Family

NEW YORK—This jet lag is real.

My mother, Nicole and I just arrived in New York from Manila. The travel time is, including road travel and transit, around a
full day long, which can be exhausting.

I stayed in Manila for only a week, and just when I had adjusted to the time zone at home, it was time to fly off again. All three of us are suffering, our sleeping hours totally turned around.

However, we’re determined and aren’t letting our discomfort stop us from living our lives.

I returned to “Once On This Island” the day after I arrived, and because my return fell on a Sunday, it was a two-show day.

Allow me to admit that wasn’t the most comfortable day, but doing a show put me in my happy, serene place, and so despite the sleepiness and fatigue, I was only too happy to be back at work. (Of course, we brought pasalubong from Manila, namely funny half-faced hand fans and Pinoy transport fridge magnets from Tesoros.)

My 80-year-old mother got to do some work on her own. The moment she walked into my apartment, out came paper towels, damp rags, and off to the races she went. She wiped down countertops, the cabinet under my TV and the sofa bed.

The following day, she kept going. She checked all my mail and sorted them into containers, and once I came home with groceries, she cooked her delicious chicken curry and a small serving of adobo.

Not to be outdone, Nicole requested that I take her to a nearby art supply store (she felt terrible after realizing, on our way to Naia, that she had left her favorite art notebook at home). She grabbed a small watercolor pad, watercolors, ink and pens. After that, we headed to the drugstore and grocery.

It’ll be a while before our sleep straightens itself out. My mom is now on the couch watching “Meteor Garden” to help her sleep, and my daughter is beside me playing Minecraft on the computer while I watch and write.

Tomorrow means another night in the sandbox for me, and a friend coming over to visit at home.

And this Easter weekend, more friends from Manila will be arriving, and it’ll be wonderful to spend time with them.

On life and death

In the morning I left Manila, one of my closest friends, Yvette Fernandez, came over for a quick visit. She brought an advanced copy of a brand-new book that she and her late sister Jackie Fernandez-Suntay wrote titled “Life is Good,” published by Anvil Publishing.

The book is a story about two elephants: a gray stuffed toy that a little boy brought around everywhere, and one made of glass that lived on a table in the little boy’s room.

The two sisters loved each other. The stuffed elephant seemed more pessimistic about life, while the glass elephant saw all that was good.

I don’t wish to spoil the story any more, as I’d like for you to get a copy (it’ll be released in about a week and a half) and see what happens.

I started tearing up as I got close to the end, because I remember Jackie.

I remember how she sparkled when she smiled … while holding a glass of wine … walking down the aisle on her father’s arm on her wedding day … about to fall asleep after a long night of studying … in the numerous photographs of her that I’ve seen through the years. The last time I saw her was quite a few Christmases ago, as she took photographs of the people in her life.

Because of her cancer diagnosis, she and her husband Bobbit founded the Carewell Community Foundation, which provides support and information for those living with cancer. All the proceeds from the sale of “Life is Good” will benefit Carewell.

I would recommend this book as a reminder that life doesn’t end after death, that the memories of those loved ones who have passed keep them alive in our hearts. As long as there is love, there is life. And life, indeed, is good.

Not a bad reminder for Easter.

Bravo!

We found a new Italian restaurant in the south called Da Gianni (located in Westgate, beside Anytime Fitness, Alabang). From appetizers to salads to pasta and dessert, everything that came out of the kitchen was perfection. For sure, once I’m back home, my family and I will visit.

Congratulations and thanks to Matteo, Georgia, Gianluca and Glenna Guidicelli for your hospitality and incredible food!