escape to manila

ESCAPE TO MANILA

By DAVID CASUCO

"How is Manila?" my friends and relatives in L.A. wanted to know.

"Irresistibly beautiful," I told them.

They have misgivings. Sure, they do not think that my seven-day escape to Manila gave me enough time to experience the hellish things that the self-respecting balikbayans usually complain about.

"You must have landed somewhere in Atlantis, not in Manila," my friend wryly surmised. He then asked me if I stayed long enough under the torrid summer sun, sniffed the thick polluted air, seen the crazy street traffic and the squalor almost everywhere. I told them that I definitely did, but paid little attention. Those unpleasant and ugly things were already there when I left Manila a decade ago. So, no big deal.

What I saw was a city with a beautiful sunset serving as harbinger to a fabulous nightlife that starts with a festive celebration at the now-famous baywalk and ends at the cozy 24-hour coffee shops in Ermita and Malate. What I saw was a city bustiling with people who look, talk, and walk like me. That gave me a total sense of belonging, an eerie feeling of oneness with everything around me. Then sets in an unspeakable joy that can compare to the day when my son was born. What I saw was a city where my former classmates from the University of Santo Tomas live. They were there to honor me with a whole-day reception at a posh Makati restaurant on March 19. What I saw was a city where the people can be happy by just hanging out at the mall to cool off and do nothing more; a luxury that, by the way, most money-oriented Pinoys in L.A. will never ever have.

What I saw was a city with people who do not have obesity problems. They all look like marathon runners. What I saw was a city with caring parents and young adults who hit the books on weekends and kiss the hands of their elders. What I saw was a city where most people can worship God and God alone. This is because they do not have palatial homes, flashy cars and other worldly riches to compete for their love of God.

What I saw was a city with people who are willing to help. My sandals gave way while I was walking along Maria Orosa Street leading to the Robinson's Mall. I was about to drop it on a trash bin when a sidewalk vendor offered to fix it for 20 pesos (40 cents). I was surprised he was equipped with the tools of a zapatero-- glue and tacks, and all. He gave me a small stool to sit on while he was fixing my footwear. When he noticed that I was not ready to tell my life story, he told his -- that his firstborn was graduating on top of his class that evening, and that he won't make it to that happy occasion because he comes home late.

"At least give him 300 pesos as token of appreciation for his good work," I said.
"Pero, sir, wala pang 200 pesos ang kita ko ngayon," he replied with a smirk that belies the tough livelihood that he has.

My heart just melted. "Here is 300 pesos...take it... give it to your son." I thought I saw his face lighted up with pure joy. I didn't look back as I was fighting back tears. On my way back to the hotel I wanted to throw up the 320-peso buffet breakfast that I ate earlier.
Okay, I agree, Manila is not exactly a paradise. However, to me, it is home; the only place where my soul and body come together in blissful harmony. Only there can I find my people, most of them genuine Samaritans. It's a pity that most balikbayans go there and expect to experience the perks and convenience that they enjoy abroad. That is not fair. They should not say bad things about Manila, and the homeland in general. I find it downright hypocritical when balikbayans go home to the Philippines and look at everything with their whine-colored glasses.

To the balikbayans the homeland does not offer the convenience of a financially secure, often high-strung lifestyle. What the Philippines offers is the beauty of a simple life, the warmth of family love, and the endearing traditional values that preserve and bring into focus the real
purpose of live and living.

Unfortunately, most of us just don't get it.

(The author can be reached at davidlvnow@aol.com)