Angeles: Edsel’s Baptism (September 17, 2005)

    We got up early to get ready for Edsel’s 9:00 a.m. baptism.  Services are typically held in the afternoon here, according to Brad, but stake conference meetings necessitated a morning service today.  We arrived at the church at 8:30 a.m. to find Edsel, his niece and her friend standing outside.  The doors were locked.  There were no cars in the parking lot, but that’s not unusual here as most people do not own cars.  They rely on public transportation - which appears to be (based on my brief experience) primarily on the jypneys.  People began arriving slowly, a few missionaries, members of the ward, etc.  We took lots of pictures while we waited for the building key to arrive.  It is fun to kind of stand back and watch Brad interact with everyone.  I came to discover today that a chapel filled with Filipino Church members is a very beautiful thing.

Maralea with Edsel on his baptism day!

Waiting for someone to show up with keys to the chapel for Edsel's baptism

    As Brad and Edsel prepared for the baptism, I walked by the room to see that it was all set up beautifully, the font was filled, and everything was ready.  The room filled beyond capacity as members and missionaries arrived.  A few minutes prior to the service, Medel Hernandez, the ward mission leader, asked Maralea and I if we would share our testimonies at the end of the service - which started the nerves going.  (Ha.)  Brad and Edsel sat in front, dressed in white.  Maralea and I sat in the front row on the opposite side of the aisle, next to Medel.  After an opening song, led by Sister Jones, an opening prayer was given in Tagalog by Pat Sales.  Great talks were given by Jojo Briones, Sister Escoto and her husband, Bishop Escoto (former bishop of the ward).  That was followed by a special musical number by Elders Orme and Greene, along with Melvin and Medel Hernandez, and Jojo.  Brad then escorted Edsel to the font (quietly whispering a few instructions along the way), as Elders Greene and Orme stood as witnesses.  The baptism went beautifully.  (Brad had to do it twice when Edsel did not go all the way under the first time, but that only made it twice as good.)  It was such a remarkable thing to be present for this experience - to not only meet someone who Brad helped teach, whose life has been so deeply effected by the Gospel, but to see him enter the waters of baptism.  What a sweet experience that was.  As we sang some hymns while waiting for Brad and Edsel to dress and return, I just continued to marvel at all that has taken place this past week.  I turned to look at all the people sitting behind us - many of whom we have now come to know, and feel a close connection.  They are all so special, sweet, and loving.  It was hard to get through “Come, Come Ye Saints,” frankly, as I thought of these Filipino saints - pioneers in their own right.  I began to feel the pain associated with leaving them, departing this area - and we have only been here six days!  It is a group of people very easy to love (including but not limited to :-) Kenneth, Lorie, Medel, Melvin, Jojo, Olive, Cherry, Mhayet, and Edsel).

A group picture prior to Edsel's baptism

Edsel with his missionaries: Elders Green and Royal

Edsel with his sisters and missionaries

Edsel with his sisters and Brad

    When Edsel and Brad returned, Edsel was confirmed a member of the church by Bishop Villanueva (27 years old).  At that point, Maralea was asked to share her testimony.  She stood and began with: “Wow, I never thought I’d have a chance to speak in the Philippines!”  Maralea spoke of her family’s Mormon pioneer heritage, and how so many generations have benefitted from the sacrifices of those willing to make them so long ago.  She advised Edsel that he has now stepped into the role of pioneer - with the ability to influence thousands in his family and posterity through his faithfulness.  It was very touching to see how moved Edsel was through the entire service.  I could barely speak as I looked at the group of bright, smiling faces present.  I knew that at that moment, we were experiencing the very best of the Philippines: some of the best people, in the Lord’s house, being collectively about His business.  We expressed our love for them, and for Edsel.  Specifically, I advised Edsel that while Maralea comes from “pioneer heritage” in the Church - I do not - that my parents were like him, joining as young adults, being the only members within their respective families.  I expressed gratitude for their perseverance and faithfulness, as Edsel’s children will likewise thank him for having made the decision he made this day.  Edsel then stood, tears in his eyes, and expressed himself in Tagalog.  I could not understand him, but there was a wonderful spirit present which confirmed that he spoke from the heart.

    We lingered as a group at the church for a while.  It was wonderful just hanging out together, taking a few more pictures, with more promises to stay in touch.

 

This is a group pic taken after Edsel's baptism

     The next thing I knew, about 12 of us began walking towards a jypney, got in, and we were on our way to an early lunch.  This was our first experience on a jypney - and we made the most of it.  As we sat on the jypney, Kenneth started singing Beatle songs - and I was only too happy to join in.  The entire group sang through the whole trip, which continued even after we sat down at the restaurant (“Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Hey Jude!”).  We had a great time visiting, with a smattering of singing in between - oh, and eating too.  There was some talk of getting together later as a group, nothing definite.  Mhayet said, smiling while shrugging her shoulders: “We just can’t help it.  We want to see the Royals.”  We got into Jojo’s car with two of the missionaries.  (Maralea and I shared the front passenger bucket seat - no, there are no seat belt laws here.  If there are, they are not enforced.)  There was a guard at the restaurant, dressed in a white uniform, who walked out into traffic to give Jojo room to back out.  Brad leaned out the window to tip him.  I later noticed that to be the norm.  Most establishments that we entered had a security man posted at front who handled duties like that.  Oh, that was also when I first noticed some other body language that Brad has picked up here.  As he leaned out the window to give the security guard the tip, he kind of made a kissing/smooching sound with his lips.  I thought he was getting fresh (just kidding).  Anyway, that’s a common way of getting someone’s attention here (apparently).  Brad also puckers his lips and uses them to point in a direction (i.e. turning his head to the right, puckering his lips, and kind of moving his head in the given direction).  When he responds to a question affirmatively, he raises his eyebrows repeatedly instead of nodding his head.  What does nodding your head mean here?  “I don’t know.”  A negative response still gets a side to side turn of the head, by the way.  Jojo took Maralea, Brad and me from the restaurant so Brad could visit some other ward members before the Saturday stake meetings.  We only found Shiena at home, a 16 year old girl baptized in May.  She was the typical smiley, giggling, shy, and sweet young woman we have met here.  We are hoping to return to her complex tomorrow to spend more time with her and some others who were not available.  We met Jojo’s father, visited for only a few minutes, then returned to our hotel to get some rest.  By the way, Brad wrote recently about getting involved in an automobile accident which occurred as he was traveling in Jojo’s car.  Jojo showed us the damage to the left rear quarter panel and bumper from that little mishap.  It’s not huge, but not insignificant, either.  My office could have signed up four new clients from that accident. :-) (Just kidding, of course.)  We’re just glad no one was hurt (bad anyway) and that Jojo’s car is still intact.

Brad with Shiena Equiza - Angeles City

Maralea with Olive Ramos - Angeles City

     I thought that we were done for the evening.  I fell asleep as Brad watched “The RM” so he could prepare himself for the next stage of his life (ha).  We received a call while in our hotel room at around 7:30 p.m. advising that there were some people wanting to see us.  We came down to find such a welcome sight: Edsel, Lorie, Kenneth, Mhayet, Cherry, Melvin, Medel, Jojo, and Lenni.  We went to visit at some outside tables, when Kenneth began breaking into song (including a few from Barry Manilo!).  Even Brad tried his hand at the singing without karaoke.  Lorie reported that her stake conference talk at the Saturday evening session went great.  (Actually, she initially said it was a disaster, but Mhayet set the record straight.)  Lorie said she used Brad’s favorite scripture in her talk, Alma 29:9.  As we talked, I saw Cherry text messaging so fast it was like she had a typewriter on her lap.  Others in the group were doing it, too.  I have noticed that to be the primary means of communication with cell phones here, because it is actually much cheaper to text than to talk on the phone.  And they are all GOOD at it.  Well, it was determined that the singing at the hotel lobby area was just not good enough, so we traveled to a nearby restaurant that had “videoke” (appropriately called “Kelly’s” - Maralea’s maiden name and really close to our singing daughter’s spelling of Kelli).


    We filed in, got a large group of tables together, order some dinner, and settled in for the evening.  It was so much fun to be back together with this group.  It was fun visiting with Mhayet as we would get interrupted every time a Beatle song was selected - at which point I would be automatically given the microphone.  (I somehow became widely known as a Beatles fan.  Not sure how that happened.)  I couldn’t get Mhayet to join me in any of the songs, but I do recall getting her to share in an “Ah!" once or twice.  After I finished singing once, I then announced that the next song would be performed by Maralea.  Oh my goodness, she just panicked and refused to go near the microphone as her fans gave her encouragement.  “Oh no, I don’t sing.  Get that [the microphone] away from me!”  (She’ll sing hymns, but she’s like a cricket.  She’ll chirp, but only if she thinks no one is really paying attention.  Whenever we’re singing at church and I lean over next to her to hear her sing, she suddenly gets very quiet.  I love that about her.  It’s just a funny little yin and yang thing we have going.  I think Maralea feels that Kelli sings enough for the both of them.)  Cherry had to leave early and came by to say goodbye.  It was supposed to be a quick goodbye, but I wouldn’t let her leave.  I was touched as she related her conversion story, having been baptized in March - just before Brad was transferred to the area.   (He taught Cherry some of the new member discussions.)  Cherry is the only member in her family - noting that she is: “a pioneer, like Sister Royal said.”  Cherry talked of how much her life has changed since she joined the Church.  She certainly has a bright smile and warm heart.  As she left us, I knew it would be hard to say goodbye to the entire group.

    Brad was surrounded by Medel, Melvin, Edsel and Kenny who were all only too happy to jump in and sing (especially Kenny - who has a great voice and won a videoke contest over the weekend).  I don’t recall Lorie or Jojo singing, so I guess they joined Maralea and Mhayet in the “Get that microphone away from me!” department.  I enjoyed a private talk with Kenneth, who has plans that include a mission.  He recently received the Aaronic Priesthood and passed the sacrament for the first time last Sunday.  Kenneth said that he plans to bless the sacrament for the first time next Sunday, and that he has been asked to baptize a member’s son in the next couple weeks.  Although he is nervous about doing it, Kenneth said he plans to do it - to exercise his newly given priesthood, to learn and to grow.  Kenneth has plans.  Lorie said there is a slight possibility she may be able to visit us in Las Vegas in November - very slight, but still we are holding out hope for some kind of contact at that time.  I told everyone of our dear Filipino friends in Las Vegas who would love to meet them.  They all have many friends in Las Vegas and perhaps do not yet realize it - but they will. :-)  Medel is waiting to hear about his application to BYU-Hawaii.  As Brad said goodbye to Medel, I heard him say something about being roommates there - I don’t what kind of scheme they are cooking up.  Jojo, the stake executive secretary, spent several years at BYU-Hawaii.  Melvin talked to Maralea about his job working for Earthlink in customer service.  If we have any problems with Earthlink, Melvin said he can personally solve them - all the way from Manila.  (It’s nice to have important friends in key places.)

    We took more pictures (we are collecting a lot of them along with our precious memories), before returning to the hotel and saying goodbye.  (There have been a lot of these goodbyes, but we don’t mind doing them two or three times if we get the chance to see our friends again.)  We were driven to the hotel by Jojo (accompanied by Medel and Melvin), followed by those riding with Lorie in her vehicle (Lenni, Mhayet, Kenneth and Edsel).  As they drove away, Mhayet leaned out the window and said: “We love you!” 

The Angeles Videoke Crew

    I vaguely recall what the angel Clarence wrote in George Bailey’s Tom Sawyer book at the end of the movie: “It’s a Wonderful life”?  To the best of my presently fading recollection, it was: “Every man is rich who has friends.”  Tonight, we felt very, very rich.  In fact, we have felt that way all week long, from the moment we arrived here.  As we walked upstairs to our room, I said to Brad: “It is going to difficult for me to leave after just six days here.  I can only imagine how you are going to feel as we fly away.”  I’m not sure if that reality has hit Brad yet, but he has always been rather careful and reserved with his emotions (very much unlike his blubbering/tell all father). 

    On a lighter note, I wanted to share an example of how fun it is being here with Brad - just in the every day things going on around us.  (We rely on him for everything, and follow his orders.)  As we were riding in the elevator this morning, a group of five Filipino women got onto the elevator.  Several were fairly young.  They began giggling and laughing, speaking in Tagalog.  Brad responded with something in Tagalog just as we arrived at the first floor.  The girls all got the wide eyed surprised looks on their faces, and scurried off the elevator as it opened.  Their mother followed, stopped, turned to us, rolled her eyes and said: “My daughters.”  As we exited, I asked Brad about the exchange.   He said it went something like this:

    Girl 1 (to her sister): “Hey, that guy standing next to you is really cute.”
    Brad (smiling): “Yeah, I am.”
    All Girls: LOOKS OF SHOCK AND AWE

As the girls congregated in the lobby, they continued talking with each other in their language.  Brad picked up that they were discussing how embarrassed they were from that little experience.  Brad said that happens a lot when the missionaries ride the jypneys (locals talking about them in Tagalog thinking the missionaries don’t understand them).  Just more of the fun we have been experiencing here.