Choice memories of mom and I include: her chewing out the entire Columbian Navy when they came to close to me as a kid, seeing Mako Sharks north of Jamaica, her sending me on a bus to see a gal I liked 300 miles away (when I was 12 to teach me to take action and make hearts swoon), making endless delicious adobo through the years, building a boat in Denmark, spotting whales in the British Channel, picking figs and almonds together in Spain, teaching me that photos look better with subjects off center, teaching me windsurfing in Boracay, trusting me to take care of my many sisters, surviving Earthquakes in the US and the Philippines, hopping in a car together to rescue stranded refugees during the Manila coup d’etat. Caring for my ailing uncle Ramon in ’94. Flying me on my whim to meet my biological father whom I had never met when I was 17, taking me home again to live for abit as a full grown man during my annus horribilis, caring for my dear sick sister Mar, but most of all sitting at home in our kitchen laughing about silly things and looking forward to new adventures. I’d stop short of saying my mom is better than yours, but Mom, you’re pretty damn amazing. Mahal Kita. Happy Mother’s Day. Josh