A Model Parishioner

If I remember it correctly, it was March 12, 1996 when Barangay 170, our barangay, welcomed La Muerte de San Jose (The Death of St Joseph) statue. During those times, the statue would stay overnight in the barangay before it is brought back to church and then moved to another barangay. This was part of the parish's 9-day preparation to celebrate the Solemnity of St Joseph on March 19.  The statue stayed in the porch of the Barangay Chairman's house facing Rotonda (roundabout). 

That evening, I joined my mother and other residents in saying prayers before the revered statue. I wasn't able to stay overnight because I have my thesis oral defense the following day.

The next day, as I was waiting for a jeepney in Rotonda, I walked past where the statue was located. No one was keeping vigil before the statue, except Tita Laling. She was dozing off. I approached and asked for her blessing. She told me that she was looking after the statue. I felt bad leaving her alone, but I explained to her my defense that afternoon and she understood. Days later, she was a proud aunt singing my praises for successfully completing my defense.

This was not the only instance that I saw Tita Laling's dedication to the Church. In my early teens, I would join her in attending Mass during first Saturdays. Together with her confreres in the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI), she would serve as one of the collectors during Mass. She was also active in the Catholic Women's League (CWL). There were no airs and graces in Tita Laling. She used to tell me that all she wants was to serve. 

She would greet parishioners regardless if they were clergy or laity, presidents of parish organizations or ordinary members. I think, her humility and benevolence has made her earn the respect of her peers. I was happy when she became Regent of DMI (1986-87) and President of CWL (early 2000s). She wasn't bothered with the role she has to perform in church. For me, she was a model parishioner. 

A few days ago, the parish lost one of its humble members. It happened at a time when churches have suspended public celebration of the Mass and closed its doors due to the Coronavirus. Indeed, it is a challenging time for all of us who look forward to receive the Eucharist at least every weekend. It is a time of tribulation for those of us who see the parish as "home next to home". It's tempting to lose faith, isn't it? When these things come to mind, I think of Tita Laling alone in the presence of La Muerte de San Jose. Amidst the hustle and bustle in Rotonda 24 years ago, there was my aunt, at peace in the presence of the statue of the dying St Joseph being consoled by Jesus and Mary. 

Tita Laling, thank you for being such a loving aunt to me and my siblings. You have been such a strong pillar for the Christian community of Gagalangin. Pray that we will remain steadfast in faith. Rest now in God's healing presence, united with Mary Immaculate and St Joseph! We love you.

To my cousins, nephews, nieces, and their families, my heart goes out to you during this time of sorrow.

Chairman

Twenty-four years ago, in a meeting of officers and members of both Tanghalang Anluwage and Ang Pahayagang Anluwage, a proposal was made to create a board which will oversee the operations of both groups. The board will be composed of leaders and senior members from both groups. The proposal was easily approved, however when it was the election of Board Chairman that things became pear shaped. No white smoke emanated from the window of the Catechists' Room where we were meeting due to the impasse. Until one member said "Ako na lang ang chairman!" (I'll be the chairman!).  

Without any opposition, Anabelle "Aye" Payod (now Balla) became the board's first (and only) Chairman.  "Chairman" (as a few of us would call her, although not in front of her), presided over board meetings and gave direction to the two groups which, as a result of the board's creation, has been officially known as Anluwage. She was upbeat and full of ideas. She was also challenging. One time, she confronted my being sulky. "Kahapon ka pa ganyan!" (You have been sulky since yesterday!). Coming to my senses, I apologized for my bad attitude.

Aye was an active member of the Catholic Youth Movement before becoming an Anluwage. She was one of the actresses in Tanghalang Anluwage's maiden presentation in 1991 and was also a writer in Pahayagan. A Psychology student in her final year in PLM during that time, she showed how it is to strike a balance between studies and community service. 

The first few years of her stint as Chairman saw Anluwage sailing smoothly. Until the relationship between the parish priest at that time and the group turned sour. I guess my colleagues in the group would agree with me that Aye's shining moment was when a number of us paid this priest a visit (without any appointment!) to air our side. Sat next to or near her, I have seen a different Aye. Someone who will fight for you through it all. And although the meeting didn't resolve anything, it showed how the group made an effort to reach out to the other party. 

Though nawala sa sirkulasyon  (lied low) for a few years, most of the group's members kept on meeting each other. By this time, Aye and her family have already moved to Cavite, but she continued to be in touch, encouraging members. When the group went online, Aye was one of the first senior members who gave support to it. Initially, she wrote reflections in God-speak, but later the editorship of the web's Faith section was entrusted to her.

Aye hasn't changed a bit as continues to be upbeat (I could sense that especially when I say the Anluwage Prayer or read the Anluwage song), full of ideas, challenging, and supportive. But what has touched me most is her humility. In spite of her many achievements, she remains down to earth.I am sure that when she volunteered to be our Chairman, it was not because she was better than others. It was, I think, because she was (and is) a team player who believes in our capabilities and in the beauty of working together.

Happy birthday, Aye (a.k.a. Chairman)!  Thanks a lot for all your support. Keep up the good work. God bless you always.

The Three Wise Men of 2015

And so, it's this time of year when I share with you my Three Wise Men. I must confess that I wasn't able to choose those for 2014 not because there were no wise people around, but because I was unable to make my output.  I am reviving this now and hopefully, it will continue in the next years to come.

My three wise men have all come from the Philippines, by the way.

Joker Arroyo (5 January 1927 - 5 October 2015) was a freedom fighter during the Marcos dictatorship. A lawyer by profession, Joker was the first among his peers to question the legality of Martial Law before the Supreme Court.  Apart from that, he participated in the trials of political detainees like Benigno Aquino Jr, Eugenio Lopez Sr, and Sergio Osmena III. During the 1986 snap elections, he served as counsel to Cory Aquino and would later become the first Executive Secretary in her administration.  He was elected congressman in 1992 and became Lead Prosecutor during Joseph Estrada's impeachment trial in 2000. He became senator in 2001 and retired in 2013.  He passed away in October after an unsuccessful heart operation in the States.

Mr Arroyo offers us the wisdom of service to the people regardless of the consequences. It was said that he suffered in the hands of the military.  How many of us would take the risk in order to stand up for the poor and defenseless?  Now when the Marcoses and their minions (e.g. Estradas, Binays, etc.) would once again run for public office, are we going to keep our guard down? 

Dr Florentino Hornedo (16 October 1938 - 9 December 2015) was a scholar, professor, and cultural studies pioneer in Ivatan culture. A CCP Gawad Para sa Sining for Cultural Research, he was lauded for choosing "to take a prodigious path to inquire and theorize about the breadth, depth, and complexities of the Filipino mind and identity." Furthermore, he expounded on the term "Filipinicity" and was of the view that Philippine folk and popular literature was the result of forces such as significant events in our history as a nation. When I was still in UST, I had the privilege of listening to his talk. I think it was about history. In one of the discussions he mentioned  the root cause of the fight between Spain and Portugal in their conquests: spices.  "Ano bang mayroon sa sili at pinag-awayan ito ng Spain at Portugal?" he asked which drew laughter from the audience.

Dr Hornedo offers us the wisdom of one's roots.  His scholarly works were focused on our country and, more particularly on the Ivatan culture since he was an Ivatan.  How many of us still pay back the country of our birth or at least the community we used to or currently belong to?

Fr Pedro Traquena, OP (2 December 1919 - 9 December 2015) was the oldest Dominican in the Philippines. He was involved in the National Association of the Holy Name Society  as its national promoter in the Babuyan Islands. He later served as chaplain of the UST Hospital.  I have frequently seen Fr Traquena in the UST Hospital when I was studying and teaching there.  He comes across as a humble servant to those who are sick.  Word has it that he was still serving until his demise.  

Fr Traquena offer us the wisdom of living life to the full.  In his old age, he could have opted for a retirement in the confines of the convent.  And yet, he decided to minister to those in need.  When life becomes a struggle for us, are we going to throw in the towel or is it still full steam ahead?

May God, the source of all wisdom, be The Reward for these three great and wise men. May their wisdom and legacy continue to thrive in our midst!

Mommy Lita

As a teenager, I used to take notice of her as the conductor of the Apostleship of Prayer Choir in Gagalangin Parish.  Their choir usually sings during first Friday (morning and evening Masses) as well as every Friday and Sunday mornings. Their organist was the revered Honorata "Tita Baby" Buenaventura.  

I finally met and introduced myself this lady conductor one Sunday afternoon during the monthly meetings of the Apostleship of Prayer (AP).  We were all sat near the back of what was then the Ultreya Hall of the church.  Sis. Lita Aquino, as she was called,  was reminding some people (who seemed to be choir members) about their practice. She later turned to me and asked if I would be interested to join. I said "Yes", but it took awhile before I really joined them.  During the following AP meeting, she caught sight of me and told me when they would have their rehearsal in church. This time, I made sure I will be there.

Indeed, I turned up and saw her playing the organ while some ladies were singing. I was at first hesitant to approach (I got late as I initially didn't know where to get in as all the doors in the church were closed), but she bid me to come.  The songs they were rehearsing were for the Easter season. As I got nearer them, they were singing this Communion song: Kayo ay muling nabuhay, kayo ay muling nabuhay na si Kristo ang katambal, na si Kristo ang katambal. Isipin ang kalangitan, Kanyang kinaroroonan. Aleluya, aleluya, Siya ay awitan. (Freely: You have risen from the dead, you have risen from the dead with Christ as your companion, with Christ as your companion. Think of heaven where He is. Alleluia, Alleluia. Let us sing to Him.)

I enjoyed being part of the AP Choir. The first time I sang with them was at the choir loft with Tita Baby playing the pipe organ. The experience was overwhelming.  Soon I saw myself joining them during the Flores de Maria (It was May 1988 when I became a choir member.) as well as the other Masses of the week their service is required. I recall the many Fridays of 1988 and 1989 when Jonathan De la Llana and I would wake up earlier than usual to sing at the 5:30am Mass before proceeding to Letran Manila. Sis. Lita, who preferred to be called 'Mommy' by young choir members, made me feel welcome. 

There were also some events outside of Gagalangin that we took part in such as the Thanksgiving Masses presided by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin at the Manila Cathedral during his birthdays. On one of these Masses, Mommy Lita had a break - she played the Cathedral's massive pipe organ!

When I became a choir member, the parish had quite a number of choirs and choir organists. Strangely, during the early 90s, the number of organists dwindled.  Mommy Lita, who was then focused on the AP choir, was tapped to look after other choirs.  She and Tita Baby split the choirs between themselves.  

When I became a lector/commentator, I liaised with Mommy Lita who, as organist, was situated near the commentator's lectern.  One thing I can't forget is when I was serving as commentator during the Monday evening Masses.  I keep an eye on her as she might be signalling that the choir might sing (or not) some parts of the Mass (e.g. Gloria or Sanctus). At times, I would cover for the choir when everyone would go to receive Holy Communion and no one else is there to sing.

Mommy Lita have occasionally provided the musical accompaniment when I sang during parish celebrations.  Nicanor Abelardo's Bituing Marikit comes to mind.  

Apart from music ministry, Mommy Lita was also involved in the Cofradia de San Jose where she served as Secretary for a number of years. She was also a member of the Mother Butler Guild and the Samahang Birhen ng Medalla Milagrosa.

Recently, I heard that she is afflicted with ovarian cancer and is hospitalized.  Yesterday, a friend told me that she won't last that long.  

Mommy Lita, my thoughts are with you at these trying times.  Thank you for giving me the chance to serve the Lord through singing. Thanks for the many happy moments we shared in the parish. Keep up the faith, Mommy! We love you!

Ate Liza

Today, July 19, marks the 55th anniversary when the present church of St Joseph de Gagalangin Parish was blessed and inaugurated.  The four corners of this church as well as its neighbouring edifices (parish hall and formation center) were filled with the song and laughter of a beloved friend who passed away 2 days ago, Mrs Eliza "Ate Liza" Manzano-O'Leary.

I first met Ate Liza twenty years ago when all youth and Marian organizations were busy preparing for the birthday celebration of Our Lady.  I learned that she was a nurse from PGH, has a daughter named Pam, and was a member of the Catholic Youth Movement (CYM).  CYM leads in the singing in church every Sunday at 6pm.

I think Ate Liza got a break when she sang solo Fruto Ramirez's Ave Maria during the Harana kay Maria, a night of serenade for Mary during her birthday celebration in 1997. The late Tita Baby Buenaventura was the pianist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dowqLnTdVOI

Another shining moment for her was when she acted in a play staged by the group in late 1998.

There was one incident that almost snatched Ate Liza from us all.  She was sat in one of the pews midway of the church, watching us as we were rehearsing for a Christmas concert.  Workers where then moving a scaffolding in the aisle when they unintentionally hit one of the chandeliers.  The chandelier instantly fell to the ground just a few inches from where Ate Liza was.  She stood unscathed. 

Apart from being friendly and cool, our group saw a female version of Big Brother in her.  Although she wasn't the type who will be on our case if we become mischievous.  WYSIWYG. That's Ate Liza. It's funny that she calls me 'Manong', but I am not bothered as I maintain that that word of endearment is not as hierarchical as 'Kuya' or 'Diko', etc.

When Anluwage was disbanded in the mid 90s, she became involved in the Singles for Christ, a renewal group under the umbrella of the great Couples for Christ Ministries.  When Nidz and I decided to join Singles, Ate Liza was Nidz's facilitator and later household leader.  She was very supportive of us.

During Anluwage's revival in 1996, she was named Executive Secretary, the lone woman in a pack of barakos in the Board of Directors.

Ate Liza migrated to Ireland about the same time when we moved to the UK.  I'm glad that we continued to get in touch. It was heart-warming when we contacted her on Skype and showed Chiara (when she was still a baby) to her.

We visited her in Ireland early this year and she didn't change a bit! In spite being afflicted with cancer, she showed courage, patience, and grace.  Before leaving, I told her to stay strong, ending with the words "Samaniego ka 'ata!" (I discovered early on that her mom's middle name was Samaniego. Although my maternal grandfather and his brood were from Cavite, they once told us that we are related to those in Bulacan having the same family name).

It is truly sad to know that she is gone now, but felt consoled that she left us all happy - happy to be reunited with Pam (who also graduated from college this year), happy to be wed to Paul who loved her unconditionally, happy to have served the Lord through the sick and through the church choir.

It wasn't only the church or any other building for that matter that was filled with her life. More importantly, it was God's People, the Church!

Thank you, Ate Liza for the love and concern you showered us.  Rest now where there is no more pain, only consolation; where there is no more sorrow, only happiness; where there is no more worry, only peace; where there is no more sunset nor sunshine, only perpetual light shining on you! We love you!

The Village Auntie

It was a busy 4th of July in Cargohaus many years ago.  Apart from that, it was quite humid that one wanted to dash back to the air conditioned office. As I entered, I saw a number of people inside the Accounting Department's office.  There were 2-3 1/2 gallons of ice cream and a box or two of ice cream cones on one table. One lady was inviting people to have a bite.  Asked what was the occasion, she said "It's Cargohaus Friendship Day!" (4th of July has been known in the Philippines as Philippine American Friendship Day since the time of President Diosdado Macapagal). That lady was Ms. Lucita Lina, one of our company consultants.

Ms. Lina, a.k.a. Tita Luz, worked as a Chemist at the Bureau of Soils until her retirement in the late 90s.  When she retired, her nephew Alberto Lina (Chairman of the Lina Group of Companies) was looking for a chemist who will take charge of the proper storage and disposal of chemicals and other similar materials (classified as 'dangerous goods' or DG) stored in Cargaohaus, a custom-bonded warehouse he owns. Tita Luz didn't look far - she called me (We both lived in Barangay 170 - she in Fidel Street, me in T. Earnshaw Street). Having just graduated from college, the prospect of a job was a blessing I have been praying for. I expressed interest in her proposal. In a few weeks, I was called for an interview and test.  Later on, I got the job and started to hit the ground running. 

I worked with Tita Luz and together we made reports and recommendations to the management on how we could improve our service to clients.  We also coordinated with the Operations Team on the proper handling of cargoes -  the company was receiving complaints and claims from some disgruntled customers that time - and the Bureau of Customs on the disposal of cargoes particularly those that have already expired.

Having been familiar with words such as density, volume, molarity, etc. we both got used to terms such as Airway Bill and Master Number - two important references used to identify cargoes.

Although, she is related to the company's owner, she remained friendly, kwela, and down-to-earth (work colleagues as well as those in the Bureau of Customs whose office are in the same building as ours would attest to these) and even forbade those who call her 'Tita' (including her relatives) not to greet her with a kiss when they see her in the office. 

One time, while sat in the office, a colleague approached her and asked if she was a customer. With a smile on her face, she said "I'm Luz Lina, Cargohaus Consultant." That colleague was embarrassed and apologized. Later on, she and Tita Luz got along well.

Tita Luz used to drive a red Toyota Corolla (a 70s or 80s model? My brother Gio used to tell me how durable this model was. Indeed, it was a good car!) and when she goes to and from the office (located near the NAIA in Paranaque), she would offer me or other people a lift.  One evening, I suggested that she drives through Pier and then to Capulong Street (Velasquez, Tondo) as it was much easier then to use that route going home.  After  her experience there, she told me that she preferred to drive through Ongpin (Binondo) instead.  It was only during my latest visit home that I realized how horrible it is to drive through Pier from the airport. Apart from poorly-lit roads, the trucks and jeepneys overlord each other to the point of using the lanes from the opposite side of the road!  It took us hours before reaching Gagalangin!

I enjoyed working in that company - meeting a lot of people, being involved with what we called as  the "Operations Team" which meet every Tuesday morning over breakfast, communicating with a wide range of people.  I must say that the skills, knowledge, andexperience I gained there were transferrable in my other jobs.  

When I left Cargohaus, I felt ashamed and sorry for Tita Luz.  For her part, she understood my reasons and we continued to get in touch through our rosary devotion in the barangay. She is currently the President of the Queen of Families Rosary Group in our village, a post she has held since 2003.  In my last 2 visits home, she hosted a party for me and my family. 

A year or so before I migrated to the UK we had a rosary recitation in one home.  Part of our devotion was the reading of the Gospel for that Sunday and a sharing of reflection from devotees.  The Beatitudes was the Gospel that was read that evening and the topic for reflection was "How fulfilled are you?".  As a number of devotees were parents, they shared how blessed they were to have children who are now professionals, etc.  When it was Tita Luz's turn to have the floor, she said that even if she didn't marry and have kids, she sees herself as someone fulfilled because of the people she cared for as though they were her own children.  True, people in the barangay especially those affiliated with the rosary group, regard her as a spiritual mother, an effective leader, a friend. She is the Village Auntie!

I am blessed to be one of her spiritual kids.

Thank you, Tita Luz for your friendship and support, for your wisdom and love, for your motherly care and service to the community.  May the good Lord, the Great Chemist, bless you more and more!

Belated happy 83rd birthday! We love you!

Tita Baby

Today marks the 81st birth anniversary of Ms Honorata "Tita Baby" Buenaventura.  Towards the end of last year, she succumbed to a lingering illness.   When I heard the news, I was at work and cried silently somewhere private.

 

As we celebrate her life, I thought of the following lessons I learned from her:

 

Commitment - Tita Baby was always there during services and rehearsals.  She would only be away when needed, but for most of the time you could count on her attendance.  When I was a choir member of the Apostleship of Prayer, we would serve during the 2 Friday morning Masses and the 7.30am Sunday Mass.  Tita Baby would be there a few minutes before the time to say her prayers in one of the empty pews (or up in the choir loft if it's a Sunday) and prepare her musical pieces. Ningas kugon was never in her vocabulary!  She also had that heart for the pipe organ, a gift that was given by the people of Gagalangin to the late Msgr Pedro Pajarillo, a parish treasure in its own right. She was trained to play that and when the time came for her to do so, she played it with zest.  Every week, she made sure that this is played otherwise, like any other machine, it would not work.

 

Humility - She had no airs whatsoever. If you need some help with a musical piece, call or see her and she would assist you. When Fr Mario Enriquez asked our choir to sing near the sanctuary rather than in the choir loft during Sundays (while Tita Baby plays the pipe organ upstairs), I never heard a word of complaint from her.  She simply complied. Ditto when changes in the traditional Simbang Gabi songs were implemented (i.e. from the Latin songs of Jose Cosme De Benito to the Tagalog songs of Lucio San Pedro).

 

Listening - As a musician, she has cultivated the art of listening.  If the choir (and this is most especially true when we sang downstairs while she plays from afar) sings too slow or fast she could easily adjust to them.  This is an essential part in every choir to ensure that music in all its beauty would be produced and offered for the glory of God and the good of His People. As a person, Tita Baby was also a good listener.

 

Forgiveness - Tita Baby has been part of Gagalangin Parish since the time of the late Msgr Pedro Pajarillo. However, her stint was interrupted during the late Msgr Feliciano Santos' term.  Stories I heard from elders then was that Msgr Santos didn't want her to play the organ.  It took me sometime to ask her about this.  She confirmed to me that this was the case, yet she didn't have any hard feelings for the priest.  During that time she was also serving in Baclaran Church so it wasn't really much of an issue for her.  In a different occasion, when Msgr Santos was invited to preside in a funeral Mass in Gagalangin, Tita Baby approached him and asked for his blessing! How many of us can do that?

 

Youth - She was involved in molding the minds and hearts of her students and the young choir members of the parish.  When I started serving in Gagalangin, she used to be the organist of choirs composed of adult members. Later on, and this is due perhaps to lack of organists, she helped out with youth organization choirs as well.  The way she engaged with the young was amazing (see my previous article on her).  The outpouring of love from the youth that I saw in Facebook last year (when she was ill and then later when she passed away) is touching.

 

Happy 81st birthday, Tita Baby!  May God bless your kind soul. May we keep and share your lessons so we could continue to deepen our faith and sing God's praises through the various ministries we are involved in the community.  We love you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Monday

The previous Monday has been called “Blue Monday” because it was said to be the most depressing day of the year. According to Wikipedia, “…the date was calculated by using many factors, including: weather conditions, debt level (the difference between debt accumulated and our ability to pay), time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action.”

Some of us may have been affected by Blue Monday. Some may not have noticed it to be a depressing day. But I guess, all of us would have experienced a low point in our lives, a moment when our enthusiasm seem to have waned. Have you been through those mornings when you would turn off the alarm clock and go back to sleep? Did you just “go with the flow” at work? Were you tempted to throw in the towel when your prayers seem unanswered or your efforts not being appreciated?

I did.

One morning this week, as I was saying my Morning Prayer while on the bus, I read this quotation of St Charles Borromeo: “He who desires to make any progress in the service of God must begin every day of his life with a new ardour.”

This saying struck a chord in me. St Charles’ words were so straightforward that it made my day.

As Christians, it is our duty to know, love, and serve God. Service to God, as our faith would teach us, is not only confined within the four walls of the church (unless you are a ‘Sunday Christian’) nor is it reserved for priests and nuns. Our service to the Lord is so broad it is that we can serve Him anywhere (home, work, community) 24/7! Indeed as St Paul once wrote, whatever we do let’s do it for the glory of God.

And yet, there are instances when our service to Him becomes “matabang” (lackluster), “papatay-patay” (inconsistent), or done just for the sake of obligation.

As we go back to normality after the Christmas season, as we recover from the symptoms of Blue Monday, as we welcome the New Year let us make it a point at the start of each day to call on God and ask Him for that new ardour, that new passion to serve Him wherever He sends us.

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Birthday blessings to my three friends who are all celebrating their natal day today. First, Ms Edna Marco, my former Religion and Music teacher in Letran High School. Ma’am Edna comes across as an approachable person who easily gets along well with her students. When our First Year Adviser was ill and unable to come to class, Ms Marco was our class “takbuhan” (refuge) since her room was just next to ours. I enjoyed working in some school projects with her and Ms Melba Silvela (my Religion teacher in fourth year), memorable of which were our outreach programmes in Marikina and Tagaytay as well as the Valentine’s Day serenade for teachers.


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Second celebrant is Rev Fr Roy M Rosales from the Diocese of Pasig. I worked with Fr Roy when he was assigned as Vice Rector of the Manila Cathedral (where I was then serving as a lector/commentator). During his short stint, he was able to whip into shape a number of ministries such as the Lectors/Commentators, Ushers and Collectors, Altar Servers, and choir. I would fondly remember him as always asking us “How is everybody?” and having breakfast with him at the Cathedral refectory after Mass.

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Last, but not least is Joe Panganiban, a former colleague in the Manila Cathedral’s Lectors/Commentators Group. Bro Joe was my predecessor as Coordinator of the said group. I learned a lot from him in his grasp of the liturgy and theology.

Happy birthday, Ma’am Edna, Fr Roy, and Bro Joe! God bless you three!


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Wishing you all, especially our Chinese readers, a Healthy and Happy Year of the Dragon!

Gong xi fa cai! Xin Nian Kuai Le!