Trip to the Philippines

12/19/00 - 1/5/01

First, we visited Armilito's parents Teofila and Carlos in Cabanatuan City.

One day early on, we took a trip to the family's fledgling farm in Palayan City.

There's a hut where a farmer friend lives

Which turned out to be a good place for Armilito to have a nap.

While we were in Cabanatuan, we connected up with Mario, an old school friend of Armilito's

and met his family.......

From Cabanatuan, we went on to Boracay for a few days of R&R.  Boracay is a tiny tropical island with white sand beaches and lots of palm trees.

Army liked this rock

and the beach was endless

It was fun relaxing for a few days getting away from it all.

Boracay waterfront had touristy shops, restaurants etc.

After Boracay we went to visit Icktoy in Lipa City, Batangas.

His house was full of collected stuff. Much of which I recognized from having known him in New York...years ago.

 The three of us returned to Cabanatuan together to celebrate New Years.

This part of the trip was about visiting family so we mostly have pictures of family.

They all get together each year to celebrate.

Army has several brothers Sonny, Manny (seated), Larry, Ruben and Jose. (Another brother, Carlos, a security guard, did not come home that day because of the bombings in Manila.)   

and sisters Mila, Lucy and Elsa. (Sisters Virginia and Carlita live in Australia and they did not come home.)

.............

Lucy is Army's oldest sister.

Since the last time I visited (5 years ago) the littlest kids have grown. These are brother Larry's kids sitting on their jeep.

Eva's kids Honeyboy (Armilito) and Kim (Richard) are getting big.

.

Vince (Brother Larry's son.)

and Veeree (Nephew Gerald's new baby was only five days old!!)

One of my favorite newcomers was Sonny's new boy, Cedie.  He took a shine to me even though we couldn't communicate with words.  I still don't know much tagalog :(

Army thought  Dave (nephew Dennis' son) was a hottie!!

This is Vanessa (13 years old) and Dorine (11 years old).  We are hoping they will come to the US to live with us sometime in 2001.

.........Dorine and Vanessa holding Veree

New Years Eve was a bit of a zoo. Everybody convened on the house for an all nighter. Every visitor came to pay respect to the elders. Here's how you do it.

During the day we roasted a whole pig.  I had met this fellow the day before at Eva's house.  He was perfectly friendly and alive at the time.

Lets eat!!!!  We said a prayer and the feasting began.

There was plenty of partying and the boys did a little imbibing. 

Finally,  it was midnight and time for the noise makers.......

Sonny had driven to another town earlier in the day and gotten some excellent fireworks.....

The celebrations lasted almost all night and the next day there were more visitors and games for the children. 

The following day we went to Manila to get ready for our return to the US. 

Good Bye!!