I just love this couple, Marie and Ernie Alcantara. Ernie is originally from Binangonan, while Marie lived in Baguio with her mom (half-Filipina, half-Spanish), and her dad was an American military officer stationed in Clark. It was love at first sight the moment Ernie laid eyes on this beautiful American-Filipina-Spanish mestiza.
Years ago, they invited me to dinner somewhere in Manhattan. I brought along my daughter, our family friend and kababayan Angie, and Oyen’s Fordham classmate also came to join us. We had limited time in New York that was why isinabay na rin namin meet up with Angie and Oyen’s friend. We abused the hospitality of Ernie and Marie. I offered to pay for dinner, pero they refused.
Ernie sold his business at least a year ago, and Marie retired from the United Nations two years ago, and since then, they’ve been enjoying their lives, their way.
They sold their house and moved in with their married son. There’s a carriage house on the property and this gives them space of their own. This is where Marie baby sits their 1 year old apo.
For the rest of the year, count this, eight months, they are gone traveling. And when I say traveling, they have their own unique style. They stay one month in every town or city. True immersion.
They love Spain and are thinking of spending eight months in a year there after they have finished exploring every corner of the world. Ernie’s game plan is to go around Europe first, then exhaust South America, then visit every inch in Asia, then settle down in Spain. But that doesn’t mean they will no longer travel. It will only be a little less intense.
They are in the Philippines for three months and would be back in the US in a few days, not to go home, but to join a Bahamas cruise, then they will spend two weeks in Texas with Marie’s older sister.
And sobra akong bilib sa kanila. They rent a car, and drive across America. That is something Edmund and I will probably never be able to do. Siguro if we had started younger. But we were never the adventurous type.
I was crazy busy and they too, were traveling here and there. Dami nilang napuntahan sa Pilipinas, They’ve been to so many places in the Philippines even I haven’t visited. Tamad talaga kami mag-explore sa Pilipinas.
Despite their busy schedule, we were able to catch up today. I picked them up from Red Planet Hotel in BGC, then we had lunch at Canton Road in Shangri-La at the Fort. Hindi na daw sila puwedeng masyadong maraming kain, so we only ordered a few dishes.
The chilled mango sago is elevated. I can finish ten bowls of this.
When I made the reservation, I requested a small slice of cake or dessert with “Happy Anniversary” written on it. I’m not even sure when their anniversary is, but I’m sure it’s sometime in 2026, right?
Never lose the chance to celebrate every occasion. And if there’s no occasion, create one.
So eto!
Advanced happy anniversary to Ernie and Marie.
I am sure by the time you read this post, Marie and Ernie are already on a cruise to the Bahamas, drinking and dancing.
part of our bucket list as well (when the kids are done with school at least) is to be able to go anywhere we want 🙂 hopefully we’d still be able to do that
That’s a good plan. I am sure that time will come and you and your wife will have a good time exploring places. Let’s keep our faith. Basta tahimik ang mundo at malakas pa tayo, just go go go!
God has been good so were definitely keeping the faith Ms Annie
That’s great.