FOR some Negrosanons, “panimad-on” is a vision (or even expectation) for the 12 months to come in 2019. We hope for the best but we have to buckle up for the unexpected challenges.
The farmers did rituals on New Year’s Eve. They had small scopes of rice, salt, sugar, corn, and assorted beans properly placed on the table. They were covered properly and the children were warned not to touch the table. At sunrise, the cover would be taken out. If the heaps are not disturbed, that simply goes to show that there is no food shortage. If one or two heaps scatter, it is expected that there will be problems there.
Farmers in the rural areas not affected by too much explosion of fire crackers could have listened to the sounds of the animals when the clock strikes twelve. Sounds of carabaos, cows, pigs, and chickens are good indicators for farming. A howling dog would bring famine, pestilence, and even death. If someone heard husband and wife quarrelling...then that would depend on what kind of quarrel was that.
The first 12 days in January are indicators for fine, bad, sunny or gloomy months...starting January until December of 2019. The weather cycle as some “agurang” (council of elders) said follows the movement of “bakunawa” (a huge imaginary serpent whose movement affects the season and the life of the Bisaya). This could be found in Almanaque Panayanhon.
Here in Negros, if stories are to be believed, our economic life, relationship, and even politics...would be dependent on “Hari-sa-Bukid,” a deity who lived inside Mt. Kanlaon. He is known for his compassion and generosity. He allowed the poor farmers to plant vegetables on the slopes of his home with a condition that they were not to go beyond the limits he had set for them.
Some people disobeyed him in the past; they were punished with earthquakes and even eruption of the volcano. He hates those who destroy the forest, those who grab the land from the farmers, those who construct resorts in the protected areas, and those who dig holes in the mountain sides. “Hari-sa-Bukid” has alliances with Mang Dalagan and Kang Silay. These are the legendary rulers of Negros.
Even the fate of the politicians is determined by the movement of “bakunawa.” To understand the will of “bakunawa,” politicians should see a “babaylan,” a person, usually a woman, who can communicate with supernatural beings, evil and good. The “babaylan” may even tell the politicians, “Stop from running before it is too late.”
For politicians, the best “panimad-on” I can suggest for them is to master Batas Pambansa Bilang 881: The Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, Republic Act 6646: The Electoral Reforms Law of 1987, Republic Act 9006: Fair Election Act, among others. They have to ask themselves, “Did I wake up with a nightmare? Did God believe that I am qualified to serve my country and people?” Go ahead, these are just panimad-ons.