12 May 2011 - Right after taking my breakfast, I left my home in Sto. Tomas, San Jose City (Nueva Ecija), boarded the Baliwag Bus passing along the highway (where I am) off to Cubao. Then, I transferred to another bus plying Batangas City on to the pier where fastcraft Supercat sail to and from Batangas-Calapan.
I need to be in Calapan that night for the final vigil of a brother-in-law Ronnie Foja, set to be interred on the following day, which is Friday, the 13th. I’m not quite fatalistic, as they said the date is a bad omen. But yes, the physical separation of loved ones really bring terrible sadness ala bad omen? Ronnie was put to a final rest at 1;30 PM at the panoramic memorial park in Calapan. From the memorial park, we proceeded to my home-village Masaguisi where my roots are.
It was not a very healthy arrival as my sister-in-law Mayet Falla is in the hospital in Roxas town, where she stayed for few days for certain health problem.
Along our way to visit Ate Mayet, we dropped-by at the house of a relative in Dayhagan to pay courtesy to our 79-year old cousin Manang Tinay, who live in their ancestral house with one of her daughter Janet. All of her other children are either in Manila or abroad like Germany and Dubai working. See how economic activities separate people.
Comes Sunday in Masaguisi, the worship time is 6 AM. It was not an ordinary Sunday, as the Church is filled with balik-barrio folks like cousins Raquel and Dina Bariata and family friends, Ate Violy and Kuya Andy Arciaga. I also met in the Church the KFC Team of the ICCM like Peter, Tin-tin, Velinda and Nyoy (spend worship service in Orconuma Church).
In the Church, DVBS pupils gave special numbers featuring the motion songs learned. There was also children’s dedication that time. It was indeed a happy Sunday full of blessings as I met not only God but also His people who had been endeared to me.
And for the rest of my brief visit in Mindoro, I went to old friends and relatives while enjoying the farm breeze and the fine beach Masaguisi.(SUNBEAM Ed)
