Talavera (September 15, 2005)

    Talavera is located about 30 minutes south of San Isidro.  Upon our arrival there, we first met with Joel, a young man preparing to serve a full-time mission who Brad worked with often.  Joel was very gracious - and even spoke to us in English (in between all the Tagalog chat with Brad) - which was nice.  He said to Maralea and me: “Your son was a very good missionary.  He helped me a lot, gave me lots of advice.”  Joel asked Brad about whether he would be “getting an interview” with some female Filipino television star in Manila, Angel Locsin, (something that was apparently to be scheduled by a member in Angeles - a first discussion, I believe).  Brad said: “Wow, how did you hear about that out here?”  (LDS Filipino rumor mill, perhaps?)  Unfortunately for Brad, it looks like the desired interview won’t be taking place, because we are not all that sure about our schedule and, well let’s face it, Angel is a very busy woman.  Joel talked of changes in the Talavera Ward (splitting it into three branches), and got Brad up to speed on other local news.  Joel and Brad exchanged contact information, after which Joel walked us to the car, put his arm around Brad, and said goodbye - with tears in his eyes.

Brad and Joel Barcelon - Talavera

    Our last visit of the day was at the home of Nanay Ariel and her family.  Sister Ariel came into the room, saw Brad, started immediately crying, opened her arms and said: “My son!”  Sister Ariel said that she was first introduced to the Church about two years before meeting Brad.  She said to us in her best English: “Your son was a great missionary.  He made me want to learn more about the Church.  He speaks the language so well, and is so nice.”  She was baptized after Brad and his companion taught her.  (She also mentioned that the ward has not had a piano player since Brad was transferred from the area, which has given her the desire to learn to play the piano.)  We met Sister Ariel’s son, Arnel, and his daughters Ni Aynrand (age nine), who is getting baptized on October 1st, and younger sister Aneth.  Sister Ariel said that she has been very happy since her baptism.  She said to Maralea: “I thank you for your son.”  We had a very pleasant visit, with Brad going on (and on) in Tagalog.  I made repeated attempts to gives cordial greetings in the language, but Brad says I rarely pronounce anything right.  (He’ll now have the chance to teach me.)  Sister Ariel wanted a picture taken with Maralea and me.  Just as Brad was ready to take the picture, she threw her arms around Maralea.  It made for a great picture.  Aneth asked Sister Ariel why Maralea’s hair “is like that” (blonde, wavy/frizzy).  Seriously, this humidity really makes her hair go crazy.  We said our goodbyes to Sister Ariel and her family, with more hugs and promises to stay in touch.  Sister Ariel stood outside her home waving and watching us until we were out of sight.  She is a sweet, and very good hearted woman, with a beautiful family. 

With Ariel family - Talevera

Brad with Arnel Ariel - Talavera

Brad with Ayrand,Aneth Ariel - Talavera

Brad and his Nanay - Talavera

    One of the families Brad taught and baptized, the Paez family, moved so we were unable to connect with them.  We may still be able to locate them and visit while we are here.  We made our way back to Angeles in the dark of night.  That’s a “good news/bad news” situation here. The good news is there is less traffic.  The bad news is that numerous vehicles travel without headlights, and people walking along side the road are much harder to see (and they don’t really make an effort to get out of the way).  But, Edward is a champ of a driver.  He said he’s never had a citation or an accident - and that’s saying something here (not so much the citation part as the accident part of the equation).  (I should add, however, that if they kept stats for near accidents, including close call head on collisions - of which I was a personal witness on several occasions - Edward’s record probably would be less than stellar.)

    I noticed something about Brad the past couple days.  When he talks with locals in Tagalog, he has all these mannerisms and makes sounds that I’ve never seen him make before.  He doesn’t do it when he speaks English (or at least with us).  I told Brad about this and he had not idea he was doing it (like making clicking noises at certain points during a conversation in Tagalog, animated hand gestures).  I noticed that other locals do it, too.  I have some of these conversations on videotape, so the proof is there in living color.  It was further evidence of how much Brad has become a part of the local culture.  He has clearly thrown himself into the Lord’s work - which is appreciated by those who have worked with him.