9334 St. Jude St. SAV1, Sucat Rd., Pque. City

That was my address for 28 years. It was home.

It was a big split-level house with big rooms and big windows. It was surrounded by many different kinds of fruit trees. I especially remember the red guava tree because the fruit was yummy and it was big! We used to climb it and each of my two brothers and I had a big branch to relax on. Jun, my monkey brother, always got the high branch because, well, he was a monkey. Remarkably, he grew up to be an ass.

We used to slide down the banister instead of going down the stairs. We used to climb up and down the window grills to peer out over the high walls. We had a fishpond that we used to swim in. We had a male nanny who would promise us that our "pool" will be full only after we take our afternoon nap. And it always was!

When we grew up, we were hardly ever in that house. It became a cage to escape from. The world beckoned us to come out and play and off we went. One night, I escaped from my second floor bedroom and as I was sneaking back in, I got trapped hanging on my window sill. I had nothing to push off from nor pull on. I was screwed. In two minutes, my Mom walked in. She laughed at how silly I looked and simply pulled me in. Thankfully, she didn't kick me out!

Then my Dad died. Mom sold the house. She lives with me now.

I still remember the fun days I spent in that house as a child. I still remember the dark years I suffered in it as a rebellious youth. I still remember the "empty" years I spent there as an adult when it was a mere shelter.

I wish I can have a house like that. Plenty of room to run around in. My dogs will be happy. Kayla might, too.

It will be our house. Our home.