At the Back of the FX part 2

...

Sigh. But I do believe in fate. I mean, if he was the one for me, he would be. We would meet no matter what the circumstance. But then again, if I don’t make a move, all will be lost. He could only be the one guy that could have been my life, the one I would offer my successes, the one who would share with me my life’s adventure. He could have been.

I made a compromise with myself. If we get off at the same stop, I would make the first move and introduce myself. Why does it have to be like this? Here was my one chance and yet I am hesitating. He looked decent and presentable naman. I wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen with (he he, the question is, he might be the one be embarrassed to be seen with me). But still, I made a promise to myself. If and only if he gets off at the same stop as I am, then and only then would I make the move.

And he did get off at the same stop. Shucks, I could not back out of my dare. I got off first. I told myself, if he overtakes me, that’s it, or if he didn’t, I would chicken out. There you go, I was still afraid to try. Funny thing is, I was never given the chance. He walked right beside me and matched me stride by stride. Well, I guess he would be receptive for a casual talk after all. So, I mustered all my guts and blurted, “You going my way?” Duh, a good opening line... “It looks like it” he said. Good. “I am Paolo by the way, you?” “Call me Adan.”

To continue

Surprisingly, after that introduction, I wasn't nervous at all. It's as if we clicked and that we knew each other already. Adan and I shared a tricycle, apparently, we lived on the same subdivision, we were just a couple of blocks from each other. During the ride, we were chitchatting. Adan I learned worked at a bank. He graduated from the same university as I did but from a different college. Adan will be the first to get off. Before the tricycle stopped, he casually asked me if I would like to come in his apartment and have coffee, I said why not.

Adan was renting the apartment with his sister but tonight he was alone. His sister was out of town for a seminar. The apartment had a cozy feel to it. Adan asked me for coffee, at the back of my mind, I would want to say no, if I drink coffee, I will be up the whole night but since it's a Friday, I said why not again. It seemed that for Adan, I couldn't really say no to him.

At this day and age, I really thought he would served me instant coffee, but he didn't. He took the coffeemaker, filled it up with ground coffee beans and let it percolate. I was relaxing on the sofa while Adan turned on his stereo and played soft music.

He asked me if I was comfortable and I said yes (again!). He asked if it's ok to leave me for a while as he would like to change for a more comfortable clothes and asked if I would like to change too. I wouldn't want to be presumptuous as to say yes this time so I said no. He went upstairs and while he was gone, I looked around the living room.

Adan had a framed graduation picture on the wall. He looked so adorable. His smile melted the pants off me. My weakness was guys with dimples, and his was the deepest dimples I have ever seen. His teeth was very white and even and those lips, so kissable. I stared at his eyes, which drew me as if they were talking to me. Another weakness of mine are eyes that looked dreamy, as if those eyes were just awakened from a beautiful sleep.

I didn't know that Adan had finished changing nor the coffee was done. With a soft cough, he caught me staring at his picture. As I turned around, I couldn't help but stare at this real version of the picture.

He was holding a steaming mug of coffee in his boxer shorts and white sando. Oh my, my legs were shaking. As I grabbed the coffee he was holding out for me, I immediately put it down for fear that it would spill as my hands begun to shake as well.

How could I find the Mr. Right of my life? I have tried going out for dates, meeting new people. I have been used, abused, manipulated and terribly hurt, only because I thought that if I only give-in, I will have Mr. Right. Talk about being desperate! But still I haven’t met him. Some may argue that to meet Mr. Right, one has to be one. One has to be the right person too. And I believe I am. I am caring, passionate, romantic and giving. I am sincere, thoughtful and sensitive. I appreciate life, I love fun. I am a good conversationalist, understanding, and smart. I am simple, and yet complicated. I am not a high-maintenance person. I admit, I am not perfect, but who is? I am not looking for Mr. Perfect; I am looking for Mr. Right.

Have I found my Mr. Right? Is Adan my Mr. Right, someone who, unabashedly, will sing me a song or recite to me a poem he had written. Adan isn’t necessarily good looking but he is pleasantly clean and neat. I can feel he is confident, and supportive, understanding and romantic. But will he encourage me to try new things and discover new activities as I imagine my Mr. Right would? Or is he quiet, preferring a night on the bed, talking. Or holding hands at the movies. Would he enjoy going to the beach once in a while and with me, wait for the sun to set, the moon and stars to come out, sleep on the sand with the waves of the sea lulling us to sleep only to be awakened by the sunrise. Or an evening where he would cook pasta and set the table with candles and have dessert while listening to my favorite song “Your Song” or watching “Sleepless in Seattle or Serendipity.” Would we have the same taste in music, food, books; or not. Is he complicated, and even if he is, I would cherish every moment in my life I’m sharing with him understanding his complexity. He could be simple and I would enjoy every moment of simple life, as long as it’s with him. I’ll share with him every thought, dreams and aspirations I have. He could be of my age, or older or younger. He could be all of the above… or not, again, I’m not looking for Mr. Perfect, just the one, someone who would feel right to me. 

And tonight, he felt all right to me...

(To be continued) - comment if you want me to post what happens next :)

Budget for a 4-Day 3-Night stay in Hong Kong

Below is a list of expenses I have incurred for my trip to Hong Kong. This does not include the "pasalubong" but includes tickets to Disneyland and the two tours I have availed. Some figures are rounded off but generally, a budget of at least Php20,000.00 will tide you through. All amounts are in PHP. I used the conversion of 1 HKD = 6.5 PHP when I have my money exchanged at BDO.

Tip though, you can get a higher exchange rate in HK so exchange only a minimal amount (i.e. fotr the Octopus card, avail of the HKD 100 card plus 50HKD deposit, total of 150HKD. Load it another 150 HKD for a grand total of 300 HKD. Don't worry, you can refund the unused amount at the HK airport. You can use the Octopus card for the trains, bus and even for food at McDo and 7-11. At the end of my trip, I was able to refund the 50HKD deposit and 35HKD change. A 9 HKD will be deductetd for service fee. Not bad :) )

RT Airfare	2,500.00
Travel Tax	1,620.00
Hostel (4D3N)	1,500.00
Disneyland	3,500.00
Tours	3,000.00
Octopus Card	2,000.00
Food (4D3N)	3,822.50
TOTAL	17,942.50

For the Round Trip Airfare, it is best to book ahead of time during a seat sale promo. The Php2,500 RT airfare is quite a bargain. Additional cost for baggage allowance. I didn't opt for this as I am not really planning on shopping (my bad! The outlet stores, especially Giordano, are really on sale!)

You have no choice but to pay the travel tax as you leave NAIA though.

The hostel cost is actually Php4,500 but there were three of us sharing in a two bed room, so my share came down to Php1,500 only (or Php500/night) not bad since you'll only stay in the room to sleep and shower as you'll spend the entire time exploring Hong Kong right?

I got my Disneyland tickets from Klook as well as the tours (Lantau Sea and Land Tour and the Peak Tram).

The Disneyland one day pass is worth it, you will need the whole day just to explore the entire park. More on this on my later posts.

The cable car is under repaitr so we opt to take the Lantau Sea and Island tour, if you have the option, skip the Sea tour and go directly to the Big Buddha to spend more time. The Peak Tram includes the tram ride, access to the Sky View, Madame Tessaud and the 3D Trick eye Museum. More on these later too.

Food is really costly here. The average meal is at least PHP260 and the food inside Disneyland is at least Php650. 

With this budget, I hope you'll have an idea how much to prepare for this trip.

Next post will be about exploring Hong Kong in detail.

Hirayamanawi,

Rob

Hong Kong Itinerary - 4 Days 3 Nights

Hi All,

For now, I'll be sharing with you a sample itinerary based from my four days three nights stay in Hong Kong.

ITINERARY - ACTUAL

Manila-Hong Kong-Manila

March 21 to 24, 2017

Day 1 – Tuesday, March 21, 2017

4AM      Check-in NAIA Terminal 3

7AM      Departure to HK

9AM      ETA HK

10AM    Transfer to Hotel

                Merryland Guest House

Flat D2, 13/F, Mirador Mansion, 54-64 Nathan Road
Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong

Phone: +852 9815 2660

11AM   LUNCH

1PM     Check-in at Merryland Guest House

2PM     Explore Tsim Sha Tsui

·         Kowloon Mosque

·         Kowloon Park

Avenue of the Stars is closed but they have a “replacement” called Garden of the Stars at the Promenade.  All of these are walking distance from the guest house:

·         Salisbury Road – take the Salisbury Underpass where you can see the Hong Kong Academy Murals and Museum to go to the following:

·         Hong Kong Cultural Centre

·         Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier

·         Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower

·         Hong Kong Museum of Art, Museum of Science, Museum of History (all adjacent to each other)

·         Hong Kong Space Museum

·         Victoria Harbor where you can see Hong Kong skyline and bay and watch the Symphony of Lights at 8PM

·         There is also a food park within the vicinity where we had our dinner after watching the Symphony of Lights

9PM     Back to the Hotel

Day 2 – Wednesday, March 22, 2017

8AM     Breakfast

9AM     Travel to Disneyland

10AM   Disneyland – whole day

9PM     Back to the Hotel

Day 3 – Thursday, March 22, 2017

8AM     Breakfast

9AM     Travel to Tung Chung

12NN   Lantau Land & Sea Guided Tour

·         Tai O Fishing Village

·         Big Buddha

·         Ngong Ping Village

·         Po Lin Monastery

6PM     Peak Tram Tour

·         Sky Terrace

·         Madame Tussauds

·         Trick-Eye Museum

10PM   Back to the Hotel

Day 4 – Friday, March 23, 2017

8AM     Breakfast

9AM     Free Time for shopping

·         Citygate Outlet Mall

5PM     Travel to HK Airport

9PM     ETD to Manila

Admittedly, there are other sights we fail to visit, so add another day for that? If you are not yet tired from your day trips, you can shop at Mongkok Night Market which closes at around 12 midnight.

Next post will be transportation – going around to these places J

More pictures per trip to be uploaded as well.

Hirayamanawi,

Rob

Step by Step Process for first International Trip - from NAIA Terminal 3 to HongKong International Airport, including tips and itinerary

This is a new post after my 2-week vacation leave and I would like to share the process of my first international trip since I got my passport last year.

Upon receiving my passport, I checked which country is visa-free for Filipinos to visit and there's quite a lot, including the countries in Southeast Asia. At that time, April 30, 2016, Cebu Pacific had a seat sale.

Tip: Cebu Pacific usually offers seat sales during public holidays or within three days of the holidays - i.e. Labor Day, Easter Sunday, National Heroes Day etc. So either regularly check out their social media accounts for seat sale announcements.

I got a round trip ticket to Hong Kong for only Php2,500! Usually, travel period for seat sales would be six to 12 months from the time of the promo period. So while I booked last April 30, the travel period I got was March 21-25, 2017.

Tip: Since the trip will be way in the future, save on cost by advance booking online for accommodations and attractions you want to try. This will allow you to pay ahead of time, get discounts and in case of accommodations, a lower rate. In my case, I got discounts by booking my tours at www.klook.com andf accomodations at www.booking.com. More of my experiences in these sites later.

It pays to do a research on what to expect but it's still scary in reality since I have read of travellers being off loaded or Immigration officers denying departure so it really counts to be prepared. So what to prepare before going to the airport?

Here are some of the things you have to be prepared for, especially for first time travelers like me:

1. Passport - make sure validity is more than 6 months
2. Round trip tickets
3. Hotel reservation/ address where you will be staying
4. Itinerary
5. Certificate of Employment and Company ID 

The above items will assure the Immigration Officer of your intent to return to the country after your trip.

You should also prepare for:

1. Php 1,620 to be paid at NAIA for Philippine Travel Tax
2. Ballpen for filling up your Departure Card and Arrival Cards - these are basis of Immigration Officersr at NAIA and HK Airport respectively
3. Make sure your baggage is within the 7kg. hand carry allowance, unless you have separately purchased a baggage allowance for check-in.
4. Pocket money - exchange your peso at the airport for at least 200 HKD which you can use to purchase a refundable Octupos Card (more on how helpful this is later) and exchange for more HKD once in HK since they have a highrer peso to dollars exchange rate in HK than here in the Philippines.

Once you are mentally and physically prepared, here's a step-by-step process I went through.

1. Arrive early at NAIA Terminal 3- at least 3 hours for your first international trip. Why? The security check at the entrance is very long! No matter how early you are, the security check at the entrance is long as some gates are not yet open. All gates are common for both domestic and international flights. Tip: Senior citizens and PWD can cut the line
2. After the entrance security check, look for your check-in counter. If you have checked-in online, you can proceed to #3. 
3. Pay the Philippine Travel Tax amounting to Php 1,620.00. Their booth is located near Aisle A & B.
4. Go back to your check-in counter to surrender a copy of the travel tax. You can also get a copy of the Departure Card here or before entering the Immigration area.
5. Fill-up the Departure Card with all the pertinent details required and present this with your passport at the Immigration counters.
6. The Immigration Officer may ask you questions regarding your stay abroad and may ask for proof or other documents. Just answer the questions and produce the required documents when asked. If everything is okay, the officer will stamp your passport. 
7. Proceed to the final security gate with your boarding pass.
8. By this time, you can wait at the gate for boarding.
9. During your flight, the flight attendants will be distributing arrival cards which you will need to fill-up and present at the HK airport immigration counters.

Upon deplaning, board the shuttle train which will take you to the Hong Kong International Airport Arrival Hall.

1. Follow the directions pointing you to Immigration. If you have checked-in baggage, you will need to go through Immigration before getting your baggage. It will still be at the same area though.
2. The Immigration Officers may look intimidating and in case you are asked, just present the documents you prepared.
3. In HK, they do not stamp the passport but they will issue you a sticker stating until when you are allowed to stay.
4. Once cleared from immigration, you can claim your baggage and proceed to the bus/MTR terminal.

Tip: Upon exit from the immigration/baggage claim, get free HongKong Map from the Tourism booth and buy your refundable octopus card at the booth adjacent.

This is all for now :)

On the next post, will share with you my itinerary and budget and how best to get around Hong Kong.

Hirayamanawari,

Rob

FX Ride, A Short Story

I got into the FX at around 12 midnight. Fortuitously, I was the last passenger, no need to wait for the FX to fill up. Good, I was so tired from an overtime work and I hadn’t had dinner yet. I looked forward to the comfort of luxuriously relaxing on my bed, then falling asleep fitfully until the following day. The back end of the FX was cramped, but it was ok. I would rather sit there than at the middle, I didn’t want to be squeezed like a sardine. I sat comfortably, but the only way I could do that was to insert my legs between the legs of the passenger in front of me. Well, what the hey, I wanted to get some nap all throughout the trip and I guessed the other passenger; a him, wouldn’t mind at all. So, subtly, I worked it out. His right leg, then my left leg, his left leg, finally my right leg...his left leg (thigh for that matter) is between my legs now. I was not in the mood to flirt, I was never in the mood to flirt for that matter because I didn’t know how. I would rather find a text mate, or go online and find a chat mate. Probably because I was conservative, or just I didn’t want to make the first move, or deeper still, I was afraid to be rejected. And why would I flirt? Where would it lead? I didn’t want to get into a situation I wouldn’t be able to handle; ha ha, it was short of saying, I didn’t want a relationship just yet!

All throughout the ride, I could not sleep. It was 12 mn, there was no one to text, so I simply indulged myself in my usual pre-occupation during long trips; study my fellow passengers. I looked at my right, this one was too old, the other guy in my front is so fat. Finally, my eyes rested on the guy in front of me, the guy who I has criss crossed my legs, whose thigh was sandwiched with mine.

Oh my, wasn’t he cute? I wondered why I wasn’t able to notice him right away...maybe because the FX was dark, or maybe because I was too pre-occupied to get a doze and sleep. Nevertheless, he was cute so I gave him my full undivided attention. He looked tall, because our legs meet, unlike the other two at the back, their legs wouldn’t even touch. He had this boyish look, a lock of hair falling on his forehead. I had the sudden urge to push it back, but of course I didn’t! He had smooth skin... no pimples there, that is always a turn on to me! He had his polo barong undone, so I could also notice his chest. He was not thin, medium built most likely. 

I guessed I was staring at him for so long because he gave me a certain look. Well now, I didn’t want to cause any scene, so I looked away. But I still feel his eyes boring on me so I looked back. Damn, what did his look mean? Is he flirting? How should I know? Why should I make the first move? Come on, as if I really knew how to do this. 

But a tiny thought nagged at me. Why not? You wouldn’t see him again, so why not give in to this bit of craziness. If he responded, then go for it, if not, well, you were not really into that. 

I never considered the time factor when travelling in the deep of night. There was no traffic, so I was already nearing my stop. The most that I need was squeezed his thigh between my legs and he didn’t even react. He probably took it as an accident because it happened when the FX hit as pothole.

Sayang, I thought to myself. He could be it. It meaning the one person that I would see myself growing old with. Some person I would do things with like watched the sunset together in a beach, stargaze at the park or wait for sunrise at the top of a mountain. He could be the one I would like to see first thing in the morning and my last call at night. He could me my home, where I would feel safe and secure. He could be my lover for crying out loud! We will cook together, eat together, wash dishes together, take a shower together, make love all night long! On a rainy day, we could just hold hands and lazxe the day away on the couch watching cartoons and classic movies, or lie in bed reading our favorite books. We could play scrabble, or he could teach me how to play chess. He could be my gallery companion, going to museums, or my duet partner when I sing-along at videoke bars. 

Sigh. But I do believe in fate. I mean, if he was the one for me, he would be. We would meet no matter what the circumstance. But then again, if I don’t make a move, all will be lost. He could only be the one guy that could have been my life, the one I would offer my successes, the one who would share with me my life’s adventure. He could have been.

I made a compromise with myself. If we get off at the same stop, I would make the first move and introduce myself. Why does it have to be like this? Here was my one chance and yet I am hesitating. He looked decent and presentable naman. I wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen with (he he, the question is, he might be the one be embarrassed to be seen with me). But still, I made a promise to myself. If and only if he gets off at the same stop as I am, then and only then would I make the move.

And he did get off at the same stop. Shucks, I could not back out of my dare. I got off first. I told myself, if he overtakes me, that’s it, or if he didn’t, I would chicken out. There you go, I was still afraid to try. Funny thing is, I was never given the chance. He walked right beside me and matched me stride by stride. Well, I guess he would be receptive for a casual talk after all. So, I mustered all my guts and blurted, “You going my way?” Duh, a good opening line... “It looks like it” he said. Good. “I am Paolo by the way, you?” “Call me Adan.”

Post Script: I wrote this as soon as I got home, unedited.

IN DREAMS

Author's Note:

The first part of this story was published at IMAGE MAGAZINE last 2003.

In dreams, we come in full circle…
In dreams, nothing is impossible…
In dreams, love grows and withers…
In dreams, love goes on forever.

Dolores Liu
Born April 15, 1880
Died October 4, 1976

It was past midnight when Paolo finished unpacking his belongings. “Not bad, not bad at all. This place would suit me fine. This old room would be conducive to my assignment. With this kind of environment, I think I could finish the painting in half the time.” The house where Paolo would be staying for the next six weeks was an old Spanish house in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. “This is perfect.” The beach was just around the corner of the house and the garden, although it looked like it has not been taken cared of for years, were perfect backdrops for his painting.

“I’ll start my painting tomorrow,” Paolo said to himself. Even the room looked old and very Spanish. The bed was still supported with four posts; the windows made up of capiz and the wall, composed of wood. What was so prominent in the room was the big old oval mirror that faced the door. About Paolo’s height, the full-length ornate mirror could reflect almost the whole content of the room. Too tired to change clothes, Paolo fell asleep immediately.

The house was very quiet. I do hope mama is asleep already. It has been three days since I last visited the garden…my garden. I missed these roses. Ahhhhhh, to smell their fragrance as they bloom is reward already for my three- day confinement. I don’t regret answering mama back. I don’t really like Arnulfo. If only I have someone to share this garden of mine. I don’t like to share this with Arnulfo, that small wrinkly Chinese my mama would like me to marry. I don’t like him. I wish papa was here. I am sure papa would not like his little girl married to a sickly looking Chinese.
Later this evening, as I was brushing my hair at the window overlooking the garden and preparing for sleep, I saw this stranger in the garden. He seemed so out of place and confused. But what is he doing in my garden? He shouldn’t be here! I had to go down the garden and confront the man. Who does he think he is?

“What are you doing here?” I asked the man.
“I think I am lost…” said the strange man.
“Obviously you are mister. Could you leave my garden? I don’t even know how you got here!”
The strange man was wearing an unfamiliar outfit. It was rather odd to see a man dressed so out of place here. He was probably in his twenties. Tall, mestiso and quite well built, I assumed he was a foreigner but not Spanish. All the Spaniards were leaving the area. If he was a Spaniard, the new kapitan would immediately arrest him. What with the war against Spain finally over, the Castillans didn’t have any reason to stay. But this stranger was mestizo…he might be one of the new breed of white people, the Amerikano. He was probably lost on his way to the plaza where most of his kind was staying. But he didn’t have the built of a soldier.

“Yes, I am lost miss, can you tell me where I am now?” asked the man.
“Aha! What are you doing wandering in the night, going into other people’s garden, and here you are asking me where you are right now? Well sir, for your information, you are in our garden, at calle de Caridad, where are you going?”
“In fact, am not sure miss. I don’t even know if I am supposed to be here.”
“You ARE not supposed to be here! This is MY private garden!”

I know I was being rude to the man, but I could not help it. What was more annoying was, I think he found me amusing! I see his smile playing at the corners of his lips and his eyes twinkling. Whatever. I am not going to fall for a stranger.

“Well, I think your garrison señor is a block from here. You could probably use the next street, calle de Soledad to take you to your base.”
“Base? No, I don’t belong to any base. Actually, I think I was drawn to this place because of the roses. It was a first for me to see more than a dozen roses abloom at the same time.”
“Well these are my roses. Thank you for noticing them. Now could you please leave before I call for help? You are tresspassing young man.”
“No, that is okay…”

And like a dream, when I was picking some roses for our altar, when I turned around, the stranger was not there anymore. Who was he? What did he want? Why did he leave so suddenly?
Paolo woke up with a start. What a very vivid dream. Immediately, he went to his art supplies and started setting up his canvas. I would like to capture that dream, that one very moment. Fleetingly, he smelled the scent of roses as he unfolded his canvas on his easel. But when he started to draw with his brush, all he made were strokes of dark blue against the very whiteness of the canvass. Frustrated that his dream left his consciousness so fast, he went to the window to smoke. It will come in good time.

Looking over from the window, he could see the beach around the bend beckoning to him to take a plunge and swim. Underneath the window was the garden run wild with weeds and grasses. I think this is the garden I dreamt about last night…am not sure though. Anyway, I have no time to speculate when I have so much more to do.

Paolo was reading a classic historical novel about the Spanish-American war in a rocking chair in front of the big ornate mirror in his room when sleep overtook him at around midnight. Probably, he was too tired from the whole day cleaning, arranging and looking around the house he could easily fall asleep.

He was here again early this evening. I don’t know what he wants! I was pruning my roses when, suddenly from nowhere, this strange man appeared around the corner. Come to think of it, he didn’t look that foreign to me now. With eyes as light as a young balsa wood and hair with light brown tint, it’s no wonder I mistaken him for an Amerikano… but when he approached me, he spoke in the dialect and I knew for sure, he is a native. Perhaps, he was one of the creoles. Mama wouldn’t let me out of the house and the only man she wanted me to see was Arnulfo. This is my opportunity, even if, mama had warned me not to talk to strangers but for once, I would talk to this man, although he is stranger to me. It was quite unnatural for me to talk to him and be with him tonight. But who cares?

“It’s you again. Don’t do that again, will you!”
“Do what?”
“Popping from out of the corner, scaring the chickens out of me!”
“Did I scare you?”
“Not you, the way you just appear…”
“You have very beautiful roses, almost but not quite, as beautiful as you.”
“You sure do knows how to make a woman blush don’t you?”


I felt myself blush then. Who was this man who came here all of a sudden? Who was this man that makes my pulse run wild and my heart beat faster? Mama would get angry at me if she saw me talking to a stranger. I turned to leave. I should not be here seen talking to a man. Was this how a Filipina should behave? I should never be kept alone with a man…much less a stranger.

“Wait…” he said, “Can’t I even know your name?”
“Why? I don’t know you. I think it would be more courteous if you introduced yourself first. And by the way, this is MY garden.”
“Okay, okay! I am Paolo. And you are?”
“Dolores.” Paolo was not sure who Dolores was but as he woke up, it was this name that kept on echoing in his mind. “Dolores? Now I am bothered.” Throughout his adult life, there had never been a time a woman’s name invaded his sleep. “I will not accomplish much if I stay here and muse about a girl’s name I haven’t really met.” Today was the day Paolo would be meeting the owner of the house to discuss his stay at the old Spanish mansion. “Maybe if I get to know the history of the house, I could come up with an inspiration.”

“Mrs. Liu? Thank you very much for letting me stay in this house.”
“No problem, hijo, just finish the painting my husband commissioned you to do…”
“Could you tell me something about this house madame?”
“Well, according to my husband, Danding, he inherited this house from his great-grandmother. His lola lived for a long time in this house. This was built for more than a hundred years ago and has withstood the wars that ravaged Vigan then.”
“Have you seen the garden hijo? It used to be the pride of the clan when Danding’s lola was still alive. Nobody’s garden could be compared to the roses that bloomed in this garden. Among all the houses here, this was the only one untouched by the Japanese when they burned this village.”

Later that afternoon, Paolo started making sketches for the commissioned painting. Mr. Liu would like to have a painting depicting the house in all its glory, probably set during the post-Spanish era but definitely not during the American occupation. According to Mrs. Liu, it was during that period, 1899, that the house was frequently flocked with so many admirers, natives and locals alike. The garden would be the centerpiece.

“What are you doing here?” I asked the man as I approached him sitting on a bench near the grotto. “You just don’t come here every night!”
“I am not sure Dolores, I am not sure. But every night, I felt drawn to this garden and hoping that I would see you. Every night I come here, and thank God, every night I see you.”
“Were you spying on me?”
“I am only here to admire you and look at you, nothing beyond that.”
‘But I don’t even know you…you are but a stranger to me.”
“I am a stranger in this place and time Dolores. But with you, I do not feel lost…”

“Paolo, you don’t know me…”
“That’s is why I am here, to know you. The first time I saw you, it’s as if I belong to you and you belong to me.”

Should I encourage him? There had never been a man in my life. For all my eighteen years of existence, my parents had kept me hidden. I could not even go out, I had no friends except perhaps my yaya. And now, I was arranged to get married to Arnulfo, the man I do not even know or care to know about. Finally, when I felt that I have no more hopes left, Paolo came into my life.

It had been a month since I first saw Paolo. My dream, my lover, my beloved. The nights I spent with you could last me a lifetime. Even if we just talked, even if we just meet for just a few hours every night. I look forward to seeing you Paolo every night. I want to be free with you Paolo, to see your world.
“Who is she?” That was the first question that came to Paolo’s mind. “Who was this girl that haunts my sleep?” Immediately from bed, as if guided by invisible hands, Paolo started drawing strokes on the canvas. After an hour of intense concentration, he was taken aback with the picture he had drawn. Long black hair nestling in an oval shaped face. Eyes the color of almonds, nose nicely shaped. Lips so red, hiding a trace of smile. A dimple on the left cheek, a small mole on the chin. Nicely shaped eyebrows, thick and long eyelashes. Who was this girl of my dream? Paolo had drawn a girl sitting on a bench near the grotto. The girl was dressed in an old-fashioned patadyong. She was wearing wooden shoes and was holding a bouquet of roses on her lap. She was smiling, as if posing for a camera. In her eyes, Paolo could see the happiness and hope for the girl. Who was she?

I have fallen in love with a man I barely knew. He comes to me every night like a dream. If only Paolo could save me from an unhappy future, but what is his power compared to fate?

“I will be married to Arnulfo this Sunday. I do not love him.”
“Where I go, you cannot follow…but in my heart, you will always be here.”
“But I am getting married this Sunday!”
“If only I could take you with me…if only we could be together. But even fate conspired against us.”

With a heavy heart I said goodbye to Paolo. I was not even sure if I am gong to see him again, perhaps. But before he left, he gave me one very important thing. He gave me a ring. He said that this ring would forever be our symbol of love. He gave me love and a chance to love truly.
Paolo woke up with a start. His heart beating wildly, his pulse running wild. He was drenched with sweat. As he fumbled for the light switch, he dragged himself upright. As the lights turned on, he looked at the mirror and felt his haggard face. What is it? I feel that something bad has happened. Looking at his hands, he was amazed not to find his college ring in his middle finger.

Today I died. I was married to Arnulfo, the man my mama wanted me to marry but I don’t love. Today my heart is taken from me. Is this how love must be?

Mr. Liu came that afternoon to check on the progress of Paolo. Paolo had set up his easel in the garden, near the grotto to get the full effect for his painting. Mr. Liu excitedly waited for Paolo to take off the white cloth that covers the painting. As he did so, Mr. Liu could not help but exclaim his surprise. The old Spanish house was painted brand new. The capiz windows were all new. The setting was early evening. Stars were just starting to come out and the moon was half full. The garden was the centerpiece of the house and was proudly drawn in bloom.

“Where did you get that? How did you get this painting done?”
“What do you mean Mr. Liu? Don’t you like it? What I painted was what you had in mind. I feel that I captured the spirit of the house.”
“You did hijo, you did. You captured the house in its golden age, you captured the garden in its bloom. But what amazes me, how did you able to draw my Lola Dolores?”

Dumbstruck, Paolo did not know how to answer. I just did.

“My Lola Dolores never looked so happy than I remember. I had never seen her really smile. I think she never loved my Lolo Arnulfo. They only had one child, my father. My father told me that the garden was my lola’s favorite part. She was always here taking care of the roses. That bench was my lola’s usual place. It is the place where she told me and my other brothers stories of the war. It was also the place where she chose to spend her last days here on earth.”

Mr. Liu had left the house with the painting. He was so amazed at what Paolo had done, right then and there, he commissioned him to do the portrait of him and his wife.

Paolo got back to his room and slowly sat down on the rocking chair in front of the oval mirror. But it was all a dream…it was never true. But as Paolo looked at the mirror, he remembered Mr. Liu last words before he left.

“According to my lola, this is where she found her true love, her life. She started living when she first met the man she loved, and here she died when her love left her. She never told us what happened, or why her love left her. For years, everyday, lola Dolores stayed here hoping that her man would come back. She really loved the guy, she was willing to leave my lolo for him, if ever he comes back. And you know, what my lola’s last words in this garden was?”
“What?” Paolo asked, fearing the words that would Mr. Liu would say next.
“Let me see, it was October 4, 1976 then. I could not really forget that day. Lola and I were here at this garden, just sitting on this bench. I was ten years old then. My lola was taking a nap, when suddenly, her eyes flew open and she sighed.”
“He’s here now. I can now rest in peace. My love has come back. I am happy now.”
“I don’t understand my lola, at 96, I think she was quite senile already. But that night, my lola died with a smile. It was the only time I saw her really happy.”

Paolo was at a loss. How could it be true, how could it happen? It was all a dream! October 4, 1976 was my birthday. How could it be me?

The next day, Paolo started packing. As he looked at the mirror, he saw his dreams played back. Was it really a dream? Slowly, he felt the mirror as if to test its authenticity. As if my magic, he was drawn by a vision.

Today, I don’t like to live…I have died when Paolo left me…but as long as I live, and forever, I vow that I will only love one man. This I swear. With this knife, I will draw my own blood and use it to sign this journal. I think I shall never write again…I hope someday, my scions will get to know what really happened. In this journal, I entrust my feelings and all the moments I shared with Paolo. When the right time comes, somebody in the future will get to know what happened. Somebody special will find this book behind this mirror.
As Paolo turned to leave, he heard a sudden clink of metal. There was his college ring under the oval mirror. It was his ring and yet it was not. It was as if the ring had aged one hundred years, tarnished with age but when he looked at the writings inside, his name was engraved in it, Paolo Cervantes. As he bent to retrieve the ring on the floor, he noticed that the oval mirror is not really fitted on the wall. Curios about it, he felt for the space between the oval mirror and the wall. In it, he felt leather. He took it out and realized it was a book. With a heart beating wildly, he slowly opened the book and read the first entry.

October 4, 1899

The house was very quiet. I do hope mama is asleep already. It has been three days since I last visited this garden…my garden. I missed these roses. Ahhhhhh, to smell their fragrance as they bloom is reward already for my three- day confinement. If only I have someone to share this garden of mine.
Paolo gently fondled his college ring and whispered a name, Dolores. But you have shared the garden with your one true love, Dolores. I will come back here Dolores and take care of your garden, our garden. Your past is my future. I will see to it that your love for me will not go to waste. It was never a dream Dolores, it was never a dream. Fate cheated us. She denied us time and space, but fate could not withhold our feelings for each other. You are my beloved, Dolores. Wait for me.

After hours of commuting from the Vigan house, Paolo immediately went to bed as soon as he got home. Thinking that he could leave behind the confusing experiences he had in Vigan, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

He was at the Liu’s mansion once again. He saw himself drifting towards the garden where the girl that haunted his dreams sat comfortably on the garden bench. The girl said, “You think you could easily get away from me? After finding you, I wouldn’t want my love to slip my grasp.” He knew that in the few weeks he stayed in that house, he loved the girl even if it was a fantasy, a dream. But this cryptic remark left him with a hope that their love would find fulfillment in this lifetime.
Jackie just arrived from the States after wrapping up a business deal for the family. She was excited, for the first time, she was going to have a luxurious and well-deserved vacation this time in her ancestral home in Vigan. She had been hearing so much about the rest house that she finally capitulated in agreeing to have a vacation there. More than that, she needed a rest from dreams plaguing her for the past weeks. In her dream, she was a witness to a love affair not meant to be.

As soon as she arrived at the mansion, she was surprised to see the house well treated. She was impressed that after all these years, the house was in great condition. She roamed the garden and was amazed with the abundance of roses abloom in the garden. With the many rooms in the house, Jackie chose the one overlooking the garden. The room was simply decorated and the only furniture aside from the four-posted bed was a full-length oval mirror. According to the caretaker, this was her great-grandmother’s room when she was a teenage girl. After unpacking her things and taking a hot shower, Jackie fell asleep.

She saw herself observing a scene between two people. She felt that although the couple was barely touching each other, they were intimately in love. She heard the woman say, “You think you could easily get away from me? After finding you, I wouldn’t want my love to slip my grasp.” She didn’t hear the reply of the guy because he suddenly vanished. She didn’t exactly see the man but as she looked at the woman intently, she was surprised to see herself.

Jackie woke up with a start. The dream was so vivid, she could even smell the roses. She went to the open window and look at the garden. Definitely, this house gives me the spooks! Maybe I should go back to Manila.

In Manila, her mom and dad were already preparing for a welcome back dinner. When they found out that Jackie would be returning in a few days time, they put no stops in preparing for the dinner party. Mr. and Mrs. Liu were of the singular agreement to invite Paolo, the artist they commissioned to do a painting of their house in Vigan.

Paolo was reluctant to accept the dinner invitation. Although it had been months since he finished the commissioned painting, he was unsurprised that the Liu’s invited him. He knew that Mr. and Mrs. Liu were very kind to include him in the invitation, but the truth was, he was still confused with what happened to him in Vigan. When he finished the commissioned painting, he was both glad and saddened with the outcome. He was glad that the Liu’s like the painting he did. He was not happy to leave the house, for even in dreams, he had a glimpsed on how loved must have felt.

As soon as Jackie arrived back in Manila, she went to the mall to do some shopping. I need a new dress for tonight’s dinner. While walking along the shopping mall, she happened to pass by an art gallery. She was mesmerized with the paintings exhibited there. Lush blooms of roses, roses and moonbeams, oddly enough, she somehow felt that the paintings were familiar, as if the every painting was bit a piece of a larger picture. She was so enamored with one of the paintings that she didn’t notice the man slowly approaching her.

Paolo just arrived at the art gallery where a couple of his most recent paintings were exhibited. His fellow artists, the curator and the gallery owner were quite surprised with the theme of his exhibit. Usually, Paolo painted people as subjects, but this time, most if not all of his paintings were of roses. Although Paolo deviated from his usual forte, his paintings were well received. In fact, a couple was already sold.

As he entered the gallery, he was caught unprepared to see a woman standing in front of one of his paintings. With long black hair almost brushing her waist, her slender build, she somehow resembled the woman of his dreams.

Feeling that someone is staring at her, Jackie turned and came face to face with the man she saw in her dream in her stay in Vigan. Mesmerized with each other, the two stared across each other as if they were the only people in the gallery.

“What are you doing here?” Paolo broke the silence.

“I’m here because I have to be here,” said Jackie. As if waking up from a dream, Jackie shook herself. “I saw the paintings, I was curious and decided to take a look.”

“I painted them.” Paolo said. I painted them with you as my inspiration, but how could you be here? You are just a figment of my dreams… and even if you are real, how could you look like the girl of my dreams?

“They’re really beautiful, but I have to go.” Jackie left the gallery with confused feelings. Paolo can only look after her.

The following night, the Lius celebrated Jackie’s successful trip abroad and her return from a well-deserved vacation in Vigan with dinner with some close relatives and friends. The couple noticed Jackie’s pre-occupation but shrugged it off. Knowing Jackie, they thought she might be itching to go back to work the following day.

The doorbell chimed announcing the arrival of another guest. Being nearer to the door, Jackie opened it. Standing at the other side of the door was no other than Paolo with a bouquet of red roses. Surprised, but deep in her heart, Jackie had been waiting for Paolo for the rest of her life. Seeing Paolo standing in front of her brought back the memories of her dream in Vigan.

Mesmerized, Paolo stood transfixed upon the vision of her dreams. When the Lius invited him to dinner, he accepted with reservation. The painting he did for the Lius was one of the best, if not the best commissioned painting he did. Now, his painting, his dreams all came alive in the flesh.

The situation was too much of a coincidence. Suddenly, from the inside, Jackie’s parents were ushering everyone to the living room for a surprise. Mr. Liu was holding a covered canvass.

‘Last month, while Jackie was in the States, I commissioned a painting of our old house in Vigan. My wife and I were fortunate that Paolo accommodated us to do this painting. Imagine our surprise when Paolo finished the painting in just under two weeks, what’s more, he also painted the likeness of my aguela so well. My daughter Jackie never met her great-grandmother. If she did, she would have met one of the most interesting people. More than that, she resembled my lola. So, in honor of my daughter’s successful trip abroad, we are presenting her with this painting. A painting of her lola that we believe, have they met, they are kindred spirits.”

As Mr. Liu took the cover off the canvass, everyone gasp as they saw the figure. A beautiful lady was depicted in the painting holding a bouquet of roses. As they turned towards Jackie, except for her modern clothes, she just looked exactly like the woman in the painting. Still holding Paolo’s bouquet of roses, she stepped forward to take a closer look at the painting. As she touched the canvass, a flitting memory kindled on her mind, the last words of her dreams. This is my legacy to you my child, a legacy of love. In your time, you will meet one person that is pure of heart. He is your soul mate. Love him, for he loves you already without knowing it.
Across the crowded room, her eyes locked with Paolo and knew that finally, love has come her way.