Grief

We watched on the news what happened to the two basketball players. It is heartbreaking however which way you look at it. A child should never go before their parents. It is the most unimaginable situation for me. As a mother, I have lost a lot of sleep worrying about my child. I still do even though he's in his 30s already. 

Ateneo de Naga Varsity Team, c1950s (sorry I couldn't find my Dad's yearbook)

I have not made any comments about what happened. My Dad was a varsity player when he was a student for Ateneo de Naga and his coach was none other than Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ. Being a varsity player was my Dad's favorite memory to go back to and he taught all his grandchildren how to play basketball. He always spoke about those days fondly and he said their exercise regime was strict. They also had to be on top of their studies (my Dad graduated high school with honors). 

My Dad with Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ

My handsome Dad (he gave this photo to my Mom)

The best we can do is to pray for the families and everyone affected. They all need the strength and faith to overcome this huge trial. Losing someone means they have completed their mission. This is what my parents taught me. There will always be a part of you that feels the loss, but in time you will accept that their mission here is complete. The reason for the loss of the two young lives will eventually unfold. f

And for today, we pray.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Story Time: Why We All Ended Up Studying in DLSU

My Dad graduated in Ateneo. He was very much loyal to his Alma Mater since he was also it's basketball superstar in high school (he also played in the college team even when he was still in high school).

Of course, he very much wanted all of us to study at the Ateneo, but our home was more than 20 kilometers away from Katipunan. Staying at a dorm was out of the question. 

I asked my Dad once why we all ended up studying at DLSU. He also vetoed any request to study at UP. It wasn't only the proximity he said and told me it was Fr. Towers who advised them to send us to DLSU. Yes, Fr. Towers, the Jesuit priest who presided over my parents' wedding.

It was a practical advise since my Mom used to work at the HQ of PNB when it was still in Binondo. We all went to elementary and high school in Manila, so it wasn't a huge adjustment for us. Father Towers also said we'd be able to continue to have a Catholic education.

Ah, all's well that ends well. I ended up marrying an Atenean. Dad approved 🤗

#BeKind #StaySafe

Ateneo Alien

Saw this alien draped on the old Ateneo library last weekend. It's made of orange electrical tubes (not really sure what it's called). Thought it was cool.

Are You Green or Blue?

It is funny how the rivalry between the two best universities in our country has landed in the news of foreign newspapers. Not only that, in the past few months my friends abroad have been talking about our local schools as well and they've been getting mixed feedback. It came to a point I had to step-in and say that it really depends on who you speak with. Gave me a bit of headache though. LOL.

We are a mixed breed in our household. My Dad's a true-blue Atenean while all of us kids are La Sallians. My Dad is a staunch supporter of Ateneo and you can't take him away from the TV when he watches basketball games - after all he was a basketball player for Ateneo and his shooting record is-yet-to-be-beaten to this day. So you can just imagine what a rowdy household we are whenever there are games. (Gwapo ng Dad ko noh?).

In the past few years my Ate and Kuya would burn phone lines just to tease my Dad whenever Ateneo lost. I got the brunt of it whenever La Salle lost. I have not been personally following the games this year and had to ask my students to explain to me what's happening. I was pretty pleased that the games are Ateneo vs. La Salle. My Dad though hasn't been on my case that bad now because of Sweetie (he's Atenean), he said, "I knew you'd eventually find your way back." (Translation: You are in good hands with an Atenean). LOL.

BUT when it comes to basketball... I'm still very much GREEN. Animo La Salle!

Here's the Plurk conversation about this post.

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Don't forget:

1. Philippine Blog Awards, September 21, 2008, 5:00 p.m. at the One Esplanade.
2. Oktoberfest 120 Na! An Oktoberfest just for bloggers! September 26, 2008, 7:00 p.m. at Taste Asia. Register here.
3. Get a chance to win a Delifrance Tray Couture coupon. Join here.

And some plugging for my other blogs:

1. Google News Philippines, You Got Tech
2. Cebu Food Vlog, Lakwatsera Ako