Shooting Stars

My friends decided to treat me out as an early send off gift. We went to a drive in theater, a 45 minute drive from the City of Bellflower. It’s pretty much like the ones you see in the movies: people watching a film in a tall wide screen from the comfort of their own cars. 

It’s a lot cheaper than the actual movie theater. We paid $8 for four movies of our choice (Season of the Witch, Little Fockers, Green Hornet, True Grit, Salt, The Fighter, Yogi Bear, The Dilemma). We only watched the first three.

I forgot to bring my eyeglasses so I pretty much squinted my eyes real hard just to see a lil bit clearly. We each had a director’s chair to sit on and we wrapped ourselves with thick blankets as it grew colder and deeper into the night. 

I couldn’t resist looking up the clear starry sky, hoping a shooting star would pass by so I could make a wish. But not one shooting star came so I settled to counting airplanes coming in and out of LAX instead. 

♫♫ Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars. I could really use a wish right now, wish right now, wish right now. ♫♫

I must have counted 64 airplanes. My what could have been 64 wishes. That night, a certain sense of calm washed over me. In a matter of days I’ll be on an airplane bound for home but I am no longer afraid of whatever the future brings.

Pit Senyor!

Sinulog is the most awaited annual festival in the province of Cebu. It is celebrated every third Sunday of January to honor the Child Jesus, also known as the Santo Niño, the former Patron of the province. The word Sinulog comes from the adverb sulog which is "like water current movement," which describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. The dance consists of two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of drums. The dance is categorized into Sinulog-base, Free-Interpretation. Candle vendors at the Basilica continue to perform the traditional version of the dance when lighting a candle for the customer, usually accompanied by songs in the native language. (wikipedia.com)

But who said Filipinos from other parts of the world can’t join in the festivity?

I have never seen so many Filipinos, particularly Bisdaks, all crowded in a single place. The atmosphere is festive, the Sinulog beat playing loudly in the background as everyone is busy chatting with friends and family they probably haven’t seen for quite some time.

The way they celebrate Sinulog here is quite new to me. I was expecting a lot of people lining the streets with face paints or henna tattoos on their body as they eagerly watch the Sinulog presentations. But no, everyone is sitting cozily in their seats with their best clothes on as various performers graced the stage with song and dance numbers. More of like a variety show of outstanding Filipino talents with a Sinulog performance in between.

I’m glad my SJA friends tagged me along in their performances. We went from one city to another, morning till night; meeting new people and seeing new places. 

If there’s one thing I wish Cebu has during Sinulog, it’s UNLIMITED FREE DELICIOUS FOOD for everyone. Just like in America.

Is trying out TUMBLR.