Memories of the Past

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

GOAL OF MY LIFE

“There would always be a goal of friendship, a goal of a friend, a goal of a sister and a goal of a family”.

For almost 4 months, I never went home and I’m expecting for a long vacation and the wish was granted. There was actually a vacation for us students. I’m eager to be home again, but my decision of going home was interrupted, because there would always be a goal of friendship and my goal as a friend.

I and my friends decided to have a trip to Itogon, it was a night trip and a night swimming. That time I was not excited and I’m out of lethargy. When we got there, I suddenly feel my excitement of what we are going to do and what would be the flow of our trip.

We started the fun and we celebrate. One goal of friendship is to drink alcohol; of course, there should be one so it would be more fun. While drinking, we shared some jokes and stories, and we got a lot of laughter. Some of my friend’s story is like a novel, someone cried as she told her own problem. She is a very vulnerable person. As I was listening and watching her tell her story it’s like I am watching “teleserye” or “MMK”.

Roselyn Ba-on

At Home

During the Semestral break, I went home to Madaymen, Kibungan to spend my Halloween with my family. My family is expecting me, knowing that I have a voracious appetite they prepared a banquet. I am happy to see my parents. They asked me about my schooling and some family matters. We didn’t do many things because of bad weather. I just stayed at home and did nothing. I just sleep and eat. In the morning of November 3, the weather is still not good but my father asked me to accompany him at the garden because my mom can’t go. My mom is vulnerable for me because she is sick. She is taking maintenance medicine for her high blood. I accompanied my father at the garden and started helping him. It was very silent but my father broke it and we had a serious talk. He beseech that I should do well in school because education is the only thing he could give me. He also told me that he don’t have luxurious things to give us as an inheritance, only education. My father is as kind as kitten but when it comes to family he is as brave as tiger. I remembered the things I have done in the past and it caused me to feel melancholy. On that day, I promised to be good at school and do the activities well. Life is like a camera lens focused only on important things and you will capture it perfectly. I will do good in school to help my parents and make them proud.

Elbino Balanggoy JR.

ROAD TRIP

Having quarter break is so good because you can relax for a week. During our quarter break, I have a one memorable experience. Last November 4, we went in Vigan together with my relatives because we sent our cousin who will study there as a nun. So we started our trip in Baguio 3:00 am and we reached Vigan 7:00 am. After we sent my cousin, we went to the famous Calle Crisologo. That time I feel like I’m walking on a street somewhere in Spain because of the design of the road, establishments and churches, it was so luxurious. I really wanted to ride a “Kalesa” and buy a lot of souvenirs unfortunately I don’t have enough money for that so I just took photographs that would serve as my remembrance. Our next destination was Baluarte; I can say that Baluarte can be named as “Little Madagascar of the North”. The reason is you can see animals there that live in Madagascar like Lion, Zebra, Ostrich, Iguana and others. One interesting place in Baluarte was the Museum of Singson wherein you can see preserved bodies of animals in the wild. It seems like those animals undergone the process of mummification. I was really amazed when I saw the cannibalistic animals like Wolf, Leopard and Polar Bear. After our visit in Baluarte, we already went straight to Luna, La Union wherein we visited the “Kamay na Bato”. The artworks there were so unique because they used stones to form artistic figure. It is really a good tourist spot because the entrance fee is affordable and it is near the sea shore. A good place for refresh and relax. After that, we went straight back to Baguio. So to all people who want to visit Vigan, I can guarantee you that you will have a good experience there.

Jhonerhey Kalinggan

FAMILY TIME

I thought my Halloween vacation would be a typical one but I was wrong it was rather special because I spent it with my cousins whom I only see during summer vacation. After classes last October 27, I immediately went home to Bokod. We planned to go to Kabayan to visit and clean the tomb of our grandparents. It has been years since my last visit there. When we arrived we immediately started to do our work. That same day we went back home to Bokod. To my surprise my cousins were there and I immediately thought that my short vacation would be great.

Altogether, we created our own special excursion. When we get bored we go strolling everywhere our feet would take us until we grew tired. We would go early to the river and swim until satisfied; we almost do it every day. We also went to our aunt’s place to commemorate the death of some of our relatives. The place was located in the mountainous area so we must walk few kilometers to reach it. The walk was long and tiring but it was eased by the warm welcome of our relatives. They said we have grown and changed. They still remember us as the children running around the fields barefoot with muds on our faces. After some talking, we attended a small banquet. To my surprise I saw some of our playmates when we were young. I was a little disappointed when I saw them because I can see that they already have their own family at young age and didn’t continue their studies. They were ashamed to come and talk to us because of it but it’s okay, we all make mistakes anyway.

Our visit in that place was great. We enjoyed viewing the landscapes and talking to the people. It was a great time seeing our old friends again.

Time was approaching fast, after our visit we were back to our usual habit -- strolling and swimming. On our last night together, we dared each other to watch horror movie until dawn. Nobody went asleep until we finished the movies of “The Grudge” and “Annabelle”. All their reactions were epic. They hid under their blankets and screamed like there’s no tomorrow.

Saying goodbye was rather the hardest thing for me to do. My cousins need to go home to their places and I have to come back here in La Trinidad.

My Halloween may not be luxurious like the others but I can say that it was one of the greatest and enjoyable times in my life. Family is the most important people in my life in blood or not. They are the one who should you spend your life with. When the time comes for them to go you won’t have any regrets that you didn’t have time and memories with them.

Berna Mae Mayo

My Hometown Kapangan

Vacation binges are not a serious problem but I considered it as a new experience and another memory for me. This vacation, I went home to Kapangan where you can find the beauty of the place and hospitable people. I was filled with nostalgia for my past vacations so I’m not supposed to go home but I want to rest and also I missed my family and friends out there.

This vacation, I learned some traditions and practices that we have that they still do in our place. I appreciated all those rituals and I respect all of them even though I was not sure if also believed in those rituals.

First day of November is like the snow seems to fall, my father told us not to take bath because they have this belief that you shouldn’t take a bath during All Souls Day and I didn’t ask why. At 5:30 am, the sun is yet to rise but the trees are already awake, my grandfather’s old house will be our rendezvous so we went there early to help my cousins prepare foods. Most of us were busy doing many things. After we cooked rice, we have to walk a distance to fetch water because we don’t have enough water to use. After fetching water, my mother told me to help my sister wash the dishes so that we can use it again after. While eating, I observed some rituals that my uncle performs. They separated some meat or what we call the “etag” for those ancestors that they believed we had. They talked and called their names to join us eating and also asked them for their guidance and blessings. Their guidance and blessings that may help their children or we as their grandchildren not to be indigent but to be lucky and successful in life.

I have doubts about these beliefs that according to my parents, it is necessary to learn for at least to be aware about these rituals and practices either I believed or not because this is our own tradition. It is important to learn every traditions and cultures that we have to accentuate, that we still care and respect.

There are many rituals that I observed and I didn’t know yet the meanings and the reasons why they’re doing these practices. My opinion or idea about these rituals is that it is not bad for you to do so but I prefer to be a Christian and we have our own beliefs. I suggest that we should only believe on what we know is right, and always respect the beliefs of others.

Angeline Lete

Me and My Cousins

For me, there is not much to do during the vacation but there is an event I consider interesting. This event took place in the house of my cousin. I am with my cousin Thelma and with our friend Reagan and Wanny. My cousin Thelma has a long black hair, she is a little chubby and short. Reagan my best friend is handsome, has an average height and masculine body while Wanny is a tall woman, slim body and has a short hair. We are close to each other because we share the same interest, they are easy to approach and because we have a rapport.

It is my first time to visit my cousin’s house and while we are walking, Thelma pointed a three floor house painted in yellow. In the front of the house is a wide parking space with many luxurious cars in it and a beautiful landscape. As we entered the house it was a little bit creepy because of the decorations for Christmas and Halloween. Each floor has three to four bedrooms, to comfort and shower rooms, a big kitchen and a wide living room. At the back yard is a garden planted with fruits and eggplants.

We visited the house because Thelma invited us to have a pizza and oatmeal party. We did not buy the already cooked ones because they have everything in the kitchen. The ingredients and equipments are ready and all we need is to help Wanny in preparing everything. Wanny will be our baker because she has a lot of experience when it comes to baking. After some minutes, the food is ready to enter the oven. We heard a sound from the oven and it is the sign that the pizza and the oatmeal is cooked. We let the food cool first while we are having pictures. After that we already dig in the food, devouring everything in the pan.

After devouring the foods, we are laughing and teasing Reagan when a tall, dark man and about maybe in his forties entered and told us that he heard a clamour sound coming from the kitchen so he came to check what was happening. We told him that we are just having fun and apologized about worrying. We spent our time talking and laughing until it was already dark. We bid our goodbyes to the family and went home.

Having fun in a simple celebration is not that bad because in that I met great friends and learned how to cook homemade pizza and oatmeal bars. When we helped each other, we have a good teamwork and the task will be easily made and it can produce a great outcome.

Riza Mangapan

BONDING WITH MY FAMILY

My greatest happiness will always be my family. I forgot all my problems and I feel relaxed and comfortable when I am with them. They make me happy because I always laugh and smile. They will always serve as a helping hand for me.

Last quarter break, I spent my time with my family. My sister and I went to Uyangan, Aok our beloved and clean place. While walking, for our place is still the same as before. It was full of big and tall trees. The air is fresh and the farms are full of vegetables and fragrant flowers. I stopped looking around when we arrived at our home. Our home wherein our love and happiness begun. In a short period of time, I joined my family bonding. We help each other with a smile and full of laughter. My sister who is beautiful and jolly helped me in washing the clothes and cleaning while our brothers clean our surrounding. We also helped our parent work in the garden.

Aside from having a bonding, we also commemorated the death of our grandparents and my uncle last All Souls Day wherein e felt nostalgic. In order to honor them, we gathered again to pray and light candles for their souls. We cleaned their tombs and planted some flowers around it. After cleaning, we took our time to eat and rest. November 4, we finally went back here in La Trinidad but it is not the end of my happiness because we continued it here. I with my brother and sister went to Baguio. We first went to Burnham Park and we rode a bike, walked around and took pictures. We also went to SM because my sister wanted to buy a book. We also ate and took pictures there. Around 5:00 pm when we decided to go home. There are many nuisances but who cares; we are enjoying the presence of being with each other.

I always want to accentuate that I love my family. I love them and it will be incorrigible. I enjoyed our bonding and this is one of my greatest happiness. I felt love, relaxation and happy for a short period of time.

Cleefershel Kiligto