How to find a long lost friend of more than 30 years...
Paete, Laguna
Sometime in the year 1972 or 1973 we opened up Paete Electronics. It was a radio-tv shops that accepts repair of radio,tv,stereo and antenna installations.
This business was started with my best friend Arch. Orlando C. Villarin as the financier and I as the industrial partner. It was located just behind Paete Rural Bank in Bangkusay Street.
I lived in the 3rd floor of the Villarin residence on top of the Paete Rural Bank. At that time Kuya Jogie and Ate Angie and family was living there. The Villarin family accepted me with warm accomodations. Pareng Andy would visit Paete every few weeks to see how the business is doing.
It was here in this shop that I met a young funny man who was interested in Electronics. He was funny because he always make me laugh with his jokes. His name was Jimbo Valdivia. He was the oldest son of Inang Nena and Amang Dandoy who later become my Ninang sa kasal. Inang Nena is a Japanese woman who spoke tagalog very fluently. I think Amang Dandoy is a musician who went to Japan and met Inang Nena. I am not sure of this. But I will confirm once I meet Jimbo or Terbo, either personally or by email.
During summer time when he was on school summer vacation he would be in the shop almost everyday. He would be helping me in my electronics repair work. He would even help me with pulling out tv cabinets from our customers and delivery back.
He introduced me to his family. It was there that I met his family - Inang Nena, Amang dandoy and brothers Terbo, Leo, sisters Emma and Jungkang. I find the Valdivia family to be warm and very friendly. But most of all they were all very helpful. I even remember Inang Nena sending food she cooks to me for dinner. Otherwise they invite me to eat dinner with them at their home. What a very nice and warm family. I really miss them all.
Jimbo was my closest friend there in that place although I have also developed other friendships. We used to go to the swimming pool in the evening after work. Go around places from Sta Cruz,Pagsanjan to other far places there in Laguna, going the way of Pakil, Pangil and so on.. Can't really remember all the places there I visited with Jimbo.
After a year, we moved the location of the shop in the highway beside Eastern Laguna College. The place was owned by Jimbo's Lolo and Lola. Since I am just near ELC, I took some subjects on Business and Accounting. I remember there were 2 teachers from ELC boarding in the same place where I lived. Can't really rmember their name now but they were both very friendly.
I even remember meeting the mayor at the time on one of the restaurant there. I remember going with Jimbo ang some other friends in the market place. Jimbo introduced me to a lot of people. Although I can't remember their name, their image in my mind is still persistent and I would recognized them if I meet them again.
I left Paete after a 2 or 3 years time and I went back to Cubao, Quezon City where I established Batronics in Batay Street.
When I was in Cubao, Jimbo would come to visit my site with his green wagon and we would go to their place in Pasay. We used to see each other as often as we can. So when I got married in 1977, I asked Inang Nena and Inang Ruby ( mother of Andy )to be my ninang sa kasal.
HOW I FOUND A LONG LOST FRIEND........
AH... the internet.. a very useful tool. Using the internet, I have found several relatives on my mother and father side. I would try to used it now to find some old friends.
Sometime in January 2007, I joined Paete_mailing_lists@yahoogroups.com just to try my luck if If I can find some old friends in Paete. I didn't really expect that I would find someone that I knew in Paete in that groups.
Two days ago, I was just browsing the Paete_mailings when I just opened one email and voila! I found the name of Amang Dandoy and Ninang Nena. what a great coincidence!
It was an email from Cynthia Bagabaldo. Cynthia by a sheer coincidence is also the inaanak sa kasal ni Ninang Nena.
Oh! What a lucky day, I said to my self. I was indeed very lucky as Cynthia has provided me with all the information that I needed. She has forwarded my email to terbo and I got an email from Terbo that he is going to Paranaque on Mar 27 and provided his cell phone number.
So tomorrow, the 27th, I will call him..
I am looking forward to see an old friend in the future in case I go back to Pinas for my annual vaction.
I would like to convey my heartful gratitude to Cynthia Bagabaldo which made it possible the impossible. Thank you very much, Cynthia.
PENG
Sometime in the year 1972 or 1973 we opened up Paete Electronics. It was a radio-tv shops that accepts repair of radio,tv,stereo and antenna installations.
This business was started with my best friend Arch. Orlando C. Villarin as the financier and I as the industrial partner. It was located just behind Paete Rural Bank in Bangkusay Street.
I lived in the 3rd floor of the Villarin residence on top of the Paete Rural Bank. At that time Kuya Jogie and Ate Angie and family was living there. The Villarin family accepted me with warm accomodations. Pareng Andy would visit Paete every few weeks to see how the business is doing.
It was here in this shop that I met a young funny man who was interested in Electronics. He was funny because he always make me laugh with his jokes. His name was Jimbo Valdivia. He was the oldest son of Inang Nena and Amang Dandoy who later become my Ninang sa kasal. Inang Nena is a Japanese woman who spoke tagalog very fluently. I think Amang Dandoy is a musician who went to Japan and met Inang Nena. I am not sure of this. But I will confirm once I meet Jimbo or Terbo, either personally or by email.
During summer time when he was on school summer vacation he would be in the shop almost everyday. He would be helping me in my electronics repair work. He would even help me with pulling out tv cabinets from our customers and delivery back.
He introduced me to his family. It was there that I met his family - Inang Nena, Amang dandoy and brothers Terbo, Leo, sisters Emma and Jungkang. I find the Valdivia family to be warm and very friendly. But most of all they were all very helpful. I even remember Inang Nena sending food she cooks to me for dinner. Otherwise they invite me to eat dinner with them at their home. What a very nice and warm family. I really miss them all.
Jimbo was my closest friend there in that place although I have also developed other friendships. We used to go to the swimming pool in the evening after work. Go around places from Sta Cruz,Pagsanjan to other far places there in Laguna, going the way of Pakil, Pangil and so on.. Can't really remember all the places there I visited with Jimbo.
After a year, we moved the location of the shop in the highway beside Eastern Laguna College. The place was owned by Jimbo's Lolo and Lola. Since I am just near ELC, I took some subjects on Business and Accounting. I remember there were 2 teachers from ELC boarding in the same place where I lived. Can't really rmember their name now but they were both very friendly.
I even remember meeting the mayor at the time on one of the restaurant there. I remember going with Jimbo ang some other friends in the market place. Jimbo introduced me to a lot of people. Although I can't remember their name, their image in my mind is still persistent and I would recognized them if I meet them again.
I left Paete after a 2 or 3 years time and I went back to Cubao, Quezon City where I established Batronics in Batay Street.
When I was in Cubao, Jimbo would come to visit my site with his green wagon and we would go to their place in Pasay. We used to see each other as often as we can. So when I got married in 1977, I asked Inang Nena and Inang Ruby ( mother of Andy )to be my ninang sa kasal.
HOW I FOUND A LONG LOST FRIEND........
AH... the internet.. a very useful tool. Using the internet, I have found several relatives on my mother and father side. I would try to used it now to find some old friends.
Sometime in January 2007, I joined Paete_mailing_lists@yahoogroups.com just to try my luck if If I can find some old friends in Paete. I didn't really expect that I would find someone that I knew in Paete in that groups.
Two days ago, I was just browsing the Paete_mailings when I just opened one email and voila! I found the name of Amang Dandoy and Ninang Nena. what a great coincidence!
It was an email from Cynthia Bagabaldo. Cynthia by a sheer coincidence is also the inaanak sa kasal ni Ninang Nena.
Oh! What a lucky day, I said to my self. I was indeed very lucky as Cynthia has provided me with all the information that I needed. She has forwarded my email to terbo and I got an email from Terbo that he is going to Paranaque on Mar 27 and provided his cell phone number.
So tomorrow, the 27th, I will call him..
I am looking forward to see an old friend in the future in case I go back to Pinas for my annual vaction.
I would like to convey my heartful gratitude to Cynthia Bagabaldo which made it possible the impossible. Thank you very much, Cynthia.
PENG
posted by FELIPE DUMANAT DE VILLERES at 7:34 PM
