CHILDHOOD FRIEND
We were bloodily related because her father was my second cousin but because we were of the same age she was my friend since our “cartilla” days (the early Spanish version of kindergarten). She was my classmate until high school though she finished her fourth year in Manila.
Seldom do we meet except during wakes or on occasional class reunion. Now after 66 years we met again. I invited her to our house the day after Christmas because she couldn’t do it on Christmas day. She was now a widow and free to do what she wishes. Her children were grown ups now and were on their own.
While discussing about our nostalgic childhood memories my wife prepared her own version of fine dining. She offered as appetizer mixed peanut and raisin on a round table for four with candle glowing and scented by the smoke of slowly burning sandalwood. Unlike other senior gatherings we didn’t talk about our ailments and problems. We instead exchange positive events and happy moments that passed-by.
Meantime my wife offered beef bulalo soup followed by rice, turbo -grilled chicken and fried bangos with fresh tomatoes and onions that we cherished in between gulf of Chilean red wine. Our dessert was banana cake with cinnamon flavor followed by Japanese tea and perfectly ripe punkan fruit. It was indeed a fine dinner for the three of us.
I remember that time when we were in grade one. To prevent too much noise the teacher seated a boy and a girl side by side because during those days a boys and girls were shy of each other. But not Luz and me because as I said we have been friends since “Cartilla” days.
There was nothing like meeting an old friend after 66 years specially when you both realized that you have been successful in your endeavors, family life and other important ventures. One time we had a chance to be together climbing the Ifugao Rice Terraces. Then that night there was strong earthquake and knowing that we were on top of the mountain made the experience scarier. I remember praying my mother’s prayer in time of danger: “Sanctus Deus, Sanctus Potes, Sanctus Immortalis, Misererenobis”. Thank God nothing bad happened.
If we didn’t stop it would have been an endless night of nostalgic memories but she had to go back to her provincial home so I accompanied her home while we both were still recalling old memories as we walk slowly.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
CHRISTMAS DINNER DATE
CHRISTMAS DINNER DATE
After experiencing so many Christmases with all the joys brought by them, this was the first time I have a Dinner Date with my wife. The reason was simple: We were left “alone” by our children and grand children because they were either out of the country or incapable of coming for varied acceptable reasons.
So we spent Christmas “alone” and away from our direct family but not alone truly and socially. With my prepared raffle Christmas gifts that I do annually, nephews, nieces, secondary grand children, plus god children and other carolers came-by happily anticipating valuable gifts out of the wrapped rewards.
Late in the afternoon we were brought by our driver to the popular Antonio’s in Tagaytay City. It was a great venue for fine dining. We came elegantly dressed. My wife, in her golden brown winter coat while I sported my new black leather jacket for it was really cold with added rain drizzles.
The place was quite far from the National highway. About two kilometers of narrow Barangay road but once inside we felt we were dating in a dream in one chapter of a fairy tale. It was really worth it… a very special Christmas gift.
Wooded doors ushered us inside in an ambiance of romance, exacerbated by the soft music. We choose the table near the fishpond where we could view the lower level. But it was past twilight and the view was already hazy though made even more romantic by the cold glow of the petroleum lamp.
The service was good; the food was great and the experience, greater. From the fresh Meclan Salad with raspberry vinaigrette followed by the soup of the day and the main course of grilled prawns with all the trimmings, the red wine and the light but very inviting dessert which was finally punctuated by brewed coffee, it was indeed a fine dinner worth coming back again and again.
What a way to spend Christmas without them all…
After experiencing so many Christmases with all the joys brought by them, this was the first time I have a Dinner Date with my wife. The reason was simple: We were left “alone” by our children and grand children because they were either out of the country or incapable of coming for varied acceptable reasons.
So we spent Christmas “alone” and away from our direct family but not alone truly and socially. With my prepared raffle Christmas gifts that I do annually, nephews, nieces, secondary grand children, plus god children and other carolers came-by happily anticipating valuable gifts out of the wrapped rewards.
Late in the afternoon we were brought by our driver to the popular Antonio’s in Tagaytay City. It was a great venue for fine dining. We came elegantly dressed. My wife, in her golden brown winter coat while I sported my new black leather jacket for it was really cold with added rain drizzles.
The place was quite far from the National highway. About two kilometers of narrow Barangay road but once inside we felt we were dating in a dream in one chapter of a fairy tale. It was really worth it… a very special Christmas gift.
Wooded doors ushered us inside in an ambiance of romance, exacerbated by the soft music. We choose the table near the fishpond where we could view the lower level. But it was past twilight and the view was already hazy though made even more romantic by the cold glow of the petroleum lamp.
The service was good; the food was great and the experience, greater. From the fresh Meclan Salad with raspberry vinaigrette followed by the soup of the day and the main course of grilled prawns with all the trimmings, the red wine and the light but very inviting dessert which was finally punctuated by brewed coffee, it was indeed a fine dinner worth coming back again and again.
What a way to spend Christmas without them all…
Friday, December 19, 2008
FAMILY METAMORPHOSIS
FAMILY METAMORPHOSIS
Years pass-by, time travels and life seem to move even faster. My recollection is still very active, images are still vivid and feelings are all still intact. I am the youngest in a family of ten. I am the overall errand boy. When everybody needs to blame somebody I am always the end point when no one is anymore left to be blamed.
Now I am only the living “lolo” of the clan because all my elder brothers and sisters are gone. I am just beginning to enjoy my authority as the most senior of the family branch of our heritage… but, as if suddenly, new events are surfacing; a new phase of history is unfolding; a new generation is forming.
My eldest is now a father of two, enjoying his stint in Australia. Fresh as if it happened only yesterday, he met a bad bicycle accident that brought him to the hospital unconscious. I was the attending physician who needed to do everything in precision because a head injury is always under time pressure for the patient to be saved. A wrong and untimely decision could mean the life or lifetime suffering.
Also in Australia is my youngest son, seemingly enjoying his single-blessedness, “but not for long”, he explained to me. His athletic involvement makes him busy most of his spare time. When he was a little boy he accidentally fell from the fourth step of our concrete stairs that badly wounded his nose. Its mark still stays.
My second child is now also a mother of two – her eldest, already a full blown pretty lady while her second daughter, young as she is, already shows qualities of a politician – a trait inherited from her Congressman grandfather. I can still feel the shock and the helplessness that I experienced when while their mother was learning to walk, her walker (the local “andador”) accidentally tilted bringing her down to a greatly traumatized mouth.
My middle daughter is now also a mother of two, based in Canada where they are happily establishing their family in that land of wild hope and big promises. I cannot forget the days when I was always monitoring her playtime because she always chooses the role of a housemaid, laundry woman or any lowly role until I interrupted and suggested better roles for her.
My youngest daughter also turned to be a mother only a few days ago after giving birth to a healthy cute little girl. How could I forget her courageous stanch, singing the “Ama Namin” while a teacher was pricking into her ears her first pair of ear rings.
Gone are the days but not the memories. A new beginning is here -
to continue the lineage, to go on with the cycle of life but I will never forget when every afternoon, together with my youngest son we would go biking around town while singing a Christian song: "With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm, smile at the storm, smile at the storm...With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm... until we come back home. Sailing and sailing home, sailing and sailing home... With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm... until we come back home".
Years pass-by, time travels and life seem to move even faster. My recollection is still very active, images are still vivid and feelings are all still intact. I am the youngest in a family of ten. I am the overall errand boy. When everybody needs to blame somebody I am always the end point when no one is anymore left to be blamed.
Now I am only the living “lolo” of the clan because all my elder brothers and sisters are gone. I am just beginning to enjoy my authority as the most senior of the family branch of our heritage… but, as if suddenly, new events are surfacing; a new phase of history is unfolding; a new generation is forming.
My eldest is now a father of two, enjoying his stint in Australia. Fresh as if it happened only yesterday, he met a bad bicycle accident that brought him to the hospital unconscious. I was the attending physician who needed to do everything in precision because a head injury is always under time pressure for the patient to be saved. A wrong and untimely decision could mean the life or lifetime suffering.
Also in Australia is my youngest son, seemingly enjoying his single-blessedness, “but not for long”, he explained to me. His athletic involvement makes him busy most of his spare time. When he was a little boy he accidentally fell from the fourth step of our concrete stairs that badly wounded his nose. Its mark still stays.
My second child is now also a mother of two – her eldest, already a full blown pretty lady while her second daughter, young as she is, already shows qualities of a politician – a trait inherited from her Congressman grandfather. I can still feel the shock and the helplessness that I experienced when while their mother was learning to walk, her walker (the local “andador”) accidentally tilted bringing her down to a greatly traumatized mouth.
My middle daughter is now also a mother of two, based in Canada where they are happily establishing their family in that land of wild hope and big promises. I cannot forget the days when I was always monitoring her playtime because she always chooses the role of a housemaid, laundry woman or any lowly role until I interrupted and suggested better roles for her.
My youngest daughter also turned to be a mother only a few days ago after giving birth to a healthy cute little girl. How could I forget her courageous stanch, singing the “Ama Namin” while a teacher was pricking into her ears her first pair of ear rings.
Gone are the days but not the memories. A new beginning is here -
to continue the lineage, to go on with the cycle of life but I will never forget when every afternoon, together with my youngest son we would go biking around town while singing a Christian song: "With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm, smile at the storm, smile at the storm...With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm... until we come back home. Sailing and sailing home, sailing and sailing home... With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm... until we come back home".
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A CHRISTMAS GIFT
A CHRISTMAS GIFT
A most valuable and most important gift for us parents this Christmas is the live and healthy 7th grandchild born on December 17, 2008.
She is the first by our youngest daughter and the first too in the family of her in-laws. She is so much cherished by everyone for sure but the little angel cannot be with us come Christmas day in the province. She is too young and too fragile to travel in the coldness of the season. As a result this is also the first time my wife and I shall be celebrating Christmas “alone” together.
I cannot imagine how it would be for us on Christmas Eve. My wife and I shall be experiencing Noche Buena without any member of the family for the first time. There shall be no noise during exchange gifts after the Noche Buena meal that we used to enjoy together.
Come Christmas Day we already have a reserved Dinner Date at Antonio’s in Tagaytay City, courtesy of our youngest son. I cannot wait for this exhilarating new experience.
The coming Christmas is entirely different form all the other Christmases we’ve before. Perhaps this is God’s way of giving both of us a chance to be with each other as we have never been before even outside Christmas time.
Anticipating the moment creates in me a feeling of unexplained uneasiness very similar to what I felt when we first had our “proposal date” that ended into our whirlwind wedding the following day. That was thirty eight years ago.
The memory of our Romantic Escapades is suddenly awakened by the birth of our newest grandchild, Ma. Chiara Veronica. I know I new chapter in our life is mysteriously unfolding.
Merry Christmas to all the absentee members of our family. May we all have a genuine peaceful and blessed Holiday.
A most valuable and most important gift for us parents this Christmas is the live and healthy 7th grandchild born on December 17, 2008.
She is the first by our youngest daughter and the first too in the family of her in-laws. She is so much cherished by everyone for sure but the little angel cannot be with us come Christmas day in the province. She is too young and too fragile to travel in the coldness of the season. As a result this is also the first time my wife and I shall be celebrating Christmas “alone” together.
I cannot imagine how it would be for us on Christmas Eve. My wife and I shall be experiencing Noche Buena without any member of the family for the first time. There shall be no noise during exchange gifts after the Noche Buena meal that we used to enjoy together.
Come Christmas Day we already have a reserved Dinner Date at Antonio’s in Tagaytay City, courtesy of our youngest son. I cannot wait for this exhilarating new experience.
The coming Christmas is entirely different form all the other Christmases we’ve before. Perhaps this is God’s way of giving both of us a chance to be with each other as we have never been before even outside Christmas time.
Anticipating the moment creates in me a feeling of unexplained uneasiness very similar to what I felt when we first had our “proposal date” that ended into our whirlwind wedding the following day. That was thirty eight years ago.
The memory of our Romantic Escapades is suddenly awakened by the birth of our newest grandchild, Ma. Chiara Veronica. I know I new chapter in our life is mysteriously unfolding.
Merry Christmas to all the absentee members of our family. May we all have a genuine peaceful and blessed Holiday.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
STREET DANCING GALORE
STREET DANCING GALORE
Behind two low pressure areas warning to become typhoons, the weather cooperated. She skies spontaneously cleared and the awaited Street Dancing Competition was completely presented to the public.
It was performed by students from the different schools in Alfonso, Cavite. In all fairness it was obviously well-rehearsed and the participants were disciplined. In fact, it was very, very colorful. Too colorful to the point that many of them have to be painted black.
I wondered if it was only coincidental or it was meticulously planned by the organizers that the participants be dressed like primitive people in their uncivilized costumes.
All the time that I was watching it, I couldn’t find any relevant connection of the dancing and the costumes with any historical or cultural heritage of Alfonso. It didn’t go well too, with the celebration’s slogan: “Bayan ko , Patuloy sa pag Asenso” because what was shown was a nostalgic travel to the past before civilization during the early days of the Aetas and other Filipino aborigines.
To the thousands of curious watchers and uneasy onlookers that included many visitors from other places and some foreigners, the Street Dancing parade was a very welcome treat in the midst of crisis.
Behind two low pressure areas warning to become typhoons, the weather cooperated. She skies spontaneously cleared and the awaited Street Dancing Competition was completely presented to the public.
It was performed by students from the different schools in Alfonso, Cavite. In all fairness it was obviously well-rehearsed and the participants were disciplined. In fact, it was very, very colorful. Too colorful to the point that many of them have to be painted black.
I wondered if it was only coincidental or it was meticulously planned by the organizers that the participants be dressed like primitive people in their uncivilized costumes.
All the time that I was watching it, I couldn’t find any relevant connection of the dancing and the costumes with any historical or cultural heritage of Alfonso. It didn’t go well too, with the celebration’s slogan: “Bayan ko , Patuloy sa pag Asenso” because what was shown was a nostalgic travel to the past before civilization during the early days of the Aetas and other Filipino aborigines.
To the thousands of curious watchers and uneasy onlookers that included many visitors from other places and some foreigners, the Street Dancing parade was a very welcome treat in the midst of crisis.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
MURDEROUS COLOR
MURDEROUS COLOR
The whole month of December was supposed to be a community celebration for thanksgiving and rejoicing specifically from the 11th to the 13th day.
A “Tiangge” was opened on the first day of the month. Green was chosen as the color motif to signify the concern for nature. A slogan,
“Bayan ko, Patuloy sa Pag-asenso” was proclaimed to emphasize the supposed continuous progress of the whole town.
There was a Mass followed by a Parade, Ecumenical Prayers, Medico-Dental Mission, and Singing contest. The parade was dominated by the ‘loud’ green colored T-shirts marked with undecipherable pictures of different flowers. Included in the program of activities were Parlor Games, Zero Waste Art Competition, Beauty contest and “Gawad Pagkilala” which should be called “Pinaka Award”. There was also Mass Dancing by Senior Citizens plus “Harana kay Lolo at Lola”. The culminating activities included Street Dancing and Coronation Night of Miss Alfonso 2009.
The whole activity was good enough for a small upland town trying to make a name but what confused many people was the color changes all over the Municipal Park specially the public stage. I was aware that each color has its own significance, like Blue was associated with knowledge, relaxation, and health as it also represents heaven. Indigo was associated with intuition, imagination and understanding, while violet was associated with creativity, wisdom and inspiration.
But people are not used to seeing a violet fountain and the stage with color combination of blue and purple that looked more like a mausoleum especially during this Christmas season when red, yellow and green are everywhere.
In my very own personal opinion I think the color changes murdered the expected joyful celebration of this Community Day. What a poor cemetery taste…! As a result the mood was dampened greatly, exacerbated by the continuous drizzle of fine rain.
Can we blame heaven if it poured its solemn showers?
The whole month of December was supposed to be a community celebration for thanksgiving and rejoicing specifically from the 11th to the 13th day.
A “Tiangge” was opened on the first day of the month. Green was chosen as the color motif to signify the concern for nature. A slogan,
“Bayan ko, Patuloy sa Pag-asenso” was proclaimed to emphasize the supposed continuous progress of the whole town.
There was a Mass followed by a Parade, Ecumenical Prayers, Medico-Dental Mission, and Singing contest. The parade was dominated by the ‘loud’ green colored T-shirts marked with undecipherable pictures of different flowers. Included in the program of activities were Parlor Games, Zero Waste Art Competition, Beauty contest and “Gawad Pagkilala” which should be called “Pinaka Award”. There was also Mass Dancing by Senior Citizens plus “Harana kay Lolo at Lola”. The culminating activities included Street Dancing and Coronation Night of Miss Alfonso 2009.
The whole activity was good enough for a small upland town trying to make a name but what confused many people was the color changes all over the Municipal Park specially the public stage. I was aware that each color has its own significance, like Blue was associated with knowledge, relaxation, and health as it also represents heaven. Indigo was associated with intuition, imagination and understanding, while violet was associated with creativity, wisdom and inspiration.
But people are not used to seeing a violet fountain and the stage with color combination of blue and purple that looked more like a mausoleum especially during this Christmas season when red, yellow and green are everywhere.
In my very own personal opinion I think the color changes murdered the expected joyful celebration of this Community Day. What a poor cemetery taste…! As a result the mood was dampened greatly, exacerbated by the continuous drizzle of fine rain.
Can we blame heaven if it poured its solemn showers?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
THE SLITHERING DEVIL
THE SLITHERING DEVIL
I was about to brush my teeth early this morning. I opened the overhead shelf where I kept my toothbrush and toothpaste. A dark brown snake with the circumference of the big toe suddenly fell in front of me and proceeded crawling here and there.
I must have shouted so nervously for help that my two helpers came like lightning but the fear all over me was even magnified.
Still very vivid in my mind was the show on Television about “Pinoy Fear Factor” when one of the “participantes” named Jose was bitten twice by snakes floating on a giant glass jar where Jose dived for the coins as part of the contest.
Snakes always scared me since time immemorial. Possibly it was imprinted in my mind that it was the animal first used by the devil to manifest itself in successfully tempting the first woman created by God.
Ever since, snakes with their deadly venom has always been associated and connected with something bad, scary and deadly. My most recent experience with the serpent still carries a memory that always reminded me of the slithering devil.
Our provincial house was directly connected to a mini forest which in turn was connected to a live brook, the reason why there were many small animals such as snakes, lizards, wild cats, etc. Nature’s beauty and splendor was forever wonderful if only there were no serpents roaming too.
I was about to brush my teeth early this morning. I opened the overhead shelf where I kept my toothbrush and toothpaste. A dark brown snake with the circumference of the big toe suddenly fell in front of me and proceeded crawling here and there.
I must have shouted so nervously for help that my two helpers came like lightning but the fear all over me was even magnified.
Still very vivid in my mind was the show on Television about “Pinoy Fear Factor” when one of the “participantes” named Jose was bitten twice by snakes floating on a giant glass jar where Jose dived for the coins as part of the contest.
Snakes always scared me since time immemorial. Possibly it was imprinted in my mind that it was the animal first used by the devil to manifest itself in successfully tempting the first woman created by God.
Ever since, snakes with their deadly venom has always been associated and connected with something bad, scary and deadly. My most recent experience with the serpent still carries a memory that always reminded me of the slithering devil.
Our provincial house was directly connected to a mini forest which in turn was connected to a live brook, the reason why there were many small animals such as snakes, lizards, wild cats, etc. Nature’s beauty and splendor was forever wonderful if only there were no serpents roaming too.
Monday, December 1, 2008
My Favorite Christmas Story
ANG HARING NAIWAN
Ni: Jett E. Aviñante, M.D.
Desiyembre 7, 1962
Kasabay ng malalambing na awit ng mga anghel,
Isang talang maliwanag ang sa langit ay nagningning ;
Pawang nangagbabalitang doon sa bayan ng Belen
Ay sumilang ang dakilang sasakop sa sala natin.
Samantala sa Silanga’y may mga haring nag-usap
At nagbalak na dumalaw sa sumilang na Mesiyas.
Naghanda ng mga handog ang mga haring magilas;
Nagkasundong magtatagpo sa takdang araw at oras .
Si Haring Melchor at Gaspar at gayon din si Baltazar
Ay nagkita’t sama-samang sa Betlehem ay naglakbay.
Samantala, ang mabunyi’t matulunging si Shellimar –
Sa kaniyang dinaana’y sawing-palad na naiwan.
Ang dahilan ay sapagka’t sa landasing tinatahak…
Isang pulubing maysakit ang nakitang naghihirap.
‘Pagka’t likas na malambot yaong pusong binusilak,
Ay huminto’t pinagyaman ang pulubing napahamak.
Ginamot at pinakain ang maysakit na matanda;
Ni Shellimar na sa kanya’y naghatid at nagkalinga.
Sa ganitong kabutiha’y nalimot ang panukala
Na dadalaw sa Betlehem na sinilangan ng Bata.
Ng lumakas ang katawan ng pulubing tinulungan;
Si Shellimar ay saka lang nagpatuloy na maglakbay.
Dapwa’t sadyang sawing-palad, noon naman ay lumisan,
Ang Mag-anak na dahila’y lumipat sa ibang bayan.
Ito’y dahil sa pag-iwas sa utos na ipapatay,
Ni Herodes ang lahat na mga batang bagong silang .
Kaya naman ang humabol at naiwang si Shellimar,
Halos dibdib ay magputok sa tinamong kabiguan.
Kaya’t kanyang naisipang ang Mag-anak ay habulin
At kahit na saang sulok, Sila’y kanyang hahanapin.
Nguni’t tuksong kahit sino ang lapitan at tanungin
Ay walang makapagturo sa Mag-anak na butihin.
Si Shellimar ay patuloy na naglakbay at naghanap,
Lalo’t higit sa maraming mga pook ng mahirap
‘Pagka’t nalalaman niya na ang Banal na Mag-anak
Ay hindi makikihalo sa mayaman at mapilak.
Subali’t sa tuwing siya’y sasapit sa isang pook,
Si Jesus na hinananap laging hindi inaabot.
Lagi siyang naiiwan, dapwa’t wala siyang pagod
At patuloy na susundan ang Dakilang Mananakop.
Sa kaniyang paghahanap sa maraming mga bayan,
Lahat ng uri ng tao ay kaniyang nasilayan…
Kaya naman ang maraming dala niyang kayamanan
Sa maraming mahihirap ay unti-unting nabigay.
At maraming mga taon ang patuloy na lumipas…
Si Shellimar ay patuloy sa kaniyang paghahanap;
‘Pagka’t siya’y buong pusong umaasa na sa wakes
Ay makikita rin niya ang nawaglit na Mesiyas.
Tatlumpo’t tatlong taon na ang matuling nakalipas,
Hindi pa rin nakikita si Jesus na hinahanap.
Kayamana’y naubos na’t nabigay sa mahihirap…
Ang kawawang si Shellimar sa Jerusalem napadpad.
At sa nasabing bayan, bigla siyang kinabahan
Ng makitang may’rong isang taong pinarurusahan.
Tila may‘rong nagbubulong at sa kanya’y nagsasaysay
Na iyon nga si Jesus na matagal ng sinusundan.
Kaya’t siya ay humabol sa taong may pasang kurus
Na noon ay pinapalong patungo sa isang bundok.
Nguni’t sa daan ay isang alipin ang napalugmok
Sa harapan ni Shellimar at umiyak sa himutok.
Isang aliping babaeng pinalo ng panginoon…
Lumuluhang humingi kay Shellimar ng munting tulong .
Ang tanging natirang sinsing sa mga paglilimayon,
Sa daliri ay kinuha’t inihandog niya noon.
Isang sinsing na d’yamanteng ihahandog sa kay Jesus
Ibinigay sa alipin upang ito ay matubos.
Sa gayon ay naubos na pati huli niyang handog,,
Sa Mesiyas na noon ay nakapako na sa Kurus.
Si Shellimar ay patakbong sa kalbaryo ay sumugod
Upang makita’t mamalas si Jesus na Mananakop…
‘Dapwa’t huli na ang lahat ng sumapit s’ya sa bundok
Si Jesus ay namatay na sa saliw ng kidlat-kulog.
Hanggang sa huling sandali’y naiwanan si Shellimar
Ni Jesus na batang musmos ng simula niyang sundan.
Sa malaking pagod niya at matinding kalungkutan
Lumuluha at pasising kinausap yaong bangkay.
“Oh Diyos ko ano baga ang aking pagkakasala
At sa aking paghahanap ay ‘di ka na napakita?
Simula sa kamusmusa’y sinundan-sundan na kita,
Bakit Ikaw’y nagmaramot , ano’t ako’y inulila?”
Isang tinig na tila ba sa langit pa nagbubuhat
Ang tumugon kay Shellimar at malakas na nangusap:
“Ako’y iyong nakasama, nakita at naka-usap
Sa maraming pagtulong mong ginawa sa mahihirap”.
-wakas-
MALIGAYANG PASKO SA LAHAT!!!
Ni: Jett E. Aviñante, M.D.
Desiyembre 7, 1962
Kasabay ng malalambing na awit ng mga anghel,
Isang talang maliwanag ang sa langit ay nagningning ;
Pawang nangagbabalitang doon sa bayan ng Belen
Ay sumilang ang dakilang sasakop sa sala natin.
Samantala sa Silanga’y may mga haring nag-usap
At nagbalak na dumalaw sa sumilang na Mesiyas.
Naghanda ng mga handog ang mga haring magilas;
Nagkasundong magtatagpo sa takdang araw at oras .
Si Haring Melchor at Gaspar at gayon din si Baltazar
Ay nagkita’t sama-samang sa Betlehem ay naglakbay.
Samantala, ang mabunyi’t matulunging si Shellimar –
Sa kaniyang dinaana’y sawing-palad na naiwan.
Ang dahilan ay sapagka’t sa landasing tinatahak…
Isang pulubing maysakit ang nakitang naghihirap.
‘Pagka’t likas na malambot yaong pusong binusilak,
Ay huminto’t pinagyaman ang pulubing napahamak.
Ginamot at pinakain ang maysakit na matanda;
Ni Shellimar na sa kanya’y naghatid at nagkalinga.
Sa ganitong kabutiha’y nalimot ang panukala
Na dadalaw sa Betlehem na sinilangan ng Bata.
Ng lumakas ang katawan ng pulubing tinulungan;
Si Shellimar ay saka lang nagpatuloy na maglakbay.
Dapwa’t sadyang sawing-palad, noon naman ay lumisan,
Ang Mag-anak na dahila’y lumipat sa ibang bayan.
Ito’y dahil sa pag-iwas sa utos na ipapatay,
Ni Herodes ang lahat na mga batang bagong silang .
Kaya naman ang humabol at naiwang si Shellimar,
Halos dibdib ay magputok sa tinamong kabiguan.
Kaya’t kanyang naisipang ang Mag-anak ay habulin
At kahit na saang sulok, Sila’y kanyang hahanapin.
Nguni’t tuksong kahit sino ang lapitan at tanungin
Ay walang makapagturo sa Mag-anak na butihin.
Si Shellimar ay patuloy na naglakbay at naghanap,
Lalo’t higit sa maraming mga pook ng mahirap
‘Pagka’t nalalaman niya na ang Banal na Mag-anak
Ay hindi makikihalo sa mayaman at mapilak.
Subali’t sa tuwing siya’y sasapit sa isang pook,
Si Jesus na hinananap laging hindi inaabot.
Lagi siyang naiiwan, dapwa’t wala siyang pagod
At patuloy na susundan ang Dakilang Mananakop.
Sa kaniyang paghahanap sa maraming mga bayan,
Lahat ng uri ng tao ay kaniyang nasilayan…
Kaya naman ang maraming dala niyang kayamanan
Sa maraming mahihirap ay unti-unting nabigay.
At maraming mga taon ang patuloy na lumipas…
Si Shellimar ay patuloy sa kaniyang paghahanap;
‘Pagka’t siya’y buong pusong umaasa na sa wakes
Ay makikita rin niya ang nawaglit na Mesiyas.
Tatlumpo’t tatlong taon na ang matuling nakalipas,
Hindi pa rin nakikita si Jesus na hinahanap.
Kayamana’y naubos na’t nabigay sa mahihirap…
Ang kawawang si Shellimar sa Jerusalem napadpad.
At sa nasabing bayan, bigla siyang kinabahan
Ng makitang may’rong isang taong pinarurusahan.
Tila may‘rong nagbubulong at sa kanya’y nagsasaysay
Na iyon nga si Jesus na matagal ng sinusundan.
Kaya’t siya ay humabol sa taong may pasang kurus
Na noon ay pinapalong patungo sa isang bundok.
Nguni’t sa daan ay isang alipin ang napalugmok
Sa harapan ni Shellimar at umiyak sa himutok.
Isang aliping babaeng pinalo ng panginoon…
Lumuluhang humingi kay Shellimar ng munting tulong .
Ang tanging natirang sinsing sa mga paglilimayon,
Sa daliri ay kinuha’t inihandog niya noon.
Isang sinsing na d’yamanteng ihahandog sa kay Jesus
Ibinigay sa alipin upang ito ay matubos.
Sa gayon ay naubos na pati huli niyang handog,,
Sa Mesiyas na noon ay nakapako na sa Kurus.
Si Shellimar ay patakbong sa kalbaryo ay sumugod
Upang makita’t mamalas si Jesus na Mananakop…
‘Dapwa’t huli na ang lahat ng sumapit s’ya sa bundok
Si Jesus ay namatay na sa saliw ng kidlat-kulog.
Hanggang sa huling sandali’y naiwanan si Shellimar
Ni Jesus na batang musmos ng simula niyang sundan.
Sa malaking pagod niya at matinding kalungkutan
Lumuluha at pasising kinausap yaong bangkay.
“Oh Diyos ko ano baga ang aking pagkakasala
At sa aking paghahanap ay ‘di ka na napakita?
Simula sa kamusmusa’y sinundan-sundan na kita,
Bakit Ikaw’y nagmaramot , ano’t ako’y inulila?”
Isang tinig na tila ba sa langit pa nagbubuhat
Ang tumugon kay Shellimar at malakas na nangusap:
“Ako’y iyong nakasama, nakita at naka-usap
Sa maraming pagtulong mong ginawa sa mahihirap”.
-wakas-
MALIGAYANG PASKO SA LAHAT!!!
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