RAYMUND FERNANDEZ
It is ironic that I should remember that smell now since December brings with it the pollens that give most of us in the family chronic Rhinitis such that we can hardly smell anything.
There is a particular smell of December.
The smell does not bode well for animals everywhere.
They end up as Christmas food.
I rather prefer the smell of bread and pastry baking away in the distance.
But lechon is not so bad either.
And one may remember this smell most of all if one is away somewhere else where the smell of planet may be something entirely
different.
Used to be when we were not as busy as we are now, we baked oatmeal cookies for the kids of the neighborhood, the cousins who ran and played in our old house back in the old days.
And it is ironic that I should remember that smell now since December brings with it the pollens that give most of us in the family chronic Rhinitis such that we can hardly smell anything.
And food takes on a rather muted taste.
But this is the season of festivity, college parties, class reunions, and family gatherings.
Food will be everywhere.
Festivities are always hectic.
A few days ago, I received the Tatak UP Award from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association, which event caused me to don a barong and slacks.
I survived the event, and quite well, I must add.
And this, partly because of the honor of sharing the same stage with Atty. Ian Anthony P. Sapayan.
He is a lawyer representing victims of human rights violations in Mabinay, Negros. Also on stage at the event were friends, old and new: Jose Eleazar “Jobers” R. Bersales, Atty. Carlo Pontico C. Fortuna, Haidee K. Palapar, Anita Estrera-Baleda, Ma. Teresa A. Canton, Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio, Archt. Michael P. Torres, Chris Evert Lato Ruffolo. In hindsight, it turned out quite an enjoyable start of the festive season.
And Saturday will bring me to this: Class ’72 of the Sacred Heart School for Boys-Ateneo de Cebu is launching the book, “Light Sunday” by the late Evelyn R. Luab.
This book is a compilation of selected essays of the late author first published in Sunstar Cebu as a Sunday column with the same name.
The choice of most of the essays was made by the late author herself before her death earlier this year.
The public is invited to this event which happens 3:00 pm, this Saturday, December 15, at the 38 Park Avenue Showroom of Cebu Landmasters, Inc., in IT Park Cebu.
The book is available for sale.
The essays are accompanied by photographs, some taken by Carlo Villarica.
Estela Ocampo-Fernandez and I designed the book.
Our photographs are featured as well.
This is an invitation to readers.
See you at the launch.