Back in Cebu: Day One

This is my BACK IN CEBU blog series, where I write about the things I did in Cebu with friends, family, and myself.

I am FINALLY back in Cebu City, a place where I mostly spent my young adulthood loving, discovering, and learning so many things in life. This is also where I met so many friends who I am so grateful to have. I had a good nine-year run in the Queen City of the South until I left for good, back at home in perpetual solitude.

Now, I am back here in Cebu since the second week of February. This is the first time I am back feeling energetic and excited to do stuff and see my friends.

Last year was very stressful. Although I was here a lot of times, I could not remember it being so comfortable. It was full of clinic visits, labs, and all things sick people did.

My travels last year pushed my physical limits. I was exhausted all the time and it was very uncomfortable and physically painful. I even had a chaperone with me to help me go around. I thought that was the end of me; that any day last year was my last day on earth; that I would fall unconscious to the ground while struggling to walk to my destination; or that I would just die in my sleep. Oomfie even skipped his class and told his students he was gonna see a dying friend. That friend was me. 😂

But what do I know — I am still here, alive, kicking, and getting more energy! Thank GOD! I am probably in remission, and at any given time I would relapse and my body would finally give up. But, who cares? What’s important is the NOW. And right now, I feel great! Ecstatic, even.

The ferry docked super early in Cebu port. At 4 AM, everything was still and dark. There were barely any people around. I’d imagine them under those buildings tucked tightly inside their sheets snoring the night away while I am traversing one of the lonely streets in Cebu City.

I sent a message to my friends’ group chat. And luckily, my friend, Rome, who I had not met in a long time and was in Thailand at that time, woke up pretty early and called his partner, Mau, to know that I was in town. It meant that I had a place to crash for a few hours!

I couldn’t go back to sleep so I invaded my friend’s desk and tried to work on my manuscript. The manuscript had been going on for years now. I was just too lazy, distracted, and sick to finish it. Hopefully, I am meant to finish it and get published. If not, then, no worries, not a big deal either. 🤣

My friend, Mau, took my other friend, Troy, and me to a hearty lunch: lechon (original and spicy flavors), dinuguan, baked scallops, and pancit. 🐖🍜🦪❤️ Every time I come to Cebu, I make sure to eat lechon so this one already ticks off of my list.

When you used to live in the city for a long time where everything was within reach, and you transfer to a faraway land where everything consisted of nothing, then you’d have to just make a list of the things you wanted to eat or do when you get the chance. 🗒️

After lunch, we stopped over at Starbucks for coffee (and dessert for me: waffle with strawberry syrup and whipped cream ✅) We also bumped into a couple of friends from back to my volunteer days. It was unexpected, but it was nice to see them!

I liked how everything went. I finally met with friends I had not seen since the pandemic. We were able to talk about things that we didn’t normally talk about out loud. It was fulfilling and magical. I used to treasure friendships so much that I would move mountains just to see and do something for them. I may not have the same energy I had before but I still appreciate and love them all the same.

Always,

Elbert!