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Friday, December 05, 2003
Flavier: The parable of the burial wish
By Sen. Juan Flavier
THE three elderly farmers would have retired under usual city circumstances. But in the barrio, they continued to till the soil out of both habit and need.
Their idea of entertainment was going to the sabungan (cockpit arena) to watch the sabung (cockfight) on Sundays. Then for the whole week, the three would recount the heroes of the fighting roosters. Interestingly, they never bet a single centavo. What they relished was the retelling of the maneuvers and unusual happenings in each pairing. The act of watching and their enthusiastic cheering served as release for all the physical exertion in the whole weeks of farming.
On ordinary days, they congregated at the corner sari-sari store with a makeshift barbershop in front.
Others would mill around as they took turns reliving each cockfight and the exploits of the roosters.
"How about discussing a topic other than sabung?" suggested a bystander.
"Like what?" inquired one of the three elderly farmers as they squatted (nakatalungko) by the dirt road.
"Tell us how you would like to be buried if you die," said another middle-aged farmer waiting for his turn for a haircut.
"Yes, yes," chorused the other bystanders. "After all, you three are nearing the end of your lives."
The first elderly farmer smiled good-naturally and began. "Sure, I will tell you how I would like to be buried when I die. I want to be buried in a grave with Marilyn Monroe. Why, that would be a really something. To spend the rest of my dead days with one of the most glamorous actresses of our time."
The crowd shouted with approval.
The second elderly farmer was encouraged by the hearty cheering of the audience. "In my case, I want to be buried in a grave with Cleopatra. I would enjoy that and put me one over Anthony. Cleopatra was the most fascinating woman in the whole history of mankind."
The hollering of the crowd was even more thunderous. There was wild clapping of hands and stomping of feet.
The old farmer smiled and announced. " I want to be buried with Vilma Santos. That is it."
"But Vilma Santos, the beautiful actress, is still alive," objected the bystanders."
"Yes, indeed. And so am I!" he replied with a naughty grin.
(December 5, 2003 issue)
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