For most people, the very basic concept of home is spatial. It has to be a place, period. But in a very holistic sense, that person needs to wake up, open up one’s mind and realize that home is philosophically more than just a place and one needs not be dogmatic of millenials understanding of what real home truly is.
In a more progressive yet view, Home is actually temporal rather than spatial. In is not bounded by space but by our human memories. It is a poignant reality at some point but something which we need to embrace after all. How do I say it’s poignant? Because it actually limits us to the past and the present and no matter how hard we try, we can only relive those things in our memories. The future holds a fresher start but not a coming back to the yesteryears.
I cannot say that I’ve been away from home a very long time. From time to time I had this opportunity to visit my Mom and my nephew in the province alongside my work as a voice coach and educator in Lourdes. However, home is when you feel like you are at your safest mode. When there are no works to do and you have a legit rest for a whole day, I think you have finally arrived home. Home is felt not just in the difference of places and faces but when there is convenience inside out. That’s what I am feeling at this point as I write on this blog. There are less stress on working for grades and lesson plans and examination papers and attending so many meetings. There is just me and my responsibilities as a son and an uncle.
Not that I miss being a bum so much. The only point I am driving at is that even a sage needs a break. Yes I am still the same person who loves pedagogy. I am the philosopher you want to hear discuss the issues on causality, cosmology, commitment, and all. I am the coach who still loves inspiring young and talk about championing others. It is still me. I am still so in love with my vocation. I am still doing vocation even on vacation. However, having a break from professional work is essential. Here is where we draw the line between profession and vocation.
Meanwhile, here are some of the things I’ve observed about me and the world as I got myself back to being homeboy this vacation season;
First, I noticed that I’ve been absent to the sphere of pop culture for a long while. With this, I am also trying to say that for the long time of being at home after working in call center companies, I have been too involved with social media and the mass media. As a lay audience, I was able to follow many TV shows during 2010-2012 and 2014. The year 2015 became a busy year that I didn’t even so much time to spend before the television. My weekends are spent in reviewing the past episodes of Game of Thrones I – V. By the way, Game of Thrones Season 6 is going to be aired soon this April 25 Philippine GT. I am not the best person to ask now about the latest trends in television. Somehow, it is a happy thought but since it is vacation time, I think I’m gonna be hooked with Descendants of the Sun.
I remember back in December 2015 to February 2016 that I used to be in a hurry every Friday afternoon to be home so I can catch an episode of On the Wings of Love. Later on, I also enjoyed watching You’re My Home because of the Jessy-JC tandem known today as team turtle. And who would not count as a mover and shaker of Pinoy Pop Culture, the team up which is AlDub; the TV screen couple Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. They were all over the network shows and the social media feeds by the later part of 2015 and even until the early parts of 2016. Today, their stars are gradually fading just as they are one of the many phenomena which landed on pop media.
Second, more times are being given now for family life and friendship. I know that I need to catch up first with my nephew and next to my best friend. Some relationships with people have been neglected along the way but I am happy to know that my relationship with God hasn’t waned despite the tons of workload. I also need to appease several people who have had their special events from August of 2015 to March 2016. I am glad that even if I have to brave the traffic and all, I was able to be there during Ate Mylene’s wedding day and Tita Amor’s birthday party last January. However, there are so many things that I wasn’t able to do during Christmas holiday which I am hoping I can fulfill this time. Perhaps, the act already started since Holy Week. I can say that this year’s Semana Santa has been one of the most successful and most versatile.
Third, plan for travel? I don’t see traveling simply as a condiment to life. I see it as essential. Once, I was told by my mentor that “life is like a book. If you don’t travel, you’re stuck at page 1” and I have to say it is true. Traveling is learning. You see culture and ways of living as you travel to different places. You learn about history of the places you visit. You learn about topography, oceanography, and climatology as you reach further destinations. You have more time reflecting as you travel but more than reaching the itinerary, it is the journey itself that leads you to realizations and joyful experiences. I am aware that any plans to travel this year would not be possible but I am setting a goal to do it by summer next year. However, I do have plans to visit two old places where I was before and which are close to my heart. First, is Batangas City. I want to reunite with people in Pagkilatan where Monte Maria is being constructed. Second is in Church of Nazarene GMA Cavite. I want to reunite with the Church people who welcomed me during my first year outside the seminary. Particular of which, I want to have a heart to heart talk with Kristine from Batangas and Alexis from GMA Cavite. It will be part of my coaching session with them and as much as possible I want it to be personal this summer.
So far right now, I am savoring the laidback experience of summer. It is indeed summertime by the way. With the heat we are suffering for right now brought about by the El Niño weather disturbance, everybody just wants to be either in the pool or in the beach. Every morning, my TV routine starts with Naruto Shippuden tagalized series. If fortunately there’s a good movie then I will watch until 12pm. In the afternoon, sometimes I watch Wish I May which stars Bianca Umali who everybody knows is my crush. As a music lover, my most awaited show as of this writing is the Wish TV 107.5 Wish FM’s daily show which caters to all pop music savvy and youtube followers who are constantly hitting like buttons for every youtube broadcast that Wish 107.5 uploads in their web channel. Of course, as a hopeless romantic and all, the great relaxation during nighttime is Dolce Amore which stars the LizQuen loveteam which I completely support.
To the many hoorahs of 2016 which are to come, I can say that summer must be one of the biggest components. Being unproductive is sometimes the most productive thing we can ever do. To everyone, have a great vacation you will remember for a lifetime! XOXO
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