Our late grandfather Joaquin Ortega is the first civil governor of La Union held  office in 1901.  He is married to lola Francisca Lacsamana of Bangar, La Union and they had 14 children. 

In this photo, she and our father, Bisting Ortega are dancing at the ancestral house. He died, not realizing that he would have numerous descendants who would become public servants in the province of La Union. 

The Ortega Clan has produced twins. 

Our parents contributed us twins _ Ma. Luz and Ma. Nila and we proudly call ourselves, the Ortega twins of La Union. 

The late Evaristo Ortega and Rosa Ubaldo Ortega had six children. They are Emily, Manong Steve, Manang Rocio, Flor, Luz and Nila. 

Our papa and mama contributed their own twins and we_ my twin Nila and I became incontrovertible statistics.  We twins were among the 200 sets of twins and triplets who attended the First Festival of Twins held at Intramuros, Manila on  January 22, 2004. The late Sr. Pilar Verzosa, the cousin of Nila’s husband, Pacifico Argel, invited us. Sr. Verzosa belonged to the Religious of the Good Shepherd and founder of Pro-Life Philippines. Wearing identical Balintawak costume, a Filipina dress with butterfly sleeves, in a plaid pattern, we received the Most Colorful Attire Award. 

Ortega twins,  Ma. Luz O. Bolong, ocds and  Ma. Nila O. Argel, Ocds. To my indispensable “Pair” God has made us two leaves in this branch of the tree of life. Two leaves, that dance with the beam of the rays of the sun, and murmur with the trickles of rain. 

The ‘50s had given us the chance to grow and enjoy the mirth of innocence. 

When we were kids, mama and papa made sure people would not mistake us as ordinary sisters. They dressed us like twins_ and our joy and our parents’ were limitless. We were practically inseparable, we shared the same room and bed, went to the same school. 

The ‘60s imbibed in us the thrill of adolescence. High school friends are some of the best friends a person can have. We had fun times with our classmates and coming close to God by joining the religious organizations like Sta. Teresita and Lourdesiana.

The ‘70s unfolded before us the scrolls of responsibility going to school at the University of Santo Tomas. After graduation in 1974, we worked for a while at the National Media Production Center at Intramuros, Manila. 

Mama gave us roots and wings. We flew to Canada where aunt  Lourdes and brother Steve lived. We worked and traveled.  Indeed, it was an enjoyable 2 1/2 years experiencing the four seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall 

Then the waves of the ‘80s rushed in and threw us in unexpected relationships. 

The ‘90s witnessed the growth of a new life cycle with the birth of the children and start of the Sea and Sky Establishments. Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta - Miss International 1964, becoming the first Filipino and Asian to win the title delivers her message to the graduates SASCIANS…. 

God bless! 1999, the Year of God the Father is the start of our persevering discipleship. 

 

Maintain Perspective

Make God your first priority. God is our greatest source of fulfillment and devotion. Bible teaches that after God, spouse then children. Nurtured our children to ripen. 

 

Hot air balloon at Cappadocia, Turkey

Living a balanced life — A mixture of family, apostolate, part-time teaching, travelling, relaxing and making your dreams come true

The duty of Christians to take part in the life of the Church impels them to act as witnesses of the Gospel and of the obligations that flow from it. This witness is a transmission of the faith in words and deeds. Witness is an act of justice that establishes the truth or makes it known. In making God the number one priority in life, He will provide for our daily needs.

 

Baptism Vows Renewal at Yardenit, River Jordan

LEAVING A LEGACY

Our book “In the footsteps of La Madre: Sta. Teresa de Avila” is the greatest legacy that we will leave to our heirs.

Life my dear twin, really goes around and round but full of wonders to be seen. My indispensable pair, my God-given biological pair let us pray that God enkindle in us the warmth of life – and see our fruits mature to witness their own life cycle.