Rock-tober 09, 2016

Mom always talks fondly about growing up in her hometown of Baguio City in the Philippines. This big small town nestled high up in the mountains on the island of Luzon was blessed with its location. Unlike the capital city of Manila three hours to the south that baked in sweltering summer heat, Baguio enjoyed a perpetual spring of moderate temperatures and low humidity. The defining characteristic was the dense forest of old growth conifers that covered the mountainsides. Every breeze carried an invigorating woodsy pine scent. It sounded like heaven on earth, and I glimpsed it briefly the last time we visited during Christmas back in 1976. Unfortunately during the intervening decades, rampant development kicked in. Now, traffic snarls, water shortages, and rolling blackouts are the norm. Most tragically, the evergreen cloak of pine forests has been stripped away and the only thing wafting on the breeze is traffic noise and the smell of diesel. I'm told it's still a beautiful place, but after a visit she had a few years back, Mom said it's just not the same.

Although I was born in Baguio City, I've adopted Long Beach, Mississippi, as my hometown. The ever present breeze carried the bracing scent of brine off the water. This proximity to the water lead to countless memories of fishing with Dad on the old USM pier or the rocks in the harbor. When I was older, the beach was a place to hang out with friends or source of mischief depending on our mood. All in all, this little small town on the waterfront afforded an idyllic childhood and youth.

There's been talk recently of bringing casinos to Long Beach. A common sight in the neighboring towns of Gulfport and Biloxi for decades, there's a growing movement to bring these "cash cows" to my hometown. I hope it stays just "talk". I hope the defining, pristine feature of my hometown's namesake won't be spoiled with a gaudy edifice from an over saturated industry.

JJ Grey and his band, Mofro, hail from Jacksonville, Florida. He penned a song about the blight of overdevelopment, and with a laid back, bluesy sound, they bemoan the influx of developers dropping in yet another golf course, gated community, or structure in tribute to "the mouse".

Another entry on my "Chill" playlist, Mofro's "Lochloosa" reminds me of my adopted hometown. I hope when I go home it's still the place of my childhood not the misfortune that befell Baguio City.