DAY ONE: BAHAY

“…I’m going to the place where love
feeling good don’t even cost a thing,
And the pain you feel is a different kind of pain…”

Being away from home for almost eight months (seven months, twenty-seven days to be exact) became the longest months of my life so far. And I mean, longest. In that span of time, I had to create a new atmosphere, a new world where I could fit in or that world created would fit in intomy needs.
New people I can call friends. New friends I can call family. New family I can call my own.
My own.
And yet in that new Makati life I now live in, where new people eventually became familiar acquaintances, I realize those skyscraper dreams and busy traffic lights could never replace the quiet breeze of the boulevard or the industry of the sturdy pedicab, more so, of the basic sikad-sikad. That the finest dishes served in any given Friday hang-outs could never surpass the affection in mama’s home-cooked meals. That living in a condominium unit or a decent apartment is incomparable to sleeping at the floor of your humble abode. And that, what I own now could never substitute what I already own – back in Dipolog, back in my home.
I needed to be back there, back to that place irreplaceable by new worlds or new acquaintances. Back to that place where everything is almost free and unconditional, monetary factor considered. Back to that place I call my own.
And so…

“…I [went] home, back to the place where I belong,
Where [their] love is always been enough for me…
I don’t regret this life I chose for me,
but these faces and these places are going old…
So I [went] home…”

I’m on vacation leave officially today, July 10, until the 16th. And God knows how many times I’ve conversed with Him just for this answered prayer.
As I write this, I am comfortably seated in our so-called rest house (it’s more of a “rest room” really) in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay where I would spend time with my family and relatives until the 12th. It’s about 1:30 in the morning, and heck, it’s been a long day.
But hey, it’s been a day worth recounting. And in the spirit of our company’s adage of “if it’s not documented, it’s not done”, I shall now journalize [ technical: document] the beginning of my sojourn to my Dear Home, Old Dipolog.

Friday, July 10

6:30 a.m.
After [eight] months being away from my family, I am finally HOMEBOUND. Thank You Lord for this blessing. You have answered
my prayers once again. You’re the best. Hoping for a safe trip.
(scribbled on my company task planner).

Eventually left the apartment around quarter to eight.

8:28 a.m.

Time stands still as if it wasn’t moving
Can’t wait to strike at ten of the clock.
- NAIA, going home at last
(scribbled)


PAL flight delayed for almost an hour.


12:30 p.m.

Finally arrived at the Dipolog Airport. I was almost teary-eyed when the plane landed. “makikita ko na pamilya ko,” naisip ko. But I controlled it though, knowing how much my homesickness has become the center of our office jokes. Oo na, mama’s boy na kung mama’s boy. Totoo naman eh.

Speaking of mama, she barely recognized me when I stepped out of the airport tarmac. Must be my Jericho sleeves, though. I saw mama’s teary-eyed smile and brother’s growing archipelago of pimples. For papa, he’s back in Ipil, equally anticipating his son’s retun.

1:30 p.m
At sa wakas, natikman ko na ang masarap na adobo ni Inay.
Walang Katulad. Walang Kapantay.

5:30 p.m.
Serious mode tayo ‘tol.

I’m not used to how sleepy Dipolog is. I’m happy though, of the little developments I have seen today – Lee Deparment Store officially at full cycle, with the opening of my favorite fastfood resto, Chowking; the public market has a newly-furnished building; some small buildings have been erected. “Kahit papaano, may nagbago”, wari ko.
But I just could not see myself having an accounting career in my old city. It’s progressing, alright. But it’s still sleepy for me. The jobs you might get here is the one that’s routine, cyclical, and frankly, boring. Hindi na ako sanay sa ganoong pamumuhay. Mas pinipili ko pa ang ingay at mabilis na pagtakbo ng oras ng Makati kaysa sa pagtulog at pagpapahinga nito sa Dipolog.

And then humility stroke me.

Napaisip ako…Hindi ba ang tulog na lugar na tinutukoy ko ngayon ay ang siyang unang gumising sa aking mga pangarap?
Dito nagsimula ang mga mithiin kong makapagtapos ng pag-aaral at makipagsapalaran sa mabagsik na lungsod ng Makati.
Dito nagsimula ang lahat.
At ngayon, kinukutya ko na ang pook na naging simula ng aking mga pangarap. Sa isip ko, gusto
kong humingi ng tawad…At sana nawa’y pinatawad Niya ako.

It was a humbling experience, knowing this dressed-in-tie Inigo Makati Boy, have been and will always be that “small Dipolog probinsyano boy with big Makati skyscraper dreams.”

Salamat Dipolog.

6:30 p.m.
On my way to Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay. My relatives, mostly from my mother’s side, reside in this municipality. I was just elated to see my cousins back again -the last time I saw them was last November, during my thanksgiving party for passing the CPA Board Exam. My cousins Cathy, Andoy, and my kid-o Carl were just as excited as I was.
Carl has been counting countless nights to see
his Kuya Nens. This little kid has been such a source
of strength for me. His innocence has inspired me to
stay as child-like (not childish) as much as possible.
His message last Christmas meant the whole world to
me – “Maski di na lang regalo, si Kuya Nens na lang. (Kahit walang regalo, si Kuya Nens na lang. point: I wasn’t able to go home last Christmas). His my little kid-o, and I, his doting Kuya.
Naman.
Anyway, here’s how our phone call went when our cab hailed a pit stop for a much-needed dinner. (Obet gobbled almost half of the Lechon Manok we ordered.):

Carl (C) : Kuya Nens, magkita na jud ta. (Kuya Nens, magkikita na tayo sa wakas.

Kuya Nens (N): Ayaw sa tulog ha (Huwag ka munang matutulog ha)

C: Oo.

N: Ulan man diri (Ulan man ditto)

C: Pag-payong lang. Miss You Kuya Nens. Love You.

And after eight months of being apart, and countless nights of waiting…Kuya Nens and Zorro, este Caloy, are reunited at last.

Good Night My Girl. Energy Drained. Day Two.