May 25 - Totoy's Birthday

By some miracle we make it to the airport as planned. I’ve packed all the dirty laundry since we’ve only brought a few clothes and we’re staying in Bicol for 2 nights.

We’re picked up from the airport by Tito Eddie’s trusted driver from his days as mayor. We stop by Graceland fast food for brunch and baked goods for the 2 hour drive to Bicol. The 4 kids split 3 breakfast meals: 2-longaniza sausage with rice and fried egg 1- hot dog with rice and fried egg. Did I mention that heart disease runs in the family?


...1st We stop by Lola Puring’s other surviving sibling, Lola Muring, on our way to Bicol. Her eyesight has faded; it is her sacrifice, she says. With everyone working and unable to accompany her, she’s unable to go to mass on Sundays. But, she explains that the priest says she’s excused. We also meet one of her apo, Minky and her son who’s 1 ½ years old. My Tagalog is less successful in this visit. But that’s OK. We continue on our drive to Tita Oyen and Tito Eddie’s place in Irosin.

...2nd We make it to the house in Iroson. Wow! What a house! Almost a week later I just realized that we forgot to take pictures. One of Tita Oyen and Tito Eddie’s 7 kids, Miguel, is there. He’s been working with the recent elections, hanging out with friends and awaiting our arrival. Then it’s back to med school once the semester starts next month.

...3rd We go to my cousin Ate Pinky’s house for lunch. I LOOOVE the BBQ pork. Totoy is wearing almost an entire watermelon. Again, I forget to take pictures… I think the trip is starting to wear on me.

...4th Miguel drives us to Bulusan Lake. The kids try to fish… doesn’t really work out for them.

...5th Miquel takes us swimming at the Cold Springs...
"Cold Spring Swimming.... No Thanks"

...6th Miguel drives us to Masacrot Spring Resort to go swimming in the hot springs. There are signs posted: No bathing or doing laundry. :o)

Ronan like the Hot Springs


Our social butterfly/fish.

...7th We go to my cousin Sheila’s house for dinner and a birthday party for Totoy. I’m stunned! There’s balloons, a cake, lumpia, hot dogs and marshmallows on sticks, more bbq pork, more puto! And more and more! The kids have a great time. Ate Carol, Kuya Renzo, and their girls(who’ve been running around with us and playing ya-ya) are there. Iza and her 2 Joepeth and Faye are there. Ate Pinky is there too with her family(which includes her own Miguel). We get to meet Sheila’s oldest, Grace but the baby/toddler Bea is already asleep.
…8th It’s back to Tita Oyen’s house where she’s still in meetings. The family flops… eventually.