The Holy Week

This is not the exact account of what had happened in our Holy week celebration in Naga. Like others, it bores me to read really really long anecdotes on the internet. And as you have noticed, this is a late post. It was twice that I have decided not to write anything about it because of laziness but I need to summon energy for me to start this one. Besides, I’m practicing my chuva ek ek writing skills. Sorry if you happen to be a victim of my practicing, anyways it’s free of charge.

As well as my post, our by land vacation was also long overdue. If I’m not mistaken, we were supposed to go there last 2004 but because of some considerable reasons, it was not pursued. In the same line, if my sister and I pursued our vacation in General Santos via air flight definitely, it will be cancelled again.

April 1, the date of departure. But it was moved on April 4 because my sister can’t absent herself from their COCC practice. Pero sa kinahabahaba man ng prusisyon, sa Naga parin ang tuloy.

We stayed in the second floor landing our Aunt’s farm. Their house was like an inverted Pinoy Big Brother House- blue is the dominant color. On the left upon entering the gate was a playground with a large lawn and miniature Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs statue. On the extreme left was a life-size aviary of African Love Birds and Budgies. Near the large cage was a balustrade. Under it was a variety of orchids. A few steps away, there’s a bleachers filled with Euphorbias. A few steps backwards was a small house of which I don’t know what for. It’s like a pump house because it can’t be a maid’s quarter. It’s not properly ventilated- as I see it outside.

On the narrower right, upon entering the gate was a watchdog- I don’t mean the Media- and a few walks away, under the big Calamansi tree was a garden set made of tires. After it was a grotto with an artificial pond but no water was in. the rest was all plants. Everything in the garden was rosy although what we saw was an aftermath of the Super Typhoon Reming.

Then we reach the three storied (the uppermost floor is a roof deck) PBB House- but the parameters of the house is just small. Continuing the right side were two side by side Nipa Hut. Then in the middle were some farm animals sometimes on the loose, four caged dogs- two Dalmatians, two mixed breed of I don’t know and a piggery- in fairness the pigs are clean although they smell a bit. Then before the gate was an undeveloped area.

After the gate was a stone bridge with a semi dry river. It’s their second lot. It has a dried body of water with dead clams and some banana plants. It’s also undeveloped but it’s walled unlike their third.

In Naga was my first time to eat cooked Sting Ray- isn’t it illegal? As far as I know it is although I’m not sure if it is endangered. And besides, their whip like tail stings- but I didn’t ate that much because they made it chili. It was also my first time to TRY to eat kuhol with emphasis on the try because I don’t have that great sucking power. There was also their so called toasted siopao, yes not steamed and their pancit bato, no not stone. And I’ve seen fresh Pili although I didn’t try it. Sayang.

Since it was Holy week, we did our tradition to have Bisita Iglesia. We went to Naga’s churches, basilica and cathedral but I forgot their names. We even saw the Our Lady of Peñafrancia and paid homage to the mother. I actually have pictures but it will take me gazillion years to upload it. Now, you can do a little guessing game there. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to attend any mass even if we would love to. The masses are said in their own dialect. And we abstained from eating meat, all fish except on Sunday. It should have been a feast for my cats.L

Since it is nonsense to attend mass that we don’t even understand- now I know the feeling of people long ago hearing mass in Latin with the priest facing about. Glad we have Vatican II- we made an overnight swimming in the beach resort owned by my aunt’s acquaintance in Pasacao, Camarines Sur. The beach is biologically alive because of the live clams, the jellyfish that we saw on the other side, the crab that my sister mistaken as a stone and during low tide at night while walking on the shore, there were live small fishes. Although I was somewhat a nature’s pest because while scorching my skin on the shore, I’m picking up smooth stones, fossilized stones, colored stones, clam and scallop shells from phylum Mollusca class Bivalvia, shells of snails, same phylum class Gastropoda and I’m not sure if the other two were cone shells- the one that looks like long decorated fingers and periwinkles- those common inverted cone shaped shells.

The water in the beach is so cool even under the heat of the sun although sun blocks react with salt water that prickles my face- or is that the reason? Early in the morning while the tide is still low, even after more than a meter I can still see my feet under. And you can go boat riding. Left and right, you can see mountains. It’s such a wonderful place.

Now, what platforms do our political candidates have to help conserve and preserve our environment as a whole? What concrete and surely effective actions do they intend to perform to save the natural beauty? Mamatay na ang mga sinungaling! Tamaan na ng kidlat ang mga manlolokong garapal! Hayy, everyone will have an aneurism- if you want it aortic- if we even dare to go deeper in politics. Breathe air…breathe.

It’s not like summer in Naga. The water dripping even from the faucet is cold. The air especially at night is bitterly cold. And he air even during midday is still cold. It is very costly now that we turn our air-condition units every night even in the afternoon. My brother doesn’t want it in my room because it’s not enough- or is it just too hot? Even eating ice cream is nonsense. It’s just your mouth and your face and your hands that will feel cold.

Candidates how about to amend the PPA? Or whatsit?

It was fun fun having visited Naga. There were also some revelations that I did learn during the vacation.
S We have a Sanchez relative! Ask why? Haha. It’s a YG thingJ.
S My auntie Lily- no, not the one in Naga- is going back to her home in Merville, Parañaque. If I’d visit there again, I’ll hunt Bru’s ancestral house. Only, I forgot the street.
S And I never did know that my cousin Beijing is of my age. I thought she’s in age with my younger sis. I remember the day when she went swimming in our house- I mean an inflatable swimming pool, hehehe, we’re not that rich! UNLESS, like that one that I just happen to meet again after four years flaunted all that were lies! Anyways, God bless her and God bless you all too.

P.S. Don’t be like her. Being a pathologic liar is sure is tough and karma comes back so fast.

Round Trip

4:45pm. I left Las Piñas for Grace’s 18th Birthday Celebration at Town and Country Southville, Biñan, Laguna.

6:00pm. Estimated time of arrival.

But what luck I do have! It was almost 6:00pm and I’m still in Alabang. Mars already texted me as to where in the hell I am but I can’t reply. Supposedly, I should have my load at that time but there wasn’t any available load in the convenience store I beforehand approached. However, before leaving Alabang Metropolis, I must have a load, I concluded.

I’m nearing Alabang Metropolis. Unfortunate as I already was, the jeep got stuck up. I know I’m near the mall, I can almost see it but I can’t just walk! I don’t know Muntinlupa that well by commuting and I don’t know if the sidewalk I’m seeing will lead me there. Nevertheless, following the other passengers, I left. Without asking which or which, I got into another jeep.

Signboard: Muntinlupa

I can almost feel my blood rushing up. Not Alabang Metropolis? So I asked the driver as to what heck I am in. Fortunately, he offered me help and told me where to stop. I need to climb the overpass just to get there. So I did. I set aside the load problem first upon reaching the other end and asked the police downstairs as to where the lanes are going to Biñan.

No terminal? I thought Mars, in her text, told me to find the lane inside the Metropolis grounds going to Biñan. But I followed what the police had said, to climb the overpass again and look for the right jeep.

I can feel the heat inside me- literally and figuratively. First, when I reached the darn other side, I asked a lady where to find a jeep going to Biñan. Seeing no luck, I approached another. There wasn’t any terminal going there. Dead.

I wanted to cry. I kept still for about a second and contemplated about my sick unfortunate damn situation. I should rather go home and eat festively with or without a party. But he added something and told me that on the other side is a terminal.

I tried it. I was wearing a pink blouse with an illusion that it has polo under because of the white collar and excess fabric on the sleeves and below. On the right side of the blouse is a silver embellishment with the brand name with silver sequins and beads. I wore it under a dark pair of skinny jeans and a wedge black sandals. I have with me a pink native bag I bought during our last year’s field trip in Baguio. My hair- I don’t know what it’s called- was done with only ¼ of it clipped in the middle and slightly blown up. I put some make up and wore a pair of dangling pink pearl earrings I had bought in a vanity fair.

I don’t look normal, at least with the people around me wearing everyday clothes. I’ve got two things in mind at the moment: that I pursue going home or get myself to be a victim of robbery. Along the way, I saw a police and asked the same thing I asked from all the people I approached since I landed the Metropolis. He told me the same thing the last guy told me. Before I got a little farther, I saw and empty jeep with a Biñan sign and three more. I got confused but nevertheless, I seated myself next to the driver. I asked him to drop me after the tollgate. I can almost sleep with tranquility. I thought my drama will be I came, I saw, I conquer!

Engk! Wrong!

It was more than an hour. Of course, silly me if I’d sleep. Definitely, I got my eyes dilated in search of that humongous tollgate Mars had been describing in the text. It was thrice that I thought I’m nearing it. Hopeless. Damn hopeless. Wrong again. We swerved left to a two lane street. I’m becoming nervous again as I prayed. I know that kind of feeling is not something good. I know how my instinct works. So I asked the driver if we are nearing the tollgate. Then I added, upon seeing his confusion, the Pizzahut and Jollibee billboard with the terminal below it that I described from the start.

After several vague answers, I concluded: No, there wasn’t any tollgate coming according to him and according to my judgment seeing the place. And another, that he doesn’t know what a tollgate is. However, I accuse that he fooled me since he seems to be decent- okay, the means does not justify the end. And it’s more like he’s not so much acquainted with the landmarks and so is the tollgate.

I got out in a place who the hell knows? He, during my inquisition, told me that there is a terminal there going to Southville. Before I went there, I saw 7 Eleven and bought a load. I texted Mars right away and told her that I think I’m lost. I was heading to the tricycle terminal the jeepney driver told me when I felt like crying again. Where in the world was I? What went wrong? I wanted to scream and shake every people to demand where I was. I wanted to run home because it’s my only refuge. I wanted to. But I’ve gone this far and now wasn’t the time to accept defeat. I maintained my composure. Mars haven’t replied yet, I thought. No vibration coming from my bag.

I approached a man with a child in his trike and asked him if the terminal we’re seeing is going to Southville. No, there’s no Southville terminal there but there is Southvale. Double dead. But, I didn’t blame the jeepney driver. I was half- expecting it. I’ve been in Southville twice and the place I was now is surely not what I’m looking for. But he told me that he can bring me there for fifty pesos. I- even though he looks harmless (here I go again)- got scared. He added that it’s far that’s why. How far? I don’t know. I declined and retreated and approached a nearby bakery. I’ve got a reply. I deduced that, even with the landmarks and the name of the barangay that I’ve been telling, she doesn’t know where I was too. Then I’ve got a call from an anonymous number. It was Mars. In the middle of our conversation, the man who offered a fifty peso ride interrupted. He told me to ride Carmona Bayan, stop at Andoks and there I’ll see the trikes that I have been looking. Then, I was already talking to Tita Violy- Grace’s mom. I consulted the new algorithm.

I asked the seller as to where I can find a jeep going to Carmona Bayan. She gladly pointed the way. When I got out, I was looking for the trike driver to thank him. But he was gone. In my mind, while walking along the dark street, played that the man was an angel. I smiled.

I saw the terminal. I was suddenly driven back to life. I consulted a barter and he escorted me towards the jeep. Then I asked the driver how much I am going to pay. Feeling that he sensed my state of being naïve, I wished that he will tell me where to stop. Along the dark way, I was uncomfortable looking for any trace of Andoks. At the same time, I prayed and once again entrusted my faith to Him.

Hands clasped together. Petron. I know this place already! I saw a yellow light not far from us: Andoks. I’m here, I said plus the driver told me so. There I saw the trike I’m dying to find. I got ecstatic and excited at the same time. I’m already there, alive and well, still kicking although foundation already dissolved.

Mars saw me coming and embraced me then we ate. I was somehow shocked that so many of them knew that I got lost. But we just made fun of it anyway. I joked that supposedly, I’ll arrive at 6pm but there I was, 8:30. Grace requested me to finish her dance number before I depart. And I did. After that was a Movie Maker Presentation and I got thrilled. So I also finished it plus the family’s speech. It was almost 11:30. I asked Mars to help me get a trike. She realized that at that time, trikes are super rare and asked me to stay overnight. Well, that is solution no. 1. Unfortunately, I can’t. It’s a house rule. Solution no. 2 was to call my parents to fetch me. However and unfortunately as I am in the course of the day, they are in San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila to attend a wedding and they won’t be home at that time. Another sensible thing, they don’t know the village.

Luckily, to balance the turmoil, Cess my former schoolmate and her dad were already going home. So they can drop me at Petron and there I am to find a jeep. Signboard: Alabang Metropolis.

I was stuck there for about five seconds. I’m beginning to get jelly. I hesitated then prayed. Then a jeep came up, an excessively long one. Twice as long with bright red new looking cover.

It was so chilly traveling SLEX that late. It could have been a lot fun if I am with my family going somewhere for a vacation. It could have been better if I wasn’t so nervous as to what the ending of this story might be. Although it was weird but funny that along the trip, I was thinking on how to blog this nerve- racking adventure I am having.

Filinvest: The Corporate City. I’m near at last but the sight of the corporate city like a ghost town scared me on the contrary. I was gripping tight whatever I am holding. After the Corporate Ave., I told myself that I can go out. However, I was still scared. It was dark and I can’t stand to wait there. Someone might salvage me, I thought. Pushing forward, I saw the busy Alabang. I can suddenly breathe at last. At the Metropolis, I almost practically run and went directly to the jeepney terminal. Last ride. I got even more relaxed when my dad replied and asked me to take care.

I welcomed Las Piñas with my nervousness completely subsided. Even though it was dark entering BF, I was already confident, very much. J

It was a super adventure considering that I’m alone. But it was fun testing how far I can go. My mom told me once that when you know how to ask, you won’t be lost. I’m vindicating it as true. Another thing, putting a brave face even if you’re really scared helps a lot. It’s like being optimistic anyways, no one can tell the difference except you. It was also heartening that there’s still a great deal number of Filipinos who are helpful and not taking advantage of situations. With my questions and facial expressions, one can easily deduce that I’m a lost bird. Lastly, I realized that God is always present in our midst. If you will entrust all you faith to Him, nothing will happen. He can even choose to add something tragic in my situation like adding insult to injury. But I made it through safely with His great help.

At the same time, those people who served as my guide were His instruments to help me. I hope that He too will work on me.

I’m so much glad that I was still able to put this into writing. Haha. Just my luck!