A New New Year

When I embarked on the Cebu Pacific plane going to Iloilo, I felt it was just one routine that I have to undergo each December, except for the stricter frisking and taking off of shoes as I went through the pre-departure area (I read somewhere that our airport x-rays are already so outdated). And oh yes, except also for the rising cost of fare, which took me almost P7k for the roundtrip, last year it was somewhere P5k-P6k. Again, an additional security fee of around P150 will be charged, tucked in the ticket fares, to upgrade our airports’ security systems, courtesy of our government’s efficient anti-terrorism drive. Rising cost of services and fares are as routine as probinsyanos need to go back home to recharge their spirits and become productive again.

It turned out this vacation is not one routine thing. I almost forgot my niece and nephew are back from the States, and home would look like it was 5 years ago, or 10 years ago with their ubiquitous presence, sans their Lolo who passed away 3 years back, and their Nanay who opted to stay in Georgia making both ends of her world meet. My 3^rd eldest sister, however, contributed to the Christmas melee with another 4-month old baby boy named Hans Christian, while Michael Romeo, born a month after his Lolo Romeo passed away, is now taking all the scenes in the house if not shaking it to the ground. What do you expect from a three year old toddler who communicates effluent syllables but cannot be understood except by himself? He would throw everything that’s within his grab just don’t ignore what he says! And so this family is starting all over again, with their Lola humming a little lullaby, or chasing a wobbling apo while Tito’s and Tita’s look on with inhibited laughter.

Year 2007, year of the pig, beckons a good year to come. After all, this family has been raised by our father buying and selling swine, along with other farm animals. Yes indeed, this is a new new year!