My top 10 thank you’s from the Flying House
I pretty much grew up in Philam Homes. Been living here since I was 11 (I think).
I left the village when I got married in 2004. Lived in a condo unit in Pioneer with Acel for our first year. Moved to a little 2 bedroom little pink house in Pasig the year after that and stayed there for four years. Then Ondoy happened in 2009 that brought us all of a sudden back full-circle back to Philam Homes in QC — but this time to a posh and somewhat newly built fancy townhouse we like to call the “Flying House”.
So, tonight’s our last night in our “Flying House” in Quezon City. Tomorrow at 8am a huge moving truck is gona come over and take all our stuff to the tiny cute and cozy little “Zen” house on the outskirts of Metro Manila, in Antipolo City.
After our 2009 Ondoy experience with our Pink house in Pasig, we’ve had such a fabulous 15 months. Too many to list all them down but I’d like to just make some thank-you’s in this post.
1. Thanks to my dad Bert van Ommen — for footing the 75% of our rent and letting us stay in a place of such “luxury” compared to the life he currently lives working from a container truck and going to bed in a makeshift home without adequate electricity or water in the little tiny African town of Juba, Southern Sudan this whole time.
2. Thanks to my brother Jonny — for convincing my dad to foot 75% of our monthly rent. It was fun having you in Manila! Great things ahead for you in Holland as long as you stay focused little big brother! We love you!
3. Thanks to lots and lots of friends and family (too many to name) from all over the world and nearby as well who gave so much to contribute to the new furniture, dining utensils etc after Ondoy when we first moved to the Flying House. Thanks especially to Lynn! We love eating off of your plates!
4. Thank to Mrs. Cruz and her family from Bulacan. Thanks for allowing us to stay in your lovely townhouse over the year!
5. To Susan — our trusted and lovely extra help at home. Thanks so much for your love and care for our family. You’ve given so much over the years and watched us all grow up. We’re praying that God will bless you more in the months and years to come where ever you are.
6. To Cheche (pronounced Chichi) — You’ve got more work to do now! heheh. Kain ka ng gulay.
7. To Cotton — for boarding with us. Our only regret is we didn’t teach you proper potty training to show you how to be that classy Pomeranian dog you are.
8. To Yeng … (and Tinay and Toto too). Yes, totoo “van Ommen” kana kahit may tattoo kana ;) Si Toto meron din totoong tattoo? Sorry couldn’t resist. Hit me. - Mahal ka namin!!! :)
9. To the Thursday group — thanks for all the food every week! You all know who you are.
10. To all our friends and family who visited us at the Flying house this year. Frequent visitors, first time visitors, folks from the other side of the world, and people who just walked in that we didn’t really know. Thanks for warming up the house. It was indeed a lot of fun.
11. Yes, there is a number 11 — Thanks to all the folks I invited for dinners and stuff that never ever once had the ability to show up. No I’m not bitter. Hey QC is “far” I totally understand. You guys can visit us in Antipolo this year. :) :)
That’s it!
Enjoy Tashi’s tour of Philam Homes in the video below. I had many fun afternoons with him like this one. Gona miss the little Indian kid we just met at the football field too.
If the video doesn’t show up see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx973ST3Acw
