Missing Home

My dear friend and cousin, Ivi Rodriguez asked me weeks ago if I could say a few words about Ormoc City. She was writing an article about the city fiesta and the piece was about people who are from Ormoc who left or who visited and stayed. Without skipping a beat, I said "Yes!" and this is what I wrote...

I am one of those people who never have a permanent address. Ever since I was 13, I have lived away from my hometown, Ormoc City. First, I studied high school in Cebu then I graduated and moved to Manila for college. For 9 years, I flourished in the excitement that these big cities had to offer. I was able to experience chaos and culture at their best and I embraced both with open arms. But amidst the excitement, I would still anticipate summers and Christmases because that would mean that I would get to go home and be with my family. I would be able to eat to my heart’s content and never have to worry about my dwindling allowance. I could walk from point A to point B in five minutes and would be able to see at least 5 people that I know, especially if I’d be buying something from Mercury Drug. Everything opens at 8 and closes at 6 and it still amazes me that after 10 years, none of these have changed.

Before leaving for Scotland, I went home to Ormoc for seven months and as I look back, I consider those months to be one of the best times of my life. When you have stayed away for so long and suddenly you come back, you remember what you loved as a child and you experience the things that you missed while you were gone and finally, you learn to appreciate the little things, the simple things that no amount of money or success will ever buy. They say that home is where the heart is and true enough, my heart is and always will be in Ormoc City.

*****
P.S My dear cousin Monic got married to long time boyfriend, Nacho Veloso last June 20, 2009. I am very happy for the both of them and I wish them all the best. I miss ya Burdaks! :)