Nostalgic in New Washington

No matter how stressed or tired I am, the lush trees that paints the hills and mountains green has its way of calming my senses. I am at peace. And the fields show promise of producing a bountiful harvest by October. Will the farmers then say “Hallelujah!”?

It’s Independence Day and I went to New Washington in Aklan with my aunt Nene and Father. We reached Aklan at around 10.30 am and we were all hungry so we looked for Ramboy’s. There’s a branch of it here in Roxas, but people say the pork liempo there tastes different—and better. They cook it a little salty here but in Kalibo, the ingredients are prepared just on the right amount to leave a satiating appeal to the palate. By the way, the original Ramboy’s Lechon is in Numancia, Kalibo’s neighboring town.

After filling our tummies we headed to New Washington to visit some relatives. Then came the more exciting part… strolling the town plaza.

My aunt turned a little sentimental when we reached the town plaza. The good old memories of the past ushered in—it was just like yesterday. Her uncle, Salvador, was the parish priest of the town before World War II erupted. My grandfather served as his sacristan and he was with the priest when the Japanese arrived in Ibajay. Now, Fr. Salvador visited Ibajay every now and then to hold mass then would go back to New Washington. It was because the Japanese captain who was my grandfather’s childhood friend that the townsfolks were spared from harm. I do not know if there are any historical documents to verify this claim, but my grandfather told me this story time and again when he was alive.

Lola Nene told me that the church that sits at the heart of the town was made only of bamboo and nipa. Now, it’s a sturdy structure. The church’s wooden door has carvings that I presume dates back decades ago. I think it’s one of the oldest pieces in the church. Sadly, I forgot to take photos of it. But it’s intricate details can tell that it was created in a time when artisans were keen to details and when works of hand were valued as a testament of an individual’s reputation.

Across the church is the statue of Jaime, Cardinal Sin, New Washington’s foremost son. The leader of the Catholic Church was born here. He was instrumental of toppling down the Marcos dictatorship during the Edsa Revolution in 1986. My grandfather and his siblings would tell me that Cardinal Sin was a sacristan of Fr. Salvador and a godson of my great grandmother, Feliza. In fact, lolo’s brother told me that Lola Ising helped send the Cardinal Sin to school when he was still a boy.

I felt nostalgic as I stroll the plaza. Only the leaves rustling to the whisper of the wind make the relaxing noise. I wasn’t yet born back then but I can sense a carefree and genteel life that I yearn to have. And in New Washington, time seems to remain still. Sunday afternoons are always lazy and the streets are nearly empty. The shops are closed and I gather dozing off at noontime is a sacred task the locals religiously do—next of course to hearing the mass in the morning. After all, it looks like the rush of the river nearby washes everyone’s care away. Or so I think. 

A Visit to Capiz Eco-Park in Cuartero

The month of May is celebrated as National Heritage Month and the Provincial Tourism Office of Capiz wouldn’t let is pass without celebrating the occasion. After all, Capiz is a place rich in heritage. I was invited by Ang Panublion Museum director, Ms. Che del Rosario, to the Dungog Capisnon Youth Heritage Camp at Nagba in Cuartero last Saturday. By the way, my mother hails from Cuartero but I never spent more than half a day in this town. 

It was almost one-hour  trip and the weather was pretty fair. We barely noticed the time passing by because of our chatter and cheer along the way. One of the Heritage Camp’s activity is the encounter with Cultural Masters—individuals who know too well the heritage of their group or locality. Culture bearers and performers did stuffs they’re great at and the participants got the chance to hobnob with them and see the different intangible heritages of the province has to offer.

Why did I Ever Have to Care?

I wrote this when my grandmother was ailing around the same time in 2014. Reading this post I did on Facebook, I did not regret that decision...

There are times when I want to surrender through all these hardships. There are people who tell me why do I focus much on looking after my grandmother... There are people who keep on telling me about her misses and failures and faults as a human, as a wife, as a mother and as a grandmother. But I stay adamant of telling you people this. I am taking care of my sick grandmother because there is humanity in me. 

There were people who questioned my decision why do I have to rush her to the hospital. Why? Because I can't bear to sit still and do nothing when an ailing, 80-something, helpless, grieving widow suffer when I can do something to make her feel better. There are people who tell me that I am punishing myself and pushing myself to the limits in taking care of this old woman. But I tell them that God sees what I do. I sin, you sin, she sins, we sin. But if we keep on counting each other's sins, how can we fulfill our role as humans? 

I cannot speak for the sins and faults of my grandmother. It was her doing. But I don't judge her, for to judge is not my task but God's. She yelled at me when I was young, she pinched me, she spanked me, and she deprived me of things in one way or another. She's greedy as much as she was miserly. But that doesn't make me hate her. I do this because I have compassion for her. I do this because she's old already. I do this because God wants me to do this. Whatever suffering and sacrifices I have to go through because I have to take care of her, I am more than willing to do that.

 Whatever "hate" bash I may hear against her, because there are people who have angst against her, I am willing to endure that. At the end of the day, God sees. I know He directs me, guides me, nourishes me and showers me with grace no human could ever give. I find space for forgiveness in my heart. I find my prayers nourishing enough to strengthen me and lengthen my patience, to endure, to see through the darkness and find out there's actually a silver lining. I hope, you, too, will find time to delve deep in your hearts and show compassion to those who need them most.