01.01.10

People would die to be where I was, I was certain of that.

I could have had an a news team set up a camera and they'd be able to capture good angles at almost all the time.

I could have made it a tourist spot, requiring an entrance fee to the area because I know if people knew this place, they'd all envy me. Plus it's going to be worth their money.

It was like the highest peak in the Himalayas of houses. Up there is an opportunity of a 360-view of all Metro Manila fireworks, leaving me openmouthed for what seemed to be ages. I couldn't believe my eyes, small as they are. My head had a good exercise rotating for one whole hour as one firework after another teased me to look their way to show what they've got as if one is a totally unique sight from the rest. An assortment of lights and booms presented themselves before my eyes and ears, dissipating as another set came and this went on and on and on. At some point, just when I thought I could look away to give momentary solace to my senses, one display would catch my attention and then I'm back to viewing again.

As one firework came after another, awe after awe, my mind was naturally trance-bound. But somehow, my brain managed to rummage an idea about how fireworks work. Why do fireworks shoot up as high as they do and plummet into mere sparkle, leaving the world lit for a matter of seconds, oh so fleeting seconds. And why do we even indulge!

My auntie's place is a 5-storey petite house in Pateros. But if you don't count the supposed basement garage, the rooftop where they hang clothes to dry and the highest level where the water tank is, it's really just a humble two-storey. I've been staying here since I started my Makati work this year. It's a one FX-ride or 80-peso taxi fare. It's easily accessed from anywhere but it's a bit hard to describe where it is, really.

They say it's hard to be at two places at the same time. I say, try four.

OK. Technically, it's Pateros. But cross the immediate road and you're in Pasig. Cross the nearby C5 and you're in Makati. Go left and you're at The Fort Taguig. Turn around and you're back in Pateros. The latter, being the only non-city amongst the 17 of Metro Manila boasts of that privilege. But please don't start flocking here because it's only a 2.10-square km teensy town (according to Wiki). But I guess, with all the sparkles that just transpired here tonight, it's its own Tinseltown.

I was lucky and unlucky tonight. Lucky, for all the foregoing reasons. Unlucky, for I lacked a much needed good camera to prove to you that all the foregoing reasons are true. Darn it!