DRIVE ME AROUND CALAMBA, PLEASE...

     It was really hard to understand what he was trying to say. He couldn't speak as he had tubes going down his throat, and all kinds of tubes going up his veins that an estimate of ten of them would be conservative. But with a smile, the movement of his eyebrows and a few painful movements of his arm, he was able to convey to me, he wanted to see Calamba again.

     Of course, this desire is born of him being confined in his bed at home for several years now. He had been confined since both of his legs had been amputated.

     I of course took pictures of some of the new sites he would like to see. Pictures of the new McDonalds, the new multi-story bank-building in Crossing. I took pictures of all new and tall buildings and shown them to him.
     
     He smiled looking at the pictures, but motioned he would like to see them in person. He wanted to see the advancement of the town he grew up in and loves the most.

     I said, get well, and as soon as he gets out of the hospital, I promise to drive him around. He laid his head back down to his pillow and took a deep breath upon hearing that, and I thought I saw what appears to be tears of joy from the corners of his eyes. He was so proud of his beloved town.

     Unfortunately, Atty. Alonzo, my father, died in that hospital and was unable to take the trip.

    Next time you are in Calamba, take a look around and cherish it. It is really a very precious thing to do just that. #AMA