Philippines!!!

2009 will start with a bang!

With college friends coming back to Kuching for Chinese New Year (25th Jan), it will be a great January. Can’t wait for Yew Siong, who left us in 2006 to work in Australia, to arrive. He hasn’t been back since. The end of January will be a new chapter in Clement’s life as he ties the knot. And on 6th February, Gary, Thomas and I will be heading to my motherland or in this case, my mother’s land, The Philippines.

It isn’t much of a big thing for me, I was back there last July but nevertheless, this will be a fantastic trip. I have traveled once with JV to The Philippines, back in 2007. It was a trip that was conceived during a heartbroken drinking session at his place. High on Tanduay with a Ribena mixer, we decided to rid ourselves of our worries (in this case, girls. J for him, S for me.). Having thought of the retreat to Philippines, we then proceeded to drive to Kota Semarahan to have Maggi in a cup at 7-11. It’s funny considering the drive to Kota Semarahan was half hour and the closest 7-11 is 3 minutes from his place. JV went back to work there last February.

No similar feelings sparked my intentions of running to Philippines this time around but rather the fun that I could have with arguably the closest friends I have is the sole reason for this trip. I wish Yew Siong could join us but it seems he has better things to do. Clem couldn’t possibly come.

We plan to rent a car and just cruise around Metro Manila or maybe drive down to Tagaytay to see the volcano. Boracay is too far away considering we only have a week and so too is Baguio. But this will come down to how much we have during the trip. I did think of going to the zoo only if it’s to recall the good ol times I had with my grandfather. It’ll be 2 years since the passing of my grandparents so I think it’ll be good to drop-by the South Avenue Cemetery when I’m there.

I do get anxiety attacks when I think about the fact that nobody at work knows I’ll be missing for more over than a week. But then again, nobody in family besides my mom knew I went back in July either. I’ll just have to make sure there’s no outstanding work when I leave.

Most people I know don’t approve of mix marriages but I feel that mix marriages will help the world become a better place. I love my heritage and Philippines has become my second home. If only Israelis could say the same thing. They probably can. Maybe that’s why they want the Gaza strip so badly.