This beautiful young person, Kai, was like a daughter to my wife and me, and a dear friend of our daughters. Hers is a heart filled with love and compassion; how can such a spirit be judged to be violently erased from this world? I quote this from D. Demmel: “A nation cannot rise on the graves of its youth….”🌹🌹🌹🌹
You are, and will always be in our hearts, Kai…an inspiration of Love, Strength and Courage….💜💜💜💜🌹🌹🌹🌹
When two masters finally meet and dwell deep into their love for playing…when there is the nostalgia of younger days, in the land of one’s birth—Bagabag, Nueva Viscaya…it becomes simply heartwarming and…magical…🌹🌹🌹
When we are blest with music, we come together filled with memories…fun memories…and acknowledging the passing of Father Time…that in spite of it, we’re still kalog and filled with kwentuhan… and we can always relive it again and again!!!🌹🌹🌹💜 until the next round!!🌹🌹🌹🌹💜
The passing typhoon south of Bacolod caused many others to cancel reservations…prior to the show, the anxiety was unmistakable—it might be a concert with many seats unsold…
But, it was not meant to be. Not a drop of rain, and the auditorium was packed. Even more exhilarating—-Bacolod audience are known to be staid and reserved…
Not this time: soon as the Union band (Jet, Fulton, Jessica and Joanna) and the relentless local boys who provided the rhythm section—with Leah’s lilting songs, JT’s Hagibis act , and the surprise appearance of Joseph Olfindo in capping a Metropop classic, Ikaw, Ako, Tayong Lahat Magkakapatid—the Manila Sound Mania event was one more memorable gig for the books! And to top itt all it was for a worthy cause to rebuild a center serving the needy…thank you to the producers (spearheaded by Edith Montelibano) and the great volunteers who made it happen!
What a night!!! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹💜💜💜
Salamat ng marami to all who extended greetings!! The outpouring of well-wishers…but, in the spirit of giving, I appeal for your donation to help those who continue to be in need, no matter how small…and let us truly make this and the days ahead, even more meaningful for all of us!!! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹💜💜💜
We are thankful for a 2025 of being together…and be among those whose hearts and souls are dedicated to serve; those whose spirit of creativity have stirred hearts; those who graciously gave what little they can to make this a better, just world…we continue this long journey as another year 2026 begins….from these acts of deep Love, we draw our Courage…🌹🌹🌹🌹💜
The flight continues…but, it was 40 years ago today, amidst the Great Seattle Fog of ‘85, I arrive in Seattle following a short stint in Hawaii promoting the documentary I had the great privilege to write, “Aw-aweng ti Amianan” (Echoes of the North)…at age 31, setting foot in Portland, as flights were diverted becauseof the fog, not realizing that the Pacific NW was to be the home away from home where Fate had laid out for me a journey I had least expected…🌹🌹🌹
