When you did something right, no one remembers..., but when you did something wrong, would anyone forget ???
---Chris Bona...That pretty much sums up his outlook in life and work. It's true, but that's just human nature.
Married to the former Elisa Hinahon, (33) from Olongapo City,.... tall, tan and handsome Chris (38) has 2 beautiful daughters--Criszel Paula (9), and Crisangela Joi (19 months, brand new!)...continuing the Filipinos age-old tradition of giving their kids, two first names derived from either parents or close relatives. Lisa, as she is popularly known in SS, was one of the finalists in Binibining Pilipinas contest in 1988. Wow! Beauty and Brains!! How lucky can Chris be? apparently, a whole lot! They both attended the same private school - St Joseph Catholic elementary and high. As growing adolescents, they never paid attention to each other then, but 8 years later..... when Chris rode the trusted public transport - jeepney, he saw Lisa in it... he couldn't believe his eyes! "She looked so different (i.e. drop-dead gorgeous?!) from the Lisa I knew when we were in grade and high school!", he said. Lisa, on the other hand, didn't recognize her ex-classmate in the jeep, and she was having morbid thoughts, that Chris could be a rapist or kidnapper---judging by the way he looked at her that day! To make the story short, they both clicked and double-clicked and the rest was just as promising. Now they're here in Naples, Italy.....a vivere la dolce vita!
Q: What do you do in the Navy?
CB: I am a communications satellite operator and also a computer system administrator.
Q: That job pays good in the civilian world, do you plan to get out?
CB: I retire in a few years, might as well stick with this and get more experience.
Q: Where are you from originally?
CB: I grew up in Olongapo. My dad is a retired US Navy from Burgos, Pangasinan and my mum is from Sta Cruz,
Zambales. They speak Ilocano, me? a little..
Q: Re: Lisa, was it love at first sight?
CB: Man, do you believe in love at first sight? from the moment I laid eyes on her, I did not let go..never allowed
my eyes to wander away ever since. (jap - have you seen Penelope Cruz lately??? just kidding, go ahead...)
hahahahaha, okay....November of 1995, I left Philippines, and went to Germany to visit my brother at
Ramstein AFB. I stayed there for seven months before I joined the Navy. We had no communication then
whatsoever. Year 1988 when I had the chance to come back to PI and I attended my brother's wedding.
Lisa and I saw each other for the second time, and there was really magic! April of 1989 when she
immigrated to the United States, in San Diego to be with her family, she had to miss the final cut for Binibining
Pilipinas contest then. A lot ensued, suffice to say, in September of 1989, we took our vows and got married.
Q: Whats your favorite _expression/phrase in Tagalog or English?
CB: Anak ng pating!.(trans: sonuva jaws???)
Q: Whats your fave: Filipino food? American food? Italian?
CB: Fil: Beef Kaldereta and Pinakbet, Amer: Steaks and Lobster, Ital: Pizza
Q: What profession/s other than the present one, would you like to attempt?
CB: Computer Engineer or Pilot, flying an aircraft, that excites me the most.
Q: What job would you not like to participate in?
CB: Medical profession, or anything dental, that's just not my cup of tea.
Q: Whats the greatest challenge Filipino youth face today?
CB: They need to really learn how to value Filipino culture, especially younger generations, they have their own
little "thing". I was raised in a middle class family wherein my parents still introduced us to all of their old time
traditions and whatnot.
Q: As Sgt-at-Arms of FAN, what do you think we should focus on as an association?
CB: I believe we should communicate better to our group. Emails are ok, but some don't have computers at
home. We have to continue our newsletter for these folks. My intention when I joined this club was to be
able to explore different leadership skills and ideas and at the same time, of course, to be able to help others
especially the needy in the community.
Q: Any last words?
CB: I thank you for this opportunity and I like what you are doing---introducing new people to the fold, but will
you do interviews for Filipino-Americans other than the officers of FAN? (jap- that's in the works, but lemme
do the current officers first, then perhaps the other "pillars" of our society next?!)
Chris Bona has spoken his mind...Unlike others, the ones never for toeing the association line, Chris and Lisa continues on with their life here in Italy adapting, changing and promoting pakikisama in our neighborhood. On the subject of chismis and intrigas, of whom the Bonas have been reserved in their assessment, they just shy away from the discussion preferring not to stir the pot even more, but admittedly said that they would act asap when needed as peacemakers. Members, heed their plea---Make peace! It's the right thing to do....then hopefully, some if not all, remembers...
