Untitled Poem From A Hopeless Romantic

Here's an untitled poem written sometime in 1995.

We spoke in tongues
Yet I did not hear love
Mouthed in whatever words
Comprehensible to the heart.

Your reluctant smile did not mean at all
So our feelings never met,
And with your eyes staring at the floor,
You whispered “Can we still be friends?”

But I walked away,
Under the starry but moonless night
Whistling hollow tunes to the wind,
Shrugging aside the friendship we once had.

The Magical Pebble

The Magical Pebble
(based on a true story)

In a small barrio in Argao, 9 year old Boboy and four neighboring kids his age were surveying the creek near their place. It was unusually flooded with water that morning even though it did not rain for the past two days.

“It must be raining in the mountains” Boboy thought. Dark clouds still hovered over the hills. But they didn’t mind the danger of being swept by the rising water or flash floods. They splashed themselves, screamed and enjoyed the moment.

Then from afar Boboy saw an object carried by the water current. It seemed to float but did not touch the water beneath it. It was some sort of magical levitation, which the kid did not understand.

“This could be a magical stone” he thought. Out of curiosity, he ran after it and eventually got hold of it. It was smooth, white and looked unusual for a pebble. It could be mistaken as deformed pearl. Then he called out the other kids and boasted of the object to their amazement. Malyn, an older cousin, ran home and brought a basin of water. The group tried putting the pebble in the basin. It just levitated by itself. The kids’ eyes rolled in amazement. Someone even suggested that Boboy can now become a superhero by swallowing the object. Boboy smirked at the idea. But he put the pebble in his hand and felt something strange.

It was then that Insi Asay suddenly appeared at their back.

“What’s the commotion all about?” she inquired.

Insi Asay is Boboy’s aunt, a first cousin of her mother. She was a thin lady, about fifty, with a squeaking voice, graying hair and a wrinkled skin. She lived with Malyn, in a hut a few meters away from the creek.

Boboy was still clenching the stone when all the other kids were pointing at him. “It’s in his hands” Malyn said.

Insi Asay’s eyes widened as she saw the object. She grabbed it from Boboy’s hand and took a careful look at it. It glittered in the sun as she raised it higher. “This is no ordinary stone. It’s not good for you to play this kind of object.”

The kids were speechless and Boboy lowered his head. Insi Asay put her arms on his shoulder. “I’ll keep this for you, Boboy.”

Boboy did not complain, for he never knew what it was. But Insi Asay got an idea. She heard of stories before about fairies and their kingdom in Mt. Lantoy. This object might have come from them since the source of the creek is from that mountain.

The next day Insi Asay set out to travel alone to Mt. Lantoy bringing with her the mysterious pebble. Boboy silently watched her from a distance. She saw him but never bothered to acknowledge the boy. Boboy looked down and felt a strange heat on his body. He was nursing a fever.

When Insi Asay returned from Mt. Lantoy, she declared that she now has a new mission: to heal sick people. She never told anyone about the details of her trip. That weekend, people lined up in their small nipa hut. Insi Asay poured oil on their heads, uttered a chant, and spat on their faces. Plenty testified of the miraculous healing. They even brought her gifts but she refused them all.

This got the attention of Boboy’s mother. Since the kid had not recovered from the fever, she brought him to Insi Asay. It was already dark when their turn came. Malyn served as the assistant. Then she whispered something to her younger cousin, “It’s the pebble. Insi Asay secretly kept it in the jar. It could be the source of her healing powers”. Boboy was too weak to say anything.

Insi Asay got out of her room and touched the sick kid. She immediately withdrew her hand as if tshe had touched a live wire. “What has gotten into this kid’s body?” she complained. Boboy’s mother did not say anything but tears flowed down from her eyes. Then oil was poured into the child’s head. Insi Asay started her chants. She grimaced as if something terrible was about to happen. She could not even touch the boy. She finally ended the ritual by spitting on his face.

“Yuck!” Boboy complained. That was all he could muster to utter.

Insi Asay got up immediately and was hysterical. She was clearly offended by Boboy’s reaction. “I cannot heal this boy. Something within him prevented me from doing anything.”

“But why?” Boboy’s mother asked.

For lack of better reasons, Insi Asay shouted. “He lacked faith. Bring her home with you. Out, out, out”. Then she drove them away. Boboy’s mother cried again, this time even louder. She lost all hope that night.

Boboy heard everything Insi Asay said. He just closed his eyes and prayed to God. He asked for healing and dedicated his life to him. He imagined stars, angels and heaven. He felt his head is about to burst. Then he fell asleep.

The next morning, Boboy got up early. This surprised her mother, who tried to stop him from going out. But he insisted that he has recovered. He gathered again his neighbors, the same kids who saw the magical pebble. They were amazed at his recovery and asked if it was Insi Asay who healed him.

“No. It was not her. Even though she got my pebble and healed other people, she was not able to heal me. She even drove me and my mother away.”

“So who really healed you?” asked the persistent kids.

“I prayed to God directly last night. I thought I was already going to die. I dreamed He touched my hand. He’s the one who healed me. He’s far better than that magical stone”.

The kids were only a few meters away from Insi Asay’s hut. She overheard them all and shook her head in disbelief. She was so sure that the kid will die of the sickness because she was not able to heal him. But Boboy was well and alive that morning, even claiming that God healed him. She went inside her room and looked at the jar where she placed the pebble. This magical object would surely bring her fame. But she began to doubt the source of her healing power.

Missing The Bus

It was a summer in 1960. Tinang was busy fixing the breakfast table for her children when she announced that she would go to the city to visit the kids’ father. Some of the smaller kids were not really paying attention to the announcement, as they were very eager to take or even fight for their share of the meal.

Like any other young women after the World War II, Tinang married early. She and her husband lived a very simple life; toiling by day and procreating at night. They both worked in their farm then, in a small town near the southern tip of Cebu. Only corn grew on the rocky soil. But they also lived near the sea. The sea produce was plentiful, and kids learned to fish at a very young age. So it was both farming and fishing that let them survive.

With the absence of any information about family planning, she gave birth almost every year. At 40, she had already given birth thirteen times, including twins. Sadly, only nine survived. The youngest is about half a year old. Thus, the increasing need of the growing family forced the husband to look for a job elsewhere.

The husband worked at a foundry in Cebu City, 120 kilometers away from his family. Tinang schedules a usual monthly visit getting the allotment from her husband, and budget the scanty amount to feed the large family.

Life in the province was hard for such a big family. Even having a rice meal was a luxury they cannot afford. The kids were forced to help. Since the eldest died right after birth, Nina, the second child, carried the responsibility of taking care of her siblings when the parents were away. At a tender age of 15, she was only able to reach grade 2, having to quit school every time her mother gave birth.

Boning was next in line. Like Nina, he was also responsible for taking care of the other siblings. He was also allowed to go with the uncles when they catch fish. School had no appeal to him. He declared he’d rather plant corn or catch fish than go to school.

Tinang then gave the usual instructions to the elder kids. They nodded, afraid to speak up. They knew that any sign of disobedience would result to a harsh beating. She then picked up the baby crawling on the dining table and gave him to Nina.

After everyone finished breakfast, Biboy, the third child, raised his hand. “I’ll go with you, Ma!”. All the other kids looked at him. Then they turned their gaze toward their mother. He’s barely ten, confident, and considered to be the smartest of the siblings. He’s the only kid who loves school, even escaping from work just to attend classes.

Many days he heard him talk about city. Mostly repeating the descriptions he heard from his father, and emphasizing his determination to work and live there someday. He boasted that he’d finish college so that when he grew up he won’t be fishing or farming. Nobody encouraged him to dream beyond their simple living, he’s just an ambitious kid.

“No, no you can’t. You better stay here. Catch fish and plant corn” Tinang said with an angry look at the young boy.

“Ma, please” Biboy begged. But she just ignored him. She had to take the 9AM trip to be able to reach the city by afternoon. With rough roads and the dilapidated buses, the trip will take at least 6 hours.

“Ma, please let me come with you” Biboy pleaded again. The other kids just watched him. They knew that he’d be punished soon. They’ve seen it happened a lot of times. Boning and Nina did not attempt to stop their younger brother too. They knew he’s a persistent brat. They even wished he’d be spanked right then and there.

“Now go away! I’m in a hurry”.

Biboy ran outside but took her mother’s slippers unnoticed. Though they walk barefoot in and around the house, he knew that she can’t go to the city without her only slippers. It is one of her only decent possessions.

Then she began to look for it. All the other kids were pointing at Biboy as the culprit. She screamed at the top of her lungs. “Biboy!” Any minute longer, she would surely miss the bus.

From afar, Biboy continued. “Ma, please.”

“I said you stay here. Don’t be stubborn, or I’ll spank you till I see blood. Now, where are my slippers?” Tinang shouted.

“Would you bring me to the city if I find your slippers?” Biboy let out a naughty grin.

But Tinang got angrier the more. She chased Biboy with a broomstick. But he was too quick. They ran around the house, then to the corn fields. The bus passed by with the familiar honk. It was the only bus to the city that day, and she was too far to signal it to stop. Her fury continued after missing her bus. She was cursing and shouting. Biboy froze upon seeing her mother turning redder. At last, she caught up with the kid and then beat him almost to death.

The wails of the little boy echoed in the hills. Nosy neighbors got curious too. But they had become used to it. Biboy saw his dream vanished. Perhaps, he thought, it could wait another day. He only wanted to see the city but he got bruises instead. Blood was flowing in his legs and arms. The mother was still unrelenting and unforgiving. She dragged the limping child back to the house.

Almost an hour later, neighbors gathered and discussed of the bad news: The bus Tinang missed jumped over the cliff a few kilometers away from their house, leaving more than half of the passengers dead.

She was silent upon hearing the news. She could not believe she missed the trip to limbo. Biboy stopped his crying too. He also heard it all. Tinang looked at his bloodied boy for a minute. Tears began flowing from her eyes. She moved towards him, hugged him tight, and thanked him for saving her life.

Ang Babaye Sa Payag Daplin sa Sapa

Published at Sunstar SuperBalita on 1/3/08

GAMAY nga balay, barong-barong kon buot huna-hunaon, naa sa daplin sa sapa. Tuyuon kining dapita, apan ari man god ko molaktod inigpauli ko sa amo gikan sa eskuwelahan sa Lahug. Grade three na ako dihang nadiskubrihan ko kining maong dalan tungod sa akong mga amigo nga gusto gyud molaag ug mamayabas.

Aduna tuod mga punoan sa bayabas duol sa payag. Usa ka higayon nangatkat mi ug nakakuha og daghang hinog. Ako sab gipasigpatan kon unsay sulod sa payag. Moduol unta ko, apan gibadlong ko ni Loloy. “Kim, ayaw diha kay naa buang diha. Labayon unya ka og tai!”

“Buang nga manglabay og tai?” ningisi ko bisan medyo nahadlok pod.

“Ingon to si Lola nako nga nabuang kuno na siya human biyai sa iyang bana. Nakahisgot man gani to nga paryente kuno ninyo, Kim,” matod ni Loloy.

“Kuyawa no!” sagbat ni Inting nga nidagko pod ang mata.

Si Loloy ug si Inting maoy mga klasmet ug suod nako nga mga amigo. Managsilingan sad kami, apan tua sa unahan og diyutay sa bungtod ilaha. Laguerta ang tawag ning lugara, sakop gihapon sa Lahug. Ang tinubdan sa sapa tua sa baranggay Busay. Nahiabot na gani mi sa tinubdan sa among pagpanglaag. Daghan ang dagkong mga bato ug mingaw ang lugar. Si Loloy magulang nako. Nakaundang man god siya sa Grade one mao nga nagkaklasmet pa kami. Si Inting ig-agaw ni Loloy.

“Tana, atong lilion!” sugyot nako nila.

Ang payag ginama sa kawayan ug nipa. Gipatong ra kini sa mga bato sa sapa. Kon mobaha maigo gyud sa tubig ang mga haligi niini. Duna kiniy hagdanan nga duha ray tikanganan. Kawayan sad ang salog ug bungbong. Maklaro ng taudtaod na gyud kining natukod. Dunay gamay nga bentana nga renehasan og mga lipak. Kinahanglan motindog ang naa sa sulod aron makakita sa gawas. Ang pultahan kinandaduhan. Ang payag morag prisuhan.

“Uli na lang ta, uy, kay dag-om na baya! Hapit na pod alas singko,” ni Inting nga miatras.

“Kadali lang god. Tan-awon lang nato,” miusab ko pagsugyot.

Mipaduol si Loloy ug milili sa gamayng buslot. “Wa may tawo diri.”

Moduol unta ko, apan kalit may ulo nga miguho sa bentana. Itom kaayo ang iyang buhok, kalkag ug taas na. Pution ang iyang pamanit, apan lawom kaayo ang iyang mga mata. Mitutok siya nako.

“Anak ka ni Temyong?” lanog kaayo ang iyang tingog.

Midagan si Loloy pagkakita sa babaye. Misunod usab si Inting. Gusto sab kong modagan, apan wa nako malihok ang akong mga tiil.

“Anak ka ni Temyong?” subli sa babaye.

“Oo,” nagkurog akong mitubag. Nahinumdoman ko ang giingon sa akong Lola, nga Temyong ang ngalan sa akong papa. Apan nibiya kini dihang nagsamkon pa ang akong mama. Wa sad ko masayod kon asa na ang akong mama kay wa poy gisulti nako si Lola kundi ngalan lang ni Mama – Perla.

“Bantog ra nga parehas kaayo mog nawong!” sa babaye.

Nganong nakaila man siya kang Papa? Unsa may iyang nahibaw-an bahin sa akong mga ginikanan nga buang man siya? Pero tarong man siyang manulti karon. Nagkahibat lang gyud iyang nawong tungod kaha kay wala na siyay atiman sa iyang kaugalingon. Kinsa may tigpakaon niya?

Nagpasiplat ko sa iyang nawong. Naghilak siya.

“Kaila diay mo ni Papa?” nako pa.

Mihingos siya ug miyango. Dayon mitaghoy og usa ka huni nga nasinati ko kaayo. Ang huni mao sad ang kanunay nga taghuyon ni Lola. Mihinay ko og lihok, nangandam nga mopahilayo. Mihinay-hinay pod pagtaligsik, unya klaro nga kusog ang nagsingabot nga ulan.

“Kim, ako ang imong Mama Perla!” sangpit sa babaye.

Naabli ang akong mga ngabil, apan walay pulong nga migawas. Nahangangha ug nakalitan gyud ko. Sukad sa akong pagkamatngon og buot, wala gyud ko makakita kang Mama Perla. Apan karon, aniay buang nga miangkon nga siya kuno ang akong mama.

“Kim,” sangpit niyag balik. “Salamat sa Diyos nga nakakita ko sa akong anak! Unsaon man god nga nabuang man ko, mao nga naingon ani akong kahimtang. Pasayloa ko nga wala makaatiman nimo!”

Miduol ko og hinay sa bentana. Sa pagkatinuod gusto gyud ko makakita na sa akong mga ginikanan, apan wala gyud maghisgot si Lola nako.

“Mama Perla,” nalitok gayud nako ang mga pulong nga dugay nang gitipigan sa akong kasingkasing. Wala nako mapugngi ang paghilak. “Akong ingnon si Lola bahin ning atong panagkita. Magpakuyog ko niya inigbalik nako.”

Unya kalit mibundak ang ulan, inubanan sa dalugdog ug kilat. Mikalit pagbahakhak si Mama Perla. Mibalik ang iyang sakit sa utok. “Pahawa dinhi, yawaa ka! Labayon tikag tai karon!”

Midagan ko nga naghangos. Mitabok sa sapang nagkataas ang tubig. Taga-bagtak ra ni sa una, apan karon taga-paa na. Naligo na ko sa ulang samtang ang kangitngit mitukob sa nahabilin nga kahayag.

Paghiabot sa among balay, bunal ang gisugat ni Lola nako. Wala ko makapugong. Akong gisuginlan si Lola bahin ni Mama Perla. Nakita ko nga mitulo ang mga luha ni Lola nga misugilon sa tanang nanghitabo sa among pamilya. Nahibaw-an ko nga si Lola diay ang tighatod og pagkaon kang Mama. Misaad siya nga ugma ubanan ko niya ngadtong kang Mama.

Didto sa halayo nadunggan nako ang makusog nga dahunog sa baha nga morag mitumpag sa huyang nga bahin sa pangpang. Mao pa kini ang kinakusgan nga bul-og sa sapa nga akong nasinati. Nabalaka ako sa kahimtang ni Mama. Basin ang iyang prisuhan maanod sa sapa. Wala ko mahimutang ni mahikatulog sa kabalaka.

Sayong buntag na mituang ang ulan, apan kusog gihapon ang baha.

Nanglakaw mi si Lola nga nagdala og pagkaon. Nakit-an mi ni Inting ug ni Loloy nga miuban kanamo. Giingnan ko sila nga nakit-an na nako ang akong Mama. Nakig-ambit sila nako sa akong kalipay.

Nagkaduol na mi sa daplin sa sapa diin nahimutang ang payag ni Mama. Apan daw mobuto ang akong dughan sa kahinuklog. Haligi na lang ang among naabtan. Gianod sa baha ang payag, ang prisuhan ni Mama Perla sulod sa dugay nang panahon. Uban niini ang akong inahan nga bag-o ko lang nailhan.