Visiting Texas anew

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

ALAMO, TEXAS –My twin daughters, Raina and Raisa, and I are now in this historical, beautiful and big state of America to visit my relatives and to enjoy a brief respite after organizing and directing eleven bicycle road races in our province this year.

After 17 hours of long trip, we first made a one week stop in Dallas where we were hosted by the generous couple Mr. and Mrs. Giles Honeycutt. It was there where I watched live on TV, America’s prestigious bicycle road race “2014 Tour of California.” The eight-day bikathon was won by English rider Bradley Wiggins, the 34 year-old 2012 Tour de France winner. I also had the opportunity to watch the early games of NBA’s Western Conference Finals that saw the San Antonio Spurs clobbering the Oklahoma City Thunder twice, 122-105 and 112-77; and the Eastern Conference Finals between defending champion Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers splitting their matches, 107-96 for the Pacers and 87-83 for the Heat.

Then, we motored by bus to Houston on May 21 as house guests of my bosom buddies the generous Mr. and Mrs. Blan Caguioa (formerly from barangay Caoayan-Kiling of San Carlos City) where I met some Filipino cyclists that formed the well-known Filipino cycling group called “Siklista Houston.” I met nine of the more than 60 members namely, Gilbert Mangahis of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Joey Coz of Calatagan, Batangas, Edgar Lacros of Sampaloc, Manila, Albert Bigalbal of Naic, Cavite, Rey Modesto of Tacloban Leyte, Boyet Singson of Vigan City, Ilocos Sur and of course Blan and his older brother the kind-hearted Mr. and Mrs. Amor Caguioa, and last but not the least an 6’5” American rider David Bourgues. I particularly enjoyed our conversation especially about cycling events, boxing star Manny Pacquiao and NBA’s two conferences finals.

When we arrived in Harlingen, a small city in Texas for a week’s stay, we were met at the airport by my first cousin the always-accommodating Dagoberto Garcia Soto.. And it’s here in the city of Pharr, Texas (the home of my father which is closely adjacent to Alamo), I met many of my relatives especially my younger brothers Roberto, Rolando and Rogelio, their spouses and their children; my father’s only living sister Tia Idolina and Tia Monce, my father’s 93 year-old first cousin and a very close friend of my late mother Adelaida Zenaida Aquino. We visited the graves of my dad Jesus Rivera Garcia, my grandma nee Severiana Rivera, my grandpa Felipe Garcia, my auntie Josefina Garcia Mata, my uncle Pedro Guerra Soto, the father of my primos Dagoberto, Pete, Jr., Omar and Anabelle. The only ‘missing link’ is my younger sister Angie who is in Las Vegas and hopefully we’ll meet her before we fly back to Houston. We were nostalgic after five years of separation. I cannot but look forward to another trip back here soon, my finances permitting.

While here at Dago’s home, I had the chance to watch the running finals of NBA’s two conferences’ finals. As of this writing. Heat is leading the best-of-seven series, 3-1, by drubbing the Pacers in their last two games and only need a victory to enter the season’s NBA’s championship, their third-in-a row and their fourth in the franchise to enter the finals. Observers believe it will be another NBA championship rematch between the Heat and the Spurs like last year with the Heat earning a hard-game victory pushing the finals to run through seven games. The Texans are rooting and praying for the Spurs victory, hoping that 2014 will not turn out to be like 2013. I agree.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” JOHN 14: 21

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