Fire!

In my opinion, the worst disaster (aside from death) that could happen to someone is having his/her house burned down by fire. In our culture, the home is a big part of the family and Filipinos usually invest a lot on their houses.

Watching your house burn down to ashes must be devastating. It carries with it not only much of the fruits of your hard work, but also personal properties of material or sentimental value, not to mention countless of memories with family and friends.

The end result is a feeling of "starting all over" again. Building a new house, buying new stuff, and creating new memories. It may not sound that bad for those who have much, but to majority of us, it is really difficult.

These are just some of the things that crossed my mind the other day. A big fire engulfed several buildings just near our house in the city's downtown area (even though I'm now living in another place, I still consider it my second home, since I've lived there for almost 20 years, and still go there everyday.)

It was rumored that the fire started from a kitchen at a nearby restaurant (Rosante). Unfortunately, that kitchen is actually just a few meters away from our kitchen (although a cement wall and a parts of a big mango tree are what separate the two). Though from outside, the house may not seem close to where the fire hit, the truth is the lot is L-shaped. Thus, the property was actually adjacent to where the fire started.

I was awakened by a number of rings on my cellphone at around 4am (at home in Pulantubig). At first I immediately ended the call thinking that it was just my alarm sounding off. As it turned out, the calls came from my classmates who were studying at Dunkin Donuts that morning. Finally, my mom rushed to my room and told me the news.

As I hurriedly drove the pickup on the way to Silliman, I saw a glimpse of the fire. It was huge. I really thought it was hopeless. I parked at the boulevard, a safe distance from the place. It was good to know that a number of firetrucks and firefighters were at the scene and the fire did not reach the house yet. Other cousins arrived on pickups and trucks too. We then started taking stuff out of the house and into our trucks and pickups. On my part, I gathered the valuables - the computer, TV, and other appliances, and also the sentimental stuff - picture frames and the like. Then we got all the important documents from my dad's law office (which was located within the property). Funny thing was, I was able to carry two filing cabinet drawers filled with documents at a single time for more than a few hundred meters. Must be the adrenaline, I guess.

Anyway, after an hour or so, the firefighters were able to control the fire and eventually stop it, without seriously damaging the property (only the kitchen roof was a bit blackened). Thank God my worst fears did not happen.

We spent the next few hours returning all the stuff to the house. Quite exhausting, but who cares...

Simbang Gabi

Christmas is fast-approaching, and one of the much-awaited events leading to the birth of Christ is the "Simbang Gabi." Basically, it's hearing mass at dawn for nine mornings. Traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines (known for having the longest Christmas season in the world!)is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16. It is also known as "Misa de Gallo," literally translating to "Mass of the Roosters." Depending on which chuch you'd go to, the Simbang Gabi begins as early as four in the morning. Going to mass this early for nine consecutive days is meant to show one's devotion to his/her faith. It is also a Filipino belief, that completing the nine days would mean God granting the devotee's special wish or favor.

Another popularity of this tradition is the presence of Filipino food just outside the church. After hearing mass, families partake of traditional Filipino delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church, where they are sold. Vendors offer native delicacies, such as bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top and under), puto bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and coconut shavings as condiments), salabat (hot ginger tea) and my favorite tsokolate (thick Spanish cocoa).

For whatever reason, Simbang Gabi has remained popular, and this is evident by the fully packed churches in Dumaguete every morning.

Since I was young, I usually go with my parents everytime they attend mass. But honestly, it was the puto and tsokolate that I was looking forward to each morning. In spite of this, somehow, I never was able to complete the nine mornings.

This year, however, is different. I'll make sure I wouldn't miss a single Misa de Gallo.

World's Greatest

we love you. we will make you proud.

Baby Sasa

My newest kinugos (goddaughter) was Christened yesterday at the Immaculate Church. Her name is Sestina Anna, the second daughter of my first cousin Corinna. Welcome to the Christian world, Sasa! That brings my list of godchilds to a total of 7. This means I have even more gifts to give this Christmas... hmmm....

On the topic of family members, I'd also like to congratulate another first cousin, Dr. Benjamin Jose ("Benjo") Bautista, for passing the Medical Licensure Exam. Another doctor added to the family...

Since I'm on this topic, allow me also to greet the many relatives who celebrate their birthdays this week - my cousin, Bianca, on the 20th; another cousin, Jacinto, and Tito Nonong, on the 21st; my sister, Rica, on the 22nd; Tito Pempo, on the 25th; and Dr. Benjo, on the 29th. Happy Birthday to you all!