In October 2004, we decided to go back and visit Manila. Just in time to celebrate my father's birthday. This photo was taken before we (including my brother, Nico) left for Don Muang airport to catch our flight.
Here's Kanittha and Nico, jamming with a local folk band greeting the arrivals at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.
Kanittha, Mom and me. It's amazing how quickly she's become such an important part of our family. I'm talking about Kanittha, of course. Mom's been around since the very beginning as far back as I can recall.
Whenever we are in Manila, we find ourselves eating out a lot. Nico, Kanittha and Via, eating out at Tony Roma's... I think.
Here we are with our friend, Aljor. One of the major contributors in bringing the Landmark Education into our lives. This was taken while we were out with a whole group of friends, just playing a wholesome round of billiards at Astrobowl in Magallanes. One of these days I'm going to write a long tirade about 9-ball and physical therapy. Just not today though.
This photo was taken on the birthday lunch my father hosted. It was also a reunion for his side of the family, and an occasion to introduce Kanittha to the rest of the clan. Here she is with Uncle Jim and his second wife, Auntie Vicky. I'm very happy that they all had a chance to meet each other. Uncle Jim passed away a few months after that. I remember that he asked me how to say "beautiful" in Thai. Then he turned to Kanittha, smiled and very clearly said to her, "souwai, souwai".
Here in the family living room, seated with my younger sister, Tessa, and her son, Jose. I'll tell you more about our nephew, Jose, later on.
Here's the group photo at the reunion, taken at home. I'd go through the whole list of people in this photograph, but chances are that the only people visiting this blog are the same bunch in the picture, so that makes the whole effort a bit redundant.
I don't know exactly what is going on between these two women. You know how they say that "men always end up marrying women like their mothers"? Well, when I met Kanittha I was positive that couldn't have been farther from the truth. But, then again I'm starting to notice that they both enjoy having their pictures taken.
I know you've seen all these people before, but I always thought that this was such a great photograph, so here it is. Via, Nico and Kanittha taken just outside Greenbelt III in Makati City.
Here we are clowning around in the garden space in front of Greenbelt III. My wife always says that she hates this photograph, but laughs herself silly every time she looks at it. I must hastily add that this isn't one of my best photographs. Not that there are any actually.
Later that same day, having dinner at Ebun Restaurant with some of my cousins. From left to right, my sister, Via, and my cousins Ginggay, Pia and Leah.
A few days after that, Kanittha and I met up with my friends from high school. Even after all this time, we have still managed to keep in touch with each other. In semi random order, roughly from left to right — Bobby and Ana, Marton and Pinky, Albert and Pia, Kanittha and Franco, Tony, Ben-G and Maita, Mau and Alvin. This photo was taken somewhere in The Powerplant in Rockwell Center, in Makati City.
We had a wonderful visit. The more independent we are becoming as a family of our own, the more drawn together we all are. It was one of the most unforgettable times we shared together.
