Portrait of Peace of Mind

A PORTRAIT OF PEACE OF MIND (Aug. 4, 1969)

He is an old man now. His visions dimmed by cataract, his hair grayed by time and his skin wrinkled by hardships, but still Marcelino Romero is as happy as ever. He doesn’t know where he was born nor does he care when. He is well known, and is even more popular than the town mayor and the parish priest, for no one in Alfonso, Cavite who has reached the age of reason doesn’t know Seling.

When he was young he was energetic. He managed to supply the daily water needs of more than fifty families in the poblacion during that time when the town was not yet provided with faucets. He never had a house of his own, much more a kitchen to cook his foods, yet he eats three full meals a day and even changes his clothes quite often. He doesn’t understand what a headache means as he never experienced one. I never heard him get sick except for a few scattered scabies on the different parts of his body. He seems to be immune to most diseases.

He used to get mad when called “KIRYO”. There are several theories as to the origin of the term. According to Mrs. Cecilia V. Cron, a school teacher, it started when Seling was still young. One time he warned someone by saying “I’ll kill you”, which because he was imbecilic sounded like “kiryo”. People who were present then laughed and Marcelino got mad.

According to Mr. Ramon Orosa, however, it evolved after the killing of Ronquillo during the time of Governor Raymundo Jeciel. Seling enjoyed spreading the news about the death of the notorious bandit. He went around telling everyone that “Kiryo”, meaning Ronquillo, was already dead.

I personally asked Marcelino Romero about it. He just smiled showing his blackish-yellow teeth then explained that it was started by someone named Zoilo. Which ever is which, it sounds like the cry of an oriole (KULYAWAN).
Seling is guest of every affair, both public and private as well as confidential gatherings. He survived the Japanese occupation, by-passed the terrible sufferings brought about by war and is still miraculously alive. He claimed to have fallen in love with Geleng Espineli and yes, he believes in God, but children are afraid of him. He prays in his very own way whenever he “talks” to God.

“Kiryo” has been existing for seventy five solid years and is still on the go. Everyday, he will be seen sitting somewhere around the Plaza with his right leg crossed over his left, his eyes focused on nothing in particular, the arms carelessly leaning on any possible support, his face so ruggedly bright and his dry lips always projecting a happy smile. Every now and then, someone puts a lighted cigarette on his mouth, which he always joyfully puffs. At night he sleeps on any vacant seat in any bus in the terminal. He wakes up in the morning when the bus begin the moving or when riders begin to arrive. He then goes to a restaurant where he is offered a real heavy meal aside from snacks in between. Always full of life and vigor, he has never experienced indigestion.

Seling doesn’t make unnecessary comments or impolite remarks; he only answers when asked. He knows very little about big things and much about little happenings.
Man has invaded the moon in search for peace, but Seling has not changed a bit. The Pope is going around the world in an attempt to unite humanity while Kiryo is just smiling in one corner. Everybody is hurrying, nations are competing against one another, people are getting confused while life is getting more and more complicated. Not Marcelino Romero of Alfonso, Cavite who stays as calmed and relaxed as a newly laid egg. Seling, who, like the “lilies in the field and the birds in the skies” is guided by the Divine Providence. Kiryo who doesn’t possess the wisdom of Solomon and the strengthe of Samson, is the happiest fellow I know, for he maintains PEACE OF MIND.

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When KIRYO died, the church bells announced it with the lonely “AGUNIYAS”. Mr. and Mrs. Jose Rosanes offered their house during the wake. Many gave donations and many were present when he was buried. Buried with him was a memory. The memory of a most envied man during his lifetime when people in trouble used to sigh. “MABUTI PA SI KIRYO, WALANG PROBLEMA.”

From the book TINGKORAW: Allfonso'sHistory and Legend by jett e. avinante, m.d.