By Ardy & Dave
The Bohol Tribune (BT) Team taking a photo break while the group leader was conversing with the Mayor of Pilar, Bohol. The background used in the shoot is one side of the house of the Mayor. From left are: Ardy Araneta-Batoy (the BT managing editor), Ruth Anino-Iyog (the BT circulation-in-charge and Ma’am Ardy’s personal secretary), and Dave Albarado (BT’s associate editor and author of this episode).
I felt as if we were moving in slow motion. It seemed as though Randy, our driver, shared the same anxiety I was feeling. Time seemed to move slower than usual. But our commitment for fairness called for action. We needed to get the side of the suspect and let him speak why he is being accused of committing the said alleged crime. It was a sunny noon but, to me, I wanted to experience a downpour – a heavy rain, indeed. I know that in each thought we had, we could hear our own heartbeat.
As we were about to turn to the direction of the munisipyo, the team leader, Dr. Mutya Kismet Macuno, waved at us signalling us to go slower. Slower? Were we not moving lower than slow?
Seeing the signal from Dr. Macuno, Ma’am Ardy instructed the driver to stop. And she craned her neck out of the window to get the instructions of Dr. Macuno.
Dr. Macuno’s voice was very clear as she said: “ Adto ta derecho ka Mayor Cubrado. Derecho ta dayon, kay nauwahi na ta. Gusto ni Mayor nga muhapit gyud ta niya.”
It was then that I realized that we did not inform Dr. Macuno of our plan to proceed to the munisipyo.
“Pero, Doc,” Ma’am Ardy started to talk but I guess Dr. Macuno did not hear what she was saying.
“Tana, derecho na ta kay maikog ta ni Mayor. Musaludo sa pud ta niya kay naa ta’y estoryahan,” Dr. Macuno said.
I was praying fervently that Ma’am Ardy would heed to the instructions of the team leader. Besides, Dr. Macuno’s invitation was a welcome moment as I was already hungry. I WAS VERY HUNGRY, honestly. The last bite I had was at around 7 that morning on our way to Pilar.
DR. Macuno didn’t anymore wait for the answer of our group. Her vehicle sped off towards the direction going to Mayor Cubrado’s house.
In a definite voice, I heard Ma’am Ardy say: “Tana, mosunod ta. Wala na ta’y mahimo. We have to follow the leader. Dili pa gyud atong panahon nga makigkita niya [the suspect]. Wala pa gyud itugot nga makigkita ta niya. Let’s go!”
My heart (and stomach) jumped with extreme joy upon listening to the definite instructions of Ma’am Ardy. I even saw Ruth, the secretary, smiling impishly with what she just heard. I know she was also hungry, too, but, I noticed that even the dictates of her stomach are always obedient to what her boss (Ma’am Ardy) says.
At that moment, everything seemed right; everything seemed bright. Indeed, it was a sunny day and I saw our own driver regain his zeal as he stepped on the accelerator to gain speed. He was, of course, hungry, too. Who was not?
It did not take us long to reach the beautiful and huge house of the equally beautiful Mayor of Pilar, Necitas Cubrado. She was in full anti-Covid regalia. She did not want us to catch anything as she was having a runny nose. The Mayor was not feeling well.
I approached Ma’am Ardy and asked her, “Mosulod ta, Ma’am, nga mura man ug not feeling well si Mayor Cubrado? Dili ba ta maikog?” (To be continued)