One Last Look at the Summer that Was

CEBU, Philippines - The cozy hammock that cradled your dead beat body played a strategic spot for your desire to taste everything. The soft, powder-fine white sand that stretched just all the way to the undefined yet graceful traces of the water against the shore was just inches from your toes. Reflecting on your oversized sunspecs was the picturesque layers of blue, fashioned by the breathtaking union of the sea and the sky. And you didn't mind the way the breeze gently caressed your face and carelessly blew your hair. You knew it was all worth the long exhausting trip. It was summer.

The last two months saw social networking sites flooded with photos of hot girls in bikinis, cute boys with surf boards, and scenic shorelines. Whether raw, lomo-inspired, or a poor attempt at Photoshop, they all served testaments to the wonderful memories captured throughout what felt like the country's hottest-literally-summer season yet. The scourging heat did not stop students, yuppies, and families to find the promising fun in the sun.

Nonetheless, summer did not go by too smoothly. A few dramas here and there managed to make their way well into the already heated season. Up to this day, many people might still be debating which was more a matter of national concern: the Barretto-Santiago vs. Tulfo live action dubbed as Thrilla in NAIA or the so called walking of the chief justice from his own impeachment hearing. The issue of how close to a whale shark a tourist can be also awakened the local government and netizens during the opening of the summer. Tightening the guidelines on the get-really-close-to-nature experience appeased a good number of animal protectors, and for all we know, exhausted and anti-social butandings as well. Adding a twist during the season was the breathtaking May 6 supermoon and the spectacular annular solar eclipse on the 21st of May. But adding more excitement was Jessica Sanchez's journey to almost being named as the 11th American Idol and almost breaking the WGWG (white guy with guitar) streak. The support of our countrymen through the internet was just as passionate as their response to the opening week of The Avengers. Can't blame them for giving equal support to a kababayan and to a group composed of a demigod, a super soldier, a man with anger management issues, and a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. After all, they were Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Albeit short, summer 2012 in our little corner of the world served as a good escape for many. It was a time to get away from homework and surprise exams. It was a moment to pretend that deadlines and demanding bosses did not exist. It was two months worth of surrendering to the splendor of nature and celebrating good times with the most important people in our lives.

But just as the horizons begin to paint a panoramic display of the sunset, summer 2012 has come to a close. It would take us another full year to once again experience it. True, we can go to the beach anytime, but deep inside we know that summer season always echoes a different call-a more alluring call to make memories under the sun. As our sun-kissed skin gradually fade and as we bid summer goodbye, let's look back once again to the banana rides, scuba diving, and the challenging jump shots. Bringing along these reminiscences will prove handy as we usher back in the one thing we escaped from in the first place: reality.