Huwebes, Disyembre 4, 2014

Intersection 15



When reminiscence and a celebration meet...

Two hours is a long time to wait for a show to start. But the waiting part will probably prove to be the least of one's concern when the show begins. This is what happened when I and my brother watched the lantern parade sponsored by my Alma Mater (also my brother's current university). People gathered in the streets as early as 4 pm (I am assuming this is what happened since we found our spot at around 5:15 pm.) The famous city road was closed since the morning of December 1st, and there were drawings, doodles and random words (or messages) drawn on cement with colored chalk. It was interesting to see children (and even adults) find fun and cooperation in the activity of expressing themselves. There were a few drawings or words that have been erased and drawn over, but the entire road seemed to somehow summarize the festive mood.

A lot of things happened prior to the beginning of the lantern parade (in our spot and nearby area, at least), but I wouldn't enumerate them here. Though I would like to express a little feeling of irritation at the way some people did not seem to understand the excitement of the audience. Some people just pushed themselves through the already positioned audience, seemingly having no interest in the parade. I would not blame them if they didn't want to watch, but having the crowd shift positions to entertain people to pass is something that can create tension and spoil the audience's excitement. Oh well, skipping that part...

Fireworks became a nice introduction to the parade. I guess everyone is anticipating the first day of December. A few minutes after the fireworks, the lantern parade began. People stood and techie devices became secondary eyes. There were no flashes, yet the parade was met by paparazzi-like treatment. The feeling of being involved in such a scene is overwhelmingly exhilarating - in a good way. It was as if everyone was united for a good cause. Everyone wanted to get the best possible photos (most probably to share on SNS). Everyone wanted to have the perfect view - including me.

Having taken photos of the parade made me realize that it has been a year since our batch has participated in the awaited event. One year. How fast time really moves. I suddenly missed the crazy practice schedules, the way everyone buzzed about the steps we were to learn (quickly and perfectly), the way we cooperated and got into misunderstandings, the way every detail created new and stronger bonds, the way we laughed and cried, the way everything seemed too hectic for us to bear. Then I remembered her, the batch mate I became closer to because of the lantern parade. Her smile and the way she reminded me of how to execute our steps. Our exchange of opinions and stories. I feel very sad not having the chance to hear her voice or laugh again, of never having the chance to see her physically again.

As the lanterns of our department pass, I cannot help but feel proud of how our batch has had the privilege of being involved in such a celebration. We may have not won any award (which is something we will always be a little regretful of), but having the lantern parade experience bound us in a way only we understand, in a manner only we can explain and reminisce about later in our lives. And I know this yearly event will always remind us of what was.

I hope you remember something beautiful in a celebration that will happen soon.

Until the next celebration,

Myra

(Credits to thehouseofqueens.com for the photo)

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