Meet The Thordies

After the rain, what? Yes, after the rain and the storm we are given a very clear sky, gentle breeze and a good sunny day.

Our village is readying its fiesta celebration for its patron saint, San Andres Apostol. It will be on the 30th of November but in our meeting this morning, the body decided to move the celebration on the 29th because it was a Sunday. However, the feast day will not be changed but the fiesta mass will be a day in advance to make sure that many people will hear mass.

The parishioners of Greenwoods Executive Village are working to finish the parish rectory after the bishop has assured us that once it is finished, a parish priest will be assigned to serve the needs of the people. Despite a number of fund raising activities, it seems that money is still the problem. The village has well off residents - politicians, actors and actresses, government officials and international servants. I wish these people would recognize the needs of the church and one day drop by with an envelope.

I don't mind the rain if it means the outpouring of blessings from our talented actors and actresses or our high calibre politicians. The sun always shines from behind!

Been so busy the past couple of weeks. I don't know if I forgot my time management skills or there were really activities that could not be left undone.

We had a fund raising in the church in order to build a rectory for the parish. Our chapel will soon become a parish and everybody was excited to sell the raffle tickets, the final draw of which was June 28 where one lucky winner brought home the brand new Avanza. It was a handsome car fitted for a lady driver and I also prayed to be the winner. But when it was drawn and somebody else name was taken, it made me sigh a relief because at least our job was done.

Before the raffle draw I accompanied by sweetheart to his hometown in Kalibo. His purpose was to be fully recuperated from his stroke. We visited Boracay, (the Pearl of the Pacific) where I have a long-term membership up to 2032. Then back to his town in Kalibo where he is staying until now. He decided to stay for his mission while I returned to Manila for my personal activities.

Prior to this Boracay visit, the Flores de Mayo was successfully accomplished. Fifty five sagalas honored the Blessed Virgin with roses and prayers. Thanks to the municipal band of Mayor Ilagan and the drum and lyre from Pasig.

Several other activities piled up together that made myself so tired and suffered a flu. Mind you it was not the A(H1N1) virus because after two days I am again up alive and kicking.

In meal management, the author of the book, A Guide to Meal Management and Table Services, gave the following wine rules:

1. White wines should be served chilled, while red wines at room temperature.
2. White wines should be served with seafoods and chicken, red wines with meat.
3. Rose wine would be fine with Chinese dishes; if the meal is served family style a choice of red and white wines would be okay.
4. The sweeter rich-flavored wines would go with dessert, should be at room temperature; sweet champagne should be chilled
5. Wine should usually be served in clear glasses; they show off the beautiful color.

As part of the Lenten season's activities of the CWL unit in our village, we participated in a vista iglesia last April 4, 2009. We assembled at our meeting place as early as 5:00 a.m. and by 6 o'clock we were on our first scheduled church. We visited 7 churches where five belongs to the Vicariate of Our Lady of Light, and two belongs to the Vicariate of St. John the Baptist, our former vicariate. Last of the seven was the Christ the King Parish located on top of a mountain in Muzon (Taytay, Rizal - Philippines). It was known in the vicinity as the "Church in the Sky".

The church was not so big but it was really built as a tourist attraction. Inside and out you can see the work of art. In front of the church was a huge man-made mountain. It was not finished yet so we did not scrutinize it. On the right side area was a structure which will house the priest and the other part maybe a formation center. It was a breathtaking sight that when you look around while there you can only say, thank you Lord for making me a part of your creation.

Thirty four years ago at 6:00 p.m. on January 27, 1975 Raffy and I exchanged marriage vows at the Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Malate. (At dawn of the same date was Nora Aunor and Cristopher de Leon's beach wedding in Pangasinan.)

I feel proud to show my children and relatives that even during this trial in our lives, we are still together. For us, it is not the material things that is important in a married life -- but the respect, trust, understanding and love for each other.

Since coming home from the hospital last December 30, Raffy has been sleeping in the living room where a small bed was assembled so that friends and relatives who would come to visit him will not go to our bedroom. Last night, however, Toto and Lucky exerted extra efforts to bring their dad to our bedroom where we slept together. It was a great relief to see him moving his body through his right hand and leg. It was his way of greeting me a happy 34th anniversary.