Biboy grew up very close to his grandfather, Tatay Melecio. When he was still 8 years old, he used to go with the old man everywhere he goes, may it on his fishing trips, his farming or his visits to the market. And he used to tell the lad long, believe-it-or not tales, about persons with supernatural powers and encounters with the other kind. They had some plenty of memories together.
Tatay Melecio was born even before the Philippines declared independence from Spain. He was not really the recluse or the mystical kind who barely talks to anyone or move objects telekinetically. He’s quite talkative to Biboy and to the other kids. And he proudly said he knew some Latin chants to counter the works of evil magic. He had no magical object to show except for his pipe which he considered as his lucky charm. At seventy, he’s still strong and healthy.
In one of their conversations one day, they talked about death. They made a promise to each other that whoever dies first should at least say goodbye to the one left behind. Biboy had no qualms about it, so he hastily agreed. He was still a child then not knowing how it would happen.
More than 20 years had passed and the two were separated from each other. Biboy studied in the city, eventually found work, then got married and had kids. One night, after coming home from work very tired, he immediately went to sleep. And there in his slumber, he felt a sudden slap of a very cold air. Then a voice, very audible to him, said, “Biboy, I’ll go ahead. Goodbye!” He felt the stiffness of his body. He could not move his hands. But to him, the voice was clearly that of Tatay Melecio. His thoughts immediately brought him back to the scene where he and the old man made the promise.
Biboy got back his reflexes minutes after and woke up like he had a nightmare without the screams. It was already 5am. His wife got up to check on him. He asked for water and seems like he was on a chase. Then he told her of his dream and he concluded that Tatay Melecio died already.
“How did you know?” she asked.
“Tatay spoke to me in my sleep. We made a promise years ago..”
The wife was clearly puzzled but didn’t ask further questions. She wiped the sweat from her husbands face. He also informed his mother, the daughter of Tatay Melecio, about it. She was shocked and even scolded Biboy. “How can you say that about your grandfather? You haven’t even seen him in months.”
“Yeah, I know he’s bed-ridden. But please believe me. Vivian (a cousin who took care of Tatay), will come this morning and inform us. I’ll call the other grandchildren when I arrive at the office.” Biboy insisted.
The mother was silent. They have not seen the old man for months and they knew he was sick. It was just that they had no time to visit him. This news bothered her but she just waited.
Indeed, three hours after, Vivian arrived and brought the sad news. The wife and the mother just looked at each other, still puzzled at how Biboy was able to know about the old man’s death.
Showing posts with label Father's Tales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Father's Tales. Show all posts
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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.
(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.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
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.
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.
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