Young Roots
Traveling away from home
By: Divina Gracia
Colegio de Dagupan
I have always been captivated, somehow obsessed, by the idea of seeing what the world is like outside Pangasinan. Images I have seen – in pictures, television and in my imagination – seem to be breathtaking. And I know that there is only one way to find out how it really is: travel.
I had a four-day visit scheduled to Laguna last January 8, and I was nervous and at the same time excited about what awaited me there. I had been to Manila, Valenzuela and Quezon City many times before, but it was my first time to go further south. I was also excited to see Laguna because I remember my instructor in my Rizal subject telling us that if he had the chance to choose one place where he would want to live, Laguna, the birthplace of Rizal would be the place.
Before going to Laguna, I had to drop by GMA Network to follow up our application for training and so it was already past 4 in the afternoon when I finally rode the bus going to Pacita Complex in Laguna. Being my first time to go that far, I was quite scared. While on the bus, I enjoyed viewing the big buildings at Ayala Center as we passed through Makati, dreaming that someday I’d be working there. We also passed busy Parañaque. After a two-hour trip, I took my first step on the land of Laguna.
On my way to Sta. Rosa where my uncle lives, I had to board a jeep bound for Calamba, the hometown of our national hero. On the way, we passed the town of Biñan, the great competitor of Calasiao for the Filipino native delicacy puto (though they do not make the same puto variety). Passing through Biñan and thinking about Calasiao made me think about my own province.
My uncle, his wife and their children met and welcomed me at the SM mall in Sta. Rosa where we soon went shopping. We had fun and shared a lot of laughs, but during those moments I could not help but begin to miss my own family back in Pangasinan.
I visited them because it was my uncle’s birthday to whom we are greatly indebted. I could not refuse his invitation, especially when he said it was one of his birthday wishes that I join their family in the celebration. Their family is more financially well off than us. My cousin KC has a roomful of bags and clothes in her room, which I must admit I envy. I had great fun with them on my first and second day, but on the third day, I decided to go home instead of staying for four days as planned. I really missed my home.
I was fascinated by the tall buildings, the busy world of the capital city, the home of big communication networks where I dream to work some day, the huge malls and the view of Star City amusement park. But the longer I was far away from Pangasinan, the more I craved to go home. Traveling, though not too far, already taught me this: Truly, there is no place like home.
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