At The Beach

Today I went with my friends at the beach. Three of them celebrated birthdays and I decided to be with them. It was really my first. It was a small contingent of Filipinos here in Penang. Most of us met after hearing Mass on Sundays. It was my intention to have fun and since there was nothing to do (it was holiday because of the Chinese New Year) going to the beach and swimming would be a good alternative.

An eye opener it was for me. As I talked and mingled with each one, I felt I was reading from my school books. I learned so much from them. Each story told was something for the movie. Well, it felt though I was listening to narration of real life stories on the tube.

There were so much to admire from these men and women considered modern heroes of the land. They endured the loneliness for being separated from their loved ones. They braved the strangeness of a different environment, of an unknown culture, ofracial diversity.

Life maybe difficult here but to them it is a promise of a better life, an opportunity to conquer greater heights, a chance to seize the dreams long hoped for. There were uncertainties. Conditions might be harsh. The pay might not be that good. They were betrayed by authorities and those people they thought would assist them in their trying moments.

Loneliness might creep like a stranger in the dark. It eats them up like there is nothingout there. The only way out is tothink and think more until it pains. Tears were not enough to ease the longing, the sadness, the emptiness. But just the same tears were the only company there was.

There were stories I heard and learned from. These were people I befriended with.

They shared with me stories which become my source of strength and inspiration. I always thought that I was the loneliest in this part of the world. I was wrong...very wrong. There were more out there with lots of grievances. They had more pains than I had. Hearing their stories, I knew I was among the fortunate ones.

Andas each wave pushed me back to the shore,an ideaoccurred to me. This day was meant for me... to know how totreasure each moment. But above all, to admire the outstanding qualities of my fellowkababayans.