Kuya....The Diplomat

Kuya, the first-born child of Mommy and Daddy, was born Socrates A. L. on May 8, 1953. Come to think of it, he may have been the reason why Mommy and Daddy's one-year secret marriage was revealed! They were secretly married on January of 1952 and had their church wedding on December of that year. On May the following year, Kuya was born.... you do the math!!!

Being the first-born, he enjoyed certain advantages. One is, almost always, being the favorite grandchild of our grandparents since he is known by them the longest; and another is having the most baby pictures.... being the first, all of Mommy & Daddy's attention was lavished on him.... and when the 2nd or 3rd child comes.... he's always in the family pictures!!! hehehehehe.

Kuya attended St. Mary's College in Quezon City and Notre Dame of Manila in Caloocan City for his elementary education. He attended Notre Dame of Manila, the University of Sto. Tomas, and the Far Eastern University for his high school education. Finally, he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the San Sebastian College.

Immediately after graduation, he joined the Fiscal Affairs Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), where he is still currently connected. Being in the foreign service, he's been assigned to sevral postings abroad.... the first of which was at the Philippine Consulate in Kobe, Japan during the late 70's.

It was while he was assigned in Kobe and was home in Manila for a visit that Mommy introduced Kuya to the former Ms. Elizabeth Lindain of Nueva Ecija. After a whirlwind romance, they were married in 1981.... this was the first wedding in the family and i wasn't present because i was attending the University of Minnesota in the USA for my master's then.

After their wedding, Kuya brought Ate Liz back to Kobe and in November 14, 1983, their first-born child, Gwen Astrid was born. After Kuya's stint in Kobe, he brought his family back here to Manila and in August 6, 1985, their second and youngest child, Gail Monique was born.

A few years later, Kuya was assigned to the Philippine Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar. Off he went with his family.... returning back to Manila only after completing his assignment. After two years at the home office, he was assigned again abroad.... this time to the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Always a family man, he brought his family with him. By this time, the two girls were of almost college age.... and so, both Gwen and Gail came home early to attend the College of St. Benilde (CSB) and the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, respectively.

Presently, Kuya and family are in Manila awaiting his next assigment. This time, though, just Kuya and Ate Liz will have to go.... Gwen is now working also at the DFA after having obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs from CSB while Gail is graduating this year from UP.

Having a Kuya at the DFA and working abroad is not without advantages. Early on, during Kuya's assignment in Kobe when he was still single, i would ask him for the latest in electronics and he would gladly give it to me. He bought me a walkman w/ AM/FM radio which i used in going to and from work (I was a fresh college graduate then). When i asked for a small TV for my room in Quezon City, he bought me a stereo casette recorder with AM/FM radio and with a built in 3.5 inch black and white TV! This was what is used to record TV sitcoms (Three's Company was the hit then) which i listened to to practice American slang and idioms. And when i got the scholarship to Minnesota, USA, i spent 10 days including Christmas of 1980 and New Year's Day of 1981 with Kuya in Kobe on my way to Minnesota. This was my first trip abroad and i enjoyed immensely my stay with him.... he even gave me winter sweaters and coats to use in the US.

Then, when he was assigned in Myanmar, i also had the opportunity to visit him and his family and spend a whole month's vacation with them and their 5 household helpers plus a driver, a gardener, and a security guard in their spacious and roomy house in Yangon!!! Finally, with Kuya at the DFA, i didn't have much trouble getting and renewing my passport!!! hehehehehe....

That's my Kuya.... and to me, he's the greatest Kuya anyone could ask for!!!