Chapter 21: First Vacation to the Philippines

The sunrise moved its cycle but I cannot sleep; took a hot bath, made a strong coffee, and listen to mellow music in my collection. My mind kept wandering from many different topics and angles. I could not decipher what I felt, or what I was thinking at that time. I doubted my true wisdom on how to balanced things into proper perspectives. I wanted to go to the Philippines now, to solve my hunches and doubts. Is it Danielle Gustilo, talking over the phone with Ryan Mallari? How come and why? Besides, I missed my best friend Edward Ramirez in Bacolod City. He's financially stable now with his fast-food business and his son Ronnie Ramirez was just promoted recently. He's leveling up his life more than me. How about my life now?

I cried silently in my room and self-pity engulfed my loneliness inside my heart. I enjoyed my nightlife here in Dubai, but my true life was nothing compared to Edward Ramirez. My ego was intact with me like the water in the ocean deep. My family was damaged because of me and my feelings were bruised like the rotten animal in the jungle.

I took my store duty which released my little energy to think about the Philippines. Truly, my first vacation's fast approaching which made my mind go wild. I called Vivian over the landline phone.

"Vivian, good morning, how are you?"

"Marc, it's you, I'm fine. I heard you're going on vacation?"

"Yes, my friend. Could you come tomorrow night to Ryan's place in Al Maktoum Street?"

"Yes Marc, I know that place but I call you when I'm there already."

"Okay Vivian, see you there."

"Marco, I have something for my children and money too. Could you please give at Libertad, Pasay?"

"Sure my friend, bring it and I will give that to them."

"Okay Marco, thank you."

"Thanks, Vivian, bye!

The thing that I liked most about any party was that I had the possibility of knowing other people; their personalities, status in life, and interests. The farewell party was prepared by Ryan Mallari and Glenda Teruel who they branded as party organizers. My expectation for the party and excitement for my vacation molded my perception to increase with nothing to be considered to them. I had a positive feeling toward them as friends.

"Friends, let's celebrate this night with our friend Marco. Let's have a toast for his forthcoming first vacation to our native land, the Philippines. Cheers everyone!!"

We cheered with joyous feelings each other which made me the attention of the party. But, my heart kept on watching for Vivian who didn't arrive yet.

"My friends, since our friendship was sealed by our loyalty to each other, this farewell party was being held to help us all, not only Marco but also to people who are on vacation. The financial assistance extended by us could help him in any way while staying in the Philippines. I ask for your support for him. Let's pass the collection box, please. Thank you."

Everybody was eager to give their share and support. A happy celebration just for my vacation which made them enjoy totally with devotion. Vivian Montoya didn't arrive at the farewell party which made me think negatively. I went home alone with a reverie in my heart, but excited enough about the result of the party and my forthcoming vacation. At the stairway, Ronnie Ramirez told me that Vivian was there in their room waiting for me. I went straight to the room, "Hello Vivian, what's up?"

"Marco, I'm so sorry for not attending the party."

"Vivian, you know the rules here in our flat; a female is not allowed....can we talk at the nearest restaurant here? It's 11:30 in the evening; we have more time to spend. Want to eat shawarma?"

"Sure, okay."

I told Ronnie to observe the surroundings and watch while we went outside the building. We're on the main road when the police car stopped in front of me. Ronnie and Vivian were walking ahead of me.

"Kabayan good evening!" the police greeted us.

"Good evening Sir!" I answered.

"May I check your iqama please..."

I gave my iqama but I'm worried about Vivian at that time. I gave a signal to Ronnie to continue walking while I was talking to the police inside the car. He understood and went on walking normally.

"Sir, how are you tonight?"

"I'm fine kabayan, where are you going at this hour?"

"I'd like to eat shawarma in the restaurant, over there," pointing in the reverse direction.

"I see, come inside I'll bring you there."

"Okay Sir, thank you."

The police brought me to the Shawarma Restaurant without any complaint about me. I saw Ronnie and Vivian hiding at the small junction of the road behind the parked cars. I stood in front of the restaurant to give the signal that it was okay to proceed. We sat at the table and ordered five shawarmas and three fresh fruit cocktails. "How are you, Vivian?"

"I'm fine Marco. By the way, the package for my children is in the room, I gave it to Ronnie, and the money is in the envelope.

Please, Marco...I thank you for this..."

"Don't worry my friend I'll do that for you."

"Good luck with your first vacation in the Philippines....as for me, I can't because I'm a TNT," Vivian said looking into my eyes. "I will my friend, thanks for everything."

Vivian left us in the restaurant where I began to keep silent in front of Ronnie. I finished eating my shawarma and fruit cocktail wherein Ronnie still finishing his, which I looked at and observed him. The character of his father resembled some of his traits, but my feeling for him was not fully coherent like his father.

XXX

It was ...

In the year 1987 in October, when I departed the Dubai International Airport going to Manila, Philippines; on my first vacation.

The weather was quite hazy when we departed from my accommodation in Satwa. We're six of us in a taxi cab which made the back seat like a canned sardine. The situation did not matter to my friends, as long as they had me with my first departure. Everyone wished me good luck, got inside the airport, and seated me in the waiting area. I kept on wondering what will be the outcome of my vacation, the condition of my family especially the children, and my love for my wife. Really amazing to think that after two long years of sacrifices and vices, here I am, waiting for the most memorable moment of my life. The love of my family is still the best thing I ever wanted in my whole life; but within the challenges that I encountered, I didn't have much armor to fight or eluded it. It's only my weaknesses that showed and comprehend things within the facets of my personality.

At long last, I stepped inside the plane cabin with much thought still lingering in my heart. I seated and looked at each passenger as if, they were happy and contented. Their faces contrived to their strength in facing their own destiny with vigor; unlike me, still learning how to make things the basic way. Sleep cannot give me the power to erase temporarily what I was thinking about the past and future.

Even the in-flight music, movies, and food couldn't remedy me from thinking the same. I resumed the non-sense drifting of my thoughts which changed like a roulette of images.

Never had I experienced this kind of feeling; a mixed feeling of excitement, fear, unknown, gladness, or anything that I had in my mind.

After long nine hours, I glimpsed my beloved country, the PHILIPPINES with depth emotions coming from a dreamer like me. The plane touched the runway like my feelings kissed my native land. I cannot fathom my agitated mind and heart, flowing like running water in the river, and the emotions that I cannot explain even in a single word.

Around seven in the morning, I smelled the air as fresh as the seaside breeze and met the people with much delight. Their faces were like thousands of flowers moving in one direction across the mountain. I moved my way to the airport exit, hoping that somebody will welcome me, but this travel was a surprise for my family. Ayah Isabel didn't have knowledge about this vacation.

I hired an airport taxi cab going to Dimasalang Street, Bacalaran, got my items of baggage at the back, and settled in the front seat. The traffic congestion filled with much excitement while waiting for every second of it. I asked the driver to enter Dimasalang Street for easy access to my baggage. When we were about to turn to the street, I was mesmerized frantically by the houses and people along the road. The taxi cab driver asked one of the residents about it and told me that there was huge fire devastation yesterday afternoon.

"Friend, can you drive faster going to the next block?" I asked the driver.

"Okay."

My heart kept on pounding while we were approaching the road in front of our house. The first glimpse of my damaged apartment caused my agitated emotions to respond quickly. I opened the taxi cab door and ran in front of the gutted apartment which made my tears flow even in the midst of people staring at me. I looked around to find my wife and children but in vain. The taxi cab driver notified me that he unloaded my baggage. I felt my wallet in the back pocket of my pants and paid fifty dollars for my transportation fare. I stood beside my baggage, not leaving it, and continued looking around.

When I heard someone calling my name I turned around and saw Ayah Isabel with my three children running towards me. My tears began to flow; knowing that they were fine and missed them so much. I hugged Ayah Isabel tightly while she was crying with joy and the three children. We forgot that we were on the street, forgot about our apartment, and forgot about the fire devastation.

"How are you, my love?" I whispered to Ayah.

"Marco, I'm fine, but still agitated with the fire yesterday."

"Where are you staying right now with the children?"

"Inside the classroom of Baclaran Elementary School, it made as a refuge center and the residents were there."

We rented two tricycles, one for baggage and one for us; going to the school campus. I asked the school guard to help me with the baggage and we settled inside the classroom. I gave the children their chocolates, biscuits, and also, for the children inside the room.

"How many families here in this room?" I asked Ayah.

"Five families, including Mike and Lina."

"Who are they, our friend in Frisco Del Monte?"

"Yes Marco, I'll tell you later why."

"Where are they now?"

"They went to their friend in Cavite."

"Okay, let's go outside and find a place to rent."

"Yes, of course."

"How about the baggage?"

"Let's put it there at the corner and cover."

"Okay, Marc."

We went outside the school and find a fast food restaurant to dine in.

"Marco, there's a newly opened KFC store in front of the church." Ayah said.

"Okay, children let's go!"

I ordered a barrel of chicken, side dishes, and drinks. Ayah gave them the fried chicken on their plates including salads and drinks. They ate while I looked at them with happiness inside my heart.

After eating, we went to a shopping mall in Makati Center and bought something for them including Ayah Isabel. It was nearly seven in the evening when we came back to the school classroom, where Mike and Lina were there to give us a warm welcome. "Best friend Marco, how are you, how's your life abroad?" Mike Luna asked while hugging me.

"It's okay Pareng Mike, better than working here."

"Pare, I'm planning to work abroad too. Lina and I talked about it already. Could you help me?"

"Of course Pare, but I have to find an apartment first."

"Pareng Marc, I'll go with you....can you accommodate us too?"

"No problem! You're my best friend, isn't it?"

XXX