Dealing with dengue

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

IT wasn’t a good past week for me because my grandson Christian Palmes Mejorada was hospitalized due to dengue.

His platelets went down and this set off alarm bells in my head because I 
know how dangerous dengue was.

Samsam is okay now and out of the hospital after a one week confinement. But the recovery took one full week and it was an anxiety filled week as Samsan’s platelets crashed from 160 to 59.

Samsam during a Church ceremony

His platelet count returned to 160. While I know dengue is a familiar disease especially in the Philippines, allow me to explain what it is.

According to a medical dictionary, dengue is an acute disease caused by a bite from a particular species of mosquito which can cause internal hemorrhaging that can prove fatal.

At the time Samsam was at the hospital I posted his plight on my Facebook account and asked, nay implored my friends to storm the heavens with their prayers to God asking that He heal Samsam.

I also asked for suggestions on what to do and what treatments to administer and the common suggestion was to use the weed locally known as “tawa-tawa.”

Of the 100 comments I counted tawa tawa got so many likes. Of course there were other alternative ideas such as durian ice-cream, carica syrup and pounded papaya leaves.

Many testified that their children, nephews and nieces got ill due to dengue and an extract of tawa-tawa helped restore their platelets.

Dealing with dengue isn't new to me. During my journalism days in Cagayan de Oro, I've been reporting about dengue cases and how “tawa-tawa” is said to be cure for that disease.

It pains me to remember the casualties of dengue, one of whom was the son of a family friend. Pitong de Torres, a certified public accountant at the prime of his life died due to dengue.

I thought this disease had been eradicated already but I learned that Samsam's class also had two children who contracted dengue during that same week gives credence to suspicions that the school had some areas that had become breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes. 

Samsam during a school program

Apparently nothing has been done within the 10 year period when dengue was on the rise. 

At best, palliative measures have been done by local health authorities such as information campaigns and the so-called '4 o' clock habit' of burning leaves and cleaning one's surroundings of stagnant water that breeds these mosquitoes.

I think these mosquitoes are hard to eradicate. We can't do that only by legislation but by study and concrete action.

I remember there was a study done by the College of Agriculture of Xavier University on the efficacy of “tawa-tawa” as dengue treatment using white mice. I don't know what became of that. 

What is keeping the government from finishing that research. No budget again? Are we waiting for other countries to finish the project for us? Dengue, like most diseases, can be cured if detected early. 

This is the country's chance to show to the rest of the world that we can do research and create our own cure for diseases that plague its citizens. It's a lot better than the waiting sheds being paid for by a congressman's pork barrel.

Until now, the Department of Health (DOH) still advises the public not to be dependent on “tawa-tawa” as a dengue cure despite its proven efficacy. 

Which is all the more reason why we should continue with the research to find the be-all and end-all cure for dengue.

Asian Herald publisher visits Little Schoolhouse

From left to right, Dell Fallar Dr. Chun, Gloria Grifenhagin and Grace Basilan

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The publisher of Asian Herald recently visited the students of the Eskwelahang Munti (Little Schoolhouse) at the Asian Library.

Publisher Dr. Ki-Hyun Chun was welcomed by the students with a traditional holiday greeting known as “Maligayang Pasko (Merry Christmas in English).

Aside from publishing the Asian herald, Chun is a well-known businessman and philanthropist who owns the Asian Library and donated several rooms for the Eskwelahang Munti held every Sunday.

Also present during the visit were teachers Adelia Dell Fallar, Gloria Grifenhagen and the parents. It was in September this year that the first Eskwelahang Munti opened on a Sunday at the Asian Library building.

Filipino American Spirit names recipient agencies for donor aid

Dr. Nini Bautista (in dark sweater) and Wally Pennila (left) before the Viernamese delegation 

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The Filipino American Spirit (FAS) board of directors already identified agencies that would receive the proceeds they raised in their fund-raising activities.

Filipino American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) Executive Director Wally Penilla told Straight from the Carolinas at the Asian Library last week that the six directors already meet and agreed to the list of recipient agencies that would receive the US $10,000 funds.

Of that amount, $3,000 will go to Catholic Relief Services, $1,500 to Doctors Without Borders, $1,500 to Gawad Kalinga, $1,500 to Ancop USA for typhoon relief and $1,500 to Ancop Foundation USA for the Bohol earthquake victims.

“We are on the process of allocating the funds.” Penilla said. He said the proceeds of the auction sale during the FACC gala night last November were intended for the quake victims before the onslaught of supertyphoon Haiyan. 

He promised this writer that they would furnish a copy of the transcript on the minutes of the meeting. 

Also former FACC official Dr. Nini de Bautista and Penilla received $250 from the Vietnamese group in a gathering held at the Asian Library.

FAS is coordinating with all existing Filipino-American organizations from Charlotte to Raleigh in the Carolinas for the fund-raising campaign for earthquake and typhoon victims in central Philippines.

Spending Christmas dinner with the Dennis boys

The Dennis family flanked by Ronnie Dennis at extreme left and me at extreme right

'The family is the building block for whatever solidarity there is in society-Anonymous.

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

Every Christmas for the past decade, the Dennis brothers would gather for an early Christmas dinner.  The venue of choice is the home of Dean and Ann Dennis at Ellerbe, North Carolina.

William H. Dennis alias Bill, Larry Keith or simply Keith, Gary Dean often called Dean and Ronnie Dennis, the boy with no middle name so he's known as Ronnie N. Dennis as in Ronnie “No Middle Name” Dennis. 

They are the sons of William and Mary, both deceased. Five boys in the family and all good-looking especially Ronnie (pardon the bias). 

Eldest brother George Wayne couldn't attend because of health concerns and the distance from Tennessee to North Carolina. Catherine Peek, a beautiful woman of 80 years talked fondly about the Dennis boys who are all close to her and her sisters. 

She described Bill as a brother, who's always present when needed. Larry Keith is the brother who would always find things to do in the house. Dean, the baby of the family, is a perfectionist like the father. 

From left Ronnie Dennis, Dean, Keith and Bill

Catherine described Ronnie as the beautiful boy whom she tagged along wherever she went. She recalled bringing Ronnie to the barber shop or visiting friends.  “I love the natural curl of Ronnie,” she said.

I've been attending this gathering for four years  and every year I witness how these four grown men act like little boys and never tired of talking about growing up in East Rockingham and sharing about the good times with cousins Catherine Peek, Bobbie Caulder and Lora May Brown and nephew Randy Peek.  

This year the ”Dennis Boys” were in the other room sharing tales and stories with Dean's youngest son Christopher and joined by Greg Tew, boyfriend of Lorie Brackhahn (Keith's daughter).

Their laughter is infectious. Their stories aren't recycled with additional details to spice it up. Rather they share and join in each other's stories. 

I was reminded of the book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder who said something about hearts growing tender with children memories and love of kindred and how we are better throughout the year for having inhabited the spirit of a child again. These words fit the Dennis family perfectly.


I heard Ronnie giving instructions to Meghan, Keith's granddaughter, to go “to your grandpa and tell him, that Uncle Ronnie is the good looking uncle you ever had and I give you 5 dollars.”

Meghan would say no and make a counter-offer, telling Ronnie to make it $20 to the roar of laughter of those who heard the conversation.

But later the Dennis brothers would start talking about their respective families, children and grandchildren. Take for instance, Ronnie who told everyone that Madison, the granddaughter could not make it this year since she is attending a violin lesson every Saturday.

Dean also announced that he and Anne are planning to visit Okinawa in March to visit his son Gary and his family. Gary is with the US Air Force and is assigned in Okinawa; his wife Nikki will deliver their second child in March, promoting their first child Myles to big brother status. 

Dean's wife Anne said it had been more than 10 years since they've had Christmas dinner reunions and gently reminded all those present that they should meet up even once a year.

Every year there is an addition to the Dennis family. Actually an extended family and I am honored that they also include in their prayers my family back home.

The Dennis Christmas reunion dinner is usually held every first Sunday of December since it is the time of the year when each are not yet tied up their own lives. 

The family is getting bigger with the children who came with their family and the grandchildren who are always the center of attention. But all those who could not make are remembered in the prayers made by Dean Dennis.

The Dennis family growing closer and bigger with each passing year

As is always the case, the food is delicious; ham, chicken,turkey, collards green, dressing, deviled eggs, macaroni and cheese, rice, gravy, rolls and for dessert pecan pie, chocolate cake and orange cake and soda, tea and water.

The food is cooked and served up by the beautiful wives of the Dennis brothers- Anne, Doris, Cheryle, and of course me.

Coming from a country where everybody is a family and reunions are always worth attending I love being a part of the annual Christmas reunion dinner.

It is that time of the year when everybody is accounted for and all are having fun with each other. I thank the Lord for being with this family.

Carolina features: The Christmas parol: A tradition close to Pinoys’ ...

Carolina features: The Christmas parol: A tradition close to Pinoys’ ...: Joannes Aves (in dark polo and glasses, left) teaches students how to make the Christmas lantern by Susan Palmes-Dennis The p...

The Christmas parol: A tradition close to Pinoys’ hearts

Joannes Aves (in dark polo and glasses, left) teaches students how to make the Christmas lantern

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The parol or Christmas lantern is a traditional Filipino Christmas decoration and it is said that a Filipino home isn’t complete without this ubiquitous ornament come the Yuletide season.

Obviously the lantern was used to light the way for churchgoers before the advent of electricity. It is originally made of thin bamboo frames and covered with colored cellophane or with rice paper.

According to Wikipedia, the design of the parol evolved from the five-pointed paper star lantern originally crafted by an artisan named Francisco Estanislao in 1928.

Estanislao’s creation was made of bamboo strips covered with papél de japón (Japanese paper), illuminated by a candle or kalburo (carbide) known as Japanese paper or papel de Japon.

The parol had two tails that looked like the rays of a star. Traditionally, paróls have a star-shaped framework made of bamboo sticks which are then covered by colored pieces of either Japanese paper or crêpe paper.

Materials for parols range from plastic, shells, glass, beads, foil, feathers, hemp, leaves, seeds, soft drink straws, wood and even metal.

Even here at North Carolina, Fil-American communities display the parol or lanterns in homage to the tradition back home.

I knew of two people who were proficient in making parols. One is Joannes Aves, the immediate past 1st vice president of the Filipino-American Communities of the Carolinas (FACC).

Joanne, who was taught by his late father to make parols in his elementary grades, now passed his knowledge to students of the Eskwelahang Munti (Little Schoolhouse) last month.

He said it was a pleasure seeing the children having a good time making the parols along with their teachers, volunteers, parents and guardians.

I also had a good time making a parol since it was quite a change of pace from buying a parol from the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail back home in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

During the demonstration, Joannes started by cutting the Japanese paper into shapes, one of which was the tail of the star. From these shapes, he assembled them slowly into the familiar Christmas star-shaped lantern that we Filipinos know and love.

The parol-making was such fun that it was extended up to Sunday School. It was so fun I wondered why I missed doing this back in school. Could be I wasn’t listening or I was sent on an errand by a teacher.

Joannes used materials from AC Moore. He told me he was making parols to be sold at the Christmas party of the FACC for the benefit of the victims of typhoon Haiyan in central Philippines.

Another person who’s proficient in making parols is a kababayan from barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro named Geraldyn Cabariban Jetton, who now lives in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Geraldyn Cabariban Jetton with her giant Christmas lantern

She said she learned making parols in elementary grade. Geraldyn aka Bebith said she uses dowel 3/13 sticks available in Walmart store where she works in lieu of bamboo sticks for her parols.

Geraldyn said she has been making lanterns for the past four years and this year she made one with a logo bearing her prayers for the Filipino victims of typhoon Haiyan.

”Every time I see lantern I am reminded of my family in the Philippines. It’s a tradition I want to hold close to my heart where ever I will be,” Geraldyn said. I could only agree with her sentiments wholeheartedly.

((This article also appeared in Sun.Star.com.ph. You can also follow me at Twitter at Susana Dennis@journ888)

Filipino home cooking for Fil-American Christmas charity dinner

Pinoy fare. Barbecued chicken and pork barbecue were among the dishes served in the party

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Those who attended the Carolina Christmas Party holiday dinner and fundraiser were served classic and modern Filipino food cooked by the lady chefs of the Fil-American Spirit (FAS) and the Filipino-American Carolina Community (FACC) last Friday evening.

The event hosted at the Asian Library by the Carolinas-Asian Chamber of Commerce also aimed to raise funds for the victims of supertyphoon Haiyan that devastated central Philippines a month ago.

Those in attendance ate appetizers like lumpiang shanghai, thin crispy spring rolls with sweet and sour dipping sauce and entrees like chicken adobo, a national dish of the Philippines consisting of braised chicken in a tangy, garlicky-vinegary soy sauce—a Spanish dish with a touch of the orient.

Pancit bihon, or Chinese rice noodles which are served on birthdays since they symbolize long life, were served in two versions; one with shrimps and the other vegetarian. 

Beef mechado, an Iberian Peninsula larded roast beef and perennial fiesta favorite in the Philippines was also available along with chop suey con camaron, stir fried veggies with shrimps in a light brown sauce.

Teriyaki salmon or salmon baked in a light teriyaki marinade with ginger and scallions were also on the table with lumpiang frito (fried roll) and sauteed vegetables.

But the real stand-out was the chicken and pork barbecue, marinated meat grilled on a stick. A Filipino version of satay (not to be confused with pulled pork) was likewise served.

“I waited for this barbecue the whole day,” FACC auditor Amira Q. Issa said. Sweet tooth treats include leche flan (caramel custard), assorted cupcakes, fruits 

While for desserts the popular leche plan, assorted cupcakes, fruits des saison and stollen, a German fruit cake. The menu was given the thumbs up by FACC members including past president Dell Fallar. 

For a fundraiser for Filipino typhoon victims, the menu was a sumptuous taste of home. 

Believing in the postal system

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

A WEEK ago I prepared the first batch of Christmas cards for family and friends back home. I want to mail early because I'm staying in North Carolina now and the cards will be sent to Cagayan de Oro, Manila, New Zealand and Cebu.

It was while I wrote the addresses of the recipients that I was struck with the thought that no matter how anarchic our mailing system is compared to the convenience offered by email, it is still dependable because it reaches the intended recipient.

Consider this---I have to send a Christmas card to Sterling Insurance at Don Apolinar Velez because this was where I used to hang out with my sister Betty Alombro who worked as a manager there before she migrated to New Zealand.

So I wrote the address “Sterling Insurance besides VIP hotel Velez Street.”

Next I addressed a Christmas card to former congressman Erasmo “Jun” Damasing at Puntod.

I didn't have the exact address so I just wrote it this way “Atty. Erasmo Damasing, Puntod, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines.” Then I wrote one Christmas card to Atty. Annabel Carmen Casino Baluran and addressed it to branch 17, Hall of Justice in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines.

Correct postal address

Then my husband Ronnie Dennis, who worked with the US Postal Office for 30 years, saw the address and told me “you couldn't do that, it should bear the zip code and complete address.” I didn't reply and just smiled.

I'm sending the mails even without the exact address so I knew the Christmas cards would reach the recipient. I don’t know how the post office would do it.

Ron Dennis surely knows the importance of a correct postal address.

But that's not how we Filipinos do it back home. The address is always written beside, the front, at the back, near or any description of the distance that a postman can understand.

There are mails that never reach the recipients but in fairness a majority of the mails are received due to the diligent efforts of the messengers.

Postmen are friends of the community, they reach the farthest barangay or village despite their meager travel allowance. I am reminded of the story of my grandfather who recounted that during his time, postmen can deliver mail simply by receiving verbal directions.

Correspondence

Here in the U.S, the postal addresses are specific. If it is 18605 Ruffner Driver- Apt 1-A Cornelius, NC 28031 it never changed. It also applies to one giving directions to other people.

The postal address enables the Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate people. In colonial times, correspondents depended on friends, merchants and native Americans to deliver messages between the colonies.

However, most correspondence ran between the colonists and England, their mother country. To handle the large volume of mail, the first postalservice was instituted in 1639.

The General Court of Massachusetts designated Richard Fairbanks' tavern in Boston as the official repository of mail brought from or sent overseas, in line with the practice in England and other nations to use coffee houses and taverns as mail drops.

Local authorities operated post routes within the colonies. Then, in 1673, Governor Francis Lovelace of New York set up a monthly post between New York and Boston.

Strong public support

The service was of short duration, but the post rider's trail became known as the Old Boston Post Road, part of today's U.S. Route 1.

William Penn established Pennsylvania's first post office in 1683. In the South, private messengers, usually slaves, connected the huge plantations; a hogs head of tobacco was the penalty for failing to relay mail to the next plantation.

But of course that is part of my readings about the U.S postal system- I still consider it superior despite looming news of proposals to close it due to budgetary concerns and the prevalence of email.

Still, there are Americans who would rather preserve the postal service due to its continuing historical value and functional relevance. 

It is this strong public support for the postal system that shores up my faith and belief that the Christmas cards I sent to my recipients, including Atty. Damasing would reach them. Damasing in particular is known by all postmen in Puntod.

(This article also appeared in Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro).

Thanksgiving Day in the Carolinas

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

“Give Thanks to the Lord; His love endures forever”
Psalm 107:1

I started off my Thanksgiving article with this Bible verse, a simple acknowledgement of the reason behind this most awaited celebration, perhaps even more so than Christmas.

Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day, is a big celebration here in US. It’s an official holiday which means government and private offices are closed so families can celebrate it.  Apparently however, not everyone agrees as can be seen in this story.

When I was new in North Carolina, my initial impression was that Thanksgiving is like Christmas; so much food on the table that it’s enough to feed one village.

To me back then, it’s like the fiesta back home in the Philippines where you can move from house to house and eat and celebrate with friends and even friends of your friends.

Thanksgiving is also that time when malls and stores offer all kinds of sales- clearance, Thanksgiving, early Christmas with rates from 25 to 75 percent. To non-Americans, this is called the “Black Friday” sale where buyers would line up outside stores as early as 12 a.m.

Tradition
It is the time of the year also when all turkeys would run away if they knew what would happen to them or so Grea Tulio-Penilla, a fellow Kagay-anon would like to imagine. “I’m glad that I am not a turkey,” she would quip.

I have asked some Fil-American friends how they spend Thanksgiving and I share this with you since we don’t have this holiday back home.

Lydia Empil Arnett of Thomasville, North Carolina said it’s been a tradition for her family to spend 4-5 days at the coast of Carolinas. “Thursday the 28th is Turkey day, an event to thank the Lord for His grace and for the sacrifice made by the pilgrims in heading to the New World,” she said.

Friday and Saturday are spent relaxing at the Fort Fisher war museum and Kure Beach arcade, Arnett said.

Gina Cohold of Charlotte marks Thanksgiving Day with traditional cooking such as turkey, green beans, mashed potato with gravy, grandma’s stuffing (Jim's mother recipe), etc.

Shopping
Jim's mother usually comes into town from Florida. “After eating we watch the Macy’s parade and karaoke,” Cohold said.

Elizabeth Ruthermund of Salisbury has this to say about her Thanksgiving: “Keven always cooks the bird then we help with the rest of the cooking. This year’s celebration is spent with his brother and sister,” she said.

For Ghing Voght, Thanksgiving is spent by her family with a visit to her sister-in-law for lunch. “Then we come home for a little nap, then in the evening will go out for Black Friday shopping with friend,” Ghing said.

For her part NC Knighngalez said she would cook a full meal for her family and spent the celebration at home.

Two Fil-Americans who used to travel on Thanksgiving and spend the days with the in-laws broke with tradition by deciding to spend the holiday here at North Carolina.

Blessings
According to Maria Rexy Weezorak, her family used to drive to Rochester New York to celebrate with in-laws. But they got tired of driving all the way up there so they stayed and cooked turkey, apple pie, potato pie, cauliflower and cheese and mashed potatoes.

Another Fil-Am, Dorena Reynolds whose husband Dexter is originally from Georga, stayed home and cooked traditional American food especially smoked meat and collared greens. Filipino dishes like adobo and pancit were also available in her menu.

Maria Corazon Ducusin Benrokiya also hasted to add that Thanksgiving is also the only time that she cooks all American dishes and “invite families to join her family” in the celebration.

Many years ago, US President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation in 1863 asking that "all Americans ask God to "commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife" that is the US Civil War and to "heal the wounds of the nation."

He declared the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. With that thought in mind, Thanksgiving Day means we are not only grateful on this day but for everyday that we get to spend life on this planet and partake of the blessings that God gave us.

Of MRI exams and 'haplacious' oil

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Since I'm a technology novice, my first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) exam was a scary experience that I had to undergo out of necessity after I felt pain in my left shoulder.

My primary doctor feared that I may have injured the rotator cuff on my shoulder and his diagnosis merely made official the existence of persistent pain in my left shoulder for the past two years which I blame on aging (haha).

The doctor initially gave me pain relievers, specifically anti-inflammatory medicine. A month of taking the medicine didn't ease the pain and I was afraid that my condition was worsening.

So it was back to my primary doctor and he gave me a shot and recommended that I see an orthopedist. I began with physical therapy and it was admittedly difficult, as the left shoulder simply froze on me.

Hence the MRI exam which, according to Wikipedia, is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to take pictures of organs inside the body. 

Futuristic chamber
The MRI can show pictures that cannot be produced by other imaging methods like X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography or CT scan. Since it's magnetic, no metals whatsoever is allowed (duh).

I was placed inside a white cylindrical scanner that to me looked like a spaceship; I laid my head on a small pillow and was told not to move while the scanner took photos. Think of it as a futuristic photo booth without the Kodak film, I guess.

Photo taken from "howstuffworks.com."

My arm was under my butt and I was provided earphones to listen to music, thus reinforcing my belief that I'm inside a phone or photo booth. I choose Tchaikovsky to soothe my nerves. 

It was okay the first few minutes and after a while I got tired despite listening to Tchaikovsky. It felt like I was in a long train ride with no end in sight. No, make that a long boat ride due to the “chug, chug” sounds I heard on the background.

It reminded me of the sawmills in my native village of Natumolan, Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao in the Philippines. A few more minutes and I no longer cared if I rode on a boat or train. I didn't even care that the sounds turned into something like loud, clicking stones.

Bad air
I became anxious and and I opened my eyes thinking that the technician left to take lunch and forgot about me. 

I saw white everywhere, my lips and tongue are so dried.  I couldn't breathe, my chest was so heavy it felt like someone dumped a sack of rice on me.

Tchaikovsky lost its appeal. Then I began praying the “Our Father” and ”Jesus crucified, cover me with your precious blood” many times. It calmed the nerves but not the impatience that was building in me.

After what seemed to be an eternity and just as I was about to press what I felt like a button, the nurse droned “we are done.”

I was lowered down and a breath of fresh air nearly overwhelmed me as they opened the “chamber.” It was scary for me. The official MRI result: bursitis and osteoarthritis (yup it's aging). 

I'm taking different medications now. The orthopedist explained to me that bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, a fluid sac that lies between a tendon and one's skin. 

While the medications really help, the Filipino in me cannot discard the folk belief that that the shoulder pain, like all the kinds of pain I feel due to my aging, is caused by the “bad air” between the joints and ligaments.  

And the bad air, according to my parents, can only be removed by a simple swipe of the “haplacios (rubbing) oil” or the “efficascent oil” sold in Elsa's store. What do you think?

Collecting oddities

Some samples of Bill Dennis's thimble collection

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

A collection as defined by Merriam Webster online is a group of interesting or beautiful objects brought together by a person or group of persons in order to show or study them or as a hobby.

The reasons are plenty; one collects things and objects to satisfy a want or a longing. We look and search; we sometimes barter and buy to complete a set. It could also be a process of sorting and research to amass that “big collection. “

For boys, it could mean collecting those rare baseball, basketball and football cards, vintage comic books and lately, retro video game cartridges and video game machines.

The ancient saying “one person's garbage is another person's treasure” comes to mind whenever we gather stuff or items that other people consider as disposable or, yes, garbage.

We remember Bert of Sesame Street proudly showing off his bottle cap or paper clip collection to his bored flatmate Ernie and while a lot of people can relate to Ernie, not a few can also connect with Bert's love and pride for his collection, eclectic though it may be.

Everybody collects at one time or another. Remember those high school days when we collect stamps and coins as an assignment given by the teacher? Books, shirts, shoes, tags, matches, thimbles, cups and caps, all about anything to be collected and can be collected.

It was a fad in the past and still continues now. I can share my collection of books and handcrafted figurine angels now housed at Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental, the Philippines.

My first collection were books. It is easy to acquire, and I usually spend my allowance on books at National Book Store or at book stores.

Yes, one can borrow from the library but if you want to take those books home, you buy and collect them in a library which you can pass on to your loved ones.

Collecting figurine angels gives me a sense of serenity. Now that I'm in the US, these garage and yard sales and flea markets revived that inner spark of buying and collecting something for oneself.

One collector whom I knew is my brother-in– law William “Bill” Dennis of Hamlet, North Carolina. He has this 30-year-old home collection of of more than 2,000 thimbles which his wife Cheryle helps maintain in pristine condition.

A thimble protects one's finger from being pierced during sewing. Some of the thimbles came from all over the US and around the world.

Some of the thimble designs include a doll, cup or cap, flower, toy and a Santa Claus. A lot of them are souvenirs from some states. Corporations, organizations and groups also manufactured and designed thimbles as giveaways.

There are even election campaign thimbles in all sizes, shapes and colors. Bill's brothers and friends contributed to raising his thimble collection during their travels abroad.

To Bill, me and other collectors, a collection is a tangible, beautiful reminder of the past and I could only wholeheartedly agree to sustaining it as a hobby.