Tuesday, April 15, 2008 A funny thing happened on the way to Baguio By Jose Paolo Ariola I still walk the line
WELL, as you all know, I went to Baguio City last April 1 to attend the seminar on Judicial Dispute Resolution conducted by the Philippine Judicial Academy. Upon our arrival at the domestic airport in Manila at around 10:30 a.m., we were immediately fetched by a private van for the five-hour trip to the City of Pines. And while we were traversing the traffic-clogged streets of Manila, I got an alarming call from home asking if I am okay. I was puzzled by that call because I was perfectly fine, while munching on the special 'lumpia Silay' by Emma Lacson, shared to our entourage by Judge Bibong Rodriguez (RTC La Carlota).
So I asked why? Turns out that there was an anonymous caller who called up our house with the information that I allegedly met an accident. Hell nearly broke loose. So I told them to just dismiss the call as nothing more than a scheme to embezzle money from unsuspecting and gullible victims.
This scam is nothing new. In fact, about a month ago, there was a couple arrested here in Bacolod City whose modus operandi was to introduce themselves to the 'timbang' (house help) while the owner was out, that they are relatives of the master and that they were told by their 'pariente' to just wait in the house until the latter arrives later. In the meantime, they will just make themselves comfortable inside the entire house. And once inside, they would ransack and divest the house of all the valuables they could lay their hands on.
Then there are those who masquerade themselves as collectors or meter-readers of Ceneco or Baciwa just to gain entry into their victims' houses. Of course, who can forget the notoriously infamous 'bodol-bodol' gang who victimized even a veteran lady lawyer into parting away with her cash and heirloom jewelry. These scam artists will never stop at anything. I am thus calling the attention of our readers and all Bacolodians, as well to be vigilant on these nefarious ploys perpetrated by these stooges to fleece money from innocent victims. And I'd also like to call upon our Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to conduct a massive information campaign against these perfidious con artists until they are brought to the bar of justice.
Oh boy! On hindsight, I could only heave a sigh of relief at that funny incident that happened on my way up to the City of Pines. Imagine that! I've already met an accident in Baguio City while I was still in Manila. So much for bilocation. And I am no Padre Pio.
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The Baguio Country Club is an exclusive golf club founded by William Cameron Forbes in 1905 and was inaugurated in April 1906. Originally, it was intended for US colonial officials, members of the US Armed Forces, and their families as well as their guests. I did not bother to inquire about how much it would cost to become a member because I don't play golf. I could only surmise however the whopping amount it would cost just to become a member of the club. Golf, is generally, a rich man's sport.
The very one thing that caught my attention was the sprawling and well-manicured golf course. The grass up there is very much greener and well trimmed. As early as 6 a.m., there are golfers already at the tee-off area swinging their clubs. I would have wanted to jog around the golf course itself but it was prohibited.
Oh, well! I just had to content myself jogging along outside the course. And speaking of jogging, the uphill and downhill winding roads of Baguio are a jogger's delight. It was good thing that I brought along my running shoes with me. And for the first time in my running career, I finally experienced what it felt like jogging along Baguio's winding roads early in the morning with frost vapors spewing from my mouth each time I breathed the cool mountain air. And it reminded me of the refrain from my idol John Denver's "Rocky Mountain." It was absolutely a natural high for me. I couldn't want anything more.
Breakfast is served at the sprawling verandah (Ozaeta and Ilusorio Wings) overlooking the fairway. Apart from the sumptuous course they serve there, there is one unique natural phenomenon that only happens at the Baguio Country Club every morning after breakfast. As one is enjoying his meal and coffee, a flock of 'maya' birds would congregate among the lush vegetation lining the verandah. At first, I didn't pay much attention to them. But I noticed later that these birds were patiently waiting for the guests to finish eating and then they'd swoop down and land on the breakfast tables and forthwith take a peck or two at the leftovers, especially rice or bread. As if on cue, these birds knew exactly when a guest is done eating. And only then would they partake of the leftovers. What an experience! "Wala ni ya sa Negros" (There's nothing like this in Negros).
Oh well, the only spoiler of my Baguio soiree was how me and my old nemesis nearly bumped into each other at the supermarket area of the SM Baguio. And how? There I was taking a leisurely stroll as I enjoyed the luxury of being a total stranger in this city. Yet, as I was about to enter the supermarket section, I felt a tingling sensation that someone was staring at me from my left periphery. And when I looked leftwards, lo and behold, I saw a familiar face, which made my adrenalin rush to fever pitch. But as I menacingly returned his stare, he forthwith turned the other way. It was only his young male companion who had the temerity to stare at me as they went on their way. After a few paces, I turned back to look for them in all the mall floors. But they were completely gone in a whiff. Oh well, it would have been "exciting" to have renewed our acquaintance, but this time around on a different footing. It was nearly two years ago to the day when I first encountered that arrogant priest at the Amigo Terrace Hotel in Iloilo City during one of our seminars conducted by the Philja wherein he "unpriestly" embarrassed me in front of my peers.
After that incident, I have often wondered, as a Roman Catholic myself, why many priests have become so arrogant these days. Where have all the fatherly and modest priests of old gone? Now many of them are cocky and have the audacity to publicly evince a "holier-than-thou", if not, a "know-it-all" attitude. And lately, this priest-nemesis of mine had the nerve to be interviewed on national television on constitutional matters when he is not even a lawyer. The only lawyer-priest that I know is the eminent constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ.
And who is this priest-nemesis of mine? It seems that the curiosity of many of my readers has been titillated as to his identity, including my good friend from Missouri, USA Ching White (who's a Bacolodian by the way). Well, prudence dictates that I'd rather not reveal his name. But this I'll say, I have since then given that priest his comeuppance to my full satisfaction. But if you ever getthe chance to run up a hill, you will probably get to meet him there. And while you're at it, you might as well read about the life story of St. Thomas Aquinas. Oops!!!!
