I wanted to share a little memory about my friend Gigi aka Virginia Gonzaga Salapong. Yesterday morning she passed and I lost a great friend.

The first time I heard from Gigi she was asking about making a trip down to Rockport to see the Whooping Cranes. She also talked quite a bit about her desire to travel to New Mexico to see the cranes at Bosque del Apache NWR. She was so excited about going to see the cranes and the whole time I knew Gigi she talked about Bosque.

I helped her learn about her camera and photography in general; she was such an enthusiastic student. Gigi was constantly reading about cameras and birds and was always excited for any opportunity to use her camera and see birds. She also constantly shared her love of food while whoever was birding with her. Gigi had such a generous spirit.

Eventually we made a trip down to Choke Canyon State park with some of her other friends and it was an amazing experience. We photographed a variety of birds including the beautiful Green Jay and many other Rio Grande Valley specialties and also had a chance to take a boat ride to photograph the magnificent Whooping Cranes. Gigi and her friend Christina brought along a variety of food from the Philippines which we enjoyed at every meal. I thoroughly enjoyed the adobo!

We also made numerous trips, often with our friend Rosmary, to birding locations all over the Houston area. I know Gigi was particularly fond of Bolivar Flats. I’ll never forget one morning, out on the flats, when a Tricolored Heron walked right up to Gigi and proceeded to catch fish in the water just a few feet away. Gigi was absolutely beaming with joy.

Eventually the big day came and we made a trip to Bosque del Apache along with Kate and Alan. It was an amazing trip with tons of beautiful birds and a wide variety of weather. I don’t think we could have asked for more. I know Gigi had so much fun and it brought me so much joy watching her experience all New Mexico had to offer. What an absolute blessing it was. For sure it is a trip I will never forget. It’s hard to believe it was less than two months ago.

Just before I left for Cuba, I got to meet a friend of Gigi’s named Bobby. The three of us had a marvelous time birding around Houston. What a joy it was to be able to share the birds with such enthusiastic people and learn so much about the Philippines and Philippine culture from them. For sure one of the gifts that Gigi always gave me was all of her stories about growing up in the Philippines, I feel like I learned so much about the place and the people. Those days with Gigi and Bobby were perfect, we all had so much fun and of course, since Gigi was involved, excellent food!

I can’t believe that only a few days later Gigi would have a stroke. It has been very difficult for me to accept what has happened and I think one of the main things that brings me peace about the whole thing is the memories that I have from our time together and the knowledge that Gigi always lived life to the max. Gigi always had so many plans, not the least of which was to visit Japan to see the cranes there. I’m so thankful that I was able to help her realize some of her dreams.

Gigi, I’ll never be able to look at a crane in the same way again! Until we meet again!