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BENFICA said:
Jay,
Contact Jeff, AZ name is Masirib5. He just retired there from my neck of the woods and he is an awesome person.
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Great news Jay!! Glad to hear that all is well....Phhheewwww!!

Jeff mentined above is a super nice guy. He is in Makati. Hit him up and play some pool!
 
jay helfert said:
I am here now after a VERY long trip. Bunny and Jalo came to my hotel. I was SOOOO happy to see my little baby. She is fat and healthy Thank God! She didn't remember me at first but after a while started to warm up to Papa. We went shopping for supplies and I bought the store out. :smile:

I feel so much better right now, without a thought about the task ahead. My baby is healthy and that is the most important thing in the world to me. Tomorrow we get new passport photos and head to the Embassy.

I bought a wading pool for the neighborhood kids and they are all playing in it as I write this. The smiling faces and laughter made me feel great. It's all worth it now. Somehow all the anxiety has melted away. Jalo is fine and I'm elated. I'm in my second home with my second family.

Thank you, Thank you for all your support! I'll keep you posted. Heck, I feel like playing pool tonight. There is a big room near my hotel called Players. I don't think I could miss a ball right now!
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glad to hear things are going well and you baby girl is healthy.
 
You speak volumes with few words

smokey said:
you are amazing to me...

why?

because there is nothing i admire more than unshielded honesty

this thread is clearly that

and for the record, i have only been around here a few years. i don't say much. i did more when smorgie was here to bring his humor to all the ills of azb [imo]. but now, i don't have anything to offer really, however i will say this...

to me: you are one of the GREATS of POOL and AZB

i really enjoy tapping you on the shoulder just to say 'hi' at the tournaments here and enjoy your company for a time. and also, watching you work the tournaments too.

i said what i wanted to say for a long time, but i want to add now...

i wish you Best of Luck for what you need to accomplish in the Pi for Jalo and your kind heart

have a Good Ride my friend...

and Best to you,
smokey
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Smokey-

thanks for saying so well what so many of us here think about Jay-he's the real deal and for sure one of the good guys around this game-or any other.

Take care

3railkick
 
jay helfert said:
I am here now after a VERY long trip. Bunny and Jalo came to my hotel. I was SOOOO happy to see my little baby. She is fat and healthy Thank God! She didn't remember me at first but after a while started to warm up to Papa. We went shopping for supplies and I bought the store out. :smile:

I feel so much better right now, without a thought about the task ahead. My baby is healthy and that is the most important thing in the world to me. Tomorrow we get new passport photos and head to the Embassy.

I bought a wading pool for the neighborhood kids and they are all playing in it as I write this. The smiling faces and laughter made me feel great. It's all worth it now. Somehow all the anxiety has melted away. Jalo is fine and I'm elated. I'm in my second home with my second family.

Thank you, Thank you for all your support! I'll keep you posted. Heck, I feel like playing pool tonight. There is a big room near my hotel called Players. I don't think I could miss a ball right now!
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Wow, this post made my day.:D There's nothing like the love of a little baby girl to melt Papa's stress away. I can see those kids playing in the pool too! If only we all could be made happy so easily.:smile:

Best wishes Jay for a safe and happy return home for you and Jalo.

Mike
 
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Jay, I wish you and Jalo all the best and hope that you are successful bringing your baby home. She'll be in good hands.
 
You guys are the GREATEST! I'm so fortunate to know all of you! I feel blessed with my AZ family. Last night I crashed about ten and slept for 12 hours straight. I woke up well rested and went out to get some breakfast for Bunny, Jalo and me. I also bought a couple of toys for Jalo. A little talking Spongebob, which she won't let go of, and a soap bubble thing. She went crazy when I started blowing big bubbles her way. We must have played together for over an hour and her laughter fills my heart with joy. I'm a very lucky man today and I know it. Just to see her healthy after such a close call only a few short weeks ago. That's enough for me.

Traffic is a nightmare and we got stuck in a cab for more than an hour, trying to go only a few miles. The line for passport photos was another long, long wait. I'm on filipino time now so no need to try to hurry. The Embassy isn't going anywhere and it can wait. I'm enjoying myself too much right now, but I've told Bunny that we MUST get Jalo her American passport. That alone makes her a U.S. citizen, and free to travel abroad. It is also an opportunity for Bunny to come along. Much easier for her to get a Visa if she has an American child. We are on the same page, thank God.

Once again the filipino people are wonderful, so friendly and accommodating. It's funny that I'm more concerned about dealing with Americans working in the Embassy. They have a lot of power over here to help you or hurt you. I'm kind of at their mercy. There is no where else to go to prove Jalo's citizenship. But I will soon find out if this is going to continue to go smoothly or not. I doubt they are open on the weekend so I will try to get in there tomorrow if I don't need an appointment. I have lots of paperwork yet to fill out because I have questions that need answers.

Thanks again all. I'll keep you posted. My Jalo odyssey has just begun.
 
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Very happy to hear things are going well, Jay.
Sounds like the pool gods are smiling on you and little Jalo.
Good luck.
 
Being a real dad and providing real love is THE most important thing a man can do in his life. That's the one thing that makes the world a better place and that's what we all should be trying to do... one person at a time making another person feel loved. That is the only thing in life that is truly important.
 
Keep the report of your progress coming Jay, it should like you have made some headway to getting your family to the USA.
 
Jay,

So at this time, are you playing on bring your bebe back to the US, or just getting her a US passport "just in case"?

Russ
 
Russ Chewning said:
Jay,

So at this time, are you playing on bring your bebe back to the US, or just getting her a US passport "just in case"?

Russ
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Russ, my plan remains the same. I want to bring Jalo to live in the USA. She is very attached to her mother, so it will be better if she comes also. Jalo has a large extended family here, many little cousins who dote on her. I am taking photos and will post a few when I return. Now that I am here and see the situation for myself I don't feel the urgency I did. My goal this trip is to get Jalo her U.S. passport. That is the big step to getting her home with me. It is up to Bunny to get her Philippine passport, which she does not have yet. With an American child, getting her visa will not be as hard I am told.

Yesterday I was riding a jeepney and saw a small poolroom on the street (Arnaiz) in Pasay. I told the driver to stop and I walked over to the room, which was open to the outside. They had two Kangeroo tables, a common brand here. Very fast worn cloth and some sketchy rolls. I said I wanted to play someone and they got the owner for me. In these little places it is almost always the owner who plays the best. It was stifling hot and I was sweating up a storm but happy to have a game. I borrowed a cue and we began with some Rotation. No surprise here. It is 10p a game, with no bet yet. I'm sure you all know how difficult it is to adapt to a strange table and playing with a strange cue. But I was up for the challenge. I love to test myself.

The owner (Randy) was a short fat guy who played extremely well on his tables. I tried to outsmart and outmove him but I just couldn't get the speed down. He moved the cue ball very well and beat me 5-2 playing Rotation. Then we played 9-Ball and it was more of the same. Another 5-2 loss. By the way, the little poolroom was packed inside and outside with people watching the game, laughing and joking. When I did manage to win a game they cheered me. It was obvious Randy was THE MAN in Pasay.

After this I was feeling thoroughly beaten. It was clear I had no chance playing this guy any rotation game. I was wishing I brought my cue now. But at least I knew not to gamble with him. I'm sure he would have been willing. I still had the nerve to tell him I thought there were two games he couldn't beat me at. He just smiled at me. I told him we could play some One Pocket or some Banks. I told him his countryman Efren was the best in the world at One Pocket, so I knew he could play. He refused, but seemed interested in Banks, since he was making most of his in the earlier games. I explained short rack banks to him and he agreed to a game. This was a totally different story now. I was in control and he was the fish out of water. The table banked really long but I knew that already. I banked two my first turn and started feeling confident. He got one back, and I got a one and then a two to win in about seven or eight innings. I was right. He couldn't win at this game. He was a little embarrassed now in front of his crew, so he did the logical thing. He quit.

I had stripped down to my shorts with no shirt or shoes to play. It is the most comfortable way to play in this heat. Truly old school pool! I felt right at home. Randy was (un)dressed just like me. When we got done with the Banks, I got dressed and paid him for the ten games I lost (100p) and took off. Before leaving I told them I would be back. I made some new friends in that little room yesterday. I feel like I want to play in every little room like this in Manila. I might need another fifty years though. There must be literally thousands of them in this huge city.
 
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Jay, the nite before you left, you Greg Sullivan and I had a chat. We talked a lot about helping some guys out but you never mentioned your own dilemma. I wish you had. We have a mutual friend who is touring with Manny Pacquiao. Danny P.
They are good friends.
Manny has left for Manila after his fight in Texas. Danny will be there soon. He also has a young child in Cebu. If you like I can get Danny to get in touch with you. Maybe his relationship with Manny can help facilitate things faster for you. Let me know.
Keone
 
I try to imagine what it must be like in a city like that but I have no experiential foundation from which to form any kind of real feeling for it. Never been in tropical conditions. But your stories do form a picture for me. Thanks.

Jalo/Bunny/you are all in a tough position. The family and love where she is vs. the opportunities of the states and life with you. Such a push/pull situation.
 
I was in the navy in 69-70,based in Alongapo. I know about the heat over there. It was quite a "culture shock" for a kid from Montana. Thanks for the posts Jay. Glad to hear good news.
 
There must be literally thousands of them in this huge city.
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Jay, your right. If you want to have a long story on the game of pool, then you are on the right place my friend. I know that place in Arnaiz. I'm glad that you enjoy here in my country. I know its hard for you, specially the condition of the weather, its to hot here right now..My fellow countrymen suffers very severe drought.
All are wishing to have a rain..:grin-square:..
Anyway, good luck to your journey.
More power and God Bless

Al
 
Keep the great stories coming Jay, & work on you mission to bring you family back the the USA, and good luck to you.
 
jay helfert said:
I had stripped down to my shorts with no shirt or shoes to play. It is the most comfortable way to play in this heat. Truly old school pool! I felt right at home. Randy was (un)dressed just like me. When we got done with the Banks, I got dressed and paid him for the ten games I lost (100p) and took off. Before leaving I told them I would be back. I made some new friends in that little room yesterday. I feel like I want to play in every little room like this in Manila. I might need another fifty years though. There must be literally thousands of them in this huge city.
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Surprise! You would find new friends on an asteroid.
I hope everthing works out with Jalo.She's acquiring a lot
of god-parents on AZ.
By the way....i'm curious....when you play in the fresh air....
do you get better at out-side english?
 
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