I woke up early to hear mass. Hear mass. I never thought that aside from the occasional weddings and baptisms that I get invited to, I would actually see the day that I would hear mass again without some sort of obligation tied to it. Ah, well. I stopped affiliating myself as a Filipino Catholic ever since the whole RH Bill debacle. And the political endorsements. And the anti same sex marriage stance. I still respect the idea of it as religion though - along with other beliefs. My family has already dubbed me an atheist and I think they have gone beyond exasperation in trying to get me back to believing again. So long story short, I stopped going to Church and hearing mass. But then again, it's my folks' 40th anniversary and they want to go to church. A family duty. So I obliged. After all, what's one mass, right? It's not like I'm going to burst into flames. But boy, that would be so cool if I did!
They wanted to go to a church in Sta. Cruz Manila but I suggested that we go to Sto. Niño Church in Tondo. My mother used to take me there every year on my birthday. It had to be this Church because of my name. And after mass, we'd eat out on the Jollibee across the church and she'd buy me all the toys I ask for. It was a yearly tradition until I was 9. I forgot why we stopped going. Because I was growing up, I guess? Yes, those were the days. Back when life was as simple as throwing tantrums when I couldn't get the toy I want. I still secretly hope that that method still works in life. But of course, it's not that simple anymore once you're grown up.
So we went to Sto. Niño Church - me, my folks, my older brother and his wife, an aunt, and my eldest sister along with my two nephews and niece. One big happy family minus two of my siblings abroad who couldn't be with us physically. At least for a day, we're the picture of a happy family. And Sunday's family day after all.
It's been 17 years since the last time I went here. And I couldn't help but feel nostalgic. Well, a little. I realized that churches have become more technologically advanced since the last time I attended mass; the church is equipped with CCTVs and LED screens. What happened to the vow of poverty? I guess they too have to keep up with the times.
And look, the Jollibee where my mom used to take me is still there!!! Squee! I am a happy boy inside.
It was actually surprising that I still know the words to all the hymns and all the responses. But I didn't kneel or took communion. I refuse to. And I promised myself that if the homily was about the oncoming election or the anti-RH bill senators, I would storm out. Sorry to my parents, but I won't take it. It's a good thing the service wasn't political or anything, otherwise I would have stayed in the car the whole time.
So after hearing mass, we went to the diner where my dad used to take my mom out on their dates. Yep, no fancy restaurants or home cookouts. We decided to be nostalgic this year. After all, this isn't just an ordinary anniversary. It's their 40th. Imagine 40 years filled with 5 kids, 3 grand kids, bickering, love and staying strong. And from my folks' testimonials, the food is great. It turns out to be true. And I didn't have to cry when it was time to pay the bill. It was a rather quaint yet nice eat out.
After lunch, we spent the day lazily driving around Cubao for some errands before we headed home.
And that's how we celebrated my folks' 40th anniversary on this Sunday full of nostalgia. Today is a simple yet happy day.
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