In for Surprises!

I’ve always pictured myself in a country far away from home…

Having been married since the age of 28…until forever, of course!

With a husband who works in a big corporation, not necessarily the CEO… and three kids whose names all start with the letter ‘K’…

And take note, a husband whose nationality is different from mine…

Still a career woman…probably still teaching in a university…or a nursery school, if ever I qualify… or someone who is writing novels and short stories…

Sitting on a veranda, having coffee, reading a book for review/critique expertise…

Driving a car… maybe a BMW or a Ford… or both!

Watching live concerts, football matches…

Jet setting once in a while, not that I am a millionaire (as this has never been an ambition!), because I just love being on a plane…

Sending my parents pasalubong boxes on occasions, or money, as my way of giving back…

Such a perfect life, maybe, a life wherein I could not ask for more.

But reality check.

Well, right now, I am in a country far away from home—I traveled halfway around the globe, you see. I am loving this new adventure that I am in now, but it is damn crazy and scary. So much more to learn and expect or not expect (best of both worlds!).

I got married at the age of 28…almost a little too later than the “plan” I have always had in mind, because it was 3 months before I turned 29! But yeah, still, I was 28!

My husband works in a big company, yes, and does a lot of day and night jobs—oh boy, he works too hard, I want to reward him every day with the best dish I can put on the table! (and maybe more! *grins*). We’ve got no little ones, yet… but we are also hoping despite the fact that there are considerations that are lying on the table.

My husband’s passport is, of course, issued by a country not mine. So, you get what I mean.

A career woman—not really now, since I am on hiatus as a professor in a university. I am a housewife now, dealing with everyday chores and hurly burly of household management (but I can’t deny that I enjoy it too much, as seen on my FB statuses and photos). But yeah, at the back of my mind, I couldn’t wait to work again…soon.

In my early afternoons, I do sit on my window, drinking coffee or tea, with my ever favorite ginger biscuits or if I feel being “luxurious”, I munch on Digestives, of course, but not to review or critic books…but with a nice view of the hilly road, watching cars, and the magnificent mosque right in front of my eyes.

I’m not driving, I cannot drive here yet, as I cannot do the right-hand drive, plus, I do not have a license (though they say, you can do whatever illegal here! Oppps, peace!).

I and hubby haven’t been to a concert yet or a live game….together as a couple, yet… But that’s what we both look forward to in the coming months and years, as we plan our itinerary (seriously!). But I love it that we go to mass every Sunday! And when he is home, my hubby makes sure that 9pm-7am is his “wifey time”!

Jet setting… That, we’ve done several times… but not quite… so another “treat” to look forward to, as we both want to explore the world more together.

I haven’t sent my parents boxes of chocolates or whatever, or money yet… I don’t know when I can do that. But well for now, I lavish them with photos and novel-emails, which keep them, close at heart, no matter what.

Despite all the “imperfections” and  things that I have not done yet, I can still say I am generally content and definitely grateful.

I  was taught to think positively and let hope float every time…so there, lie my strength…

Yes, I know what I want to happen with my life. But I am in no rush.

Things come in full circle. And I am in for surprises.

Iloilo City: The Home I Will Go Back To Wherever I May be in the World

 

(Author’s note: The article below does not intend to advertise an establishment or entity, or promote any organization’s cause. It is merely a reflection-essay of my experiences in Iloilo City)

How can you call a place “home”?

To most, maybe, it is because you’ve lived there all your life and you’ve created your own comfort zone already.

Yes, true, I have lived in Iloilo City in the entire 29 years of my existence, and let’s say, this city has “raised” me in her loving (she did her best!) arms.

When I was still learning ABCs, I would always be delighted every time my father would tell me to get dressed for an early morning treat, perhaps, a form of exercise—a stroll at Fort San Pedro, back then when it was pristine.

I learned my first words and first prayers, took my first steps, and had my first communion at Jaro Cathedral, and then, my first broken heart (just to add a little drama) when I was in college, studying in a private university. As for the most spectacular event of my life, it happened also here in Iloilo City—my marriage to the love of my life.

The generation now may only know about Smallville, Plazuela, or the newly-opened Esplanade and they think they are cool to be hanging out in these places. Well, I must say, people my age (or older!) got the best of both worlds—then and now.

When Shakey’s, Sbarro , and  Jollibee (all in the SM Delgado area) were still in their wee days here in Iloilo City, they’ve got one of the first family-customers—ours.

Who have eaten pancit molo at La Veranda de Fatima, or craved the ginata-an nga alimusan at Kamalig or looked forward to the summers just to have eat-all-you-can halo-halo at Try Me? These places, these days, may not be the “in” thing for the new generation, but wish they would explore more—those that were there then and still here now. There’s Ranel’s, whose pancit lomi is a treat; Roberto’s, whose siopaos are the best;  Dainty House, whose pancit bijon cum pan de leche is tops; Buho, whose assortment of breads is so affordable yet a classic match with coffee or hot choco; Balbi’s, whose pancit palabok is a hit; to name a few.

And definitely, there’s no place on earth can ever compare with  the comfort this city has brought me—a 20-minute jeepney ride from home to work; malls and convenience stores wherever I direct my eyes to ; banks just around the corner for my transactions;  friends whom you can call and hangout with anytime, and a lot more.

There’s fashion and glamour, some of which, I really do admire and have patronized. There are beaches and historical places, which I try to visit as much as possible.  There are the regional  government offices and agencies, which make transactions easier (but I still wish employees—those concerned—when  facing clients, would not lose the smile and would be more polite in assisting needs).

However, Iloilo City has not always been comfortable—the perennial power failure/shortage (whatever they call it, it doesn’t make a difference, because the electricity bill is sky high!);  the unending reconstructions of roads (which seem to be working fine), almost often done just in time for the elections (correct me with evidences, if I am wrong);  the unnecessary charges of some Internet service providers;  young and old alike who do not know how to say “please”, “excuse me”, and “thank you”, and who do not care about their co-passengers in public transports (e.g. sitting like a beauty queen, or leaning their back on you; moving towards the end part of the jeepney so you will land sitting at the back of the driver, even if you’ve got grocery bags with you; eating ice cream or chips and throwing their “left overs” on the floor, or outside the jeepney, making them literally fly, sometimes worse, right through your face!).

Now that I am an “outsider”, I only see photos and get news from CNN, the Internet, and my family and friends’ FaceBook pages. Good or bad, they have never discouraged me to go back to my city of birth one day.

With all these, “home” goes beyond being there and being comfortable. To me, it takes four  things to proudly call a place “home”: 1) you made an effort to witness and experience, most, if not all, of what is there; 2) you accepted its “rise and fall”, and its “bests and worsts”; 3) you were never afraid to get involved, and; 4) you’ve grown up there (not just physically, but in all aspects!) with your family  and have developed friendships that are like a family.

I may be on a journey away from Iloilo City now, but I know it will always be irreplaceable in my heart; there will always be more than one thing to go back to. Well, Madonna, in one of her classics sang, “It used to be my playground.”  That, drives me nostalgic when I talk about the City of Love.

And it’s not just a playground. It’s my home. Iloilo City will always be.

Yeah, We Do Remember our Defenders!

March 18.

It’s a date that is memorable and worth commemorating. It’s the Liberation of Panay and Romblon from the Japanese during World War II.

For Filipinos, this has been one of the many greatness our ancestors have left us. And in that fateful day, it was them who freed Panay and Romblon from the Japanese. The American troops, who thought they were needed, were just surprised that when they landed on the beach of Tigbauan, Iloilo, the FIlipino troops were already “partying”. The war is over.

Here are some of the photos I took during this year’s celebration.

“A country that does not remember its defenders, shall also be forgotten.”-W.Wilson