Kababayan

Blood is thicker than water. And I can proudly say this also applies to fellowmen.

My friend has been looking for a room that can accommodate her and her significant other. I accompanied her in one of her viewings tonight. This was not so far from where we presently stay. We took a bus from the MRT station, got lost, called up the owner of the house we were supposed to view, but ended up looking for the place ourselves. The owner did not know how to go about his own turf, because he doesn't commute he said. It took us a good one hour to reach the place.

When we reach there, we were greeted by one "kababayan". She opened the door and let us in. I was surprised to see that mostly all who are staying in the house are Filipinos, considering the fact that the owner is not. There were two more prospects checking on the place, also kababayans. We talked, asked things. And revelations began pouring out not long after.

My friend prefers Filipino household, aside from the fact that they are easier to get along with since we share the same background, because of their frankness. The kababayans we spoke with gave us the good and the bad side of the place, the advantages and the disadvantages, and the reasons why they are also moving out.

It runs in the blood. Everyone of us, across all races, feels obligated to be honest to one another, even to the extent of bluntness. It is a secret bond between fellowmen, especially with Filipinos, even before the sanduguan or blood compact during the Spanish regime. We look out for each other, we feel responsible for one another, and we will forever be scratching each other's back, because we are united by blood, under one history, and under one belief. Because we are simply kababayans.

My friend and I left the place, thankful. It might be the last time we would step onto that block, and we are thankful. Thankful to be who we are, what we are, and where we came from. Thankful for the gift of honesty, and thankful for the people who practice it. I know one of these days my friend will find her place. It might be far from home, but if it is with a kababayan, it would not be that far.