Month: July 2021

Happy happy birthday to you Lolo/Daddy MAX…
Lolo/Daddy MAX indeed is still suave and as smooth as WAX;
At age NINETY-NINE, he looks as though he’s just SIXTY-NINE – –
Still, Lolo/Daddy MAX can un-assisted, do unto my Law Office stairs a quick CLIMB;
He could even dance the TWERK which is famous among lovely girls who’ve sipped WINE!

Among the most descriptive adjective that is ascribable unto LOLO/DAD MAX, as a FOREBEAR…
The term DISCPLINARIAN is the most that attaches to LOLO/DAD MAX, and it’s so CLEAR;
The thick-leather thong belting episode (after I got caught street-gambling when I was 10) that made me avoid MAHJONG- –
Will always be okey with me as long as I’ll receive some part of the TONG;
And I’m sure (next year) that LOLO/DAD MAX’s 100th birthday will be most astounding, accompanied by the shrilling sound of a GONG!

I still vividly remember the Rocky Marciano-style of a punch that hit my stomach, my BELLY…
Perhaps, that’s the reason why I can make 100 sit-ups, like PACMAN, MANNY;
And the kneeling punishments that I’d usually GET- –
Made me also stronger, with SQUAT JUMPS that’s hard to FORGET;
For it has become the usual sanction when I was still a toddler and a growing BAGET!

But the most memorable teaching that I distinctly REMEMBER…
Was how to cook sotanghon soup using as “pang-gatong” a heap of CHARCOAL EMBER;
‘Twas at a time in the late ‘50s when there was some sort of a FLU EPIDEMIC – –
Only I and LOLO/DAD MAX, were not infected, ‘twas a record that’s kinda EPIC;
But the SOTANGHON SOUP, tasted so SALTY, as the bottle of PATIS sort of PANICKED!

At the former structure of our house at 19th AVENUE…
It was pure ground-earth flooring with lots of “banig”, and the SOTANGHON SOUP also registered lots of SPEW;
Lola/Mommy NORMA was down; YAM, JING, SON and BERT were all CALM – –
And our maid CLARITA was shivering cold as though a wiggling CLAM;
They all spewed the first round of the SALTY SOUP and RICE, so we had to water down the SOUP, scooping water from the DRUM!

And the seasonal mini-gladiatorial COMBAT was truly HORRIFYING and EXCITING…
When the PIG PEN needs to be cleansed and hosed, after piglets are given birth by the “INAHIN”;
LOLO/DAD MAX would look like a GLADIATOR facing the “INAHIN” in some kind of hand-to-mouth FIGHTING – –
Like a CROCODILE, the “INAHIN” will open its mouth with some “PANGIL” and would make its mouth SNAP, angling LOLO/DAD MAX’s DING-A-LING!

And LOLO/DAD MAX will always win the seeming GLADIATORIAL COMBAT in the END…
With our chickens roosting inside their PEN hooting with excitement, and with their crowing salutes they’d SEND;
And LOLO/DAD MAX will receive a nod and a pat of adulation among our renters and BOARDERS in their tittle-tattle SPREE- –
With shower of leaves as though lots of confetti from the nearby “aratiles” TREE;
And then and there, the “INAHING BABOY” will snort and sort of BRAY
and WHINNY!

And I think this ferocious type (so protective of its litters and piglets) of a PIG…
Will always be VANQUISHED, with a bamboo pole or perhaps a TWIG;
As in every birthday of our suave and dandy LOLO/DAD MAX – –
A roasted pig aka LECHON, will be prepared with its skin so oily as though WAXED;
Some kind of “karma” for the pigs’ tribe’s past fierce ATTACKS!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLO/DADDY MAX!

DAHIL SA PAG-AALAY NG MISA NOONG HULYO KATORSE…

KAUGNAY SA PAG-ALAALA NG MGA PUMANAW NA UP LAW EVENING NA MGA KAKLASE;

NAIMBITAHAN TULOY ANG SYANG MGA NAGSIPAGDALO SA MISA AT SALU-SALO – –

SA KUMPLEANYO NITONG SI VIC CRUZ NA NAGLUTO NG MGA ULAM NIYANG PABORITO!

NAPAG-KAYARIANG “HAWAIIAN” ANG SIYANG MAGIGING MOTIF O THEME…

KAYA BULAKLAKIN ANG MGA KASUOTAN AT SYANG NAISIPANG SUOTIN;

SI BENJU DELA PAZ DAW AY SA BAUL PA HINALUKAY ANG KANYANG FLOWERY POLO – –

SI MARVIN GONONG NAMAN EH TATLONG BAUL NA ANG HINAHALUKAY,  WALANG MAKITA, KAYA SYA’Y NA-ZERO!

NAGDALA NA LAMANG SI MARVIN NG HULA SKIRT NA KULAY GOLD AND VIOLET…

MUKHANG “SCANDALIZING” DAW NAMAN KUNG SUSUOTIN NIYA, ‘COS HE GAINED MUCH WEIGHT;

IDINECORATE NA LANG, BILANG DAGDAG NA ADORNO SA WALL DÉCOR PHOTOS – –

NG MGA BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS, NA SINA FE, ANG COOK NAMIN, AT SI VIC CRUZ!

AT NAPUNTA ANG USAPANG UKOL SA MGA KARANASAN NOONG SILA’Y MGA SUPLING…

KUNG ANO ANG SYANG PINAGKAKAABALAHAN, AT KUNG SAAN BUMABAN-JING;

AT KUNG ANO ANG NANGYAYARI SA HAPAG-KAINAN KAPAG MARAMING UTOL – –

MAY  PAGKAKAIBA NGA BA ANG PANAHON NOON, KEYSA SA MGA MILLENIALS NGAYON, NA SO VERY BEAUTIFUL!

KUMPLETONG-KUMPLETO  NGA ANG MGA GADGETS…

KAHIT NA NGA HALOS AY HINDI PA TUMATAPAK SA EDAD NA MAGING  BAGETS;

NAIKWENTO TULOY NI BABES, ANG STYLE NILA KAPAG KUMAKAIN – –

DAHIL INAATADO DAW NG INANG NIYA, ANG ULAM AT SINAING!

DAHIL HINDI NAMAN STRIKTO SA PAGBIBIGAY NGA NG KANIN…

HALOS GA-BUNDOK DAW ANG RICE NI BABES, YONG PALA’Y MAY SECRET, NA HINDI NYA NOON INAAMIN;

NAGTATAGO PALA SI BABES NG FOOD SA ILALIM NG KANIN – –

AT KAHIT NA PALA NOON SILA’Y NAPAHILIG SA SOCIAL DISTANCING!

NAPAHILIG NA NGA SILA SA KUNTING SOCIAL DISTANCING, HINDI DAHIL SA PANDEMIC NA DIABLO…

DAHIL DAW KUNG MINSAN KAPAG SIYA’Y NAPAPALAPIT SA UTOL NYANG PILYO;

GINAGAMIT ANG “FORK”, TO SPEAR, YONG ULAM, SA KABILANG IBAYO – –

KAYA DAW DAPAT “OBSERVANT” AT “WATCHFUL” KA, KUNG HINDI, YARI ANG MEAT MO SA PLATO!

ITO NAMANG SI VIC CRUZ DAW, AY NAGING JEEPNEY BARKER…

ELEMENTARY GRADE PALANG DAW SIYA NOON, HALOS ISA PA SYANG TODDLER;

AT SI MARVZ GONONG, AY NAGING LIMPIA-BOTA, ISANG MAGALING NA SHOE-SHINER- –

MAGALING PA RIN MAG-ESCOBA, LINTIK MAGPAKINTAB, MAY JOE BUSH PA NGA TO MAKE THE SHOES GLOSSIER!

NAGTINDA NAMAN PO NG BINATOG SA KALYE, ITONG INYONG LINGKOD…

NAGTINDA RIN NG DINUGUA’T PANSIT, NUNG GINAGAWA ANG ARANETA COLISEUM, SA MAY BANDANG LIKOD ;

SA MGA LABORERS, SELLING FOODSTUFF THRU THE BARBED WIRE, NA  NAGSILBING BAKOD;

AT MARAMI NGANG PARUKYANO NOONG HALOS DI NAKAKAPAGBAYAD, LAGOT AKO SA NANAY KONG, MASAKIT MAMINGOT AT TUMAMPAL SA BATOK!

AT NAPAG-USAPAN NAMAN ANG BINABAYAD NOONG TUITION FEE SA COLLEGE OF LAW…

ITO PALANG SI BABES AT BENJU, AY DISCOUNTED PA RIN ANG BAYAD, THUS THEY PAID THEIR FEES SO VERY LOW;

AT PATI ANG MGA PROFESSOR AY NAPAG-UKULAN NG PANSIN – –

STYLE NI CEL GELLADA PARA SA RECITATION, AY NATUNGHAYAN , THE STYLE WHICH GAVE CEL EXCELLENT RATING!

AT NAGKANTAHAN PA RING UMAATIKABO ANG MAGKAKAKLASE…

PATI SI BABES IPINAKITA ANG KANYANG CROONING FORTE;

AT SI CEL GELLADA NAMAN AY INAWIT AND KANYANG FAVE: “TO AL THE GIRLS I LOVE BEFORE” – –

AT SI VIC AT SI WALLY DID NOT EVER WANT TO GIVE UP THE MIKE AND THE DANCING FLOOR…

KAYA MARAHIL ANG BAGYONG RUMARAGASA LALONG UMAKYAT SA ALERT LEVEL FOUR!

Matagal-tagal na rin kasi ang dumaang PANAHON…

Na ‘di makapag-get-together nitong unang semestre ngayong TAON;

Nagkataong na-isinangguni at ibinahagi ni BABES NAVARRO – –

Pag-gunita sa pag-yao ng mga evening BATCHMATES, “which brought much SORROW”;

Sina JIM NAGRAMPA, ERIC RODRIGUEZ, BOBBY LOPEZ, MAR TURINGAN at si DIONNE LAURICO!

At ang “REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN UP LAW EVENING BATCHMATES” nga ay NAIDAOS…

At kelangang ding mag-pamisa bilang pag-gunita sa KALBARYO ng POONG HESUS;

Mahirap ngani ngayong PANDEMIC na kumuha ng PARI na handang lumabas ng kanilang KUMBENTO – –

Buti na nga lang ay pumayag itong aking kaibigang INDIANO na PARING CLARETIANO;

Si Fr. TOMMY¹ na kay hirap talagang espelegin ang mahaba niyang APELYIDO!

Mahirap nga talagang ISPELENGIN itong si Fr. TOMMY…

Dahil takot daw siyang ma-COVID at hindi ka pwedeng lumapit at sa kanya’y TUMABI;

At least 2-meters DISTANCING and kanyang takdang sukat na sa kanya ay LUMAYO – –

Yan daw ang wika ng puno ng CONGREGATION nila na sa kanya ay syang NAGPAYO;

Kaya dapat kaming lahat, sa kanya habang nag-mimisa, ay sadyang MALAYO!

Ang diga ko nga kay FATHER para nga lang PUMAYAG unto our PACT…

“We’re all fully-vaccinated FATHER, and not more than TEN, that’s a FACT”;

Ang sagot nya naman, ay: “there’s no guaranty that you won’t be INFECTED” – –

Turned out that Boss AMBA VICKY, has not yet been INOCULATED;

Kaya she cordially sent her regrets, and that’s what BABES NARRATED!

Subalit naging TOO DEMANDING po itong si FATHER…

Kailangang daw ay: “for us to strictly OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING, WHATSOEVER”;

At na-relocate ang VENUE po ng HOLY MASS, to a venue which was LARGER – –

Mula sa CONFERENCE ROOM, ay sa BADMINTON BUILDING na naitakda ang misa, and no OTHER;

At baka mag-boycott areng si Father TOMMY, “as I can’t argue any FURTHER”!

At ang unang dumating sa lugar ng MISA, siyempre ay si BABES…

At kakilala din pala niya itong paring INDIANO, who sports a BEARD;

Then, si MARVZ GONONG na taga-PROJECT 4 po LAMANG TALAGA – –

Halos wala pa ngang isang kilometro ang layo mula sa aming OFICINA;

Pero nagdala pa rin ng KOTSE, at muntik pa ang pag-PARADA’y naging PROBLEMA!

 Sumunod namang dumating po ay si BENJU DE LA PAZ…

Taga MARIKINA at siya pala’y nabalo nito lang DISYEMBRE, at di na nga niya IPINA-BROADCAST;

Malihim ngani itong si BENJU, ngunit loyal na tagapagsundo ng kaisa-isang babae nyang ANAK – –

Mabuti nga daw at ‘di nagpasundo, kundi ay di sya nakarating AGAD;

At dahil nga sa TRAFFIC baka daw sa DINNER GET-TOGETHER, siya ay di rin MAPADPAD!

And the tandem of VIC CRUZ and CEL GELLADA made their ENTRANCE…

To avoid TOWING, nag-parking daw sila sa gated parking area, among those parked DELIVERY VANS;

And the HOLY MASS got started with a FOREWORD as FATHER SUGGESTED – –

Since FR. TOMMY does not know our departed BATCHMATES;

He needs some inputs for his HOMILY, those circumstances about JIM, ERIC, BOB, MAR and DIONNE, who speaks as though he’s from the STATES!

Thus, as introduction, I made some DISCLOSURE…

Since JIM was my very first LAW PARTNER, he was my intro’s CYNOSURE;

And next was ERIC, and the rest whom I failed to get unto the TARP their individual PICTURE – –

And the MASS started in EARNEST, as FR. TOMMY vowed he’d have to EXIT FAST;

He has to finish his DOCTORAL THESIS, the extension given him is the LAST!

And the DINNER GET-TOGETHER proved so JOLLY…

BABES received a call from a FRIEND, named DOLLY;

At naitanong nung FRIEND kung nasaan nga SIYA nag LALA-MYERDA – –

Nakuwento naman ni BABES na nag-attend siya ng MISA;

MISA nga nang pag-gunita nang kamatayan ng kanyang mga KAESKWELA!

Aba, ang sabi ba naman nitong kanyang kaibigang KAHUNTAHAN…

“Naku, wag ka nang nag-aattend ng mga “mass for the dead” na GANYAN;

“Dapat dahil PANDEMYA, wag ka nang susubo pa sa mga bagay na nagbibigay KALUNGKUTAN” – –

Sumagot si BABES: “Eto nga kami’t dahil muling nagkita-kita ay walang kahulilip ang aming TAWANAN”;

At ang kaibigan ni BABES ay tunay pong NABIGLA at NAGULUMIHANAN!

Ang inihanda ng aming masipag na KUSINERA sa OFICINA…

Menudo, sinigang na salmon, pininyahang manok at syempre isang piling na SWEET BANANA;

At nag-ambag naman si VIC CRUZ ng pansit sotanghon na puno ng tinalupang HIPON – –

Sinimulan na ngani ang pag-TSIBOG, at si BABES, na walang KA-ABOG-ABOG;

Kumuha na ng plato, kubyertos at syempre ang favorite nyang FOOD!

Dahil nga ako po ay SENIOR CITIZEN nang TALAGA…

Nakaligtaan kong kunin ang pinaluto kong KARE-KARE sa SISTER kong MAGANDA;

Mabuti na lang at nasiglawan ko si JESSIMINE na syang aking bagong SEKRETARYA – –

Pinagbando ko pa ngang makakatikim siya ng KARE-KARE na pinakamasarap sa buong mundo, or perhaps buong ASIA;

At ako na mismo ang kumuha ng KARE-KARE, dahil si DRIVER WILLY’y inihatid pa si FATHER sa ICLA²!

At siyempre nang natikman ni MARVZ ang KARE-KARE na niluto ni WILMA, na INIHAIN…

Naku’y para daw nakalimutan na niya ang ngalan ng BIYENAN nyang magiliw at MAHINHIN;

At kahit nga pinag-bawalan nang uminom si MARVZ ng mga inuming PAMPAGANA – –

Lumagok ng JINRO SOJU na para bagang bersiyon ng BEER mula sa SOUTH KOREA, pero lasang VODKA;

At talagang humanap pa ng ibang inuming na naka-LA-LASHING at nagbibigay SAYA!

At syempre si CEL ay naikwento ang kanyang inaantay na RETIREMENT PAY…

2017 pa ngani nag-RETIRE, wala pa ring PAY until TODAY;

May HOT LINE daw na dapat si CEL ay TAWAGAN, para mawakasan ang PAG-AANTAY – –

Para bagang wika ni CEL, siya halos ay talagang BINIBISTAY;

At mukhang siya’y nahaharap sa mga kawani ng GSIS na animo’y BANTAY-SALAKAY!

At itong si MARVZ ay kelangan palang bumalik sa ESTADOS UNIDOS…

Dahil doon siya nag FIRST DOSE ng PFIZER, at syempre, doon din dapat SECOND DOSE;

Pero ang ONLINE DFA sked niya ay sa end of OCTOBER 2021 pa, at  KELANGAN NIYA’Y RUSH – –

Gagawan ng paraan ni VIC CRUZ, nang walang ATTORNEY’s FEES, no need to PAY CASH;

“OUT-OF-POCKET” expense na lang daw, as the result would indeed be FAST!

At nang matapos na ang kainan, tuksuhan, tawanan at INUMAN…

Meron pa ngang pabaon na SINUKMANI³ na MALINAMNAM;

Naalala ko ang wika ng aking INANG, upang lumawig ang PAGKAKAIBIGAN – –

Mamahagi ng malagkit na BIKO upang ang mga kaibiga’y mas lalong MAPADIKIT;

Habang si SWEET BABES NAVARRO naman ay mukhang lalong nagiging MARIKIT at NAG-PAPAKARIKIT!

[These are my Law Office staff members who made the HOLY MASS cum DINNER GET-TOGETHER in commemoration of the death anniversary of Jim Nagrampa happen. JIM joined our ALMIGHTY CREATOR on July 14, 2004. The HOLY MASS presided over by Fr. TOMMY MUNDANKUNNELVARKEY was offered too for the eternal repose of the souls of ERIC RODRIGUEZ, DIONNE LAURICO, MAR TURINGAN and BOBBY LOPEZ. From top to bottom (L-R): Ms. Marissa Lagdamen, our OFFICE MANAGER; Ms. Jessimine Caballero, our SECRETARY; Ms. Tita Nailgas, our OFFICE CLEANER; Mr. Willy Pestilos, our OFFICE DRIVER; and, Ms. Fe Tobias-Calanoga, our OFFICE COOK.]

Legend:

1. Father TOMMY MUNDANKUNNELVARKEY is an Indian Roman Catholic priest who is taking up a doctorate degree in PHILOSOPHY at the UST. He was supposed to finish his schooling in early 2020 and to return to his pastoral work in GOA, INDIA but the pandemic indefinitely extended his stay in the Philippines.
2. ICLA which is acronym for INSTITUTE FOR CONSECRATED LIFE IN ASIA  is a religious center being run by the CLARETIAN CONGREGATION  for doing theology to revitalize spirituality and mission in emergent churches, particularly in Asia. Their office cum seminary is located at No. 526 Tandang Sora Avenue, Barangay Culiat, Tandang Sora, Quezon City, Metro-Manila.
3. SINUKMANI or BIKO is my favorite childhood kakanin. Sinukmani or Biko is a Filipino rice cake made from glutinous rice (in tagalog, we call it as malagkit), coconut milk, and sugar. In Laguna, it is locally known as sinukmani and in Manila it’s Biko.

[ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO RAMIL BALAGOT, O LORD; AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HIM.]

Salamat at maluwalhati naming NAIHATID at NAIABOT…

Ang URNO ng ABO, ng yumaong si RAMIL BALAGOT;

Matapos nga ng mahigpit na pag-tatatasa ng LGU REPRESENTATIVES – –

They’re really so strict, as though they treated those being questioned as MALEVOLENT CULPRITS;

Dahil para bagang ang kanilang LAYON: “nobody can enter LA UNION, for mere, and insignificant as well as non-urgent DEEDS and FEATS!

Nalaman ko na rin that parts of LA UNION experienced a spike in COVID CASES…

For which reason, their status got reverted into MECQ, with those, among others, as BASIS;

Kaya napakasusi nilang mag-usisa, at isa-isang SINUSURI, at SINUSURING MULI – –

Kakabahan ka ngang talaga, baka ma-DENY ka NGANI;

Mabuti nga at kami ay nabigyan ng OKEY noong EVALUATOR na POGI!

Kung VACCINATED ka na, dapat ang VACCINATION CARD ay DALA…

Dapat ay ORIHINAL at hindi pwede lang ang KOPYA;

At kung hindi naman, dapat may taglay kang PCR SWAB TEST – –

ORIHINAL ang dapat na ipakita, at NO PWEDE ang ANTIGEN TEST;

Naku may problema kami dahil driver nung L-300 VAN, ay mere ANTIGEN TEST!

Nalaman ko ring kaya pala sila ay SOBRANG NAG-HIGPIT…

Meron palang group of doctors who said they’re just passing by, to attend a BAGUIO SUMMIT;

Eh, pinasundan sa mga “civilian clad” na PULIS via MOTORCYCLE – –

Naku nag-check-in sa isang RESORT, yari sila as their act was deemed as EVIL;

Charged with violation of HEALTH PROTOCOLS, and they were DETAINED perhaps even sent to JAIL!

When we reached the barangay, which is the home of RAMIL…

BROWN-OUT pala and the duration will be long, and power will resume at night STILL;

So, we reset the CHRISTIAN SERVICE to SUNDAY, in the MORNING – –

With the URN already set at their place, they started their way of MOURNING;

No CATHOLIC PRIEST was available, so just a CHRISTIAN service, we’ll make and BRING!

But the thing that swayed the EVALUATOR to give us an OKEY…

Was a copy of the SAKSI TABLOID, with the photos of DADDY;

And when the EVALUATOR cursorily read the ARTICLE – –

He gave us the THUMBS-UP sign, and so we re-boarded our INNOVA VEHICLE;

And the L-300 Van driver which VAN was transporting RAMIL’s belongings, smiled and even gave out a GIGGLE!

Sa pagpunta at pamimili naman namin sa BAUANG MARKET…
Naku the same story, as they were all so NOSY and STRICT;

Noong nalamang kami’y taga QUEZON CITY, mukhang NAHINTAKUTAN – –

Dahil marahil sa past HIGH INFECTION rate ng QC, but still they looked WAN;

But when we showed our completed docs, they gave us their OKEY, as though from a MAGIC WAND!

Lalo lang nga silang na-excite at NAPABILIB…

When I gave them copies of the SAKSI TABLOID, with Daddy Max’s article at the CENTERPAGE;

Napagkamalan nga pati, na ako ba daw ay isang actor na KOREANO- –

Dahil nga marahil ay brown ang dyed-hair ko at YOUNG ang APELYIDO;

Siguro naisip nila, mula KOREAN WAR, marahil ay binitbit na ako ni Daddy mula sa mga KOREAN WAR child refugees na TULIRONG-TULIRO! 

  

Dapat maipagbando ko din ang tulong ng aking Brod VIRGILIO, na frat brod ko sa PI O…

Dahil siya ang nagbigay sa amin ng LODGING at the NICE and CLEAN RESORT called COCO;

CO CO CAY ang full name of the nice RESORT, which was formerly named as COCONUT GROVE;

Brod VIRGILIO LIBUNAO booked our stay and even paid the overnight stay in ADVANCE, that sweet and kind brotherly MOVE – –

Mukhang may discount promo, and perhaps he’s at the said RESORT a regular habitue, as BROD VIRGILIO seems to be always on the MOVE!

At ipinasyal pa nga pala kami ni DONNA sa GRAPE FARM ng PINSAN NIYA…

Hitik na hitik nga talaga kapag ang GRAPEVINE ay NAMUNGA;

Pinatikim din nga kami ng RIPE GRAPES mula sa VINE – –

Habang namimitas si FE, DONNA at JESSIMINE, the smell is as though we’re near a BARREL OF WINE;

Kaya tuloy si Driver WILLY ay parang nalasing, at siya’y naging matabil, at puro nga UNGOL at DAING, walang kahulilip na WHINE nga ng WHINE!

And in the morning of SUNDAY, we went to RAMIL’s HOUSE…

They were all there, RAMIL’s parents as well as the parents of NELLY, his SPOUSE;

Friends of the family and some other KIN – –

The siblings of DONNA and some one who’s a PAMANGKIN;

And I delivered some speech condoling and of THANKING, and that I vowed to treat DONNA as one of the YOUNGS’ adopted KIN!

Nang matapos nga ang CHRISTIAN SERVICE sa bahay ng yumaong si RAMIL…

Nag-aantay na pala si BROD VIRGILIO, sa national highway, sa may GERRY’S GRILL;

At umorder ng katakot-takot na pagkain at may pasalubong pa sa aking PAMILYA – –

Mukhang yumaman na nga ng husto itong si Brod VIRGILIO ng MILYA-MILYA;

Dahil nga daw nag-mag-retire siya bilang dekano sa DMMMSU, ay pagpapayaman na ang kanyang PUNTIRYA!

LET’S ALL FOCUS OUR PRAYERS UNTO RAMIL: “ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO HIM, O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HIM!”

Congratulations unto you Madame DONNA ALAGAR…

The immensity of the lauds and prAises, seems adequate thus FAR;

For you’re truly amazing and so PUZZLING- –

It would seem that you have the power of BILOCATION, which appears UNENDING;

And your persevering efforts to discharge your plethora of functions look so really UNTIRING!

Indeed, the message posted by my idol

Boss REY SIMPAO…

Would entice everyone unto you to make a BOW;

Perhaps like a curtsey done before the majestic Queen of ENGLAND- –

Or even perhaps a pirouette in accord with the ways of an excellent TERPSICHOREAN;

Or even perhaps a high jump of a regular participant in the Boston MARATHON RUN!

Your time-management skills seem to really be PRECISE and “SWAK” na “SWAK”…

It would appear as though it’s your own peculiar and a routine KNACK;

And your motherhood functions appear with so very nil DYSFUNCTION- –

As your captivating gracefulness as a woman, shows your love emotions in constant MOTION;

Driving through occasional kinks in marital life, with harmonious blend and mutual deep DEVOTION!

The phraseology of the award is so really APT…

You really seem to have gotten the award in a seeming easy WRAP;

For you’re indeed so deep in PASSION – –

With unconditional commitment as a happy ADDITION;

Your service to the IBP has really  brought much honor and prestige to the LEGAL PROFESSION!

The IBP-Quezon City is really too proud of YOU…

We really need to have some celebration, perhaps near a BAYOU;

And we’ll be angling for fish that’s so fresh and DELICIOUS- –

With some brandy, whiskey or bourbon; hope Boss REY won’t turn overly LOQUACIOUS;

And another Papang whom I fear might go ATROCIOUS!

Will not divulge his name as I’m a bit CAUTIOUS…

For he’s grand and a bit authoritarian, like PILATE PONTIUS;

And people say too that he’s somewhat VORACIOUS- –

Please don’t be intrigued with this FUN RHYME;

As the reference here made is actually SPURIOUS!

Just to make all of you readers excited and JOYOUS!

Congratulations once again, Madame DONNA, who really is so BODACIOUS!

Feelings of amazement and admiration showered upon ME…

As you narrated your lawyering efforts for your DAD, your beloved PAPPY;

And you sounded like a legal eagle and not just a litigation BEGINNER- –

You truly deserve a pat on the back , for you’ve turned into an expert litigator’s DEAD RINGER;

You’d surely in the future be listed as a true topnotch LAWYER!

The steps and legal reliefs that you aspired FOR…

You did it and competently achieved as akin to the hereunder METAPHOR;

It would seem that the saying: “AS EASY AS A PIE” – –

Is your routine legal knack, as your opponents cannot now DENY;

That your DAD has  the real right to the  lot which your distant kin COVET as they continuously TRY!

Never have I tried to research and rummage through the CHURCH’s ARCHIVES…

But you did it, with the same scenario: “AS EASY AS PIE”;

Your contemplated legal STRATEGY actually JIBES – –

With what is written in the book, and I’m a bit SHY;

‘Cause you perceived me as an expert, but your actually the best,  and I say that  WHILST NOT expecting BRIBES!

Your passion and commitment in your LAWYERING ACTUATION…

Deserves in truth and in fact, a celebratory COMMENDATION;

We have to set a date, go pick indeed from the CALENDAR – –

As OLIVE’s DAY OF CELEBRATION for that significant event and ANNAL;

For having won a succession of cases, committed to uphold your PAPA’s REAL ESTATE CULL!

So, I wish to reiterate my offer to YOU…

Be my partner-in-consortium or just perhaps as my collaborating JO;

JO which actually means, as some sort of a DEAR FRIEND – –

FRIENDSHIP in lawyering which should never ever END;

As we will TRIUMPH and BE VICTORIOUS in all cases, using your CHARM and your impressive KEN!

Let’ set this date as OLIVE’s DAY… and TODAY, I’m honored to offer you a TOAST, perhaps a BRANDY;

Perhaps even a sip of RED wine or even perhaps a slight swig of WHISKEY – –

For this DATE indeed calls for a CELEBRATION;

As you have shown your caliber as a competent lawyer for all kinds of LITIGATION!

CONGRATULATION MY DEAR FRIEND OLIVE, as YOU’LL SURELY BECOME SOMEDAY A LAWYERING SENSATION!

HAPPY OPENING DAY TO THE MAJUS BONUM CAR WASH SHOP…

I WAS TOLD THAT A CAR WASH CUSTOMER IS ENTITLED TO COFFEE, BUT JUST ONE CUP;

IT SURELY WOULD ENTICE CUSTOMERS TO HANG OUT AT THE VENUE – –

IT’S JUST RIGHT ALONG THE RELATIVELY WIDER 20th AVENUE!

I’VE BEEN A LOYAL AND CONSISTENT CUSTOMER OF ITS PREDECESSOR…

I’M ACTUALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO ITS OPENING, AS I’M SURE THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS WILL SOAR;

 WITH THE AMBIENCE THAT HAS BEEN ENHANCED, AS A COZY CAFÉ – –

WE’LL SURELY BE DAILY HABITUES, MY DRIVER AND ME!

AND THE CLEANING GADGETS, I SAW YESTERDAY, ARE TRULY CUTTING-EDGE…

CLEANING THOSE CLIENTS’ CARS WOULD REALLY BE A BEAU GESTE;

THAT PEEK ABOUT THOSE AVANT-GARDE CLEANING GADGETS, I’D SURELY NOT FORGET – –

FOR IT WOULD TRULY BE SO CLASSY AND A BIT FANCY; AND NO ONE WILL SURELY REGRET!

AS ONE WILL BE ENSCONCED ON A HIGH PLACE THAT WOULD SURELY BE BREEZY…

SIPPING COFFEE AS THOUGH AL FRESCO, AND THAT EVEN SOUNDS FRENCHY;

THE RUBBERIZED CLEANING PLATFORM, MAKES IT EVEN MORE MODERN – –

THE LOOK AND APPEAL OF THE SHOP, APPEARS TRULY MIDWESTERN!

I WISH TO PROFUSELY CONGRATULATE THE OWNER OF THIS SHOP…

AM SURE THAT HE’LL BE HAPPY TO RUB ELBOWS WITH ALL WHO’D STOP;

STOPPING AT THE SHOP WHILE QUAFFING AN ESPRESSO COFFEE – –

THAT WOULD SURELY MAKE MY DAY, AND I’LL BE HAPPY AND DANDY!

AND MAJUS BONUM, I JUST LEARNED MEANS THE “GREATER GOOD”…

I HOPE THAT SOMEDAY, THEY WILL SERVE SOME TASTY FOOD;

PERHAPS SOME SANDWICHES, ARROZ CALDO OR EVEN TAPA – –

AND PERHAPS, I’D BRING ALONG MY KOREAN WAR HERO – – MY DAD, MY PAPA!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MAJUS BONUM CAR WASH & CAFE!