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San Francisco, CA: Once in a rare while—if one is so fortunate—a
person will have the enviable experience of reading a great book or
viewing an awesome film or watching an inspiring play.
Two years ago, I was in beautiful Honolulu
visiting my youngest sister whose multiple strokes had bound her to
a wheelchair for the past three years. Because of her limited
mobility and frailty, we spent most of our time inside her home in
the quiet neighborhood of Kahala.
No more running around Waikiki for me, no more
shopping at Ala Moana, no more living it up with my Hawaii buddies
Emme Tomimbang and Amelia Casamina. I was spending quality time with
my baby sister, nothing less, nothing more.
My brother-in-law, Dr. Charles Carroll, had
retired to personally take care of his wife. We woke up when she
woke up, we ate when and what she ate (her dietary regimen put Jenny
Craig to shame), we rested (or tried to) when she rested. The last
schedule didn’t sit well with me, as I am restless by nature.
Charley, my brother in law, spent Lala’s rest-time running around
the neighborhood or watering his garden. I merely stared at the
swimming pool and wished I had my 18-year-old teenage figure back,
and waited for my sister to wake up from her nap.
Noticing my growing ennui, Charley handed me a
hard-cover book and said, “Carmen, read this. You won’t be able
to put it down.” Now, I am used to 7-ounce pocketbooks which I buy
from the Salvation Army at 50 cents apiece and which I devour at one
reading, one night. I looked dubiously at The Kite Runner, heavier
than a 7-ounce tome, and doubted if I would even be able to read
past the first chapter. I also looked dubiously at the author’s
name—Khaled Hosseini. What could a man named Hosseini possibly
have to say to interest me?
I was wrong. I could not put the book down. I
found Khaled Hosseini to be a master storyteller who could bring his
reader to admire the stark beauty and culture of Afghanistan, a land
I had no interest in, had no desire to have any knowledge of. At the
same time, he wove a moving a tale of good and evil, friendship and
betrayal, atonement and amendment.
In brief, The Kite Runner, set in the final days
of Afghanistan’s destruction, is the story of two boys growing up
in Kabul, one a rich man’s son and the other the rich man’s
servant’s son. Hosseini’s novel describes their intertwining
lives, their fates and eventual tragedies that befall them.
The novel is now a movie, by the way. On the big
screen, Hosseini’s story is more powerful and awesome than the
book because of its visual clarity, its harsh beauty and the
haunting portrayals of the actors. Don’t miss The Kite Runner the
movie, even if you don’t ever read the book.
PAL in a fix
The Federal Aviation Administration has
downgraded Philippine carriers from Category 1 to Category 2 and
with summer months fast approaching, the news is worrisome, indeed.
Category 2 means PAL cannot expand services to the US, so what will
happen to the delivery of six Boeing 777-300ER airplanes ordered by
Philippine Air Lines? PAL has already signified that the downgrade
will force them to forgo their plans for additional flights to San
Diego, New York and Saipan.
Rio Vista, a small town close to the Delta, has
become home to many Fil-Ams who have either reached retirement age
or are enjoying a second residence away from the city. Well, their
numbers are continually growing and they have formed themselves into
the Filipino American Association of Rio Vista. Last weekend the new
officers and board celebrated with a dinner dance attended by no
less than Rio Vista Mayor Cahayag. The indomitable Charito Benipayo
is the moving spirit behind the new group which includes Zeny de
Vera, Orlando de Vera, Jess Sanchez, Tony Riate, Abe Cahayag, among
others.
Consul General Marciano Paynor last week hosted
a send-off luncheon for the 13-San Francisco police officers who
went on an exchange training with the Philippine National Police
(PNP). The delegation, headed by Lieutenant Eric Quema, includes a
number of female SFPD officers. They joined PNP law enforcement
officers for a one-week training and education exchange program.
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