Tomorrow is his birthday. As in the past years, he will celebrate it somewhere else – in a better place.

On the same day tomorrow 88 years ago, the only man our Ima has fallen in love with was born. As far back as I can recall, each year we made it a point to celebrate the great day with so much fondness to honor the person who took part in giving life to us all and provided us a decent, comfortable yet a very disciplined living. Food, friends and fun times abound in his love-filled household. He made sure that his roof was a home to everyone. Food was never scarce and made sure supplies are filled to the brim. Name it, you have it. From the salt to sugar to the lard, vinegar , soy sauce to the rice contained in an old American 3ft x 36in diameter tin drum. There was not an occasion that the containers of these are half-filled or below. The dining table was always filled with plenty and was always surrounded with friends and folks that are free to come and go. You will never leave without the usual pabaon or what we call “bakal”. Even the simple firewood which is always readily at hand just in case the need arises is prettily stacked according to size in our dirty kitchen of old.

Seven years ago was the first time he opted to celebrate his birthday at someplace else. He always did ever since. Now I could just imagine the merriment where his favorite band of harps, cymbals and tambourines as well as the sax and trumpets playing beautifully his favorite marching tunes!! Lo and behold I can see him beaming in delight, smiling from ear to ear as he stomps his feet every now and then with the beat of the music.

Missing you a lot Tang. I’m sure tomorrow is going to be another blast as you party with your numerous angels and saints…keep enjoying and have fun..but don’t send us the invite yet. Happy birthday and always remember we love you.

Let us all join in prayers for the eternal peace and joy that he was promised and may all of us be always united as one family, to always remember and make as way of life his legacy --- loving and taking care of each other and one another.