My Vacation 2011: #1 Cavite

The first 2 weeks of this vacation was the worst of all my experiences here, but I don't want to dwell on that because I don't want to remind myself of the hell that I've been through with POEA. I just want to focus on some of the beautiful and positive things, like the time when I went to Noveleta and Cavite City, my trip to Cebu City (that was the highlight) and when I went to Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City with my eldest daughter Maria.

My first trip to Cavite last May 29, 2011 was a nostalgic one because it reminds me of the good old days. Seeing my parents, some of the places and things there conjured up my childhood memories. I was so caught up by my nostalgia that I've forgotten to snap some photos of my folks in Noveleta and I guess it's too late for that now. The only photos of Noveleta that I have are some snap shots of the now flooded salt flats near the boundary of Cavite City which looks like a lake because of the rain. 

I took these photos while I was riding a local transportation we called the "Baby Bus" to Cavite City. It looks like an elaborately decorated coaster, just like it's cousin the Jeepney. It looks very similar to the "Colectivo", the popular Latin American (Argentina & Paraguay) public transportation.

The Baby Bus (not my photo)

Cavite City, known as the other Chavacano speaking city, Sangley Point (the old American military base) and made famous by Efren Peñaflorida, the CNN Hero of the year 2009. This is also the "other" place where I grew up. This is where I studied in Kindergarten at St. Joseph College (just behind the church of Nuestra Señora dela Soledad de Porta Vaga).

The city seems to have lost something that is irreplaceable, I don't know what it is, but it's not there anymore. Maybe it's my Nanay Tita (my Aunt), who died in 2008 in California. How I miss her so much. I actually went to where she used to live, but the gate was not there anymore. Not a trace. The cemetery in front of their house at the other side of the street of Blvd. Cresini is still there and I don't think it will go anywhere. I also passed by our old Methodist church in San Antonio where we used to go every Sunday.  

I've made several trips to Noveleta but only once in Cavite City. It's nice to see Cavite City again. Even though it has changed a lot, the memories are still there. Hasta la Vista!

See more of Cavite City on my Flickr

My Vacation 2011: #2 Cebu City

My Vacation 2011: #3 Pinto Art Museum & The Silangan Gardens (Antipolo City)

Por fin... Vacaciones! Cavite Here I Come!!!

Yes!, Finally, on the 7th of April will be my flight back to the Philippines for my vacation after more than 2 years of working in Saudi Arabia. But now that that day approaches, I'm having mixed feelings about it, not the "I don't wanna go home anymore" - feeling, but the "What will I expect there" - kinda feeling and also, it makes me feel a little sad because of the passing of my Auntie (Sra. Estelita S. Cabrera vd. de Reyes) in San Diego (U.S.) due to Brain Aneurysm and I didn't even had a chance to say goodbye. We made a promise last year on the telephone that we will see each other one of these days. I haven't seen her for more than 13 years, the last time I saw her was in the States in the winter of 1996. It'll be sad to see again all the old familiar places back home where she and I used to go, the neighborhood where she used to live and well, the whole of Cavite City itself, reminds me of her and my "salad days" with her. I affectionately call her "Nanay Tita" . We were very close. God bless her soul.

And another thing is, aside from the fact that I will arrive there in the middle of the Semana Santa* (Holy week) celebration, seeing my children after more than 2 years will make me so emotional for sure, who will not be? I'm sure you know what I mean. Everything that I am doing right now is for them. And I can't believe it, my eldest daughter will be in college this coming school year, she will be taking up BSHRM (Hotel and Restaurant Management) at the age of 15. She graduated first honorable mention in high school, she should have been awarded Salutatorian but because she was a transferee, she didn't avail of it. About my other daughter, I'm equally proud of her, she may not have the highest grade in school but she pulled it through and I love her for that, for trying, even without someone to help her with school works (but all of that will soon change).

And oh yes, I hope I get along well with my parents during my 45 day vacation. Those of you who know my parents well, know what I'm talking about. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, it's just that, there are some issues between us that are not easy to talk about.

To all my friends, wait for me there in Noveleta and ready my bottle of San Miguel beer. To all my blogging brothers, I will try to post updates of my vacation as much as I could, if not, you'll hear it when i get back.

Cavite here I come!!!!

*Semana Santa - Sorry, but I find this holiday ever since I was a kid to be the most boring of all holidays because there's nothing to watch on television, especially the local channels ( thank God for cable televisions) and most of the establishments are all closed. This holiday is not for children. And I'm child at heart.