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!