Great Surprise

I am never fond of surprises. Actually, I hate one. To tell you the truth, I am not really used to those kind of stuff. I am still having some issues on receiving “love”, and that is a running joke to me for almost years. But this one is quite different and even more touching

Last Saturday, July 22, I went out with two of my very special friends. Special because they were usually my “movie-mates”, they are my companions if ever I want to watch movies (take note of the s in movies) in just one day. Special because even though they are far away they taught me that distance is not a hindrance to friendship and still we find some time to get together and catch up.

We decided to meet in Makati at 1pm, to watch “Nacho Libre” a no brainer film. Maybe those things I need right now, to take a rest from the “brainy” part of studying Heidegger. Then at 3pm come our second movie “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Inside the theater, I can feel my stomach grumbling, since I do only have a P 200 in my wallet I cannot say “tara kain tayo! Libre ko” in as much I do want to treat them. After the movie, Binga said we are going somewhere to eat. I thought we are going to just near. This was the first surprise. We drove around the Makati area and went to Pasong Tamo. I don’t have any idea where we are going. But just got the idea when I remembered Don Bosco and there was a place there called Amici de Don Bosco that we wanted to try long time ago. And sure enough, we arrived at Amici.

Good food, good company. That is our tag line. We ate pasta, pizza and soda together with a bunch of laughter (which makes our dinner really special) and the crazy photo-op. It was really a great surprise, but they were only beginning. After dinner we walked around the church, sang a couple of songs by Up Dharma Down, and paid visit to some religous images just beside the church. After that, I thought we were going home, but not yet. “Game!” one of them said, and they blindfolded me (here you can see some kidnappers in the making) and “forced” to get inside the car (haha!). My heart was pounding that time, I am not used to surprises. Then again, I heard that we entered somewhere and I heard the guard asking us where are going (they saw me blindfolded inside the car) I jokingly said “kinidnap ako!!!” but the security were kind enough to let us enter (I wonder what they are thinking that moment). Then I went down, I could hear voices, and I asked where we are. Soon enough the doors were opened and they asked to take off my blindfold. And… wooooooooaahhhhh….. I never imagined that I will be going to this place (I have to admit it that was my first time).

We went to Manila Peninsula, they call it The Lobby. The place was great! Candle light, dim lights, soft scent of perfume and great music. The orchestra was kind enough to play our requested songs: Someone to watch over me, Smoke gets in your eyes, Somewhere over the rainbow, When I fall in love and the way you looked tonight. And then our dessert was served.

It was definitely a great night for me. To tell the truth I treat my birthday as a moment that will soon pass. But this time is definitely different. What really makes it wonderful, happy, and awesome is not only the food that we ate, nor the place we visited, or the movie that we watched. What makes it more special is when good friends celebrate it with you. Somehow it makes me feel that some people are glad because I am here, and it creates a great impact affirming my existence here in this world.

To Karen and Binga, you just don’t know how much happy I am that day. In fact I am still relishing the candle light, the dim lights, the soft scent of perfume and the gentle music in my mind. Words are not enough to express how much joyful and thankful I am for the act of kindness you have shown me. I am thankful to God that He blessed my life to have friends like you. In these times when I feel down and out, you become a light for me to see my way. You have shown me that there still beauty in this life. For you have shown me what the word “friends” really mean. Thank you!

This one is for you Karen and Binga, cheers!