Trip to Houston

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—-AFTER six days in Houston and three days visiting the farthest southern part of the state of Texas like McAllen, Alamo, San Juan and Pharr, my father’s hometown, I’m back here at Fort Worth where my twin daughters Raina and Raisa live. I have visited the graves of my father Jesus, my grandparents and auntie, and I also had the chance to meet my  three Mexican brothers and sister (who are all Dallas Cowboys football fanatics) as well as my four cousins who hosted my three-day stint. Although it was a short nostalgic reunion, it was a meaningful get-together and felt so happy to meet my half blood relatives again, my fifth visit starting in April 23, 1978. They considered me then as their lost relative in the Far East.

My stay in Houston allowed me to meet the Filipino cycling group that calls itself “Siklista Houston” with already around 60 members led by their president Neo Espinosa of Cadiz, Negros Occidental. After their half-day ride in the Texas cycling course in Fulshear, I rendezvoused with some of their prominent officers and members  led by Espinosa at El Primo Restaurant in Richmond, Texas, the Caguioa brothers Blan and Amor formerly from San Carlos City (with whom I stayed), Ronald Aquino of Malasiqui, Mario Tabora of Urdaneta City, Lee Ramos of Cabanatuan City, William Mariano of Zamboanga City, Banie Acedera of Iloilo, Gilbert Mangahis of Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Joey Coz and Danny Jarjolin of Batangas, Brandon Barrera of Dagupan City, Marlon Urcia of Baguio City and Jeffrey Bernadas and Mark Taa (whose roots escape me now) to name some.

We thoroughly enjoyed our chit-chat with them coupled with light drinks, pizza and chicken as pulutan. We talked about cycling in the Philippines, the former champions of the defunct Tour of Luzon and Marlboro Tour, Philippines latest multi-stage race Le Tour de Filipinas and Ronda Pilipinas, and of course, the world famous bicycle road race Tour de France with five-time winners Eddy Merckx and Miguel Indurain as the subjects. Kapag cycling ang paguusapan ay para na kaming magkakapatid, ‘ika nga. Nobody gets bored.

Evening of that Saturday, Valentine’s Day,I attended the Pangasinan Association of Houston 14th Annual Valentine’s Day Gala with Mr. and Mrs. Amor Caguioa. I was officially invited by the association’s prexy cycling admirer Evaristo Marcella, Jr. formerly from San Fabian. And there I met many Pangasinenses residing in Houston county including Marcella’s sister Mely (whose younger sister Auora was the grade 4 teacher of my twins in San Fabian West Central School), the association past president (2006-2010) Ed Bondoc of Dagupan City, Manny Pamintuan of Dagupan City and cycling buff Digna Sinlao formerly from Urbiztondo, among others. I enjoyed the evening! It was my first time to attend a Houston Pangasinenses occasion after my eight visits of this big city, the home of NASA and NBA’s Houston Rockets team. (I have posted some photos about my trip in my Facebook).

It’s a five-hour drive from Forth Worth and I aim to visit the place again next month and try to catch a Rockets game  before I fly back to ‘Pinas. To God be the glory. Amen.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” GENESIS 2: 18

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