Discovery
My name is Juan Miguel de Velazquez and I'm currently finishing my studies at the University of Santo Tomas Manila - Philippines. However, I come from a small city called San Jose, it's in Central Visayas.
I usually fly to Manila every couple of days, only cost P3000 pesos and I can get there in less than 1hr.
Anyway, this is our City of San Jose.
That redish brown Spanish style building is called Residencia de Gobernador and that avenue infront of it is known as Victor de Velazquez Boulevard (named after my Grand Father).
From right to left is Residencia de Vilazquez (home of my Grand Parents), Plaza Mart, below is Cardinal Lim's Residence, next to that is Bureau of the Interior and above that is San Christobal Chapel.
This is Villa de Cabral, it's where I live.
It's one of the poshest & oldest districts in San Jose City.
Our house is right next to Juan de Baptiste Church, (the one with the fountain) It's in old Spanish colonial style house.
Below us is Andalucia subdivision, the ones with the colored roofs and next to that is Ponce de Lopez St, its where the pobres live or squatters (as we call them).
Old San Christobal Cathedral
This is San Christobal Cathedral, one of the oldest Churches in the Philippines, established by Juan Sebastian Elcano. Above that is New Plaza Mart and next to it is Palacio de Elcano.
Rumors have it that gold is stored within the catacombs of the Cathedral, but no one has dared to venture and look for it as it's said to be guarded by the Conquistador himself.
Here is the city at night.
Birds Eye view of Downtown San Jose.
Different angle of Residencia de Velazquez and Cardinal Lim's residence.
San Sebastian Cathedral at night along with Tong Lee China Town..
See the Chinese, & various other styles. Filipino architecture has always been very much influenced by foreign cultures that what has come out overtime is a blend of designs.
Looks like Cardinal Lim is holding Midnight mass.
View of Palacio Elcano at night.
Anyway, growing up in San Jose has never really been very hard for me, having been born in a wealthy family, which is why I guess I've never really had any fascination or interest in general to history, let alone the history of my family because of the money I have. All I used to care about was shopping, hanging out with friends, partying, chicks and booze.
I mean I've never really had to worry much about anything because I grew up being the only child in a pretty well off and established family, with both my parents having very successful careers.
My dad Eduardo de Vilazquez (who's part Spanish) has his own shipping business providing electronic ship parts to Hyundai in Korea, Japan and China as well as America, Great Britain and Germany.
My mother Mei Xing Lee de Vilazquez (who's part Chinese) is a very well known Physician & Doctor of Medicine.
I on the other hand am studying business, aiming to graduate with MBA this year providing I keep up my high honors, so in terms of education and material wealth, I'm pretty much set up.
However, the passing of both my grandparents (whom I loved to pieces) just recently has somewhat opened my eyes to the reality that life is not infinite, that death does not choose, that someday it could also happen to me or my parents. I suppose that it's because of this that I've come to realise just how precious life is, that I should try to live it to the fullest and in some way or another try to find out my family's own origin, where we came from, why we're here and why were my ancestors so very well higly regarded.
I guess the passing of my grandparents in a way for me is like the passing or the end of an era, an era so colourful and vibrant with totally different attitudes when compared to today's time.
Back then as grandma told me, the only thing that mattered was status & wealth because these would determine one's own life and destiny.
I just feel sorry for others sometimes that they weren't so fortunate as I am. For them, being born into poverty is not something one is proud of, nor is it an easy life to live.
I mean living in San Jose for a rich kid like me is easy, but seeing poor people outside our house begging on the streets for money & food, having no place live or clean water to drink and wash in with absolutely no education and no education in the Philippines means no future.
I guess what has happened recently has not only changed my views on life, but has made me more aware of my surroundings. It's made me appreciate more of what I have and now not only do I feel that it's my duty to help them out, but also to find out where my family came from & how we gained our wealth & status.
I don't think my own life's view would've changed or that I'd feel differently towards others if my grandparents hadn't died. Now I want to learn, I want to know everything about my family's own history.
Life works in many mysterious ways and it has a way of hitting you in the face; I suppose youth is still on my side though.
-
1
24 Comments
Recommended Comments
Sign In or register to comment...
To comment in reply, you must be a community member
Sign In
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In NowCreate an Account
Sign up to join our friendly community. It's easy!
Register a New Account