Of Golf Brawls and Last Names

Just some quick quips over some issues that have been hovering in and around the web. I have been busy with work these past few days and have had little time to sit down and do full posts on issues I wanted to give my two cents worth.

**********

Still on the golf brawl issue, Agrarian Reform Secretary Pangandaman went on the offensive a few days ago and appealed to bloggers to stop attacking them via hate-posts that have shown them as the villains in this issue.

I think the appeal was but a human reaction to a family that has been pushed into the limelight. However, his follow up statement really didn’t appeal much to my ears.

The Secretary stated that (and I am paraphrashing) that you wouldn’t want Karma to take over and put you in a smilar situation that they are in right now.

Although, I feel I am guilty of being biased in my last post and said a few unpleasant things about the issue, I do maintain my stance that beating up a 14 year old kid and a 56 year old man (let alone the fact that the two victims were described as kneeling and crying for mercy) is not a normal act of a normal person.

Your sons, Mr Secretary, as I have seen on the web and on news programs , look like they are bullies. The kind that terrorized the other kids when they were younger. The kind that I loathe so bad.

And karma?

I think that’s too much of a harsh word to use, considering that it’s occurring with you right now.

**********

Dave Brodett and his son Anthony testified against their relative, Richard , who is part of the Alabang Boys.

The elder Brodett, went out into the open, in an effort to defend his name, saying, “They are not the only Brodett’s, We are Brodett’s also.” The photo, which was taken from Inquirer.net, shows the heavy heart and emotions he had felt while giving testimony.

I applaud this man and his son’s courage to come out and say this, knowing that after such a testimony, normalcy between fellow relatives will be severed.

I know how he feels.

**********

It is that time of the year again where the cold front sets in and boy do we have a chiller.
I am wrapping up the week and plan to go around a few places to do some photoshoots with the new Pentax, who I now affectionately call Fifi. Don’t ask me why…even I don’t know.

My First Photo Post for 2009

Ok, well I know I have been known to post a few dramatic pics here and there, but now that I have promised to take my photography hobby more seriously, I will be err...posting more shots than usual.

Here's one that was taken during the weekend when the whole family trooped down to the beach and got some fresh ocean air.



I think the photo speaks a lot about how me and my family will be facing the new year head on strong.

And here's one with me looking forward to better things to come my way this year...bring it on.

The Annual Deleon Family Report 2008

Dear Everyone,

Season’s Greetings to all. As you may have known by now, I usually come up with an annual; year-ender letter which I send out to all our friends and relatives updating everyone on what’s been happening to the Deleon’s down here in the UAE. Well, without further adieu, here is this year’s Annual Deleon Family Report…..

A lot of things have happened to me this year, both good and bad but I have been lucky enough to get back on track and face these challenges. Last July, I had to make a brief return to the Philippines to get a much needed eye operation to correct a few things which have been bothering my sight. It had gotten to be so bad that I could barely see well enough to hop from airport to airport without being guided. But thanks to the wonders of modern technology, and the miraculous hands of Dr. Ildefonso Chan (who has been my eye doctor since I was eleven), my eyes have gone back to normal, even better albeit as I have thrown away the use of thick glasses and now wear a decreased eye grade of 250.

Work has been good for me during the latter part of the year as I have shifted gears once again and have since moved to a new company where I now work as an Editor.

I had a major achievement of sorts this year as I was finally awarded the Chevalier degree by the Order of DeMolay. The degree is one of the highest honors any DeMolay can receive. It is a huge feat for me and caps off the long years I have dedicated to the order.

I have also started working on my first novel...really. Every year I seem to always say that I will start on it but never get to with excuses of work beckoning. But I enjoyed a long hiatus of sorts which prompted me to actually get the wheels in motion. At the pace I am going, I’m bound to finish by March. The story is about a news reporter and a photographer getting tangled up with the car smuggling scene inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

Bel is moving up on the career front as she now takes charge of all administrative matters of the company she works in. Her work never stops, being office worker during the day, and tireless mom and wife to both Chino and Me.

We have also celebrated four blissful years of marriage and hope that despite life’s ups and downs we weather all storms and continue to be the styrong pair we have always been.

Chino, who turned two last April, is now a little boy. I say this because he doesn’t want to be called a baby anymore. The kid is as hyper as ever, and has become more talkative than his dad ever was when he was his age. He now moves around the house with his bike and has quite a dicken’s of a time with all the cartoons he can take in. ..and yes, he has taken up also after his mommy in the singing department, learning songs from Barney to nursery rhymes to Bleeding love. He also can now tell stories, starting with once upon a time and ending it with happily ever after.

We have just moved to a new flat, that we have affectionately called Deleon Hall and after almost two years in the UAE have now gotten into the full swing of things.

We also take pride that the rest of the family has done well this year also. My sister Samantha graduated from college last March with a degree in Education and brother Niko hurdled his way through the Nursing Board Exams. We also now have a full pledged doctor in the family as cousin Tricia passed the medical board as well. My brother BJ , also decided to hang his bachelor coat this year and settle down with his new wife, Jessica.

As you can see, all is well with us and we had quite a ride this year. I hope that the same has been with you and your families. We are praying that next year, we get to spend the holidays down in the Philippines and rekindle the joy of spending the season of giving back home.

To everyone, we extend our most heartfelt greetings for the season and hope that the new year brings prosperity and good health to us all.

Sincerely,











Anton, Mabel and Chino Deleon