I arrived in Candelaria by train, a three hour trip from Manilla. It seemed as if the entire town was there to welcome me. In this photo, we are walking from the train station to Tayabas Western Academy where a welcome reception was held. Once enrolled I was presented with uniforms exactly like my Filipino sister Divina's to wear to school---complete with hat.
My Filipina mom had relatives in Manilla so we had many fun weekends there, and we were welcomed into the homes of many families in Candelaria. I am not certain what Zeny and I were doing here, but her words on the back of the photo refer to the song "Moon River" so I think we may have just completed a less than perfect duet. Inayi's brothers are to our left.
My farewell party was as gracious and loving as my welcome party. The mayor presented me with a document declaring me a "daughter of Candelaria." The principal of the military academy I attended is to the far left. The next day what once again seemed like the entire town joined our family in a walk to the train station to say goodbye.
Jan with Mickey Mouse, New Year's Eve 2003.
Below sharing a laugh with four college friends in Lexington this April. Divina, my Filipina sister, attended my US college for a year and might remember several of these classmates.
Claudette, Georgia, Grady, Jan and Chris
A new photo (January 2014) was added at bottom of this page.
Me; daughter-in-law Joye (expecting baby beginning of May) and youngest son Mike holding Jonah (4); daughter-in-law Stephanie and middle son Mark with their sons Zander (9) and Max (5); daughter-in-law Gillian (standing behind Steph and Mark) and oldest son Matt holding Victoria (4); Bob.
We had just walked to the Intrepid Museum on one of the freezing cold, snow-packed NYC days.
