IT WAS a somber moment. The butterflies on the verdant fields fluttered their wings very slowly, and after their poor fate of seven days, they slowly died as if to join passage with somebody.

Even the famed frogs of this town croaked unendingly, could not accept their King of Parnassus on the entire soil of Pampanga has just given up the ghost.

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Floras withered, other stooped. The faunas could not play nor hunt. And that no more words have lyrically poured from the sweet mouth of a great poetaster.

Such is the poetry of the death of Ari ning Parnasung Kapampangan, Vedastro Ocampo, out of old age.

Yet, it was such death that made him lived, as reminded by the recent tribute of the Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies for the local laureate’s 40th day on June 04, 2009.

He was born as Vedastro David Ocampo on August 11, 1925 in San Pedro, Magalang.

Described as secretive and silent-type by his family and refined both in manner and dress by his fellow poets, he was a help of the “Himnung Kapampangan.”

His greatness, however, amplified only his widely known humility. Miss Erlinda Cruz of Center for Kapampangan Studies said on the tribute held at the San Pedro chapel in Magalang, “We stand this year for Vedastro.”

Cruz added that the tribute was a treat for a dignified writer (marangal a tagasulat) and told the center’s adoration of Vedastro’s humbleness which is rare among esteemed.

Even Director Robby Tantingco has noticed the laureate’s wondrous trait, claiming that the secret of poet Ved Ocampo was not only his unmatched poetic flair but also his endearing feature of not being grandiose and showy.

Indeed, an extraordinary Tatang Ved worthy to emulate by contemporaries.

Indeed, it was, as two young poets have also manifested their homage by reciting poetry at the event.

They are Roilingel Calilung and Adrian Magcalas, both only in their early 20s, both educators by profession, and probably educators as well by vocation: in Kapampangan literature.

My poetic emotion was on a cloud nine when I met this two whom have been my old acquaintances. We already jested if we can be the next writers of Amanung Sisuan and took pictures and pictures inside the chapel.

Wondered if Poet Ocampo had been like that on his youth with his peer poets.

Could be, when the tribute has been attended by several poets, mostly 20 years his junior, including two female jewels, one of which was the lovely Eufrocinia Pena of San Luis, who despite being unmarried and old, remained as pretty and refined as her heyday.

I would no longer choose to mention the many names of the Kapampangan poets because they are, literally, many.

Family members were also there as well as neighbors and the town’s mayor, Romulo Pecson and Holy Angel University Chorale and staff of the Kapampangan Center which started at 9 o’clock in the morning right after the mass for the poet.

One singer named Diwata I heard even exclaiming, “Ay pota kayang yaku
(mete) idinan daku rin makanian (tribute) kaya?"

His voice was so powerful and supple when he sung shortly for the event.

The reason for the tribute is simple: that of the poet’s extraordinary worth not merely based on his capacity to be a literary genius but, even if I would reiterate again and again based on the people’s observation, is the great Vedastro Ocampo’s unusual low-profile.

Ocampo is also known as a mentor of the genre, one of which is Renato Alzadon which is a crowned prince and he, Ocampo, the ultimate king.

Also called as “Apung Vidu,” it is said that under his mentorship, one can also be a Lauria.do.

And yes, he shall be on Pampanga’s literary list, eternally.

After the event, we rode back on the school bus, the vehicle full of aging poets with the Center’s amazing people. As we passed by the misty greenery of the poet’s birth town, I was beside poet Felix Garcia and crissot Aspe Dula variably, listening to their actual anecdotes and verses.

And as we made our way to Angeles City, we passed the roads gaily, hearing their words poured beautifully and I, dreaming that new breed of butterflies was born, sweeping their thin wings on the air while the frogs tossing their foreheads, with one another.

And when the floras bloomed again, refreshed, and the fauna animated once more, one should know how the King of Parnassus of this time, of the latest, victoriously reaches the mighty mountain only to be humbly welcomed by Yuzon, Muldung, Gallardo, and Quibuloy.