BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE AS A TOURIST

In the year 1999 an unexpected TOURIST VISA was granted to my wife, Ofel, and myself. It gave us the opportunity to travel to Canada and stay there for a period of three months. Through the generosity of my sister, Luz, we received two round trip tickets. The occasion that served as the reason for our visa was the forthcoming wedding of our daughter, Margie, to her bridegroom, Jessie Basilio. It was at the condominium of Tom in Toronto, however, where we were accommodated during our sojourn of three months (June – August, 1999).

God blessed us with so many joyful experiences as we traveled to several beautiful establishments and parks in Canada, and dined in many exquisite restaurants. A wonder of nature that is still very vivid in my memory is the “NIAGARA FALLS”. Here I could not but just imagine how tremendous must be God’s power in creating such a wonderful phenomenon of nature that makes a vast amount of water fall rapidly, without any let-up, day and night. Another site that stuck to my memory is the CN TOWER, which is considered the tallest building in the world with 147 stories. The experience we had in going up to the highest story and from there have an overall view of Toronto City is, indeed, unforgettable. At Montreal, Quebec we also visited the second largest Church in the world – the magnificent Oratoire of Saint Joseph.

More than all these beautiful places, however, we were blessed by the very warm hospitality that we received not only from my sister Luz and the families of our children, Tom and Margie, but also from friends and acquaintances. To mention a few of them, we enjoyed the parties tendered by Hugh Mclean, Ben and Ester Anog, Maribelle Anog, Vic and Mattie Bancud, Remy and Veron Aquino, Gloria Caronan, Jane Baquiran Ducusin, Catalino and Letty Santos, Art and Zayda Villacete, Cesar and Chit Acorda Bugayong, Ramon and Ave Manuela Claveria, Chita Babaran Lontoc, Dothy Addun, Emma Babaran, and Heran de Pala. We also enjoyed participating in the reunions of the Cagayanos in Canada which they usually held in some of the beautiful parks there.

We also enjoyed the Boat Cruise with Luz and her former classmates at the Chinese General Hospital.

One of the most beautiful spots in the Philippines is a Beach Resort at an island called “BORACAY” in the province of Aklan. Through the courtesy of MRS. REZA RELOJ TEJADA and her husband, TITO, we were given the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature in this wonderful place. Reza is the 4-year college classmate and best “amiga” of my wife, Ofel.

Reza and Tito gifted us with round trip ticket by plane, and so we found ourselves on June 26, 1997 in Banga, Aklan, the hometown of Reza.

We enjoyed being in Aklan from June 26 to 30, 1997. Aside from enjoying the white sand and the warm refreshing waters of Boracay, we had the privilege of visiting the Chapel of the Pink Sisters at New Washington, Aklan, and the Cathedral of Kalibo, Aklan. We also enjoyed a day at Lezo, Aklan, with the family of Tito, and a sumptuous dinner at the residence of Reza’s niece, Dr. Thelma de la Cruz.

Reza and Tito are blessed with a handsome and gifted son, Charles, who is now about 15 years old.

Travelling is, indeed, a very good way of learning. It gives us a personal experience of the different cultures or life styles of people, and thus broadens our perspective in understanding life in this world.