Transient

CEBU, Philippines - Almost all days of the week I travel around a hundred kilometers to and from work. I live in the western side of the province and work here in Cebu City. I have tried staying in the city for convenience, but sentimental me always longs to come home.

I can’t stand living in the city. The heat and dust, noise, the heaps of garbage, the flooding after a mere drizzle, the hoodlums that lurk in every corner drive me nuts.

In our place, close to the Cantabaco and Barot Faults, we bathe in mist almost all day long. Trees grow abundantly, giving us fresh air always, providing natural air-conditioning most helpful when the ambient temperatures turn sweltering hot.

We are lulled by the croaking of frogs at early evenings; toads frolic in our yard. Fireflies twinkle at night, a most beautiful sight on moonless nights as the luminous creatures dance around the “pajo” tree (a variety of mango) near our house. Mother calls the tree “Manny.” It’s over 30 years old already and yet has not lost its appeal to the fireflies. The tree has endeared itself to the family as it protected our house, serving as a windbreaker when typhoon Ruping badly hit Cebu many years ago.

Although nature’s treats have noticeably subsided through the years, it’s good enough that they’re still there. They effectively soften the discomfort when some neighbors get the urge to advertise their karaoke singing prowess. Most of the nights, anyway, there’s only the crickets singing, the leaves of plants rustling, and the pitter-patter of light rain at times.

These are just a few things that are hard to come by in the city. Besides, I love bus trips so it is not really so much bother for me to be making the daily trips. Yes, there’s always risk in negotiating the Naga-Uling Road almost every day. That part of the way is one of the most dangerous in Cebu because of its steep sections and sharp turns. 

But I have learned to trust the driver. I am not scared anymore. And yet, I’ve come to realize, if I could trust a human being with my life for two hours every day, who do I trust to watch over me in my whole life journey?

Submission deadlines often calls me hurrying to the office. I’d catch the first bus at 3 a.m., wanting to make the most of the day. At such times I’d have the best moments to drown myself in deep thought.

I’d watch the spread of stars on a cloudless heaven. I get mesmerized at the enormous beauty every time. Then in silence I speak with God, my personal God, the One that need not have any form or face — the God that keeps me safe from harm, always.

Then I cease to be bothered by the trivialities of life. I am reminded that we are all living on borrowed time. That life is just a transient journey towards the arms of God.