A Cup o' Kapeng Barako 

(Editor's Notes: We decided to change the article's title, as indeed the achievements in broadcasting of our columnist's son deserve to be the focus and not just his birthday. We congratulate the Jose Family for Chris' success in American broadcasting. Yes, Jesse, Chris is your son, in whom you are well pleased--to use a Biblical phrase.) 

I have some good news. It’s about my son, Chris, a broadcast journalist for CBS News Channel 5 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Good news to good friends and supportive relatives, that is. But NOT too good, I am sure, to sour grapes, would-be friends and green-eyed kin.

My wife got hold of the news first. From work, she called me and said, "Yung anak mo, katatawag lang, nanalo na naman ng dalawang award."

"Which one?" I asked, pride and excitement rising in me.

"Ang galing naman," I said. "He just started working there . . ."

"I know. Kasi mana sa akin," my wife said. It’s true, I thought.

"At saka, kamukha pa ng mama niya. O, di ba?" my wife added. Buti na lang, I also thought. For true indeed, my wife is a looker. Sexy pa.

So, upon hearing the news from our son, my wife told the whole world about it . . . and within seconds, thanks to modern technology, the whole world knew about it, too.

She heralded the news this way:

"Hi …

"I would just like to share our joy. Chris was awarded two prizes by the Wyoming Broadcasters Association. He won the 'Best News Story,' and the 'Best Newsbreaking Story.' We are so proud of this boy."

And I, on my part, heralded the news this way: I forwarded what my wife wrote and then wrote in this brief note.

"Hello Everybody …

"Just some good news to share with. Take care y’all . . ."

From Wyoming, to Washington, to Chicago, to Canada, to Florida, to New York and California . . . all the way to the Philippines, the news traveled and crisscrossed. Twice. Perhaps, even thrice, because I am sure, my wife’s sister and Chris’s aunt, Sister Grace Marie of the Carmelite Monastery in Seattle, heralded the news, too. Yes, perhaps, even all the way to Rome . . . and to all the angels in heaven, who watch over my son.

My brother, Soc, an assistant movie producer, screenwriter and director in the Philippines, wrote back:

"Dear Kuya …

"Your pride is contagious! It spilled over here. Congrats, Chris! Soc."

Many wrote back to us. Maribel’s friends, my friends, kin and clans and relatives, sharing in our joy. My Bestpren, Yoly, said something about DNA’s. One said something about "the PROOF is in the pudding." Another said something about "FRUITS not falling too far from the tree."

Whatever . . . 

Here’s the proof and the DNA . . . and the fruit. Punch on your computer screen: www.kgwn.tv. Then click on the left hand side that says "Meet the Team," and you’ll see the photos of the CBS 5 Wyoming team. Click on my son’s photo … and therein you’ll read this: