#josemmendoza

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A bit of this book is about my maternal grandfather, Lolo "Pito", Col. Jose M. Mendoza (PMA '40). Some of it is from his notebooks, other passages taken from interviews. There's even a passage about the aftermath of the Battle of Bataan. Reading his words, I can still hear his voice telling stories... The funny nicknames each of his brothers in arms had, and how they used to address each other as "Cavalier". My mama mentioned the book on Facebook last week, so of course I had to order one. To me, he was my best pal (aside from Papa, of course), my hopscotch competitor, my book addiction enabler. We'd walk to Orange Julius or 31 Flavors (Coney Island? I forget the name, now) every day for a snack. We'd feed the giant carp in the pond at Greenhills/Shoppesville/Virra Mall. We'd ride the carousel. At night, he would let me poke the moles on his wrinkly skin (I called them "pasas", raisins, because that's what they looked like!) until I fell asleep. We had all manner of inside jokes. He was such a character. I miss him so much. #closerthanbrothers #alfredwmccoy #philippinemilitaryacademy #josemmendoza

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Me and @jomzwi #grandparents #loloatlola #oranditan #nofilter #josemmendoza

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Anyway, I hope you liked my #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday! Here's a sneak peek at next week's. #josemmendoza #anastaciamendoza #oranditan

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This is how I'll always remember him. Big smile. #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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Here he is, checking someone's BP. Just helping out... #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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He had quadruple bypass surgery at USC Medical Center sometime in the 1980's. Don't worry, he lasted a few more years after this. #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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I used to think this was his favorite activity. #naps #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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Hollywood, CA! I'm guessing Clark Gable's handprints. #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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And @surfingpotato -- your mom. #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday #nofilter

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Sometimes his hair was groovy :) @mongomadness you see your dad in there? #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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My great-uncle and -aunt on the left. His arm is around my grandma on the right. #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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These are my favorites... Tiny tiny thumbnails, all... #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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Sometimes I look for him then I see my brother @revolverroach #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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That's him to the left of the tuba. #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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And what I'm guessing is the fifth USS Princeton (CV-37), Essex-class aircraft carrier #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday

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And these planes. I hope that's candy in those canisters... #josemmendoza #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday