There was a time in my life when everything was so simple. That was ages ago. I remember where members of the family gather together for Noche Buena in our simple abode, and stay at home until after the celebration of New Year.
It has been our family tradition to spend our vacation to what we usually call our ancestral house. A simple house yet compete with laughter and serenity. All of my grandparent's children were complete along with their kids, my cousins. My cousins and I are always proud to brag major prizes from games to several competitions. We are called "Pimentel's Apo" (Pimentel’s grandchildren). This tradition continued for several years. Everybody is awake around 6 o'clock in the morning, drinking coffee and eating pan-de-sal followed by a breakfast served at 8 o'clock.
This is also the time when my uncles, aunts and parents will talk about certain issues concerning the family circle and how they deal with problems that come along. It the time where each child knows each other’s favorite and mood swings. It was also the time where laughter is heard behind the doors of every room. A time where we quarrel who will wash the dishes after every meal and who will go with grandma in the garden after breakfast. And that was the time where we think where to sleep every night because the residence is too small to house everyone of us. We ended up sleeping at the small terrace where we entertain visitors and guests, no closed doors, only open windows, guarded by a tall mango tree from behind.
The house is made of wood, with a small terrace where you could see the bright moon at night. There are three bedrooms inside, a kitchen with a 10 feet long table and a dirty kitchen. Bathroom and toilet are outside the house underneath the mango tree near the pig pens. The sink is also outside the house where water never runs dry. It depicts a very hospitable house who welcomes everybody.
For fun, this was also the time where we go to the nearest river to play, swim, take a bath and wash our own clothes leaving the elders behind.
I noticed the change when I was in my junior high days. We still manage to be together same day of the year but some of them will be rushing to catch the bus the next day because of certain responsibilities and work. Then came the time when we celebrate Christmas and New Year with our own family. No uncles and aunts give you some chores. No cousins around. No games at the plaza. “Pimentel’s Apo” are not there to win the first prize for the contests anymore. Christmas is spent with friends and neighbors that you see around the corner 366 days in a year. Family reunions are just scheduled once every two years. Still the family circle is incomplete.
My college days were spent most of the time in the city. More work, more projects, more stress and less sleep. With these scenarios, we make it a point to get together and have our grandparents come to the city to celebrate Christmas with us. I remember having a picnic at Burnham Parkand we enjoy riding bikes. This practice, though, didn’t last long.
The last time that I went back to Sabangan was when my grandfather died. This was the first time in 10 years that again I saw our complete family. Not only that but also several family members whom I’m not familiar with were there. It became a grand family reunion. It was a time of grief.
I noticed a major change in the house. It became bigger; it was remodeled and became a 2-story house. It was widened. Aside from that, the small terrace is not there anymore. It became very unwelcoming. Everyone contributed for the revision of the house. Unlike our neighbors wherein their houses remain the same for the past 25 years, ours was changed from a little dome to a bigger one to accommodate each and every one of us.
As I view the house from afar, I can say that it is a house of success. It was improved but lesser people are staying inside. Lesser people will call it a home. Inside, it is a house where everyone has their own room, unlike when it was small that we sleep all together on the floor because the bed is not enough.
It’s true enough that as we progress, we become empty.
