Oct 25 2008
Please Don’t Read This…
My name is eumeirx, I was born on the other side of nowhere… the day was Wednesday of April 9th, 1980 while the sun was about to burst a new light of hope, exactly 6:08 in the morning… In the Chinese zodiac, I am an Arian, born under the red radiance of planet Mars which is my guiding planet and diamond as my lucky gem as I possesses the characteristics of a metallic monkey…
I am blessed that I have set the first glimpse of my eyes on the paradise island of Busuanga, Palawan as my humble birth place… I can still recall how the clear seas have inspired me to consume my childhood days with happiness. On its white sand I have once drawn what I will become while looking at the majestic sunset I have told myself that every tomorrow promises success.
My father a Philippine Navy, was used to be a commanding officer of that tiny Island of Panlaitan, I can still remember how the Tagbanuas (featured on Cesar Montano’s movie “Muro Ami”), a minority group offered loyalty to our family, giving some of their late afternoon catch to us. My most favorite was the “Halaan” (Lobsters) and “Alimasag” (Crabs) sometimes I pity them as they where being cooked alive throwing them on the hot boiling water – which I instantly forgot whenever they are served with the combined vinegar and patis as the sauce.
At age six we left this tiny Island, I will never forget how I shed tears as the ship bounds its way… for it was the end of my everyday fun yet memorable experiences, collecting cashew fruits every afternoon, freeing trapped small fishes from shallow waters during late afternoon low tides, and as the high tide invades the sea shore it extends its waters under our simple wooden house where I used to take a bath after lunch, the sand balls I used to make and most of all the simplicity of life.
I was borrowed by my Aunt and Uncle in Taguig to fill their childless house where I took up my kindergarten for one month and immediately enrolled grade one in an elementary school. In my grade one days I have collected memorable experiences, my most feared English teacher where I have once told my classmates that she was a look a like of one of Voltes V robot enemies J, adding up my favorite “Monay” bread and grasshopper catching every weekends.
On my second grade I was again borrowed by my another aunt in Pili, Camarines Sur. Consuming one school year in Bicol it was always a sad scenario for me during the first few weeks but as soon as I gain new friends and adjusted to my environment I immediately regain my childhood confidence where at young age I have established my self to be independent away from my beloved family. I even predicted that this things will happen to me… through a dream - where my family riding on a bus where all was asleep it stops on a muddy place where I Immediately went down and at a glance I saw the bus already heading its way leaving me alone on the road…
My grade two adventure was very fun, for my Kuya Alvin my favorite cousin has shared his time to me and I have treasured that very much. We used to walk that 2 kilometer distance, trailing the railroad on our way to school with the agony of carrying a loaded back pack under the heat of the scorching sun. During weekends we usually hang out at the rail station where sometimes we make fun of nails putting it on the rail track just to be flattened by the passing heavy train, we make these flattened nails as the sword for our robot toys. In Pili Church I found my way closer to God, after school everyday I used to offer my prayers. In silence I tell all my everyday experiences to God and always ask Him to protect my loved ones. Back at home the only companion I have then was my Kuya Alvin we always spent time talking to each other, sometimes we wait for those trucks loaded with sugar canes. When the truck stops we snap at least four sticks to be consumed while exchanging stories at the Plaza – and that was very worth remembering. I remembered that once he told me that when he died he wanted a heavy rain during his burial. Ten years later, he committed suicide, and on his burial as we weep, heavy rain poured down from heaven making everyone wet and I really cried a lot for I have remembered what he has once said to me.
At age 9, finally I was reunited with my family. We are now living then in a nice house meters away from the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Binondo, Manila. My brother and I used to walk that everyday three kilometers distance going to school in Sta. Cruz, Manila. It was the haven of the Chinese merchants that’s why most of my classmates then Pedro Guevarra Elementary School were Chinese. On this school, I first met my first bestfriend, she was a cute nice girl. We usually take our recess together and share what we have. I will never forget how she told me that her things, especially that sixty-four crayon filled plastic case will be for the two of us only. Funny it is but she usually ask me what subject I have failed to accomplish my homework where she immediately let me copy. When she was absent I always find myself sad how unfair mobiles phones were still a myth during that time. At grade four I lost her company for she was assigned to other section, at free time we always see each other but soon she finds new set of friends.
My most unforgettable experience was when on a weary afternoon I was rocking my chair when my teacher stared at me in anger and in confusion I noticed that everybody was already running outside of the room. It was the historical July Luzon Earthquake of 1990, I will never forget how violent that earthquake was causing thousand of deaths in Baguio and Manila.
At grade five we moved to a Naval Base in Cavite City. We lived in a compound full of houses built for military families. I was again transferred to a school with my classmates also sons and daughters of Navy and Air Force soldiers. Although almost yearly I found my self always in a new environment but still in humility I always made it to be included in the top class performers. Our house then was very nice for my room’s window background was the vast sea with the Philippine Navy ships, having the chance to be meters away from the salt water brings me back to my childhood days in Palawan.
Cavite indeed has played a great role in putting the first brick to build my ideals. I was blessed to have fine teachers who have inspired me a lot to strive in studying. I even spent most of my time in the Library reading books which was donated by the U.S. Military. At age 11 I joined scouting where I have to cry for at least three hours just to convinced my mother that she has to buy me a complete set of uniform right away. I became active in scouting and have attended regional and national jamborees. One unforgettable experience that made me call my mother “super mama” is when she spend that five hour journey to follow me in Laguna just to give me my mosquito net because she knows that I can’t sleep well without it on my feet.
TO BE CONTINUED…
