by Telly G. Ocampo
Kalabo Ug Uban Pa: Trivial but Essential
On Monday, Nov. 6, I felt refreshed and
rejuvenated upon hearing the beautiful news
released in Kwentas Claras by Ted Ayeng. The
news item said that there will be a joint oath taking
ceremony for the newly elected barangay officials
of our town (Baclayon) as announced by our
Mayor, Alvin Uy and Gina Gatal-Bastes from the
Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG).
This is the first time that it happened in my
hometown. And for this, i give a warm salute to
Gina Gatal-Bastes, the Baclayon DILG officer, and
a Baclayanon at that, through and through.
I could still remember the time when there was a
great division between the opposing political
camps in our town. And that lasted for decades.
Yes, for decades! I was wondering if it was not
etched in the politicians’ minds that they, who won,
swore to the people whom they were supposed to
serve and not to the political party where they
belonged?
I am refreshed knowing that Gina is listing down
the best practices in administration that are going
on in our hometown. What Gina is doing should
continue and should become a footnote to other
government agency heads.
The non-partisan rule in our barangay election is a
wisp of fresh air. It may not be perfect for now,
but this can be a great start and step to a brighter
administration in the barangay level. It is worth the
start to slowly change the mindset of the officials
and change, too, the mindset of the electorate.
The results of the recent election in my barangay
are writings on the wall. Only one of the previous
incumbent councilors (kagawads) made it. This is
a very clear indication that money works to a
certain extent, but not to reach that point when it
will rule over the deciding power of the electorate.
Walay mahimo ang kuarta kung mohukom na
ang mga katawhan. It is still the electorate’s
perception of who can do true public service, that
will prevail.
I am very happy with the results of the elections.
Congratulations to the winners!
Aside from feeling refreshed of the news I’ve
heard over Kwentas Claras, I was also happy at
my success in driving away the mga “inday” sa
balay. This might sound of little importance and
value to others, but to me and to us at home, this
is success. Nalipay gyud ko kay wala na
maglatay-latay ang mga “inday” (rats) sa
akong ohan. You see, my house at the Blue
Apartelle, is designed for natural “wind
conditioning” instead of an air conditioning unit
installed in the rooms. Come to the groundfloor of
my house and you will see that the windows are
made of bamboo slots. Because of this, my
groundfloor has become a playground of creepy
creatures like: labud, ohipan, “mga inday” nga
bagtok nga tag-as ug simod. Mao ning klaseha
sa “inday” nga bisan ang iring dili motukob
tungod sa iyang baho. Sometimes the birds
come in and have become a welcome treat. But at
times, the situation becomes catastrophic because
the dogs go scampering away.
So, you might ask what I did to drive the “mga
inday” away? I put in pots of kalabo and arranged
them along the line that is followed as the usual
tract of the “mga inday”. And voila, the rats are
gone. Therefore, don’t underestimate your kalabo.
You use them for your soup labi na sa karneng
kabaw. The kalabo is medicinal, too. Most of all,
pluck a kalabo branch; put it in your cabinet and
you will discover that the rats will go away. Dili
gyud ganahan ang “mga inday” nga mosulod
sa imong aparador ug cabinet kung butangan
nimo sa sulod ug kalabo. Suwayi ba.
This was my day last Monday, Nov. 6. I was
refreshed because of two things: the kalabo
blessing and the Bandilyo ni Ted Ayeng sa
dyTR.
Trivial but essential! Right?
Photos
Photo 1 – kalabo plant (attached ang
photos)
Caption: The oregano (Kalabo) leaves
Photo 2 – Ted Ayeng of dyTR’s Kwentas
Claras (naa na tay file ani)
Caption: Ted Ayeng of dyTR’s Kwentas Claras
Photo 3 – Mayor Alvin Uy – naa tay file ani
Caption: Mayor Alvin Uy of Baclayon, Bohol
Photo 4 – The Blue Apartelle (attached ang
photo)
Caption: The Blue Apartelle
