Month: January 2017

My life is blessed with both filial and extra-filial relationships. The latter gave me another dimension of social circle which is wider and greater in number.

 I forged my special bond with these extra-ordinary folks some forty years ago during my college years. Being away from our blood families, we found common grounds to bind, support and encourage one another and experience joys and pains of life together while studying at Central Luzon State University. The result:  We became a family!

We were one in our purpose of enriching our lives through rigorous and serious approach to education. We were united in our hopes of forming friendships that built and shaped us into better human beings. 

SENSE- Search for Educational Nobility and Social Enrichment- is a student organization that gave us focus on two aspects of life, essential to survive and thrive the rigorous college life in CLSU and beyond. For us it was a better alternative to the Greek-lettered organizations often associated with rivalries and conflicts with other student coalitions. 

Dr. Flor Amor Monta envisioned a brotherhood organization composed of individuals with wits and wisdom, hardworking and tenacious, ambitious and driven. With Rodrigo Dioso and Bobby Manansala, the initial/founding group was organized to which I belong. Dr. Monta personally chose students who demonstrated such characters. The succeeding batch of members were added through careful selection.

Fast forward 40 years later, members of SENSE had become well-accomplished in the professions they chose. Many are occupying  goverment positions in the agriculture sectors. Others became educators and heads of educational institutions. Some have great success as entrepreneurs. Others found themselves shifting professions from agriculture based to medical, financial and other disciplines. 

The brotherhood formed during our prime years had blossomed and bore fruits akin to that of a real family. It withstood the test of time and space. Forty years had passed and we’re still connected! Our first grand reunion on January 6-7, 2017 renewed and sealed our commitment to our organization and to each other. 

In the intervening years, our relationships were fortified by webs of connections. We became – ninongs and ninangs of our siblings making us compadres and comadres. We sought one another as primary sponsors for our children’s wedding. We consulted on business dealings and employments. Some became confidants to one and another, and provided shoulders to cry on. In many instances, we either provided or received financial help. We helped members find employment. We welcomed each other warmly in our homes. We extended our families to one another widening further our social circles. We became accountable to one another providing concerned rebukes when necessary, for the betterment of a brother or sister. 

This is my other family. I’m very proud of it. My brothers and sisters are spread far and wide- around the Philippines and across the globe. I have a special privilege of going to various places and have someone to welcome me with open arms. I just did that in my recent vacation. SENSE gave me a family and homes around the world! As I write this blog, I’m on my way to San Miguel, Bulacan to meet again my SENSE brothers hosted by our common friend Rupert De San Jose.

Visited Brod Antonio Co in Parañaque City with Nick Soliman, Rogelio Manabat and Norman Gabagat.

Visited Sis Mila Robeniol Galvez in Laoag, Ilocos Norte
Visited Brod Samuel Robeniol in his Antipolo home.

 

Visited Brod Rodrigo Dioso in Iloilo.

My 34-days of vacation in the Philippines are nearing completion. These days are the most relaxed, stress-free, fun and peaceful times of my life in the last 16 years! That’s how vacation should be. What a gift! I’m very grateful.

I am dedicating my next several blogs on the highlights of this memorable vacation covering the following topics: family, friends, places I visited, food I ate, things I did, etc. Let’s start with myFamily.

Reuniting with my blood relatives after many years brought floods of tears to my eyes. But those tears are a product of joy that aided an enormous release of emotional strain. It was as if the pains of the years gone by were washed away. 

Seeing my siblings, hugging and kissing them, hearing their voices, meeting their children and grandchildren revived the special feeling of belongingness. 

There is a sense of pride and assurance knowing that I have a huge tribe, a thriving clan that is doing a tremendous job of proliferating our family’s existence, keeping our family traditions and continuing with zealousness our family’s faith.

This is my wife’s Family. Gilbert Olivares, wife Eva and sons: Gelmark, Kelvin and Gilbert Jr. (not in picture)

​​I felt my heart jumped several times when I beheld my nieces and nephews and grandchildren bearing a resemblance either of our late father and mother or a beautiful combination of both. The prominent cheekbones is a facial feature our genes carry with dominance. Our love for music is passed on with passion. The love of God and His ministries through the church is practiced with faithfulness.
My Father: Igmedio Valenzuela 

My Mother Basilisa Emperio

I found this precious picture of Mother and I, ca 1985 taken when I was to leave for the Sultanate of Oman.I inherited those high cheekbones from both of my parents. They are now both citizens of heaven where I am bound to…..one day, in God’s time.

“Dancing with my Sister”Babbeth, my personal assistant, driver, cook, stylist, adviser while vacationing. Thank you Ate Babbeth!

This is my family. I belong here and I’m proud!