things I missed about home

I grew up in a very small town. The first time my college friends heard that I come from Bislig, they always laugh at the sound of it. Maybe they found it really provincial, or maybe they were just mean. As far as I'm concerned, the older I get, the more I miss being home. There's this ongoing habit of reminiscing distant memories when life was truly simpler for me, a time when all I cared about were teenage qualms, my mother's bitchiness, and daydreams of when I get to see my crush again. Now after almost 8 years of living in Manila, I feel nostalgic and sad when I see that the streets are narrower, the houses are older, and almost everyone I knew in my childhood are hitched or had babies already. Our house is nestled at the top of a mountainous village. I realized that sounds so nice and green, it isn't. I consider it a rural place despite the fact that everything is still pretty slow-paced compared to the rush of Manila. 

When I got off the plane last Sunday, I wasn't thrilled that the only bus ride available was a non-airconditioned one. However, much to my surprise, I totally enjoyed the ride home. I missed looking at the greenery of the countryside. I missed looking at nipa huts, rice paddies, and provincial terminals. I usually make a story in my head when I see these things. Even a slight peek at a TV set from the window of a house brings back happy memories of life in the province. Everything seems so simple. I used to spend my summer wandering around my lola's house, digging holes in the backyard, watering vegetable gardens, and eating sauteed "sari-sari", a plastic full of squash, longbeans, eggplant, and okra. Although I looked ridiculous wearing my leather jacket on a non-aircon bus, I was all smiles all through out the trip.

1. Kinilaw and Sinugba - I recently discovered that ceviche is basically the English term for "kinilaw". This is my kind of food. All throughout my childhood, our Sunday family dinners were a feast. I remember having fresh fish three ways: simple soup (with little or no garnish save for tomatoes and lemongrass), grilled fish, and "kinilaw", which is either marinated in vinegar or coconut extracts. The combination of these three is a killer. We even add chilli (smaller but hotter than the ones in Manila) and lime (biasong) for instant kick.

2. Cocoa - We call it "tabliya", "sikwate", or "chokolate". Breakfast is not breakfast without chokolate. Back in the day, I didn't care if I had one or not because it was always there. My father always prepared chokolate for breakfast. To neutralize its bitter flavor, I used to add a crazy amount of powdered milk to make it super creamy, perfect for my pandesal.

3. It's okay not to own an electric fan. Maybe it's just me but I noticed that people who come from my hometown are not really fans of electric fans. My friends in Manila are often puzzled at how we still manage to use a blanket despite the heat. I don't remember using a fan when sleeping as a teenager. And until now, I still don't use a fan when I'm at home. It's not really cold in Bislig, but it's not that hot either. The mornings are cold, and the nights are chilly. Plus it gets really quite by 9 pm. Spells like a good night's rest noh?

4. Fruits everywhere. I don't know but when I'm at home I like how food is everywhere. Unlike my cupboard in Manila, there is always something to eat in the middle of the night and it's not junkfood. Fruits are a staple at home. Even if my father lives alone, I'm surprised he still has a stock of watermelons, bananas, mangoes, and papaya. Seriously, that's like a market to me. I grew up with a mother who wanted us to snack on cold rice (bahaw) or fruits. I'm just a bit disappointed that durian's not in season in May. October is durian heaven at home. I can add it to the list of snacks just like cold rice and leftovers. All I need is a knife and my feet, and I'm good to go.

5. TV - This should not be included on this list. Ever since I left college, I haven't owned a TV set, and I'm not planning to have one anytime soon. I find it weird to have cable at home because I grew up knowing TV means ABS-CBN, the only local channel available. Since I don't usually sleep early, I love some me time at night, browsing through channels, drinking coffee, and enjoying what the boobtube has to offer. I used to watch a lot of basketball (NBA, PBA), gossip segments, music channels, and noon-time shows. Last night, I watched Rosanna Roces' Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin on Cinema One. My father's asleep and it's so quiet, I loved every minute of it.

These are just SOME of the things I missed about home. If there's one thing I despise about Bislig, it's the stores and their customer service. Laging mukhang naaabala ang mga tindera dito. It's nice not to hear trucks and tricycles waking you up in the morning. Finally, I'm having breakfast with my father, home-cooked meals and Four Aces in the background. In my mind, my mother and sisters will be joining us very soon.