After years of renting, I finally got a townhouse in 2020 and my family moved in there in 2021, a few months before I returned from my Paris foreign assignment. I felt relieved to finally get a place in Manila that we could call our own and where my mom could have her mini garden of potted plants. 😉
I recall the first time I paid my real estate tax when I finally got back to the Philippines. I had to check online where the office where you pay your tax is, how much it is, what the requirements are. I had no one to ask for guidance and no one could accompany me as well. I had to navigate the process myself. Okay naman pala. Doable.
That same day, I went straight to the mall to pay the electricity, water, and internet bills. As I sat down, tired, quietly sipping my hot chocolate and eating a bibingka in the small Bibingkinitan stall in the mall, my exhilaration faded, replaced by exhaustion and the seeming heaviness of life’s responsibilities. Looking at the envelope with the official documents inside, it seemed to be telling me, “It’s really the way it is.” For a few minutes, I pondered on the situation but afterwards, went to my grocery shopping to replenish the household supplies and forgot my musings as I went from aisle to aisle.
Well, this piece is not meant to be saddening. I guess, I just want to share on a Sunday my experiences and thoughts on adulting and in the process, discover ideas within. I already wrote in another blog entry titled “Atlas” my thoughts on being a breadwinner so that will not be my focus now. Rather, it will just be a sharing of facts and sentiments as they come to my mind.
A year before I got posted, I got an insurance (not a super big fan since I hate being told/asked “Paano na lang kung magkasakit ka?” or worse “Paano na lang kung mamatay ka?” accompanied by knocking on wood, to which I’m tempted to retort in a not-so-pleasant way). A relative referred me to her financial advisor, who was nice, reasonable, and logical so I decided to get an account.
A year after, while I was in my foreign assignment, I received news that our local cemetery in Albay will be undergoing renovation and that all human remains should be transferred to the big lot across it. So yeah, I told my mom and siblings, let’s get two (lots) and so we bought it. That was my first investment while abroad, and soon after, my late dad’s, my late grandpa and grandma’s, and two of my late uncles’ bones were transferred there.
Then, I came across the photos that my relatives posted. Some of those were our dining area in our house in Albay. The walls have become moldy and discolored because of exposure to sun and rain. A typhoon from several years back totally destroyed the roof at that portion of the house and we didn’t have the time nor finances to have it repaired.
I told mom, Abie, and my siblings. Let’s have the house renovated in time for my younger brother’s wedding. So we did– had the sala and dining area walls repainted; installed a new roof, got a nice sofa set.
Here are photos of our sala in 2003 and 2023.
In 2021, I virtually organized a Mother’s Day dinner for all the moms in our family in Albay, in a lovely heritage house, Casa Simeon. It went well, also because the owner responds to FB queries promptly and because my daughter handled the follow through. The owner even granted my request to have a “Mother’s Day” dish or design as part of the menu at no extra cost.
Also, when my dad was still alive, he planned to bring our family to Davao since we’re the only ones in Albay, while the rest of the Felimers are in Davao. It didn’t happen soon because illness took him away from us at the age of 56. But during the yearend 2010 (30-31 Dec and the 1st 2 days of the new year) and July 2015, I made it happen and brought my mom, some siblings, and Abie to Davao. I am pleasantly surprised to discover that I posted about me wanting to visit Davao, and it finally happened after 5 months. 🙂
Prior to the visit, I reached out virtually to our relatives, whom I haven’t seen since childhood. I’m glad that now, we communicate, not just individually but through a GC I created. It felt amazing that time because although it was the first time that we met, I felt so welcome.
Here are some photos during my July 2015 visit. Wala ako sa litrato, taga-document kasi. Siyempre systematic ang shots, per family. Haha!
I also went there in 2022, during my birthday. I told them not to prepare anything special and that I only request to be by the beach on my birthday. My relatives in Davao made it happen. Not only that; they prepared a party with lechon roasted at the backyard, ready just in time for our return from the beach.
Adulting is more than the usual bills. Yes, you will get tired. Yes, you will feel wanting to be taken care of instead of always taking care of people. Yes, you also want people to plan surprise trips for you instead of you organizing trips.
But there are also perks to adulting and one of this is the opportunity and capability to do activities that bring the family together. Another is making things that you want happen. By this time too, life would have dealt you with some lessons, which probably made you wiser and stronger.
To those reading this and are feeling some challenges about adulting, be strong.
Be happy with the little miracles day by day. Take care of your health. Take care of your well-being. Be with people you love. ❤ Communicate with your loved ones. Have faith.
Author’s Notes:
If you happen to be in Albay, visit Casa Simeon. You’ll love the place. The food is good. There’s a mini-museum; the facade and interior decoration look amazing for a photo shoot. There’s a balcony where you can have a good yet distant view of Mayon Volcano. You can reserve rooms for several days.
The location is perfect too if you want to be at the center of the Bacacay experience. Just cross the street and you will be in the expansive wet market (market days are Wednesdays and Sundays). Walk a few blocks from the gate to your right, and you will reach the plaza and the St. Rose of Lima Church. A few steps more from the church and you will be at the pier, by the beach. Casa Simeon is also one pedicab away from the transportation terminal to Tabaco City and Legaspi City.
Beyond Routes 