wadi: my Casiguran chronicles :)
November 12, 2009Absolutely, there’s no place like home. We may go to farthest, fancy places but we will feel at peace the most in the place where we had our fondest memories, our childhood especially.
Barely half a year that I’ve been away then I would suddenly feel like eating the recipes my mother prepare back home. I saw in my mind how they look, smell and tasted like.
When I got home I had it all. Ate Mir was also home so my vacation was really great. Kain tulog lang ako most of the time. hehe
Our diet at home is pretty healthy, fish and veggies most of the time. Every morning Tatay go to Lagpan to buy newly caught fishes. In this picture, the fish came all the way from San Ildefonso, brought home by Mama. It was huge! Though we prefer smaller ones than to something like this Mama bought it because we thought our brothers we’re coming home too. Unfortunately there was a typhoon again.
The big fish became inihaw at sinigang. Sa sobrang laki ng isda para nang pork o beef. There were still some at the freezer when I left.
Tatay concoct his own vegetable recipe and it is simply divine! I can eat it each meal by itself. He gathers vegetables from our backyard and other veggies from the market. Camote tops, okra, eggplant, green pepper and any other available vegetable are rinsed well then drained. Afterwards the veggies are put in a casserole and set into a very low fire. They are cooked without any additional water. When the veggies cook through their own liquids the fire is increased. Lastly a dressing of fish sauce, calamansi and thinly sliced onions are added. My mouth starts to water just thinking about it. hehe
Any trip to Casiguran will not be complete without swimming. There’s a lot of nice beaches in our town but the most accessible for us is the Lagpan Beach. The feeling while swimming was like nostalgic. There are so many wonderful childhood memories made in that beach. When we were young we often went there for picnics together with our cousins in our paternal side but as time went by times like those barely happen again. How I wish we can swim together again just like before. I miss my cousins especially Joy Ann and Aira. They were my playmates then though I am older than them by two years. I was their Ate Pam but now they are already bigger than me.
Another thing I am proud abut my father is his willingness to learn. He is always open to new things for as long as it will help us improve and uplift our living. When Ate acquired a motorcycle, a Suzuki Raider from Kuya Rene Tatay learned how to operate it almost by himself. Every morning he drives Ate to school. Tatay sent and fetched us when we went to the beach.
One time I told Tatay he should start learning how to use the computer so we can chat when I am gone. He replied cheerfully, said that he already know how to play songs in Ate’s laptop. Tatay is really one cool dude! haha. He noticed that I don’t use my iPod shuffle that much. He asked if he can have it because he has sleeping problems sometimes. The moment he wakes up at night even if its only ten in the evening he can hardly get back to sleep. Maybe because the problems sneak through his mind. Music would surely take his thoughts away from those. I gave my iPod and he enjoys it. One time I checked out what was he listening into and it was Beyonce’s Single Ladies! I, Mama, Ate and Ate Mir burst into one huge laughter. Later on I changed the playlist into Engelbert Humperdinck’s, Nat King Cole, Apo hiking Society and the like. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find his special request, Larawang Kupas. 
One time Ate Mir asked me to join her in going to church. I didn’t know what to wear.I thought I wouldn’t be staying long so I brought only a couple of t shirts. While she was suggesting me some clothes from her own Ate Ophel told me why don’t I just wear the Giordano long sleeves which was also given by Ate Mir. Mukha naman akong mayor nito! I joked. But I wore it just the same. The funny thing was, I was mistaken three times to be the older one between me and Ate Mir. The mother of her high school classmate took me to be her twice! Di din ako pina bless ni Father pero si Ate pina bless nya! Ang tuwa naman ni Ate Mir. haha
Simple lang ang buhay sa amin pero masaya dahil magkakasama kami. They asked me to stay for good but I just can’t yet. i still want to explore. Maybe because I am still young I want to experience the fast life. I would like the sedentary life back home once in a while. Later on they stopped convincing me. Gave me reminders instead especially on financial matters. They reminded me to be frugal. Do not spend all you earn, be sure that there are still some left from your pay out. Life is not all about good time, shopping or party they say. I really like to follow their advice. So help me God.
Kapamilya na din namin sina Hunks, Nestea at Brownie. They guard us and our house. Being a half breed Brownie is the biggest and loudest barker among the three. Hunks is in his retiring age already. His body is starting to weaken, his skin to sag and his hair to grey. I hope that when I go home again he’s still there.
Magkasundo kami ni Ate Mir sa madaming bagay especially in taking pictures. We celebrated Halloween through jump pics.
In Nov. 1 the Casiguran Brass Band paraded.
Me and Mama.
I may not be home for Christmas so immediately after Nov. 1 we set up the Christmas tree. The cold stormy weather gave holiday ambience. Our favorite past time at home is watching tv together. They like watching Wowowee so I ended up watching it too almost everyday. I also like videoke kahit sintunado ako. At first lagi nila ako pinipigilan but later on wala na din sila nagawa so there, I belted out the Kenny Rogers and other mushy old love songs.
Tatay is also a Pacquiao fan. In the picture above we were watching a dvd of all manny’s fights. For sure the world will stop on Nov.15 when he fights again.
Mangoes and Dragon fruit can be found in our backyard. Aside from that there are also guavas and cacao. Tatay and Mama keeps our yard vegetated while Ate plants and takes care of ornamental plants. Her current favorite is the money tree. She is so happy that they keep on producing those pebble like pieces or “money”. Its a good sign they say. Hope so. hehe
I also consider my friends as my treasures. Every time there is a chance I see to it that i get to meet them. I feel so happy being with them, talking about our ideas, our past and our hopes for the future. Being a friend to them is one thing I will never ever be tired of.
I never felt having a big family a liability. I give credit to it to my parents. They raised us well no matter how hard it was. As a result I have many places to stay at. Here in Manila I live at Kuya Ronie’s while I live at Ate Chit’s when I am in San Luis.
Its a wonderful feeling when my sibling’s children greet me excitedly every time I arrive. Ate Chit’s kids AC and Cedric have grown a lot since I last saw them. I gave Cedric a yellow race car and a Ben10 watch for AC. I thought if singlehood is God’s plan for me I wouldn’t mind it. I will be a doting aunt to my nieces and nephews.
So there, that was my hearty vacation. Where ever I am home will be in my heart. Just wait for me, Beary.
wow! nice, kakainggit!