Por fin, despues 44 anos, La Copa esta ya en Espana! VIVA ESPANA!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Somos Hermanos ( Part 2 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…?
My brother’s homecoming decision was long overdue. Mom was happy but it seemed that the old man was happier. He had his two sons back at the farm where he raised them. The farm is his sanctuary. He can’t trade it for the world. He was educated in Manila courtesy of the US Armed Forces because grandfather was once a Captain who fought side by side with the Gringos against the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. After the war my aunts migrated to the US. My father returned to our hometown and continued the century-old family sugar business, and raised his own family there. Lanie, my sister who is now based in New York wanted my parents to migrate to the US but was unsuccessful in convincing them.
And so when I and Guilberto went home in December, the festive mood was evident in the air. Mom’s old China resurfaced. Brother’s gold and silver plated spoons, forks and knives from Europe were once again inventoried and polished for the festivities. Goats and fowls slaughtered, lechon was prepared. Guilberto’s wine selections from Europe were poured but the old man and his peers preferred to have their old favourite whisky and beer.
Amidst all these, for me no amount of preparations could give me much thrill than being joyful and melancholic at the same time. The sweet smell of the grass, the music created by the wind-blown sugar cane leaves, the chirping of birds, the barking of dogs, the sight of endless greens, the presence of my family, all these brought back sweet memories of my childhood years. Indeed, there is no place like home.
Not only the whole family got excited as December 25 was nearing but also the two warring groups of kids from the nearby communities. One group is composed of sons and grandsons of sugar workers who had been working with our family dating back to the time of my great grand mother who started it all. They live in the place they call “minuro” or a small village. The other group is composed of the children living along the road, most of them are off-springs of migrant sugar workers from the neighbouring towns and provinces. They live in “pucatod” or a community in the higher grounds. These groups only get along well every Christmas and New Year during the annual fiesta I organize for them in our courtyard.
The kids already new that four jumbo boxes containing chocolates, candies, clothes and toys from UK arrived as early as November. News spread quickly that lots of surprises were in store for them. Then the day came. I myself was surprised! Big Bro wore a Santa suit through out the program. I laughed at the sight of a young Santa Claus!
When we were kids, brother and I were Santa believers. One December, he gave me Santa’s address. We mailed by post our letters containing our Christmas wishes. I asked for a toy train. It didn’t arrive.
New Year came. We led the lighting of fire crackers and fireworks with farm kids in the middle of the newly harvested and cleared sugar field. Everybody was happy! Laughters, claps and cheers echoed in the air as we welcomed 2008. It was a wonderful moment for me. This time there was a duo giving children and neighbours a holiday treat just like the old days, my brother and me.
(With part 3 of 3 parts)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Somos Hermanos (part 1 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…?
Christmas and New Year of 2007 came not as a usual holiday celebration for our family. It was special because for the first time in so many years, the whole family was almost complete save for my New York based sister. In my case, I already stopped counting the years if how many Christmases and New Year’s Eves had past that every family member was present. To be more accurate is to say that it has been decades, way back when all of my siblings were still single.
For me it was a special Christmas and a year-ender family gathering because once more, I was together with my only brother. And so when he called in November to say that he’s coming home on December, I said to myself, “Wow! After living in London for more than six years, finally, Big Bro is back!” I miss him a lot.
My brother had been a great part of my growing-up years, especially my childhood days. We grew up in the farm, went to grade school together until that day came when my parents decided to send him together with my other sister in Iloilo under the care of my grandmother where they would finish their High School.
It was a sad moment the day he and my sister left. Suddenly, I was all alone in the farm. Back then, our eldest sister was already studying Engineering in a Catholic University in Bacolod City while the second to the eldest married at a very young age. She was then fourteen going fifteen. That day, I lost a playmate, a tutor, a confidant, a rival and an enemy sometimes.
My mother used to tell me that my father won’t stop impregnating her until she delivers a son. “Almost every year, I got pregnant.” She said. When the fourth child came, my father was ecstatic! He finally got a son, his junior. But then, he decided to make another child because he said, his junior needed a brother to grow-up with. He was pretty sure it was going to be another baby boy. I would say he had a gift of Nostradamus. He was right. And there was I the following year. That was my story, my purpose of having been brought into this world, to be my only brother’s buddy.
I grew up with him a la “follow the leader” way. Of course he would always turn out to be the leader! But it was not a dictatorial kind of a leader-follower relationship. I followed thinking that it was the right thing to do. At a very young age, I needed a guide and Big Bro proved his worth.
We were like twins when we were kids except for some minor differences. I got a brunette curlier hair like the Sto. Nino they say while his was dark and wavy. When we were being compared, people would say he is cuter. I got no problem with that. At least people find me cute. Cheers!
When I was about five or six, one time my uncle brought home two pairs of boxing gloves. Father taught us to box. He loves the sport. My brother did not develop interest in it, and so I thought, ‘twas a bloody non-interesting kind of sport also. So his two sons never developed a career in boxing.
We climbed trees together, went fishing and swimming in the river, searched for bird’s nest, played and collected spiders kept and played dogs, cats and all domesticated farm animals like goats, ducks and water buffalos. We were playmates. We were inseparable. Growing up with him was like replicating him.
When he was in his first grade, suddenly, I wanted to go to school too. I wanted to be with him all the time. So one morning, I was unstoppable. I dressed up and went to school with him. When we were about to enter his classroom, his teacher refused me. She didn’t allow me in. Witch. I told myself.
So I had to console myself of waiting him home after school. He would bring along flash cards and he would teach me how to read, write and spell. He would also tell me stories about school, his classmates and friends. Those stories furthered my interest to be in the school soonest. One day he told me, he could take me to his school’s Christmas Party. I was so happy! I remembered the day before the party; I prepared my best bib and tucker for that school event. I enjoyed a lot!
And so when we were separated, it was hell of an adjustment for me. At first, I was lost, but slowly I started to develop my own identity. We exchanged letters by post. No emails during those days. So it would take a month to hear from him. When I was in High School, he introduced me to the world of Philately, collecting coins and paper currencies. That opened my eyes to the bigger world out there. It amazed me keeping stamps, coins and paper monies from different countries. I would always imagine how in the world they reached my hometown. There must be some interesting travel stories for these collectibles. That opened my fancy for travel. I vowed to myself, “I will visit these countries. I swear.”
As I was beginning to turn to an adult, Big Bro’s absence made me realize my own identity. But I saw his shadows all the time. After High School in Iloilo, he went back to Bacolod City to study Engineering then shifted to Nursing. On the other hand, I went to Iloilo for my Business Administration Degree. While in college, I busied myself every summer working to have extra money for the incoming school opening. Summers then were not the same as before. We were both pre-occupied with summer classes or summer jobs.
After graduation, we were reunited in Manila where we practiced our professions. We spent a couple of years together. He was a nurse working as a medical representative in a multinational drug firm. I was then a Junior Auditor of Price Waterhouse. We had joint night-outs with my friends and his. We frequented the once Studebaker where we strutted our cool moves. We were addicted to disco dancing. We were always present at the bar, rain or shine, even if Pasong Tamo St. where we pass was flooded.
Then we realized, we were turning to mature adults, racing against time to make good money, trying hard to become rich sooner if not soonest. We now had our own circle of friends and a couple of different interests. I busied myself with work and girlfriends. He busied himself selling fertility drugs and antibiotics. Then one day, he finally got tired of selling and said, “I wanted to see the world and earn big money abroad.” So he flew to Taiwan, then to the United Kingdom to practice his nursing career. Finally!
I was left behind in Manila determined to build a business empire.
(With parts 2 and 3 of 3 parts.)
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