A CUP OF COFFEE by Richard Diaz Alorro

A Cup of Coffee

by Richard Diaz Alorro

(Life is like a cup of coffee –

full of aroma, rich, warm, creamy, bold, smoky, bitter)

On May and the Journey to Forever

Panahon na naman ng tag-init! Pagkatapos ng ilang buwan na “winter hibernation” of sorts, once more we gain the freedom to shed off layers of warm clothes, enjoy the outdoors and the warmth of the sun. It’s officially summer! Ngunit parang kakaiba ang summer ngayong taon. Nagiging mas madalas ang pag-ulan. Sabi nila, most likely, we might experience a wet summer. The Philippines has been drenched with rain lately. I hope the course of the weather will change and let us enjoy a summer filled with sunshine and al fresco fun.

Para sa ating mga Pinoy, “summer” season ang buwan ng Abril at Mayo. Ito ay sa kadahilanang sakop ng mga buwang ito ang ating school break o summer vacation. Walang pasok ang mga mag-aaral at mga guro sa elementary, high school at college (maliban na lang sa mga kumukuha ng refresher courses o summer classes).  Hindi mawawala ang summer outing ng buong pamilya or magkakabarkada sa beach, swimming o mountain resorts. Buhay ang summer capital ng Pilipinas, ang Baguio City, sa mga panahong ito. Puno ng tao ang Boracay, mabili ang halo-halo at iba pang pagkain o inuming pampalamig, at walang pahinga ang mga bentilador o air conditioner. Panahon din ng fiesta at mga festivals ang summer season sa Pilipinas, lalung-lalo na ang buwan ng Mayo. Celebrations of thanksgiving for the different blessings received are being held with food, drinks, dancing, and merrymaking.

Naaalala ko ang mga panahong ako ay nasa elementarya o early high school pa. Ang pagtatapos ng final exams sa school ay nangangahulugang magsisimula na ang bakasyon. April or May has always been a looked-forward month.  My siblings, cousins and I used to visit my aunt’s farm in another town or go to my uncle’s house near the sea in another province. We had simple joys. We climb trees. We swim in the river or the beach. We do fishing, play patintero, hide and seek, or fly kites. We lie down on soft grasses under the moonlight and watch the playful stars. Minsan tumutulong din kami sa mga gawain sa bukid, tulad ng paglalagay ng fertilizer sa mga tanim na mais, o mamitas ng mga gulay. At the end of the summer days, we had sun-burnt skin but with hearts filled with joy and wonderful memories. Sa pagtatapos ng summer, baon namin ang mga bagong aral ng buhay at mga kwentong maipagyayabang sa mga kaklase sa pagdating ng pasukan. Childhood memories! Kay sarap balik-balikan. 

Sa bansang Hapon, May is also a very important and a significant month for many Japanese. May is characterized by a warm yet mild temperature, when everyone can enjoy outdoor activities like BBQ parties and picnics. May is where the Golden Week falls in, when Japanese celebrates the day for children, the environment and the establishment of the modern-day Japan constitution. During these holidays, the Japanese people find time to take a break from the hassles of work, travel around the world, and bond with family members.

The month of May always have a special place in my heart. May has witnessed the prime of my childhood. Maraming mga hindi makakalimutang childhood memories na naging parte ng aking pagkatao ang naganap sa buwan ng Mayo. And most of all, my birthday falls on May and I will be forever grateful for this greatest gift. Every May of each year since I became aware of my existence. My loved-ones and I celebrate with thanksgiving for the life I was entrusted to nourish.

The May of 2012 will be a very significant May for me. Sa nakaraang issue (March-April 2012), aking ibinahagi ang article about the journey to forever. In our lives, we meet different kinds of people and they imprint and influence our lives in various ways. But there is certainly one person who will complete you as a being, a person who will accept and understand you and is willing to grow and learn with you. And I am very fortunate to have found this person who will walk with me hand-in-hand, until our golden days. Yes, this May, I will embark on a journey, a journey for a lifetime. May 2012 will be a celebration of life and love – my wedding day.

For the next May and the many Mays to come, I may have more great and wonderful things to reminisce and be thankful about. Ang pagkakaiba lang, I will have someone to celebrate, cherish and share them with. Can’t wait for every May to come …