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About To Go Off The Grid...

Today, I turn 30. Yes, THIRTY! I don't know what to feel, seems like things are still the way they are... They say 12/12/12 is beautiful, I say 12/13/12 is better. LOL.

I opened my browser today, and Google gave me a great surprise greeting... Thanks Google!

Happy birthday to me indeed! I'm just happy to spend my day with my wife and daughter, everything's ok.

The Lone Ranger (2013)

This upcoming film will showcase Armie Hammer as The Lone Ranger and Johnny Depp as Tonto. Frankly, I'm up for this film only because of Johnny Depp. (grin)

notice Johnny Depp is first in the billing. Ha!

This sends me off reading about the original franchise... and humming the distinct theme... well, you know it.



Clayton Moore as the original Lone Ranger [Wikipedia]

Also, it interested me that the Lone Ranger had a creed to live by, which was good reading. It read:

I believe...

• that to have a friend, a man must be one.

• that all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.

• that God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.

• in being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.

• that a man should make the most of what equipment he has.

• that 'this government of the people, by the people, and for the people' shall live always.

• that men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.

• that sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.

• that all things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever.

• in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

Will be seeing this either in theaters, or, closer to reality, downloaded on my computer sometime after.

Blast from the Past: Coming to the First Filipino Children's Forum

I thought I was lucky to have been selected along with other students in Surigao City to attend the First Filipino Children's Forum held at the Manila Hotel on August 28-30, 1996. I was still a 2nd year high school student at the time. Originally from Cavite, I was happy for a chance of a visit back in Luzon after 2 years in Mindanao. This, though, was my first trip without my family with me, although I (we) had someone (a teacher) looking over us. Also, this was my first airplane ride, so, woohoo.

my first airplane ride. Surigao City - Cebu, Cebu - Manila (8/27/96)

Briefing at Caloocan City Hall (Caloocan was CARAGA's sponsor)

Photo Ops with Caloocan City Mayor Rey Malonzo. (apologies for the water damage)

clockwise from left: me, Charlton Feliza (Surigao City Elem. School), Brian Alexis Pelaez (Surigao City Pilot School), Charlene Asido (Caraga Regional Science High School), and Lady Diana Allen Cagas (Surigao City Pilot School)

at the venue (Manila Hotel)
(with  Dr. Sol Matugas, DECS Regional Director)

dinner near Manila Bay somewhere outside Manila Hotel

at the mess hall aboard Sulpicio Lines, going back to Surigao City. (9/2/96)

I came home with bits of memories and a souvenir book, The Manila Hotel by Beth Day Romulo. Up to this day, sadly, I have not read it completely, only browsed through the pictures a couple of times.

Random Thoughts

It's a little less than two months before Christmas and New Year. My wish? Just to get through the year.

But looking through the news and events, I can still consider myself lucky in spite of it all. There are so many people who have lost all they had, their lives, their loved ones, and countless many who do not know if they will make it until tomorrow. I'm thankful to God that I'm still whole, that my family is safe, and I can still work to support my family. I just wish that I could have had more, but who am I to complain?

"We are always complaining that our days are few, and acting as though there would be no end of them." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca (ca. 4 BC-AD 65)

The Measure You Use For Others Will Be Used For You

Gospel of the Day - Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use for others will be used for you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and not see the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother: 'Come, let me take the speck from your eye,' as long as that plank is in your own? Hypocrite, take first the plank out of your own eye, then you will see clear enough to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

It is easy for us to lay judgement on others when we find fault in their ways. In fact, it is very easy. But we forget to look into ourselves as well, and see if we find fault there. As it was written on John 8:7 when Magdalene was being prosecuted, Jesus said:

... "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Let us all remember that the supreme judge is not us, but the One who is above us all.

Banaag and Rizal Link

As I was looking for hits on the internet for "Banaag", I came across the genealogy of Rizal's family here. It turns out that one of Jose Rizal's nieces, the daughter of Maria Rizal, was married to a Banaag.


Francisco Mercado + Teodora Alonso
- Maria Rizal + Daniel Faustino Cruz (of Biñan, Laguna)
-- Encarnacion Rizal Cruz + Rosendo Banaag
--- Simeon Banaag
--- Mercedes Banaag
--- Clemencia Banaag
--- Paz Banaag
--- Maria Banaag

I have been very much interested in tracing my lineage back to my ancestors, and it sparked my curiosity to look for more information if our family lines would meet. How cool would that be?

My lead would be from Rosendo Banaag or Simeon Banaag, down the line, since the Banaag surname should have survived up to my generation.