Borongan, my home

Despite the bad roads, I grab every chance to go home to Borongan, Eastern Samar. Nothing compares to that feeling of being home. Nothing. It’s the wind that whispers in your ears your shared secrets as you travel through the verdant forests and the familiar pesky holes in the roads that have so generously enriched not a few shenanigans who declare to all Warays dead or alive that they love Samar and this country.

I love Samar. I love being Waray. I love my sun-burned skin. Nanay used to say we are closer to the sun than any other place in the country. I respect my accent. It’s hard and unapologetic. Tagalog is too soft for my tongue. It sometimes doesn’t allow me to express the harshness of my feelings that the Waray dialect so bravely does.

When Nanay turned 80, we all went home and celebrated her birthday. It also coincided with the blessing of Nanay’s house where our old house used to proudly stand except that it finally surrendered to the debilitating powers of age and pests. Just before our old house was about to be torn down, Nanay who was in Manila insisted that she go home because she wanted to take a last look at the house she and Tatay built with hard work, love and courage. She told architect Andy Abusman to utilize part of the old house that could be used in the new one. The sturdy, indestructible posts of the old house were used in the gazebo while the wooden floor has been used in the stairway leading to the second floor. We surprised Nanay with a signage outside that says Balay ni Nanay Lising. Her eyes sparkled when we showed it to her. The pride and dignity I saw on her face was priceless.

It was a happy celebration with family, relatives and friends. There was singing, dancing and lot of food. There was full, hearty laughter that filled the night air as Nanay danced, sang, laughed with the family she has nurtured and protected all her life. At 80, she remains strong and funny. God is good and we are grateful.

Old friends like Bansit Lee and Rudy Capito, Mayor Pangka Anacta, my partner Bong Quintana, my nieces Lanie and Ethel, nephew Jake and other close relatives were all present.

The attractions of Amana

If you are the type who loves being around your favorite cartoon character while relaxing or camping out with your family, Amana Water Park is just for you. I have not been to the place but Vangie Kua, a suki of Amana says the resort is comparable to those in Boracay, Cebu or Bohol. Vangie enthuses, “Amana has vast picnic grounds with a canopy of lush mango trees. It has the biggest wave pool in the country with a 40-foot tall waterfall that cascades into the pool. It has life-sized replicas of favorite heroes and cartoons.”

Amana is located in Pandi Bulacan, a few hours ride from Manila. “I explored and visited the famous resorts and vacation spots in the country to see what it was that made these places special and unique,” says Enrico Roque, Amana owner. “I took the iconic elements of these resorts and incorporated them in Amana.”

Among Amana’s attractions are the 3,500-square meter wave pool, the largest in the Philippines, the 500-meter kiddie pool, a picnic grove, breezy cottages made of local materials, Japanese-inspired convention hall and a cave type restaurant.

Amana, Vangie says, taps into that child-like quality in you that enjoys the simple and good things in life — beautiful natural surroundings, fun attractions, big indigenous trees, among others. “We purposely kept the trees in the 6.4-hectare property for Amana guests to enjoy their natural beauty,” adds Enrico.

Aside from families, Amana is an ideal venue for corporate events and school field trips.

Quick Change

For more than two decades, Asia’s premiere vocal group — The CompanY and irrepressible funny man — Jon Santos, have proven to be the quintessential quick change artists. As seasoned artisans of their craft, it is their theatrical dexterity to reinvent and adapt that have made them credible, dependable and effective powerhouses in the arena of the live concert stage.

On July 31 and Aug. 1, The CompanY and Jon will showcase their best showstoppers in a musical comedy revue titled Quick Change held at Star Theater, CCP Complex. It’s the debut production of Ambient Media Events and will also feature upcoming artists Reymond Sajor (WCOPA Grand Champion) and Jez Salcedo. A week later, on Aug. 7 and 8, the Quick Change will be staged at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu City.

Tickets are available at Ticketworld (call tel. no. 891-9999), Star Theater (512-5031), The Marco Polo Plaza Cebu (+63 32 253 1111). On-line tickets are available at www.ticketworld.com.ph.