Sunday, June 29, 2008

Somos Hermanos (Part 3 of 3 parts)





Somos Hermanos
(We Are Brothers)

As we approach the threshold of the next chapters of our lives as mid-aged men, I began to think if time and distance have changed me and my only brother Guilberto. Once young farm boys who had been so identical in so many ways, I asked myself, is my brother still a copy of me or am I still a replica of him…?


After the New Year’s revelries, life went back to normal in our sleepy town, though kids were still talking about it, of how they loved their presents so much, of how they swore that they will never get their stuffed toys and dolls soiled, of how they wished it would be the same or even better come next Christmas. Hearing them say this inspired me to keep on doing this year after year. God willing, this would be my lifetime mission!

A few days left before returning to Manila, we made some revelations regarding our individual plans for the future. Brother said he is moving to the USA and try life in the Big Apple. He was preparing for some State Licensure Examinations in some US States. Just two weeks ago, he called to say that he got his ticket to practice his career in the State of California.

Hearing his plans, I realized, he’s not coming back in the near future to stay in the Philippines for good. He still wants to see the world. Though he’s been to so many places in Europe and a few in Africa, I believe his eyes are now focused in the Americas. He never losses his sense of wonder in travelling. “Ahh! Just like me. Just like me,” I thought.

I should say at present, we are heading towards opposite directions. While he is moving much further from our birthplace, I could see that my path is headed towards coming back to the farm where we grew up. Father is semi-retired now. Being the only son left in the country, it is just a matter of time that the burden of continuing the legacy of my great grand mother Engracia would be placed on my shoulder.

Just lately, I infused additional capital to modernize the farm equipment, taught my parents some smart techniques on procurement, leased long term and bought some more pieces of agricultural lands.

A day before our departure, he showed his collections of stamps, coins and paper currencies. Oh my! He is still into it. And he’s got rarer and more precious stuff too which could cost a fortune especially the gold coins he bought in an auction in London. In my case, it’s been years since I stopped doing that. I stopped not because I lost interest in it but because at the moment I don’t have extra time to focus my attention to it.

We shared our travel experiences, showed our travel photos, talked about his new found friends and mine too. Though I still haven’t met his new circle of friends, I do hope and pray that he is in good company.

One amusing revelation I learned is that we are both very much concerned of our looks. We both go to the gym trying to keep fit. We both love clothes and find pleasure in shopping. And the funny part is, we both keep our grey hair from coming out. But he likes to keep his hair long, while I still sport a clean-cut look.

Having changed his citizenship from Filipino to British, my brother in some ways had changed also. He now prefers European cuisine but never forgets the old Filipino delicacies. He can speak English with a very good British accent, likes to watch football games and adores David Beckham but dislikes Cristiano Ronaldo of the Manchester United for his antics. In my case I am seriously learning Spanish at Instituto Cervantes to resurrect the dead language of the family. I am bias to Spanish and Latino players like Iker, Cesc, Messi, and Ronaldinho but I like Cristiano Ronaldo.

Being single in our late 30’s, both of us are still not prepared to say goodbye to our freedom as bachelors. Though I am now engaged and wanting to have kids soon, Big Bro finds contentment in his two lovely Persian cats. He loves them.

Time and age may have changed us physically, foreign cultures may have influenced and changed our lifestyles a bit, money and practice of profession may have varying impacts on our perspectives in life but I would say these are superficial things which never changed the real persons in us. Old family values like love and care for parents and the constant desire to keep the family intact amidst all inequities are still alive and burning in our hearts. Distance may have separated us physically but the tie that binds us since we were kids is still strong. It is deeply anchored in our hearts, sealed with LOVE, for in the end LOVE will prevail.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Greg - even before I got to the last portion of your third post on the subject, I was already thinking of commenting that you do wear your heart on your sleeve. Then I read your closing remarks: Bingo! Quite refreshing, actually. Keep it up. Cheerio old boy.

earl villegas 111 said...

gee man,i ve got 3 cats!poor puss he is sulking now.and also 15 tropical fish and 35 new fingerlings.also,dont forget our shoes,blings,perfumes etc.also mr. ronaldo will transfer to real madrid soon,beckham's last year team and guess what he wants to use beckhams no.7 on his shirt too,and gee he ordered the same two cars exactly like his!cheerio for now.see you this december.

Anonymous said...

Amor… he leído las tres partes de hermanos, y me encantó que puedas recordar los hermosos momentos entre ustedes, como también sus nuevas direcciones que la vida les brinda.. tu blog llena de amor a la familia, y es verdad que más allá de los cambios superficiales de cada uno, siempre está la esencia interior de ustedes que nadie ni nadie puede cambiar, porque el amor de la familia es un sentimiento profundo e infinito como el universo.

Amor… me encantaron las fotos y que realizan a los niños de la granja, porque una sonrisa de un niño, un beso, una caricia, el solo hecho de escucharlo, no tiene precio amor.. y ustedes lo hacen.. porque cuando crezcan los niños, siempre lo recordarán ese hermoso momento…. Te lo digo amor.. que estoy hace tantos años con niños maltratos por su propia familia, abandonados, enfermos, con problema de hablar , que perdieron sus padres y no alcanzaron a conocerlos, niños que tienen tanta carencia amor…. Por eso, estoy feliz que hagas feliz a un niño junto con tu hermano.

El amor de un hermano, nunca desaparece y siempre está en su corazón, no importa la distancia, nada, sino importa que siempre estan juntos, y eso para tus padres es una felicidad completa .

Que Dios los bendiga a ambos …. En el camino de cada uno que eligan en sus vidas…pero que el final de la meta es la Felicidad.

Te amo, mi dulce bombón

Kari