Homesick

Yesterday a wave of nostalgia hit me as we walked by the streets of Ortigas. The towering high-rises, dimly lit streets, buildings under construction, and cars seemed so familiar to me. Yes, cars. You've got your Hondas, Mitsubishis, Jaguars, Fords, Toyotas, and so on. I looked on as they pass the stoplight and I felt that there was something missing. As if it was zapped out of earth, the signature vehicle of the Philippines, the jeepney, was nowhere to be found. I thought that was weird because jeepneys are supposed to be everywhere. This PUV is the preferred vehicle for transportation among the Filipino masses. But then again I was in the 'corporate world' and people have their own cars. If not, they have at least the money to pay for a cab. Everything was so reminiscent of the city I grew up with, Abu Dhabi. [hums to himself: ishi biladi..]

Abu Dhabi literally means the city of gazelles. But you won't find any gazelles in the city because they are kept in well-guarded sanctuaries. In 10 years the area has progressed from a desert wasteland to an industrialized city complete with the world's second seven-star hotel. The other is in the same country but in a different state. Kudos to the President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The country is one of the top developing, developed I should say, country in the whole world. They have the resources to progress. Underneath the desert sand lays black gold which they utilize in every imaginable way, from the world's tallest hotel to artificial islands created in the city that resembles a palm tree. Sadly, I recently found out that President Sheikh Zayed died. Although it was not yet announced publicly, people working inside his palace confirmed his death.

President Sheikh Zayed. People love this guy. Around the city you will find huge portraits of him usually with his trademark sunglasses. Yup this guy loves sunglasses. You want to know what kind of sunglasses? Check out the video 'She Will be Loved' by Maroon 5? Talk about making a fashion statement. Anyway, people really love him even the expats that really don't belong in the country. I grew to love him. Who wouldn't? I remember watching the presidential convoy as it passed by Corniche. In the middle was a long black limousine with only a digit in its license plate, the number one. Maybe it was to signify that the person seated inside the limo is 'THE ONE'. Too bad he's dead. Don't get me wrong. I am deeply saddened by what happened. But, as they say, life goes on. Obladi oblada life goes on..hmm hmm hmm. He was a good man. May God bless his soul.

This entry was posted on October 16, 2004 at 1:10 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.