I had a long post planned today, then my laptop took a 3 and a half foot swandive onto a hardwood floor.  Plus I have a plane ride to Mindanao to catch.  As I found out from my mom, my parents actually got married twice.  Once for the paperwork in Manila and then a ceremony outside Davao on Mindanao Island in the southern part of the Philippines.  At the last minute, I flipped a flight around to swing in for two days.  Unfortunately, Mindanao isn’t exactly the vacation getaway it was back then.  Now, due to multiple terrorist attacks, the State Dept and others warn Westerners to steer clear or at least watch your backside.  I’ll be in the “safer” part, but still want to keep my head on a swivel.  (Couldn’t they have made it easier on me and gotten married in Bermuda or something?  Sheesh).

Anyway, I’ve got a lot more to talk about re: Manila.  I just don’t have time at the moment.  I will say this…it was a busy last 24 hours…capped by a wild gambling circuit of Manila with a couple cabbies.  I’ll fill you in on this, my old man’s Manila haunts and Bet #3 tomorrow.