Journeys
Valentine’s Day, horoscopes and bruises
This is Valentine’s Day 2007, horoscopes and bruises revisited actually. February 14, ah, that day for me was full -- not of romantic dates but with reminders of how much I was remembered in a positive way. The day started off with a horoscope reading, courtesy of my ex. We’re friends. Sounds showbiz, no?
My horoscope said that on the 14th of February, I should spend my social moments in an intimate setting that’s conducive to conversation. Considering that I was scheduled to attend a big dinner concert that same night, the horoscope’s suggestion was bound to be defied. And defied it was! The very successful dinner concert was that of The Company, entitled An Everlasting Love, held at Centennial Resort Hotel and Convention Center at Alta Tierra Village, Jaro, Iloilo City. It was organized for the benefit of Emmanuel Foundation for Children with Special Needs. The venue was elegant, brand new and awesome. The food was great and the show was enthralling. The event was a booming success, thanks to the indefatigable producers Mr. and Mrs. Felix Tiu, owners of the place. (I attended the dinner concert with my mom while my ex watched a movie --alone, he and those who saw him told me.)
But wait! My horoscope for that day further said that I shouldn’t ignore recent karmic occurrences or they’ll just keep on recurring. I’m not particularly superstitious, but I recalled the streak of surreal luck I had the other week. Until now I’m still sporadically stunned by some asik-asik (sprinkling) of strange luck... Let me mention some...
I flew off a habal-habal (a modified motorbike with a thick plank of wood attached to the rear to accommodate more people. Yes, I was at the rear.). The accident took place near a cliff at Barangay Garangan in Calinog, Iloilo. Earlier that week, I sprained my right thumb while leaping from one slippery rock to another at Imoy Falls in Leon, Iloilo. (Somehow I thought it was wise to land on my thumb. Duh! Thank goodness, I’m a lefty! A shout out went to the good town mayor of Leon, Hon. Romulo Cabana, who was kind enough to tie a temporary bandage). Of all things, I tore off the right sleeve of my brand new blouse while coming out of an immaculate rented car. I got conned into giving change to fake money (Is this is what I get for being nice? Arggh!). Fatefully, I got left behind by the shuttle van to Miag-ao, where I served as judge to the Salakayan Festival Tribes Competition (I took a cab from Iloilo City and arrived before the contest started. Whew!). I had pre-Valentine dinner with my so-called “ex” two nights in a row. Funny? When one is in pain and polka-dotted with bruises, it wasn’t. And believe me, they were all almost equally excruciating.
Anyway, I came out of it all alive and in high spirits. The swollen parts have gone done and healed. That include my ex’s ego. (Kidding! Peace, man.)The torn sleeve has been mended. The lost cash has proven insignificant after all. The lessons I learned have been worth it -- as always.
Now that I’ve taken notice, I wonder if any more similar “surprises” will come my way. I‘m just back from Isla Naburot and scheduled to go to Isla de Gigantes and a cave in Igbaras, among others. I’ll keep you posted!