Ceres Busa Musings
Essays forwarded to the ZambalesForum
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-----Original Message-----
From: sonnyb
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2001 2:57 PM
Subject: [ZambalesForum] O Naraniag a Bulan

Dear Friends From Afar,
Greetings!
The drive to the province on occasions like Nov. 1st (All Souls Day) is always dreadful. The traffic to leave Manila is usually two hours. But the thought of one's destination is comforting. That's what exactly happened to us as we left early morning of Thursday, Nov. 1.

San Narciso: We arrived late. It was also very hot. There were no more flowers to buy in the market. I only brought a handful, not enough for a dozen relatives to visit. I was sad. My cosmos patch will not help me much today. They are only beautiful to look at but not for a floral wreath. They wilt as soon as you pluck them. To my surprise the orchids bloomed in profusion. They were delicate to look at, yet strong to withstand the heat. The colors I've never seen before. The first bloom for many. Now, I know why they command high prices in the market.

Because I was late, I did not see my friends in the cemetery. I was ready to go home because of the heat and dust. My daughter was quiet. She was not feeling well but visited the relatives' graves anyway. We lit the last candle and decided to go home. I heard somebody calling me. Rosie! You are a soul! Of all the people Rosie was sitting comfortably under her makeshift tent. She had a pala-pala made. The fronds of her exotic palm tree she used. There was even a small bamboo bench especially made for two. This is fancy pala-pala. So why didn't you put it all around to protect you from the afternoon sun, I asked. Well, (Ta-rat-tat) I would also like to see who is coming and passing by, to wave at the people I know and to perhaps talk to them if they will ever have the time to catch up with the barrio balita (barrio news). But, here is my daughter, Doris. Get some cold drink for Tita, anak. She missed your blow-out. Well, a drink and news of the day, how can I possibly refuse. The pleasantries continued and she summed whatever happened since the time she arrived at nine in the morning.

It was early evening when we finally started to drive out. Let us see the tombas and look at the auditorium. The masquerade ball is tonight. Last year's ball was a blast. The prizes for the most original, scary costume, etc. included a cow, sack of rice and many more. I was expecting even bigger prices this year. The entablado (stage) was beautifully decorated for the big coronation of the prince and the princess. The chairs were many and the music was playing "O Naraniag a Bulan" (Oh Bright Moon). The receptionist, a teacher asked me to dance with her. Oh I will take that offer, I said. That night, I enjoyed the dance when no one was around. The large moon did not seem too far away. Soon even the branches of the trees will carry the weight of children who would like to take a glimpse of the nights affair. It was enchanting indeed!

I drove to Alusiis. You must see how big the moon and how close the mountains on nights like this I told my daughter. The yard is usually filled with kulintaba (fireflies). We played hide and seek there so many years ago. The dapo (birds nest) with its huge leaves are perfect for hiding. Overlooking at the mountains of Paite are the lights of the Aetas (Negritos) having some festivities. They danced the "Tadek" with the beat of their wooden gongs as the flames flickered. This can be seen from the yard of our Lolo Lazaro. He would tell us stories of the natives. I can tell, he loved them. He even had a lily pond made with the statue of a young Negrito aiming his bow and arrow upon the pond to spear a fish. But that is all gone. But memory serves me right to tell you of childhood gone by.

Let us go on and see Macolcol River 
Upon its bed are the life of the people. 
The moon is a beauty all night, 
beckoning even the fairies to hide. 
I took my Cane with me 
and she followed patiently. 
The soft breeze and the ripple of the river 
The moonbeams play and dance upon the water. 
This was our playground as children 
Who found so much joy in the river.

The Masquerade Ball was packed. The man who started the festival was a very special person. He was what you may call a Renaissance man?

Well, this is my barrio. Will you come home on your own one day?

Goodnight, Alusiis.

Un dulce esperanza,
Ceres CB