My hometown

The only thing constant in this world is change. Something new. Different from the original. It is every body's aim to change for the better and not for the worse. In fact, several things happen everyday unknown to our conscious mind. Simple as it is, but means a lot to others.

I was in my hometown Lazi, to celebrate the holiday. It is very seldom that I had a chance to go back to the place where I grew up, where I spent most of my childhood days due to my work in the city.

Our town had always been a laid back one. Nothing significant had changed. 

Aside from the new stalls erected early this year,the ambiance remained, just the way I see it when I was still a young lad.The century-old church still stands in the heart of the town. Few meters away, is the convent, considered up to this time as the largest in the country. Both edifices survived wars and other calamities. The acacia trees surrounding the town hall and the two other significant landmarks continue to shade the town folks. What makes it peculiar this time is that, christmas lights blanketed its trunk and branches. This was unheard before.

The market although newly renovated started to depreciate in consonance with time .Just a stone throw away from the town plaza, is the center of trade and industry of the town. Jeepneys, mini-buses and motorcycles locally known as "habal-habal" are the main modes of transportation. Private vehicles also roamed the streets, mostly owned by balikbayans, retirees and seafarers.

The lone wharf in town is uninhabited. Not even one vessel docked. Folks say that the ship which solely cater passengers to and from Mindanao is undergoing renovation in Cebu. This however, is operated by a political clan in town.

I only hope by the time I'll have my next vacation , more tangible and concrete changes be made by the local government.

Who's to Blame

The day has come. It was a sunny afternoon, filled with laughter's and giggling inside the van as we travelled south of Cebu, to a mountain resort situated 100 meters above sea level. The family day for the entire office unfolds.

Few days back, we tried to organize the menu for the whole duration of the activity. Hopped from one department store to the other to buy the needed food stuffs. And where else, Carbon market, where one can bargain prices with the vendors. Practically, all kitchen lovers should love the place.

We arrived at the resort, nestled on the lush forest around 3:00 in the afternoon. Checked in our belongings, as we catched our breath, briskly walking to a hill where our cottage was located. Tropical- inspired architecture mixed with a western touch dominated the entire stretch of cottages scattered on the hills like tiny mushrooms.

Got to work for our dinner. I myself, is not a good cook but only a good eater. I only knew simple dishes like sinugba, tinola and prito. But this not bothered me. One of our colleagues is a born chef. Edgar, as he is fondly called is the man of the hour. He takes charge of the kitchen whenever the office needs him. On that very moment I became his instant assistant .Our dinner . Saved by Edgar.

But alas, where's the oil. Unluckily, it was left in the office. Nobody expected that it would be left behind. All items were already packed early that day. What would chef Edgar do? Armed with his expertise, he cut a bit of lechon, crushed them into pieces and dumped it inside the pan. Minutes later, oil dripped from the pork, just enough to serve its purpose. It worked the way he wanted it to be. The day is over.

It was 4:00 in the morning the next day, I felt the room where I slept together with two office mates gets humid and hot. Brownout. Unminding the predicament I got back to sleep. Not until I was awaken by a loud noise coming from somewhere. Still in my sleepy eyes, I checked. It's not the generator which I previously think it was, but the sound turned out to be my roommates snore.

Morning came. I could hear conservations outside the cottage. As I peeped through the window, I could see my colleagues busy preparing the breakfast. Rice now cooked on a small stove. A totally draining one. Using a big container with only minimal fire, guess what? The uncooked rice. Rice cooker paralyzed.

The lucky day never halted. Five kilos of chicken smelled bad. It was overlooked the night before when everybody enjoyed the singing to the oldies and dancing to the beat of the music.

Memorable as it is , it only happened once a year. A time to renew close family ties. Talk as if you're a politician when in fact you are not. Eat as if there's no tomorrow. Drink until the sun and the moon drops. Meditate to strengthen the soul. Everything happens for a reason, waiting to be discovered. But who's to blame when things go wrong..

"Ninong" Again

It all started when a colleague of mine, from a previous employer sent a text if I could be one of the godfathers of her third child. My initial reaction was to inquire the time and schedule of the christening since I had prior commitment on the same day. I have to attend the final rehearsal of our agency presentation for the anniversary. Getting the details of the event, I nodded. It's a blessing as what others say, to be chosen from among the few.

I've last seen her a few months back. We even exchanged messages to keep updated on each others whereabouts. The last time I visited the office where she worked, she just delivered her second baby. How time flies indeed.

She's everyone's favorite to be with. No boring time. She makes the entire office go wild as she speaks to her colleagues. Born to be an entertainer. She's gifted with a magic tongue. In fact, you can easily determine when she's not around. Guess what? Complete silence and monotony in her absence. I should say she is the salt of the sea.

The much awaited day comes. As I tried putting things in place for the event, rain poured so hard. Streets flooded. I informed my friend if I could have a proxy, since I could not guarantee to attend the christening. It's a half hour travel to her house from my abode. Luckily, she found one.

Unexpectedly, she sent me a message that afternoon informing that some of her invited guests did not also make it due to the same circumstance that I have. But one thing for sure, its another challenge for me to live up the trust that my friend has put on my shoulders as their partner in rearing their child. To guide him to be a good citizen and live in the ray of light.

Not to mention the gift during the holiday season.

The perfect gate-away

It was Friday afternoon when we boarded the plane bound for Dipolog City. Eager travellers armed with backpacks rushed through the pre-departure lounge of the airport, waiting for the 2:30 flight. That was November 28, 2008.
 

The plane took off as scheduled and landed at Dipolog airport an hour later. We were met by hotel staffs, waving their hands coupled with beautiful smiles as a sign of welcome. I could smell the fragrance of the garlands as it filled our necks.The staff hung them one after the other . We took pictures. Not an unusual one . Every one's innate feeling of being first timers of the place.
 
Engines start rolling. The vehicle slowly glided along the dusty road. We passed on rice fields which appear very picturesque, rice paddies look healthy in green. No signs of pests were noticed. Several minutes on the trip, I could see the sea on one side and the forest on the other. A beautiful combination of God's masterpiece. My colleagues start taking the usual noontime nap on the vehicle, sweating rapidly. My eyes couldn't retract roaming around to see every detail of the beautiful scenery as we passed by houses and people rushing to their destinations.
 
I felt a sigh of relief as we entered the main gate of the resort. Trees and plants arranged accordingly,to capture every one's eyes. I could hear the waves rushing to the shore. What else? The perfectly shaped swimming pool situated in the heart of the resort, where some vacationers take a plunge on the water. The habitual noise of the insects during twilight. My skin felt the coldness of place, as it is nestled on a thick forest overlooking the sea.

We were welcomed with fresh juices at the lobby of the resort, enough to satisfy our thirst during an almost two hours trip. Briskly walking to our cottage, some meters away from the lobby, is also an exercise.

The day was tiring, yet fulfilling. As we settled down for the next day's adventure on the place, where sand , sea , sky and trees met. A perfect place to unwind from the hassles of the city.