Silent Killers

We live in a busy world.

Yes, and we are used to it like no other beings in this world.

In fact, we are never aware how our earth rotating in its axis has changed, and we are being killed silently by elements both seen and unseen. They may be seen, but they are ignored. Sad part is that what once ignored has become a part of the system we lived up to this day, and it is very alarming.

It is not bad to remind ourselves sometimes that we inhale clouds of pollutants, chemicals, and dusts every time we go outside, when we are on our way to school, to the city, to the very place we study, work, and play. Oftentimes, we step out of our place, enjoy ourselves in fancy fast-food restaurants, eat whatever we want, and then say, "We deserve this." Well, we deserve a good life, but are we responsible enough to at least have some knowledge about the things we are eating? Nowadays, what we more care about is how these food taste, and we tend to ignore how they were made and what they are made of.

So, it would not be impossible when time will come that people perish at the age of 40.

We are acting like they are nothing. The world has dragged us all along here. The world has blinded us to a lot of things which made us busy like machines. I wonder if we even care. I don't know, because unusual things have been normal to us.

We are being killed silently, and we can be victims of these seemingly invisible crimes, as well as suspects to our own ending. These killers have been busy with their works, and here we are, busy with our own worlds, too.

***

Please don't tell me that I'm worrying so much and that I'm not enjoying life. This is just a friendly reminder, guys. Enjoy yourselves.

The Eggs

It was a pleasant morning and there's just a lot of things to do. My cousin Vincent called me to accompany him. 

We went to their kalapaw and enjoyed the lovely view of Karayan Laud (a river). We sat under a damurtis [camachile] and exchanged some jokes.

The weather became hotter so we tried to roam in their kalapaw. We saw that there were ripe sineguelas already. He climbed and gathered some of them. The kalapaw was unorganized, but it is a decent nipa hut good for resting. So we stayed there until we got bored and decided to go back to the sitio.

As we followed the trail we made earlier, we noticed a small camachile tree and a nest on its center. We got curious and pulled the nest. There were eggs on it - five white maya eggs. As much as we wanted to bring them home, we left them on the lower part of the tree so we can easily get them the second time. We hurried home for lunch.

I ate at Tita Sinang, again. I enjoyed eating with their company. I used to eat there when I'm too lazy to go to our house. Mother would always expect that when I did not go home for lunch, I previously had it from another house. Well, I don't feel any shyness or doubt when they offer me lunches or even dinners. That's not in my vocabulary BEFORE.

After lunch, we rested and went back to check the eggs. We frolicked on the bed of the river and even kicked our feet on the sand. Excited as we were, we jumped into the tree to get the egg, bring them home and boast them to our friends.

Then...

Summer 2013

It came. It ended. Everything in full speed.

A very tiring last day was the climax of all long those dragging days of this summer! Add the boring instructors. Include the NSTP, plus the burden of waking and walking everyday while my mind was imagining beaches, rivers, mountains, and everything a person should enjoy in a typical summer. I couldn't imagine myself nor my grades(grin). Everyday, I was riding on two boats: studies and the other one carried me into clouds of daydreams and wishes. So, it is no wonder I made a poor showing inside the classroom. Nonetheless, I crossed the line, satisfied and even thankful.

Another summer term has gone! Finally.

Home Sweet Home

I was home in the morning of Thursday. A brilliant light welcomed me. The trees swayed in the summer air. Hot it was, but this is home. I felt a sudden longingness to this place, and it always feels good.

There is really no place like home.

The road to our house is always cheerful. It rocked me back and forth, joggled me up and down. It reminds me of the four years I endured in high school. This road was a part of my journey. Every morning back then was a challenge. I used to ride in manong Ampiong's trike, later, in uncle Pogi and Jerry's whichever is available. When the weather is hot and dry, I feast in tapok [dusts] and ling-it [sweat]. When it rains, I rejoice in splatters of pitak [mud]. Those days are flashing in an instant, and looking back makes me even more thankful this time.

 The house is silent as always, but you can hear the taul [bark] of the dogs outside, the chirp of the mayas, and the cackle of the hens busy in feeding their young. You can also hear the whistle of the pulley while a karruba [neighbor] is fetching a pail of water. No one uses the speaker in the house, nor did they try to play some songs. Lola does anything she likes. Mom does the same, whilst dad would basically stay in our small babuyan [piggery].

 

This is how they spend the day. Very typical. But, I am very happy that mom volunteered to learn how to use the PC. Now, she frequently opens her Facebook account, visits her friends' walls, chats with people she is concerned with, and even does some videocalls.

I stayed inside the house to get some rest and facebooked for some time. Mom barely found time for her turn (grin). But, I was not a so-selfish son, so I gave her some minutes. Kidding!

First Day: To the Mountains

Monday, fifth day since I arrived, was the start of my summer escapade. A few barkada (not a sure call hehe) invited me to their trip to Quirino. I snapped a sure yes of course. So I packed my things and got the engine hot. I counted eleven people in four motorbikes, but carrying our luggage was not a burden though. So we set ourselves in a long travel, and tired out butts out.

I thought we would have a rough travel since our destination is in the mountains. The way was improved and furbished, and there was only a few distance when it's dusty. [When you have the lead, you inhale fresh air, hihi]

It took us almost two hours to reach Disimungal, Nagtipunan, Quirino. All ate their lunch except me. I was so hungry; they didn't know. Good thing I brought some biscuits.

Unloaded immediately and went to a falls! I don't know what they call it. It seemed pristine and undisturbed. The distance from our boarding house was about a kilometer. You'll cross a young river and hike a few heights to reach the place. They have saba [bananas] everywhere. But near the falls were coffee [would I be right if I call them "wild"]. There were kappa-kappas[some kind of ferns]  hanging on trees. There were dragonflies, beetles, and ants.  In a distance, you can hear the water rushing.

They rushed there excitedly while Jay2 and I walked a little bit slow to capture photos of the place. There is a house nearby, and I saw this little girl biting and sipping a stick of unas [sugarcane]. Before their house was an ubbog [spring] where you can have a drink using a sabsabot [coconut shell]. They grow kapas [cotton] and saba in their bangkag [field]. They kaingined some of the mountains in order for them two grow such plants.

When I finally reached the place, the company had their rest already. I threw my camera and cellphone, climbed to a height and plunged into the water! It was two meters deep I suppose and the turquoise water was cold. It was a thrilling experience, and it took me twice to really feel it was finally summer [I call it summer because classes has already ended] although summer has ended to some.

We had a great time to explore the place. There were kappi or kippi [crabs] living and a lot of amlid [small fresh water fish; some call it puk-puklit] and watergliders. I didn't find any bird except of a number of dragonflies. The locals know this place but only a few tourist--if we were not the first--had visited this place so far.

An hour later, we decided to leave the place.

The team crossed the river, but the kids convinced us stay and enjoy the water for a while.

Uncle Sammy brought ducks enough for a supper. Pastor Jerry's mom did the cooking for us. Slices of ripe papaya were also served. Babying our full stomach, the company enjoyed the night so much. Uncle Kuting was a natural joker. With him, you cannot count how many times you'll find yourself laughing.

I chose to sleep in a long chair. It was cold, but a blanket and my jacket were enough to keep me warm.

Second Day: To the Beach

A cultural song had awaken me. It sounds like a music from the Cordilleras. I recognized some more words so I might be correct if it were Kan-kanaey's.

Coffee awakened our sleeping souls. Breakfast was ready: salted eggs with tomatoes, tuyo [dried fish], and kinirog [sinangag; fried rice].

It was 8 a.m. when we rolled up and down the road. We had an easy drive in the first kilometers. Agtas [native folks] can be spotted along the road. Some were walking in groups and some were alone. They wear they kinky and reddish hair. They speak two languages: Ilocano and their native tongue. Greet them and they will easily give you a smile.

Not so long when I began to notice some fruit peelings which look like that of a rambutan. They were scattered along the road so I asked Pastor Jerry what they are. Wild rambutan, he replied.

While driving, we looked for this fruit so we can also try how it tastes. We were lucky to find a tree full of these fruits. It was steep, but I really tried to reach the place. There are a lot of ampipit [some kind of stinging ants] along the way. I didn’t notice them immediately so they were able to sting me passionately.  It was both a HAHA and a HUHU.

Dinadiawan!

After two hours, we finally reached Aurora. There are a lot of coconut trees in the area.

It was about 11 when we find a place to cook. Pastor Jerry has a relative near the place so we were able to have our lunch on time. Uncle Kuting and Uncle Sammy prepared a kilawin and grilled some of the flying fish we bought. We also had sinigang. Eating in banana leaves made our lunch even extra special.

We rented a banka to see the place. There are some huge rock formations along the coast, and we even had the chance to climb one. The place was really amazing.

We enjoyed some hours in the water but immediately gone back to the mountains for supper. Uncle Sammy bought an igat[eel] which was "adoboed" and "siniganged."

Junuan Falls: The Last Stop

Last day, but we seem to be energetic still. Some of us had visited this place already. It was my first time. There are sabawil [jadevine] in the place. Crabs and bukto [a kind of fish] also live there. There are ferns and some other wild plants in the place.

What I enjoyed the most was climbing the falls. I was so careful because the rocks are slimy. The rushing water massaged us somehow.

It was also fun watching the crabs outrunning each other every time I throw rice in the water.

Extended

We were supposed to go home after visiting the falls, but I was convinced to still see White Rock River in Maddela. We enjoyed swimming with the youth of San Pedro. We even climbed a cliff and plunged to the water. It was a thrilling experience jumping from a height of six meters to an 11-feet deep river.

It rained but it didn't stop us to go to another place-- spelunking time!

Then boom! Summer suddenly ended.

I bade my farewell to my family, and travelled back to Baguio.

Isabela

Exuding great beauty of these mountains wrapped by verdant trees

She lets all fear and sorrow and grief fade away by her breeze

Exuberant wind blows the hot spell- the day after night

She restores good life, fortune by the Sierra Madre's might.

The blessings that pour forth from the rushing rivers and streams      

They are the gifts of nature--our daily music and hymns

They resemble how typical the life our people have

They give joy to every man's soul and heart abounded with love.

The fields and plains which are much blessed by their fertility

People cultivate and use them for our food and sustenance

When storms come and destroy the crops and all of our bounty

People may suffer and lament but will stand again and dance.

Oh my Isabela, the roads are yet to be travailed

But let be your verdancy and glorious past retained,

Let not hate and selfishness run in the blood of your band

May lasting peace and love surround your mighty land.

Baguio: The City on Board

The sun had already stretched its myriads of rays to the earth. The birds were busy hopping and flying in the innocent pine trees, the flowers of the wild sunflowers were already in full bloom while the waters coming from the small, narrow waterways just underneath the earth was silently rushing down the small village catering the bushes, grasses, and a variety of plants growing under the tall pines trees near the houses.

It took the sun a little angle again to see the clinging vines of the chayote which was being hidden by this boarding house. But the cold spell was still making me freeze while I was in the blanket cuddling a big pillow to repel the chill. Just a few minutes sitting beside the window,  I finally jumped out of the bed and took a shower.

Isang Paglalakbay sa Lungsod Baguio

Katatapos lang ng enrollment. Isang oras din ang kinailangan para maka-enroll na talaga ako sa unibersidad. Pinalad ako sapagkat isang oras lang ang inabot ko sa pagpila, pagbayad ng matrikula, at pagpapa-validate ng ID. Kadalasan kasi, aabutin ka pa ng limang oras bago maka-enroll. Lumabas din ako agad. Maraming tao ang nasa bungad ng unibersidad—nakatayo’t nakaupo, mag-isa’t may kausap, may ka-text, nagmemerienda’t mistulang may hinihintay. Nasagi sa isipan ko kung ano-ano kaya ang mga nasa isipin nila ngayon. Sa aking pagkakahinto ay napa-isip ako sandali. Sobrang saya ng buhay kapag ini-enjoy!

Habang binabagtas ko ang kahabaan ng sidewalk papunta sa estasyon ng mga dyip malapit sa Igorot Garden, pinagmamasdan ko ang mga tao sa paligid at ang kanilang ginagawa. Sinubukan kong basahin ang kanilang mga mukha. Nag-eenjoy nga ba sila? Masaya kaya sila? Ang mga ito ay ilan lamang sa mga katanungang aking naisip. Gusto ko kasing makita kung papaano gumalaw ang mga tao ngayon, kung malalim ang kanilang iniisip at may dinaramdam. Marami ang mistulang may hinahabol bagamat may mga ilan din namang nagtatawanan habang kausap ang kanilang kasama, ngumingiti-ngiti, at masaya. May mga naka-kunot ang noo, nakasimangot, at tulala. Ganito ang nakita ko. Buhay! Buhay! Ganito talaga ang buhay. 

Tumigil ako sandali at lumingon. Nalampasan ko yung stall ng McDo sa tabi. Bumalik ako at bumili ng float. Pagkatapos ay bumili na rin ako ng bente pesos na hamburger with lettuce, cheese, cucumber at tomato sa katabing tindahan. Nang maubos ko na ang burger ay nagpatuloy na rin ako sa paglalakad tangan pa rin ang float na binili ko. Inalog-alog ko ang float habang naglalakad. Sayang naman kasi ‘yung cream kung hindi maihalo sa coke. Mabilis ko ring inubos. Maraming kakanin sa tabi. Mayroon ding tusok-tusok na patok na patok kahit umaga, turon, lumpia at marami pang iba. Maaliwalas at malinis pa ang paligid sapagkat alas onse palang ng umaga. Kapag medyo hapon na kasi, nagsisilitawan na ang mga kalat sa kalye. 

Dala-dala ko pa rin ang container ng float na binili ko kahit mahigit isang daang metro na ang nilakad ko. Wala talaga akong nakitang basurahan. Pinili kong maglakad sa overpass-WOW-malinis, walang plastic wrappers o ano mang kalat. Tanging bakas lang ng mga dura ng mga nagmamama. Naisip ko tuloy na dapat gawan ng proyekto ang bagay na ito sapagkat hindi talaga magandang tignan ang mga mistulang mga patak ng ulan sa daanan, hagdan, at sa mga gilid-gilid. The city really needs spitting areas. Sana nga lang, maisip nila ito. Dagdagan na rin sana nila mga basurahan-‘yung maayos at tama ang pagkakalagay o distansya. 

Ang mga taga-Baguio ay environment-friendly talaga kaso ‘yung iba nga lang ay walang pakialam. Basta tapon diyaan. Habang naglalakad ako, sabi ko sa sarili ko, “Kapag may makita lang akong magtapon kung saan-saan, pagsasabihan ko.” Pero wala naman akong nakita. Napangiti nalang ako nang may nakita akong ale na may bitbit na walis tingting at dust pan. Pero hindi dapat i-asa sa isang katulad niya ang kalinisan ng Baguio. Dapat lahat ng mga mamamayan ay marunong at binibigyang importansya ang kalinisan ng lugar. Para sa lahat naman ito. Malinis, maganda, mabango ang paligid, walang kalat na pwedeng pagmulan ng sakit, walang nakakasakit sa ulo. Ang mga ito lang naman ang Baguiong gusto kong panatilihan ng mga mamamayan. Bagamat, malinis pa rin naman ang Baguio, sana, lahat ng mga mamamayan ay responsible sa kanilang mga ginagawa. 

Tumawid ako sa kabilang sidewalk sa may pelengke. Hindi naman masyadong siksikan. Nalampasan ko ang mga nagtitinda ng binatog, tinapay, kakanin sa tabi. Hindi na ako bumili. Nagpatuloy na lamang ako sa paglalakad. Naabot ko rin ang Igorot Garden, malapit sa may paradahan ng dyip. Ibinaling ko ang tingin ko sa aking cellphone.9:30 pa lang. Maaga pa. Lumingon ako gawing Burnham. Gusto kong pumunta kako. Habang naglalakad ako sa Igorot Garden, may isang grupo ng mga tao na nagkukumpulan sa tabi. Sinubukan kong maki-osyoso. Naglalaro lang pala sila ng chess. Lumayo na rin ako agad-agad.

"No littering and spitting in the park." Ito ang nakasulat sa isang karatula sa isang sulok na nakikita at nababasa naman ng mga tao. Naglalakad ako nang may biglang dumura sa gawing kanan. Napakamot nalang ako. Katabi pa naman niya 'yung karatula. Medyo nainis na rin ako.

Mag-te-ten palang ng umaga ay marami nang tao sa Burnham. Dumireto ako sa hanay ng mga souvenir stores sa dulo ng lake. Malinis at malamig. Masarap mag-window shopping. Pero may binili pa rin ako kahit papaano. Bumili ako ng dalawang coin purse pampalit sa punit-punit nang purse na ginagamit ko mula pa nung third year HS student ako. Ten pesos lang naman ang isa kaya dinalawa ko na. Tumingin-tingin na rin ako ng mga pwedeng ibigay pag-uwi ko sa probinsya sa sembreak. Marami at mura lang. (hehehe) Mag-ju-June palang, sembreak na agad iniisp ko!

Hindi ako nagtagal sa bilihan. After ten minutes, lumabas na rin ako. Dumiretso ako sa lawa. Marami agad ang mga namamangka. May mga upuan sa tabi pero hindi na ako umupo. Pinagmasdan ko na lamang ang mga tao sa lugar. Marami ang nagkukwentuhan at kumukuha ng litrato.

Tuloy pa rin ako sa paglalakad. Ang linis ng Burnham. Malinis naman talaga, lalo na at maraming taga-linis at hindi pinapabayaan ng awtoridad. Tanging mga nahulog na dahon at bulaklak lang ang nakita ko. Normal lang.

Hindi nagtagal, naghanap-hanap na rin ako ng ma-uupuan. Nakita ang isang lolo sa ilalim ng puno na nagbabasa ng diyaryo. Nagpa-alam ako kung pwedeng makitabi, pumayag naman. Habang ine-enjoy ang preskong hangin, natatanaw ko ang mga namamangka. Enjoy syempre. Masaya ang paligid, luntian at maaliwalas.

Habang naglalakad ako, nakita ko ang isang manghuhula sa tabi. "20 pesos hula." Medyo binagalan ko ang paglalakad upang pagmasdan ang manghuhula. May binabasa siya na para bang comics. Aywan ko ba. "Ano kaya kung subukan ko?" Bigla akong kinilabutan. Huwag nalang kako. Natakot kasi ako sa hitsura nung aleng manghuhula.

Narating ko din ang kabilang dulo ng lake. Bigla akong naihi. Dali-dali akong tumawid at dumiretso sa comfort room. Five pesos ang bayad pero OK na kasi malinis at hindi mapanghi.  Kumpleto pa, may handsoap, at may dryer pa. Paglabas ko, inabot ko kaagad ang bayad. Nagulat ako nang may ibigay na resibo. Oha! Nice one! May kasama pang tissue. Dabes!

Bumalik ako para maglibot-libot pa. Pumasok ako sa mag skating rink. Gusto ko sanang maglaro ng table tennes kaso wala akong makalaro. Umupo ako sa tabi habang pinapanood ang mga naglalaro ng table tennis. Yayaain ko sana 'yung isa kaso inunahan ako ng hiya. Ganun pa man, naghintay ako at nagbakasakaling may dumating na pwedeng makalaro. Ilang minuto rin ang lumipas. Naka-upo pa rin ako at pinagmamasdan pa rin ang mga naglalaro. May dumating na mga tao at nagsipag-rentahan ng skating shoes. Dalawang bata ang unang sumubok at nagpa-ikot-ikot. May sumunod ding magkasintahan. Tawa ako ng tawa kasi 'yung kinuha nilang shoes ay iyong doble ang rollers at hindi rin sila marunong. Naglalakad lang sila at sinusubukang balansehin ang pagkakatayo. Sabi ng katabi kong turista, "Hey, there's a bar over there." Tawa lang ako ng tawa.

May mag-amang dumating at naglaro ng table tennis. Marunong 'yung tatay. Habang nanonood, lumingon ako upang alamin kung ano nang nangyari sa magkasintahan. Ayun, nagpipicturan na lang. (Tawa ulit)

Ang sarap ng buhay lalo na kung ine-enjoy. Masaya nga sabi ko sa sarili ko habang nakatingin sa mag-amang naglalaro at magkasintahang sinusubukang matutong mag-skate. Ganun pala dapat. Sabi nga ni Horace, Carpe diem (seize the day). 

Pagkatapos ng mahigit 3o minutos na pagkaka-upo, wala pa rin akong nahintay na makalaro kaya lumabas na lang ako habang iniisip ang katagang, no man is an island. Random! Malapit ko nang maikot ang Burnham. May nakasalubong akong matandang nakikipaglaro sa isang muning. Malakas ang kanyang tawa ngunit nasa katinuan naman siya, siguro. May mga nagpapa-hena sa tabi.  

BOOM! Ito na ang medyo nagpa-highblood sa akin. May nagpipicnic sa tabi. Mga 3o katao. Nakakalungkot sapagkat maraming kalat. Hindi ko pinagsabihan 'yung malapit sa akin. Maraming matatanda at kasalukuyan silang nanananghalian. Sana nga lang ay pinulot nila iyong mga kalat nila. Sana lang sapagkat hindi na ako bumalik doon.

Isa sa mga ayaw ko ay ang pagkakalat. Lalo na kapag Panagbenga. Naku, mistulang basurahan ang Burnham sa tuwing sasapit ang Panagbenga. 'Di na sila natuto. Sana maging aware ang lahat. Baguio deserves respect.

Sa ngayon, malinis at maayos pa ang Baguio. Sana ipagpatuloy ng kaniyang gobyerno ang pagpapanatili ng kanyang kalinisan at sana'y respetuhin siya ng mga tao at hindi nilalapastangan ang kanyang kagandahan-walang pang-aabuso. Bigyan pa sana siya ng pagmamahal at pag-iingat.

Sa paglipas ng mga taon, pinapangarap kong ang Baguio  ay ganito pa rin kaayos o kung hindi naman ay mas maayos pa. Sana, ang mga mamamayan ay responsable sa lahat ng kanilang ginagawa. Sana, ang Baguio sa hinaharap ay ang Baguio na nadatnan ko-ang paligid ay maaliwalas, luntian, at puno ng buhay.


-May 30,2012