74. 2021: THE YEAR THAT WAS.

And so we come to the tail-end of 2021, the second year of the global covid pandemic, annus horibilis, part II. I am not sure if things are really getting better, or we’re just getting used to how things are going, thus far. ). Cooped up at home, I whiled away the time trying to be a “plantito”, a restorer, a repairman, and a movie marathoner. Yes, we have seen a bit of the light—hooray for vaccines (also for Hidylin Diaz, Maria Resa, Carlos Yulo and EJ Obiena.) But the normal that we knew before 2019 is still blurry—after delta and omicron, there are still 22 letters of the Greek alphabet that we haven’t heard, and which I hope to never hear on the news.

A lot of people I know are still jobless, their careers in Manila put on hold. Our economy has never been in this bad shape. Meanwhile, the cultural projects we were working on were deprioritized (thank God, I have Museo Mabalacat to keep me busy—now on its 2nd year, don't forget to "Like" and "Follow" !) . And yes,  even my planned travel in 2020 did not push through,  leaving me stuck here in Pampanga, mostly in my pajamas.

2021 began on a not-so-good note.  I was plagued with a series of ailments—laryngitis, trigger fingers, eye problems (I had pesky floaters!). But in June, I tore my rotator cuff, causing shoulder , back and arm pains that caused me sleepless nights.  I had to take several trips to the hospital for X-rays, MRI’s and evaluations by two orthopedists. That required months of medication, physical therapy, and in-home exercises that I continue to do to this day. By the way, my favorite 12 year-old car decided to get “sick” as well, right in the middle of my medical appointments. It went kaput and had to be overhauled in the“casa”, for over two months.

Thank God, I got my 2 doses of covid vaccines—the first in May, and the second in July. This December, I got my Booster shot, finally, in Clark. I have all but forgotten the torturous inconveniences that I went through to avail of those shots!

Then of course, I and my family had to deal with personal losses and crisis. In April 27, we marked the 1st death anniversary of my former boss, and tourism secretary Mon Jimenez Jr., through a beautiful online memorial where close friends shared their “MonJ stories”. I still miss him, and his wife and colleague, Abby Jimenez, as I’ve known them all my professional life.

October was the bleakest, saddest month ever. Our university president, Dr. Luis Ma. Calingo—and a friend of MonJ—succumbed to covid complications in the U.S.A. On October 3, my lolo’s 127th birthday, we lost a first cousin, Elizabeth. A day after we buried her, her older brother, Alvin, followed. The next month, the husband of their sister Cynthia, Atty. Eddie Rivera, died unexpectedly. We grew up with these dear cousins of ours, so it was hard not to be profoundly affected by their passing.

We also lost Atching Atang, this year, she was 83. She had worked for the family since my parents got married, and was in fact, a yaya of my eldest sister. At several points in our lives, her hardworking children too, helped my mother with laundry and house chores , and for that we are grateful. Now, 4 of her daughters are all abroad, living comfortable lives, yet they have never forgotten their humble beginnings, and most of all, have never forgotten us.

A major crisis hit our family in September, when my sister’s granddaughter, Olivia, was stricken with an inexplicable disease, which no New Jersey  doctor could diagnose. With multi-organ failure looming, she was airlifted to a Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, where a doctor diagnosed her as having multicentric Castleman’s disease—the same disease that struck him as a medical student. Upon surviving, this kind doctor, decided to find ways to manage the disease. Olivia required chemotherapy, transfusions, bone marrow tests, and dialysis plus some 2 months’ stay in the ICU. Thankfully, our Olivia bounced back strong, although her health needs to be monitored for the next few years.

God is good, you see. Last year, we had 2 babies born in the family, making 2 of my brothers, Noel and Momel, first-time grandfathers, with the births of Jonah (in Florida) and Levi (in New Zealand), born just days from each other. This year, we welcomed 2 more grandkids—Felicity Nouvel (b. Oct. 16, NY, a first for my brother Mike and wife, Lulu), and Jalin Alexander, our Christmas Eve baby (another one, for Noel).  Our genetic pool is growing and going international! (Not to be outdone, our guard dog Peachy delivered 4 pups in February!).

Ohhh—lastly--on a personal note, 2021 will be the last year I will be proclaiming myself as a young senior retiree (I was 58 when I retired). In a few weeks, I will be 65, the official age of retirement, the official age of a true senior citizen, where you can no longer complain if they call you “lolo”.  65 is the point of no return—there’s no “new 40”, “new 50”—you are 65, and you are old, and you feel it.  I guess it’s time to start putting my affairs in order, because when you hit this number, time just doesn’t fly, it whizzes by like a Ferrari!. Should I download a “Last Will” form? Start auctioning off my ‘cherished possessions? Or maybe leave signed blank checks?.

Something to ponder on, while I water my cactus.