"Sano"

Although I've spent most of my growing-up years and adult life in Cebu, I will always be a Boholana.  And nothing reminds me more of my place of origin than that group of people over at Stockton, California, where a whole community of Boholanos breathe not only everything Boholano, but everything Filipino — from biko to Wowowee on the TFC channel, inun-unan to going gaga over Martin Nievera's concert.

We lived with my tita and her family for 4 months when we first got here, so the husband and I inherited all their friends and relatives in that part of California.  When we go there for a visit or for a gathering, we are always met with a cacophony of greetings and lots of hugging.  By now we've gotten used to their unique brand of humor, their way of conversing which is, to say the least, almost like being in a fish market.  There's lots of shouting.  If you close your eyes, you'd think that these people are sitting far across each other.  Everyone wants to say something; everyone wants to be heard.  And without meaning to, I join the fray.  I actually lost my voice after one of these gatherings last weekend.

At least I got to meet a "sano" of mine, Luke Mejares, formerly of the South Border band.  He's here with his wife Inger and daughter Akisha. They're both down-to-earth people, very laid-back, no airs at all.  Not that anyone ever has the right to have airs.  But if not for the fact that he was bringing with him a box of his newly launched CD, one would never think he's anything but a regular Bol-anon.  Oh, except for those beautiful brown eyes.  He was very gracious, indulging every request for a song or for pictures.  He almost didn't take the $10 I handed over for a copy of his CD, but I insisted.  And then he jokingly said, "Pangpalit ug gatas."  He will soon be a new daddy to baby boy Jamal.

When we left, the party was still in full swing.  Two weeks from now, when my voice shall have recovered, we go mingle again with my fellow Bol-anons for another gathering of food, fun, conversation and perhaps, a viewing of Wowowee.