I MUST admit my December 2019 was a record breaker! Yup! After General Santos City was hit by an earthquake which prompted me to move my trip to a later date, I was still able to fly home to Bohol for Christmas 2019 and New Year 2020!
It was a grand homecoming for me. I made sure to meet as many people as I can to reconnect, and of course, lived in my Ate Sally’s and Uncle Benjie’s posh home in Balilihan, Bohol.
The grandness was even recorded, haha! I wrote a series of articles about that homecoming. It was inspiring to write about it because it was a real-time and ongoing experience! What best way to share your experience than to write about it, huh! Just in case you’re interested, all my 2019 Christmas homecoming stories are found in https://www.panaynews.net/author/belindasales/.
However, 2020 isn’t as fun. Travel is constrained and if I travel, I must comply with all the protocols. For now, it’s stressful and complicated. Well, for starters, I can qualify for LSI or the latest category, Frequent Individual Traveler or FIT. But with the latter, I need to stick to a travel plan and fly back as soon as the visit or vacation is over. What! What if I stay for 2 months, what happens then?
Thus, I will just let 2020 pass quietly and grudgingly before I make plans to visit home again. But let me tell you, it sucks! Yes, it sucks not to be able to travel as you please. But then again, it’s the call of the times, no thanks to COVID-19. So, all in all, COVID-19 sucks! There!
Moving on, I am earnestly looking forward to 2021 and the hope it brings. A new year always brings in a whiff of fresh air, newfound joy and hope for everyone. That should minimize all the misgivings, discomforts, irritations, frustrations, angst, and even anger brought about by 2020, again, no thanks to COVID-19.
Now, plan for 2021. I did this already. In October 2020, I already researched on the requirements of a particular undertaking that I pray will be executed in January 2021. Thank God that government has thought of schemes to help its citizens.
So, for now, I am going to miss traveling to Bohol and joining all the regular meals with family, Christmas birthdays, Christmas parties, mini- and big reunions, tête-à-têtes with friends, and the like. I will also miss writing a feature story on local leaders. Yes, one of my favorite moments during a trip is to write about a personality, a unique place like a museum, or an issue. It’s satisfying to hear a success story borne out of hard work. Such stories inspire.
Meanwhile, every December, we also commemorate the death anniversary of my father who passed in 2009, Dec. 14, 2009, to be exact.
To celebrate his life, here’s something I wrote for Papa:
This one’s for my father, the late Bohol Provincial Board member Isabelo M. Sales, Jr. This is a fun comparison.
PAPA was a young Spokesperson of the late Bohol Governor Lino I. Chatto. I was a young Spokesperson of the National Power Corporation-Southwestern Mindanao Area. His scope was one province and one city; mine consists of five provinces and two cities.
PAPA was Publisher/Editor of a local newspaper in Bohol; I was Editor of a Coffee Table Book published by the fishing industry in General Santos City and edited several corporate newsletters.
PAPA wrote a column in two local newspapers in Bohol. I wrote a column for two local newspapers in General Santos City, and presently write a column in Panay News.
PAPA took up law; became a lawyer. I took up law; unable to complete law school; didn’t become a lawyer.
PAPA had his radio program; I have a radio program. I even produced a radio talk show just recently.
PAPA managed a radio station; I hosted three TV shows.
PAPA wrote speeches; I write speeches.
PAPA served a congressman; my son presently serves a congresswoman.
PAPA had plenty of admirers; I do, too!
PAPA became a Board member of the province of Bohol. Ahh… This one’s unfulfilled yet!
To the many opportunities of being your daughter, thank you Pa!
To the memory of my brilliant father, Atty. Isabelo Marante Sales, Jr.!
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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
