Can I leave Iloilo for awhile?

This was my last question in my one and only blog which I wrote on this very same day last year. Sometimes, you really have to be very careful with what you wished for. Why? Simply because.

To start with, I transferred to a new house again. Ahhh, no, I went back to my previous crib. Well, to accompany again my quite “senior” a friend. Actually, it is where my dining area is in Iloilo- the Bakingham Palace. I like it there because everything is facilitated, no hungry stomach anymore. And everything is near. But, I get to miss my former one in Villa because of the fresh linen that awaits me every time I would come home from travel. Fresh linens, especially when you are dead tired. What a consolation!

Okay then, somebody forwarded me an e-mail, a scholarship training opportunity in Japan for one year. Oh well, I did not act on it immediately. Because. I don’t want to study anymore. But, when I thought about the opportunity, I inquired again but the deadline has passed already. Shortly after reading it, I received a scholarship invitation to Germany from a professional German contact, which was a bit difficult to decline. Actually, my friend from UPLB also invited me the other year, but I said no because as I said I don’t want to study anymore. Travelling perhaps, yes. Anyway, to ensure if it is really for me I showed it to my boss the following day. It was really opportune because it was the last day of work during the Holy Week and I will be out of Iloilo for two weeks. So, I need clearance first before I can apply. Voila, GO! But, make sure to go back to UPV, was what she said.

Furthermore, I did not work on it immediately; I went to a seminar in Manila. Over a conversation, I mentioned it, but I don’t want to study Deutsch or simply I don’t want to study anymore. But, my friend said, Deutsch is easy. So, I finalized my application and submit it right before the deadline.

Good thing, my application went well. I went to Hanoi for a three-day assessment workshop. Mind you, way back 2004 I wrote a blog saying that I wished to travel in Vietnam. I never thought that after six years I found myself walking like run for three mornings passing through Hanoi’s famous Hoan Kiem Lake towards St. Joseph Cathedral for my daily mass. Next, was a six week stay in Makati for Basic Deutsch Learning. T’was really great, Makati! I dreamed of living there too. More so, it was near Glorietta 4 where the rich and famous people go. All the more, it was just an elevator away to the church. Though, my stay there was stressful, for my extra and very important activities in San Lorenzo Village and Calamba. Makati was another favor, granted. It was supposedly to be in Jakarta or Hanoi. But, I prayed hard that it will just be here in the Philippines. Oh, well that’s it!

Of course, some of my papers went through the knife. But what can we do, I am destined to be here in Germany. The scholarship training was a wishful thinking I had 13 years ago. I thank God and those people who supported me well. I arrived last October. First, a month in Saarbrücken, now here in Mannheim for three months. Next month, we will be in Berlin for the real “meat” of the training. Way back 2005, I had also wished to see Pope Benedict XVI in WYD in Australia, but I wasn't able to go. Perhaps, this time in September I might have a chance to see him in Berlin, just in time before I go back to Iloilo.

Life is indeed in a suitcase! But, this is temporary.

God is so good, and I am so happy. But, I wish for something more. Perhaps, in due time. I just have to be patient, else I'll be here no more.

But, for the moment, can I have a good set of ____...wheheheee!

Iloilo City is my home. The entire city.

Some of my friends say I love Iloilo! I’ll think I’ll gonna die here! Then, after a year or two, they left the city. Maybe, not by their own will but by circumstances. Every year, since I finished college in 1997, I say this. Nothing happened. Efforts have been made, till I found myself alone in a cab at the middle of a flooded Chino Roces Street in Makati. That time I thought of looking for a job in Manila. But, heck, that’s what had happened. My dear Lord mustn’t like the idea. Oh, well. So, be it.

True, Iloilo City is one of the nicest places to live with. Our hometown Polomolok is good, but living is kinda slow. Davao, okay, but not appealing to me. Calamba City, quite complicated. Baguio City, too cold. Bohol, oh sure as long as there's an internet. Cebu, all the more, though has many friends in the city. But, each time I set foot there, my feet are itching to go back to Iloilo or to go somewhere. Dunno, why?

I am here in Iloilo for almost 10......no, 17 years. Since, I arrived in 1993 as a student. I haven’t gone back to our hometown for a longer stay, I mean for a living. Just short vacations or quick visits to my parents’ house. But, to think I am a nomad here in Iloilo City.

Iloilo City is my home. Really, the entire city. Believe me. Just see how.

First, I have lived in Miagao for a year. Then, in Molo, two houses in a row during my second year in Iloilo. Left our first boarding house because the girlfriend of our landlord was insecure with us. We were all pretty girls. Not, prettier because she was not, no point for any comparison. We transferred next door, but, oh my, our landlady's son was always at our room's door. He said he had a crush on my roommate, but he liked me more. Duh! As such, we packed up to Jaro at the back of the Cathedral. I spent most of my college years there. Full of funny memories and adventures. After college, I transferred to Aurora Subd., I think I have lived in to three houses. The first one now has a resto beside it, the second, was restored to a private residential house and the third, was at least renovated. Then, when I got sick and no one took cared of me, I transferred to one family in Mandurriao for two years. After which, I went back to Molo. But, have to leave again. It's hard to be pretty attractive at times...grrr. Then, at Iloilo City proper for three years. I liked it so much there because it's everyday malling in SM. Then, a widow living in Villa asked me to accompany her because her only son and his family migrated to Canada. But, during my stay, I went back to Miagao for a year while staying with her. Now, I'm soon to move out again for a family to rent the entire house. Well, anyway that will be on March. Still, have time to find a new roof.

Okay, it’s like this, I live in Villa, but I work in Miagao. I go to and fro for two hours from the city to Miagao, just like having an excursion, daily on weekdays. My sala is somewhere Gen. Luna, down Aurora Subd., but my dining area is in Bakingham Palace in Molo. Of, course have to pay my food, it's not everyday fiesta, no. My house in Villa is just my bedroom. At night before 10pm I rush home just to sleep from 11pm to 5am or to 8am, it depends. Then, at 5am I must be on my toes to repeat the daily routine. Blessed are the days, you’ll find me in the house, when I’m sick maybe or on heavy rainy days. Once, I get out of the house, there’s no turning back till evening. One time, I went home early at around 6pm, my landlady went to my room to check whether I have fever or whatsoever. She found it was unusual.

I am so blessed here in Iloilo City, surrounded by friendly people, they are good and calm, thoughtful. Many good things are happening to me here. I am me because of the serene and conservative environment, smooth pacing of life in this city. Iloilo is blessed with so many Catholic churches and so am I. That’s why, I love Iloilo.

But, can I leave Iloilo for awhile?

Saturday Afternoon at The Balay Negrense

T’was a Saturday afternoon of the Masskara Festival ’09 in Bacolod City, but we found ourselves ruminating at Don Victor F. Gaston Ancestral House in Silay City. Had a great time musing over how the sugar barons had lived a fine living in the past. Though, have been in this place before but it’s nicer the second time around.

Just found out that colonial lifestyle highly observed separation between two sexes. Real conservative, huh! How’s that? In the house, you’ll see the majestic stair as the focal point. It has a grand staircase leading to the upper floor wherein there's a stop for a quick rest or paseo, and then it was split into two stairways going up to the second floor. Each stairways was used accordingly by both sexes.

All the while, I thought it was a mere passageway protocol, an entrance/exit or up/down scheme just like the escalator in the mall. But, it’s not. The two sexes should go up and down in their own respective stairways. Forgot to ask if the women used the right or the left stairways. So, therefore, I conclude that the separation of male and female at the entrance of all malls in the city were patterned from this. Hahaha, just a pun!

It’s indeed a big house, but they had only one or two common comfort and bathrooms for the entire household of at least 15 persons. But, oh well, they were able to managed it.

I’ll not expound any details here. It’s for you to discover. There's a lot to see in this place. It's all worthwhile visiting.

Oh, by the way, the house is for rent for any special occasions.

Venue: The Balay Negrense Museum, 5 de Noviembre, Silay City

Accessibility : High via public transport @ P10 from Bacolod City