parteeee!

Eversince we got here, our weekends have been full of parties hosted by fellow Filipinos who have made Australia their home. We were always invited to birthdays, housewarmings or just plain simple get togethers to celebrate our arrival.

Yesterday was no different. It was Mike's bday, our new friend here, husband of my ex officemate from Pinas.

We met some new friends yesterday and it's impressive that we got along well right away. There was so much laughter the entire time. And of course, too much dancing, singing and kodakan. Ang pinoy nga naman, kahit saan basta may magic sing, solve na!

I am thankful that A and I found good friends here immediately. It sure makes living so far away from our loved ones a lot easier.

Farewell, Lola Maning!

Lola (colored pic) sorrounded by pics of her children during graduation

A few minutes ago, I received an offline message from my sister that our grandmother, Lola Maning passed away early this morning.

She's been sick for a few months now and a few days before we left, we had time to see her in her home. We dropped by after the visit to Uncle Sario's farm.

She was lying on her bed when we arrived, talking to someone who came to visit. But when she saw A and me, she jokingly asked my cousin Riza to take out the face powder and her wheelchair as she preferred to entertain us in her terrace. I secretly tease A that he is the favorite grandson-in-law for her to be going out despite her condition. Physically, she was very different from the Lola Maning we grew up with. She was weak, very thin and needed to be in a wheelchair. But the same old hearty laughter, wit and spunk were still there.

The other grandchildren arrived a few minutes later and Lola, always loving the attention showered on her, regaled us once again with her many stories of a time, long ago, when the world was for her taking.

She asked Riza to take out her old photos, and wistfully reminisced the story behind every picture.

Lola with children Uncle Bing and Auntie Dickie

When Lola saw Marco, the son of our cousin Mark, who is her great grandchild, her eyes lit up and asked to bite the little one's legs. It was a heartwarming scene which had me controlling my tears from falling.

Then, Lola asked her only son, Uncle Bing to give her cigarettes which was bawal but Uncle Bing couldn't say no. She is one tough woman and those who know our family, know that very well. She is bizarre, unique, queer, intimidating, weird (an understatement hehe) but always an unending source of funny anecdotes for us family members. My cousins and I can spend a whole night just talking about her, what a source of entertainment. Kakaiba talaga! hehe


When it was time to go, Lola, in a childlike manner, asked to kiss all of us, in the forehead. By this time, a tear already escaped me. I knew then that it was the last time I will see her.

Photo of Lola during our last visit

Farewell, Lola Maning! You will always be remembered...