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PHILIPPINE ODYSSEY IV
By Jay de Leon
This particular odyssey to the Philippines took place from November 24, 2009 through February 22, 2010. It spanned the holiday season 2009 through the beginning of the following year. As usual, the events I attended were a hodge-podge of school activities, martial arts events, reunions, business meetings, political skullduggery, family gatherings and various local events.
Just to mention a few in particular, I was able to attend the Ateneo de Manila Sesquicentennial celebration in Manila on Dec. of 2009, the 3rd Remy Presas Training Camp and Tournament in Bacolod, in the Visayas, the MeadJohnson Philippines Christmas party of former employees in Makati, the town fiesta of Binmaley, Pangasinan, and many trips and junkets to various points in Luzon including Metro Manila, Pampanga and Baguio.
More than just the places, of course, I savored seeing relatives, renewing friendships and meeting new people, like arnis notables Master Nilo Limpin, Grandmaster Jerson “Nene” Tortal, Grandmaster Ibarra Lopez, Master James Sy, Jr. and many more. During school, family and company reunions, I saw some people I had not seen for at least thirty years.
I took pictures of many of these people and places. Enjoy the accompanying gallery. Just as in my previous articles, I arbitrarily separated the martial arts events from the other events. While this article is purely archival for personal reasons, I also realize that I have a small readership following my martial arts and political activities. For you guys, Philippine Odyssey IV Part I is for you and contains the martial arts-related events. Part II is mostly for friends and family.
I will end this article with sincere thanks and a threat. First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who hosted lunches, dinners, accommodations, rides, etc. for me, as well as those who simply wanted to say hi, shake hands or take a picture. Secondly, I would like to warn you that I intend to impose on your good hospitality again in the near future. Just like General Douglas MacArthur, whose legacy and exploits in the Philippines are memorialized and commemorated on the shores of Lingayen Beach, Pangasinan, I promise “I shall return.”
Till then…
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at ang arnis
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