A-L-O-N-E…Again? This was not the first time that I was being left alone. This time I no longer wonder why. Just like other normal people, our helpers enjoy vacation during holidays. More so during Christmas Season and so they were all gone to their own hometowns. It was ok if it was not the time when many members of my family came to celebrate the event with us. The Celebration wasn’t diminished in anyway. So, the day after the big event of the Incarnation of Jesus I was left alone, as usual. My bed felt so caring I didn’t want to leave it too soon as I still enjoyed caressing my long pillow, but I was more excited in acquainting myself with the new Apple Ipad gifted to me by my children. I just heated the left-over food for my breakfast. Though I was pretty used to being left alone after the holidays I now realized that having to attend to so many things wasn’t actually that easy and fun. I had to reply to many greeters, look at my NEW Ipad to discover that I wasn’t that computer literate after all. I met many words quite Greek to me and just to avoid disaster by doing something I was not acquainted with, I decided to go to my favorite Netcafe for assistance in using my NEW Ipad. Good that someone patient enough tutored me in dealing with my NEW gadget. Again I heated the still remaining left-over food for my lunch and afterwards excitedly opened my NEW Ipad to practice until I gathered little confidence to use it while gradually learning finer details of the amazing technology that only very few grandfathers have the nerve to try using. Mild rain shower made the situation a bit gloomy and very ‘unchristmassy’. I was beginning to focus my attention to my senior moments saved by the non fulfilment of the prophesized end of the world. My first aid when gloom is hovering and loneliness is inviting me to panic with myself, I started singing a happy tune and all was well again. Who cared if I was alone?

NURSING HOME When a became a senior citizen a good several years ago, I started looking for a Nursing Home, just in case I would be needing to enter one. Feeling that all my children would go abroad and no one would be left to take care of me and my wife I decided to scout for a good Home for the Aged. I volunteered my services to a private Nursing Home, the Haven of Peace Foundation, on condition that when I turn too old to offer my services I would be freely accepted as one of the boarders. The Board of Trustees liked my idea but how to implement fully my many suggestions would take a lot of brainstorming to be realized. So I went to the Golden Acres, the Government’s Home for the Aged to inquire if my suggestions would find ways in the institution. In the course of my conversation with the Chief she was somehow amused when I told her that I have five children, all professionals and were all doing good. But her amusement turned serious when I asked her if she was sure her own children would decide to take care of her when she reach her ripe age. Anyway she suggested to me about a good Nursing Home called Mama’s Care, run by Belgian Nuns, somewhere in Tanza Cavite. I forgot all about it until last week when me and my wife was discussing the fate of a relative who was beginning to show signs of Alzheimer’s disease and might be needing a Nursing Home soon. We decided to go to Tanza to find and inquire at Mama’s care. Not knowing the exact location, we started inquiring here and there until we were shown many places none of them Mama’s Care. At one point a talkative woman heard us inquiring and volunteered herself to accompany us to the place which according to her was not in Tanza but at next town, General Trias. After tolerating all the traffics and other obstacles along the way, we reached a placed with beautiful building and a well cared surrounding. But it was not Mama’s Care and wasn’t run by Belgian Nuns. Instead we discovered Mama’s Hope Haven, a private Foundation run by the Born Again Christians catering to lost and abandoned senior citizens and youth. It seemed to be a very good place to stay but they only accept the lost and abandoned individuals. Realizing that is was not that easy to find a Nursing Home nearby I finally ended up googling just to discover hundreds of Nursing Homes offering all kinds of services that now I wasn’t sure if it was my senior limitations that made me confused as to which was which among the Homes for the Elderly. My wife and I agreed to scout further until we find the one Home for the Elder that offers the best bargain, just in case we need to stay in one.

GRAND SANGHIYANG FESTIVAL 2012 I like it, to begin with, all because for the first time it was intentionally presented for its true meaning – A Thanksgiving. Immediately I want to congratulate the Alfonso Council of Tourism for bringing out a truly relevant celebration for the town of Alfonso. The First Day was instantly impressive with all the Municipal Officials and Employees parading in colorful uniforms. However, since it was supposed to be a Parangal ( not Papuri) to PIRITAY who was known in Alfonso as the Fairy protecting the environment, always wearing red attire whether she appeared as an old woman, a beautiful lady or a pretty little girl. It would have been more symbolic and appropriate if all the participants wore red attire in different designs and presentations. Pritiya’s float should have been the grandest since she was the honoree and the little Piriritays all wearing red too. Her Alagad, KURINGO, who was capable of appearing as human or animal and could multiply itself, according to the legend, in any number could have participated as several costumed animals. The floats of Ginang Sanghiyang candidates needed more improvement with simplicity and symbolisms. Participation of Cut Flower Farms was not felt by the community. It could have added more color and freshness to the celebration. The Tingkoraw Art Exhibits could be filled with more antique collections and should be labeled properly, while KAINANG BAYAN was totally missed by many. KAUNAN rites with its conceptualized HARANA wasn’t corrected by a hurriedly built tent acting as the grandstand. Day 2, the Street Dancing Competition was somehow disappointing. I was expecting a colorful costumed-flowers and vegetable dancers showing the environmental products of Alfonso’s farms and backyards but instead, onlookers were treated with the usual colorful and jumpy painted tribes not found anywhere in Alfonso since time immemorial. The actual Sanghiyang Ritual of Thanksgiving was touchy enough but the lack of Temple Altar and proper offerings on the Dulang was not given emphasis as the Sayaw sa Apoy. But anyway Alfonseños enjoyed enough and that was worth it all. I did not have a chance to watch the Gng. Sanghiyang coronation night. But I was told by someone who attended that it was in fact a grand memorable Pageantry. I give the whole event and average grade of 70%. There were defects that are manageable and could easily be corrected. Mabuhay kayong lahat.