myJOURNEY

As a pastor, I’ve done funerals for a number of people, some strangers and some very dear and close to my heart.

All these years nothing had prepared me when I lose a loved one or a friend through death. Even if they were very ill and were not expected to survive, when the news of their death is heard, deep sadness is felt.

It’s just normal that one goes through the motion of mourning and bereavement. That’s a natural response to a loss of life. Jesus himself wept when His friend Lazarus died.

Yes, I grieve for the loss of a family member, a friend, a brother or sister in the Lord. I feel a great sense of loss. I’m grieving as I write this blog remembering the special people who had touched my life. Pictures of departed loved ones and friends are posted in this blog in remembrance of their lives.

The following are my thoughts as I reflect on the lives of my departed loved ones and friends:

Dr. Wilhelmina (Ruth) Pacis- she and her husband Dr. Armando Pacis -founded Lord of the Nations Church with me. She loved the work of the Lord and the Church- very generous giver, thoughtful friend. Always hungry for the Word. She loved to sing and play the piano.

Arturo & Violeta Fajardo- She was my Sunday School teacher when I was a young boy. I became their pastor at later years. This couple had the gift of hospitality. They welcomed many people to their house- fed them, befriended and encouraged many of us. I ran to them when I need to hear wise counsel.

Armando Pacis-never ashamed of his Lord and the Gospel. He shared the Good News to his patients and even strangers. Very diligent in preparing for teaching and preaching. He was Vice Chairman of the Church Board for many years. Efren Larugal Olivares- my brother-in-law who’s my co-worker in the ministry both in Oman and the United States. A master tool man being a mechanical engineer, generous, man of few words, but when he opens his mouth, words of wisdom flow.

Letty Soriano Villanueva- a good friend at later years who gifted me with two pairs of d signer Barong.

Flaviana Olivares – my mother-in-law, kind generous., thoughtful. She shared with me some of her best culinary expertise. I am eternally grateful to her and husband Jeremiah for producing the most amazing woman in the world- their daughter Edita whose hands I begged to marry me! She’s a super grandma to our kids!

Feliciana Valenzuela Agulto- my big sister. She and her husband Alfredo took care of me, help me through college. I owe them a debt of gratitude.

Basilisa Emperio Valenzuela-my Mother dear. One of the most faithful, genuine Christian woman I ever knew. Raised seven children on her own having been widowed early. Prayer warrior, most generous, super humble, displayed patience and perseverance. She imparted to me the love of singing. When I was a young boy, we had a nightly family devotion where we sang all the songs in a Tagalog hymn book.

Rolando Sumang- my brother-in-law having married my sister Dimi. Preacher, entrepreneur, handyman. He filled in an important need of the church- a prolific-genuine Tagalog preacher/Bible teacher. A good provider to his family. Gone too soon but left a precious legacy through her three beautiful, smart daughters: Ardie, Rodilee and Rosval.

Severino Gabriel- a public servant in his community having served as Barangay Chairman. His service to his family and constituents were deep and sincere. He was a faithful husband to my niece Almira and a loving father to three beautiful, smart girls. His eldest daughter is following his steps in the government service.

Loida Garcia- a sister in the Lord. She exemplified genuine trust and faith in the Lord. My family, especially my mother were in the receiving end of her generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness. We sang together in choir.

Luzviminda (Nene) Sevilla- she and her husband Engr. Sevilla took me to their folds when I was a teenager. They provided me with a comfort of a home, food and clothes. More importantly, they encouraged and supported me to pursue my dreams. I am indebted to their generous, kind-hearted family.

Wayne & Virginia Wright- my mother was of the first fruits of their missionary labors in the Philippines. My whole family became followers of Christ through their faithful work. They established the first Pilgrim/Wesleyan Bible College in the Philippines which produced leaders and preachers . Their contribution to missionary work is exemplary.Elyrn Lepaoen and wife Susana (picture below) were the pastors of Cabanatuan Wesleyan Church when I was a young boy. They provided me with strong spiritual foundation. They set in my life a trajectory to ministerial work. I love their teaching, singing and preaching. They set a beautiful model before me.

Susana Lepaoen

While my hands are busy cooking, I let my mind wander and think of other things. (A multi-tasker like me is good at that.) For instance, I review my sermon notes mentally while cooking. I even pray while cooking. It is also when I’m cooking that blog ideas cross my mind. 



So after cooking those delicacies. My short rest time is dedicated to writing my blog. I’d lay aside those pots and pans. I’d take off that apron and I’d go to the computer and  put all those thoughts into writing. That helped in relieving the stress from my kitchen toils.

The following random thoughts were cooking in my brain while my hands were busy in the kitchen. These original quotes (epigrams) are on the subject of food. I “plated” them for you in an artistic presentation and I’d like to serve them to you as “Food for your Thoughts”. Hopefully you will find them appealing, intriguing and most of all satisfying. 

You can agree or argue with me, discuss with me or respond to me. Happy reading.

Eating requires a healthy attitude.

If you appreciate my cooking. Here’s what you can do.

Here’s a cooking tip you must remember.

Cooking is a laborious job, but there’s a reward for the toil!

For me, nothing is lonelier than sitting by the dining table alone!

Food has a special bonding ability. It unites people.

You must agree with me on this one. When friends and family gather, food…lots of it are present.

This one is contributed by my wife. Whenever she tasted food she grew up eating, she would tell stories associated with that taste. For instance, when I brought home guava juice from a Mexican store. She cried after tasting it. She remembered her father preparing “postre”-boiled guava made into a drink. She remembered a guava tree teeming with fruits at their backyard, and the joy and laughter she shared with her siblings climbing that tree. When I cooked beef liver steak, she remembered her mother who always cooked that  delicacy. And mother would always say: “Eat this, for this us good for your blood.”Do you have the same experience? What are your memories of childhood triggered by taste? Could you share it with me and my readers? Email your story to: gilvalenzuela@icloud.com  If I receive at least 5 stories I will feature them as special edition in my blog site.

Food is a gift from God. Always Dine GRATEFULLY and GRACEFULLY this 2018. 

May your dining tables be filled with good and satisfying food all year round. Happy New Year everyone!!!!!

Filipinos in America might have adapted to the American culture but they certainly have retained much of their own. One of the cultural/religious practices they brought with them is the celebration of “Simbang Gabi” (Night Mass). 

The observance of this religious gathering here in America takes a different approach. Unlike in the Philippines where Simbang Gabi are held daily from December 16-24, the American version (at least here in Chicago) is held only once before December 25. 

The mass is usually followed by a huge reception where Filipino foods are served. There are also renditions of Filipino folk songs and dances. The celebration is attended not only by Fil-Ams but by other North American Catholics who are very delighted with Filipino food and entertainment.

We at Mabuhay Restaurant are privileged and happy to have taken part in this celebration. We were chosen to cater two big churches: St. Patrick in St. Charles, IL and St. Matthew in Glen Ellyn. We fed more than a thousand people.

St Patrick Church ordered 550 pieces of fresh lumpia, 550 pieces of turon and 500 pieces of palitaw. These delicacies are individually prepared by hand. The main entrees were eight large catering trays chicken afritada and eight trays of pork adobo. My team and I took two days of prepping and cooking. It takes an oversized wok, a huge “paddle” and a lot of guts to cook for hundreds of people. 

St. Matthew Church ordered 500 pieces of fried chicken, 500 pieces of pan de sal, 1,700 pieces of lumpia shanghai (egg rolls), eight large trays of pancit and four large trays of chop suey. We labored two days to prepare for this catering order. 

My real gain and profit in doing these catering events were more than monetary. I certainly gained new circles of friends who are now my “Suki” (regular and faithful customers). Also, I learned some new processes and techniques in volume prepping and cooking. And best of all, Mabuhay Restaurant earned some valuable respect from the local Filipino community for the delicious food and efficient and timely service.  Both St. Patrick and St. Matthew Churches clearly indicated that Mabuhay Restaurant will be their caterer for next year’s Simbang Gabi. 

All I really need to know about Filipino food, I learned while still a young boy in a Philippine village.

I grew up around people who loved to cook. They cooked not only for their families but for others. I have vivid memories of my childhood. I remember our family had an extra long and wide dining table that can sit 24 people- 10 on each long side and 2 on either head tables. There were people who din’t live in our house but ate there regularly. There were always new faces. Most of them were people who worked for father who was the hacienda foreman. Mother was always cooking and feeding people so our kitchen was always busy. Mother and her team cooked over firewood’s using large pots and pans. Our house always smelled food and smoke from firewood burning almost perpetually. W
I grew up smelling aromas and scents of Filipino food. I learned early on that onions and garlic makes one cry, ground pepper makes you sneeze and labuyo peppers sting. The salt seasoning come from granulated sea salt, fish sauce (patis), soy sauce, bagoong (salted fish like anchovy), bagoong alamang (salty shrimp paste).  And seasoning is not complete without the vinegar.last

I witnessed how pigs and cows became pork and beef. I enjoyed gathering eggs from baskets every morning and watched my father milked our carabaos at daybreak.  I was mother’s assistant in dressing the ducks and chickens and harvesting vegetables from the backyard garden.  
Village fiestas, weddings, baptism and even wakes were centered on food. During The Barrio fiesta, our family always hosted and fed special guests,stage performers, and the band. Festive foods overflowed to welcome not just relatives and friends but people from the other villages. There were a lot of cooking that went on. During special events like weddings, she and her team were sought after in cooking the feast recipes like adobo, menudo , caldereta, bopis, lechon, kilawin, sisig, hegado, dinuguan, arroz valenciana, morcon, asado, relleno, kare-kare, embotido, menudo, afritada, lumpia, pancit, mechado Slaughtering animals for food were a communal activity mostly involving the men and we kids were the avid spectators and learners of the trade. The best part was tasting the food before they were even served. I hanged out around the outdoor cooking area and the cooks would give me samples of food. Even as a young boy, I can distinguish many Filipino dishes  by their looks, smell and taste. 

When I started high school, I worked as a houseboy. Cleaning around the house and cooking were part of my job. So, as early as age 13 I’ve been cooking for people other than my family. I cooked meals for an old retired couple.

I cooked my own food at the dormitory during my college days. It was then that learned creativity in cooking. I mastered how to stretch a budget to come up with cheap but nutritious food. I learned how to gather wild plants and even edible insects to supplement my food supply. (Read my blog articles Survivor Parts 1&2)

My food business  started in the Middle East while working as engineer in the Sultanate of Oman. Like the other Filipino expatriates, we missed and craved Filipino foods.  My wife and I saw this as an opportunity to start a business. For me, it was doing a passion I inherited from my family. Cooking professionally took another level than home cooking. I had to be consistent with the taste and the looks of the food. We manufactured longanisa, tocino and lumpia. We also cooked and froze favorite delicacies like dinuguan, lechon paksiw, papaitan and many more. Our home-based food business proved to be very rewarding. I doubled my income.

When we came to America, I took pride in serving Filipino foods to our American friends. I always brought pancit, lumpia and adobo to church fellowship dinners.

My cooking skills greatly improved here in America. I was encouraged to  try Western cooking while watching the Food Channel. I learned from the celebrity chefs like Booby Flay, Rachel Ray, Julia Child’s Tyler Florence, Guy Fieri, Alton Brown, Anthony Bourdain and Emeril Lagasse.BAM!!!! Emeril Lagasse

My new cooking techniques learned from the celebrity pros were put into work when my wife went to nursing school. “Please I need your help while I’m finishing up my nursing degree. Would you do the cooking for the family?” I did not hesitate. I invaded the kitchen and prepared gourmet meals everyday to the delight and pleasure of my family. This boosted my confidence in my culinary capabilities., especially when I see people enjoying my food. I knew in my heart I can cook, and I’m a chef in my own rights! My cooking  knowledge is a lifetime achievement and I want to impart this knowledge and skill to the next generation. Therefore, there’s something cooking up in my restaurant other than food. It’s a cookbook! – The Mabuhay Cookbook:Sharing the Authentic Recipes 

Reserve your copy NOW😃

The following news article was published in Pinoy Newsmagazine in Chicago, Illinois. Along with the article is a whole page ad announcing Mabuhay’s re-Grand Opening. 

American Chef and television personality Anthony Bordaine predicted that “Filipino food is the next big thing in America”. The famous chef saw it coming. Mabuhay Restaurant is seeing and experiencing it happening. And for sure many other Filipino restaurants in America are experiencing the same.

Gil Valenzuela, owner and Chef of Mabuhay Restaurant, reports that his restaurant has been catering to big corporate offices throughout the Chicagoland on a regular basis. “Our catering clients include United Airlines corporate office, AON, DHL, Kraft Foods, BMO Harris Bank, American Hotel Register, O’Hare Plaza, LA Fitness, Lifetime Fitness, ATI Physical Therapy, Advocate Health, Northshore Hodpitals, Kellogg School of Business, Roosevelt University, Pampered Chef, Morraine College and many more. 

“Our kitchen is very busy preparing lunches for hundreds of people from Monday through Friday. We set up our food at a lobby or a section of a cafeteria and employees of these offices line up to buy their lunch and we always sell out”., said Gil.

“We serve Filipino food like pancit, adobo, lumpia, chopsuey, barbecue on bamboo sticks. To many people, this is their introduction to Filipino food and a number of them would visit our restaurant to try other Filipino dishes.

As the list of their corporate clients grow, so is the exposure of Filipino food to new audiences. “I feel like we are contributing to the breaking of the bamboo ceiling in the American food industry”, says Gil noting that “Our customers are not just Filipinos. Ninety nine percent of those who line up to buy our food are non-Filipinos.

Filipino food continues to make an inroad into the mainstream American market as restaurants like Mabuhay make a special marketing effort to reach the larger American market.

Also, many young Filipino chefs are making big splashes by winning national cooking competitions. A famous restaurant in New York won a prestigious national burger competition with their entry of longanisa burger with banana ketchup and atchara. Another one beat their competitors with her adobo burger using the pandesal as the burger bun. 

Meanwhile, a number of Filipino words that had been added to the Oxford English Dictionary are words that refer to food such as sinigang, pan de sal,pasalubong, pulutan, halu-halo, adobo, and pancit among many others.. 

By the way, the word “MABUHAY” also made it to the Oxford English Dictionary. 

The Island of Patmos, Greece We de boarded the Azamara Cruise ship and took a speedboat to reach the Island of Patmos. We couldn’t asked for a better tour guide than the one assigned to us. He authored a book about the Island of Patmos.I’m seated on a huge rock which is part of the cave where the Apostle John received the Revelation from God. Below is the entrance door to the cave. We were not allowed to take pictures inside the cave. Orthodox Service/Mass are conducted inside the cave chapel several times a day. The Monastery of St. John the Theologian located at the highest poin of Patmos Island. Relaxing in one of the courtyards of the St John Monastery.Below the monastery and on the shores of Patmos Island are the whitewash buildings- the other tourist attraction in the Island of Patmos. 

(Note: Tour providers distinguish Bible Land tour from Holy land tour. Holy Land pilgrimage is the visit to Israel where Jesus lived. Visit to other places mentioned in the Bible is referred to as Biblical tour. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is still on my bucket list.)

  Corinth 

Thessalonica 

These ancient water system viaducts are  all around the city of Thessalonica. Driving around the city is like being in a huge museum. There are traces of the ancient relics everywhere.Thessalonica at the present times.

• EphesusThe famous goddess NikeArcheological digging of the ancient city of Ephesus started in the mid 1800 and yet to this day only 10-15% had been unearthed! The Library of Celsus

“Sweetheart, free yourself for ten days in October starting the 23rd.” My wife whispered to me as she woke me up one Saturday morning in September 2014. Why? I asked. “I’m not telling.  We’re going on a trip that’s all I can say. Just be ready”.  She said with a smirk. 

I did not insist on knowing. I just knew something  good was cooking up and I enyoyed being surprised.  There were a number of reasons to celebrate and to be thankful.  That was the third year of my cancer remission.  She usually gives me something valuable on my birthday and I was still waiting for the gift for my 56th.  And yes, our 31st wedding anniversary was around the corner.  A spirtual retreat in Wisconsin just like what we did years back would be a good time for reflection.  

Few days before the scheduled getaway, I found something in the mail that revealed her surprise…..a packet from Asbury Theological Seminary detailing the itinerary for a cruise to Greece and Turkey! The trip was for a spiritual pilgrimage to the Biblical lands. What an upgrade from the Wisconsin retreat I was expecting! 

The cruise organized by Asbury Theological Seminary for its alumni, traced the footsteps of the Apostle Paul’s Second Missionary Journey.  The Book of Acts came to life as we visited the sites of the New Testament Churches.

Dr. Maxie Dunnam, the seminary president during my time at Asbury Theological Seminary came along and gave lectures on the significance of the historical/Biblical sites which includes Thessalonica, Philippi, Berea and Corinth in Greece and Ephesus, Miletus Pergamom in Turkey. We also toured the famous sites of Acropolis of Athens, the Corinth Canal, monasteries in the monolith mountains of Meteora, Hagaia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the famous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Phillippi

For me, one of the highlights of the tour was when Dr. Dunnam assigned me as one of the Pastors to administer communion to alumni delegates at the biblical site of  Phillippi where the first woman/Gentile convert Lydia, met the Apostle Paul. Before the communion, one woman delegate portrayed the character of Lydia with the background of the rushing water. As I listened, I was transported back to the New Testament times! Lydia was a trader of purple cloth. During the communion we blessed the people with water scooped from the rushing river. I was assigned to distribute the communion bread to a section of the crowed standing by the bank of the river. We were given this script: “The body of Christ broken for you. Take, eat that you may have peace.” 
When I served the bread to a lady whose face became familiar because we rode the same tour bus, my script changed. I said: “The body of Christ broken for you. Take, eat and be healed.” She looked me straight in the eyes, then started sobbing as she took the bread. 

Later, when we got in the bus, she came to me and said. Thank you Pastor (She knew I’m a pastor as indicated in my name tag) for declaring healing on me. That’s just what I needed. I’ve been struggling with physical issues and I needed God’s touch. I felt and I believe He did it today.” 

“Praise the Lord! God bless you my dear Sister. I’m a cancer survivor because God healed me. I said in response.

Berea, Greece

The statue of the Apostle Paul. 

Meteora, Greece

Monasteries were built on top of these rock mountains.

Tha man-made Corinth Canal

 ———————————-

Next Blog issue will feature:

• Island of Patmos
• Corinth
• Thessalonica
• Pergamom
• Miletus
• Ephesus
• Hagaia Sophia
• Grand Bazaar 

When I think of myself only,  the idea of death is not bad at all. For death to a Christian believer is “going to heaven”. And heaven is such a wonderful place as described in the Bible. No more tears, no more sickness, no more pain. I will have a glorious body. Heaven is a place where there is no suffering, no struggles… a place of perfect peace….a place uncontaminated with sin….a place of eternal rest. That’s actually the blessed hope that every weary Christian sojourner is promised and should look forward to. 

I surely want to be there!

But when I think of my loved ones, my wife, children, grandchildren my sisters and their families, my friends and everyone dear to me, the idea of death or leaving them behind becomes very depressing! 

I want to grow old with my wife and see the rest of the world with her. I want to see all my children settled with their own families. I want to see all my grandchildren and enjoy them. I want them to see and know me, not just hear about me.

And if I have something else to contribute to this world while I’m still here, let me so do it!
I’ll do my share of work in the vineyard:

Lead others to Christ. 

Teach and preach God’s Word.

Inspire and encourage others.

Heaven? 

Yes! 

Thank you for that eternal gift.

But not yet!

Not soon!

And not now,

Please!

Lord, gracious giver and sustainer of life, grant me some more years that I might enjoy the wonderful human relationships you have gifted me.  

This is my earnest desire and plea!
But still, Your will is best.
And may Your will be done in my life! 

Grant me the grace to accept Your will that I may say with my lips: “It is well! Indeed it is well with my soul!”

Destin-ation

Destin Florida is our destination for our yearly summer vacation. The white sand beach and the emerald water of Destin keep beckoning us. Lyndee’s family-the Barmes- shares their time-share beach cabin with us. Thanks to grandma Louis for her generousity. I always look forward to this vacation. It provides quality bonding time for our family and it gives me the much needed relaxation.

Family BondingThe clean, clear and warm water of Emerald Beach in Destin Florida makes it a popular tourist destination.

One early morning in the beach cabin before hitting the beach, I saw my grandkids having a caucus. They were discussing Lolo’s bedtime story he told them the night before. They enjoyed the extemporaneous stories where they were the main characters encountering all sorts of adventures. One day, I will write those adventure stories for them to remember Lolo as a story teller.  Rare bonding moments

These cousins live five hours apart-Chigao, Illinois and Vincennes,Indiana. They only see each other at least twice a year. But they are best buddies when they reunite.The girls took my phone and made this selfie!Lyla, Liam and Camden.

Lola and Evelyn

Evelyn with Lola and Lolo

Surprise! ! !

Gilson and Lyndee made their big announcement one dinner time. Lyndee prepared dinner for everyone and before dinner was served Gilson prayed this prayer: “Lord, thank you for our vacation here in Destin. Thank you for the food prepared for us tonight. Thank you for our families and our children especially the one on the way!”

We were all speechless for a moment for after hearing that prayer. Lyndee’s parents, Andy and Angie looked at each other with gaped mouths and widened eyes. “We’re gonna be grandparents for the sixth time?!” I rushed to Lyndee and Gilson to embrace them and inquired if I heard it right to which they both chuckled and nodded. We all hugged each other. And our dinner time turned to a big celebration. As usual I shed tears of joy for the blessing of another grandchild! Another Valenzuela will be added to my growing clan. I feel like a very rich man!

Enjoying the company of Barmes

These beautiful ladies went for a brunch while their guys mind the kids.

Kale and daughter Charlotte. Kale’s wife is Valerie, the lady in the foreground of the picture above.

Evan and son Sullivan. Evan’s wife is Sunny, the lady at the center of the picture wearing white shirt.

Enjoying the clear water and white sand of Destin’s Emerald Beach

Ryland, you’ll be a big brother soon!

Lovely Lyla

Pretty EvelynCute Ryland

Smart Liam
Handsome Camden

Happy Lolo and LolaNo, I did not build these sand castles. We just found them while beach walking.Visiting Gilary in Miami Beach 

From Destin we drove 12 hours to see our Bunso-Gilary,  working/vacationing in Miami Beach. This hard-working young woman is a nanny to two pre-teen girls. Their family owns a condo by the beach where they stayed for three weeks. Eva and Olivia

Sandra is Gilary’s college roommate. They share the nanny work.

Gilda and Cameron flew from Chicago to Miami to join us.Gilda got their own Airbnb place in Miami. The picture above was requested by Airbnb to be used in their social media outlets.The colorful Lifeguard stations in Miami Beach

Miami Beach The beach condo at center is where Gilary stayed for almost a month, courtesy of Jose and Elsa Prieto. Their 10th floor condo has an excellent view of the beach.These kids did not mind the Florida heat.Wifey made sure she had a beach lounging chair.Gilary and Sandra are the nannies to these beautiful girls, Eva and Olivia.

Reunion with cousinOn our way home to Chicago, I met my cousin Wilma and her husband Lewis Nickerson in Atlanta, Georgia.

And for all these blessings, I say: