"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME"

"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME"

I felt nostalgic when suddenly, I overheard my ninety-year old mother talking downstairs while I was on the 2nd floor of our old house fixing something. It drove me to a scene some 45 years when i was still in the high school... My mother's voice was enough to let me realize that I was an Odionganon. That I was born and grew up in that beautiful place, named Odiongan, which I almost abandoned after having a family of my own and resided in Manila.

Finally, Mother is home. A place where she and my father made their abode when their family became bigger. a place where most of our childhood memories where left. A place where love existed, where emotions of youth truly reflected, where young laughter and giggles were heard. Yes, she's home for good, after my brother Vicente's passing. She stayed in Hawaii with my father for almost 20 years and after the Lord recalled my father, she was with our beloved sibling Vicente in Olongapo for almost 6 years.

The few days that we've been together before I left my hometown showed a perfect manifestation of just how excited and contented my mother was to be home at long last, as she impatiently waited for her garden to be finished. While happiness could be seen in my sibling Celeste's face every time she did something. Unknowingly, she was constantly caught singing. While Jose Rizal's fondness of local food cooked by our sister Cecile, was answered. Only that I always hear him complain of the sluggishness of the internet service.

The first morning scenarios where realistically wonderful and my mother was so elated to be visited by her sister Ligaya, but her nephew Arnel came like an early bird. after which Lalain came next with goodies and food stuff. The following Day, another niece, Mary Jude sent lechon, while sister Ligaya has her "guinatang langka" and indian mangoes, followed by Mom's first cousin Alden. Next was an early dinner invitation at her niece Merna's and Mike's awesome place. But my mother just love how people around spoiled her.

My stay in Odiongan, Romblon for almost two weeks as an advance party was made easy because of my sister-in law Shahanie's hospitality, and who patiently cooked food for the whole team (the 4 carpenters, Jayra, Christine Rei and of course myself). A big thanks to her.) Thanks to my Aunt Nena and Uncle Elmer for bringing me fresh chicken . But Arnel came first upon my arrival with his famous, palatable bamboo shoot and fish. That really made my day! Also, a big thank you to a very good friend, cousin Zeny for some stuff and and my favorite "Aglipay bread" and for treating us at our classmate Svillana's Place (Harbour Chateau) and to Arthur who drove us around Odiongan, and to Mom's first cousin Dennis whom we caught at a glance at Harbour and later took picture with us. I would also want to thank Anne Therese for personally baking some cake for my mother. oh, it made her day, too. Am happy as well, dropping-by at good friend Jun's house. I also would like to acknowledge my niece Sheila Marie for accompanying my beautiful mother From Olongapo to Odiongan and unselfishly lent her hands for the left over chores. and my companion back to Manila.

Nevertheless, our home will always be the sweetest home for us. What ever circumstances there might be, there will come a time that we will crave to be back where we started. To look back to where we first see the light, where our first cries, were heard, where our first steps were made. Notwithstanding the chaos of bringing home all of our possessions...We simply say...that's life!

"It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home."
MCRR 2017 (May 13)