Tuesday, May 25, 2010

The City of Pines




It has been awhile since my last visit to the Philippines' "Summer Capital". The last time I think was like 5 years ago with my scooter club.

Last weekend was different as we went there as a family. Family meaning, almost the entire clan, my mom, wife and kids, and close family friends.

It turned out to be a reunion of sorts as we met and lived with family friends we had not seen for decades. Aside from this, it was a first time for my youngest son to see the place, a promise I was able to fulfill after years of wishing and planning.

To cut a long story short, we had a blast doing all the touristy stuff any regular Baguio visitor would try to stay away from. Sad to say, I saw how the place had deteriorated and how it had changed from a quiet little city, green all around to a congested polluted, and traffic filled city.

We used to buy native souvenirs when we were young as well as snacks and anything ethnic Baguio had to offer. Now its second hand clothes, military surplus, and an array of junk.

The man made lake at Burnham park was colored dark green. An incentive to all boat passengers never to fall in the lake. Not to drown but to die of all the bacteria the lake water had to offer.

I enjoyed the run I did with my wife though. It gave me a glimpse of what Baguio used to be and the smell of pine filled the air in the area where we ran.

I look forward to our return trip this December. I hope the entire family can be there so we can enjoy it more.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Loss

In the past years, I have experienced tremendous losses : financial loss in the field of business, loss of pride and ego due to money matters. Well to sum it all up, it is always losing money or money is always not enough. This is almost normal to me, routine to say the least.

All the years that I have lived and supported my family as a sole bread winner has made me tough in facing these challenges which I should say are part of the game.

Last month I suffered one of the biggest losses in my life when my father died unexpectedly. Many decades were peaks and valleys for him. The same goes for my relationship with him which was quite a roller coaster ride.

For some strange reason, things started to fall into place a little over a year before he passed. He was happier, relaxed, fulfilled. Our conversations were longer, happier, meaningful.

I was even able to record one where we went on for almost 2 hours.

It was painful to see him go that way. He was in good health and could have lived a longer life. But life is like that and we are not in control of what can happen as we live this difficult life.

I have many could haves : I could have bought him new shoes, could have taken him out to lunch, could have played golf with him. But obligations and work usually get in the way and before I knew it he was gone.

Many changes in the family have transpired since his passing. Changes that have made the family better and stronger in terms of relationships.

These are the signs of the times : we are vulnerable and we are getting older.

We can say life goes on and we have to move on. Board that cart wheel and continue the rat race that we started since the day we were born.

But I miss him and I hope to see him again.