HE IS now a full-fledged “serohano” after passing all the tests. Just like a doctor of medicine, he needs to become a specialist.
He could climb the ladder of a “babaylan” (a gifted common folk medicine man, a consultant on fairies’ world, a combatant to drive away malevolent forces).
He could be a “dalagangan” (a “serohano” with superior powers). He needs to have a “pataas-dungan” (elevation of adroitness) to overcome the tricks of persons who are advocates of evil. He has to be more spiritual and needs the constant guidance of God who allows him to possess those special gifts.
A “serohano mayor” (now) needs a Good Friday journey to find out what he lacks. In Negros, the common Good Friday journey destination is Bukid Kanlaon.
Other destinations could also be manifested in the vision of the “serohano.” It could just be a hill, a secluded farm, a cave, a river bank or a forest.
He could bring along his small tent, cooking utensils, red shirt and pants (for the ritual), kamangyan (dried sap of a tree with sweet aroma if burned), and a “bugtong-lubi” (the lone mature coconut in a bunch).
His journey from home (or starting area) begins at Holy Thursday (after lunch). Upon reaching his chosen spot, this “serohano mayor” will set up his tent or will construct a “kayang,” temporary shelter of leaves and branches of bushes in the area.
He will cook his food and have an early dinner. His bonfire includes some twigs, “kamangyan” and leaves of trees that will produce redolence (fragrant smell) to invite the fairies to join him.
The conversation with the fairies (old friends and new friends) may take a whole night. He will be told some unknown skills, new methods in healing, additional herbs for healing, and ultra-defenses from the wicked spirits.
He will be taught “oracion” (prayer in Latin or bartardized words learned by the fairies from their ancestors). The prayer is powerful because it could drive the spirits that caused illnesses in human beings.
Friday morning is for the preparation of “lana” (coconut oil). Cooking will end at 12 high noon. The fairies will be telling the “serohano” additional ingredients to make that “lana” effective as anti-evil formula. Or could be an effective lotion for the body to protect the person from harm.
It could be drunk for maximum effect. The new concoction will be finalized at three o’clock in the afternoon (Good Friday).
In the fairies’ world, time will go back to that very moment when Jesus Christ died on the cross. Unseen spirits become stronger because the Son of God (who is God Himself) died.
There is the absence of a “definitive line” that separates evil from what is not evil. For a “serohano” and his fairy friends, this is the opportunity for them to acquire knowledge from both parties.
This may sound “weird” but if you are not a “serohano mayor” you will not comprehend this. This will destroy your ‘mental bolts’. (Let us go back to the ceremony).
While acquiring new circumspection, the “serohano” will experience (undergo) extreme pain and may even hallucinate because he is now acquiring more challenging competence that makes him more than human.
He is now entering the “ethereal zone” where the just must survive over evil.
In the “serohano” dimension, Holy Saturday is a “vacuity.” There is blankness, emptiness, inanity, incognizance. That is the best time for the “serohano” with the assistance of his fairy friends from the spirit world to fill him up with knowledge, education, erudition, instruction, intelligence, cognition, discernment. He is now a “dalagangan.”
This may sound as “pastoral legend” but this is never bucolic. After his “man-up” rites, this “dalagangan” can even stop the flow of the water in a nearby stream, can wrestle with a whirlwind, can stay on top of the banana leaf without falling, can run faster than a deer, and can even disappear in front of a crowd.
He is now ready to go home on Easter Sunday, just like the Risen Christ, he shows himself to the community not as a magical astute, but as a humble renewed person who knows his real self... with authority (and power) comes responsibility.
The ability of a “serohano” is just a gift and that gift in him could be taken anytime by the Giver if he does not use it properly.
I am writing this “serohano’s” journey for my readers to simply be delighted on what it takes to be a “serohano.” You don’t have to agree or disagree with me. In this world, sometimes we need a tractor to pull out a needle. The choice is yours. Would you want to be a tractor or a needle?