Death and taxes..these are the only two sure things in this world. Each morning, when my wife and I sit down for breakfast, we say grace not only for the food we eat but for another day.."Hey, we are still here, another 24 hours is added to our account.." we sometimes kid ourselves since most of our friends are not here anymore..There must be a reason : Unfinished business?
We have a family plot in Asingan. Our house in Toronto is 2 blocks away from 3 cemetery plots!Nothing is more convenient! Nothing wrong or morbid re: this topic. It is part of being born.
In what part of Pangasinan are you residing, my friend? When my wife retires, then our life would change. Like some of my townmates, it will be 6 months in the Philippines, 6 months in Toronto.
I still love the Philippines. Manila is still the city for me, but it is the Old Manila that is perpetually in my mind's eye. I love Avenida, Escolta, Luneta, Divisoria. The street I hate the most is Quezon Blvd. because some crooks ripped me off there several times during my first year Collge at UST.
One time I was walking along Quezon Blvd from Recto heading to Quiapo. It was such a pleasant, nice walk..until a guy met me and started shooting several photos of me. Made me feel like a celebrity. Or so I thought. Why would he take pictures?
Then he took out some claim receipts and said "you can claim your photos at the store mentioned here..Now give me some deposit please..!"
"Deposit?? I did not ask you to take my photos?"
But the hustler did not let go of me, started to threaten me, and because I was a neophyte in Manila, I had to fork over my last 2 pesos. I had enough change to bring me back to my boarding house..
Another time, I dropped by a Quiapo barbershop. The haircut was only 1 peso. "Haircut please" The barber who looked strong and husky wrapped the white sheet around me and started to do his thing..The haircut was done, then he never stopped there..He proceeded to give me a scalp massage, then facial massage and some other stuff. Then he was finished and I asked how much I owe him.."5 pesos, sir.." and he pointed to me the sign which tabulated the treatments and corresponding payments. The crook knew his arithmetic. I did not ask him to stop at that time because I was curious at what he was doing..Well, curiosity kills the cat or would cost an unwary provinciano his lastmoney..Running away flashed into my mind, but you know how thick the crowd in Quiapo is. Besides I was seated in the farthest seat inside and 4 barbers were there forming a gauntlet with sharp scissors in their hands..I chalked the incident to costly experience and I never told my boardmates the incident otherwise they will be laughing their butts off for a week---at my expense!
Thank you for sharing the story about your friend from the south. Did she speak with the southern accent too? I guess it is never too late to start anew..On the other hand, being free again is sometimes heaven on earth: one can do the things he/she wants to do..And I am sure your family in the Philippines are still around for reunions and holidays..My sister who became a widow after 5 years of happy marriage also say the same thing: she likes her freedom above anything else!---#
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