atin-atin lang

March 20, 2007

12:42am

I’ve almost forgotten until fairly recently that the nature of my work dictates the roughly pre-determined amount of time I would get to spend at every project assignment. Last week, Thursday to be exact, I got the axe from the bosses back in Manila. No, I wasn’t involved in any anomaly nor am being recalled for transfer to a different project. They simply decided that we were already “overstaffed” and had to let go of some of us. I don’t know if they were just ill advised or irritatingly stubborn (or perhaps I’m just being bitter, ha!). However I was already contemplating since two weeks ago the idea of getting laid off two months from now as our project wraps up (hopefully) so it shouldn’t be a problem; but I was informed of my termination only one day in advance. Talk about prudence! But I took it in stride and happily accepted the decision (as if I could do anything to reverse it). Surprisingly, I felt a sense of happiness and detachment. Perhaps, it was time to move on indeed.

Having spent nearly nine months here in Boracay, I can never say that I’ve had enough of the powdery sand, refreshing breezes, idle weekends, cold and sometimes-lonely nights, and even the hot summer days. I can still remember how I felt when I first got here in June last year, coping with all the anxiety and fear of adjusting to a new and quite different working and living environment. Back then the idea of handling the construction of a three-storey 30-room condotel was quite daunting for someone who’s been “out of the battlefield” for almost two years. I was given one week to adjust, and I hope to believe that I was able to mount the task with little apprehension. A few weeks into the project, I was given extra assignments to also pitch in with the other two buildings of our project. That gave me more self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment, regardless of the setbacks that we were experiencing.

Making new friends was almost a requirement to survive this new environment; and I was fortunate there were nice people who became really close to me. On certain weekends, they would invite me to visit their hometowns on mainland Panay and celebrate special occasions with their families and friends. They really made me feel welcome and treated me as a special guest. And when I left to return to Boracay the next day I had special take-home bags of fresh fruits, rice, homemade candies, or whatnot. On a separate occasion I was even invited to be a godfather to one of the local children at a nearby village; and happily obliged. It’s quite endearing, actually, and I will forever cherish the memories and relationships I’ve built with these people. A return trip to their places would surely be worth it when the time comes.

For one who’s been used to city living (since birth to be exact), there’s really nothing much to complain about living in Boracay except perhaps when I get the occasional urge to watch a current hit movie or go malling — both non-existent pastimes in this island escape. I once thought that my usually monotonous life in Manila would be spiced up a whole lot and my social life improved when I moved to Boracay; but I found out that I still had to exert some effort for that to happen. So much for that, I thought. Instead, my life became much simpler — walking to and from work, very rare fancy (hint: expensive) dinners, lazy Sundays looking out to the golf course, quick dips in the sea after work, etc. etc. It was like living in semi-retirement, not bad at all!

Again, I am not complaining. On the contrary, I wish could stay longer; I thought I’d be here until May or June then jump to another job by July. Now that I have a lot of time for myself, I intend to go on a well-deserved vacation from work. Ever since I graduated from college I never really had a good break, joining the workforce less than two months since I marched with my batch mates in UP. Having dwindling personal funds and no source of income now would be a little roadblock for this bakasyon grande but I’m counting on the generosity of friends and relatives to make it through. From Boracay, I plan to head to Leyte and reconnect with my relatives. A short holy week trip to Camotes Islands in Cebu is in the pipeline. Then I hope to crash with my friend in Cebu City for a few days before heading back to Manila. I can only plan ahead so much; the rest of my vacation adventures are yet to be discovered.

God knows where else my nomad’s feet will take me, but for sure my Boracay stint is only a sampler of whatever else lies ahead of me. I do believe that the things I have gone through are all in preparation for something greater, albeit overwhelming. But I’m up for the challenge and can’t wait to get started. In the meantime, I’ll be sipping my cold fruit shake on the beach while ogling hot summer bodies trying to escape life (or living it); feeling the breeze on my tanned skin; and soaking up all that this place many consider paradise has to offer. Next week when I step onto the boat, which will take me back to the mainland, I’ll bid Boracay adieu…but never goodbye.