My father, who is based in California, called me last Sunday afternoon to say that he was wrong in his vehement opposition to let me take base in Pampanga.
A decade ago, he gave his best arguments to convince me not to live in this lahar-ravaged province. He was then very worried about the after effects of Mt. Pinatubo: rampaging lahar and constant flooding; lack of investors, hence, no opportunity to grow; the never-ending conflicts with the leftist group; and the never-ending demands of less-fortunate relatives of my mother who are all based in Pampanga (forgive me ‘Tay for this revelation).
My logical and rational lawyer-mind gave way to my emotional desire to be with my Kapampangan mother in the last few years of her life. I decided to change my abode and transferred my work and family in Mexico, Pampanga.
First, I built our home in the middle of the rice fields in a barrio located just a kilometer from the Poblacion. This was when the present NLEX, SM and Robinsons Pampanga were under construction. After just a year in this new location, everything becomes accessible. Quezon City is just an hour away via NLEX; SM and Robinsons only 15 minutes; Clark – 25 minutes.
Soon, Angeles City and the City of San Fernando have undertaken massive reconstruction and rebuilding. Business establishments sprouted like mushrooms and trade and industries are again well and alive in the whole of Pampanga.
I have come to meet the Kapampangan people from all walks of life: the richest of the rich, the rich, the middleclass and the masa, in the reverse order. Pampanga sustained me and my family…as well as our extended families.
With the havoc typhoon Ondoy brought to Metro Manila and municipalities around the Laguna de Bay, the devastation of Northern Luzon, and the flood waters that engulfed almost the whole of Pangasinan and portions of Tarlac and Bulacan, mercilessly caused by Pepeng 1, Pepeng 2 and Pepeng 3 (incredible typhoon), Kapampangans are indeed fortunate to be spared of these calamities. Maybe, the province had more than enough of these tragedies.
Even my parents’ place in Quezon City was not spared by Ondoy. I never imagined that such a very secured, elevated and gated subdivision would be prone to flooding. My father saw the pictures and stories of the tragedies… and perhaps went to a logical conclusion that I am safer living here in Pampanga rather than in Metro Manila. That I am fortunate that I was welcomed as a Cabalen and he was amazed on how I have infused myself and my family to the Kapampangan culture and society. He even insinuated that he would like to spend his remaining retirement years in this province… and that would mean being near the relatives of his wife. Well, it’s about time.
A decade ago, he gave his best arguments to convince me not to live in this lahar-ravaged province. He was then very worried about the after effects of Mt. Pinatubo: rampaging lahar and constant flooding; lack of investors, hence, no opportunity to grow; the never-ending conflicts with the leftist group; and the never-ending demands of less-fortunate relatives of my mother who are all based in Pampanga (forgive me ‘Tay for this revelation).
My logical and rational lawyer-mind gave way to my emotional desire to be with my Kapampangan mother in the last few years of her life. I decided to change my abode and transferred my work and family in Mexico, Pampanga.
First, I built our home in the middle of the rice fields in a barrio located just a kilometer from the Poblacion. This was when the present NLEX, SM and Robinsons Pampanga were under construction. After just a year in this new location, everything becomes accessible. Quezon City is just an hour away via NLEX; SM and Robinsons only 15 minutes; Clark – 25 minutes.
Soon, Angeles City and the City of San Fernando have undertaken massive reconstruction and rebuilding. Business establishments sprouted like mushrooms and trade and industries are again well and alive in the whole of Pampanga.
I have come to meet the Kapampangan people from all walks of life: the richest of the rich, the rich, the middleclass and the masa, in the reverse order. Pampanga sustained me and my family…as well as our extended families.
With the havoc typhoon Ondoy brought to Metro Manila and municipalities around the Laguna de Bay, the devastation of Northern Luzon, and the flood waters that engulfed almost the whole of Pangasinan and portions of Tarlac and Bulacan, mercilessly caused by Pepeng 1, Pepeng 2 and Pepeng 3 (incredible typhoon), Kapampangans are indeed fortunate to be spared of these calamities. Maybe, the province had more than enough of these tragedies.
Even my parents’ place in Quezon City was not spared by Ondoy. I never imagined that such a very secured, elevated and gated subdivision would be prone to flooding. My father saw the pictures and stories of the tragedies… and perhaps went to a logical conclusion that I am safer living here in Pampanga rather than in Metro Manila. That I am fortunate that I was welcomed as a Cabalen and he was amazed on how I have infused myself and my family to the Kapampangan culture and society. He even insinuated that he would like to spend his remaining retirement years in this province… and that would mean being near the relatives of his wife. Well, it’s about time.
