GOODBYES are really not for me. Whether they are for a short while or permanently (heck, things change and no one stays in this world forever after all). But even if the absence is only for a couple of years, the ache and longing is still there. For most of us, we can only wipe our misty eyes and endure that lump in our throat. As I write this, my sister will venture to the land down under to invest for a brighter future for her child who will be left under our ward – a sacrifice that most Filipinos will have to bear to live a decent life.
As a child of a former OFW, I perfectly understand the pain of it all. Believe me, it is very difficult for the family. No child, especially a toddler, shall be separated from his or her parent/s. No one should feel such misery – not for the mother who would be crying every night as he longs for her baby, not for the child who would be screaming “mama!” as he or she would search for his/her mom’s embrace.
“Nagrigat...” we whisper to the air hoping that it will reach our Maker. But, we are living in a forsaken country or world where the rich has all the opportunities in the world, and the poor has to hustle to live. And to hustle, is our only choice. If the struggle is the way to go for the lesser mortals like us, then we shall overcome.
These are the times when I wish that my father was still alive. We need the advice and support that we took for granted when we were just clueless teenagers. We need prayers, above all. We are just simple folks who labor for our family without intending to hurt other people. Simple people who only wish the best for our loved ones, for our community. Is that really too much to ask?
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The Adivay celebration is halfway done! As one of the coordinators for our town, I wish to congratulate the following who represented our Municipality during Adivay’s series of Events: Thank you “Kasinsin band” for representing our town and winning the 2nd place for the Adivay Acoustic Band Competition! Congratulations also to La Trinidad Central School Cultural Dance Troupe for likewise bagging the 2nd best performance during the cultural presentations! For the Mr. and Ms. Adivay Pageant, Congratulations to Jediah Daniel (2nd Runner-up) and Michelle (3rd Runner-up) who showed the charm and wit of i-La Trinidads, and representing “our generation” during the said event.
Although there will still be musical and artistic competitions, and other exciting events in the coming weeks, the Indigenous Rituals, regardless of being stripped off the Bendiyan, is perhaps still the center of the Adivayan where the elders will pray for the Province while being in solidarity with those who unfortunately met their demise in the recent tragedies in our place. “Anusan tayo pay” as they say. I would like to believe that the significant change in the activities is meaningful and worth the decision.