Last night, I was watching the news on the development in Lebanon and felt empathy swelling inside me as they showed the reaction of the families in the Philippines. The government is flustered as relatives trooped to OWWA offices, asking for assurances of their loved ones’ safety.
Just like every family I know, I also have family members abroad. My father started working in Saudi Arabia when I was six. I remember he would come home every year, bringing me dolls, stuffed toys and my favorite Galaxy chocolates. And he would bring my mother umbrella, same style, same color, each year.
Walking dolls were a permanent content of his balikbayan box until the day I sheepishly told him that as a teenager, I would appreciate CDs more. And while scratching his balding forehead, he had responded, “I guess, that is how I’ve always thought of you, my little girl.”
After 15 years of working in Dammam, Tatay transferred to Chicago. I was a freshman at UP Baguio when Tatay visited me the day before he boarded the plane. His bilin was, “Huwag ka munang mag-aasawa ha.”
I know Tatay was happy to go, we believed America promises better things for our family. But had I known I won’t be seeing him for 12 years (and counting), our goodbyes should have been lavish and pompous. Hugs should have been tighter. And I shouldn’t have acceded to his request of “singlehood” and so avoided breaking his heart when he didn’t get to play the one chance of being Father of the Bride.
My eldest brother, Erwin, works in a telecommunications company in Riyadh. He lives there with his wife and my two nephews for more than five years now. Every year they would also come home, and that is when we have our family outing. That was also our chance to talk about childhood days, over beer and Boy Bawang, while keeping watchful eyes over our kids as they wrestle.
The news about the heat wave in Chicago, numerous bombings in Riyadh, and terrorist attacks elsewhere in the world would send me running to my Nanay’s house. And we would make frantic overseas calls, just to make sure they are alright. And thankfully, up to this day, the worst news that we have received so far was about my father’s broken hip (when he slipped on the snow) and my brother driving like an Arab.
I am sure when families were conceptualized, they are meant to stick together come what may. Parents should be witnesses to their children’s milestones. Siblings should be the best and closest friends. But present-day realities make this setting too good to be true for more than seven million Filipinos. Mothers, fathers, kuyas and ates go away in search for greener pastures. I, too, have been presented with opportunities to work abroad. And it took every ounce of determination I got not to give in, just yet.
The Office of the Senate President spent a five-day team building activity at Siargao Island June 29 to July 3. Photo shows (L-F) Sherryl, Me, Loida, Queenie, Marilyn, Loucette, Lucille and Jojo exploring the marvelous attractions of Sohoton, Bucas Grande.
The first thing to go was the shelf. And what a huge space it left. I should be happy having more room to salsa (given that I know how) but don’t feel like dancing. The steel cabinets went next. I never knew I am capable of growing an attachment to such cold, rusty furniture, until the day I saw them emptied and carted away. I was on the verge of losing it, if not for the assurance that the DSL will remain.
Room 606 of the Philippine Senate is what we call home for more than five years. Babies were born there. Colleagues died there. We slept, ate, partied, fought, made up, cried, laughed, gossiped in the many corners of that office. This is where I spent countless anxiety-filled days waiting for the fate of a press release. This is where I developed a dependence on coffee and discovered the wonders of peer to peer downloading.
Last month, my boss, Sen. Franklin M. Drilon, publicly announced that he is honoring the gentlemen’s agreement he made with Sen. Manny Villar, and that come July 24, he will nominate him as the next Senate president. Being the incumbent SP for more than five years made Drilon’s watch the longest in post-EDSA years.
Our new home will just be a floor down. It will be smaller. It doesn’t have an adjacent ceremonial hall and conference room. The neighborhood promises to be rowdier as it is where most of the senators’ offices are. I expect to meet new faces as I walk along the parquet hall way and primed to develop new friendships along the way.
The chance to serve the No.3 man of the country will always be a highlight of my young professional life. I can only pray that we will be blessed with more public servants like him. Because that is just what we need– leaders who truly deserve the taxpayers’ money.
To the new occupants of Room 606, I wish they would have as much fun as I did, if not more. And may the spirits that dwell within be as friendly.
As a teenager, I used to keep and maintain a diary using a hard-bound notebook, adorned with my favorite cartoon characters. After every entry, which I tried to religiously write before going to bed, I keep it locked in my bottom drawer. And I already lost track how many hours I spent reading and re-reading it.
I outgrew that habit. And like piano lessons, it’s one of the many things I wished I continue to have. But given the demands of my work plus the second shift I have to endure at home as wife and mom, I don’t think I can find enough time to sit down, put my feet up and write about how my day had turned out.
Then, technology continues to give us possibilities that work for our convenience. Technology has given us blogs. An online diary. Something that can be done as a replacement for cigarette breaks. And if you get to be an expert, you can earn a living by writing about yourself, your thoughts and wants.
I am glad I was given the chance to be part of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation blogging workshop. The technical aspect of blogging could look intimidating but after hearing blogging gurus Manolo Quezon III, Ronald Meinardus and Abe Olandres speak about it, I found that it’s actually very easy to learn. Now I’m all fired up for a new hobby.
-
Recent Comments
Joydean on Treinta Individuate on Treinta dencio on Treinta Nabil Baradey on Family Away from Home sassy dessy on Incident at MRT
