Meet Paquito Principe Bautista - the coolest guy on Earth.
That’s my grandpa (or my "lolo", in Filipino language). This was taken the morning after I arrived. You can’t really tell from the shot but I still had a really bad case of jetlag. I didn’t care, I wanted to see him.
Everybody has a "hero" in their life - someone they try to emulate, to seek advice from. For me, it has always been him. Don’t get me wrong, my parents are wonderful people, but my lolo is just the perfect example of the kind of person I want to become when I get older. He’s educated but has enough street smart to outwit anybody this side of Tondo. He’s classy yet tough, and I MEAN TOUGH; you don’t wanna make him angry. Trust me on that.
Did I mention he makes the best shrimp omellete in town? ^__^
I have the highest respect and admiration for this man like you wouldn’t believe. I love hearing his stories when he was at his prime, particularly about when he used to work as a Senior Accountant for RVQ Productions, one of the Philippines most famous movie companies. This allowed him to rub shoulders and become friends with some of the icons of the industry - Paquito Diaz, Panchito, and the "King of Comedy" himself - DOLPHY, just to name a few.
He’s even starred in several films with them. When I was six or seven years old, I remember my grandpa showing me pictures of movie stills where he shared a scene with some of the top actors of his day. And I’m not talking about "movie extra" stuff. He’s played small but very vital roles in some of the movies he was in. Not too bad for an accountant; perks of the job, I suppose. ^___^
I highly respect his advice and his opinions about life, love, and work. During the course of my visit that day, I got the chance to have a one-on-one chat with him that afternoon. That really was, and still is, one of the highlights of my vacation. We spent over 3 hours just talking about life and work and he gave me advice on how to balance both. He told me to enjoy life and to give importance to family above all things, to give your all in any task that you do. He told me to reach for my dreams and to be the best person I can be.
I didn’t want the afternoon to end. Getting advice from someone you admire is just one of those things you don’t get to experience everyday.
This entry is my most personal to date. This vacation is more than just an excuse to relax and forget responsibilities, but is also an opportunity to re-connect with people I hold dear. I really don’t know when I’ll be getting the chance to have a vacation like this again. Even if I do, there’s no guarantee that my grandparents will still be there to welcome me back.
My grandfather is a good man, a great man, and I feel extremely lucky to have been given the chance to know him.
To those of you who still have grandparents: get to know them while you still can. This is a great chance for you to get to know your roots and I’m certain they still have some great wisdom to share.
And for those of you who grew up without any grandparents: ask your mom and your dad to tell stories about what it was like while they were growing up with them. See what kind of person your grandparents were like through your father’s and mother’s eyes.
That’s all I have to say about that.
too bad
i can’t view all of the pics u’ve just posted to ur cool blog…
coz the website that hosts ur images are blocked by the Internet Service Provider here… :((
well anyway, take care man!
and hope that u’ll have more great time in the Philippines
JEAN EN PRIMERO — Where are you from? Which photos can’t you see?
Maybe the URLs from Imageshack are broken again.
JEAN EN PRIMERO — Where are you from? Which photos can’t you see?
Maybe the URLs from Imageshack are broken again.
staying here in riyadh, ksa at the moment
don’t worry man, this country is the prob and just too malicious lol.. not the imageshack.com is the prob
hmmm wish that i’m havin a nice vacation too like u hehe
have a good day!
I’m trying to read your blog but I can’t get past some of those hot ass Jap bitches on the page!
Nice entry.. too bad I haven’t spend much time with my grandparents..they all died when I was young
your blog is absolutely fantastic.
Ur so coooooolllllllllll… and so lucky to have ur grandfather with u…Keep cool….
very poignant, loved reading your very “personal” post.
shame, couldn’t view the photo, though. lovely blog.
you are so lucky to still have a cool lolo like yours,sad to say that my grandparents died when i was young and at the same time they’re living in the province.We, their granchildren are living in manila.anyway,cool story.
nice ur so cool and u have a nice lolo which is i dont have hmmm but its ok i still have ma granma u got a cool blog so cute…. have a nice day poh…..
so blessed to have a great lolo…take the best of ur time with him while on vacation…God bless…
Awesome!!!
I love your story and thanks for the advice.
wala lang me masabi kundi lolo mo nga siya kasi kamukha kayo
I just want to say that your relationship with your grandpa is really inspiring. It’s really cool that you can share it here…
you set a good example to the next generation…Dude,two thumbs up for u!!! good attribute for being a true filipno…
nice, grandparents really taught us histories and lessons learned, but how many of us really get the chance to know them in person before they grew too old to talk sense and make sense. Something sad about getting old.
Cool! but couldn’t view the photo, i dont know why? why do u think, johnny?
nhoora
Make sure to CLICK THE BLUE TEXT below the photo and not the photo itself.
For some reason you can’t make a photo as your link. You have to use text.
Make sure to CLICK THE BLUE TEXT below the photo and not the photo itself.
For some reason you can’t make a photo as your link. You have to use text.
i never read ppls blogs, but i ended up reading yours and its actually really well done, great to know you care for the family
Many thanks for visiting my blog, -Daryl-.
And yes, I do care about my family.
Many thanks for visiting my blog, -Daryl-.
And yes, I do care about my family.
i have t great lolo din but they both died na…on my father side i didn’t even met him,,he died when i was still soo small…but on my mom’s side i got the chance to meet him pag uumuuwi sila galing CA…but i still feel blessed and grateful ksi i know they’re both good lolo’s. IF not for them wala parents ko ..right? ey johnny..enjoy your vacation!! and update soon!!
i have t great lolo din but they both died na…on my father side i didn’t even met him,,he died when i was still soo small…but on my mom’s side i got the chance to meet him pag uumuuwi sila galing CA…but i still feel blessed and grateful ksi i know they’re both good lolo’s. IF not for them wala parents ko ..right? ey johnny..enjoy your vacation!! and update soon!!