ANOTHER TRIP TO ROXAS CITY

For the 2^nd time in a year, I visited Roxas City, dated October 3-5, 2012 for another short visit. What interesting with this visit knowing that my mom would welcome me with a sumptuous meal.  Darn it never happened! They forgot I am actually going home.  I wasn`t expecting a grand welcome but a meal treats which I was used to receive when I was coming home before.

Things have change. Once again, I found myself at the Lipunan for local delicacies like baye-baye, inday-inday and betsu-betso. These treats are rare finds in Metro Manila. So it`s no wonder I longs for them. In the evening, I went to Legaspi St. for that famous binakol; another delicacy that can only be found in Roxas City.

That trip was unfortunately the demise of my respectable grandmother, the aunt of my dad. I spent two nights at the wake. It was a time to reunites again with the Lagayada`s Family. I hardly knew some of my cousins by heart. The wonders of science connect me with my stranger cousins through Facebook only.

On my second day, I went to Panay for the biggest beIl in Asia. Actually it was my first visit on the site but that didn`t made me a total stranger at all. At long last, I had a glimpse of it. It was so surreal. There`s the biggest bell in Asia, in the womb of Capiz and our identity aside from bragging being the Seafoods Capital of The Philippines.

On my 3^rd day as planned, I went to Lipunan for pasalubong. The same delicacies I bought on my June`s visit. At 11 in the morning, I was off to the airport. My regret on this 2<sup>nd</sup> vacation, I was unable to wallow on the beach! But I can surely boasts that I had a taste of the succulent seafoods once again! That time, with the rare angel`s wings I chanced upon at the market.

While airborne, I promised that I`ll be back on December, in time for Sinadya sa Halaran. Came first week of November, I booked a trip for Roxas, but I didn`t pushed through with the supposed trip. It has been years already since I witnessed the extravagant festivities, culminating the Feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. I fervently promised myself that on the next year`s feast, I`ll be around, come hell or high water!

HOME AFTER 10 YEARS

Yeah, that long! The last time I went home was when my father died. It was my duty bound to deliver to pay my last respect to my dad. He died in Manila of a severe asthma due to an old age. Sadly it happened after two days he arrived from Roxas. No one expected it to transpire. It caught us by surprise beyond premonition that it could be his last trip to the land where he was born 75 years ago.

Together with my elder sisters in the ambulance, my dad took his last breath while I was holding his hand. My fingers could have been broken when he held my hand firmly for the last time. I never thought such tragedy would linger on my mind for years. It was not a good scenario that would instantly replay on my mind every time I would remember my dad. I guess it`s but normal.

Bagongon

June 21, 2012 Cebu Pacific flight, the plane touches down at the Roxas City Airport. It was a fresh of breath air, inhaling the almost salty air, reminding me that I am in Capiz again, at last!  It was the same airstrip I left 10 years ago! Maybe there was a little renovation, but the building yells decrepit. The passengers need a homier and welcoming building!

 My brother fetched me at the airport. Fine! It was against his will. He dropped me off near City Hall and I strutted my butt to the Lipunan for a fresh catch from the sea. I had fun on my first day! I was able to visit the Gaisano Mall. I just stroll around the mall and buy nothing! Amazing! I just experienced how to be a mall rat that day.

Two blocks from the mall, I went to the restaurant where they specializes batchoy. It`s super cheap! I never tasted batchoy so real that day. I had two bowls! So what? Over dinner, we had oysters. crabs and bagongon for dinner! It was heavenly! I was indeed in Capiz. Unfortunately though, the rare angel`s wings proven to be rare that season.

On my second day, together with my sister, we went to Baybay for a dip. Very noticeable are the restaurants that occupy the seafront. It deprives the public to have an instant access to the beach. In order to wallow on the inviting water, I made my way to the stairs of People`s Park to reach the shoreline. The local government should find a solution to this problem.

I also visited some of my relatives. It`s good to be reunited with them once again. On the third day, I woke-up early morning and went to Lipunan for my last minute pasalubong shopping. On my list are tuyo, daing, bibingka, bitsu-bitso and baye-baye. Upon reaching home, my youngest sister already packed our bags. 11 AM, we were at the airport already despite the not-so-good weather.

She`s coming with me to Manila to fetch our mom that`s also vacationing. Bad of me, she`s in Manila and I went home for a short vacation. That was my Roxas City sojourn after 10 years. It was good to be home for 3 days!  

I AM JOBLESS

So what? The mere fact that I am enjoying my life being this way gives me satisfaction. Oh forgot the thrills! It`s more than I expected! Being a freelancer enables me to control my time in all aspects. So this is me. The bum! I chose this road. It`s written on my palm. But I can proudly say; only few knew me, inside and out. There are certain things in life that must be kept a secret.

I am a single parent to a seven year old bubbly kid. It is somewhat confusing because of my status as a jobless provider. Not that consistent when the commissioned job as a wedding singer or a party host comes my way. By heart, it`s my venue of delivering my best. I can be myself during those stints. It brings out the best in me. So now I`m bragging. Lord forgive me. LOL! 

Still wondering why certain individuals are judging my daily routine as a jobless provider.  In fact, I don`t owe them an explanation, but still the same, I am having the time of my life while they`re consuming time of talking behind my back where are my resources coming from. Again, I am a total stranger to them. Suffice it to say that since time immemorial, they`re acknowledging me as a bum and all! It`s not my fault anymore. No explanation needed. I can proudly say, this is me. My boss. My master! 

CAPISNON ON THE WEB

With Miss Sandra Besana.

This can`t be real! Since I became aware of a Capisnon groups in Facebook, I had been a member of numerous groups promoting Capiz and Roxas City as the Seafoods Capital of The Philippines. Suffice it to say, the succulent treats from the heart of the sea around Capiz are a God`s gift to every Capisnon. From the oysters to fresh fishes, no one can turn their backs on the delicacies the ocean offers to the locals.

Seafoods are not the only treats Capiz can offer, but also the debonair males and lovely females. The hearts of the locals are unquestionably superior when it comes to sharing their wares to those   in need. But of course, it`s hard to ignore the fact that there are also wicked individuals striving in the expense of others. I encountered some of them already and they are unscrupulous and dangerous. These kind of animals should not be given a chance to exist in any groups about Capiz. 

Miss Sandra Besana and Sir Joseph Derramas

Since the conception of Capisnon In Action (CIA) my friendship with my fellow Capisnon,  coming from stranger connections, are cemented with respect. Coming from those individual identities, they totally reaches out with high regards to their colleagues in the CIA community, thus showing their true personalities, making them more sought after candidates as possible friends. And I can vouch for their friendship and kindness!

I am looking forward to spending more months and years in CIA as our bonds grew more stringent each day. I had the honor of meeting some of them and looking forward to getting serried with the others that base overseas when the right time comes. It is my honor to be with my fellow Capisnon even in the midst of the wonders of the web only. They are the gems of Capiz. They are our prides.

WELCOME TO MY WORLD

I am welcoming you to My Simple Journey. You can read my thoughts in here. My life! This is my new playground. All of my friends are lucky to be a part of my traverses this 2012. With this blog diary, you may know me better who the real me. So stay tune and discover my world as I impart my life to all of you. No frills. No deals! It`s only me and me alone. Simply Dale. What you see is what you see. There are so many things in store for me this year. And you guys will be a part of it. Why? Because I value my friends more than anything else. So sit back and relax, nourish the moments of exhilaration and excitements as I lunge forward to a simplicity filled adventures. Join me. Understand me... because this is my My Simple Journey.