Happy Birthday, Pretzel!

Dear Pretzel, Mommy Pretz, Auntie Pretz, or simply Pretz,

This song is for you ... on your birthday! May the force be always with you!!!

FROM: Someone and all of us here at the Garage!

She 

who always seems so happy in a crowd

Whose eyes can be so private and so proud

No one's allowed to see them when they cry

She may be the love that cannot hope to last

May come to me from shadows of the past

That i'll remember till the day i die

She

May be the reason i survive

The why and wherefore i'm alive

The one i'll care for through the rough and ready years

Me i'll take her laughter and her tears

And make them all my souvenirs

For where she goes i've got to be

The meaning of my life is ...
PRETZEL!!!!

XOXO

New Year Party Filmed at El Garaje

As previously blogged in our Christmas Party story, the plan to hold a New Year Party at H-77 El Garaje came true, much to everyone's delight.  

Uncle Metz and Tia Stella, two of Lola Beling's children, were there as well as the grandchildren and great grandchildren for this end-of-the-year celebration.

The El Garaje Families

The attendance narrowed a bit but the fun and laughter doubled compared to what we had during the Christmas Party.  As usual, the dinner table is full with Paray's lechon as the center piece, courtesy of our generous benefactor, Kuya JP!

Dinner Time: Surely, everyone is famished!

Waka-Waka dance tutorial led by Tita Dinah a.k.a. "Shakira"; Lola Wena was such a very eager student

Youngest contenders in the newspaper
 dance competition; Proud mama looking on

Kuya JP, held-up by El Garaje Kids, frisking him for more prizes

The evening was marked with family picture taking, singing, dance tutorial, newspaper dance for the kids and Pay-per-Dance for the adults.

If the kids are good in newspaper dance, the adults
are very competitive in their Pay-Per-Dance Craze.
Unfortunately, nobody won;
the financier was too broke to declare even a single winner

The original Filipino "Azkals", practicing their cheer dance in preparation
for their entry in the next World Cup

We hope and wish that for the 2011 Christmas Party and 2012 New Year's Party, we will be able to perfect our family roll call and enjoy each other's company! To all our family members scattered all over the world, have a happy and prosperous New Year!

Christmas Party at El Garaje

This is our first Christmas without our Lola Beling (Maria), grand matriarch of H-77 El Garaje. It is in her remembrance that, as a family, we never cease to strengthen the bind that ties all of us.

So, on December 24, 2010, through Uncle Metz's courteous initiative and despite of the short notice, Lola Beling's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren trooped to the H-77 El Garaje for the no-fail, annual Christmas Family Party.

The attendance was not perfect, but the clan seems to be looking good and productive as the adults were clearly outnumbered by the new generations.  

We started the celebration with the "Kasadya" song, and onwards to a mini-program of singing, dancing, games, eating, and gift-giving.  Who could have enjoyed it very much but the kids! After all, this is one celebration in a year that is primarily intended for them. 

Indeed, Christmas is truly for Children and Family. While people in other parts of the world simply sleep on this event, it is different here.  We, Filipinos, traditionally take the extra heck and mile to prepare for this season.  Same with this family of ours.

CIA-shots during the Merry Party; We'll have another one for New Year celebration

Vince, always reminding you that Jesus
loves you, singing 500 Miles;
He got from Lolo Metz P20 for each 100 miles sung

Singers and Dancers were never empty-handed;
Here, getting their prizes from Lola Wena;
Three-year old Dylan, in red-shirt, wondering what to do with his P20

The year has not been very prosperous for everyone, still, we have no complains; for no matter how you flip our lives, we are fairly blessed -- something that, I hope everyone agrees with, we should be truly thankful.  Here in this party, I can feel such blessing, highlighting the idea that FAMILY is and will always be the gift that is present all-year round!

And though you may call this year's family Christmas party a last-minute call, the fun and the spirit it re-created were exactly the same ones that our dear Lola would like to see had she been around.  For all you know, she's a sucker for "get-togethers" and excitement.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS, GUYS! WISHING YOU ALL A FRUITFUL NEW YEAR!  Scroll down for more fun and laughter . . . 

H-77 El Garaje Resident Kids, showing off what they bagged for the night

Hug your gifts really tight, kids! Somebody might snatch them away ... 

Santa Clause in Disguise: Thank you, Thank you!

Kids, er ... Adults, all game for the farewell dance

//rmis//

Happy Birthday, Carmel!

Another member of Highway 77 El Garaje, based overseas, is celebrating her birthday today! Our little darling, Carmel, just turned 7! Isn't it great?

We wish you are here to have fun with us, or we wish we are there now to have fun with you. Either way, here's a big MMMMWWWAAAAHHH! from all of us here at H-77 El Garaje!

Birthday Boys of November Cheer Up El Garaje

Tomorrow, December 1, is officially the start of the Christmas month, but I would not rip off the November calendar just yet without relating to you the last events of the month that happened in Highway 77 El Garaje.  

November 26:  The day was momentous because it was Chef Engineer's natal day!  He is now wiser and sexier at 36!

Birthday Boy Chef Engineer

The  food preparation was of perfect timing; it's Thanksgiving Day for Americans all over the world, and what we had as a centerpiece on the birthday table was a roasted turkey, all courtesy of the full-time chefs at H-77 El Garaje.

 November 26 Casualty: Turkey Transformation by Full-time Chefs at El Garaje (Striking Again!)

Apart from the poor bird, Chef Engineer prepared for his guests humba (all-time cholesterrific Cebuano favorite), sardined milkfish, spaghetti, and some roasted chicken bought from a nearby food store.  Dessert consisted of lanzones, watermelon, bananas, and mango pandan jelly salad.

Humba: So Cholesterrifically good!

Milkfish "Hot" Sardines: A secret family recipe (?)

Guess who gate-crashed at the El Garaje and gave fanstastic colors to the occasion? No biggies, they are just Batman, Rapunzel, Fairy Mary (?), Cinderella, Tinker Bell, and Alladin.  Seriously, these are some of El Garaje's kids in costumes as part of their English month finale at Santa Isabel Child Development Center (SICDC).

Lorraine a.k.a. Rapunzel, Dottie as Tinker Bell 1, Vince as Batman,
Mariel the Fairy, Althea as Tinker Bell 2, and JD as Alladin

November 28: It's Chef Doctor's big day!  All the way from Manila, Chef Doc caught up with us at the El Garaje for a joint celebration with Chef Engineer, of course, with another turkey surprise.

November 28 Victim: Oooppss... they did it again!
(From the left: Chef Fire Chief, Chef Prof., Birthday boys Chef Doc and Chef Eng'r, and Chef banker)

Apparently, this is the last of the turkey's kind at the El Garaje. Caretakers cannot take anymore the pricey feeds for these birdies; they seem to like their stay at H-77 so much that they eat a lot. 

  The Last of the Turkey's Kind at the El Garaje                                     

November 29:  A simple treat to our resident painter, Kuya Dexter, who turned 18 today! Really, you should see some of Painter Dexter's works, and you would really speak of this boy's talent.  Perhaps, in our future publications, we will let you see some his obra maestras.

Anyhow, for the third time this week, we gathered to dine privately, and helped ourselves with roasted pork belly, fried quail (again), Coke, and all the rest that can be scavenge from the refrigerator.  Like usual, we ended up very full.  Who can resist those roasted pork bellies, anyway? Scroll down to see more of our pictures.

Paula, playing a birthday song with her violin

Chef Andrey, blowing out his birthday candle

Say, "Cheese"! Hello, Illinois!

El Garaje Couple Sponsor Luncheon for Orphans

The circumstance of this story may be Pacquiao-inspired, but the way it turned out, I'd like to credit it to no one but the Divine Providence.

Among the attendees during the Pacquiao-Margarito viewing at El Garaje on November 14, 2010 was Sr. Merlyn, a relative of Chef Banker's wife.  Out of the blue, Doc Dan had a conversation with the good sister and was able to strike an arrangement that, for Doc Agnes' coming birthday, they would celebrate it with the kids who are under the care of the congregation to which Sr. Merlyn belongs.

It all came to pass that on November 20, 2010, "official members" of Highway 77 El Garaje accompanied the Couple Doctors to Talisay City, not for their medical mission but for a more personal purpose: to spare some special time with the residents of Our Lady of Divine Providence Children's Home.

A government-accredited house for orphans, Our Lady of Divine Providence Home is located in Oldog, Talisay City, Cebu.  In its 10-year presence in the province, it now accommodates 52 children with ages ranging from three to 21 years old.  The orphan house is managed by five nuns from the Sisters of St. John the Baptist founded by Blessed Alfonso Maria Fusco.

Statue of Blessed Alfonso Maria Fusco

greeting everyone who enters the House

With funds coming from the congregation's central house and from generous benefactors, the sisters are able to send all the children to school.  The pre-schoolers are studying in the congregation's own kindergarten school in Talisay City, the Ville St. John School, while those in the levels of grade school, highschool and college go to the nearby state schools and community college.

The Divine Providence Home: Well-manicured lawns, spic-and-span from the inside

In a sprawling 2,000 sq.-m. lot where the orphanage sits, we had lunch with the children and the sisters: barbecue, spaghetti, roasted chicken, ice cream, Coke and Zest-O juice, etc.

"Lord, I love you intensely. Orphans are souls that I gather for you." -- Blessed Alfonso Maria Fusco

"My children, I have always loved you and I always will." -- Blessed Alfonso Maria Fusco

After lunch, we had a short program with the kids doing all the singing and dancing, and with some games in between.   The event culminated with a picture taking and a tour of the vicinity.

The Kids at the "Divine Home" singing, dancing, declaming for their visitors

To Doc Agnes and Doc Dan, may your kind flourish in this world! And to the sisters headed by Sr. Cora, I wish that more benefactors will fund your apostolic work.  You are all God's instrument of his saving grace by giving the children another opportunity in life!

TO OUR READERS: Hope you will find some inspiration in this story. Timely enough, in this Christmas season, let us remember these kids in our celebration of Jesus' birth, and find in our hearts to partake with them the blessings we received this year.  Here are more of our pictures:

Birthday Girl Doc Agnes, reminiscing her childhood

"I wish that even my shadow can do good -- Blessed Alfonso Maria Fusco"

Kids from H-77 El Garaje

The "Benefactors/Sponsors" from H-77 El Garaje led by Doc Dan and Agnes

Picture taking with the kids and the sisters of the "Divine Home"

House Blessing at Jakosalem

How much can you spend in constructing a house these days? Well, it's actually not part of my blog at this time.  But, what I would like to tell you is about another gathering that I went to recently.

We were invited to Uncle Dodong's house blessing last Friday, November 12, 2010.  It was a double-event as it was also his wife's birthday.  Located on a 500+ sq.m. lot along the busy Jakosalem St., the two-storey house was still unfinished.  Yet, the family decided to move in, hence, the customary blessing.  

The House at Jakosalem: Soon to Finish

Location-wise, it was perfect! The house is very near a church, market, malls, schools, banks, and hospitals. It was practically at the heart of the city and at the center of everything that makes life convenient. 

When we arrived, Fr. Eddie (Remember "Pabo ni Padre"? It's him!) was already there. About 6:00 p.m., relatives and friends have started coming.  Of course, official members of the Highway 77 El Garaje were spotted there. 

The PEOPLE: Among family and friends

The  prayer and the blessing proper happened around 7:00 p.m. Quite expectedly, dinner followed the blessing.  How else can I describe it, but simply SUMPTUOUS!  Aside from the catered food from Benjo's, our hosts also prepared their crowd-pleaser sweet-and-sour fish, biko, budbud, and fruit salad.  The caterer's menu include seafood alavar, stuffed crab, chow pat chin, bam-i, beef with onions, buttered chicken, and mango pandan jelly salad.  Last to mention but actually the first in the list was the omnipresent lechon (there were two of them; again, from Paray's Lechon house, my Ate's favorite lechon provider). 

The FOOD: Blessed are the people who prepared these food; Blessed are those who want to eat but have no food;
Blessed are those who want to eat and have food but cannot eat because of sickness

What's inspiring about the entire thing was the message given by Fr. Eddie. I cannot help but to agree with his words. It goes something like this:  "Dili importante unsa ka daku o nindot ang balay.  Ang importante, ang pamilya na ana-a sa sulod sa balay kanunay na magmahalay, mag-sinabtanay.  Dili bale saging, basta labing; Dili bale camote, basta walay kombate; unsaon ang adobo kung sige ga-lagobo."  

Pondering on the priest's message, I may say that our uncle is a lucky man, because he apparently has both the subjects that we're talking about: a big nice house and a loving family.  God bless you. 

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