Negrense life goes on
(First of two parts)
Standing: Edwin Vicencio, Cynthia
Gamboa, Niel Akol, Peter Diaz, Mitzi
Tongoy, Benjie Escay. Sitting: Jose Luis
Tongoy, Louie Ling, Vic Cruz, Diding
Gamboa, Emily Vicencio; foreground:
Ricky Fontanilla, Coni Fontanilla,
Magoo Escay.
Some kind of summer, it was. Yes, I was undecided whether I should push through with my (un)official, two-week trip to the States, beset by a growing viral problem called A(H1N1), and a budget so tight I couldn’t even unfasten it. Not to mention this thing called “economic crisis”, which has gone big time because it decides to go global. But, I closed my eyes, made a decision, jumped in headfirst, covered my face with a mask, and flew off!
So, while I was cozily tucked under my airline blanket, I pondered over my article, when it hits me at 37,000 feet in the air. How do Negrenses in the States cope with these crises? Are their jobs on the line? Are they gasping for breath or still living in the lap of American luxury?
In a quiet suburb in Northern Virginia, a stone’s throw away from the nation’s capital, Negrense friends and relatives gathered to what would be my welcome and despedida party (with just a week’s stay here, you have to do all of it in one shot). In Ricky and Coni Fontanilla’s patio, which they call “Tiki Bar” (no tiki birds here, though), we gathered to renew friendships and to reunite with family. My sister, Cynthia, took charge of the guest list, and a potluck was organized. There was Chicken BBQ, grilled pork, steamed fish, buko pandan, pancit, and, of course, beer and wine. When the cool night sky settled in, they fired up the coals and the sound of popped-up corks meant the bar was open. Edwin Vicencio took care of the music while everyone contributed to the chatter. Friends whom I haven’t seen for fifteen years were there, like Niel Akol, Peter Diaz, and Benjie and Magoo Escay (her baklava is too die for!). I also did a lot of catching up with Jed and Emily Vicencio and their kids, and my twin cousins, Manny and Jimmy Santiago. The chatter of Ilonggo at the “Tiki Bar” caused neighbors to peek out their window and wave with a wane smile.
Niel Akol, Peter Diaz and Mitzi Tongoy.
Unfortunately, I never really got around to asking all my questions amid all the chattering and the laughter while stuffing food in my mouth. How do you ask without sounding nosy? And what if the answers were on the negative; will I be adding insult to injury? We all come from the same city in the same third world country, and we have been down in the dumps before, especially during the sugar crisis in the 70’s. But Negrenses have managed to get up, brush themselves off, and start anew. Life goes on, whether you are up, down, or somewhere in the middle. This happy group before me has learned to live with the times, to hang on and be content with what they have. They work not only because they need to, but also because they can prove to their co-workers that they are good in what they do, and deserve the position they hold. They are serious with their work, most of them bearing major responsibilities in institutions like The World Bank, Martin Marietta, and Wells Fargo. Others have ventured by setting up their own businesses. And when it’s time to party, they know how to have a good time. I called them a happy group because that’s what they are. The friendship they have keeps them all afloat in these turbulent times.
I guess in a way it’s the Negrense attitude…. they remain standing no matter what hits them. Bakod!