It was an ordinary Friday morning; as usual I and our navigator Kuya Mors were the only one roaming around the city to gather news stories. The base informed us that a dead body had found in one of the far communities in the city. After getting a go signal from our desk, we speeded off to the site.

Along the way, I wanted to listen to old songs. This was suggested by the weather and the route we were traversing (one of the few roads I like). I got my laptop and choose a song for us to keep awake (but only made me long for my bed). The first song ended and another played. This particular song made me think why it is so familiar and friendly to my newly waxed ears. I reminisced and tried my very best where and when I heard this though at first I was convinced that this was the first time I have heard of it.

After a few more minutes, an image came to my consciousness. An old man was strumming his equally old guitar and happily singing while sitting alone on a long bench before the muddy road. This was his usual early evening routine before going home to his hut to spend the night. He had one of the most pleasant voices for me.

He was thin and I never saw him without wearing a cap.

I don’t know much about this old man. I only got a year or two knowing and spending time with him, not enough to claim that I really knew him. What stored in my mind about him was that he was our whole-year santa claus. I and my cousins, about 11 in numbers, were always looking forward seeing him every afternoon for he had always gave us coins. Twenty five cents would immediately paint smiles on our innocent faces.

His name was Enrique, born and raised from Siquejor. I am not aware how old he was during those times not even up to this date. He had 12 children and I am close to them.

It was March of 1997 when I received the news that he passed away. I don’t know the exact detail of his untimely death but he died due to some illness.

That’s all I remembered, very few.

Why I am writing this? It is just I seldom think of him after all these years. There was no significance at that time when he entered my mind with regards to dates or something.

Maybe he just want to tell me, gong hinumdumi pud ang imong lolo eking.

It was one Saturday afternoon. After work, I decided to leave early, go home and take a rest since I came from my cousin’s last night wake. But my stomach demanded something to digest rather than my unhealthy intestines; I grabbed a simple lunch even though my appetite was not for it. After the fifteen-minute stomach development, I spent a couple of minutes relaxing on the lobby’s couch. I glanced at the body clock and it said just ten minutes remaining before two pm. I chose to stay and wait Mai for a hitch down town.

We were traversing the same route heading to downtown when the moment suggested me to take a nap. I set aside the previous plan of going home and convinced myself to take rest on the cab. Yes, after a couple of minutes, I was sleeping like dead.

As soon as I woke up, the ambience was too unfamiliar. I am a hundred percent sure we were away down town. The cold breeze (the air condition was put on off) and the vast lands planted with different crops. I called it cacao republic since left and right of the road you could not see anything but cacao plants bearing enticing fruits. But moments later, bananas and then pineapples were all over.

Wangan nata jof, Mai uttered. Oh my God, my mind replied but my mouth remained shut considering that I just woke up made by the sudden turn of our silent driver Kuya Terence.  Imagine, I wanted to sleep a little before going home to continue but as soon as my eyes opened you were already in a place you least expected. By the way, Wangan is located 40-50 kilomters away up from downtown Davao. Whew!

My surprise of getting there added the beauty of the place. The old houses, all made from wood made me think of a simple yet happy life that these residents were living. Peace is of course is, not a doubt, reign here.

Sadly, the news that my colleague was about to gather about time was a no good news. An old man was found dead right at the center of his cornfield. Police investigators said he might be a victim of thieves who stole his money and not contended killed him (though there were only bruises on some body parts and gun and stab wound were not seen).

What could be happier than getting what you have long been wanted on the most unexpected time? That thing was being granted without giving an effort to it? That’s luck.

I got the biggest surprise few days ago, giving me the chance to get what I want for a long time. It’s a very great luck bestowed upon me at very right timing. Upon hearing the news, my heart wanted to explode and my blood races which I felt almost like a first time.

I am convinced since time immemorial that I don’t have luck to things I don’t put any effort on them. For almost one-fourth century living, I never get what I wanted through gambles and just plain lucks. But when fortune blocked my way, I just can’t contain my happiness. However, I began to entertain doubts. As a first time, experience excluding the fact of the rampant scams and jokes left and right, the happiness is not 100 percent convincing. Desperation from a failed expectation is just around the corner waiting to laugh at you when you swallow the bait.

Moreover, there is a saying that there is always a first time and I love this first time in my life making my year greater to start.

After a couple of minutes sitting alone on the third bench lined in the left corner in a familiar establishment, i began to notice the hundred plus students of the same university right across that served as our battlefield for four years just to gain victory and get in hand a single piece of paper. I could not help but smile after seeing those proud faces (though some you could easily recognize the good and responsible students by simply studying their movements as well as their faces). But most have the faces of not minding what life is ahead of them after their carefree life as a student. Well, I could not blame them for I think majority of the population of those blue and white students came from wealthy families. Worrying the future is not a worry for them.

It has been a long time since I went to this place. Four or five years before, we were here every single day that God had created, except on Sundays. This place is the testament to the happiness, struggle and frustration of being a student. Moreover, I could even point the seat I usually sat when I was still struggling to adopt the city life which was very alien to me long before.

I and my other classmates (who are very successful in their chosen career now) used to feast our lunch and snacks here. Feast? hahaha. That was something we never experience or if we did, maybe happened once in a blue moon. We just have an allowance enough for a student’s meal, jeepney fare, a little snack and a five-page photocopy. If something we need to buy for school, a budget for snack will be allotted to that thing. It meant a hungry stomach again. That was hard. It became a part of the struggle we used to deal everyday for four years.

I am just glad that I surpassed that stage. That reality made me work hard and harder and do the best I can in order to get even part of what I wanted and experience what I don’t want to experience again.

Before I could think more of my college life, my friend came. It’s about time to rise from seemingly comfortable position. Next thing I knew, I am three steps closer to the gate I used to enter everyday.

I am exhausted again today. All I want is the clock’s hand to move double time in order for me to go home and hug my pillow and feel the comfort of my bed leading me to sound sleep which i am deprived off for a couple of days now. I can’t wait to retire.

Last night, I was having a great time with my college friends and classmates. The reminiscing moment of the good old days brought so much energy to me that made me stand for the whole night until the wee hours even I lacked enough sleep. The laughter we shared as we travel back time, 4-6 years ago was just so good to my depressed soul.

It was nice to received updates from these people I spent my four years of education. Some have changed and part of them remained the same. A night spent is enough to bring back good memories  we shared before and rekindles the desire to do the same next time, next year.

Hang over from merry making during Christmas parties and left and right reunion is over; gifts were open,some surprise you but most frustrate you after getting what you do not want; 9 morning mass culminated, you can sleep now longer and normal; soon, cheap Christmas lights or expensive Christmas trees and decors that eat ample amount in your budget will be stored for a year again; you are poor again after consuming all bonuses and 13th month pays. What these things says?Christmas is over.

The idea of celebrating Christmas is one of the most exciting things i love to think of. Indeed, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year as famous song suggests. Why not, this is the only holiday you can not think of anything than all the good things you can think of;parties, gifts and reunions are Pinoy's favorite. On the contrary, the idea of December 26 made me sick. Life backed to normal. The celebration started 9 days before that very day,moreover, nurtured 4 long months is over. What is next?

I came to think that maybe we celebrated Christmas on the 12th month in our calendars and end of the week is for us to start new again. Though i refuse to accept story claiming that Christ's birth is not December, that the celebration we use to and to our ancestors million years ago is not the exact date as it really took. If it holds truth, then i would still salute to the one who introduced Christmas on December 25th.

Why? Simply, imagine after that celebration if it is being commemorated in July? Or any other months apart from December? December is the best month to celebrate Christmas since even end of Christmas made me sick the next event will happen exact one week after is the new year. New year encourage us to start again; start making people happy around us and do the kindness we use to do or start again new way of life, the kind of life we wanted after a failed attempt of living best the previous 365 days.

It is the right time to start again and to look forward for next Christmas season.

I was in doubt whether to attend a gathering with my good high school friends or not, having a second thought of coming or not not because i am not interested in meeting them again for a long time,in fact i am excited but the problem was the responsibility i have in my new world. After a couple of days of weighing things out, i decided to condition myself enough to response to the two affairs.

I slept in that early afternoon so that i will have enough energy to attend the said gathering as well as my another priority. I immediately packed my stuff up and speed to the venue, about an hour and a half travel.

While on my way there, my friend kept on tracking my location. I thought they were just excited similar to what i was feeling. However, upon knowing that majority of our classmates were not able to come, a big part of me started to cultivate the feeling of regret. I paused for a moment and discern the next move to make. I still have the chance and time to backed out along with the need of my stomach that i should attend to.

1,2,3...they were expecting me. So i made up my mind, i would not betray them. After almost 2 hours, they welcomed me with warm smiles and couple of hugs. Love it. In an instant,the regret that started to develop within me died and the pleasure and happiness shone. I'm glad i made it.

Who needs many people if you can not appreciate what they are saying? What the heck of having many presumed friends when you can not hear them all? I'm so much happy because we were just few in numbers yet we heard what our ears wanted to take as well as pitching stories we wanted others to hear.

The night was not perfect since we ran out of drinks,joke, but it was great. It was not as good as it was when many need your attention or many you should extend your attention to. Few good people plus overly nice stories and updates made the night worth to remember always suggesting nothing but to look forward meeting them next time.

Separation with close friends is  unbearable at times. More than the distance, the lack of constant communication usually leads to a broken friendship. I have expereince this situation not only once bu a couple of times already. What was left in me is the longing for them.

I just only one wish this Christmas, to have an updates from friends and have the chance to share worthy things to them. I wanted to lessen the longings and that slowly killing me.

Thank God, an  opportunityto do what i want has  given to me through the CEIVA Digital photo frame. Through this amazing product I got the chance to share what my heart and mind's desire.  Like the one taken during our climb in Mt. Hamiguitan. My friends usually go on mountain climbing but it ended up when they move to other countries. But because of the CEIVA Digital photo frame, we are given the chance to share our hobby and interest through photos. Memories are being shared and friendship being restored.

I got a wish granted with CEIVA Digital photo frame.

Have you got one? Here is an amazing offer. Simply follow this rule; photo must be of the submitter, photo must not contain inappropriate content, copyrighted image, must be a resident of the United States and/or Washington D.C. and must be 18 years of age to enter optional sweepstakes. A $500 cash prize waits per winner. For more info log on to http://www.sitonsantaslap.com/?utm_source=b

It's a bright Saturday morning, appropriate for anything outdoor activities. This kind of comfortable weather suggests nothing but to obey what your mind and heart long to experience and experience again as well as to utilize the freedom life has bestowed.

For those who haves, it is timely for everything but not to those who have not like the thousands of indigenous from the hinterlands of Paquibato who go down the city to ask blessings and presents from the city people during this time of the year. Today, the kind members of Philippine National Police Academy alumni extended their aide to these minorities...special day, a sardines party for them.

First, why sardines and not some other special food, those kinds that the IP's had never experienced in the highlands or those served only on very seldom occasions?

Major Cabuhat the PNP chief of Tugbok station shed light to this question and curios query.

Year 2001, this kind of party came to existence. An official asked a group of lumad what they wanted for Christmas. Surprisingly (on my personal outlook) most mouths speak of nothing but sardines. I remember an old family friend,said that a can of sardines they used to call salmon is one of the special food they can offer to their guests. Maybe they shared the same reason as to the lumads. That was when the sardines party started.

I am a testimony on how these faces turn bright as each one of them got their share of rice, bihon and the star of the meal-sardines.

These are only sardines we can always buy in any store for less than 10 bucks only yet to those poor lumad individuals mean a lot to them. More than the food, the sense of thoughtfulness is the reason why those haggard faces have a space for appreciation.

It is just so sad that Christmas is commemorated only once in 365 days. how about twice per year?