Phases of Life 1: Goodbye Bing

We said goodbye to one of our friends and kumare this early part of April.

Mareng Bing died from cancer at 54. She is one of our first friends when we first came here in Sydney. Although we have not seen each other often or as often as we would like to, we managed to see her now and again. We visited her as well at the hospital before she died.

It was an eye opening experience for us, too close for "comfort". When we saw her at Prince Alfred Hospital, we spoke about a lot of things. But what caught our attention is her regret for working too hard and not taking time to enjoy herself. I guess, regrets are always at the end of one's life. When all is ending or about to end, we have the time to ponder on things that we should have done: the what ifs of life.

This reminded me once more of a tattoo a young friend of my daughter and son-in-law had. Clinton has tattooed "Carpe Diem" on his arm in big bold letters. A very popular phrase from a Latin poem by Horace; which literally translates to "seize the day".

Wikipedia says: "The most common interpretation of the phrase is as an existential cautionary term with emphasis on making the most of current opportunities because life is short and time is fleeting." An admonition that we should do the things we want or enjoy doing, whether spending time with our loved ones and friends or finding that passion in our lives before it's too late.

In the past few years, Bing went home to Dumaguete City and build a house for her to retire, with partner Michael and her mom. She was looking forward to spent more vacation time in her new home, with her siblings and relatives.

The mass at the Catholic Chapel at Rookwood Cemetery Crematorium (the biggest Necropolis in the Southern Hemisphere) was well attended considering that it was a weekday. Bing's friends took the time to say their final goodbyes. She might have some regrets in the end, but I think and believe she did good by the amount of friends that said goodbye and visited her in the hospital.

Bing was cremated as she wished and her ashes will be flown back by Mamang and Ted back to Dumaguete City.

So goodbye Bing and it's been a privilege and joy knowing you!

(Moderator's notes: "Kumare"; (Comadre) literally means co-mother or co-parent, a "relationship between the parents and godparents of a child common in most Latin communities. "Mamang" is a term for mother.)

Phases of Life 2: Century Milestone

Photo shows my Nanay on the left, with the celebrant Nanay Cion.

I believe this is my first 100th birthday party that I've attended, and I just turned fifty!

Which means, either I don't have too many friends who have their parents or grandparents turning 100 years old or I wasn't just invited for being "too young"... heheheeee.

My friend Tony's mom, Mrs Maria Resureccion Hernandez or Nanay Cion for short, celebrated her 100th birthday the other week. She even got all these congratulatory letters from the Queen herself, HRH Queen Elizabeth; The NSW Governor and the NSW Premier and Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. How cool was that?

I remembered several things from this party, aside from the food and drinks and the fellowship.

I vividly remember and was impressed with the retelling of the story of Nanay Cion's life. Compressed into an hour's worth of presentation; as narrated by son, Tony. What a colourful life of courage and determination. Of a love story coming into fruition. Of sons and daughters coming over from different parts of the world to celebrate her centenary.

You must be wondering what was the second one was. Was it the food and the company? The speeches... not really but the odd request of the celebrant to have a gay stand up comic! So enters Ursula Diva, the Queen of Comedy, as Corregidor Entertainment Centre and Restaurant bills "The Queen". She's funny in a Pinoy sense, and was entertaining enough to keep us awake.

I do hope that Tony, who is a phenomenal writer, would put into a blog his mother's story complete with the illustrations reportedly done by his brother. It makes good reading and chronicle on the net his mother's story.

Happy Birthday Nanay Cion. I hope I will be as lucky and as sharp as you when I turn 100!

Phases of Life 3: Kallen Turns Two

Kallen can sing Happy Birthday before he even turned two.

One day while I was driving him to his Popo's house, I heard him singing "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...." I was wondering who taught him that. But I later found out that he has this penchant for singing.

He loves Alicia Key's No One, and I am not kidding nor exaggerating. He even loves it with the music video, hence I downloaded both the original music video and a live one she sung at Good Morning America in New York. His Honey even downloaded the ringtone and Kallen always (I mean always!) asks his Honey to play back the ringtone for him. He also loves Hi-5 and Wiggles as any young person would.

Back to his birthday, he turned two this month and got; as always plenty of toys. The biggest of which is a medium size (as opposed to the "normal" size jumping castle that one can hire) "jumping castle" complete with a slide. It was a "bargain" at AUD299.00, or so my daughter tells me and she justified it by saying that she won't hire another one. That is till this one breaks!

This birthday is a special for him as well as for us. Special for Kallen since he knows how to sing the birthday song, blow out his candles (with an "S") and he sort of can enjoy his special day and play with the kids. He was also surprised by his siblings (with the help of mom and dad), with baloons when he woke up on his birthday! He was thrilled, as he loves baloons and balls.

For the grown ups, it was special seeing him so happy with the gifts. Plus of course all the food and drinks consumed!

("Popo" grandmother in Indonesian and Chinese.)

My Small Contribution to the World's Greatest Shave

With my new "no hair-do" and my three boys.

As promised in my other blog, this is the proof that I did participated in the World's Greatest Shave 2008: A Leukaemia Foundation fund raising.

This is my "small" contribution, as cheekily pointed out by my daughter (Dad, what are you sacrificing?). But a couple of ounces of hair is a lot of commitment from a middle age person like me. It took me months to grow that hair!

Thanks to all who pledged and contributed/donated to this fund raising. We really do appreciate your financial commitment to this cause very close to our hearts.

I almost forgot to thank my son-in-law, Charles for the hair cut. Thanks Charlie!

Cruising The South Pacific: 13 Days in February

For the most part of our first three days at sea, above is only one of the many "shapes and sizes" you see of the sea, aside from the horizon. Just sea water churning at the turn of the ship's propellers.

As this is our first leisure cruise, it did take our curiosity and the anticipation of seeing new places and the "post card" beaches and islands in the South Pacific.

At first you obviously need to get into the pitching and rolling of the ship, P & O's first superliner, The Pacific Dawn. Some people get used to it and some requires medication. But as the ship's nears its destination, the sea becomes calmer and your body becomes accustomed to the ship's motion.

The hardest part of the trip is really keeping as far away from the buffet tables and dining areas!


One of the millions of photos we (or one of our friends took of us) took, "Out at Sea".

I Got "Tagged" on Australia Day

You know how bloggers and video bloggers get tagged. You tell your readers 5 , ten or more things about you... personal things that they obviously they don't know about you. The tagging goes round and round.

In my case, I was a "victim" of a surprised birthday party. It was a pleasant surprise for it was my 50th birthday (one) party, orchestrated by my wife Irene (two) and daughter Rea (three). Like tagging, surprise parties gets around and the older you get the more probable that you'll be the lucky recepient of one.

I knew something was up. Just my 3rd eye or sixth sense (four), nothing seems normal in the last couple of weeks. But I think I played along and wished deep in my heart that someone would organise a surprise party for me, hey I am getting old.

The only thing is, and this an issue I have with my mom; I was born too close to New Year (five) (I won't mention the exact date for fear of identity theft!). Anybody who was born close to Christmas or New Year knows that your loved ones and relatives and friends try to just give you one gift for both occassions. When I was young, it pisses me off to no end, as a kid you wanted more toys to play with or more money to spend (six). That is why a birthday surprise party on the 26th is a bit too late; or so I thought!

To my amazement (seven, I still get amazed!), turning 50 does not insulate you from excitement and delight (eight, still feels those too). I was so happy (nine, these simple things still make me happy, I am still alive!)and felt so blessed (ten, who wouldn't felt blessed!).

A big thank you to my honey, Irene; daughter, Rea; son-in-law, Charles and the rest of the Utan, Baylon, Mendoza, Mucio, Villena and Apacionado clans!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Honey's flowers from work.

Well, it happens to us every year, another birthday.

But this year, Honey received the best ever gift of her life... so it's not another birthday for her, or for us.

A few days ago Jaylen had his test, and today, Professor Glenn Marshall, Director of Centre for Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders, Sydney Children's Hospital (SCH); called to say that all indications from the tests are fine and there's nothing to worry about.

Mr December 2007: Leukaemia Foundation's "Nude Nuts" Calendar. See note below. (Photo by Charles).

So now it is official, Jaylen is cured! Obviously there is a chance for a relapse but we don't want to think that far ahead. We just want to savour this time and take things as it comes. There is no point worrying and fretting, and living nervously of what might lie ahead: it might or might not happen. For now, we will enjoy this triumph - full stop!

So a big "Thank You" to God and all our friends and relatives who prayed, gave support and wish us and Jay well. It worked! Thanks also to the staff at (especially at C2/C3 West, and Prof Marshall and his staff) at Sydney Children's Hospital.

Going back to Honey's birthday, a good friend of ours, Helene O moved to Queensland but managed to give Honey a surprise the other day. She knew that Honey would attend a training today; her birthday, so Helene arranged for another co-worker, Neola to decked Honey's desk with birthday banners and decorations yesterday: just to "remind" her of her advancing years. Thanks ladies for the effort and the flowers.

Tonight we just celebrated at home with a simple dinner and champagne, with three small kids and just the four of us adults, restaurants and sit down dinners does not work! But all the same, we are so happy just to have a get-together, knowing that we are all healthy and well.

The boys' present to Honey: they are sleeping over! That's why I am blogging...

Note: Just in case you did not bought one of these fund raising calendars, you can still make a donation to either the Sydney Children's Hospital or the Leukaemia Foundation.

The caption is a bit small, it reads: "Hi, my name is Jaylen, and I am five years old. When I was very sick, my hair was falling out and I didn't like it. But then my daddy, all my uncles and both my grandpas' hair fell out too. And they told me if I kept smiling, all of our hair will grow back. I think it's working for everybody except for my grandpas."

We will keep on smiling!

Make A Wish... Gold Coast Vacation

Jay checking out the limo.

The boys on their first limo ride to the airport.

Well, it finally happened, the Utan family had their first holiday in more than two years courtesy of the Starlight Foundation's Wishgranting program. Luckily for the family, the "wish" granted was for the whole family, a six-day all expenses paid trip to the Gold Coast. That means all free entries to the Dreamworld, White Water World, Wet n' Wild, Sea World, and Warner Brothers' Movie World.

The boys at the airport waiting for their Jet Star flight.

There are so many highlights and so many wonderful pictures. So I would post a couple of them here in the next couple of days or weeks!

Aiyee: Photographer & Future Director

That's my future pro photographer or videographer!

These pictures were taken at Jay's 2007 Christmas Carols.

Kallen checking out the Christmas tree and eyeing the Christmas ball.

Aiyee and Jay has this penchant for taking pictures and at times holding and pointing their mum's digicam. Thank God for the digital cameras, all you need is a fresh re-charged digital camera. No films to develop, let alone batteries to buy. Most cameras have rechargeables lithium-ion batteries.

Jay with Dane, while waiting for their turn to perform.

I am considering buying Aiyee and Jay their own digital cameras. They've managed to "destroy" my old Olympus and their mum's Canon. Good thing the Olympus was still on extended warranty. While I managed to fix the Canon one.

Walking down from the stage, just after a good performance.

They are going to Queensland tomorrow for a six-day holiday at the Gold Coast. Maybe this is the best time to buy these boys their own digicam. We'll see...

Update 14 January: I did bought the kids a Samsung S630 A$97.00 digi cam special (JB HiFi)for them to share. So I will post their pictures here when they get back from holidays.

No One as Sung by Alicia Keys

I just want you close

Where you can stay forever

You can be sure

That it will only get better

You and me together

Through the days and nights

I dont worry cause

Everythings gonna be alright

People keep talking

They can say what they like

But all I know is everything's gonna be alright

No one no one no one

Can get in the way of what I'm feeling

No one no one no one

Can get in the way of what I feel for you

You you

Can get in the way of what I feel for you

When the rain is pouring down

And my heart is hurting

You will always be around

This I know for certain

You and me together

Through the days and nights

I dont worry cause

Everythings gonna be alright

People keep talking

They can say what they like

But all I know is everything's gonna be alright

No one no one no one

Can get in the way of what I'm feeling

No one no one no one

Can get in the way of what I feel for you

You you

Can get in the way of what I feel for you

I know some people search the world

To find something like what we have

I know people will try

Try to divideSomething so real

So till the end of time

Im telling you that

No one no one no one

Can get in the way of what I'm feeling

No one no one no one

Can get in the way of what I feel for you

Oh oh oh....

[No One lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com/ ] Click for video here.