From Hinigaran to Bacolod: Living the Manifestation (With Mosquitoes)

So it’s officially been over two weeks since Ralph and I packed our bags, our dogs, cats, parrots, and yes—our monkey Davie, and relocated to Bacolod City. Specifically, to the “small” house on our property that—spoiler alert—isn’t that small. It’s currently acting as our temporary home while we continue our slow and suspense-filled renovation of the main house. By “slow,” I mean glacial, because, surprise, surprise—we’re still broke.

Thanks in part to a certain lawyer in Hinigaran who owes us a refund for services she never rendered. And by “owes,” I mean she’s perfecting the art of professional avoidance. I’ve been sending Jenjen on mini-quests to collect the money (because apparently, being passive-aggressive is her love language), but every time she shows up, the lawyer makes her wait… and wait… until she gives up and leaves. Rinse, repeat. I’m starting to suspect this is her go-to strategy for all the people she owes.

Anyway—back to our glamorous new life in Bacolod.

We just got windows installed in the small house yesterday by Aces Aluminum. Because, yes, we’ve been living in a house with large, gaping holes where walls should be shielding us from mosquitoes and the occasional flying bug auditioning for a horror movie. My arms and face? Currently a constellation of mosquito bites. It’s giving chicken pox realness, but make it fashion.

But there’s light (and cold air) at the end of the tunnel—we bought a 2.5 HP LG split-type aircon from SM Appliance, and we’re picking it up today! Fingers crossed that the technician is free and not booked until next Christmas.

Now, I may complain a lot (and I mean a lot) about wanting to go back to Hinigaran—with my cold bedroom, my big bed, and the blessed silence of the province. But there are a few bright spots here in Bacolod. Like how the pets are THRIVING. My parrots are singing louder than ever, Davie (our monkey) is suddenly less murdery, and the dogs and cats are loving the extra space. Meanwhile, Jenjen still lives in Hinigaran—because guess what’s still there? Our turtles, saltwater fish, and two cats who’ve gone full-on feral and refuse to show themselves whenever it’s time to move.

I still check the CCTV at our Hinigaran house daily—because you can take the girl out of Hinigaran, but you can’t take Hinigaran out of the girl. Honestly, I don’t even know how I feel about all this. One part of me is like “OMG, I manifested this move!” while the other part is curled up in a metaphorical ball whispering, “Bring me my cold bed and blackout curtains…”

So yeah. Mixed emotions. Mosquitoes. A house that’s kind of a home but not really. And an aircon unit on its way to save our sanity.

Welcome to my very glamorous, slightly itchy, work-in-progress Bacolod life.