By: Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
Maninoy, Maninay! Kumpare, Kumare!
I’m happy I grew up in that era where television and modern gadgets were yet unknown. Electric power was available from 6:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the afternoon. Bedroom was common among the young children. Banig, unlan, ug habol were our precious possessions. The sala (living room) was the place where we slept. Kami ray maglatad sa banig ug maghipos upon waking up; and upon waking up we immediately went to our respective assignments in the household chores.
My brother was with my mother during bedtime; my manang was with my Lolo Ado and I was with my Lola Danday. Lola Dadnday was a good story teller and the bedtime stories she shared with us were quality stories. And I could remember well how she would praise and make us proud of our maninoy and maninay – the kumpare and kumare of my parents.
The words kumpare and kumare are very popular now in almost all communication platforms – radio, television, newspaper and the social media. However, I am hearing a negative discussion of the kumpare and kumare – my maninoy and maninay.
What was our impression of our maninoy and maninay?
Growing up, we were taught the role of the maninoy and maninay? We were told that they were supposed to be our alternate father and mother. They were there during our baptism – a sacred ritual where they were asked by the priest if they were ready to accept the responsibility of as godparents. Mosaad sila sa atubangan sa tawo ug sa Ginoo nga sila ang mga ikaduhang amahan ug inahan sa ilang mga kinugos. Most often they were the ones called to act as witnesses during our Sacrament of Confirmation.
I cannot remember having a godfather. I only had my Maninay Suping (Sofia), Frayles Jaya and Tia Poying – (Maria Flores Oppus Uy). Tia Poying died young, but there was Tio Eden who assumed the responsibility.They were there in every milestone of my life. Every Christmas, I always had a special treat from them.
I remember very well Maninoy Baroy, the husband of Maninay Soping. He was always ready to help in any activity. Magdala to siya ug suga (Petromax), aron malamdagan ang among Christmas venue – our terrace. My first bottle of perfume, Chateau, was my birthday gift from Maninay Soping. Bililhon na to kaayo naho sa una.
On my wedding, day my Maninay Soping bought a new gown since she was one of my principal sponsors. Dili pa uso ang abang abang ug gown sa una. After the wedding ceremony, the bride had to bring with her, her wedding gown any place she would stay as a wife.
I only have 3 kinugos in my whole life: Cecilia, the daughter of our co-worker at Baclayon Trading; Alvie Uy, the mayor of our town; and Babie Batoy Boyan, the daughter of my bff Flor Naron Batoy Cimafranca. They call me maninay – so soothing to my ears. I call their parents, kumpare and kumare – with utmost respect and loyalty.
I will never trade off my kumpare and kumare with any piece of silver because our relationship, to me, is a responsibility we share for our children. So magtarong gyud tang mga kumpare ug kumare.
