In 1972, I vacationed in Arizona
with Tom.  Behind was the red
charger he once owned.  He loved
chargers.  He had white, light blue
and red.

taken in 1975 in del Rosario
compound in the
Philippines.  Behind me was
the ballet studio of my sister,
Helen.  She gave me this
hand-me-down dress that I
really like.  I think I still have
this dress in the basement.  If
I find it, I'll make a new one
just like it.

I was born in Paete, Laguna, Philippines.  My town was noted for
 

wood carvers and lanzones, a fruit delicacy.  My maiden name was
Lilia del Rosario.  My father was a Professional Electrical Engineer
in Manila, Sorsogon and other parts of the Philippines.  He was a
member of the Board of Directors of the Imus Electric Company
which was then sold to Meralco, the biggest Electric Company in
Manila.  

My mother was Ata Cajumban.  She is the very first graduate from
her hometown, Paete, Laguna.  She finished Bachelor of Science in
Education from the prestigious University of the Philippines.

I graduated as Architect from the University of Santo Tomas in
Manila, Philippines.  I became a Registered Architect in the
Philippines specializing in residences and town planning.  I also
graduated from the Slims School of Couturiers and have a
certificate in Business Clerk Accounting from the Mcdowell
Business School in Chicago.

I immigrated from the Philippines in January, 1971 as a Third
Preference professional designation immigrant.  In March, 1971, I
worked as an artist at Rapid Circular Press where I met Thomas.
He was the Art Director.

From then on, I worked at Northeastern Illinois Planning
Commission, Sargent & Lundy, Chicago Survey Company, etc.  
After I got laid-off from Sekerez and Associates, I decided to work
full-time on my part-time business which is making buckskin
regalias and setting up as vendor at pow wows and other events.

I never realized that I would wind up this way.  I was dreaming of
having an Architectural practice of my own.  Now, I realize that there
is nothing wrong with being an entrepreneur.  

 

My life is like the clouds in the sky...ever-moving, ever-changing, restless, calm, bright and ominous.  I'll never know what the next day hold.  The cloud might grow dark and cast an impending gloom or might brighten up and open the way to a bright sun with its rays meandering to the earth below.  Most of all the clouds of my life are like the Michaelangelo of the firmament.  Look up and see the chariots racing through the sky.  A handsome Adonis holding the helm or a  beautiful goddess floating about as if to fly down and sweep you off your feet.  Sometimes the cloud paint a cinerama of landscape breath-takingly endless.  For whatever it entails, it's a gorgeous world we live in from day to day.

 

Lilia

HOME     LILIA    THOMAS    LORRINA    THOMAS, JR.  

You say, "The world is gloomy. The skies are grim and gray. The night has lost its quiet." You fear the coming day. The world is what you make it; So, make it bright and true; And when you say, "It's gloomy" It isn't the world, its you.

I needed snap shots for my real estate calling card.

By a pond at White Cloud, Michigan 2001

Reception at Lone Tree, Nenita and Bustamante's Wedding, 2005

January 3, 2008, 2:21 PM