Father’s Day Milestones 2018

Posted on June 28, 2018

Nativity of Christ by Francesco Mancini behind the main altar of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of St Mary the Major), Rome, May 2, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written by

Jude Bautista

This year’s Father’s Day Celebration, June 17, 2018, coincided with several milestones for the Bautista clan. My father Jose C. Bautista can be proud of completing a lifelong dream: seeing the Pope during the Neo Cathechumenal Way’s 50^th Year Celebration last May 5^th,in Rome, Italy.

Pope Francis waves to the Philippine contingent, an arms length away from his passing vehicle. The 50th Neo Catechumenal Anniversary was held at the University of Rome Tor Vergata Grounds, Rome Italy, May 5, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista- click on photo for full story

During the same trip he was able to complete a brutal schedule from May 1-12. We visited about 3 churches / landmarks daily and averaged 3-4 kilometers of walking per day.

from left: Junee Ibaviosa, Joe and Linda Bautista, in front of St John Lateran, Rome. May 2, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

This is no small feat for an 86 year old my mom Linda on the other hand is 79. Consider Meghan Markle’s dad in his late 60s couldn’t make it to the Royal Wedding due to health reasons. So we’re all really proud of Joe and Linda grateful our prayers were answered for safety and health through out the trip.

We are all ever grateful to my brothers Timothy, Donald and George who sent financial support that made this trip possible.

JY and Linnell Bautista with son Theo. From fb

First Great Grandchild

By the end of the same month of our trip (May 29, Theo Daniel De Villa Bautista was born to JY and Linnell Bautista, Joe’s first great grandchild. This also makes my brother Timothy and his wife Joy Bautista proud grandparents. Jay and Linnell got married last March 2, 2017. Linnell gave birth naturally at Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York to a strong bouncing baby boy 7lbs and 3oz strong. Mom Linnell was walking about just days after delivery.

Theo Daniel De Villa Bautista born May 29, 2018. 7lbs and 3oz – from fb

First time and proud grandfather Tim treated his father Joe to a Father’s Day celebration, June 17, 2018 at a Japanese Restaurant. Long time family friend Ramon Castañeda, who was there with us, is also a New Yorker.

seated from left: Erlinda Bautista, Joe Bautista, eldest son Tim Bautista, standing: Joy Bautista and Ramon Castañeda. Pasig, June 17, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Tanduay Limited Edition

Since I was on a tight budget, I had to think hard of what I wanted to give my dad. I happened to see Tanduay’s Superior Blended Rum Limited Edition, which was issued 2017 in celebration of the Year of the Rooster. I was also relieved to know it was only P280. That’s tremendous value, so I thought of buying that. But didn’t buy it on the spot thinking I just lived nearby.

Tanduay Superior Blended Rum Limited Edition is a great gift idea with its smooth taste and elegant packaging. Photo by Jude Bautista

3 days before Father’s Day I went back to buy it and found out every single bottle had been sold out! I was in panic mode going through several liquor outlets and supermarkets but eventually found last 3 bottles in another supermarket. So if you do seethe Tanduay Limited Edition on a shelf, do yourself a favor and buy one. Special occasion or not, its a perfect gift or treat for yourself. If you can’t find Limited Edition just go for the Tanduay Superior 12 Years, which is also tremendous value.

Noel Bautista with wife Rachel Hazel. From fb.

Noel

He may not know this but my third brother Noel is actually one of my idols as a father. (As I have yet to be blessed with a child of my own) In the late 80s, throughout the 90s I remember being a little bit taken aback at how devoted he was as hands on father. He was able to change diapers of eldest son Nigel, feed him, put him to sleep and generally care for him. Even with his later kids Nicole and Brent.

The Holy Family in the main altar, Parish of San Giuseppe in Trevizo, Northern Italy, May 7, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Noel may not have been the wealthiest or the most financially successful among my brothers but definitely he was the most caring. That affection and care he gave them wasn’t something they could remember because they were babies or toddlers. I’ve never personally seen any other dad care for his children the way that he did.

Nigel Bautista, the last time we saw each other was at least 5 years ago. Hotel Fiore, Fiuggi, Italy, May 10, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista (10)

Nigel

Fast forward to our trip in Italy this May. Noel’s eldest son: Nigel Paolo Emmanuel Bautista, Nigel for short is now working for Arcadia Group, the conglomerate that runs giant clothing brands TOPSHOP, TOPMAN, BURTON, OUTFIT, DOROTHY PERKINS and many more. Nigel works in their main office in London as a Software Specialist evaluating the company’s apps for phones and devices.

from left: Erlinda Bautista, Nigel Bautista, Joe C. Bautista and Beth Javier.Hotel Fiore, Fiuggi, Italy, May 10, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

While we were in our last few days in Italy, Nigel decided to join us. He had a brief weekend trip to Paris then flew in to Rome. We had not seen each other for 5 years or so. I was thinking of how proud Noel must be of Nigel having grown and achieved so much at a young age.

Brent

Just a few days ago June 25, Noel’s youngest son Elijah Brent surprised us with a visit here in Manila coming all the way from Wellington, New Zealand. He is currently working as a staff of NZ’s Member of Parliament Priyanca Radhakrishnan. Brent shares with us that he is able to relate to Prianka as an Asian who spent some growing years abroad but has studied University in NZ and now lives there too. Some of Prianka’s advocacies include ‘immigrant rights and women’s right women survivors of domestic violence, and migrant workers who have been exploited’. From Labour Profile.

Joe with grandson Brent; Paco, Manila, June 25, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Brent is also working as tutor at Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Victoria University and is also taking up a Master’s Degree in International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington. He hopes to work in the diplomatic field in the future. Brent shares his father’s and grandfather’s good looks too. He is in town on a holiday to Coron, Palawan.

from left: Joe, grandson Brent and Erlinda. Brent visited from Wellington, NZ. Paco, Manila, June 25, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

To this day Noel remains to be the biggest fan of his kids. Even when they are grown up and have their own lives he still posts their pics and praises them on facebook. He lovingly refers to his daughter Nicole as Ganda (Beautiful in Filipino) and Brent as Bunso (Youngest child).

seated from left: Proud dad Noel, Rachel, Brent, standing: Nicole. From fb

From Noel’s fb birthday greeting to Brent:

‘NOTE TO MY 30-YEAR OLD SELF. Hate to break it to you Noel, but you’re gonna drink too much, eat too much, and be a lazy bastard the rest of your life. Any potential you showed your 20s, so far you will waste. To make it worse, at this point you won’t do much about it. Your saving grace? You’ll have great kids, not the least of which is this guy Elijah Brent, who’ll be true to the promise, outdo himself in school, work and in life. SO FAR, SO GOOD. Thanks for making your old man look good, anak. Happy 23rd birthday, we love you to bits!

The Pieta by Michaelangelo was even more moving in person, inside St. Peter’s Basilica, May 3, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista (15)

St Joseph

My dad’s patron saint as his namesake is St. Joseph who is self sacrificing, humble father happy to let his son, Jesus and wife Mary take center stage. That’s why St. Joseph is the epitome of fatherhood. No wonder Joe shares the same attributes; he always lets my mom, his children, grandchildren get a lot of attention. But throughout our lives he’s been there supporting us consistently, quietly.

St Joseph with the child Jesus in the Parish of San Giuseppe in Trevizo, Northern Italy, May 7, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Fr Paolo Benetton, the brilliant mind and organizer behind our successful trip, brought us to his hometown of Trevizo, Norhern Italy. He showed us the Church a corner away from the house he grew up in, incidentally Parocchia Di San Giuseppe – Parish of St Joseph. He introduced us to his dad who waved at us and smiled warmly but preferred not to address the Filipino crowd.

Fr Paolo translates for mom Rafaella who charms the Pinoy visitors. Parish of San Giuseppe in Trevizo, Northern Italy, May 7, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Fr. Paolo’s mom on the other hand gamely engaged the visitors speaking in Italian while his son translated, “I can never forget getting a call from his first communion teacher ‘your son is so naughty I don’t think I can teach him anymore.” Getting howls of laughter from us– as Paolo became a priest. When we were leaving their home I wasn’t surprised to see the mailbox: Rafaella is the name of his mother, Giuseppe the name of his father (the Italian version of Joseph).

from left: Fr. Paolo, dad Giuseppe and mom Rafaella in their lush and green yard. Trevizo, Northern Italy, May 7, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Elegant Label

Going back to my gift there’s a nugget of wisdom at the back of the elegant black label of the Tanduay Limited Edition, “…Chinese New Year is considered to be the most important festival for the Filipino Chinese Community in the Philippines and is celebrated in hope of attracting prosperity, closer family ties and peace.”

Although it is way past Chinese New Year, we managed to have some measure of prosperity, closer family ties and peace from our Father’s Day Milestones.

Tanduay Superior Blended Rum Limited Edition is a great gift idea with its smooth taste and elegant packaging. Photo by Jude Bautista

Joe Bautista; this was outside the catacombs of San Sebastian, fringes of Rome, May 4, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista (20)

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from left: Allen, Irene and Angela King at the Colosseum (Circo Massimo), Rome, May 3, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

150,000 people from 135 countries attended the celebration. The 50th Neo Catechumenal Anniversary was held at the University of Rome Tor Vergata Grounds, Rome Italy, May 5, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Noel recently visited brother George in Auckland NZ, coming from Wellington. From fb (23)

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Theo Daniel De Villa Bautista born May 29, 2018. 7lbs and 3oz – from fb (24)

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Angels aloft St John Lateran; May 2, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Clockwise from left: Grant; Mahal; J.j. Claus, Ganda; and Bunso. Missed you Panganay Nigel. — with Grant Randell, J.j. Claus Alamani, Nicole Bautista and Elijah Brent Bautista at Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay. From fb post

A waterfall on our way to Northern Italy, May 6, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista (27)

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from left: Dr. Glo Chua, Beth Javier and Leng Leng Ibaviosa. Viale Manlio Germozzi, Rome, May 2, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

: This ancient façade is beside St John Lateran in Rome.May 2, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Fr Richard Garrido; Asst Chaplain of Cardinal Santos Medical Center was honored to say his first official mass in Rome during the trip. Photo by Jude Bautista (30)

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The St. Peter / Paco Neo Group; this was outside the catacombs of San Sebastian, fringes of Rome, May 4, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Brent has tattoos, on his left wrist is Filipinas in the ancient script Baybayin. June 25, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Linda with grandson Brent; Paco, Manila, June 25, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista (33)

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From left: Erlinda Bautista, Joe Bautista, Allen and Irene King. Santa Croce Gerusalemme (Hoy Cross in Jerusalem), May 2, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

: The Italian countryside in Northern Italy, May 6, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: Erlinda Bautista, Nigel Bautista, Joe C. Bautista and Beth Javier.Hotel Fiore, Fiuggi, Italy, May 10, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista (36)

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‘The altarpiece in mosaic was made in 1722, reproducing a design by the painter from the Marches, Carlo Maratta, which dates to 1696-1698. It represents the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, in the River Jordan’- St. Peter’s Basilica, May 3, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: Roly Cua, Erlinda Bautista and Joe Bautista, behind them The Pieta inside St. Peter’s Basilica, May 3, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista

Even if it was drizzling there were thousands still visiting St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, May 3, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista (39)

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from left: Jude Bautista, Erlinda Bautista, Nigel Bautista, Joe C. Bautista and Beth Javier.Hotel Fiore, Fiuggi, Italy, May 10, 2018. Photo by Roly Cua