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan along M. H.
Del Pilar Street, we noticed that the Arkong Bato or stone arch is
changed already. The old Arkong Bato is damaged by a huge and big truck.
The Arkong Bato is repaired but they changed the structure slightly.
They removed the printed boundary names which are Bulacan and Rizal
because Valenzuela and Malabon are already independent cities and part
of National Capital Region.
Arkong Bato was built in 1910
during American Period. It was an official boundary of the provinces of
Bulacan and Rizal. Valenzuela was part of Bulacan and Malabon was part
of Rizal. M. H. Del Pilar Street was an official road going to Bulacan
before McArthur Hi-Way and even North Luzon Expressway.
Arkong
Bato is so memorable to me because it reminds my childhood days. We used
to passed Arkong Bato every time we're visiting my relatives especially
during the fiesta of Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan every last Sunday of
May. The residence of Tiya Nene and her family is located along F.
Navarette Street which is second road from Arkong Bato. F. Navarette
Street has a man statue still at the center. If you proceed to F.
Navarette Street straight, it's already a part of Obando, Bulacan. Tiya
Nene's residence is near to Valenzuela and Obando boundary. Panghulo is a
big barangay that is divided into two areas. The first area is part of
Malabon and the other area is part of Obando.
#Balajadia #ArkongBato #Panghulo #Obando #Valenzuela #Bulacan #Malabon #Rizal
On October 1, 2015, we went to Holy
Cross Memorial Park in Novaliches, Quezon City, Philippines with my
mother and my cousins to visit the grave of my grandparents, uncles,
aunt, and our other relatives.
Holy Cross Memorial Park is a
well known private cemetery in Philippines. There are many changes in
the memorial park within six years. Before at my grandparents' grave,
the vacant lot was so wide at the side. We used to build our tent during
All Saints Day every year at the vacant lot. Right now, there are many
new graves besides my grandparents' grave. Because of this, it is
impossible for us to build the tent during All Saints Day. It is
impossible for us also to stay for the whole day during All Saints Day
because sometimes there's a heavy rain and the worst is traffic. It is
very hard for everyone to visit in cemetery during All Saints Day on
November 1. The whole cemetery is so crowded on November 1. Some people
are preferred to visit the grave of their loved ones on October 31 or
November 2.
We visited the grave of my grandparents, two
uncles, and aunt. They are the parents and siblings of my father. My
aunt's grave is located neat to restroom and sidewalk while my
grandparents and two uncles are located in one grave besides the road.
Their grave is also near to restroom.
Few steps away to the
left from the restroom, we visited the grave of our other relatives.
They are the cousin, uncle, aunt, and grandaunt of my grandmother at my
father's side also. They were close to our family because my grandmother
was living at her aunt during her younger days. Her uncle and aunt
adopted her until she got married to my grandfather.
Thanks God
that we had a chance to visit my grandparents, uncles, and aunt as well
as our other relatives in spite of my hectic schedule in Philippines. I
would like to give thanks to my cousin because he gave us a ride going
to the cemetery.
#HolyCrossMemorialPark #Novaliches #QuezonCity #Rizal
On September 30, 2015, I went to De La
Salle University along Taft Avenue in Manila, Philippines to visit my
former fellow professors there especially at Chemical Engineering
Department. I've never been in the university since 2009 which is my
last visit in Philippines.
Although it was raining, it's easy
for me to travel and visit in the university by riding at Light Railway
Transit (LRT). The Vito Cruz Station is exactly located besides the main
gate of the university. The security in the university is more strict
right now because all visitors are required to scan your ID pass at the
department that you will visit. If not, you cannot exit at the guard and
you cannot claim your photo ID. Any photo ID is required to enter in
the university. Everything is connected to the computer or system. This
procedure is now different from last time that I visited.
De La
Salle University is one of the prestigious and respected university in
Philippines. Most students there are really came from the rich and well
influenced family. It is also a Catholic university because of the
priests and brothers who are managing the university.
There are
many changes in the university within six years. There are new
buildings added to the university or campus. The Faculty Room for
College of Engineering is transferred to the new building which is Bro.
Andrew Gonzalez Hall. The Velasco Building, the location of the former
Faculty Room for College of Engineering is now classrooms and
laboratories.
I met Julieta San Pedro, the secretary of
Chemical Engineering Department. Thanks God that she's still there. I
taught there for three years in 1997 to 2000 as a part time faculty
member. While teaching, I was studying my masters degree in Chemical
Engineering but I didn't finish my thesis because I got my USA Visa and I
have to go to USA immediately. I was enjoying in teaching Mathematics
to all engineering students during that time. I have a lot of memories
in the university.
During my visit, I met few former fellow
professors there like Ms. Marilou Uy and Dr. Susan Roces. Unfortunately,
I didn't meet the other faculty members because they are attending the
seminar and training of PIChE and some of them are teaching in their
classes. I didn't stay longer in the university because of my hectic
schedules and I don't have enough time to go out and have a dinner with
my former fellow professors. I understand the situation. Most of the
professors are busy and they have hectic schedules.
#DLSU #LaSalleTaft #Malate #Manila
