Ambassador Rudy Arizala mentioned in one of his email exchanges with Ambassador Johnny Ona that with my advice General Nakar has become self-supporting financially. I feel a need to explain what he meant.

As director of communications and stewardship at St. Thomas More in Colorado, I have learned some tried and true ways to make a parish self-sustaining through our embrace and practice of stewardship as a way of life. This means we teach a life of thanksgiving for all of God’s blessings, resulting in a spirit-filled, vibrant parish. Indeed, the parish has been blessed with sufficient resources to carry out our mission to “go and make disciples” rather than depend for funds from outside sources. Knowing the difficulties nowadays to solicit grants even in the United States, I thought this practice could help the Prelature of Infanta and offered to share St. Thomas More’s successful stewardship program with the Prelature of Infanta and Bishop Labayen, then the bishop of Infanta, not only accepted but also arranged for me to introduce stewardship to all his clergy in 2002. Seeing its potential, Bishop Labayen thought the prelature should share the practice of stewardship.

Cebu Stewardship Conference
At the invitation of Cardinal Ricardo Vidal and Bishop Labayen, my pastor, Father Andrew Kemberling, and I gave a four-day workshop on stewardship in 2003 to about 70 bishops, priests, religious and lay leaders in Cebu. The participants were so inspired by the experience that it created a Task Force on stewardship immediately to assist Socio Pastoral Institute, our mission partne, in promoting stewardship in the Philippines. It was headed by Sr. Angie Donado, O.Carm, and assisted by Sr. Lea Aclan, C.S., Sr. Yonni Biragay, ACT, and Sr. Frances Mangabat, SDS. To date, the Task Force has identified more than 21 dioceses interested in embracing and implementing stewardship as a way of life.

In addition, the Task Force also has identified models of the practice of stewardship sensitive to the Philippine culture. One of these models, Sts. Anne and Joachim in General Nakar, Quezon, started immediately after the 2003 conference under the leadership of Father Israel Gabriel, using his own personal conversion as a starting point of a series of educational seminars he conducted during BEC gatherings and at liturgies. Within the 40 days of Lent in 2003, Father Israel focused on the “Spirituality of Stewardship” to give his parishioners the motivation to respond to God’s call to live their faith in God. In no time parishioners, many of whom already are active in the parish, were beginning to embrace stewardship as a way of life — making time for God in prayer, nourishing the faith, promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life, preserving the earth and giving of their time talent and treasure. Stewardship, says Father Israel, was the “integrating factor of all the projects and activities in the parish.” What was incredible about this parish was the fact that lack of resources did not hinder them from introducing this way of life. In fact, they relied mostly on the teaching on the “Spirituality of Stewardship” at Mass, in schools, and in the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC’s).

Positive results
Indeed, stewardship has increased awareness in promoting vocations and in preserving the earth even among the children and youth. “The young people have begun to pray for their peers who may have a calling to become a priest or to enter religious life,” said Rosie Castro, a catechist who has become a credible speaker on stewardship. “And the youth have become active in ecology projects,” she said.

Even the indigenous people have embraced stewardship as a way of life — especially in the areas of ecology and vocations. Influenced by globalization and consumerism, they are now going back to their roots and their love of the earth — recycling, gardening and finding ways to protect the environment. They also are now sensitive to the desire of their people interested in religious life. “They used to tease any one who expresses a desire to become a priest,” says Father Pete Montallano, a Franciscan missionary in the Prelature of Infanta. “But now, they are not only interested in finding someone who may have a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, they are also praying for them. In fact, the indigenous people have identified two young men who are discerning a life as a religious.

In addition, the offertory collection started growing slowly, from pre-Cebu collection of 200 pesos (roughly $4) to as high as 1,800 pesos (about $33) given by some 200 people who attend the one and only Mass on Sunday. As a result, the parish was able to build the “Labayen Hall,” without getting funds from outside sources. One thing he changed was the offertory collection. He liked the idea of the altar call, and started asking his parishioners to come forward to bring their gifts to the altar. And they did! “We like the idea that we are personally presenting our gifts to the Lord,” said Annie Buencamino, another catechist and one of the promoters of stewardship in the parish.

New parish priest
What was more impressive about St. Anne’s success was the fact that parishioners continue to practice stewardship even when Father Israel was transferred to another parish in the prelature. Fortunately for them, Father Mario Establecida, who succeeded, also attended the Cebu Conference and was convinced of the practice. Among his first official act of business as parish priest was sending lay leaders to a Facilitators’ Training on stewardship, offered by the Socio Pastoral Institute and the Cebu Conference Task Force.

Father Mario and his lay leaders, convinced of the value of education in promoting stewardship, immediately scheduled workshop seminars for various sectors of the parish — farmers, fishermen, government employees, women and youth. I had the privilege of attending all three seminars conducted by the lay leaders. I was very impressed at the knowledge of the facilitators — a team of five — and how they have embraced the spirituality of stewardship. The teaching module developed by the Task Force as mandated by the Cebu Conference is very culture appropriate and very well received by the ordinary parishioner. “I realized I have not given enough to God — in time, talent or treasure,’ said one government employee.

The seminars flowed smoothly and presented using chalkboards and charts. Using a lot of storytelling, the seminars also are a time to look at how their parish evolved, when it was created and the stories of its growth. The seminars also encouraged audience participation and were, therefore, usually lively. After the third conference on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father Mario conducted the Commitment Sunday for treasure, which Father Israel did not have a chance to conduct. The result was an incredible outpouring of generosity, which brought in that Sunday, more than 6,000 pesos, almost unheard of in the parish. Father Mario reports that sometimes, when a “balikbayan” comes to visit the parish, the offertory goes up to as high as 28,000 pesos. Obviously, stewardship teaching continues to inspire even visitors to give generously in thanksgiving for God’s blessings.

Typhoons of 2004
Then came November 29, 2004, a day that all of us will never forget. General Nakar and several neighboring towns were hit by a devastating typhoon, followed by three others in a week’s time, each one stronger than the other, and causing flashfloods and mudslides and sending logs — hundreds of them — crashing down anything on their path from the mountains, killing thousands and destroying properties and livelihood. It was almost unbearable to listen to the stories of death and survival. And we heard many of them. Yet we also heard of stories of hope and faith and love. They are now etched in our memories and then some.

Sr. Angie saw the inspiration St. Anne’s model could provide others and had the presence of mind to monitor and document of how stewardship is being lived out in General Nakar, even after the calamity. The video tape, entitled, “Ako’y Anak ng Diyos,” is a powerful and inspiring 30-minute testimony of how one of the poorest of the poor parishes has embraced stewardship and how this new way of life has affected the lives of parishioners.

Indeed, in their embrace of stewardship spirituality, parishioners have made the church of the poor come alive at St. Anne Parish. “I’ve learned,” said one bishop who saw the video during our day of reflection for the Catholic Bishops Conference in 2005, “that even in the midst of poverty and suffering the Gospel can be brought to life in our people. I felt uplifted to know that great things for people are possible.” St. Anne Parish has become an inspiration to the bishops, clergy religious and lay leaders and to the entire Philippine Church. “If they can do it,” they said, “we can do it too.”

--Psalm 139:13-14
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

I am made by God! You are made by God. Just as
surely as ANYone has been made by God, we have
been made by God. He knew us before anyone knew
we were there. He had plans for us before anyone
planned our arrival. And he made us well! How do
we know? Look at all God has made.

MY PRAYER...

God Almighty, my Savior and Redeemer, thank you for
knowing me before I was able to know. Thank you for
choosing my life and giving it to me. Thank you for
giving me the gifts, abilities and talents that you
have given me. Now help me live as if I was made
special by you, because I am! Through Jesus I pray.
Amen.

Remember Delfin Mallari, Jr. who has written about Infanta and Metro Infanta Foundation for the Philippine Inquirer? Remember the article on my sampaguita and the MIF scholars? Also his articles about the efforts of the Task Force Sierra Madre and many more. He has been our information on the many happening in our area and even has put his life on the line for covering stories that were not popular.

Well, he has stepped up his coverage of Quezon Province.He is now the publisher of a new weekly, the City Press, which is published in both Tagalog and English. Now we have a well-written paper as opposed to those tabloids that focus too much on sensationalism or celebrities. The Internet version has a nice layout with attractive and pleasing color. You can check it out when you have a chance by clicking here .

--Proverbs 31:30
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

So many things we honor and exalt in our culture
are shallow and temporary. The one thing that
lasts in a beautiful woman is not her charm or
her beauty, but her godliness. Let's make sure in
our church families and our physical families that
true and lasting beauty is clearly valued and
amply praised!

MY PRAYER...

Holy God, please give us better eyes and more
faithful hearts that we may value in all people
qualities that reflect your character. Bless us
as we raise our children that we may instill in
them a sense of proper values as they choose
their life partner. And dear God, please help us
in our churches to value and praise women for
their holy character. In Jesus name. Amen.

Now that the question has been raised, we are definitely curious. Thus, we have forwarded the question to Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona and we are now awaiting his response. Of course, if a change is in the offing, we will do anything possible to assist if we were asked to do so.

For the record, there are five other prelatures in the Philippines -- Batanes-Babuyanes, Ipil (Zamboanga del Sur), Isabela (Basilan), Libmanan (Camarines Sur), Marawi (Lanao de Sur) and there are 49 prelatures in Latin America. As far as I know, the Prelature of Infanta is no longer considered a mission region, compared to the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose in Occidental Mindoro. Thus, it no longer receives any regular subsidy from Rome. I'm sure Bishop Tirona can give more details on this one too.

The Prelature of Infanta includes the northern part of Quezon Province, the archipelago of Polillo, island of Jomalig and Patnanungan and the province of Aurora. Indeed the prelature stretches from one end of Luzon to another and takes hours upon hours to reach either by boat or by motor vehicle. Often clergy meetings are held in Manila because it offers a more centralized location for their gatherings.

Ambassador Ona seems to think that Should Bishop Tria Tirona and the Infantahins now think it is time for Infanta to be elevated to the status of a diocese, they only have to address an appeal to the Holy Father through the Apostolic Nuncio. He further states, “I do not see any reason why the Holy Father will not grant this request.”

For now, we will see what Bishop Tirona has to say.

--Proverbs 31:10 27-28
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

Give honor to whom honor is due! This biblical principle is most certainly true of women, and especially those who are godly mothers. Let's make sure we praise the key women in our lives today!

MY PRAYER...

Father, I want to thank you for the women of character and grace, tenderness and fire, love that and tenacity, who have helped shape my life in a way helped me find you. Please bless them this day, I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Dear Ka Johnny:

In your email msg about Infanta and the book "Labong ng Kawayan", you wrote:

"Dear Ka Rudy,

"Thanks a lot. Your piece made me recall the launching of your book Labong ng Kawayan, which I had the privilege of witnessing. I hope that the assistance of the overseas Infantahins continue to pour on your town. The positive results of that assistance were so palpable at the book-launching.

"The Carmelites continue to wield a big influence on your town. Another Carmelite in the person of Bishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona replaced Bishop Julio K. Labayen. Is he doing good? I wonder why Infanta has not yet been elevated from Prelature to Diocese. Is it because it cannot yet support itself in terms of finance and ecclesiastical personnel? Like a mission country, does it have to depend on external assistance?

"Perhaps you could consult with other Infantahins. If you think Infanta can be self-supporting, then perhaps it is time to ask the Holy See to make Infanta a full-pledged diocese."

Ka Johnny, thanks for your comments above. I will make inquiries if the Prelatura of Infanta could now be self-supporting so that it may qualify to be converted into a full-pledged diocese.

Perhaps, my good friend Rev. Fr. Francis could comment whether the Prelatura of Infanta could be self-supporting.

If not yet, perhaps, Ms. Mila Glodva, President of Metro Intanta Foundation might be able to make suggestions how the church or Prelatura of Infanta could be made self-supporting financially. I understand, the church in Gen. Nakar, Quezon through the advice of Mila Glodava has adopted a method whereby it is already self-supporting financially. If it could be done in Gen. Nakar, why not in Infanta?

Thank you again, Ka Johnny and best wishes.

Rudy A.

P.S.
Perhaps, you and Amba Jose Lino could give us pointers or advice on the mechanics or steps to take once it is ascertained that the Prelatura of Infanta could be self-supporting. Rudy A.

N – gayon araw ng mga ina
A – ng tanging nasa ala-ala
N – a naghahari sa tuwi na
A – ng pagmamahal at kalinga
Y – aring anak mong naulila.

English version

On this mother´s day
Always in their hearts
Predominating
Love, undying care
Of orphans like me.

Dear Ka Gloria:

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, we tried to blaze the trail and it is up for the coming generation to carry on.

Just imagine, the old folks of Infanta only dreamed and petitioned the late Pres Manuel L. Quezon for a "horse trail" across the forbidding Sierra Madre Mountains so that Infanta would have access to the outside world - to Laguna, Rizal provinces and then to Maynila.

Now, Pres Quezon, after constructing a sand and gravel road across the mountains, we have a paved asphlat wide road across that mountains connecting not only Infanta but also Real, General Nakar and even the island of Polillo. (We still have to travel by ferry boat to Polillo Island. But there are now two wharves or "pantalan" where fast and comfortable ferry boats could weigh anchor and depart - at Port Real and Port Dinahican. And Gen. Nakar is now connected with Infanta and Real with a concrete bridge across the wide Agus River.

We shall overcome so long as we have not only "fairy godmothers" like you but also "brainy godmothers" praying and inspiring us.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to you and to ALL MOTHERS and "NURTURERS"- "INSPIRERS" of future generation in the right direction.

Rudy A.

From: Gloria Ong

You should have had them patented, Ka Rudy-- the secrets of the infantahin success. Just kidding. Thanks for sharing them with us. What a collective effort, coming up with two books, offering scholarships in your name and paving the way for the younger generation to carry on. Not every town could have done it in such fashion. I'm pretty sure the roadmap has been established and you can pass on the torch to your daughter and sons and the other young people your town is so lucky to have!

Carry on Ale, Rodo, Octavio, Layla, Shelley Marie, Mila, Prosy and others.

Good luck, mga Infantahin!
GOD be with you in all your endeavors....---g
with Layla, Shelley Marie, Mila, Rolando

"the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

"nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little."

(both quotes from edmund burke)------- glo(ria)

Although you (Gloria Ong) are not from Quezon province nor have you visited the town of Infanta, you expressed generous words about the tenacity or capacity of the people of Infanta to survive or make sacrifices to rebuild whatever is destroyed by calamities and modesty aside, one of the town in our Bayang Magiliw making progress through self-help and dedication of its people.

What could be the secret or what characteristics have the people of Infanta and its surrounding towns?

May I share with you an anecdote which might help explain what traits the inhabitants of said place possess.

Said anecdote is reproduced below, written by me some six years ago.

Rudy A.

P.S. Modesty aside, there are now two books written about Infanta, Quezon: 1) "Infanta: Passage to the Pacific", a coffee table book with colored photos and text published by the BPI Foundation, Inc., Makati City in 2004, and with accompanying CD Song "Alaala Ka Infanta"; and 2) "Labong ng Kawayan", a book on the history, tradition and culture of Infanta, published by Metro Infanta Foundation, Arvada, Colorado in 2002. RAA
- - - - - -

Patricio, the Altar Boy
By Rodolfo A. Arizala
Santiago, Chile 10 August 2002

After my book launching of "Labong ng Kawayan"(Bamboo Shoot) in Metro Manila, Metro Infanta Foundation president Mila G. Glodava and I decided to distribute some copies of the book to the schools of Infanta and General Nakar, Quezon. So, one late afternoon, we hurriedly went to the banks of the wide Agos River separating the town of Infanta from General Nakar, Quezon and boarded a rickety make-shift wooden ferry boat which would take us across the river to the other side of the banks. On board the ferry boat we met a serious-looking lanky old man in his early 60´s.

One of our companions asked the lanky old man: "Where are you going?" "Home," was the curt reply with a shy smile scrutinizing each one of us. As if on second thought, he added: " I now live in a barangay of Nakar," pointing with his lips towards the direction of a forested part of the mountain. As the ferry boat slowly made its way across the river, he noted we were carrying several bundles of book wrapped in brown paper and it was his turn to ask question: "Where are you taking so many books?"

We told him we are going to distribute them to the elementary school of Gen. Nakar and also to Mt. Carmel High School. He asked what the book is all about and we told him it is about Infanta´s history, culture and tradition including the establishment of the Prelatura of Infanta. When he heard the words "Prelatura of Infanta," his face brightened and asked if he could have a copy and would like to know who is the author. Our companion pointed to my direction and asked him: "Do you know that man over there?" He looked at me intensely squinting his eyes against the pale setting sun in the background and replied: "Of course I know him: he is ambassador Rudy Arizala son of Lola Coring. But I don´t think he still remembers me."

I told him that his face looks familiar to me and If I remember correctly, he was one of the first altar boys when the American and Irish Carmelite priests came to Infanta in the 1950´s. Regretfully, I forgot his name. He told me his full name is "Patricio" but he is called "Pat" for short by his friends. We gave Pat a copy of the book which he accepted gratefully saying he has now something new to read and show to his Barangay Captain.

When we disembarked upon reaching the other side of the river, we noted the sky was darkening and rain clouds slowly drifting towards the mountain. We hurriedly unloaded the books from the ferry boat and put them inside two waiting tricycles. Pat helped us load the books inside the tricycles securing them properly to avoid getting wet in case it would rain. He also gave instructions to the two tricycle drivers in faded T-shirts and old rubber slippers where to go and to take good care of us. Pat bade us goodbye with a limped wave of his hand and said: "Will see you again soon," as our tricycles started to climb the stony banks and laboriously negotiated their way through the partly cemented and rugged road of General Nakar. Then suddenly it rained and we desperately tried to keep ourselves dry inside the tricycles. The tricycles sputtered and groaned with their heavy loads under the rain.

After distributing the books to the Elementary School and Mt.Carmerl High School in General Nakar, we returned immediately to Infanta by crossing again the Agos River this time downstream on a narrow frail wooden banca with bamboo outriggers. The boat was full of passengers and other personal belongings including several empty tanks of gas use in cooking. A sign of progress or modern living in Gen. Nakar. The people now use gas tank for cooking instead of firewood.

We were able to catch the evening Mass officiated by Fr. Lou in Infanta before Mila and her companions returned to Manila. When we came out of the church, we were surprised to see again Pat.

"Pat, we thought you went home already to your barangay in Gen. Nakar." He ignored said comment; simply shyly smiled and asked: "Where are you going now?"

Mila told him to Manila and asked him if he would like to join the group. Pat shook his head and followed the group as they started to board one by one the van parked at the churchyard. Pat bade the group again goodbye as he did earlier at the banks of the Agos river that same afternoon.

A few days later, my sister and I attended a wedding mass and luncheon party at the social hall of Mt. Carmel High School in Infanta. To our surprise, Pat was also there with a big smile wearing his old but freshly ironed white shirt and pair of denim pants.

"Hey, Pat!" my sister called, handing to him a bell. "Take this bell and please be the one to assist the priest in celebrating mass." Then my sister asked him as if to reassure herself: "Do you still know how to ring the bell during elevation of the host?".

"Of course, although I have not done it anymore for many years!" Pat replied as he reluctantly but gratefully accepted the bell from my sister. And, indeed, during mass Pat performed his job well as an altar boy once again to the point of perfection ringing the bell at the exact moment of the elevation of the host.

Patricio or "Pat" reminded me of the story of another altar boys in Rizal´s novel "Noli Me Tangere." About Basilio and Crispin, two altar boys during the Spanish regime in the Philippine who were accused of stealing the church money -collections during Mass. Sisa, the mother of the two boys, out of desperation due to the sudden disappearance of her two boys, developed mental anguish and then insanity. Of course, the story of Patricio and the present altar boys in Infanta is different from the story of Basilio and Crispin during the Spanish regime. The altar boys of today are well-treated than those in the past. For example, Filipino priest Fr. Lou whom we met at the church door after mass the afternoon we distributed the books in Infanta and Gen. Nakar, commented happily upon receiving financial donation from us: "Now, I have some funds with which to buy a pair of rubber shoes each for my altar boys. Thank you very much!"

Patricio, the altar boy, did not disappear for having been accused of stealing anything. However, for some reasons, he simply faded away when the American/Irish Carmleite fathers left the Philippines.

When I met again Patricio or "Pat" while crossing the Agos River after not seeing him for many years, he looks old, thin, and emaciated. Perhaps due to hard work in the forest of Sierra Madre mountains. I hope he has not been forgotten, if not neglected, by the people and church he faithfully served during his boyhood.

A few days later. however, what I saw during the mid-afternoon wedding Mass was not an aging frail old man I met at the banks of the Agos river. I saw a young altar boy with that innocent look in his eyes. I saw again the young boy called "Pat," one of the altar boys when foreign Carmelite fathers first came to Infanta.

After the wedding Mass and lunch, we did not see again Pat. He simply faded away like the setting sun that afternoon. He must have already returned to his barangay in Gen. Nakar without saying goodbye to us. And as the afternoon turned into twilight, I heard the peal of vesper hour from the old bell tower. It sounded familiar as during the time Pat was an altar boy tolling the bells loud and clear, carried by the wind and heard all over the barangays of Infanta and neigbhoring communities. I could visualize Pat upon hearing the peal of bells paused for a moment, bowed his head and silently mumbled the vesper prayers he learned when he was still an altar boy. Then he resumed walking on the almost now deserted winding path leading to his home at the edge of the forest.

As the last peal of the bells at the tower reverberated and then died down, I uttered to myself as if in solemn prayer,"Yes, Pat, I will remember you always as an altar boy who simply fades away. For once an altar boy, always an altar boy!"

E n d

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Rodolfo A. Arizala is a former Filipino diplomat now residing in Santiago, Chile.

Dear Sponsors,

Thank you very much for your continuous financial support in my education. It is a big help for me, especially to my parents and to all members of my family. Without your support I possibly would have to stop my studies because my parent’s salary is not sufficient to support my education and our daily needs.

At present I am finishing my third year, going to fourth year this coming June. I am now taking my summer class; we are the first batch of the new curriculum so it is required, because if we did not take it we will adjust one year, it was started last summer when I was second year.

I am hoping for your continuous support for my education and other students like me. Your Foundation serves as my inspiration for me. God Bless you always and may the shower of blessings be poured upon you and to your family.

Thank you and More Power to your Foundation!

Respectfully Yours,
_________________________
JUDITH ESTHER Y. PADUA
Student

I lost your cel fr pete and I could not contact you.

I found this article on the Metro Infanta websiteso and thought it would be nice to send an email to you since one of the content of this blog is regarding the cenro of Dingalan.

Last week I was informed by Joey Blangco, the new cenro of Dingalan, that he needs my help to reach the Task
Force Sierra Madre since I am a coordinator of the Sagip Sierra Madre here in Bulakan.

I was informed byJoey that he is the new cenro of Dingalan and he wanted to coordinate with you , Fr. Pete. I knew Joey since we were together last time he was the cenro of Bulacan, San Rafael and Nueva Ecija in
our forest protection anti-illegal logging operation.

He visited your place the last 4 or 5 days ago but you werestill in Mindanao. I hope you will find him cooperative
in our quest to save our Sierra Madre.

If there's anything I can do I am willing to offer even little coordination.

Thanks for everything,

Bro. Martin
Lake Galilee of Katribu, Bulakan

Ni Rudy A. Arizala
01 Mayo 2008

Isang lumang liham ang natagpuan sa tampipi ni Sebia sa kanyang pinsan na si Ising. Ang kalatas ay may petsang ika 01 ng Mayo 1941. Naito ang nilalalaman.

Mahal na Kaka Ising:

Kumulog na kagabi at pumatak kaninang umaga bago magbukang-liwayway sa Silangan. Ito ang unang ulan sa buwan ng Mayo. Baka nakalimutan mong isahod ang palanggana o batiya upang ipunin ang tubig-ulan. Nalimutan mo na ba ang sabi ng mga matatanda sa una na ang unang patak ng ulan sa buwan ng Mayo ay gamot?

Tiyak rin na mayroon nang maglalako ng kabuti. Sabi rin ng mga matatanda sa una na kapag nakikidlat na at kumulog ay tiyak na susulpot o maglalabasan na ang mga kabute. Mag-ingat ka lang at baka maylahok na “payong-ahas” ang mabile mong kabute ay saktan kayo ng tiyan o malason.

Humanda ka na rin maatasan na maging “hermana mayor”. Mayohan na naman at dapat na mayroon ka nang listahan kung sino-sino ang magpaparama at magpapatapos ng “Mayohan”. Tiyak na mauubos ang mga puno ng saging ni Inang Sela upang ang mga saha nito ay gawing turokan ng mga bulaklak. Sitahin mo na ang banda ni Amang Pepe upang siyang tumugtog sa sayawan pagkatapos ng ramahan, pagaalay ng mga bulaklak at pagdadasal sa simbahan. Nais ng mga kabataan na mayroong sayawan.

Ang mga magrarama (dalaga´t binata) ay hahandaan ng may parama ng mga kakanin tulad ng “pancit”, “chicken salad”, mamon, suman, puto at sinukmani. Magsasaka na rin ang mga “hermanita” at mga “hermanito” sa mga linang (barangay ang tawag ngayon) upang manghingi ng mga bulaklak. Ma-aanit na naman ang mga bulaklakan ni Nana Petra sa Ilog, Inang Kulasa sa Pinaglapatan, Nana Tilde sa Binulasan, Inang Kaludia sa Silangan, Nana Sepa sa Anibong, Nana Epang sa Alitas, Inang Manang sa Tongohin, Inang Pinang sa Agus-agos, at Nana Sabel sa Banugaw.

Kapag buwan ng Mayo ang mga batang nag-aalay ng mga bulaklak sa Simbahan o sa altar ng may pa Santakursan ay ito ang ina-awit nila:

"Tuhog na bulaklak
Sadyang sallit-salit
Sa mahal mong noo
Ay aming ikakapit
Lubos ang pag.asa
At sa iyo ay pananalig
Na natatanggapin mo'y
Handog ng pag-ibig."

Ang buwan ng Mayo ay buwan rin ng bakasyon. Kaya´t ang mga nagsisipag-aral sa Maynila (“Nagkakaleds” ang tawag) ay babakasyon rin at magsisipag-uwian sa Infanta kahit na bako-bako, at madulas ang daan sa bundok ng Sierra Madre. Siksikan na naman sa sasakyang “Raytranco” “L.T.B.” at “E.T. Bus Co.” Halos lahat ng mga Infantahin ay babakasyon maliban doon sa mga nagsisipag-summer at nais makatapos na madali ng pag-aaral o yaong may mga “back-subjects” sapagka´t di naipasa ang eksamen noong “regular school year”. Uuwi rin ang mga “nasisipagbulakbol” sa Maynila na may suot na cinturon ng ang “hebilya” ay may mga titik na “U.P.”, “Ateneo”, “U.S.T.” Ang akala ng kanilang mga magulang ay talagang nag-aaral sila at pumapasok sa paaralan dahil sa panay-na-panay hingi nila ng pera na pambile raw ng libro at pambayad sa “tuition fee”. Ngunit lingid sa kaalaman ng kani-kanilang mga magulang ang mga anak nila pala sa Maynila ay di pumapasok at ang inaatupag ay ang pagbibilyar, pagiinom, “night club”, at ibat-ibang uri ng pag-aaliw.

Siya nga pala, baka malimutan mong manulongan kana Ate Daming na padasal o “Santakrusan”. Ang balita ko´y magbabati raw; maglilitson; magsusuman at gagawa ng kinakaw. Magdala ka na rin ng darak o ipa upang ipaglinis ng pinggan, kutsara at mga tenidor na gagamitin sa kainan. Bumile ka na rin ng gulaman bilang ambag mo o pasalubong kina Ate Daming na “Santakrusan”. Ako na ang magdadala ng sigarilyong “Abutin” para sa mga matatanda at sigrilyong “Piedmont” para sa mga binata. Magpapasadya na rin ako ng “urabay” kay Mang David upang magamit ni Kaka Imong mo sa pagbubukid sa tag-ulan. Yaon palang mga tuyong bulaklak na sinahod ni Endong sa “Osanahan” noong nakaraang Mahal na Araw ay nasaan? Mailahok sa paghahasik ng palay sa ating bukid na dalatan (Upland rice) upang huwag dagain at ohurin ang palay. Tiyak na mag-aani ng mabuti kapag may lahok na tuyong bulaklak galing sa “Osanahan”.

Hanggang sa muli at kumusta na lamang kana Tata Pedok at Nana Karing.

Ang nagmamahal mong pinsan,
Sebia

Ito ang buwan ng Mayo noong tayo ay mga bata pa sa Infanta. Ito ang takbo ng buhay, kaugalian at paniniwala sa ating bayan na ngayon ay baon na sa limot. Isa na lamang lumang ala-ala.

WAKAS

Wedding Anniversaries 
May 5 …Pol & Sally Derilo