I am a Proud DeMolay, and proud of my DeMolay Chapter, the erstwhile University Chapter of Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City…a long time ago. It is now gone. It now exists only in the hearts of those who took their vows as DeMolays upon its altar, and shared a unique bond of brotherhood experienced only by MSU DeMolays. Surviving MSU Marawi is already an accomplishment, you survived and experienced DeMolay in MSU Marawi, is a greater feat. I shall not forget.

In sweet remembering, here’s a video I made few years ago:

It was not a fight most pinoys would enjoy, there were no gore and bodies falling down the canvass. It was a gentleman’s match as shown how the two expressed respect and praises with each other since the match contract was sealed. My wife Vikki had best described both fighter’s attitude during the match on her Facebook status message, ” You’re a good guy, Manny, and I think you didn’t KO Clottey because you thought he was a good guy too : ) “

Will try to blog again soon…very soon.

In the meantime I’m reposting here my Facebook Status Message:

I would like to greet all my brother DeMolays, on the occasion of the 91st Founding Anniversary of the International Order of DeMolay starting today till March 18, 2010, which also marks the 696th death anniversary of the namesake of the Order, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Jacques DeMolay, who was burnt at the stake on March 18, 1314.

Brethren, as long as there is the Order of DeMolay, we are One!

Always DeMolay!

(Photo taken by my darling wife Vikki during our Mother’s Day Photo Walk at Fort Santiago)

I will try to catch up with my blogging soon as i get the chance. In the meantime you can catch me hanging out at Facebook. You can follow me there.

I have observed inside the mall’s fastfood chains, coffee shops, and usually in the foodcourt, elderly people, some are dressed to the nines, in groups of four to five, are occupied in a seemingly serious conversation. More often there is someone doing the talking while the rest listen attentively. They even have documents, which appears to have an important part in their conversation. Also, one group knows the other group occupying the next table. Some of them have ordered something to eat or drink while the others have nothing but a glass of water taken from the public drinking fountain.

These people are obviously not having a bible study session nor by chance they are in a speed dating event. I suppose its not even a real estate brokering conference or a conclave of believers waiting for the end of the world. What these people are doing is one mall mystery that really baffles me - like why some people like to brush their teeth inside the mall’s comfort rooms, or why some people think the mall is one big nursery ward, where they can display their recently born infant for public viewing.

Here is a collage of Maia’s portraits taken today, February 14, 2009, her Fifth Birthday. Photos were taken by her mommy with her new Nikon D60.

1) I received the news of my being hired for a new Job. At last, after 6 months of vegetating in a sedentary existence, I will now be back to the regular working man regimen starting Monday.

2) After almost three months of waiting, I just got my Supreme Council Order of DeMolay Active Member’s Collar and Jewel.

3) Bambit finally was able to buy the Nikon D60 of her dreams. She got it for a bargain price, thanks to Marlon.

4) My Stepson Xavier’s UPCAT pending case was finally resolved. He now has his UP Student Number and is assigned to UP Baguio.

5) My Baby Maia is celebrating her 5th Birthday today Valentine’s Day.

We will all be together as a family celebrating Maia’s Birthday and Xavier’s UPCAT passing. And this will be documented in our memories and captured on stills by Bambit’s Nikon D60.

I kneel at the Tesselated Border of the Mosaic Pavement, thanking the GAOTU for the manifold blessings that we received. Those blessings which we receive by a faithful reliance on Divine Providence.

I hope and pray that there will be more luck and blessings to come to last us a lifetime.