“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.”

Chloe just celebrated yesterday her swimming birthday party at Bosay Resort in Antipolo, a homy resort owned by an ordinary individual but with a foreigner funding partner.  It just opened a couple of weeks ago and in fact, the cottage we rendered is still being finished when we arrived there and it was finished.

Chloe has some visitors, some gifts too.  Mom and Dad, or who else anyway, paid for everything that needs to be spent - P1,200 cottage rental, adult P100, children P50 and some 36 adults and 14 children began finding Nemo from 1 to 5 pm.  That was the party made complete with a lechon and panga tuna and giant lumot squids courtesy of COL COMMIE C. PAGUNURAN, a Commanding Officer in a military hospital in Zamboanga.  Chloe is her favorite - so everything went as planned. 

From Bosay, everyone has to proceed to Santana - our own property which we have always converted into a party place.  There were two magic sings and those who have always wanted to sing, did sing. Those who wish to dance, did dance.  Those who want to do nothing, did nothing.

From well-blended Gilbeys gin, we shifted to Chevas Regal.  Those who do not know how to drink, opt for San MIguel Light.  Those who do not want their lives at risk, have red wines Australia is proud of.  Speaking of Australia, we have to rush up our visa to go to Sydney anytime soon.

So everything turned out well and some young guests of Chloe have to sleep over.  We were kids before and I think they have a better lot now - that is what we call - administration.

So folks, I know a lot of you here are good administrators.  All I can say, flaunt it and of course, reputation preceeds you.  Bonjour!

Last night (April 21, 2007), it was the coronation of Her Majesty, the Queen of San Vicente, Quezon City. Daughter Meryl (named after Meryl Streep) was crowned 2nd Princess in what is commonly known as feudalistic money tilt. This means that donors and sponsors for Meryl brought in the third largest collection. Proceeds go to the Barangay of San Vicente, a vote- rich barangay and favorite of most politicians of the 4th District of Quezon City. Some eight contestants vied for the queen’s crown and a girl named Sarah paid her way to the crown. Rumors have it that a politician is top financier. Meryl is a mere 13 year old girl, the youngest in a bunch of girls in their late teens. She garnered the distinction as the Miss Talent from the pack after playing with a Yamaha keyboard and a dance number with brother  (ballroom dancing) Andre. Likewise, she got Miss Photogenic. All told, she got a crown, a trophy, two certificates, and perhaps, the priceless honor to be congratulated by Rep. Nanette Castelo Daza and Councilor Edcel Lagman, Jr. It is pretty hard to say that Meryl could have swept all other special awards had the Board of Judges been more competent, aboveboard and independent. Suffice to say, it is the best of all possible worlds that the special awards can be "democratized" considering the sacrifices, expenses, late nights, dance rehearsals, and collection activities that led to the final evening. Girls were in their best sportswear, casual wear, costume, Filipiniana and evening gown. If being able to walk the ramp is an achievement in itself, then everything in this affair is deemed to have succeeded. I cannot say anything more of Meryl but unlike Merly Streep, she is no actress that I thought she too could be. Meryl is an upcoming Grade 9 student of La Salle College (Antipolo) who used to play soccer. She loves to play the piano, the keyboard. Dancing is not her cup of tea but she is in truth, superbly a dancer of great exoticness and elegance. When in her kindergarten days, she swept all academic awards saved science and a silver medalist in an art competition. She should have graduated with honors when in Grade 6 but an irrational policy did her in. Nothing was ever really planned. Meryl is now a beauty queen and I am afraid, after this evening, life for her will never be the same again. She dreams to be a doctor and she will have to work very hard for it. Meryl is not everybody’s princess. She is our princess and her crown only symbolizes that a great more opportunities are in store for her. The night was made complete with the equally superb dance performance of Andre and Niels, her two brothers who love music as much as she does. This is all for now. I just wanna log this on record - at our favorite Friendster. We all love Friendster, anyway.

La Salle would have yet to hear of what Meryl did this summer in a far but not even remote barangay in Quezon City that today celebrates its fiesta in honor of St. Vincent de Ferrer, its patron saint.