Quick Reflections

When typhoon Undang stormed Aklan in 1984, it destroyed all homes, fields, and livestock. Life at Bulwang was already tough, but it got worse, people reporting cows and carabaos being stolen from them. 

Full damnation happened when I could not find one of our backyard, organically raised fat chicken that was supposed to be slaughtered for dinner.

There was a witness. My neighbor said she saw the famous theives, the Soriano* brothers (name changed baka buhay pa sila) lurking in our backyard just recently. Grabbing a stick, I walked 1 kilometer (too far for a kid) under the noon heat (kaya pala ang itim-itim ko), went to their house, and asked for them.

I prepared an oratorical con talumpati speech, which I thought will make Ma’am Malilay proud. And I was so ready for a Perry Mason cross-examination.

But when one of the brothers came out to face me, I chickened out, no pun intended. I just feebly mustered ‘Errrr….….’Nong…hakita mo do ang manok? Tag may kyuteks?’

I never solved the case. The X-File. Unsolved Mystery.

I can’t let go. That was my dinner. Ginutom ako.

I think that was also the day I promised myself to never ever give up a fight.

Kaya pala ang tapang-tapang ko, he he he. Nang dahil sa manok.