by Telly G. Ocampo
Mementos of Christmases in the past
I just don’t know why I have been feeling nostalgic. It
must be the gloomy skies, the sudden climate change
and the news on television of earthquakes that happen
almost every single day. The first one was from
Mindanao, then to Mindoro last Wednesday (Dec. 6,
2023). The sky is gloomy but the temperature is
humid. It seems as though the sky and the sun are
playing hide and seek. But, why?
Sometimes, the situation becomes inexplicable. One
moment you experience the heavy downpour, and the
next moment you see the moon shining brightly at
night. The result? MAHAL KAAYO ANG ISDA.
No matter what, in moments like these, I become firm
in diverting my attention and focus on mementos and
recuerdos of Christmases past.
A few days from now, we will have our Misa de Gallo.
I’m happy that we have the anticipated version of the
Misa de Gallo that suits the life of senior citizens like
me. It is on this occasion when and where we meet
people of my age and have social interaction with
them. Our favorite topic is remembering the memories
collected thru the years. According to the song of
Bishop Abet Uy, mao kin ang akong estorya,
imong estorya, atong estorya sa kinabuhi. We can’t
help but talk about our present ailments and our
deteriorating health that inevitably go with aging.
I remember the Christmas after the earthquake when
the church was still partially in ruins and not yet safe
for church service. We had the alternate church then.
Lyd and Inting Bellezas, may they rest in peace,
were my neighbors here in my new abode at
Taguihon. The couple. Together with caregiver
Arlene, always gave me a ride on our way to and
from church during the Misa de Gallo.
I never missed a single Misa de Gallo during those
days because the couple was very diligent in their role
to help me go to church for the dawn mass.
So this Christmas, I am dedicating my Christmas tree
to the couple, Lyd and Inting, as my way of
remembering and thanking them for their kindness
which will be forever etched in my heart. Both gave
some mementos in the form of big shells we call the
bugjong which I have carefully arranged on my
staircase, together with other shell collections fromt
the Taguihon shores. It is sad to note that dredging the
shores of Taguihon has already happened.
