Gracias to my Mexican relatives and friends

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

KAPOLEI, HAWAII–After my stressful trips to Houston , Fort Worth-Dallas, McAllen in Texas, Los Angeles, and Santa Maria in California, I’m finally in Kapolei, the newest city of Hawaii for a one-week vacation. This is my fourth time to this beautiful land mass of Uncle Sam, which many describe as a “paradise island” because of its coral reefs and beautiful blue beaches.

I’m making this piece on June 4 (RP time) at the house of Mr. Michael Drake, married to nee Milagros Lomibao Ylan, my distant relative and the first cousin of former PNP chief, now the LTO chief, Arturo C. Lomibao.

Prior to my coming here, I dined in Houston with three local cyclists Joey Sey formerly from Manila, Umingan-born Julius Acosta, and of course, my host Blandino Caguioa. And in a bar, we watched how the Los Angeles Lakers led by NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, subdued the Denver Nuggets to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven western conference finals series.

Afternoon of the next day, we took a three-hour flight to Los Angeles City, where we were met by my first cousin Delia (father side) and her Fil-Mex friend Rose at LAX airport, then we took a 45-minute journey to Cerritos, California where we had a nice all-Filipino food dinner hosted by Dr. Randy Oriel and his charming wife Marissa, natives of Binalonan, both die-hard cycling fans. Los Angeles-based Asian Journal writer Dan Nino joined the two-hour nostalgic affair. Sad to say. I failed to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers-Orlando Magic’s fifth match. I was only told later that the Cavaliers won and trailed 2-3 with Lebron James at the helm.

It was a three-hour drive to Santa Maria, California where Delia lives, arriving there in the wee hours of May 29. And there I met all my Mexican relatives, particularly my other first cousin Blanca, Delia’s husband Eduardo Limon and their only child Christian with his girlfriend, Blanca’s other half brother Rafael Alvarez and their sons George, Jose, Iram plus their spouses, and daughter Danica and Blanca’s countless grandchildren.

Blanca also hosted a dinner for us at a restaurant in Santa Maria and managed to watch how the Los Angeles Lakers finished off the stubborn Denver Nuggets in six games (4-2) to win the western conference finals title, led anew by their reliable point-guard Bryant.

It was a cordial and nostalgic meeting with these relatives whom I last saw 31 years ago. You might not believe this but it’s very true. It’s a long story.

Evening before our trip here to Hawaii, I had a rendezvous with my nephews George, Jose, Iram and Christian for a couple of beers and talked about sports, our family, and stories about our ancestors. And still we somehow managed to witness how the Magic booted out the Cavaliers (4-2) to capture the eastern conference finals for the awaited clash with Lakers on June 4 (June 5 RP time) for the NBA best-of-seven finals. I will be watching their first two games here in Kapolei.

George, a boxing buff affiliated with some Mexican rising stars like World Boxing Organization featherweight champion Steve Leuvano, predicted that the Mexican Leuvano will win over Filipino prominent prizefighter Bernabe Concepcion when they clash this coming August for the world title. He said Leuvano is a slick brawler and stronger puncher than Concepcion.

Well, he could be right. But if you ask me, I’ll stay neutral this time. No need to explain. You know what my blood is.

Before I close this article, let me thank all the people who accommodated me during this three-week trip. Without them, my voyage would not have been a successful and memorable one.

To my cousins Dago, Pete, Jr., Mike Jr., Ana, Delia, Blanca, Lupe and their spouses and their children, to Mr. and Mrs Blandino Caguioa, Mr. and Mrs. Amor Caguioa, Mr. and Mrs. Giles Honeycutt, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Drake, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Oriel, and of course the last but not the least my auntie Idolina, the only living kin among the Garcia-Rivera siblings – Muchas gracias te voy todos en mis oraciones y Dios biendiciones atodos.

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