Liberated and Libera

While the recently concluded holidays may sometimes be a source of stress for some families, happily, this was not the case with mine. My boys and I went trick or treating next door at their preschool, and a gauntlet of sorts was passed when Lucia arrived in Manuel's old pumpkin costume, which was originally worn by their elder cousin Miguel. Pictures may be seen here.

Manuel, on the other hand, may be seen below. If there ever was a picture that fully captured how a pagan rite of passage has metamorphosed, thankfully, through the years into an innocuous and joyful celebration of youthful exuberance, it would be this picture. Janis Joplin might have sung "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose," but in Manuel's case, freedom is just another word for candy around the corner. The boy has a sweet tooth that puts his father's to shame, and I fear that this year's Halloween celebration finally set that monster free.


A couple of days later, Dr. Antonio Torralba and I, with the able help of a sprightly Roberto F. de Ocampo, took the angel voices behind Libera to a brisk, but entertaining tour of Old Manila. Despite their obvious fatigue after a successful concert in Cebu, the young gentlemen of Libera were more than up to the task of distilling the cultural and historical marvel that is Old Manila in two hours, one proud set of ancient walls (Baluarte de San Diego), one venerable old Cathedral (Manila Cathedral), and one strategically located handicrafts shop (Manansan). The ageless, yet age-appropriate raconteur in me believes that yours truly played a big role in making their last memories of the Philippines both an educational and pleasurable one.


Ah, if only all my late Octobers and early Novembers were quite this satisfying! Pictures of the Libera tour may be seen here. Enjoy!