From: "Marilen Galang"
To: "LaPutt, Juny"
Subject: My Recent Trip to The Philippines
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 18:18:29 -0700

Dear Juny,

I was pleased to read about all the fun you had at the recent L.A. McBrats’ reunion held at Billy and Marivic’s home, upon my return from the Philippines last March 6th (2007) to attend my St. Theresa's College alumni homecoming reunion; I was away exactly a month – from Feb. 6th thru March 6th. This was a "must" trip for me since our H.S. class, many of whom I had not seen since high school days, was among the honorees for the year. Our reunion was held at the Wack-Wack Golf & Country Club last Feb. 24th, which started with a holy mass, followed by a sit-down dinner.

Needless to say, this was a most enjoyable and memorable event. We had a wonderful time trying to guess who’s who, catching up on one another's lives, talking about our childhood pranks as "colegialas," targeting some of the nuns and our teachers, etc., etc. Additionally, we had several socials honoring some 17 of us balikbayans, who purposely flew in for the occasion, as well as "bonding” for 4 days in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. All 22 of us who signed up for the tour (including 3 husbands, who surprisingly got along so wonderfully - one Frenchman, an Egyptian and an American), traveled in a 28-seater tourist coaster.

The beautiful photos and write-up on Vigan, Ilocos Sur, which you had earlier posted in your World Tourist US website, made me want to see Vigan for myself. Aside from the various churches, we also had a chance to visit the ancestral homes of the Crisologos, the Quirinos and a heritage home, which, as you know, have all been converted to museums. Those who wanted some privacy and the comfort of A/C stayed at the hotel owned by Gov. Carmeling Crisologo (Cordillera Inn), while the rest stayed at the 172-year old Quema ancestral home (owned by my classmate), which is so grand and beautiful, filled with priceless antiques, where all 22 of us met for dinner each evening, sharing one big long table.

As an added bonus, we had a chance of going to Batac in Ilocos Norte, and were allowed to enter the Marcos ancestral home and museum, as arranged by my classmate; we were told that Imelda Marcos still stays in the master bedroom upstairs here, when visiting the late President Marcos’ body, whose mausoleum is right across from it and which we were also allowed to view. The highlight of our trip, however, was a visit to the resort at Pagudpod in Ilocos Norte, where a few of us went swimming in its beautiful and pristine white sand beaches.

While in Manila, I gave my cousin, Amapola Aquino-Arcellana, a call. I don’t know if you remember her, but she was a maternal first cousin of mine who, together with her sister, Arlene A. Padilla (recently widowed), lived with us in McKinley for a number of years. Unfortunately I was not able to see Amapola, due to our conflicting schedules since immediately upon arrival, most of my weekends were taken up by rehearsals for our number, which included a small participation by us “balikbayans," the event itself and some other socials. I did, however, meet up with my cousin cousin, Ed Banes, who I hadn't seen for several years now, since he moved back to the Philippines.

I took the opportunity of again seeing Sol Pia, who lives in Mandaluyong, not too far from where my sister, Yolanda and her husband live, and where I stayed during the duration of my stay in the Philippines. Ed invited both Sol and me for lunch while I treated them for coffee and dessert in a coffee shop across. Ed was very happy to renew acquaintance with her, after many many decades. Needless to say we had a very pleasant and delightful lunch, reminiscing about the good old days in Fort Wm. McKinley.

We took a couple of pictures at my sister’s home before taking Sol home, which I am attaching with this message, for eventual posting, in the McBrats’ website, together with my profile to you, which I should be e-mailing to you shortly, together with a recent photo of mine. I just now learned now how to attach photos from a diskette, and it would not allow me to send multiple attachments. Maybe you can teach me how to do it?

You will also find two other pictures ... the first one shows the group of my High School classmates and the three husbands who accompanied us to Vigan. This was taken one evening after dinner at the Quema ancestral home. The second one is a photo of me with some of my College classmates at our St. Theresa's alumni homecoming reunion held at Wack-Wack on Feb. 24th. This was a Mardi Gras affair and each class honored had to present a dance number. This is the reason why I am dressed in a costume.

[ Click on any of the "thumbnail images" below to view the photograph in a larger size format ]

This is all for now and regards to you and the family. Hope you’re all keeping well.

Marilen Friedlander-Galang
MFGalang@comcast.net