By Ardy & Dave
“What’s going on? Naunsa na pod ni? Ngano pabalikon na man pud mi sa balay? I thought we are going home or to the munisipyo man kaha – wherever it is. I already want to go home and call it a day.” These were some of the statements I kept to myself.
As a good soldier, they say, I just carefully traced my steps back to the house of Mayor Cubrado and followed what the voice said.
I later learned that it was Ma’am Ardy who called us back into the house apparently because the mayor asked for souvenir photos with us. We obliged to the photo opportunities as Mayor Necitas Cubrado was very kind and hospitable. We had much fun having our photos taken. Mayor Cubrado was such a good and doting host. Despite the fact that she was not really feeling well, I saw that she tried her best to make all of us feel comfortable and well taken care of. And the sumptuous meal we just had was more than enough to brace us up to where we were heading next – which I was not anymore sure of. I also did not ask.
After the photo session, I could hear these statements,
“Salamat, Mayor!”
“ Salamat gyud kaayo.”
“ Busog gyud mi oy.”
“ Magkita ta sa Tagbilaran ha.”
“ Dili sa ta mag beso beso tungod sa Covid ha.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
These were some of the parting words exchanged between our team and the mayor. How I wish the parting time was extended as it subsided my feeling of anxiety.
Indeed, my stress level subsided. Honestly, it was still hanging whether or not we were to proceed straight to Tagbilaran or go to the munisipyo and see the suspect of the crime against the family of Mary Joy.
I was all smiles during the photo session we had but some butterflies in my stomach kept disturbing me especially when I would remember our next destination. Muadto ba gyud mi ug dili na ba? I realized that not knowing your directions is indeed disastrous to one’s peace of mind.
Are we still meeting the suspect? I asked myself, again. As we were already seated inside the ASHIRA van, I noticed that Randy, the driver, looked at me meaningfully. I know he wanted to ask me where we were heading to. And the last to hop into the van was Ruth, Ma’am Ardy’s personal secretary.
Ruth, Randy and I were silent and we three were all waiting for any sound to come from Ma’am Ardy’s voice. We never dared to ask her where we were going next. Ruth signaled to me not to say anything nor ask anything. She hinted that we would just wait for Ma’am Ardy to lead.Ruth knows best. She knows Ma’am Ardy from head to toe, as she has been working with her for almost a decade now.
But just like what I said earlier, I was ready for anything.I know that God will protect us as we continue with this assignment. It is just a pity that with this trip of mine in Pilar, I did not have the chance to really explore the place.
This is my second time in Pilar and the first one was way back in 2004. Back then, I spent time travelling to the different towns of Bohol – even to the remotest areas. Of course, from the looks of everything, lots of things have changed. I was toying with the idea that, perhaps, when the pandemic is gone or at least minimized, I would have a chance to tour the province, especially Pilar town – without any restrictions and without any thought of seeing an alleged criminal or whatever and whoever.
Somehow, as I managed my stress level at that moment, I could not help but think again of Ma’am Ardy’s decision to meet the suspect. How I wished we could just miss that part of the trip. How I wish she would change her mind since it was already getting late.
“Tana!” I was startled and scared by the voice who said this word, “Tana”. It broke our silence! It was very definite and it was not asking our opinion where we were going. It was a declaration that we were going somewhere.
“Asa man ta, ma’am?” This was the hesitating question of Randy, the driver.
Ma’am Ardy said speedily the following: “Larga na ta. Padung ta sa munisipyo kay sayang atong pag-anhi ug dili nato mahinabi ang suspect. Dili ma kumpleto atong estorya ug wala tay mahagdaw gikan niya. Besides, usa man gyud siya sa atong tumong pag-anhi di ba? Mao nga larga na. A las 3 na hapit. Dili ko muangay nga mahapunan ta kay dili ta kaayo familiar sa lugar. Sige, go!”
“Yes, ma’am, go!” Randy answered.
“Go Randy,” Ruth said.
I never spoke a bit. I just kept silent and the moment seemed eternal.
“Unsa man ka, Dave? Kumusta man ka?” I heard Ma’am Ardy asking me the question.
I said, “Ako ma’am? Kumusta ko ma’am? Naa lang ko’y isulti nimo ma’am ha! Ayaw lang kasuko ma’am kay importante ni ug makatabang gyud ni nato.”
“Ha?” Ma’am Ardy said.
(To be continued)
After the Rain, the flower blooms: The Mary Joy story (Part 24 of a Series)
By Ardy & Dave
This is important, I told ma’am Ardy, this could be a make or break in this coverage. Of course, this coverage will never be complete without the side of the suspect. There are times you want to skip the suspect’s side and just go on narrate the story of the victims. Ma’am Ardy is right, the story will not be complete without the side of the suspect. We will not be doing our jobs properly if we will omit the side of the suspect.
I cleared my throat before I spoke as Randy our driver managed to drive our van on to the highway and cruised towards the vicinity of the munisipyo.
“Unsa ang imong isulti, Dave?” Ma’am Ardy asked me as she seemed to be impatient waiting for me to say something. The reality is that I was thinking of asking everyone to pray, as it would help if we all pray in unison before we step into the munisipyo.
“Ma’am mag-ampo lang ta kadali aron tagaan ta ug panalipod sa Ginoo,” I said.
“Ah ok, sige you lead the prayer,” she told me. I then closed my eyes and with all my heart I started to meditate about the incident that happened back in November 2020. I focused on the scars on Mary Joy’s body and I prayed to our guardian angels to protect us.
However, at one portion of my mind I thought that if guardian angels are true then why were they not able to protect Mary Joy and her sister? Why?
I can’t fathom the pain and suffering of Mary Joy and her sibling that night and the guardian angel would have been a great help, but the help came in too late, if there was any.
I admit that there are times I would question my faith. It is a fact that there was a time in my life that I turned into an agnostic—doubting if we are able to know the true nature of God. But, I would be yanked back to my faith by God himself and that is the reason I remained prayerful even if I remain a sinner.
“Lord tagae mi ug kusog ug kaisog sa among pag atubang sa suspetsado,” I started with my prayer. I saw at the side of my eyes that Ma’am Ardy was intently praying. I don’t pray as much but I know God already knows what I need.
I was jolted after the van shook a bit.
I was indeed too nervous that each time there are unusual movements I get startled.
After praying, I reached into my backpack to get a liniment. I don’t get sick when travelling but I felt sick because I am nervous. The anxiety is literally raising my blood pressure and blood sugar. But this is one task that we should not skip as journalists we need to ensure that we are able to get the story right.
The van made a sudden turn and I already saw the munisipyo. Then Ma’am Ardy said: “Ipadaplin sa ang sakyanan, Randy. Gidagat ko. I want to throw up.”
The van stopped a short space before we reached the munisipyo. Randy went out fast to open the side door of the van for Ma’am Ardy. She immediately jumped out of the van and went to the side away from the road. Ruth, her secretary followed her. I saw Ma’am Ardy really throwing up a lot.
After a few minutes, she hopped in back to the van.
“Gidagat ko kaayo. Gidagat gyud ko,” Ma’am Ardy said leaning on her seat by the window.
“Open the windows. Switch off the aircon.” These were the instructions from Ma’am Ardy. The liniment I took out of my bag was now used by Ma’am Ardy.
“Lain man ni ug baho imong hapas, Dave.” She said.
“Dili man na perfume, Ma’am,” I said.
Suddenly Ma’am Ardy jumped off the van again and went to its side. She started to throw up the second time. Ruth jumped off the van, too. She pressed Ma’am Ardy’s shoulders and massaged the left area. After a while, both of them hopped into the van again.
I saw Ma’am Ardy tightening her belt. I asked: “Are you okay Ma’am? Mobisita pa ra ba ta sa bilanggu-an.”
(To be continued)
