Home is Where the Heart Is

When people ask me of my descent, I always answer with pride that I am from the best place in the entire Philippine archipelago – Davao City. Then I would give a litany of my self-compiled reasons why my claim to such fame for the city that has become my home and could give the Department of Tourism people a run for their money. But I am not a true-blue Dabawenya. Unlike others who can trace their roots to one place, my family are just migrants to this great city. I was born in Zamboanga City but my father’s work as a banker took us to Durian-burg in 1985. And I was not always a Davao fan. It took a good amount of separation and isolation to gain a different perspective. This is my "Walay Kaparehas" story.

When I graduated from college, I was like most of the idealistic young minds who wanted to show and prove the world I have what it takes to make it big. Fortunately I was immediately hired by the biggest chain of malls in the country as one of its pioneer batch of supervisors for their first mall in Mindanao. Despite that, there was a desire in my heart that was seeking fulfillment  After six months, I summoned enough courage to tell my parents I’m packing my bags to go to Manila because my career growth will move in a snail’s pace if I were to just stay in Davao. I was ecstatic to join a multinational firm as part of their communications team. Finally, I told myself, I can start living the life I always dreamed of.

In Manila, I had the time of my life. I felt this was it! I was walking in high heels along the busy streets of the country’s central business district in Ayala Avenue. I was doing what I thought was my dream job in what I thought was the perfect place for me to make a dent. I would work hard during office hours and party harder come evening. It was my daily routine. I congratulated myself for having the guts to be where I was.

Three months into my new found freedom, I got sick with acute respiratory infection. I reckoned the daily dose of pollution was the main culprit. After the initial self-indulgent period, I often catch myself gazing out my apartment window wishing I was back home in Davao. I burned the phone lines talking to my family and friends, half-admitting that there was still a void. Mommy would always recite to me the famous line, “be careful what you wish for, you might just get it” every time I tell her I want to go home. There were a few times while going around the mall, I would stop after hearing some passers-by talk in Bisaya. I have had the chance to dine at popular places and sampled creations of fine chefs but in a heartbeat I would exchange it for Davao’s sinugba, kinilaw and the hole-in-the-wall eateries that offer their signature dishes to everyone regardless of status. My palate has been introduced to sinful and fancy deserts yet the Dabawenya in me cannot compare the flavour of Durian to any of these. Of course these gastronomic offerings won’t be complete without ice-cold Coca-Cola.  My office mates asked me once to describe Durian to them. I answered – like rotten crème brulee! They all made a face.

I craved for that familiarity but refused to admit it.

During those nights when I was filled with melancholy – sad and lonely, my constant companion was my dear friend Coca-Cola. The refreshing taste of ice cold Coke was always synonymous to happy memories of Davao. I would smile reminiscing how as a little girl, I would save my “baon” from Monday to Thursday so by Friday I have enough to buy an 8oz bottle that I would consume to the last drop. It was my earliest training in delayed gratification. I promised myself that when I get a job, I will make sure to have Coke inside the fridge. During summer vacations and over Coke litro, my best friend Anthony and I laid the foundations of our strong friendship – talking about our crushes at school, what we want to become after college and how at times we wanted to physically torture our younger siblings. I remember how Mommy and I would cook together her recipes then share our finish product with Ton-ton and Dad along with our favorite ice-cold Coke. When I had my fill of the party and action Manila could offer, all that my “probinsyana” heart wanted was to get away from the urban jungle that is Manila and return to Davao.

After I finished my six months probation period, I reluctantly informed my boss that I was no longer staying, that I have decided to go back to Davao. She asked what the problem was because she said I was doing well and that I will already be a regular employee. There were even projects lined up for me to be part of. I told her that Manila may always be teeming with good opportunities but being away from home taught me how much it meant to me and I began to cry. It helped that she herself was from the province and understood what I was trying to drive at. On my last day at work, my team gave me a farewell dinner at the office pantry. They raised their wine glasses and wished me the best. I raised my glass of Coke in gratitude.

When the pilot announced that we are on our final approach to Davao, I could hardly contain my excitement. I looked out the window and saw the aerial view of the city that embraced me and my family since the first time we set foot on it in the mid 80s. With fresh eyes I caught sight of its beauty and splendor, of its promise and never-ending possibilities. I was finally home.

Since that experience, I pursued my passion in development work and helped my city in my little way. Everything fell to its place because I had the chance to work for a foreign-funded education project in Mindanao, the BEAM Project which became my fairy tale job. As an NGO worker, Coca-Cola has been my companion in the far-flung areas of Mindanao to the cacao farms in Indonesia. There is no better way to end the day than to just sit and relax with a glass of Coke – wherever I may be.

I am a Zamboangena by birth but a Dabawenya by heart. Davao City will always be where I discovered who I am and what my values are. Looking back at all my experiences, I can confidently say I will never be the person that I am today if not for the places and faces this beautiful city offered me the past 27 years of my life. Life may take me and my daughter to other paths in the future, we may see a multitude of great sights but Davao is just irreplaceable – it is where the heart is, it is home. Just like the refreshing signature taste and happiness that Coca-Cola brings to all of us.

Nothing replaces life in Davao, nothing replaces Coca-Cola!

How about you guys, what are your Walang Kaparehas moments? 

Comment and share below, would love to read your stories!