Lesson 3: " MEMORIES + DREAMS".
May 1, 2013
It has been said by Sarah Kathleen Peck, my cool teacher in "Start Writing" course, that "the past is a powerful source of content, emotion and ideas; the future is a place we can build ideas into possibilities just by spending time on our thoughts."
I thought then, for the purpose of doing Exercise 3 that my childhood years would be the best place to start digging in my memories. So I did.
My early childhood years were spent in the sleepy town of Tayabas, located South of Manila. It was like living in a postcard as the whole place had the majestic Mt. Banahaw as a background. Morning wake ups gave much joy as the bluish details of the mountain, framed by the hardwood window at the foot of my bed, unfolded before my sleepy eyes amidst the morning chatters: chirping of the birds, the clucking of the chicken and whatever other sounds that farm animals.We had no need for air-conditioning as the temperature then was cooler, what with the trees with their green leaves canopy dotting the whole town. There were no mosquitoes as canals had clean, free flowing water coming streaming down from the various springs in the mountain. Upstream of the canal, women positioned themselves in their favorite spots to do the family's laundry. The district that I lived in was separated by the "Alitao River" that had clear stream of water. The river also had an obstacle-course-like look due to the presence of boulders of various sizes. Folklore has it that those rocks rolled down from the mountain during a big storm that brought continuous rain for 7 days and 7 nights. There was then a beat up wooden bridge that allowed vehicles to pass providing the connection between the small district and the main town. Traversing the bridge on foot, I used to enjoy watching fresh water fish fleeting in and out from under the big rocks.
My elementary days were spent in that paradise of a town. Life then was simple but colorful. My father worked in the Provincial Capitol as the Secretary of the Governor. My mother was a school teacher in the Public school. Playmates abound and friendships were real.
It was a place and time when staying healthy was a natural thing and needed no efforts. Food were natural, fresh and free from the various toxins that are present in what we are made to eat or be exposed to today. Exercise as we know it today were normal day to day activities in those days. Walking a kilometer or so to move around town and get where we wanted to go was common. We swam in the river for play and fun. Air then was pristine as there were very few petrol fueled vehicles in our town at that time. We rode in carabao and horse drawn carriages or on non motorized pedicabs we call tricycles. In the middle of town stood a huge Spanish era church made out of stone, clay, fossilized shells and cement. There was no question the populace of the town were mainly devout Catholics. All the homes of whatever size had altars. Likewise, everyone, young and old, said memorized litany of prayers constantly. Attending Sunday masses then was so boring for us young ones as the priests gave over an hour of sermon. Everyone though would be dressed up in their Sunday's best The men then would huddle outside of the church during sermon time, puffing their cigarettes while exchanging tall stories about their activities of the week that passed. They would pile back inside after the sermon signaled by the tolling of the church bell.
That episode of my life in the province during my formative years comes to mind from time to time, especially when I go visiting to check on the family properties.
Fast forwarding my life and memories from my childhood brings me to today. We moved out of the town and went to Manila as I was about to start my high school studies. My father was elected as Congressman to represent the 2nd District of the Province where he had to attend sessions on a regular basis. My sister was studying medicine and lived on a dormitory. I was about to start high school while my younger brother was about to start his elementary studies. My mom had to resign from her teaching job but she managed to get employment in one of the government service offices. I went on super drive during my city life. But that's another episode.
Fast forwarding further, after a heart by-pass, a gall bladder operation and an angioplasty, I now have nothing but my dreams and vision for tomorrow, my sunset years. Things that I set out to do earlier on but have not managed to accomplish so far, came to mind. My imagination flew to having the best of two worlds, i.e. the sea and the mountain. I dreamed of living in my beach front property on an island in the province, with my cabin perched on top of a hill accessible by few hundred steps from the shore. Down below near the water would be individual cabins leased out exclusively to celebrities who are occasionally looking for a place where they can let their hair down and provide escape from the prying eyes of the public. Convenient access from the town's pier to the 8 hectare property is through a short 10-15minute ride by a small boat. On horse back, a one hour trip through rice paddies and trails would be my best guess.
This dream is closer to reality than what I used to think, now that I am writing about it. Firstly, the property is already there. All I need to do is get me a small boat, start clearing it up, plant it with a lot of fruit trees and flowering shrubs, visit it a lot then build my cabin.
I can picture myself sitting on the porch facing the bay, as the sun sets , with a pitcher of frozen margarita on the ready, while entertaining friends and family who would care to visit. On some hours of the day, I would go around the property and exchange pleasantries with some of the celebrities who would be sitting on the main clubhouse waiting for the day to pass uneventfully. I would also be visiting the town and talk with the locals, the Mayor and the parish priest.
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