Merging of the Old and the New

A month after my graduation, I got the opportunity to accompany my mother in visiting her siblings to celebrate my grandfather’s death anniversary in Manila (or part of NCR). I was quite hesitant. Others my find Manila an interesting place, for a lot of reasons, but I actually do not. Big cities scare me. But, hey, there’s a first time for everything and it’s not like I am going there alone and for a long time. I’m just visiting. A 3-day trip to the visit my aunts and uncle and to celebrate my grandfather’s death anniversary.

One of the places we have visited during our stay was Fort Santiago or Intramuros (not quite sure, what really is its name). The place I have only read in historical books and seen in pictures is now in front of me. As someone who has spent my whole life in the province, this visit truly amazed me. I am quite interested in history so my heart was quite happy. I was amazed by the old buildings that have stood the test of time and will continue to do so. I have not seen something like this. For me, this was a once in a lifetime experience. That day felt like a dream come true for me. I was there, walking on the paths of those who have gone before me. It felt surreal.

One of the spots that was my favorite in the area was the one with orange walled bricks with benches in it. I think it was a part of the building nearby which was a museum. But unfortunately, we have not visited because of lack of time. We just enjoyed sitting and resting on the benches. While resting there, I cannot contain the happiness I felt. Even if I was just sitting there. Doing nothing. I felt overwhelmed.

One thing I have discovered while walking around was the tall building you can see peeking in the nearby area. I do not know how to feel about it. Am I sad about it or Am I amazed? The way the old buildings and the towering new buildings blended together somehow makes sense? I do not know how to explain or put into words what I am feeling during that moment. A picture that validated that feeling of amazement was the photo I took after eating our lunch. There was an area which I think serves as a picnic area. As our family, the old and the young mingled together and enjoying each other’s company, you can see in our background was the old and the new buildings. If you really think about it, there was some kind of likeness of the two, our family and the buildings around us. The merging of the old and the new, the old and the young.

A lot of thoughts have come to mind as I recall the experience and as I see this picture again. There is beauty in change but there is also beauty in not changing. They say that change is the only thing that is constant in this world and I do agree. But to see something withstand time and not change, well, not completely unchanged, it gives you hope. Hope in something you may not know in the moment but there is hope. Another thought is that, somehow like the merging of the new and old, our family, will have that kind of harmony. Like the old buildings, may our families withstand the test of time and continue to be connected together and like the new towering buildings, we may find the things that would make us feel like we are on top of the world.