=============================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo
Milestones were reached by two family members within the past month or so. And, being among those exhausted big city dwellers with stressful careers, my sisters and I turned the important events to an "excuse" to take our minds from work and relax. I guess when you are in the peripheries of
midlife, "frenzied celebrations" that are sometimes "soaked in alcohol" and deafening noise become obsolete! And you tend to equate celebration with relaxation... some quiet downtime and catching-up time with family, or alone time highlighted by some personal pampering. Well, at least, that has become my celebration philosophy lately, which my sisters share. :) And so, last weekend, together with two sisters and our sister-in-law, we took the kids to a weekend of laid-back fun at the historical Manila Hotel in the heart of the storied Intramuros area - the famous old Walled City of Manila. Our youngest sister and her fiancé also dropped by to join the "fun", and then took-off for some work-related stuff. You can tell, they are young! :) Our Manila Hotel weekend was a time spent beautifully with the most beautiful people in my life. I'm sure that it will all go into that "box" of beautiful memories in my heart. :)
***
Moving up, one bracket up
My nephew, Juan Paulo Miguel - my brother's son - completed his elementary education last March and is now preparing for High School. While, indeed a milestone, it was extra-special for us because Migs is only eleven years old! While he didn't bring home one of those "round metal pieces" they give out for outstanding achievements, we take pride in knowing that
he has been growing up responsibly, converting most of his little boy's "play time" to valuable education time. This, while being such a funny person with a kind heart - so lovable! :) This early, he understands the importance of good education and having good aspirations for the future. While he is still debating between becoming an excellent international chef and a good medical doctor... with the former gaining greater grounds lately, he is certain that he would like to be "something" and "someone" when the time comes. And so, he prays for it. :) We don't push him to dream of anything, but we do motivate him to push himself. We are careful not to take away the joy of childhood from him by letting him mature naturally, at a pace he is comfortable with. So far, we are happy with his progress. He does falter once in a while, succumbing to his "little boy's" curiousity - what-if-I-did-that-what-will-happen naughtiness - but nothing that provokes serious anger. If anything, it only renders us "useful" as a source of invaluable advice and moral support, and to always strive to be good role models to him and his siblings. I know that Migs is fast becoming a resposible young man despite his young age. He is fast showing his admirable character as a person, especially in the way he's dealt with a supposed counter-productive experience he's had recently. He took the entrance exam
at the very good High School, which is the alma mater of both his older siblings. He wanted to get into this School's Program because he has been impressed by his siblings's training, and he has been keen to receive the same training. What was really heartwarming about it is his consciousness of their mother's wish for very good education for him and his siblings. He understood the importance of fulfilling such wish, not only to bring happiness to their mother, but more importantly, to ensure a stable future for themselves. Unfortunately, he took the entrance exam in the same stressful and hectic week in his elementary school, where the added pressure of graduation was taking a toll on him. And so, he didn't make the first cut in the entrance exam. Instead of sulking about it and being demoralized, he allowed himself to be sad for a little bit and then sat with us and asked our opinions - like an adult. While he knew that there was still a chance to salvage his exam results in
his dream High School, he wanted to make sure that he had options. And so, he asked about other Schools with similar Programs. He then proceeded researching about the schools... mainly, about their alumni. Judging, mostly from the character of the alumni of the schools we suggested, he made his shortlist of three schools. He then asked his parents and siblings, and us - his aunts - if we could help arrange for him to take the entrance examinations in those schools. He prepared for the exams doubly hard, and because his elementary school graduation already passed, he was able to focus. On the day of the exams, he asked to be accompanied to the church to pray first, and then marched on to his exams. To our pride and happiness, he passed all the entrance exams! :) And so, we had a reason to celebrate! :)
More than passing the entrance exams, we were all very pleased at the way he handled his first "adult problem". He recognized his mistake, he righted it. He accepted his weakness but he didn't cry... he drew courage from our faith in him and our good wishes for him, and tried again valiantly. While he asked for divine intervention, he was very practical about it, too - he knew he had to work hard. When he finally did it, he owned up to his success but was still humble enough to say, "Hmmm, that was good. I should've prepared like that in my first exam." Yes, he is only eleven years old! :) Which aunt would not be proud of a boy like Miggy, I don't know! I just know that I am proud of him - certainly, totally! And I so love him to pieces, too! :)***
Moving up, one age group up
"Life begins at forty"... isn't that what most people say? Two years ago, when I was about to cross "that" boundary, I was skeptical about this saying, mostly because I didn't know what it really meant. But I completely subscribe to it now! :)
A younger sibling began her journey into the "beginning of life"
last weekend! No, she's not forty yet... 'cause if she was, then what would that make me???? :) But, yeah, she's moving to another "age group" - quite fast. Not yet forty, but definitely no longer young either... at least, in the book of cosmetics experts. :) It's that "Turkey phase" in one's life: not really Europe, not exactly Asia either! :) As she contemplated on the wonders of being in a "Turkey phase", like me, she was skeptical. While she enjoys having enough "dough to roll" these days - one of the ultimate markers of getting into the forty something zone - she still thinks it's
not flattering, in fact quite awful, to be ticking a different box in the "age group" section in those cosmetic surveys! =) So, she opted to have her approaching "hello forties" stage celebrated - properly! :) I wasn't about to "spoil" her "skepticism", which I thought was normal, so I joined her celebration - happily, of course! Besides, I needed some downtime, too! :)My sister has always been about downtime, even when she was still a teenager. She preferred to read, listen to music and watch movies than to go, say, hiking for example! While she loves nature... she prefers spending her downtime communing with nature rather than conquering it. So, the best vacation for her wouod be reading by the beach on a sunny and breezy day, or sleeping under a tree with slow music in the background, or taking a nap on a grass or smooth rock by a sparkling spring water on
a lazy, lazy day, or simply relaxing in a hammock or a rocking chair somewhere quiet and peaceful. And she is practical, too... the only thing that would make her spend money on her vacation in a big city would be a guarantee that there would be a decent museum or art gallery to explore, some architectural wonders to marvel on, or some cultural features to wonder and be fascinated about. Blame it on her training as a Philosopher. Her inclination towards Arts and Humanities and contemplative activities is bordering addiction! While I share all her Arts and Humanities idiocentric tendencies, I could also be coaxed to go hiking, or rock climbing - only if there is no game of football or tennis in play, that is! :) And so, when "Manila Hotel" was in the same sentence as "birthday celebration" for her, I knew it was because of the historical reputation of the hotel and that it was in the vicinity of Intramuros, Malate - the historical municipality of Manila, and Manila Bay, where the sunset is
spectacular. While we were in the heart of the hustle-bustle of the tourist center of Manila, at the intersection of historical streets that define Manila's cultural landscape, the birthday girl still managed to find her downtime! While the rest of us went for a night swim in the hotel's pool after strolling with her at the Luneta Park, she went on a bubble bath "date" with the bathtub! :) Hmmm, some things never changed... even at the brink of "life's beginning"! :)
***
Moving up, five stars up
I have been thinking about celebrating Miggy's accomplishments and my sister's "Turkey phase". I was hoping that the celebration would be a little extra-ordinary, too - quite special, something that would give Migs a sense of accomplishment and give my sis a symbolic celebration for slowly moving from one tick box to another. And so, when Migs's sister mentioned "Manila Hotel", I was all for it! :)
What is there not to like about Manila Hotel? First of all, it's a five star hotel. :) While my family and I do not mind spending vacation in three star hotels
or eating buffet in restaurants even on special occasions, we do not mind splurging on five star hotels either... especially when the reason is right. Therefore, we were excited at the idea of spending the weekend at the Manila Hotel! :) But for people like us in my family, who value substance and meaning over glitz and glamour, the real appeal of Manila Hotel is its place in our historical and cultural consciousness as Filipinos. It is beautiful - in a modest, yet very elegant way. Its simple - close to unimpressive - architecture outside, but with a surprisingly multitude of historical treasures inside is very appealing to me. It's a perfect symbol of a Filipina - a woman of substance - simple in appearance and stance, but of admirable qualities when put to the test. The hotel is about a century old now, having started operation in 1912. And, with
its old wooden and rustic muebles together with countless pieces of old artworks, mostly by Filipino greats, meticulously polished to retain their classy beauty in a carefully updated suroundings, the hotel welcomes its visitors with real Filipino warmth. Truly, age has only enhanced its elegant beauty - a true Muse of Manila Bay and a worthy mistress of the dramatic, and oh, so romantic Manila sunset!I think that Manila Hotel best symbolizes the milestones that Migs and my sister were celebrating. Like the Manila Hotel in its young days where heroes and prominent figures took abode, Migs has proven his worth as a person of admirable character - even at a young age. Aging has proven to be a preserving potion rather than a source of rot for Manila Hotel... a transformation that best describes my sister's passing through the "Turkey phase". And so, we packed our bags for the weekend and opened ourselves to the delightful wonders of the Muse! She didn't disappoint!
***
Photo credits: I own all photos.
