Ang Lumang Bahay sa Kanto

Ito ang lumang bahay sa kanto. Bahay ng mga pinsan ng lolo at lola ko.

Nung bata pa kami ng kapatid at mga pinsan ko, dito kami naglalaro.
Dito ako tinuturuan ni Tiya Ursing ng piano noon pero mas gusto kong maglaro kaya hindi ko na rin naipag-patuloy.

Isang bahay na maraming aso. Isang beses muntik na makagat ang bunsong kapatid ko. Maraming puno ng atis dito. Bayabas, balimbing, at may isang malaking puno ng langka. Sa tuwing mahihinog ang mga bunga,nag-uunahan at nag-aagawan kami sa pagkuha.

Dito kami tinuruan ng mabuting asal - na dapat matutong makibagay sa iba, na dapat marunong magpasalamat sa mga biyayang nakukuha. Na kahit minsan mahirap ang buhay, dapat laging may ngiti, dapat laging masaya.

Ngayon, wala na ang lumang bahay sa kanto. Ang natitira na lamang ay pira-pirasong kahoy at yerong kalawangin. Ngunit kahit na wala na ang bahay at ang lahat ng aking mahal sa buhay ay isa-isa ng lumisan, hindi mabubura sa aking isip ang mga alaala ng aking kabataan.

A Trip, Baler, and Closure

We both knew two things could happen when we agreed to be in this trip: either it brings us closer, or we go home hating each other. The moment I got on the bus, I'm certain the latter was not on my 'to do list'. I wanted to go to that place for one reason: to find closure.

It was, for me, the perfect timing to make peace with myself, to be able to face you with no shame, and to give 'you and me' one big full stop. This is a part of the 'I am finally moving on' phase.

There were lapses and awkward moments, same as those ones we never successfully addressed. And just like the first time, we just let it pass and continue dealing with our shit. There were times when I wanted to leave and go back to city. But I didn't. Maybe if I were the old me, I would've stormed out and you won't notice. But I didn't. Because I committed to this trip the same way I promised to achieve good friendship with you.

So I was like, "What the hell? I am in effing Baler! I'll brave the waves and go surfing!"

As we headed back to the city, I realized, that yes, I guess you're right. That we went there for a purpose. This is a reward for what we've achieved and what we have to share in the coming days. Our prize for a job well done - leaving the painful past, for a bright, happy one.

Closure.

And whether this trip brought us together or made us feel apart, isn't important anymore.

For wherever we go, inside our backpacks, you carry a part of me, and I carry a part of you.


Not bad for our first trip, pal.
And cheers! For more.


- C

The Flip-flops Adventures: A Stormy Weekend in La Luz

It was a stormy long weekend but the bad weather did not stop us crazy beach bums from celebrating Jap and Bea’s birthday!



And more than that, it was a celebration of us being able to get through the rough times of our lives and reminding us that rain or shine, good friends are always there.



We left the place with this in our hearts and minds: The storm may be hard, but the sun will always shine. Bigger, brighter.

A Not So Scary Siquijor

You know the stories.
They say you wouldn’t get out of the place alive.
The ‘aswangs’ will eat your internal organs.
And if you’re a virgin, you will be offered in one of their rituals.

These are the things playing in my mind as I pack my things for my Siquior trip. I was both excited and, yeah, a bit scared.
And then, a question. Are they for real?

Growing up, I was not really that kid who feared ‘aswangs’. I heard a lot of stories about them, most were told by my late Lolo Polo and Lola Bemven. I watched a lot of films about them, too. Shake, Rattle and Roll? I’ve seen all of the installments. But none of them gave me a fright. Maybe because I really didn’t believe in one. And more than the lousy horror effects and musical scoring, the part I enjoyed the most is the protagonists’ struggle to kill the vicious monster. Oh how I laughed at their scared faces.

On my way to the island, I wondered, what if in my stay in Siquijor, I’d be one of those poor guys in these horror films? The thought of my flesh being torn into pieces and the aswang’s long, knife-like fingernails piercing my chest to get my pounding heart made me vomit a little.

Morbid? Yeah. And a little frightening. Who wouldn’t be scared of the things you hear about this place? Would you want to be stuck in an island inhabited by living vampires? How will I survive? My friends actually brought a plastic of rock salt for the trip, just to be sure they say. Funny, but you won’t lose anything if you try to be safe, right? And me? I forgot to bring the garlic potion mom prepared to keep them maneaters away. I just told myself, well good luck, OJ. I hope you make it back to Manila in one piece.

After a day trip and an overnight stay, I was convinced that despite these stories, Siquijor is not so bad at all. It’s a quiet place where life is simple and the people are friendly.

Scary? No. At least not with what I have experienced.
Lovely? With these places I have seen? I’d say definetely.


Isla del Fuego



Cambugahay Falls



Siquijor Port

A Sunday Walk

There's something about old Manila that gets me excited whenever I think of it.

It's amazing how you experience something new despite being there a lot of times. Like cars honking. It's the kind that gets you annoyed on a regular day. Except that this time, it's like music to your ears. And you don't mind the heavy traffic. 'Coz today is a different day. Today, it's all about walking.




The Manila Bay area is one of my favorite spots during weekends.
The people and the places I see keep me grounded. They keep me sane. They remind me that I am human, and yeah, that's a good thing.




After a good walk, the perfect way to end the day is by watching the beautiful sunset while reflecting. This is my way of looking at my life. For some, it's finding a quiet spot for reading. Some would play sports, some would pray, and some would let their hearts sing.

For me, it's just my old point and shoot, a pair of trusty sneakers and walking. That's my Sunday soul searching.

The Old World: The Historic Camalig Restaurant

The Old World: The Historic Camalig Restaurant

In 2001, a friend introduced me to a place called Camalig. I was in Angeles City, Pampanga for a visit and since he knew that I am a sucker for history and culture, he figured he had to bring me there.

I fell in love with the place. I couldn't get enough of it.




Now called The Historic Camalig Restaurant, I visited it again after a decade. Located at 292 Sto. Rosario Street, Angeles City, Pampanga, Camalig is a 150-year old architecture of wood and stone sorrounded by photographs and relics of the old world. Philippine history, culture, and cuisine, all in a magical place that would bring the past back to life.

You can actually give historians a break.
The place, and what’s in it tells you everything you need to know.

The start of many firsts: Welcome 2011

I woke up today and welcomed the first day of the year with a BIG smile that says 'I am looking forward to a lot of firsts to make my 2011 worthwhile'.

Among other things, some firsts today will be remembered, 364 days from now:

Alarm: 8:00 am
Morning greeting: Mom's "Happy New Year"
Thing in mind after waking up: "Ano kayang almusal?" (Now this is promising)
Breakfast: Coffee and Pandesal (old school is cool)
Dessert: dark mint ('coz life is bittersweet)
Text received: from Cheska Gonzales (I love you friend!)
Text Sent: A New Year greeting for Chino Pacinos
Book: The Ratastrophe Catastrophe, David Lee Stone (kid at heart again)
Song played: Lisa Ono's cover of 'Dahil Sa Iyo'
Film watched: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Well this could take forever.
So what are your firsts?

Happy New Year!!!