Claire Siguenza Arrazola

La Habra, California

Name: Claire Siguenza Arrazola; Sex: Male; Pen Name: Ernie Lombardi; Date of Birth: November 13, 1923, Malate, Manila Philippines; Parents: Mario P. Arrazola (deceased) and Julia Siguenza (deceased); Spouse: First Marriage: Ma. Luisa Bactat-Arrazola, July 5, 1945; Children: Mario, Remedios Bondick, Carmelita Medina, Cesar, Cynthia (deceased), Noel, Edenita Kay, Arnel, and Claro Jr., Second Marriage: Lydia Bael-Arrazola, November 13, 1979; Children: Charlene, Jerome and Catherine; Education: Malate Primary School (1930-1931), San Andres Elementary School ( 1931-1937), Araullo High School (1937-1940), Far Eastern University (1947-1952) Graduated on April 6, 1952 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism; Current/Former occupation: Retiree and a veteran of World War II, Former employee of U.S. federal government (1946-1953), As a newspaperman - Staff member of Barrio Courier (1957-1958), Assistant project editor - Manila Daily Bulletin (1955-1960), Supplement editor on special projects - Philippines Herald (1971-1972), Publicity writer - feature writer - PR executive - J. Walter Thompson, Company (Philippines) and Lexington International Public Relations, Inc. (1960-1971). Has written more than 1,000 feature articles, news features and stories published in 40 different newspaper, magazines and journals in English of general circulation in the Philippines, including Pilipinas Times (California), Philippine News (California) and The American Numismatic Magazine. Other Writings: Has written five books: Love Me Forever, The Calendar of Events (Vols I & II), To You, Here I Come, Prayers and Flowers, I Shall Wait For You. Personal or Philosophical Statement: I have wholeheartedly dedicated all my writings to all my children in particular and to the young writers in general of this generation. It is my earnest hope and fervent prayer that readers will allow my words, my feelings and my journalistic images be appreciated, recognized and enjoyed throughout the world. Additional Note: I have been naturalized as a U.S. citizen in Honolulu, Hawaii on July 8, 1992.

A Love Sonnet

Twilight breaks and bleak memories linger
Past moments of unforgettable day
Soft unspoken love we shared together
Dew drops on green grass in the month of May.
Orphaned so early in the course of love
Promises, appointments, dates to recall
Like a fleeting dream, like a flying dove
To echo the true love we used to fall.
Fair you sublime, with your incessant smile
Beauty - the word that guides your destiny
Unaware of your soft malingering style
Caressed by a keen man's perpetuity
Our new life commencing this Hallowed Day
A Father, bless us now to thee we pray.

By-Gone Memories

Let your divine, everlasting love live
Under my throbbing heart, and
In the midst of our vow, let it
Shine all the days of our life
And you shall never forget our past.

Pale is thy face of jealousy
And sometimes sad and weary
Let us live in this world of happiness
And enjoy the sweetness of our affection for
Death alone is the end of our love.

But darling, you are above all other women
And because of your dear warm kiss to me
Cannot change the true love
That was born in my heart
Ah love! let it stand still
Till the end of time.

What Is Life?

Life is the sum of experiences and actions characterized
By a person's existence.
It distinguishes animals and plants being
Manifested by growth and a period of
Animate existence to environment.

It is a biography; a mode or
Manner among living individuals
And therefore, capable of reproduction like living
Things collectively.