I had a dream.
Back in the 80's, I've always dreamt of having property up in Tagaytay where it is cool and fresh. I've scrounged over and over at classified ads for properties for sale. But of course, I was working for my mother and was just an employee in a family-owned business. I did not have enough to buy anything of real value such as lots, houses and cars. I had tons of clothing and shoes. I had my dad who spoiled me dearly however, he passed away and that was the end of that. My parents were wrapped in their own world. I grew up without sharing my passions, desires, wishes and dreams with my folks. I just babbled to whoever was there ... passer-bys, those who were around me for the moment. Some of them listened and some of them dreamt with me but they never stayed long enough.
Just me, myself and I.
The first piece of property I ever bought, sometime in 1995 I saw in the classified ads. It may not be in Tagaytay as I dreamed it would be but I made it in a way ... close ... in my heart. I took my mother to get her blessings as it was the first property of real value that I was about to purchase. My lifetime savings was also at stake, the very first time I would be buying something on my own and such a big amount. Of course, when my mother got out of my 4 by 4 as I escorted her through the mud, walking alongside the canal with neighboring countryfolks' lifestyles - pigsty, geese, chickens et al ... she was, as usual cursing and had nothing nice to say. We entered the gate where the seller greeted us. I watched my mother scrutinize the borken down house. After a couple of hours, out on the porch as the seller and my mother conversed, I was overtaken by the peacefulness and tranquility of my surroundings. At this point, I did not care if my mom gave her approval.
As we walked back to the car, my mother too was dreaming of planting herbs in the lot.
I let the property as is after I bought it saving again and dreaming some more. The adjacent property was up for sale but it was just too expensive that I had to forego with that dream. After three years, I had enough money to start construction. I found someone who fit in my dream. Five years ago, the dream became a reality.
My mother who somehow listened ... bought 2 adjacent lots in Tagaytay. In a subdivision, mind you ... which is somehow what I had in that dream. My sister-in-law however has managed to take possession of both lots by being her usual scheming ways. I did let my mom know that it was alright ... I have no desire to be live with her next door anyways. My mother as I mentioend, who somehow listens ... tries again. She has heard me a numebr of times about how I dream of having a house by the waters. And because I gave up Tagaytay, she bought another lot in a subdivision development down south where there is waterview up in the mountains ... not by the water. I am still dreaming ... of that property by a beachfront ... I hope this time my mother listens well.
Five years ago, I finally proved to my mother the most important thing for me. She has finally accepted me as an individual ... Through Guiguinto, I finally meant more than just her daughter. Ten years ago, I set out and risked it all for a dream ... The dream too became a reality. ART's was the biggest dream of it all ...
Today, I said good bye to two of my dogs. There goes my dream turning into a nightmare ...
I am sooo ... sooo, very ... very sad.