Milestones

Can't wait for that day. The last time this year that we were all together.

My mom and my elder brother with his family left for the US within the past two weeks. I write with sadness in my heart but also with acceptance that this has to happen. All of us must make choices in our lives and all I can do is to support them in improving their lives there. Even though I don't say this in public that much: I love each and every one of you.

One day, we will all be together. One day, we will have dinner together. One day, we will see each other soon. I look forward to that day.

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I just finished my driving lessons this week and I'm ready to take the wheel soon on my own. I'm totally excited. Our new car is the greatest hand-me-down from my elder brother. Yes, it's some sort of bequeathal (with flexible payment terms).

I will be driving and I want to make things right by making sure that I know how the car works and what good driving should be. In my country, traffic rules are still needed to be strictly followed. These are rules not suggestions. They're made to ensure safety and order.

It won't be long before I can finally take a road trip with my wife to Tagaytay. Ilocos is another place that I'd surely love to visit. I'm going to take each stretch one at a time.

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A Bad Day but We Move Forward

As I write this, news about our guests from Hong Kong have become a trending topic.

I can't add more to what has been said. The president has apologized. We as a people are sharing the grief of the victims' families. We strongly and totally condemn this sad incident.

I was angry and depressed with the results but what else can I do?

I'm trying my best to stay positive. I'm part of the local tourism industry and the incident yesterday is a rare one and out of all the countries that have their own problems, fate picked yesterday as one of the lowest points in my country.

I choose to remember happy experiences to help me move forward. I have had my share of guests from Hong Kong and I'm proud to say that it went well. They listened to my commentaries, asked very good questions, and were generous with their feedback on e-mail.

It was a good crop of visitors. There's a tourism official who's in his golden years; there's a couple of butterfly afficionados; there's a geologist; and a magazine writer with his photographer. I was fortunate to be their guide. This 3-day tour assignment is one of my high points in this profession.

I also cannot forget that I had to bring a guest to a hospital for food poisoning and managed to take the whole group to the airport just in time for their return flight to Hong Kong. My guest ate a local delicacy when we were in Tagaytay City. This resulted into a commotion in a fastfood restaurant, a quick trip to the mall clinic, and a brief confinement in San Juan de Dios Hospital.

Recounting these experiences would serve as an inspiration and validation that yes, we take care of our guests and look after their safety. It might be a long time before the people from China and Hong Kong would consider visiting my country. When they return, I will be better. We will be better. I'll do my best to ensure that they will enjoy their visit and will be safe under my watch.

So, where to now? Life goes on but the lesson from this incident should never be forgotten. No more excuses, a lot of work needs to be done aside from praying, which I think we can rack up a record with God.

The show goes on and we will be better.