My siblings and I were planning to spend Christmas in Pampanga (Clark). My older sister booked a condo via Airbnb. It was called the D'Heights.
The D'Heights condominium was freshly built. The condominiums were constructed at the top of the hill. Apart from the fact it's a cold season in the Philippines, I never thought of wearing pants since I misjudge the location--it was fucking cold. I was wearing shorts and I'm freezing to death. Some places were still unavailable to enter due to being under construction, there are only a few tenants that can be seen. It felt like it was a ghost town. But there are also security guards roaming around. By this, I can convince myself there are still people around me. They ride their motorcycles in order to transfer from one place to another. Again, it would take a long walk to go up and down.
Seemingly, the view at the top was beautiful from morning and night. I could see other condominiums (built and under construction) from other hills as well. On the 25th, I decided to go out for a walk and see other places nearby. The boundary of Clark is where I proceeded with my journey.
My feet took me to Clark Picnic Grounds. There were many things going on. In the middle of the field, families are having a pleasant picnic. Others are teaching their kids to fly their kites and others are playing mataya-taya. On the footpath of the park are lovers chitchatting and a group of friends sharing a laugh with one another. The weather was still chilly, which is why many elderlies were holding onto their cup of coffee bought at the near convenience store.
Outside of the park, near the sidewalk, are a family of beggars sitting near the trees. Many foreigners and tourists were ignoring them. What was appealing to them was their features. Their hair is curly, lips are thick, their skin is dark brown, and their teeth are clean white. They were wearing ragged t-shirts and shorts. The cleaning staff of the park was brushing them off near the people. Avoiding, as if they were filth of the land.
I got back from the condominium at midnight. The security guard in or building greeted me. I asked him if I could take a seat beside his table. His name was Rollie Lumaowang. Rollie was 23 years old. At that point, it was easy talking to him since we have a 5-year gap. He's like my older brother. We were talking about his experience being a night guard at the D'Heights. We talked about his funny and horror memories. But he also shared some dark secrets about the company he's serving.
Before all the buildings were built, the hills were the land of the indigenous. It was their home. He recalls that during the scouting, foreigners held a piece of paper (title) showing that they are the owners of the land. But since most Aetas are unable to read, specifically in English, land-grabbers had to do it the hard way. They were forced to leave their land.
According to Rollie, some had to transfer from the metropolis and others remained in Pampanga. The saddest part of the story is that the indigenous only remained in the streets. Like the family of Aeta earlier in the picnic ground, they were roaming and asking for alms. It's an immoral act, I say, that the land-grabbers will find a way to deceit and distort the truth only for commercial gains. Hundreds of families living peacefully are being disturbed by these wicked colonizers.
Rollie's keen observation of the unlawful act of the company made him sickened. He told me by August next year, he will resign. Rollie is also an emigrant, he came from Tacloban. He became a volunteer in helping other families after the great storm. The horrible experience that they encountered with his family during the Yolanda period made their sojourn to Pampanga.
I asked him if this was the first Christmas away from his family? He smiled and said "Maraming beses na po." Rollie was the third among the fifth siblings. He stopped studying in order to pursue jobs. His dad left them and their mom is the only parent they can hold on to. While trying to crack his knuckles, he told me that he was paying the tuition of his younger siblings. And yes, using from his paycheck. With optimism, he added that he is trying to save money to go back to studying. Learning I.T. (Information Technology) was his goal before becoming a security guard.
Despite getting to work on the holiday, Rollie gets his inspiration from his family and God. My presence made him comfortable talking about himself. "Regalo mo ako ngayong pasko." I kid. He laughed.
I'm writing this after I got home from Angeles, Pampanga on the 27th of December, two days after Christmas. Personally, this Pampanga experience was a lesson for me. That life is unfair. Others are not fortunate to obtain a warm home and have decent noche buena. Others are striving in order to make end meets.
Like the Aetas. Like Rollie. The only Christmas wish that I have for them is that someday, somewhere, they will obtain a merry and joyful moment, unlike today.
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