Venerando (vener) Villegas

From California w/ Love

2mos old Rinna Hannah Blakenship
Nancy & Rich Blankenship

Masacrot Spring & Bulusan Volcano Natural Park

No guts, no glory! Kaya ko ini... one..two...three...

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I'M BUSY

My good friend and old-time buddy texted me, called me, texted me, called me and then he stopped texting and calling me. I'm always busy. He never reached me. But as luck puts it, he chanced upon me after many missed calls. Again, I told him I'm busy that's why he failed to reach me. And he told me he was even busier. And I believe as I always believed him. "Musta padi!" I could feel and almost see the joy and enthusiasm in his eyes and voice as he started his stories. We never talked for quite sometime, after all. And then slowly I felt the guilt deep inside me, ashamed as he continued to tell in his natural way of saying it, updates of his life, and what he does and some happenings in his place. Several minutes into my cellular phone, listening to him, as if I am with with him all along knowing almost the moments he experienced lately. Spontaneously, and probably with push from my sub-concious mind, I updated him also of my stories and the things I also did recently....and with joy also in my heart. And after almost an hour of talk I told him I will visit him soon, when I'm not busy.

We always say we are busy. Is that really true? Busy for what? On What? Why?

Everything has its time. Even the Lord, perhaps the busiest of all, has still time for all of His creations. Because He has time and He puts time, because He loves giving His time for all of us.

We actually do have time for many things we want to do. It's just that we don't stop doing other things. The short break that we take from our "busy" time may mean great joy if spent in worthwhile talk with others. The more time we rest in the midst of our "busy" schedules, may mean longer rest for our body which may mean better health and eventual longer life. The secret truth is, least we know, a lot are praying for our time to take our break...cause they miss talkin to us, just bein' with us. Some of them may not have the luxury of time waiting for the time when we could talk or just be with them just like old times.Some may not be able to talk to us again.

Priorties are oftentimes not properly organized in most of us such that we always say we are busy reaching something we believe are important things to us but sacrificing some even more precious things like time for our friends, for our parents, for our loved ones....and for ourselves. Some even sacrifice good relationships to achieve their goals. And they are always say they are busy.

Time will come when the most important things in us, in our life, will be also busy to be in us when we wanted them, when we needed them the most. Maybe not really busy for us but simply because when these things were in our front we ignored them, we rejected them and so they are just turning us down now, also. And when that time comes to us, I'm sure you will say, " I'm no longer busy now." But what's the use when they are also busy by then?

Who says I'm busy?

WILL THEY, WILL THEY NOT?

He who has no sins cast the first stone. That's a biblical line. He who does not like Bulusan, cast the rest of the stones, that's a challenge.

Seeing my kids grow is a sight to behold for me. And seein' all my friends' kids grow is a dream. The long endless but memorable days we shared during elementary and high school in our town is something I consider treasure no one could ever take...not even my friends. But I want to share that treasure to my kids. I want them to carry the torch pride of having a beautiful native town. I want them to make their own experience, their own treasure. I pray that my friends, batchmates and will do the same and let our children share the experience and treasure with more meaning. After decades I still believe Bulusan still has the magic to capture their hearts. The many places that helped shaped our younger days are still there... and so the people who guided us and will be always happy to guide our kids further more.

But let us make the first move. Let us be the models. Let us continue to visit our town, stay longer if we could afford. Make noble reasons why we have to be there. Help maintain if not enhance its beauty. Invite more visitors, more parents...more kids. Let us make our kids feel the reasons.

Will they take the challenge to carry the torch? Will our kids follow our footsteps? If we had and have still the pride of carrying it, and if they will understand and love our reasons, no doubt, they will.

WE LAUGHED WITH HIM

Yes, we laughed countless times with him. He amused us with his anecdotes and stories. His wide smiles were contagious all the time. No dull moments. Simple and natural a person. He was our Doc Olan, the ever-kind and fun-to-be with buddy of our batch. I just miss him, his voice and laughters still ring in my ears.

Few days from now, our dear friend Doc's abrupt leaving will be on its 4th year anniversary. I did not notice the time. Seems just yesterday.

Doc may have left us so early, but just like his countless laughters, his contributions to his batchmates, to the Bulusanons and even to our countrymen in other places, were also countless. I was his VIP patient in his clinic many times and I'm sure many of us, too, especially our kababayans who were serviced by him during CIVAC and similar medical missions.

But let us draw some lessons from Doc Olan's early passing.

I learned that life is really a continuous mystery in the making, always full of surprises. Let us always make the best of what He has given to us. Let us always share. Share our time in helping others, share the fruits of our talents and skills. Share our good ideas, share and always share. There's no overdose doin' it excessively. Doc Olan shared his life with us, and he continues to share until now with our nice memories with him.

Doc Olan taught us how to love...and be loved. He did not teach us the way we wanted, he taught us by example. His pure intentions for loving for the sake of joy and hapinness being with someone, had given him great moments with many women, mostly gorgeous ones. He just wanted to say that physical thing matters less at all. Its the "karisma" in whatever form that helps a lot.

Never stop dreaming, my best friend Olan always told me. Never stop also, in doin' your best to make those dreams realized. Hardwork and dedications will never fail you. He had his setbacks in life but he was sucessful or was almost there when he was still around. He realized his dreams of having his own clinic and most importantly, being with the woman he truly loved.

Doc, we will always make the best of what you've taught us. We will continue to share life and will do it with joy and laughters in our hearts.

Thank you, doc for the laughters!

THEY STAYED

Graduation day, wow! I never imagined it was that long time ago! Twenty-three years is twenty-three years. Everybody was in their mixed emotions of joy, anxieties and some, sadness inside their hearts. Joy because they finally made it. Anxieties for they did not know what's next after graduation. Will they be able to continue their studies, will they be able to find job soon, who would be taking care of their parents if they leave? Sadness for those who were into relationship for they might be parting with their loved ones even temporarily. Sadness in their hearts for they will be leaving the people and place that saw and took care of them for almost couple of decades, the people and place that shared them great experiences our kids might not experience now.

But many still left our town. They said they would try their luck in other places. As if they were really unlucky living in our town. Time will prove them wrong.

Living in other places oftentimes reminds us of how great our town is. The great sunset of Manila Bay is incomparable to the sunrise of Dancalan and Miliga-biga beaches. The frenquented rapids of Pagsanjan in Laguna is no better than the clear pure waters of Dulipay. The famous lakes abroad are just as serene as the majestic water of Bulusan Lake. Masacrot's medicinal water still offers its healing rub. Just cute and simple, Palogtoc Falls has its own and continues to charm its visitors.

But our kababayans who opted to stay, take care and be with our town through thick and thin, are the greatest of them all. I salute my batchmates who never left and still say good if not best things about our beloved Bulusan. And to those who went away but returned later and stayed for good, you must have realized that no other place could replace our town in your heart, and I do salute you just the same!  Your countless contributions are no lesser. Homecomings are only happier because of your presence, your undying support in all the activities. It is for this reason that a lot of those who are living away from our town always wish to return to see, meet and enjoy with you....again, just like old days. You are the missing part of their lives and the best ingredient to complete their success...inside their hearts.

Imagine if all of us left our town after graduation? How would you feel if people from other places are the ones who would take care of it, much more destroy it? I could only be guilty.

To those who stayed, thank you!

ABANGAN!

-Mga healthy food tips ni Chef

-Ang Payo ni Attorney

Haen Kami Niyan

Neil Galpo -Bulusan
Nena "Nicnac" Galindes-Gonzaga -Bulusan
Roy Gob -Bulusan
Rechil Din-Gallor -Bulusan
Raquel Galon-Galve -Bulusan
Bong Mariano -Bulusan
Emily Villaflor-Guardacasa -Bulusan
Jesus "Etot" Garalde- Bulusan

Virgilio"Bugoy" Aguilar -Bulusan

Ofelia "Ofel" Espano-Bulusan

Pablo Furing- Bulusan

Crisnto"Cris" Fuedan-Bulusan

Emmanuel"Manny" Gando-Bulusan

Edito Galing-Bulusan

Romeo Manga-Bulusan

Eduardo "Eddie" Sibayan-Bulusan

Paula Furo-Bulusan

Prescilla Forcado-Bulusan

Rosa Perez-Magallanes

Ralph "Dararo" Goyena -Metro Manila(Q.C.)
Atty.Jose "Joey" Ortiz -Metro Manila(Q.C.)
Engr.Abner Galpa -Metro Manila

Randy Tibor- Metro Manila

Danilo Jebulan- Metro Manila(Pasig)

Marissa Sesbreno- Metro Manila

Nelson"Nelza Corcas Tuazon" Forteza-Metro Manila

Leny Galos-Metro Manila

Olivia Geva-Metro Manila(Makati)

Yolanda"Yolly" Fortes -Cavite

Lutgarda"Luth" Gallego-Cavite
Edwin "Ewin" Gonzales -Tacloban City(Leyte)
Rosemarie"Marie" Fugen-Cornel -Isabela

Venerando"Vener" Villegas-Korea

Josefina"Pinak" Fuedan- Switzerland( o Norway ada)
Lilia Fulla -Austria
Leilani Belleza- Canada

We are publishing last known location of our batchmates so that when we happen to be in their places especially those outside Bulusan or Metro Manila, I'm sure it would be nice seeing each other again after a long time. That's great, isn't it? Diri mao mga padi, madi? .....para magkumustahan just like old days.

Corrections are most welcome!

AT 40

Like me most of us are in our 40s now, others may be celebrating soon. Some may have celebrated with their family, relatives and friends. Others just let it passed with their colleagues in office, and a lot more observed the day in silence away from home...even far away overseas more engulfed by the demands of jobs that gives hope for his kids, relatives. For me, just smiles of joy from the people who believe in me completed my day, few weeks back. But not after I thanked Him for giving me the opportunity to see and live life, to amaze in His Creations...for the gift of life.

HAEN AN NGARAN KO?

nenabnerandyginalanienancywindaniloralphpinakmariejoeycecililianeilrosadaniloidangelineliliaolive.....

Note: kun niyan ka pa lang nagbisita wara pa dun an ngaran mo padi, madi. O badi bihira ka lang magbisita. Pagbisita pirmi basi maidagdag ka na dun. May premyo baya ini pag-re-union nato.

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MISS CANADA

Parola

Parola

HOMECOMING 2009

Mao pa man gihapon after so many years

Ewin & Family