inklingfair I have about an hour or so before Daniel wakes up from his nap to finish my year-end review, so here goes…
1. What did you do in 2022 that you’d never done before?
Actively campaigned for candidates I believed in and attended a miting de avance. Went trick-or-treating on a bike. Spoke to Supreme Court justices. Became a k-pop fan, sent a postcard to an idol, and went to a k-pop concert with my own light stick. Had a beer with someone I just met while listening to Lou Reed and Carole King records. Got COVID. Biked on EDSA, and in Makati at night. Went on a pilgrimage and got a glimpse of cloistered nuns praying.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for 2023?
2022: Move house (and stay there for more than 2 years) – partly done. Establish regular ride days and grow the business/community with Josh – rode to work and on errands; decided to focus on my two un-jobs. Get Amy and hopefully Daniel vaccinated against COVID – half done. Take a road trip to Iloilo via ro-ro passing through Mindoro and Boracay – didn’t do this, but went to La Union, Bataan, Baguio and Cebu this year. Start my project – this is it, I guess.
2023: Ride more, spend more time with family and friends, get Daniel COVID-vaccinated, travel more.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, but P is expecting, M and J just got married, so… soon I hope!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Uncle Gilbert, who suddenly passed after his heart surgery. We were all in shock, and we went to his wake the next evening. The gospel was about the man who went to his neighbor at night to plead for some bread for a visitor. Uncle Gilbert was like that, always “asking for bread” for us, the community he loved and served. I always half expect him to suddenly take the mic and make announcements before the final blessing.
5. What countries did you visit?
None, but I might be going to Singapore second week of January.
6. What would you like to have in 2023 that you lacked in 2022?
More faith in the process and God’s providence. I was impatient for a lot of things this year when I could have enjoyed the wait.
7. What dates from 2022 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 16 – first face-to-face Easter Vigil of the pandemic
May 6, 7 & 9 – palengke tour, miting de avance and the long, long queue to cast our votes
June 3-5 – Heroes Hub Cebu
July 23 & 24 – Uncle Gilbert’s death, the youth scrutatio, and his wake
October 21 – DAKILA’s anniversary in Gravity, my first as an official tita
December 6 – Kythe Christmas party
December 9 – Be You 2 in Araneta Coliseum with Kin and beer at Cubao X afterwards
December 11 – a long brunch and conversation with Ribi at home
December 12 – A memorial of salt on my tongue
December 17 – Biking home in the rain from Makati to make it to Amy’s carnival birthday celebration (which turned into a Timezone fest)
December 27-30 – the pilgrimage in Cavite and Batangas
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Saying yes and making things happen (training sessions, SALT 5 recruitment, Amy’s Halloween and birthday, Paseo days, taking care of my mental health, the pilgrimage, 3rd from the aisle mini-reunion).
9. What was your biggest failure?
Stressing too much over things I should just jump into doing.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
COVID towards the end of November
11. What was the best thing you bought or gave away?
Bought: a U2 Boy record, a light stick, and a k-pop concert ticket.
Gave away: Something to do with salt
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My workmates in DAKILA and HN, for being heroes especially during the campaign season.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Still the Marcoses and their allies.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Groceries, gifts, Amy’s school.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Be You 2 and getting to hear Chen and Xiumin live. Being able to travel.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2022?
For You by EXO-CBX, from my proto-EXO obsession Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Love Shot (the song that started it all) and Diamond (my favorite song of 2022) by EXO. Tell Me What is Love by D.O. and Yoo Young Jin. Vanilla by Kai. We Don’t Talk About Bruno from Encanto because of Amy. Tong Tong Tong Pakitongkitong sung by Daniel.
17. Compared to this time last year, you are:
// happier or sadder? happier
// thinner or fatter? fatter – I had to buy new pants!
// richer or poorer? richer, I hope.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Going on dates with Josh, especially bike dates.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Twitter.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Mostly taking care of the kids with Josh, because the Ates finally got to have a proper vacation. It was a blur, to be honest. I think I did laundry. We probably had some Burger King.
21. Did you fall in love in 2022?
I started to love music again, thanks to EXO and Amy hogging my Spotify.
22. What were your favorite TV programs?
I sort of branched out more with k-content:
Paik’s Spirit (rewatched) – an ode to conversations with a good friend over good drinks.
My Ahjussi – this crushed me and was all kinds of wonderful at the same time.
When the Camellia Blooms – Hometown ChaChaCha but with a violent mystery.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal (which I admit I haven’t finished) tied with Arang and the Magistrate.
Splash Splash Love – just so cute; would comfort watch again.
Scarlet Heart Ryeo – I want to rewatch this only up to the middle part because I don’t want to cry buckets.
Bad Prosecutor – lots and lots of fun feat. Kyungsoo and his little legal gang.
Off the Grid – a comforting travel/food show feat. Kyungsoo, of course.
EXO Next Door – purely fanservice. Do not watch if not an EXO-L.
23. What was the best book you read?
I didn’t read a single book. There, I said it.
24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
EXO, if it wasn’t obvious yet. Also adjacent: D.O., Kai, Baekhyun, Lay, Chanyeol (who am I kidding here) and IU.
25. What did you want and get?
Travel and watch a k-pop concert.
26. What did you want and not get?
I don’t really remember now, to be frank.
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
Love and Leashes was cute. King and the Clown was heartbreaking. And then of course Pure Love and Swing Kids.
28. What did you do on your birthday?
I went to the Supreme Court with Nini to present communication materials to former SC justices. It was a normal workday.
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More bike rides.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2022?
Making peace with being in my mid thirties.
31. What kept you sane?
The Word, family, and work.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Doh Kyungsoo.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
The corruption that marred the May elections.
34. Who did you miss?
Ribi and Iris. Leica, too.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
Robert in Cubao X, Mads and co. in Sta. Maria, Dasmariñas.
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2022:
“Sohwakhaeng“: “Small but certain happiness” – I heard this from Suho in EXO Festa. It was what this year was made of. Some joys certainly weren’t small, but many small things, words, moments built up and filled up 2022. The end of 2022 felt a little like the end of 2019, full of hope. But somehow I don’t dread having a repeat of 2020. Because we got through it, and we may have to go through many 2020s again. But this time I know to look for sohwakhaeng.
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I’ll shine on you with all the light I have
So don’t hide yourself, will you show me yourself?
Be comfortable with the way you are
That’s right, it’s okay to be okay
That’s Okay by D.O.
Cut off are my bonds, paid are my debts
My doors wide open, I go everywhere
They crouch in their corner, go on weaving the pale web of their hours
or go back to sit in the dust to count their coins
and they call me, they call me to turn back but my sword is already forged.
I have already put on my armor, my horse is already impatient.
I shall gain my kingdom, I shall gain my kingdom.
Carmen ’63 (From Tagore)
Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com
