The church tower withstood the big earthquake..The construction of the belfry was undertaken by Fr. Jose V. Ferrer
during his term as Parish Priest of Asingan. Fr. Ferrer is from Binmaley. This church tower  took years to build
with donations from Asinganians all over the Philippines and  all over the world.










 

In 1959, I stopped University studies and stayed in Asingan to figure out what Course I really want to  study..Its a sort of
Sabbatical leave from school work. I met and hang out with Angelito Domaoan and Philip Martin for several months.
We used to visit Fr. de Guzman in the Parochial house , shown in this photo.



 

Angelito, Philip and I would sometimes spend afternoons visiting the barrios of Asingan to visit relatives or to go to picnics.
This photo shows a part of San Vicente where Philip used to live.
















 

But time, like the growth of acacia trees, does not stop. As branches reach for the sky, we know we should also
reach out for our place in the sun. Lito moved to Manila where he finished his College studies. Right now
he is living in New Jersey with his family (a wife from Lingayen, Florence and their son, Glen)
































 

Philip Martin left Asingan to join the US navy in the mid '60s. With my 2 childhood buddies gone,
I lingered in Asingan for a while, then eventually finished my Journalism studies in Manila.
























































It was in scenic Lingayen beach, ( the above photo ) where Lito, Philip and I made a pact: to go strive for abroad and
seek our fortunes there. Philip was the first to leave in late 60s, then 10 years later I was sponsored by my sister in Toronto,
Canada. Our favorite song then was MOON RIVER, ..The line that says "Two (should be "three ") drifters, off to see the world..."
expressed our deepest yearning then.










































 

Thirty years later, I found myself serving in church again. My training in Religious music which I got in Asingan, found myself
a position as a Music Director in St. John the Evangelist, Weston Toronto.  I am in charge of the Children's Group every 10:00 am
here in St. John's. I was lucky to find  some very young and talented singers  here in my own neighbourhood...


 

This is Caitlin Untinen. Her mother, Louena Cruz Untinen is from Manila, her father Rick Untinen is from Thunder bay, Ontario.
She lives a few doors away from my house, so it makes rehearsals very convenient. She has taken 5 years of voice and piano lessons.







 

Emma and Mia are my own granddaughters. They are the daughters of Michelle Costes Forbes, one of  my daughters.
Michelle is married to Dr. Jonathan Forbes, a Chiropractor in Brampton, Ontario. Emma, in spite of her age,
can already sing well.Mia has been leading the congregational singing at the age of 7 years. She is now 12.









 

Fr. Bob Glenn,left, our parish priest, calls the 4 children " the singing angels" of St. John. The altar boy in the
middle is John, a half Filipino who has just received an award for faithful service  as a server. 
Father Martin in a white alb,  is the assistant Parish Priest.


 

Caitlin, Mia and Emma (partly hidden ) singing "Silent Night" during the midnight mass.

 

The 4th singer ( shown with a multicolored sweater ) is Kim Trunh..Mia, by the way, is appearing in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT  produced by a Professional theatre group here in  Toronto.
The show dates are June 9, 10, 11 and 12, 2005. It will be shown in Brampton, Ontario. I am hoping that some
Asinganians in Brampton, Ontario ( and there are so many of them ) would be able to see it. (end)
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