Dino, Yno, Deen, Den. They are all my favorites, except that the last one is not a person. It is a place, a corner, a spot, a den in “Kristina”. That’s how we call our house in Antipolo. Kristina is located exactly at Kristina Homes, which is inside Bankers Village III in Antipolo City.
Dino & I purchased Kristina in December 2001, a month before we got married in January. Last year, Kristina became ours, technically speaking, after full payment. It is not, however, a cause for celebration because some four or five years ago, we left her on her own when we decided to live in a condominium in Manila. Even then, we make it a point to stay in Kristina, every month, or at least every other month. There was only one instance when we had to postpone visiting Kristina and that was during my pregnancy with Deen.
We have very fond memories of Kristina. Maybe that’s the reason why, despite trying to sell her several times, she remained to be ours to this day. And no matter how tight our budget is, there seem to be always something left for her upkeep and improvement.
Dino and I had our first Christmas in Kristina in 2002. We bought our first Christmas tree and native capiz lantern, filled the front door with garlands and decorated the gates with lots of Christmas lights. Almost all our neighbors have Christmas decors too. Different styles, different colors. Twice, we attended the Simbang Gabi. It was a festive, happy Christmas!
We also spent our first New Year at Kristina. Despite the initial conflicts about the homeowners’ association issues, the homeowners decided to have an after-new year media noche right on the street. Food and drinks were overflowing. Everyone was in high spirits. Kristina Homes was one big happy family that memorable New Year of 2003. That was the first and the last New Year street celebration at Kristina Homes.
My eldest son Yno was born in Kristina on July 13, 2003. Dino asked his two drinking buddies, Tisoy (who is actually not “tisoy”-looking but very pinoy looking) and Noli, to be his first-born’s godfathers. The two readily agreed with enthusiasm. Pareng Tisoy (or is it Mareng M) is a thoughtful ninong. He always has gifts for Yno on special occasions. The bike he gave Yno for his 1st birthday is still “alive” to this day. Yno still rides on it every time we stay in Kristina. Pareng Noli is Dino’s bestfriend in Kristina. Every night, Dino teases Pareng Noli about his almost daily routine of hanging the newly laundered clothes at their front porch. Pareng Noli and Mareng Ana have two daughters, Angel and Nicole, whom Dino also loves to tease. I told Dino that Nicole would be a good wife for Yno someday, and if that happens, maybe we can just make a hole in between ours and Pareng Noli’s house to serve as passageway.
In July 13, 2004, Yno celebrated his first birthday. We call Yno then as the “Heartthrob of Kristina” because he is the only little boy among the little girls in the neighborhood. Even the teenage girls love to cuddle him. Whenever I bring Yno out in his stroller, the little girls, one by one, will also come out of their houses to take turns pushing Yno’s stroller. When Yno turned 1, he had two birthday celebrations, one at Jollibee in Libis, and the other, of course, in Kristina. We gave every house in the neighborhood an invite for Yno’s birthday. I was afraid then that there will be only few visitors because we only know some families and it rained very hard that day. Lo and behold, at exactly 3 p.m., the rain stopped, and the little guests started to arrive. We had to close the street to accommodate Yno’s guests.
Months after that, Pareng Tisoy and family left Kristina Homes to live at Brittany. And then, we accidentally found a condominium which is nearer to our workplaces. At the start, our plan would be to stay in the condominium during weekdays and go home to Kristina during weekends. We found out that what we have planned wasn't easy to do. We have not abandoned Kristina but we don't anymore regard it as our home.
During rare weekends when we visit Kristina, we found ourselves cleaning her cobwebs, dusting the furnitures, sweeping the fallen leaves, watering the hungry plants. Dino will always have his chat with Pareng Noli about the latest happenings in the neighborhood; Angel and Nicole will excitedly play with Yno, and, this time, including Deen.
A year or two after we left, Pareng Noli, with his wife and kids, likewise left Kristina Homes to live in Marikina. Some old-timers, Jun and family, Mang Chit and family, Architect Jo and family, have also left. And so, everytime we stay at Kristina, we long for remaining acquaintances, and most often, we are just on our own.
Last month, we had Kristina repainted. She still needs some roof repair. I cajoled Dino into putting some improvements in the laundry area.
Just this weekend, we had our usual stay in Kristina. After a tiring day, I conquered my favorite den at the 2nd floor. I enjoyed reading the day’s newspaper while sipping coffee and having occasional yosi puffs. Dino watched Voltron in his mini-DVD. Yno and Deen played with Jasmine at the purple room. Ate Delay stole her afternoon nap in the orange room. The weather is good. The family is happy. It is so comforting to be home again.
