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| Mamang's 75th Birthday |
1. It is obvious to my oldest brother Mark that Family is first. To our Mamang, he has always been the most obedient child and he never raised his voice to air his side. He did not entertain his own whims. He is downright simple he barely cares with what he does not have. I told him few days ago, I will send him a watch because I know he wouldn't even think of buying one for himself. He just smiled and said, "Kasalese na pa ning relo ku keni." And that watch we gave him 15 years past.
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| Because it's delicious they want me to have a taste of it. |
2. Each time he discovers a product that pleases him, he excitedly talks to me about it. Moreover, he always find ways to send it to me so I could try it too. The most recent were the Trader Joe's foodies. He and Ate Arlyn brought me a Keurig coffee maker with Starbucks Kcups para pareho talaga kami ni Ate Kris.:)
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| C with our Fuertez titos and titas. |
3. No matter the fast-paced life they have in West Coast, Koyang Mark would squeeze time to be with our relatives for every invite his family receives. Afterwards, he would call to narrate what transpired in the occasion, who came, and the shared topics of stories.
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| Koyang Mark's fambam. |
4. He is a doting husband and daddy to Ate Arlyn, Kadie and Mykee. He does not get weary setting his feet at Disneyland because it's her daughters' favorite place. He has the most kikay kids and he lets them express themselves be it in song and dance, fashion and sports. It's cute to see Mykee snuggle close to his daddy when we FaceTime. As his girls love to read, he made a pink mini library for them.
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| Bethlehem at their house. |
5. Koyang Mark since childhood has this penchant for building structures, producing something out of the box. In our younger years, he made wooden benches and tables for our "tambayan". In their California home, he assembled a long train station, their Bethlehem was given recognition by their community. For me, the most unforgettable he built when he was in high school was the treehouse above the "mansanitas."
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| Time with friends, March 2012 |
6. I would tease and ask him why he has "no friends" from his school days. In high school, he only kept 1, a guy surnamed Hipolito. I know that up till now, they keep in touch. Koyang Mark is way okay with the buddies he has in our place. He's a member of Bagets and Boulevard. He keeps on mind the birthdays of each friend and he is almost everyone's Kumpare.
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| @ Villa Maria, Porac. |
7. His two lines which I remember by heart are hilariously practical. First, each late night I complained to him I was hungry, his perennial advice would be, "Chelle, minum kang danum saka na ka matudtud." Second was one when I was so distracted wishing for a 7 for All Mankind jeans coz I saw on a magazine it was Ate Kris' favored brand. His brutally honest comment was, "Michelle, i Kris, Cojuangco Aquino ya apelyidu. Ika, Cunanan Del Rosario." Ay oo nga pala!!!Hahaha!!
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| A visit at Among Ching's place. |
8. Sports is such a big part of his life. Truth be told, I think Boo and Beloy were the better basketball players, he on the other hand was the coach. We still keep on display at home their championship trophies. He's a Ginebra diehard, my gosh, he voted for Jaworski once on a senatorial race. In NBA, he gets depressed for every Lakers important loss and Kobe injury. He can't resist saying, " Ay Chelle, eku mipatudtud, isipan ku pangasambut da." Tiger Woods is his love too.
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| At their Disney Cruise. |
9. This is an odd practice of Koyang Mark yet I do too already. Each chance he has a new stuff, like a shirt or a pair of shoes, he would make sure to wear that thing the first time in a Eucharistic celebration. Maybe it is his way of thankfulness and feeling nya, nabibinyagan ang suot nya.:)
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| With Kong Joren and Koyang Beloy |
10. God is truly amazing He gave him to us as our oldest brother. Koyang Mark was never a spoiled first-born son. I recall how Mamang and Papang encouraged him to buy a new pair of shoes during his college years as he was wearing a worn-out pair. He casually said no and mentioned "masalese la pa naman." Oh mmm!! When shall I hear myself saying the exact line? When Koyang Miller has his cervical surgery few years back, he flew to Texas to simply be there. He is the most regular caller amongst all of us. He makes sure each week to give the family members a ring as we are scattered on the world map.
Happy happy birthday, Koyang Mark. Stay healthy and close to God. We wish to see all of you
soon.:) Thank you for your extreme patience and kindness. Eka sasawa!!!Hahaha! As you do not drink anymore, I'll raise a bottle of San Mig Light for you!!!:) The world is a better place with a good man like you.
Love.Peace.Good health.Generosity.Happiness.
