#76: My father's humor

Twenty two years ago today, my father died of a sudden heart attack. I remember my brother doc termed it as miocardial infarction. It was so massive that he never recovered after he collapsed right on my mom's hands.

Every year today, I am always reminded of that fateful day. How we got the news of his death and how I was tasked then to break the news to my sister Chiquit. Her reaction is etched into my memory forever.

Today though, I want to remember my father's humor. For those who knew him, he's the person who will never run out of jokes. You don't want to be caught sitting beside him because he would roast you for hours.

Here's some funny moments I remembered of him. I did one on my earlier post The Day my father rocks

Here's more:

1. While driving with my mom to visit my sister Chiquit (who just gave birth to Cheeka), they got lost. My mom thought that she knew the way. "I remember those jeepney. That's what I took the last time I went to her place", my mom said. "So why don't you get off the car and ride on the jeepney and I'll follow you", my dad said.

2. While visiting us in Manila, he would share the room with us. But my dad snores big time. My brother Dennis one time couldn't sleep so he tried to woke him up. Shaking him vigorously. He's got so angry that he threatened to sleep in the car.

3. My sister Chiquit was vacationing in Abra and it so happen that one of her friend's relative died. Every night she would ask permission from my father to visit the wake. On the 4th day, she again asked permission to go to the wake which my father finally replied "Apay Chiquit, sikayon sa met ti kaladingitanen?" (Why Chiquit, you guys seems to be the saddest among the mourners?)

4. We arrived in Bangued very early in the morning (around 2AM) for the Holy Week Vacation. Naturally we woke my parents up. It so happen that my father was planning to go early (4 AM)  that day to Ilocos Sur to buy some fish (meat was not allowed) for a party he's organizing. "Oh so you don't have to go back to sleep?" we asked. "Nya ngaruden, Ag-tang-tangaag gak kun ti dua nga orasen?" (Oh so you think I'll just sit here for two hours doing nothing?"), he replied. He went back to sleep but didn't wake up until 6AM. He later blamed us for not waking him up.

5. It was new year's eve, few hours before 12midnight. He pulled a prank on my mom's brother Lolo Ah-Ah (he's deaf-mute). He woke him up and signaled that it's time to light those firecrackers because it's 12midnight. Lolo Ah-Ah rose from his sleep and started lighting up every firecrackers he had only to realize later that it wasn't time.

What about you? do you have an anecdote to share?

#75: Panchet

My father once told us what or where did he get the name "Panchet". I am referring to my brother Francis Bringas' nickname.

He said he got it from the famous Argentine revolutionist Ernesto "Che" Guevarra.

Ernesto "Che" Guevara (June 14, 1928 – October 9, 1967) commonly known as Che Guevara, El Che, or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, military theorist, international statesman and major figure of the Cuban Revolution.

He was executed by CIA-assisted Bolivian forces when he tried to led a revolution.

Make sense, I should say because my brother was born a week before Che was executed. So maybe that time Che's name was a household buzz.

Knowing my father's good humor, he then ended his story by saying that when my brother grew up, instead of being "Che" he became "Tse" (hmmp!).

Seriously though, my father may have consciously envisioned that Panchet will be like Che Guevarra, a revolutionist and will be a major figure.

Unfortunately, my father didn't live long enough to witness his youngest son achieving just that.

Panchet not only passed the education superintendent exam, he did it in style by being the youngest

Following the footsteps of his mom, Francis Bringas who is currently the Principal of Abra High School, recently passed the rigorous Superintendents Examination of The Department of Education(DepEd).

Mr. Bringas, a UP graduate, was the youngest at the age of 40 and only Abrenian who passed out of 1,361 examinees. The examination is so tough that only 140 successfully made it.

A couple of days ago, he was officially sworn in as an Assistant Superintendent in our own Province of Abra. A position once held by my mom. I'm sure in no time, Panchet will soon take the top post.



Everyone in the family is proud of our brother Che or Tse. Of course behind every son's success is the mother. I'm sure my mom is all smiles these days and see her legacy lives on with her son the superintendent.

#74: Addicted to facebook part II

Earlier, I listed my top 5 reason you're addicted to facebook

This story should be the number one: Trapped girls call for help on Facebook

The 10- and 12-year-old girls updated a Facebook status to say they were lost in a drain on Honeypot Road at Hackham in Adelaide's southern suburbs on Sunday night.

"If they were able to access Facebook from their mobile phones, they could have called triple-0 (emergency hotline in Australia), so the point being they could have called us directly and we could have got there quicker than relying on someone being online and replying to them and eventually having to call us via triple-0 anyway."

Perhaps for those who plan to use social networking for emergency, maybe it's time for you to approve your parents' requests for adding you to your friend' list. Who knows they may save your life when you forgot to dial 911.

#73: Stunning Mystery Companion

She's so stunningly pretty. Her smile is quite contagious. Her hair flows freely just below her slender shoulder. Her skin's so bright and soft. I could have said these words out loud to her.

Maybe one of these geeky pickup lines could work, but someone say "that won't work, sorry to break your hopes and dreams, Just say I love your eyes". Why didn't I think of that.

But then this isn't simple. Circumstances makes things complicated. Timing is so off. She will remain a stunning mystery companion.

Her eyes reminds me of this song from Kim Carnes Bette Davis eyes and, no it's not the vicodin kicking.

Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes
Uploaded by trashfan. - See the latest featured music videos.

can't view the video? click here for the original post

#72: Stucked at Borders

Ok, so I'm stuck at the mall right now with Nadire and her BFF. They are eating chili-cheese fries RIGHT in my face! And they KNOW that I'm on a diet!

So while they were walking around the mall, shopping, I decided to go to borders.

Maybe it's time to buy an Ernest Hemingway book.

#71: E.R. Visit

For the past two days, I've been suffering from headaches that come and go. I was hoping it would go away but today it became worse. It's like someone is pushing a pin every minute and the pain would last for a few seconds.

By late afternoon I couldn't take it anymore. Luckily my ex-wife was visiting the kids over the weekend and she convince me to go to the E.R.

I waited for more than an hour to be seen by a doctor and it only took a few minutes for the actual face to face encounter. The worse part of it is that it cost me $130.00 even though i pay high premium for my insurance.

Needless to say, my illness is nothing serious. Although right now I'm taking major pain killer (vicodin) for the next few days and some antibiotics.

I'm still not feeling well but I had time to go out and grab some things at the grocery with Nadire and her BFF Kathy (she may look so white but she's actually a quarter Filipino). although sometime they can be a handful, these two always makes my day when they're around.

Here's some snapshots of them enjoying each other:

#70: Quiet dinner, priceless

Friday night is always a dinner out for me and my kids. Even before I leave the office, I would start texting them and plan what to eat and where. But this time though it's only Deirdre who is available. Nadire text me after her school and said she's going to her friends house. Yesterday Josh told me he can't make it either since he's watching their school's first home football game.

I text Deirdre and said "looks like it's just you and me tonight". She called be back and said for me to hurry since she's starving. We decide to go to our favorite Chinese restaurant, the golden house.

We ordered quite quickly since we were both hungry. In between bites, we talked about what's going on at school (she just got her grades with 4.68 GPA average), my work (I said the usual stuffs), what movies are out, Monk is on tonight, why she quit tennis and enjoys karate more.

Total bill tonight: gas $20.00. Tofu vegetable, hunan shrimp, peking duck, two cups of tea and a bowl of steam rice $33.50. Pineapple sherbet $2.75. tip $5.00.

Having to spend time with my daughter on a Friday night? PRICELESS!

#69: MMS via your iPhone, is this good?

AT&T the exclusive carrier for iPhone in the U.S. just announced that MMS (Multi Media Service) will be available on Sept. 25.

AT&T, everyone's favorite phone company to hate lately, has finally set the date for MMS availability on the iPhone. Multimedia messaging will debut for U.S.-based iPhone 3G and 3GS users on September 25, AT&T says. All you'll have to do is download a software update, and you'll be in business.

When I switched to the iPhone few months back I was kinda surprised with the lack of MMS support. After all other carriers like sprint, verizon and t-mobile have been offering MMS.

The bad thing about this MMS is it will further slowdown the already congested AT&T network. I find myself cursing sometimes when my phone just wouldn't load web pages or even fail to retrieve my mails. So much for 3GS.

Everyday I get frustrated with my iPhone, i move closer to ditching it and going back to blackberry.

note: Here's a tip when you're experiencing slow connection. In your iPhone setting, turn ON "Airplane Mode". This will temporarily disconnect you from the network, wait for a few seconds then turn OFF the "Airplane Mode". You should now get a better connection - works all the time for me.

#68: She's probably somebody's baby

I was at the DMV today to renew my driver's license and as usual the place is packed like sardines.

I looked around and all the sits were taken. Some of the patrons are all standing around. Everyone is staring at the monitor mounted on the wall. Every now and then, everyone would look into their numbers in hand and glance at the monitor again as if waiting for the winning number in lotto.

I finally found a small spot where I stand waiting for my number to be called. Just beside me to my left was a mentally challenged Filipino girl (she's probably about 15 or 16 years old) in a wheelchair. Beside her probably was her dad. The girl smiled enthusiastically and suddenly grab my hand firmly and said "kuya Kumusta" and started to giggle. I said "mabuti". She let go of my hand briefly only to grab it again, and again and again. I started to feel a little bit uncomfortable so I pretended to look into my phone so he won't be able to grab my hand. Instead he grabbed my shirt and keep on asking "Kuya Kumusta".

I finally was able to extricate myself and created a small distance from her. I was relieved. Then suddenly a pretty looking woman eased her way in between us. She was blonde and quite very attractive.

As soon as the Filipino girl saw her, she immediately grabbed her hand and started doing what she was doing to me earlier. The woman was startled and just smiled as the kid was all over her even to the point that she tried to lift the woman's shirt. I can sense the Women was a little bit embarrassed as she started to say "Oh no am not gonna strip today". I smiled and whispered to her, "I'm sorry I should have warned you about her".

Finally, the kid's father got called out and I was left with this pretty blonde woman. She smiled and said faintly "Thank God, she's a handful don't you think?". "Yeah she is", I answered back.

In my mind I was thinking do I want to start a conversation? What could she be interested with? Suddenly she took out a book and started reading. I glanced on what she's reading and it was Ernest Hemingway book.

There goes the conversation, I never read any Hemingway book. What should a say to a girl who reads Hemingway? Why can't she read Ludlum or Grisham like normal people read?

It doesn't matter as my number was finally called. I glanced at her for the last time and suddenly I can hear Jackson Browne singing in my mind "Well just look at that girl with the lights coming up in her eyes, she must be somebody's baby, all the guys on the corner stand back and let her walk on by..."

Here's the whole video of that song that describe "Ms. Hemingway"



can't view the video? Click here for the original post

#67: The downfall of Ex-gov Vicsyd Valera

Big news today in Abra politics. Ex-governor Vicsyd Valera has just been arrested for allegedly masterminding the killing of Congressman Cito Bersamin.

Here's the chronology of events that led to the arrest as chronicled from the most read abrenian site abrenian.com:

- Dec 16, 2006, Congressman Chito Bersamin was assassinated in front of a church in Quezon City.

CONGRESSMAN Luis "Chito" Bersamin Jr. of the lone district of Abra province had just attended a relative's wedding at the Mount Carmel Church on Doña Juana Rodriguez (formerly Broadway) Street, New Manila, Quezon City at around 5:15 p.m. Saturday when two unidentified suspects gunned him down in an ambush.

- Dec 21, 2006, Cops raid homes of Governor Valera, allied pols

Police raided eight houses of Gov. Vicente Valera of Abra, his allies and bodyguards on Friday afternoon after an arrested suspect in the killing of Rep. Luis “Chito” Bersamin tagged him as the mastermind.

Dec 24, 2006 Abra gov cries frame-up

“I vehemently deny all of the vile and baseless accusations linking me to the untimely death of the late Congressman Chito Bersamin,” Valera said in a prepared statement.

“My conscience is clear. I am the victim of a vicious and coordinated frame-up, although I am at a loss as to who the perpetrators are of these cruel lies.”

Dec 27, 2006, Congressman Bersamin is laid to rest

The legislator’s younger brother, Court of Appeals Justice Lucas Bersamin, broke his vow of silence during the funeral mass and necrological service at the Abra National High School.

In a voice that trembled with anger, Bersamin railed against Gov. Vicente Valera, the alleged mastermind in the slay

Jan 4, 2007, Valera goes into hiding: Gov claims group of ex-soldiers paid P5M to kill him

Governor Vicente “Vicsyd” Valera revealed yesterday that he is now in hiding for fear for his life after a group of former Army soldiers were “commissioned” to kill him in exchange for P5 million.

Jan 8, 2007, Abra folk petition GMA to end killings

Abrenos residing in the country and overseas have launched a petition asking President Arroyo to take bold steps in ending assassinations of politicians in the Cordillera province.

“Enough is enough,” was the opening message of the petition launched on www.abrenian.com ­- ­a website that tackles politics in the conflict-stricken province.

Jan 25, 2007, Takit Bersamin declared intention of running for governor

THE brother of assassinated Abra Representative Luis Bersamin Jr. announced on Thursday that he will run against incumbent Governor Vicente Valera if only to give Abreños an alternative choice in the upcoming elections.

Feb 20, 2007, Comelec agrees to put Abra under its control

The Commission on Elections on Tuesday agreed to place Abra under its control, granting the request made by the governor himself who said it was needed to prevent lawlessness in his province.

Mar 31, 2007, Local Campaign Kick-off: Bersamin versus Valera

Controversial Gov. Vicente Valera will be seeking to represent the province at the House of Representatives but his wife Ching, who has served as mayor of Bangued has filed her candidacy to run in the gubernatorial race. She will be challenged by Eustaquio "Kit" Bersamin, brother of murdered Abra Rep. Chito Bersamin.

May 20, 2007, Takit Bersamin formally proclaimed, Vicsyd cries foul

Outgoing Abra Gov. Vicente Valera conceded defeat of his wife Ma. Zita for the governorship of abra in what is seen as the end of the family’s almost 20-year rule in Abra politics. "We already conceded the governorship doon sa kalaban despite massive pandaraya sa misis ko.", the former Governor said in an interview with gmanews.tv.

July 12, 2007, Luna proclaimed the winner against Gov. Valera

The 20-year dominance of the Valera family in Abra politics ended when the Commission on Elections denied the pre-proclamation petition filed by former Gov. Vicente Valera against former Lagayan Mayor Cecilia Luna, his rival in the province's lone congressional race. Luna was proclaimed winner on Wednesday at the Comelec office in Manila.

Oct 29, 2007, Ex-mayor, brod of defeated bet linked to Bersamin slay

A former mayor and a brother of a former congressional candidate were linked by one of two arrested suspects to the gunslaying of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin in Quezon City last Dec. 16.

Dec 16, 2007, Bersamin slay recalled a year after in Abra

The mastermind of the murder of Rep. Luis “Chito” Bersamin Jr., whose first death anniversary was observed on Sunday, Dec. 16 in simple rites in the province, will be revealed this week, according to the slain lawmaker’s eldest daughter.

Feb 19, 2008, Ex-Abra gov Valera charged for 2006 murder of solon

The former governor of Abra province, Vicente Valera, has been charged with two counts of murder for the December 2006 assassination of then Abra Representative Luis Bersamin and his bodyguard at a church in Quezon City, police said Tuesday.

Dec 8, 2008, Arrest of Abra’s Valera looms–Verzosa

The National Police hopes to arrest soon former Abra governor Vicente Valera with the expected issuance of a warrant of arrest against him over his alleged involvement in the killing of former congressman Luis Bersamin on December 16, 2006.

April 4, 2009, Ex-Abra gov, 2 others charged for Bersamin killing

Charged with two counts of murder and two counts of frustrated murder before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court were former Governor Vicente Valera, Jerry Turqueza and St. Leo Bello.

Aug 15, 2009, Court orders arrest of ex-Abra governor Valera

Former Abra governor Vicente Isidro Valera was ordered arrested by a Quezon City regional trial court (RTC) judge for the murder of his political rival and his police escort in front of a church three years ago.

Sep 1, 2009, Former Abra governor Vicente Valera nabbed in Makati

Task Force Bersamin operatives reportedly nabbed the elusive former governor inside Unit 3K of Hidalgo Towers in Rockwell, Makati City around 10:30 p.m., police said. Operatives of the Quezon City Police District and the Makati police served the arrest warrant.

Being arrested is one thing. The next step is to prove the guilt. We all know that everyone remains innocent until proven otherwise.