IMHO

BC

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to just do it.

In 1993, when the country was beset by eight-hour power outages that transformed Manila into a cheap sauna, I attended a sorority sister's cañao in Baguio City. And, although the electricity went on and off for the duration of the entire three days of wedding festivities, there was no trace of that uncomfortable humidity that afflicts the lowlands. It was sheer bliss. I began to seriously look into the possibility of moving to Baguio City for good and setting up my legal career in the mountains.

Obviously, that didn't quite pan out, but that dream has continually tugged at my heart since (minus the legal career part). Especially over the last few years, when I found myself frequenting BC more than ever. Last year alone, I think I was up in the City of Pines a dozen times or so - whether as a destination in itself or a stop en route to and from Kabayan, Benguet. And, late last year, with the help of a few determined artistic friends, renovations were finally resumed on the family house in BC (my sister and I started fixing the place up a few years ago, but an unfortunate car accident discouraged me from continuing our weekly Baguio expeditions). The house, which has been fondly christened "JJ P(h)ad Baguio" (in the tradition of JJ Phad Roxas and JJ Phad Kabayan).

Cool weather agrees with me (as opposed to cold weather - I have a notorious reputation for freezing my ears off at the slightest change in wind chill, and for plunging into depression when the sun doesn't show itself for more than 24 hours). And so I find myself extremely comfortable in the climes of Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Tagaytay City, Benguet, and Mountain Province. So comfortable, in fact, that I could live the rest of my life in any one of those places - or, to be more practical about it, since we already have an unoccupied house there, in Baguio City.

BC is conducive to two of my favorite activities - sleeping, and writing. I've found myself dreaming of the day when I can do just those two things for months on end (or at least one week). But I've got "work" to do down in the metropolis - although I can't help thinking that perhaps, one of these days, "work" will take me to BC and the opportunity to live there. It all really depends upon my Boss and what He'll have me do in the near future. Until then, I can dream, can't I - and hope that my dreams coincide with His. :-) Because BC, just like Paris, is always a good idea.

(Photo of X doing the walls of JJ Phad Baguio - a work continually in progress indeed)

posted by Honey Oliveros @ 11:07 PM