"There are basic things in a city life commonly done by city dwellers. But for rural-grown children like us, this basic thing is an achievement to try even once and it's a big deal."

[SAN FERNANDO, LA UNION, PHILIPPINES] ▬ Life goes on. Who we are to stop a good life anyway? This place for me is nostalgic reminding me how time flies that easy. The past had pain; but it was worth the pain. There might have been experiences from the past that made me feel inferior but the great thing is, I wasn't stuck. I've broken free. Sea and Sky Hotel is a witness 10 years ago.

[SAN FERNANDO] ▬ SUNSET OVER THE SAN FERNANDO BAY IN LA UNION FROM THE BAY'S ROOFTOP

▬ Sea and Sky Hotel: Flashback 10 Years Ago ▬

SOMETIMES, FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS AND FIGHTING FOR it may have unexpected perks, beautiful perks. My frustrations in high school were all related to discrimination. The frustration never died when I entered college so like a physiological negative-feedback process, I've worked to turn the negative to positive. I made it sure to always do something remarkable, nay, change the world (or a life at least) that will make me remembered.

Topping the qualifying exam of a scholarship program in allowed me to enroll to one of the most expensive courses in the university near us. I was a privileged student paying almost nothing during enrollment. Back in high school, I was that student who was not given a chance to maximize his potentials because of discrimination. I won't talk much of this because in fact, while I'm writing this, the unpleasant memories are coming back and it makes me sick (note: I've moved on but I can still recognize the emotion). Anyway, I still pursued my passion for writing and sharing stories when I was qualified to become a part of the editorial team of our university students' publication.

▬ Many First Times in Sea and Sky Hotel ▬

I'M A LAKING PROBINSIYA (GREW UP IN the province) so my playgrounds were the riversides and grass fields. I swam in the creeks, caught dragonfly tails and picked cherries where orange butterflies dwell. So 10 years ago, I was chosen to represent my university in a writing competition, the reason why I was able to go here for the first time. Sea and Sky Hotel was the venue.

[SAN FERNANDO] ▬ TEAM REGION 1: RECEIVING THE AWARDS 10 YEARS AGO IN THIS HOTEL

This was the first time I stayed overnight in a hotel. It was also my first time to ride an elevator. I was already a teen that time and I think the level of my familiarity about these things might be the same to a 7-year-old Manila boy. Well, I felt so proud to experience those things since my other older friends who are fellow probinsiyanos never tried it at all. There are basic things in a city life commonly done by city dwellers. But for rural-grown children like us, this basic thing is an achievement to try even once and it's a big deal. Well, I bagged a place in the competition and I, however, was able to make my university proud.

My first hotel stay and elevator experiences were granted to me for the first time because of my love in stitching words and making stories. My dream to travel outside was granted too and it felt so good to reach the places that are very familiar to me on the map. However, I cannot be a storyteller forever because I've chosen another path for practical reasons—to become a professional nurse, the best offer I can get from the scholarship grant .

After 10 years, I almost cried when I visited this hotel for the second time. Memories of the covert innocence of a poor kid from the province are coming back. I entered the hotel premises with confidence now. I can't believe I am capable now. Things running inside my head include the years that have passed. Uh, It's been ten years and that ten years ago was the time when I was still starting to follow my dreams and had occasional perks because of doing it by heart. But I always rely on the perks. After ten years, I can now afford to enter this hotel confidently; being unafraid because I know I can now afford one serving of their best seller.

▬ Solitary Moment at The Bay Grill's Rooftop ▬

I ENTERED THE HOTEL PREMISES AND IMMEDIATELY looked for that restaurant I saw 10 years ago that I was not able to try because I thought it was relatively expensive, being my case.

I took the steel stair to reach the rooftop where I can view the sunset over San Fernando Bay without obstruction. I looked up the heavens and breathed the fresh seaside air.

[SAN FERNANDO] ▬ AL FRESCO DINING AT THE BAY GRILL AND CAFÉ

[SAN FERNANDO] ▬ THE BAY GRILL AND CAFÉ

[SAN FERNANDO] ▬ MY COOLER: SOME FRUIT SHAKES HERE

[SAN FERNANDO] ▬ THIS SERVED AS DINNER. THE SUNSET IS GONE.

I asked one of the crew to hand me the menu book, picked my order and waited for it to be served. I was alone this time. However, at the other tables, there are also loners. I only saw one couple.

▬ Ending Insights ▬

Reminiscing took over. I thanked the Lord He allowed me to experience those unpleasant things of the past where I felt so inferior and incapable because I was just a normal barrio kid. Why I'm thanking Him for those painful past? I would say this way: I won't be able to appreciate the little blessings I have now if I don't know how it feels to become inferior, incapable and less in life. These are just little things and it's not a big deal for some. But for a probinsiyano kid like me who never tried doing these things, it is indeed an achievement for me now to be able to do this.

It may sound funny that eating in a hotel restaurant is big deal for me. You will not understand this unless you've tried becoming a kid who is less in life. Some millionaires already have everything yet some are not yet contented having the latest model of sports car. Who's luckier then? I think I am. My level of happiness and contentment is shallow. Thanks to my past. ▬ end

[SAN FERNANDO] ▬ REMEMBRANCE PHOTO

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This post is filed under the category "Restaurants".

[2] The stories here happened on 21 March 2015 in San Fernando, La Union.

[3] All maps I used on this post are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Some were taken from Google maps. Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4