After more than 30 years...
(I had no contact with my dad's family months after my birth or after my dad died when I was barely 3 years old, I guess. Sharing a story of family reunion thru a thread of email exchange with a dear Uncle I haven't met. I am trying to immortalize it by having it published. Deliberately removed some information. Found it necessary for security purposes. Happy reading.)
From:
Date: Sun, Dec 18, 2011
Subject: Re: Hello, Genevieve
To:
Ging,
Thank you for unselfishly sharing facets of your personal life with me. I am deeply touched. It is difficult to top your e-mail, but I will certainly try...
Your dad was an honorable man. He was soft-spoken, kindly, earned his living squarely, and treated people with utmost respect. He stood his ground when he was on the right and he was resolute with his decisions. About the only thing I think
put him on disadvantage was his incredible shyness. I can't even begin to imagine how he ever managed to woo your mom. He was so shy I believe he blushed out of seeing his own shadow.:) He was like a brother to me and even now, I still miss him dearly. Rest assured that you can stand proudly and say your father was a good man,a very good man. That being said, please listen to this song. This is for you and your dad... Check this out.
Do me a favor and get me introduced to Etel and Plem. Please extend my well wishes and tell them I already miss them.
I sense strong determination and survival instincts in you. You will succeed in giving Johanna the life she deserves and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I saw her pictures and I'll tell you that her vibrance is contagious. You are on the right, and like your dad,I know you will stand your ground and you'll tackle on the future head on.
Your Tita's name is xxx, but everyone here calls her xxx. That makes her 'Tita xxx' to you. She graduated from Golden Gate University with an accounting degree and has been working for the City of Mountain View for many years now.
But her passion is on humanitarian work. She helps thousands of school kids all over the Philippines - building schools, scholarships, tons of book shipments, etc.
We'll talk about her more...it will take a round of e-mail exchanges to describe her altogether.
xxx's in her sophomore year. She speaks fluent Tagalog although traces of her American accent are discernible here and there. She excels in school and loves dancing. She's a member of the Kaisahan Dance Company of San Jose, CA where Filipino folk dances are the norm. She once performed at the Philippine Cultural Center and Malacanang Palace. She's an only-child, but she's never 'spoiled'. She's very kind, courteous, and considerate. I am sure she'll connect with you on Facebook as soon as I tell her.
I graduated with a degree in Mathematics from UST, worked as a math/physics instructor in Iran and Saudi Arabia for about 5 years, and then came to the US in 1980. Your Tita and I got married in New Jersey and resided for about 4years in New York city while I went for my graduate degree in Computer Information Systems at New York University, and later on at Pace University.We moved to the Silicon Valley in California right after grad school and I worked as software engineer for Sun Microsystems and then at Cisco Systems.
I am presently a Java/J2EE architect and I also teach computer science at DeAnza College in Cupertino, CA. The years have been kind - hardwork and some luck enabled me to earn three US patents for my software inventions.
I have a life outside of work, however. I am an avid outdoors-man. I fish and hunt like crazy when I get the chance. (Your Tita and xxx go with me on 'civilized' camping trips. We spend much time together in the redwood forests surrounding the valley we live in.) I read a lot, weave baskets, build and fly remote-controlled planes, and I shoot archery bows like tomorrow will never come. xxx and I paddle our kayaks during the warmer months, although I use mine, alone, as hunting platform when shooting waterfowl in the fall. I'm a child at heart. I love to play.
Before I end this e-mail, I will ask a favor from you...
At your convenience, please make it a point to reconnect with our family in Pampanga. I've already given heads-up to your Aunt (my sister, your ninang). You can even stay at their home on your visit, if you want.
You mean a lot to us, Ging. Please keep in constant communication with any of us. You can call me ANYTIME, day or night. If there's anything I can help you with, please do NOT hesitate to let me know. I care about you - that will never change and it is unconditional.
Uncle xxx
- - -
On Sat, Dec 17, 2011 , Ging wrote:
Uncle xxx,
Loveupo. I can't write, crying. Bad place to cry. Office. Babawi po ako maya-maya lang pag makabawi huminga :) Hugs to Tita and cousin xxx.
Love,
Ging
- - -
On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 xxx wrote:
Hi Genevieve,
My name is XXX. I am your uncle and your late dad's cousin. I got your e-mail address from Glen, my nephew, who works at Brady Corp,as well.
I hope you're doing well. At the same time, I am humbled that Someone out there has made it possible to have our paths cross. I intend to keep in close contact and never lose communication with you, again. You are family and you mean very much to me. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your loved ones better.
I live in California, about 50 miles south of San Francisco. I have a daughter - XXX. She just turned 15 and she's sophomore in highschool. My wife's originally from Manaoag, Pangasinan. We've been living in the United States for about 30 years now. My wife is an accountant, I am a software engineer, and I also teach computer science at a local college, here.
About two months ago, I went to the Philippines as my father(yourlolo) passed away. I was in Pampanga for 10 days. Our relatives from Batangas came for the burial, as well. It is unfortunate that we didn't know your whereabouts, then. I would not have missed it for the world to see you had I known then you were just around.
Sayang, talaga.
It is my fervent hope that you get re-introduced and reunited with the rest of our family. Know that I love you, and I am forever grateful that Fate has allowed us to meet, albeit at a distance.
Uncle xxx
Here's where you can reach me...
e-mail:
phone:
address:
(Postscript:
The Lord is alive and I am one of His favorites. Thank you Lord for the gift of family reconnection through Brady Corporation.)
From:
Date: Sun, Dec 18, 2011
Subject: Re: Hello, Genevieve
To:
Ging,
Thank you for unselfishly sharing facets of your personal life with me. I am deeply touched. It is difficult to top your e-mail, but I will certainly try...
Your dad was an honorable man. He was soft-spoken, kindly, earned his living squarely, and treated people with utmost respect. He stood his ground when he was on the right and he was resolute with his decisions. About the only thing I think
put him on disadvantage was his incredible shyness. I can't even begin to imagine how he ever managed to woo your mom. He was so shy I believe he blushed out of seeing his own shadow.:) He was like a brother to me and even now, I still miss him dearly. Rest assured that you can stand proudly and say your father was a good man,a very good man. That being said, please listen to this song. This is for you and your dad... Check this out.
Do me a favor and get me introduced to Etel and Plem. Please extend my well wishes and tell them I already miss them.
I sense strong determination and survival instincts in you. You will succeed in giving Johanna the life she deserves and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I saw her pictures and I'll tell you that her vibrance is contagious. You are on the right, and like your dad,I know you will stand your ground and you'll tackle on the future head on.
Your Tita's name is xxx, but everyone here calls her xxx. That makes her 'Tita xxx' to you. She graduated from Golden Gate University with an accounting degree and has been working for the City of Mountain View for many years now.
But her passion is on humanitarian work. She helps thousands of school kids all over the Philippines - building schools, scholarships, tons of book shipments, etc.
We'll talk about her more...it will take a round of e-mail exchanges to describe her altogether.
xxx's in her sophomore year. She speaks fluent Tagalog although traces of her American accent are discernible here and there. She excels in school and loves dancing. She's a member of the Kaisahan Dance Company of San Jose, CA where Filipino folk dances are the norm. She once performed at the Philippine Cultural Center and Malacanang Palace. She's an only-child, but she's never 'spoiled'. She's very kind, courteous, and considerate. I am sure she'll connect with you on Facebook as soon as I tell her.
I graduated with a degree in Mathematics from UST, worked as a math/physics instructor in Iran and Saudi Arabia for about 5 years, and then came to the US in 1980. Your Tita and I got married in New Jersey and resided for about 4years in New York city while I went for my graduate degree in Computer Information Systems at New York University, and later on at Pace University.We moved to the Silicon Valley in California right after grad school and I worked as software engineer for Sun Microsystems and then at Cisco Systems.
I am presently a Java/J2EE architect and I also teach computer science at DeAnza College in Cupertino, CA. The years have been kind - hardwork and some luck enabled me to earn three US patents for my software inventions.
I have a life outside of work, however. I am an avid outdoors-man. I fish and hunt like crazy when I get the chance. (Your Tita and xxx go with me on 'civilized' camping trips. We spend much time together in the redwood forests surrounding the valley we live in.) I read a lot, weave baskets, build and fly remote-controlled planes, and I shoot archery bows like tomorrow will never come. xxx and I paddle our kayaks during the warmer months, although I use mine, alone, as hunting platform when shooting waterfowl in the fall. I'm a child at heart. I love to play.
Before I end this e-mail, I will ask a favor from you...
At your convenience, please make it a point to reconnect with our family in Pampanga. I've already given heads-up to your Aunt (my sister, your ninang). You can even stay at their home on your visit, if you want.
You mean a lot to us, Ging. Please keep in constant communication with any of us. You can call me ANYTIME, day or night. If there's anything I can help you with, please do NOT hesitate to let me know. I care about you - that will never change and it is unconditional.
Uncle xxx
- - -
On Sat, Dec 17, 2011 , Ging wrote:
Uncle xxx,
Loveupo. I can't write, crying. Bad place to cry. Office. Babawi po ako maya-maya lang pag makabawi huminga :) Hugs to Tita and cousin xxx.
Love,
Ging
- - -
On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 xxx wrote:
Hi Genevieve,
My name is XXX. I am your uncle and your late dad's cousin. I got your e-mail address from Glen, my nephew, who works at Brady Corp,as well.
I hope you're doing well. At the same time, I am humbled that Someone out there has made it possible to have our paths cross. I intend to keep in close contact and never lose communication with you, again. You are family and you mean very much to me. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your loved ones better.
I live in California, about 50 miles south of San Francisco. I have a daughter - XXX. She just turned 15 and she's sophomore in highschool. My wife's originally from Manaoag, Pangasinan. We've been living in the United States for about 30 years now. My wife is an accountant, I am a software engineer, and I also teach computer science at a local college, here.
About two months ago, I went to the Philippines as my father(yourlolo) passed away. I was in Pampanga for 10 days. Our relatives from Batangas came for the burial, as well. It is unfortunate that we didn't know your whereabouts, then. I would not have missed it for the world to see you had I known then you were just around.
Sayang, talaga.
It is my fervent hope that you get re-introduced and reunited with the rest of our family. Know that I love you, and I am forever grateful that Fate has allowed us to meet, albeit at a distance.
Uncle xxx
Here's where you can reach me...
e-mail:
phone:
address:
(Postscript:
The Lord is alive and I am one of His favorites. Thank you Lord for the gift of family reconnection through Brady Corporation.)
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