The beginning of February marks the start of the city's busiest weeks for tourism, the Panagbenga Festival which lasts up to the first week of March. The grand celebration is witnessed by people from different parts of the country who wanted to see the city's famous blooms and enjoy the lowest temperatures it can offer.
For locals and mostly students like Tom, aside from the increase in people and car traffic, the activities surrounding the festival prove a challenge in getting things done for school. Most of his research writing is spent while tending the shop with Robbie in the morning, while his afternoons are reserved for the remainder of his classes and the load of club work, though he is particularly thankful for the newcomers who continues the tasks when the seniors are not available.
On a very early morning walk in the city center, he rubs his hands before hitting both his arms on the side as a freezing breeze strikes him in the back. The young man walking beside him, Jan, appears to have done the same as he yawns loudly. He teases him with a smile.
They continue to walk the stretch of the Session Road watching the city folks prune the overgrowth on the Balete trees scattered throughout the center island. Tom remembers reading somewhere that the city will also be planting Bonsai Pines along Session this year. He makes a mental note to watch the activity if he gets the chance. There also appears to have no decorations placed on top of the streetlights for the festival but he could already imagine the sprawl of tents by the event's busiest weekends that will close all traffic on the already busy road.
Robbie waves at both men as they turned right of Assumption. Tom has increased his pace as they close in on him.
"May bisita si Tatay sa gallery saglit, kahit maya-maya na tayo pumasok," Robbie explains.
He smiles at Jan as he walks behind Tom.
"Anong oras pasok mo 'tol? Kain tayo?"
"Alas-diyes pa, Kuya," he is obviously catching his breath from trying to match Tom's pace.
Robbie flings his arms on the young man.
"Nahiya ka pa sa Kuya, sana ni-Lolo mo na. Tara na," he teases.
Tom watches in awe at the two men who found their bond not so long ago, all thanks to Robbie's persistence. Jan also seems to be the type to go along well with anyone.
He catches up as the other two continue to walk uphill. Robbie throws his other arm on him, offering him warmth.
"Tom, tuloy tayo sa susunod na buwan noh?" asks Robbie.
Jan looks at them curiously.
"Ano pala sabi ni Tatay?"
"Sarado naman tayo 'saka di bababa sila Tatay ng La Tri', ang mga Apo ang paakyat ng Baguio."
Tom remembers the local children from the neighboring town which they met and tutored last year. He wonders if they can invite them again for the club project this year as he recalls the works that they have done for the gallery and how they improved over a short amount of time.
"Sige, ipaalam ko pa din mamaya sa kanila."
"'Tol, sasali ba kayo sa parada?" Robbie turns to Jan.
"Hindi daw muna Kuya, malapit na din kasi exams namin."
"Susunduin ko kayo ni Tom n'un ha. Sa kanila ka na matulog ng gabi at maaga tayo ng Sabado."
BINABASA MO ANG
Night and Day
Fiction généraleTom takes us on his last year in college back at the Cordilleras after his first heartbreak. Night and Day revolves around the search for unspoken answers, keeping old friends, and finding new love; a contemporary approach to worries of the old, as...
