Honey, I'm Home

The moment the plane landed in Manila, I just wanted to grab my bag and rush out of it. No, I am not one of those people who'd unfasten their seat belts before the plane stops and neither am I the type who'd turn on their phone before the plane halts. In other words, hindi ako epal. But, since I have been already traveling for more than twenty four hours, I just wanted to get it over with and continue with my life again.

The ride was not that bad - it was actually quite pleasant. Korean Air was an okay plane - it was not Singapore Airlines but it was okay. The food on was surprisingly far from the usual airline blah and the service was good - trust Asians when it comes to service galore. Yes, there were Pinoys which made it extra special and annoying at the same time. Pinoys you see can be awfully invasive of your privacy. I remember I almost had to tell my entire life story thrice after being prodded by several kababayans who were also coming home. Buti na lang, sanay ako sa interviews. Artista eh.

Walking towards the baggage claim carousel, I felt different. I was no longer the same person coming home. I knew the place but it felt like it was different. I started walking faster. I just wanted to get to my hotel room, take a quick shower and start living. And then I came across this: "Maligayang Pagdating Mahal Naming OFW!" - the electronic billboard one sees just before one enters the Philippine immigration area. I seriously got goosebumps. Yes, I was now officially an overseas Filipino worker.

It was not that bad, really. After all, I am Filipino and I work overseas. My dollars (or at least some of it) are still being sent back to the Philippines and support the local economy which in turn..., blah blah. Sorry, that was the ekonomista in me talking. OFW talaga ko, period so kelangan nyo ko i-libre pag nakita nyo ko. Hehe.

So there I was at the airport arrival area with my two pieces of luggage, some Philippine money exchanged for a very low rate and an overpriced local SIM card waiting for my overpriced airport service. I was back home. Finally.

The trip from the airport to the hotel was surreal. Yes, much like how Julia Roberts puts it, it was surreal but nice. The driver took the same route as what I had grown accustomed to in my years of traveling and it sort of freaked me out. Was I just coming from another trip abroad? Was this any other ride back home? Everything felt like a dream sequence. And yes, I knew I was in a dream when I saw Piolo's billboard by EDSA.

It was at that moment when I finally said to myself:

"Honey, I'm home."

Blogger's Note: Sorry, I could not find a copy of that billboard online. I promise to take a picture when I pass by the area again soon.