by Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
Bedtime stories of my Lola Danday for Cuaresma
I remember the time in my childhood. A strong typhoon toppled down the nipa roof of our karaang balay. Ang balay ni Tan Akoy, the house just across my grandparents’ house. Most of the things recovered were safely kept at the lower floor of our house which we call the silong. One of those was the portrait of Padre Juan Villamor, the first Filipino parish priest in our hometown of Baclayon. Padre Juan was one of the many children of Casimiro Ynocencio Villamor and Cecilia Talaid. I don’t know where that portrait went but in our celebration of Baclayon’s 400 years, I borrowed the portrait from the children of Nong Juaning Caballo and had it replicated for the convent museum. I hope the portrait is still there.
There are five carros associated with the Villamor families, three of which are taken care of by the siblings of Padre Juan.
San Juan or Saint John the beloved. The forerunner and cousin of Jesus. He was on Mary’s side in the Crucifixion. “John behold thy mother, and to Mary behold thy son” – one of the seven last words of Jesus. The icon is taken care of by Lorenza Villamor, married to Pablo Malon. One of the children is Juan Malon whose descendants are the ones keeping the Malon house and the carro of San Juan.
Santa Maria Magdalena. The adulterous woman who followed Jesus in His ministry. These are the famous words of Jesus: He who has no sin among you, cast the first stone. The repentant woman who first saw Jesus in His resurrection. The icon is being taken care of by the family of Gregoria Villamor, married to Lucas Goyot. The present encargados are the members of the Cuaresma family of Nang Roning in Panas.
Jesus de la Huerta. Jesus in His agony in the garden. This is where Jesus asked the Father: “Get this cup away from me. And it was in the garden where Judas made his kiss of deceit. The present encargados are the descendants of Francisco Villamor and Zoila Alarba. Specifically the children of Casimiro Villamor and Juana Francisca Villamor Dologuin.
Sta. Veronica. It was she who wiped the face of Jesus on his way to Golgotha, as He carried His heavy cross. Veronica cannot stand seeing Jesus perspiring with blood. She wiped the face of Jesus and on her handkerchief Jesus’ face was engraved. The present encargadas are the heirs of Ynocencio Ygnacio Villamor. His wife was Pantaleona Badiang. One of the children, Juana, was married to Catalino Valeroso. The icon is in the house of Paciencia and upon her death, her daughter-in-law was entrusted the role to take care of the icon. Sta. Veronica is the symbol of unity among the Valeroso clan.
Senior Jesus Nazareno. The legacy bequeathed to the family of Ciriaco Iyog Villamor and Agripina Buhion. Included in our carro is the Hudejo – an icon that children are afraid of when they see it. – especially the piercing eyes and angry lips. There is also Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus carry the cross on trodding with the heavy weight of the cross on his way to Golgotha.
This is part of our growing up with us cousins on the Oppus side. It’s now Romana Caballo Plaza who is the front liner in the preparation. Daria and I are just the wind beneath the wings. Kami na lang ang tigpakaon sa motod sa carro.
This is part of the legacy of Marcelo Tamayo Villamor and Silvina Iyog to our town of Baclayon.
My dear readers, the bedtime stories of my Lola Danday continues. There are still 27 stories to tell. The 32 do not include the Soledad, Our lady of Alegria and the Risen Lord.