Sharing Dumaguete...

On numerous occassions here when asked where i am from and i answer "Dumaguete" astonishingly there is a follow-up question that comes with it: "Saan yun?". For Dumagueteños, i know the feeling: WTF?! Ka botol pud!

Before, I used to get quite insulted by this and eventually pity these people who dont know where one of the most beautiful cities in the Philippines lie. I had never thought it possible that there are actually Filipinos who have no idea that Dumaguete exists and it is the Capital of Negros Oriental (now Oriental Negros so people wont be confused, but how can you confuse the people who dont know it in the first place? Let's just stick to the basics first) I had to tell them that it was near Cebu or in the same island as where Bacolod is--sheesh!. It was beyond me that a Filipino couldnt have heard of DUMAGUETE. It was demeaning, i had thought. Absurd! I mean, if you know where other places in the world are why not get to know your country too.? I thought it was a failure on the part of their school curriculum.

Thing is, its a lot like travelling. I would want to see as much of my country as i can before i travel somewhere else. My unwritten vow with our motherland. But right now, after having brought some of my officemates there i feel a sense of renewed pride and something else, one which i never expected to feel pertaining to my city--giddyness.

Not many people here KNOW where Dumaguete is and what beauty it has stored within. I am from this city and I have experienced its beauty and grandeur. I feel giddy because i know what it holds and they dont even know it exists...

Mike, Dolendi and Aien thanks for spending that much and allowing me to take you there. Thanks for the call-ins and thanks for the trust. Hope you had a blast and wish there could've been more time for you to experience more. That was just the tip of the iceberg...

The Barkada: Kay, Lourds, Macky, Angie, Sheldon -- im sorry we werent able to meet. it was just a whirlwind of events. next time i come home its gonna be a little less hectic (i hope!) see you at the barkada xmas party!

Enchi & Innex -- sorry wa na ko kalantaw ninyo. In magbaso rata sunod. Bem, salamat sa pangumusta. mingaw pud ko ninyo. I-kiss rako ni Xtian Vaughn... =) pramis magpabalo nako sunod! Parts, pramis najud na matay sa airport rata nagkita! maygani. =)

Teammates -- you had a tournament then. it was good to see Maui and the girls at the "Kabayuan". I miss soccer so much. Coy2 sorry wa ko katext. T'bamz, belated happy birthday! Cathy regards bunso. Doodle and the rest studies first. Thel, im sooo proud of you. I knew it'd happen to you someday. Make Dumaguete proud! It's a good thing Ngew is here but Ngew im so sorry wa jud ta nagkita pa. Busy-busyhan. Dula ra niya ta. Swear! To the soccer kids, wish i could play with you guys again someday. Be good always!

Cuernos -- see you guys sa MFPI Mountaineering Festival next year. Let's show em what we've got! Tita P, apil napud ka under Cuernos! hehe...kiss Baby Orrin for me!

My family, new year pabuto ra niya ta. Sorry sa party ni Lolo i wasnt too visible. Blame it on the sleepyhead.

And well, am i gonna die soon? This is sounding like a last goodbye. But we'll that' s me. Live life to the fullest coz you'll never know when its gonna end. Do what you want to do. Get what you set your eyes on. You might not always get what you want but at least you can say you've tried. No regrets.