Family

[Jeff_G]

The two youngest siblings of my wife are staying with us during their summer break.   They stay with us each summer break and Christmas break.   Kinda proud of myself when I saw this, so I had to capture a photo of all 3 of them reading (this DOES NOT happen at their home).   The oldest has been with us a couple of years now, and I can confidently say she has learned A LOT more these last couple of years than she would have in the public school she was attending.  She has read two novels, and I just got her some teen girl books to read, that will be her assignment over the summer break.   Unfortunately, the youngest boy, 13 years old, is only reading at about the 2nd grade level (not much I can do).   I do encourage him and push him, but I have not been successful at all.  The youngest is actually quite bright.    PS, the public school they go to fits every single negative stereotype one can apply to a public school in the Philippines.   Its truly heartbreaking...     Pay no attention to the mess.  With the 3 of them in one room, there was some shuffling around to be done.

 

 

[JJReyes]

Talk about encouraging reading.  Around 6 or 7 years ago, the family realized there is an elementary/high school in Manila with 3,000 to 4,000 students.  It was named after an ancestor who served as an Undersecretary for Public Instruction (todays Department of Education) during the Commonwealth Era.  The clan decided to borrow the school for a weekend gathering and collectively everyone agreed to empty their home libraries and donate books plus money for the school's library.  

My eldest sister hosted a luncheon today at Bonifacio Global City.  The conversation included asking for an update about what happened with the school.  The niece who has kept in touch with the administration (they keep asking for donations) shared some bad news.  The books were delivered in near brand-new condition, possibly read only once.  The school administrators won't allow students to check them out because they would look spoiled from use.  The objective is for the library to look pristine just in case some officials show up for inspection.  Unbelievable!  Furthermore, it turned out old laptops donated by some family members for students instead ended up with teachers.  Reason given is students don't know how to use it.  

Today's lunch was adults only, and I was amazed how many were using walkers, wheelchairs and canes.  The restaurant had set up a separate table for the caregivers.  My wife and I also had a big laugh at the number of senior discount cards that materialized before my sister paid the bill.  

The original plan was to gather at a beach house in Batangas.  This was the location were the family fled during WWII when living in Manila became untenable.  But many started asking to be excused.  The reason given is the cost of gasoline.  Someone mentioned during lunch that resorts are usually packed for Holy Week but this year, many were forced to offer discounts as families started cancelling.  Again, the reason is cost of gasoline.

Edited April 2 by JJReyes
typos

[Mike J]

Traffic here is Moalboal is down a lot from pervious Holy weeks.   Normally the resorts would be packed with folks from Cebu City.  

[OnMyWay]

On 4/3/2026 at 7:18 AM, Mike J said:

Traffic here is Moalboal is down a lot from pervious Holy weeks.   Normally the resorts would be packed with folks from Cebu City.  

Off topic a bit.  Friend of mine was down there in Cebu for work and took a side trip to Moalboal to see the sardines.  He is a professional videographer but I don't think I had seen his underwater photography before.  He is very good.  He said he was the only one on the boat on the 25th.  Here are a couple of my favorite shots from FB.