of heroes and history

It was around 1970 when my dad and his family moved to Sampaloc, Manila when his father Judge Lorenzo Tecson of San Miguel, Bulacan died. And ever since I can remeber every November 1, we would always go to San Miguel, Bulacan to visit my grandfather and my great grandfather's (Pablo who has the same name as my Tito Toto, my dad's brother) graves.

"Light a candle and pray", my dad would often urge me, and of course as a child I followed my dad I would walk up a mausoleum with our last name written on it and the grave beside my great grandfather they said was his wife but not my grandmother.

I guess I never understood during that time the whole scheme of things, until I stumbled upon a Tecson facebook page and learned my history. My great grandfather was Col. Pablo Tecson, a soldier who defended the Philippines during the Spanish war. He and his brother Simon were significant figures in the Malolos Convention in 1898. My lolo was a hero.

I was cool with it, no biggie until someone who was an acquaintance (really cute guy) asked for my full name and uttered, Tecson? are you related to Pablo Tecson the hero? I gave him my megawatt smile and said YES! :)

photo shoot

my cousins and i love to do photo shoots. this is the most recent one we had. enjoy!

that icky feeling

do you ever feel so restless but there's so much work to do? an almost depressive feeling that you almost want to cry your heart out, but you just choke it all up and sulk in your chair and pretend that you are working on something that will change the world. not.

so you browse your old networking accounts, glance through all the photos you posted, the comments your friends made and everything else that you left behind before you found a new networking site to post all your stuff on. but the browsing of the photos makes you smile, you see the younger you with friends and family and you were really happy. then there's an album with the photos of the people who are not with you anymore, the people you miss and the people whom you wish were with you this very moment. you start to sniffle and whimper and hug yourself a little bit (but look out if people are watching). your heart feels like someone is holding it in their palms and is crushing it. you feel your stomach rumble a little. you close your eyes and wish you'll survive the day, and another wish of having a reason to smile again.

manila bay

once in a while when i see something like this, i say a prayer of thanks.
i feel lucky that i get a glimpse of heaven in a country like ours and
still feel hopeful of the things to come.

birthday shout out

chet, for the beautiful long distance friendship ;)

happy birthday buddy! all the best!

'90s - both as thin as a stick :P

i know you love jodi, so i grabbed the opportunity :D

how time flies

tomorrow is a better day

i hope.

a thousand thanks

for everyone who remembered my birthday. for your greetings and thoughts and wishes. for the warmth that overwhelmed me that i almost peed my pants. my friends and my family are my treasures.

for all the blessings of last year and those ahead, thank you lord. i cannot ask for anything more. ^_^