From Esmie Acabado
Naga City, 25 July 2007

Thanks for the article "The Dad Who Brought Me Out for Pizza."  That was touching.

You know I just had cut my father's fingernails last Sunday. He isn't bedridden. He's a farmer who have less time for "vanity" (sorry, but that's how he defines "hygiene"). He wears slippers/shoes only when he goes out. ("Luluwas sa bayan," a popular Tagalog comics' line for barriotics like us! Ha ha!)

He has only two remaining big, front teeth. This is why, on Sunday, I brought him to a dentist friend who agreed to fix him a pair of false teeth, in exchange for a very friendly, installment payment scheme. I'm not that well-off these days. I just couldn't bear his frequent experience of stomach aches. Merely because of indigestion brought about by less-ground food intakes. He no longer has molar teeth for grinding.

I have both wonder-full and fear-full days with my "Papa" (in Spanish accent). But that's gonna take a teleserye. I hope Charo, or Mel wouldn't get interested to buy it. I'd give the story for free. Anyway, now that I'm a father myself, it's really strange and mysterious that I feel more his love each time I'd see my babies sleeping, rearrange their distorted positions, put powder on their sweaty backs and make a final goodnight kiss on their foreheads. He was also doing that to us, then, years back. And I can feel now what he felt then. And I'm so grateful I'm feeling it.

I wish everyone's a father. A good one to remember and behold forever.

Likay pirmi, padi!

From Oay Villegas
New Jersey USA, 5 Jan 2007

Happy new year sa gabos and sana 2007 brings you more success and happiness.  I am once again asking your support to build our funds for Urulian 2010.  Your contributions will play a critical role in the success of our event in 2010.  Please send your contributions to me no later than March 30th.  My sister is going home to the Philippines first week kang April and agreed to hand carry and turn over our contributions to either Chris or Emil para ma deposito sa account ta.  I find it easier if you make your checks out to my name (Jonas Villegas).  As usual, you have the option to deposit your contributions directly to our batch account (info below).  Like before I will scan your checks for my files and will ask for an image of the deposit slip for circulation.

Sa gabos dakulang pasasalamat sa mga naitabang na nindo especially si mga nagkatarabangan nindong typhoon victims.  I am  attaching a couple of pictures taken at Sancho's house sorting and repacking the relief goods we received.  I think Sancho has more pictures to share of the relief operations last December.  Also, to Eugene Saavedra urugmahon saimo padi ang mga taga Milaor.  Pwede kan nganing mag dalagan na mayor.  God bless you and your family.

By the way, Fr. James Castro will be visiting the States end of May and was asking if we can organize a mini batch reunion here in the US.  At this point I do not know the logistics but just putting the idea out.  We have a long weekend sa May and maybe we can plan it around that time.  Ano padi hirilingan kita?  Ambet, Chuck, Ed, Reggie and Hector I will give you guys a call one of these days para maka plano kita.  I know you guys put something together before dai lang nag materialize.  Baka pwede tang i- resurrect?

Si mga taga-Canada please help Begie out.  As we all know grabe ang adjustment kang nag mimigrate kaya if you guys can make it a litle bit easier for him and his family, I'm sure he will greatly appreciate it.

Kung igwa kamong time please watch Jun Tuason's performance in Aida and for sure he will make you proud.  For tour schedule visit their website (www.theaidatour.com)

From Eugene Saavedra
Maryland USA, 3 Dec 2006

In response to Sancho Tolentino's e-mail that our very own Marcial Collao died the other day due to intranial hemorrhage secondary to hypertension (Hospital bill is more or less P300,000 and still unpaid; not to mention the 3 kids he left) and  the typhoon has devastated the whole Bicolandia.

In  behalf of the family of Marcial and families who were greatly affected by the recent typhoon, minadulok kami saindo para humagad nin ayuda lalo an saindong pangadyi  na kita magkaboronyog sa pagkakataon na ini. Ang Homecoming o URULIAN 2010 magkakaigwa nin marhay na pundasyon kun sa ngonian pa lang giniguibo ta na ang satuyang role bilang "Men for Others". Ano man an sitwasyon nyato ngonian, angat na marhay ang buhay nyato kesa sa mga kababayan ta lalo na sa pamilya ni Kaboy Collao. Aram ta na halos gabos kan satuyang pamilya sa Bicol naapektuhan kan bagyo pero aram ta man na may mas marhay sindang kamogtakan kesa kan si mga nagabaan nin harong, nagadanan nin kapamilya dahil sa bagyo, o kaya may mga kahelangan. Sancho, Chris Z and the rest of our batchmates  mag o-organize ning medical mission on or before December 30. Kaipuhan ninda ang supporta. Kung kinakaipuhan isakripisyo ang pagbakal nin Levi's na pantalon o kaya $5 daily spent sa Starbucks, PLEASE DO IT.

O-aY is currently on vacation but I was able to talk to him this afternoon. You can write your check payable to Jonas Arsenio Villegas (please specify if it’s for Kaboy or Medical Mission) and send it to him. By the way O-ay is going home on Dec 21 to bring your generous gift to our friend, Kaboy and our kababayans. We pray that God's providence will continue to bless you even as you give and share the blessings God has given you.  Dios mabalos.