By Jan Vicente B. Pekas
Looking at the current state of our household, it’s surprising to see the changes that had occurred through the years. We live quite a distance from the city, where the green leaves of “marapait” dominate the surroundings, compared to that of the urban jungle in the city center. However, the air and sights back home were always the major attraction to the eyes of a young boy that fell in love with the bustling lights of the city, where different cars can be seen on the road, from the shabby kind to sports cars. Though living just a fair distance from the city, I definitely felt like a country bumpkin in my early experience seeing Baguio.
Yet, a city hosts not only us, relatives, acquaintances and “kailians”, but also people who come from far away. And as years passed by, Baguio would continue to grow mot only with buildings, but with people, both local and tourists. Now, with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, Baguio’s impeded growth would again move forward. Continuing down along the path of progress.
From the sights from our home, we would bear witness to this progress. Like the seemingly endless cars climbing Marcos Highway or returning down to the lowlands. Shiny and new, most of them would look the same.
Yet, progress was not limited to the city only, as the community near us continue to become more and more like a town. Patches of just dirt and grass continue to disappear. And from these would rise commercial buildings. A sight you would normally only see in the city.
Progress it seemed, also came to our front door, in the form of a cat to add to our lone mouse catcher; and a dog to add to our original four whose barks echo through the walls and are never harmonious but are welcome warnings of a stranger in the vicinity.
The view of the inside changed indeed. Scratch marks mar the sides of the couches. Ripped debris from boxes and such scatter the floor. And for their food, we are forced to get only the best.
Only a few years back, this house was one of silence and calm. Now, the complaints of college kids, my cousins, are heard every night. The pandemic forced them to relocate to our place.
Our home now consists of strays– as we fondly call my cousins– and pets. Thankfully for them, the residents are one of mercy and kindness. A silent night now would come as rarely as a blue moon. And a single bathroom ensures chaos in the household, a chaos that smells.
Changes come seemingly with progress. A once quiet household had been flipped upside down. Where noise and all kinds of sounds now roam the halls.
A town once of humble origins, now a bustling city center. A place of diverse group of peoples, it gives them smiles amidst cold times. The outside may change as we continue to ever strive forward. But the memories remain inside, frozen by time. Always there waiting for us when we return.
**
