Horizons

July 2008

I’m drifting somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea.  This cruise wasn’t what I expected.  Embarkation at Southhampton – I was a speck of brown in a long line of grey English heads.

Then once on board we were greeted by more familiar brown faces – Mexican, Thai, and the smiles and songs of my people.  I think I’d feel more in my place with the crew, working hard and still smiling big.  But then who’s to say a Filipino can’t live large?  Eating and sleeping the days away between trips to Rome and Monte Carlo?

“Wherever you go you will always be a Filipina,” Tita Ning told me.  She’s right.  I’m no European.  The ancient ruins and grotesquely overbearing cathedrals I visit here are not my past.  My roots are with the sea that carried my people to every corner of the world – upon Spanish galleons and princess cruise ships.  And I’m proud.  My ancestors, my kababayan are strong and relentless as the pounding waves, bright and hopeful as the approaching horizon.

My only wish is that more often the tides would change.  That this ship might catch the horizon, the tomorrow when seamen can go home for good, survive and thrive from labor on their own land – sa atin.

Ate Kathy, Tito Milan, Ferdi, Max, Tito Solomon, Kuya Michael, Fireman A, Lolo Ernie, Lola, Journey, Tito Dennis, Tita Maribu, Tita Marie… Sana I’ll see you again.