By: Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
Remembering the Good Old Days
Violeta Lucban Hultzapple recently came in for a surprise visit. Violy has her roots in Samar and was my good customer in my textile store before. She is a woman of very many talents: sewing, cooking, carpentry, quilting decorating, and landscaping.
She used to stay at my mother’s house in Baliaut, Baclayon since she loved our kitchen. We have a big dapugan and another kitchen for the LPG (gasul) stove and the refrigerator, plus a wide table for dining.
One time, Lulie Arroyo served as hostess in that house for her husband to be, and now her husband. It was Violy, then, who coached Lulie the intricacies of cooking and serving the food they prepared. At that time, Lulie was the presidential daughter, and our neighbors were taken aback with the presence of security and all.
Violy left for abroad to take up Nursing and later, joined her husband in Pennsylvania. Her coming over recently was to settle problems on documents of the lots which they invested during their stay here. Her career in Nursing was cut short due to the adverse effect of Covid vaccine. Presently, she is pursuing her graduate studies in Nursing.
Another personality belonging to our group of “the good old days” is Trini Dawson. She is from our hometown of Baclayon. Canada is her first home since she left the country in the 60s. She married Dan Dawson, a French Canadian and upon her retirement, the couple made Bohol as their second home. Trini (who is Nang Nedi to me) is a good singer and if you were present in that ceremony honoring the late Ma’am Ekit, she was the one who sang “Love is a Many Splendored Thing”.
The 3rd lady in our group is Milagros Calope Galvan. She met Violy in Florida at the Lions’ convention. Mila’s husband, Steve, is active in the Lions Club here, just as Violy’s husband, Larry, is. Knowing that the two ladies are from Baclayon, we agreed to have lunch together at home last April 7.
We are all octogenarians, except for Violy. At our age, remembering the days of our youth is very therapeutic Remembering those beautiful years with simple joys in life, and looking forward to Flores de Mayo, fiesta celebrations and Christmas is such a wonderful feeling. These celebrations gave us the sure opportunity to have a new outfit during our childhood. And that dress had to be presentable and decent. Kinahanglan gyud nga kung bag-o ang among sinina, isimba gyud pag-una sa dili pa gamiton ug balik.
As little girls, it was also our dream to dress up as angels in the Flores de Mayo. As teenagers, we wanted to carry the big Ave Maria donning our high-heeled shoes. Our pairs of shoes had to be black or white and durable enough to be handed down to the next siblings. During the Flores de Mayo, we had to climb the Kalachuchi tree for the bouquet we had to bring to church for our floral offerings. Boys joined the cantores in the choir loft just to have a glimpse of the object of their puppy love. For all the men I know, they were not courting until they are about to graduate from College or until they finished a degree.
During that recent visit of my friends, we ended our conversations – beautiful and nostalgic conversations – towards sundown. Mila and Trini had to show Violy the bougainvilleas in bloom on the hills of Cambanac. We had this “reunion” on Easter Tuesday, a moment when Lenten reflection was still fresh in our minds and hearts.
Last Good Friday, during the procession, I was truly grateful. Mihapit gyud si Chandy Batoy ug iyang family naho samtang naghuwat ko sa procession nga mulabay. I was with other senior citizens seated on our chairs by the side of the road. I can’t anymore join processions after my hip surgery as I began to have a problem in mobility. I avoid the crowd but I want to see the people around. Hence, when Chandy approached me, my heart leaped with so much joy. I looked for my bff Ardy (Chandy’s mom), but I was told that she joined the Dauis procession with another son and the latter’s family.
For the Holy Week, my reflection was this: “Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, they become your destiny. Watch your thought for thoughts turn into words.”
Today is First Sunday of Easter and it is Divine Mercy Sunday. We all must pray for Divine Intercession to end this global crisis we are in.
Happy Easter my friends!