A Pinoy Blog About Nothing

It was pure dumb luck that he pulled shift tonight. He was never good at choosing straws. And yet he was thankful he’s doing something here tonight instead of going to the party. He’ll get his chance New Year’s Eve. That’s been the arrangement with the boys for as far as he can remember. For the past 15 years.

Not that he’s in any condition to drink the surreptitious Johnny Walker Blacks - prized contraband on holidays and birthdays. Some of the more liberal locals would drop by during these occasions for some taste of the heady brew. Yes, somehow it tastes better if it’s taboo. He just got out of the hospital for his appendectomy. He’s still on pain medication. Two weeks laid up in bed in the company clinic isn’t exactly a vacation. Besides, unlike back home, there are no visitors here. His supervisor dropped by, sure but more to secure his signature on some forms. Not exactly a friendly face. Damn Brit.

Well at least he’s keeping himself busy. Not that there they’re expecting anything. Most of his duties while they’re here are routine, making sure the equipment’s working. There’s the occasional radio checks but these last a few seconds-if a Pinoy isn’t on the other end that is. Those usual last a good three minutes. He’s glad this year the Sultan stayed in the capital instead of doing his rounds. Christmas in a tent isn’t fun, after the first 10 times you’ve done it. If it’s a bivouac, forget the alcohol.

He called home earlier. They were already done preparing for noche buena and was about to leave for the church. His wife asks him if his wounds are healing well and if he’s attending the Christmas party later? No, he said. “I’m on tonight.” All routine. She tells him they got the package and the chocolates he sent and gave the phone to the kids to say thank you and their merry christmases. Five, six more years tops and he can go home.

He said he was sorry he couldn’t come home this Christmas. He felt her stop a beat and then she said it’s okay. Her sisters are here visiting. Good, he said. It’s a full house this year. He said his goodbye and he said I love you to her. She responds in their dialect. He knows the kids were within earshot and they haven’t really picked up on it despite the yearly trip to the provinces each summer. He hung up and drove to the station.

Eight more hours to go before end of shift. By now the boys have gone through two Blacks and several pounds of chicken. Someone would have broken the karaoke machine. He begins to stand up and picks up the clipboard to do his hourly check.

He leans from the desk and looks out the window to check if the light on the antenna tower is still winking from sky.

***

Thanks for all those Christmases, Mom and Dad.
Maligayang Pasko at Salamat sa lahat ng OCWs.