« Home | Hey, future lawyer. » | Vanity Post. » | LongAss Livejournal Entry. » | Tuesdays, » | Friday night and the light is blinding. » | List 002 » | Jobless and Happysad in Manila. » | And then there are more ramblings. This is also where I address the recurrent question: Have you been taking a lot of photos? » | List 001 » | I left my ♥ in San Francisco. »
Today is Baguio Day. “Happy Baguio Day!” was what Jang heard me say numerous times today, just as I tell her “Happy Monday!” or “Happy Thursday!” –- on, erm, corresponding days of the week.
So anyway, today is Baguio Day. On the same day last year I was in Session Road covering a parade and a protest rally. Also, this month last year I was agonizing over something that included choosing. So I chose Manila, and hasn’t been really okay ever since.
My heart will always be somewhere in Baguio. All this moving around and staying still is caused by that episode which we shall now call Leaving Baguio and Not being Okay with It.
So anyway, Christmas said hello today. A Baguio breeze came in the house this afternoon, and I was reminded of Burnham Park on a foggy day. And about how, on a rainy September schoolday, kids in raincoats sleepily waddling through puddles can cheer me up.
I miss Baguio everyday it makes me cry. Surely each one of us has That Place –- where we dream of returning to again and again, where our heart is happiest, where memories are the sweetest.
I miss the fog, most of all.
Ilocano chatter in jeepneys. Smile from a stranger in Session Road. The long and winding South Drive. The Pines Hotel ruins (SM Baguio to you now, bleah). Dominican Hill. That chapel near Breha. Red Cherries. Shawarma Buddidarma. Oh My Gulay! Gobi. The bustling art scene. Handsome old men in bulky jackets and mufflers. Baguio haunts that only locals know. Ayuyang. The fact that I can walk from one place to another without being mutated by pollution. Dropping by at Sir Godo’s for some pep talk. Sir Pyx and his engulfing laugh. Pizza with Jang after work and school. Two blankets and the cold still bites. Moldy sweaters. The market. Strawberries. Plump ones. Cheap plump strawberries. Cheap plump obese strawberries. Cheap plump obese sweet strawberries.
I can go on forever.
And whatever they say about Baguio getting uglier, what the hey, it will always be beautiful for me no matter what.
Filipino Christmas is here! Hello to cold nights and Baguio memories. Hello to bittersweet moments, and hello (again) to hoping for things to get better.
Merry Christmas. (-:
As if missing it is not enough, you made me remember!!! Waaaah!! Hehe Haven't been back since last year. Kaka-miss talaga sha sobra.
Happy Baguio Day!
Posted by DeN | 9/02/2006 09:06:49 AM
punta ka this year!!! happy baguio day Den, hehe.
Posted by Kat | 9/02/2006 03:29:08 PM
agh. you make me ache for baguio =(
Posted by wandering storyteller | 9/04/2006 04:00:23 PM
i'm planning to go to Baguio pa naman anytime soon. your entry is so timely.
ber month na nga kaso ang weather these days ay parang summer. hay.
Posted by jen | 9/05/2006 01:10:13 PM
hi Jen! enjoy Baguio! wow ang sarap ngayon don hayy.
Posted by Kat | 9/06/2006 01:50:30 AM
Cagayan de Oro.
Where summers never end.
Where the scent of sea water mingles with freshly-baked pan de coco in late afternoons, sold to you by the stereotypical friendly baker who knows not only your name but your grandfather's too.
Where 5 p.m. is bread and hot chocolate time and supper is at 7 p.m.
The place.
Just like your Baguio.
Haaay.
More posts please...
Posted by Kal-El | 9/07/2006 02:52:33 PM
Tell me more about Cagayan de Oro! Wow. Gusto ko yung smell of seawater mixed with smell of freshly-baked bread. Sarap.
Posted by Kat | 9/08/2006 01:57:31 AM
Asteeeeg!
You really wanna know about Cagayan de Oro?
Huwow.
Blogged it na po.
More posts please!!!
Posted by Kal-El | 9/09/2006 08:25:25 PM