Keeping in touch

As a Bystander, I had originally conceived my role as that of one concerned with watching from the banks of the passing river of life, only to realize later that life proceeds more like an upward spiraling coil to which one can have periodic access. And so, I keep in touch with people, places and events through the years.

Which is what happened weekend before last. My son Antonio, his wife Rebecca and their daughters Caitlin, Krista and Caryl, flew in from Los Angeles, California, where they now reside, for a two week vacation to spend with Rebecca’s mother, my comadre Alicia Rodriguez, to celebrate her birthday with her last Monday, July 1st, in Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.

So last weekend, I joined Rebecca’s sister Susan, a fellow Banawa, Guadalupe resident here in Cebu, to go there. I rode with Susan and her daughter Sonnet and Sonnet’s younger brother. Susan drove us to Tangil in Dumanjug town, took the Rodriguez family-owned ferry to cross over to Guihulngan City. We were met there at the wharf in Basak by Antonio, Rebecca and the girls. The last time I was there was when kumpare Paulo Rodriguez passed away 11 years ago!

Antonio then took over for the 25-minute drive from the landing place in Basak to the heart of the city. I then had time to admire along the way the breathtaking views of towering age-old trees, including numerous hardwood species like the molave, all lining on both sides of the road. The lush, more familiar trees included the now flaming fire trees, talisays, coconut palms, bamboo, and the canopies of widespreading acacias now breaking out in feathery floral bloom.

But not to overlook the aftereffects along the way of the major frightening 6-point-plus intensity earthquake that recently hit this east Negros coastal area: the numerous incredible earthquake fissures now filled with earth and stone cutting across the main roadways, now thankfully being busily concreted in sections to allow for traffic to carefully drive through. And along the span of the seaside boulevard, a couple of street lampposts still askew, and a number of now-filled wide cracks in the seawall.

You will hopefully bear with my effusiveness reporting on these contrasts of beauty in nature, and manifestations of earth-shaking power.

We arrived at kumare Alicia’s home in time for lunch. During lunch, I got to know the rest of her family after busy business woman Susan with her daughter Sonnet and, Sonnet’s younger brother, Susan being the oldest of her six children; Consolacion, a practicing nurse in New York City, who could not come; Mil and his wife Aurora; Tim who could not come but was represented by his daughter Amaryllis and son Tim; pharmacist Eleanor who had worked for years with International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Cebu until she opted for early retirement to keep her mother company after her father Paulo’s death; and youngest daughter Rebecca and her husband Antonio, my son, with their three daughters, Caitlin, Krista, and Caryl.

Saturday, we drove out to Tim’s farm where the children had a great time trying to ride the blanket-and-sheet-covered back of a bewildered carabao being pulled along by the nose by a farmer. Antonio and Rebecca’s Caitlin fell off on first try, but she climbed back and successfully rode some distance. Her smaller youngest sister Caryl also rode successfully.

Sunday, we all went to Mass. After a sumptuous lunch, we all drove off to Susan’s mountain farm in Pisok for a pre-birthday afternoon tea party for kumare Alicia. It was organized by Rebecca who used to hold such a party in Los Angeles for special family occasions when I would be visiting there.

Talented designer and special party events organizer Gopher Colegio had laid out at Susan’s mountain residence a decorated buffet table with sumptuous treats on Rebecca’s silver trays. Decorations included lighted candles. Guests included family and friends who all came to wish and kiss kumare Alicia a happy birthday in advance. Guests sat out on the lawn where Gopher had laid out tables and chairs clad in checkered blue on white linen. To conclude, a simple birthday roll was bought in for comadre to blow out a single candle before the cake was sliced for the guests.

Early the following day, we went on a two hour drive to Mabinay for late breakfast, then lunch at the Highland Resort popularly frequented by tourists. It was there that we had the formal birthday party for comadre complete with a musical combo, and a decorated, candle-lit birthday cake. It was a celebratory finale to kumare’s birthday, and quietly also made known, her son Mil’s birthday! As kumare said, “He was born on my birthday!”

It was there that Antonio’s Caitlin quickly learned kayaking and did a solo trip around the vast pool, one of the other natural pools of the resort.

The following day, Tuesday, it was back home here in Banawa with a convoy of family joined by birthday celebrant kumare Alicia, and visiting Antonio, Rebecca and the girls.

Last night, Antonio and his family flew back to Los Angeles. With comadre Alicia, Susan, Eleanor and their girls, I came for the ride to see them off at the airport to make it on their midnight flight back to Los Angeles.

That was truly a memorable long weekend to keep in touch and remember with family and relatives.

Until next week, then, as always, may God continue to bless us, one and all!