Remembering Fr. Louie

source: http://irishdominicanvocations.blogspot.com/

source: http://dwcu.wordpress.com/history/

When I entered the seminary(yes I was once a seminarian) I was just this young tall kid from a not so well known barrio of Dulag, Binmaley, Pangasinan.

Before entering the seminary I was an altar boy together with my cousin Moises and Billy Joe. I think I became an altar boy when I was in grade 4 or 5. Our parish priest then was Rev. Fr. Herbers of the SVD. He has been the builder of the Divine World Colleges in Urdaneta City and also our parish. He was the person that was able to build our octagon church. My father as well, the late Isabelo Delos Angeles Sr., was an EM or Extraordinary Minister.

Not to brag but according to my dad I have brains that is why studying in the seminary will in a way complement my brain. So with guidance of Fr. Herbers and my dad's wishes I ended up in the seminary right after graduating elementary school in my small unknown barrio. And to tell you the truth what would you expect from a kid who just graduated from elementary? I was just thinking how many more time I would have so that I can bike around our barrio several times. 

source: http://www.ipangasinan.com/schools/binmaley/mhcseminary/

I went on take the entrance exam, face the formators speaking in English(yes they talk to me in English and I just answered as little as possible to avoid long conversations because I have limited English. I did pass and after that by June I found myself together with 150+ freshmen in the grounds of Mary Help of Christians High School Seminary.

Because of me studying in the seminary many of my ka-barrio thought I would be the very first priest of our small parish. The last one that entered the seminary was from the adjacent barrio but went out of the seminary. I did finish High school seminary but at the end I never continued. As they say you would know yourself if you have a calling and I didn't have such special dream or awakening and from there it was decided God has other plans for me. I continued education in Manila with the advice and my brother Gerald's effort convincing my dad to send me to Manila for college education.

But the title "Fr. Louie" never left me. Every time I go on vacation every month form seminary neighbors and small kids I didn't even know would call me Fr. Louie. My cousins call me Fr. Louie, and all I called do is smile. Even after going out of the seminary(I wasn't kick out from the seminary contrary to popular reason why one is out of the seminary, I did graduate with flying colors: OUTSTANDING SEMINARIAN).

After some time now a few bunch will call me Fr. Louie or would remember that I was studying at the seminary. Often times when they go to our house to buy feeds from my mom's store they would remember that one of her son is studying in the seminary and wonder if I did end up becoming a priest. Well I didn't become a priest but to date I always carry that honor and dignity of a seminarian. Always be an example and be the best I can be to tell people about Jesus Christ even only in my actions. And the more that I have to be that way specially when I spend the rest of my life with Kris Diane Domingo: to be a good husband, a good provider, a good father for our future kids to look up to, and a good partner in life.
 
For those interested to the priestly vocation contact your parish priest and inquire on how to enter the seminary. 

For those who live in Pangasinan you can contact:

Mary Help of Christians High School Seminary
2417 Binmaley, Pangasinan
Tel. 540-0055

From Here On

Life is truly tough.

As the years past it seems life has its surprises of which most of it we can't handle.

source: http://en.bestpicturesof.com

Back in my younger years we never really worry what will happen tomorrow, all we cared is that we are able to have fun playing today. But things does change. Life has become more sophisticated with gadgets, technology, and all things that happen around the world. But besides that as one grows old we do lose that sense of just enjoying what we have today. We indeed have grown, shifting from just enjoying the day to worrying for tomorrow.

I will soon be 31. Yup I am that aged. I surpassed what they say the quarter life crisis but it seems that it does linger around. Thoughts of  how I am I gonna live the rest of my life still hangs right in front of me. Most of my batch are married and have kids. I am always tease why don't I get married and have kids and will always reply back that I am working on.

Indeed I am working on it. I finally met a girl who would crazily love me. But for me she is the best. Hearing stories from my old buddies from the seminary who got kids themselves will always say its hard, enjoy your single hood, or don't let yourself "Pa-sakal"(a mockery of the word "pakasal").  I know I am ready for it at the same time, just like the people of my age, worried. It has been my goal to be retired from being an employee and be the boss of my own company at age 40. That is around 9 more years now and I don't have yet a start up to nurture and build. I guess that is what I am worried about. You see I wanted to have more time for the family I will form with Kris Diane Domingo, yup she the girl I am talking about and having a business so simple yet profitable would surely make me realize that dream.

I guess I have to make bold decisions form here on. I have to not rely on my peers, siblings, or anyone else to make the decision. From here on I should be responsible building my dreams so that I can see the smile and happiness in Krissy's eyes.

My Very First FastFood visit

I am trying very hard to remember if it was Jollibee that was the first fast food I have ever step on but I don't have vivid memories of it. 

The one I remember was when my sister Liezl brought me along to her work, she taught at a college back then, and after the day we ate at Chowking.

source: http://dagupanfood.isgreat.org/index.php

You know life in the province. Going to the city really excites any kid, that was me by the way, and surely will be looking forward to it. I was about in Grade 4-6. Also I was quite tall for my age and at that time it was at that age boys get circumcise. They say that you get a lot taller after getting circumcise and I got circumcise  when I was grade 6 before entering the seminary.

Since my sister got to work I got stuck in the teachers office. Just there sitting still. Some of her co-teachers would start short talks asking this and that and knowing me a not so little boy from the barrio would just say yes or "on" or "opo" or just a nod. When my sister got back they ask her, say how tall I am, and yeah freak out that at my height I am not yet circumcise and I will really be taller after it. 

In the afternoon we went to the school's gym to check some sports activities. Back then also I am not a fan of basketball. To tell you the truth up to now I am not good at dribbling and might commit double dribble so don't pass me the ball when in case I am your team mate in a basketball match, I just position and shoot, yup no drive because I am not good at dribbling.

Anyways after the long day we went to Chowking(I don't know if it was the very first Chowking in Dagupan City and I even don't know where it is now). I remembered my sister ordering a soup like meal with this dumpling on it.

It was the very first time I remember eating at a fast food in a late afternoon. Chowking it is, but after all Chowking is part of Jollibee I am no different from my generation after all.

April Fools Day!!!

Happy April Fool's Day!

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I always remember this day even though it is not customary in the Philippines to celebrate making pranks to your friends. But today is my brother Gerald's birthday. Last night I greeted him and he did mention that I never failed greeting him on his birthday... the reason is because it falls on April Fool's day.

But besides that I owe this brother of mine my education. If he had not convinced my dad to allow me to study in Manila I could have had a different profession and a different set of ideas. So thanks brother :) !!!

We got to keep holding on as a family and you know we are all 10 siblings raised by our mom and dad... that is a tough job. So my wish on your birthday? Don't lose patience on your son. I know he is a tough one but hey what you see in him is actually you. So raise him up to be the man that you could be proud of.

Thanks and Happy Birthday :)

Oh by the way April Fools :P!!!