Makamisa The Mass was over, and everyone could now go home.

Those
who had fallen asleep because of the interminable and
During the Sanctus Veus, Sanctus Fortis, Capitana Barang uncomfortable heat began to rise; stretching their limbs to
nudged the fat woman next to her, the one lying on the floor, awaken their still-sleepy bodies.
leading the prayers.
The heavy suffocating atmosphere was aggravated by a
"Mana Sebia Mana Sebia!" Capitana Barang exclaimed, tempest of sounds, The air seemed filled with a mixture of
interrupting Sebias prayers. evaporated sweat, exhaled air, candle smoke, human stench,
"Santus talis..." murmured Mana Sebia "serere nobis!" rubbing and the scent of incense. With each whiff of incense, Mana
her eyes and making the sign of the cross across her chest. Sebia gazed at the curtains closing on the altar.

"Mana Sebia... Mana Sebia did you see it?" Capitana Barang "What happened? Whats the matter?" she asked, striking her
asked with alarm. chest each time the bell sounded.

"See what?" Mona Sebia replied, half-awake. But then Capitana Barang did not reply. She simply made a
couple of signs of the cross, each time striking her chest so hard
"Our parish priest, Padre Agaton! Ay! he pushed the missal." she was unable to hear herself.
"Look!" The strings of the bass fiddle, the sound of the wind Instruments
and the pistons of the brass instruments resounded like war
Mana Sebia yawned, her mouth wide open, revealing teeth trumpets. The clarinets blared, the flutes whistled, and the
blackened by buyo. She raised her head and got up, jolting saxophone sounded like the hoarse voice pf a drunken person.
herself awake. Now wide awake, Mana Sebia knelt to see the The whole flock was in a frenzy in the midst of these sounds,
proceedings better. She saw nothing. Being short, she could not with small bells tinkling furiously at the end of the Mass
see anything, except the flickering candles set on two ciriales in producing a commotion akin to that of hells around mules on
front of the Nuestra Seora serious, morena and symmetrical the loose.
in her gilded silver vestments in the center niche of the retablo.
The bells in the tower began to chimed. The small bells shrieked
There must have been something unusual happening that day, like giddy college girls away from their studies and on a field
because all the women cast knowing glances at each other and trip, while in the center of the tower the huge bell called Sta.
made small hand gestures, asking silent yet expressive Cecilia tolled solemnly, her sound majestic like an old Mother
questions. Superior trying to contain the uproar. Her voice seemed to
"Que paso, Capitano Barang?" Mana Sebia asked, staring follow the pealing of the small bells, seemingly saying:
blankly into the Capitanas face. "Calm down... calm... calm..."
"Whats happening?" she repeated, again trying to glean an Padre Agaton, however, did not wait for the curtains to drop and
answer from Barangs face. cover the altar completely when he handed the censer to the
"Ay! It. seems..." sacristan and left in a huff, disappearing into the sacristy,
preceded by the huge candlesticks held by bearers, followed by
A few measures of music still remained to be sung by the choir magnificently dressed acolytes. The Mass had ended.
when the swinging censer, together with the pealing of the tiny
bells from the sacristy, gave everyone a vigorous signal The chiming of the church bells became weaker and then
indicating the end of the Mass, slowed,, down, as if trying to impose silence on the furious
sounds which had followed the end of the Mass. Way up in the
belfry, the bells were vigorously pealing, one after the others
while the huge bell called St. Cecilia carried away by rapture The women murmured, shrieked, and became irritated when
kept ringing as if it were animating the small bells instead of their feet were trampled upon and their arms pinched by unseen
calming them. hands in the crowd. All of a sudden, a man would leap, pinched
by an old woman whose long skirt he had inadvertently stepped
"Sing, sing, sing," its metal tongue repeatedly intoned. on, while in another corner one could hear the sound of a loud
The people who filled the church to the rafters began to move slap on the face of someone followed by curses. Aba! Salvaje!
out as soon as they had made the sign of the Cross. Suddenly was the angry shout directed to a waggish old man. Some
there was a great commotion among the people inside the women alleged that there were really men who take advantage
church. The men stood up and shook off the dust and grime of such a tight and packed situation in order to abuse them.
from their knees with their handkerchiefs, producing a Here and there one could hear the nasal mumbling of an old
tumultuous noise, while the women gathered up the hems of woman praying her novena together with a lay brother leading
their sayas and tapis, then shook the dust off their clothes by an association of beatas, while over there you could see a young
slapping the undersides with their palms. Then, turning about as maiden brushing. The children kept crying loudly. A confused
if they were dancing to the tune of the music, the children muttering multitude momentarily stayed inside the church.
started crying loudly while the tapestries, draperies, and
curtains agitated by so much commotion kept swaying; the tiny Meanwhile Capitan Panchong a mar of medium build, stout and
flames seemed to be dancing over the candlesticks because of around 38 to 40 years old came by, pushing, trampling upon
the whirling wind. Everyone inside the church seemed to be in a everyone elses feet, clearing the crowd with his cane, while his
desperate mood: The sacristans moved to and fro; the followers, their shirts soaked in perspiration, elbowed each other
evangelists on the altar with unbelted waists and one foot in a race to the door, raising their hats and salakot above their
advancing seemed disposed to follow the crowd by imitating the heads to keep them from being crushed and to defend
poses of the images of the saints on the side altars. themselves from being mobbed by the crowd. Then Capitan
Panchong. as if to stop a tempest, stepped toward the holy-
San Sebastian had the air of a dancer with castanets in his water font, dipped in his finger, made the sign of the Cross,
hands; San Miguel the Archangel executed a difficult pass over genuflected, and later disappeared.
the head of the devil. Only the image of the Jesus Nazareno had
a serious mien, as it knelt on its ugly, unadorned carriage. The Once more the crowd resumed their struggle for the exit.
Nazarene seemed to be gazing strangely toward the choir, Capitana Barang and Mana Sebia both got up, anxious to
scandalized by such profanity. In this surprised posture he exchange impressions and observations about the rites. Mana
seemed to be unmindful of the heavy Cross he bore, which had Sebia, above all, could not satisfy her curiosity:
been donated by Mana Sebia, and recently varnished and
gilded. The Mater Doloroso, our Lords faithful companion in His "Bendito y alabado sea... What happened to our parish priest?"
Lenten sufferings, could be seen beside him with her head "To our curate? Ave Maria Purisima!"
slightly bowed, shedding crystal tears. Beneath her hands,
folded devoutly to express her sorrows, was her heart. It was "Sin pecado concebida ", she answered looking intently at
engraved in her bosom and shaped like a kasuy. Her statue was Menang.
covered with a black mourning veil through out Passion Sunday.
"Ave Maria purisima!"
A loud drumbeat signalled the end of the religious affair, and the
people responded with great rejoicing. They hastily got up, "He pushed the Missal, Mana Sebia!"
pushed the doors open then rushed out, jostling one another "He pushed it? Ave Maria!"
toward the exit.
"He refused to bless Andays daughter. Aba! And think of it,
Mana Sebia, the stipend for the candles and blessing had been
paid in advance, but then the money has not been returned to blessing; thus, it was widely believed that he contracted skin
them. A peso and half a real, Mana Sebia!" disease and lost the powers of his anting-anting due to his
profane and unbelieving behavior.
"A peso and half a real, Capitana Barang!"
Fura related and even imitated with gestures how the parish
"Yes, a peso and half a real. A peso for the blessing and half a priest pushed the missal away, as well as the manner in which
candles. I know because I lent her the money." Padre Agaton jerked the censer.
"So you were the one, Barang? And you said that Anday owed "Clodio," Fura said, "be now convinced that you have missed a
such an amount?" great thing in life! You may never see anything like it again."
"Ay! seventy-three pesos plus another peso and a half this Clodio laughed mockingly. "Hey," he answered, "I have said it,
morning. But how could she use it for such holy things?" for me; I really dont care to wait for the final blessing."
"How can you ask him to bless the baby when she was crying Fura replied, "Do you know why you have scabies? Because you
while her mother was praying the rosary? You know, I think that refuse to be blessed by the parish priest."
girl has been possessed by the devil since the age of one. Ay!
she will become wicked like her mother." They could see the groups of curious people loitering around the
main entrance of the church all commenting on the same topic,
"But why is the mother wicked?" well as the line of women passing, who were also talking about
"Aba, Mana Sebia! She did not want her child to be blessed by the same subject. They added details, some exaggerated in.
the priest because she owed me much money, so I threatened retelling things, while others invented conjectures. For the
to throw her out of our house at once because, Mana Sebia, I people of Pili nothing was more important than the movements
dont like wicked people staying with me. They beget of their parish priest.
misfortune." The whole of Europe could be at war, science could come with
"Ah, so thats the reason why she presented herself at our home the most useful discoveries, the most humanitarian principles in
and begged me to hire her as our maid. Jesus! Who would want matters of law and sociology could be enunciated all this to
to employ a maid with a child? Servants should not have the people of Pili was mere rice chaff as long as Fray Agaton
children." continued to be Fr. Agaton, and his handsome forehead did not
darken with his terrible frown, The people of Pili had good
"They are all rotten! Ave Maria purisima!" reason to think this way.
"Sin pecado concebida," answered Mana Sebia. Wars did not directly affect Fr. Agatons life. He considered
modern principles a dismal disturbance for the great majority of
At that moment, the people rushed toward the holy-water font. people, like light for dull and dormant minds. More than the
They dipped their forefingers into the font, and with a grimace existe of God, more than the sun, science or even their destiny
made the sign of the Cross on their foreheads, faces, and nothing was more important for the people of Pili than Fr.
chests, mumbling prayers and then left the church. Agaton their famous parish priest, feared by the whole province
Outside, in the patio, all the men were noisily discussing and from the miserable rural folk to their presumptuous governor.
commenting on what had happened during the Mass. Fura, a Fray Agaton despite his age still looked young. He maintained
barrio fixture, was relating to his neighbor a story about Clodio, fame for being extraordinarily brave and energetic. Ever since
a rustic old man, a heathen, a notorious heretic, who used to he had arrived in town, he tried to dominate the people
beat the images of the saints when he was in a foul mood. Old completely by requiring total obedience from them. In the
Clodio attended church but once a year and that only out of
curiosity. He always left the church immediately before the final
seventeen years that he had exercised his ministry, Fr. Agatons His close supporters nodded their heads in admiration, while his
fame was not only confirmed, it also increased tremendously. rivals, as well as some bishops, bit their lips and smiled wanly
"Modesty, its true modesty!" a newly-consecrated bishop
He was apparently a good young bachelor with an arrogant exclaimed
bearing and a manly physiognomy. His head was always erect,
as If puffed up with pride, which perhaps could not inspire A bishop commented further that "as a simple priest it is easier
respect, except for some kind of consideration because of his to administer and shine spiritually in a town, rather than govern
ministry, He was endowed with a taurine force and an unlimited with decorum as a prelate in a place where force is needed in
audacity, and was confident in the support of the religious order order to be successful. Bear in mind that only a screen hides
to which he belonged. apparent modesty from pride."
He dared to challenge all his enemies and take their lands. He Even the devil, not wanting him made a bishop, wished that this
relied mostly on the strength of his fists, the garrote, the law, kind of reaction from the people would be known to Fr. Agaton,
the decisions of the tribunals and judges in whom he inspired so he himself could appraise them and give the corresponding
mysterious terror. All the alcaldes and government employees response. It would be foolish pride for him to aspire to become a
who crossed him were dismissed from the service. The bishop. "Its really pride! He is right then." People thought: "He
lieutenants and even commandants of the Guardia Civil who cant degrade himself too much."
dared disobey him openly were either relieved of or reshuffled in
their positions. Some of the residents were exiled. Indeed, no Fr. Agaton used to say Mass with much grace and dexterity. He
project or activity in the province could be done without had a beautiful baritone voice and according to his protgs and
consulting the parish priest, for nothing could be accomplished admirers, his studied manners, gestures and movements
without his approval. seemed rehearsed in front of a mirror.

On the other hand, he who was fortunate enough to fall into his As a parish priest, he nobly performed his avowed duties, that
good graces could live peacefully and securely, as if all the is, he would never degrade his profession with trivial matters.
saints in the celestial court had come down to protect him, He confided delicate things only to persons of unblemished
reputation select and trustworthy clients and those of high
Furthermore, Fr. Agaton was a model parish priest. He was social standing, who would surely not commit ignoble and mean
always clean, neat, elegant in his, manners; refined, dignified in actions. His delicate sense of hearing seemed to choose only
front of high authorities; imposing and majestic to his peers. He elegant and delightful sins.
maintained his prestige in the religious order to which he
belonged and upheld all principles that would keep the You would never see him officiating at the funerals poor people
priesthood in the peoples high esteem. anymore, of those unworthy of his dignified position. [But for the
wealthy] there would be a solemn and pompous ceremony for
The town of Pili is located near the crater of an inactive volcano. the dead, with all the bells tolling funeral dirges, a tomb or
It has hot springs and waterfalls frequently visited by many catafalque covered with black cloth, and-the air enveloped in
people. All travelers and foreigners who visited Pili mentioned the fragrance of incense. There, you could see him majestic and
Padre Agaton in their writings. This priest was always cited as a imposing between two assistant indio priests or co-adjutors,
paragon of virtues, gentlemanliness and courtesy. singing the psalms and lamentations soulfully in his beautiful
baritone, sprinkling the cadaver with some drops of holy water.
As a token of his singular virtues, his enthusiastic brothers had It was enough to see Fr. Agaton officiate at solemn rites to be
exalted him further by recommending him to a bishopric several convinced that God could not condemn even the most hardened
times, but he declined. For this act of seeming self-abnegation sinner.
his order praised him to the stars. Why refuse a mitre during
those times when everybody seemed to be dancing and He would not preach for less than 300 pesos, nor administer the
prancing for such a noble and lofty position? saving sacrament of baptism for less than twelve pesos. He
used to perform ordinary baptisms for this amount. Twelve observed that Fr. Agaton used to drink too much blood of Christ.
pesos was required to hire the musicians, for the display of It was a bad habit the priest had acquired, and it was becoming
fireworks, for the ringing of the bells, and to get Fr. Agaton to worse.
personally administer the sacrament of baptism.
A Catholic, Don Paquito shortened his talk, but with the same
The indios could die without confession if that was their wish but number of gestures and mimicking, saying, he could not afford
Fr. Agaton would not abolish such a salutary institution. Hi to acquire a bad reputation, which usually happened once he
requested that he be taken even to the miserable cabaas with entered into a discussion. To each his own, unmindful of the
cogon roofs in the distant barrios. His primary concern was the valid reasons of the other. He always insisted on his own
prestigious position of the priesthood and the eternal care of reasoning and tried to have the final word. Suddenly both
souls, without which religion would be easily taken away from disputants kept quiet and each one assumed a relaxed posture.
the people by mere malicious advice or information from others. At that juncture, Cecilia passed by, mute, silent, respectable and
admirable.
Hence, this priest, Fr. Agaton, was honored and respected by
everyone and his fame as a refined and gentle friar became Cecilia, the daughter of Capitan Panchong, was fondly called the
quite proverbial. The town fiesta which was not attended by Fr. Star, the Pearl of Pili. The young girl gracefully walked erect
Agaton was looked upon with a grimace of scorn or disdain, like along the line of curious people who were hurrying to greet her
the reunion which was not sanctified by his presence. All kinds and lead her on the way, She was dressed in black, with a tulle
of sacrifices were made; the last peso kept in their chests was veil covering her head, her face partly hidden. She seldom wore
taken out in order to be baptized, to be married or to be buried jewelry, except for some jet-black and brilliant ornaments, like
by the parish priest. These rituals were considered a luxury by the rosary which was coiled around her hands,
the rich, and became the subjects of conversation, talked about
and remembered for weeks and weeks. "I dont know how the parish priest could be in a bad mood!"
She overheard the loud voice of Don Fermin, the warehouse
It was considered an honor to kiss the friars hand or greet him, keeper of the town, who was winking at the others with a certain
Perhaps even his kicks, like those delivered to his sacristan malice. But the young girl passed by without any sign that she
mayor, could be considered a blazon of nobility. It was not had understood the words uttered by Don Fermin; not a muscle
strange therefore, that his somewhat abnormal actions would of her face contracted and she continued walking majestically
cause such. a sensation. Even the ignorant and obscure like a goddess, the cola or train of her skirt held in one hand
townspeople, more so those who were anticlerical, were very until she disappeared behind the improvised bamboo altarzuelo
much preoccupied with the missal that had been pushed and partly hidden between gumamela shrubs and plants from the
the censer that had been brusquely thrown away. Moluccas (coles de Molucas).
Most prominent among these anticlerical townspeople was Dr. "Oh, what a fragrance!" exclaimed Don Fermin, inhaling the air
Lopez, a physician who had lived in Europe and had become a sensuously.
free-thinker and anti-friar. Although he always claimed to desire
the progress and prosperity of the town, in reality his ulterior Four or five young girls all admired by the warehouseman also
motive was to immediately land a job in the government and passed by noisily, and he repeatedly exclaimed: "Oh, how
gain some more fur for his moustache. fragrant, yes, what fragrance!"

Dr. Lopez was discoursing in a loud voice, undoubtedly to call The warehouseman, encouraged by the cheers and applause,
the attention of the people. He made many gestures at Attorney permitted himself to tease one of the young bystanders who
Don Paquito, the current Justice of the Peace, who was more stood speechless at the sight of such beautiful creatures. "Seor
concerned about the causes of the parish priests ill-humor. Dr. Ysagani, are you dumb?" Don Fermin asked "You are good for
Lopez blamed all this on the wine offered during Mass. He nothing. eh!"
"What is it?" Ysagani replied coldly. way. Fray Agaton extended his perfumed hand near the window
of the convento while a multitude of curiosity-seekers would lie
"What? Hombre!" he exclaimed in surprise. "Dont play dumb! in wait in the patio to watch the ceremony and comment on
We know everything. Somebody should really pick the first fruit each and every movement. By extending his hand to certain
easily, Sr. Ysagani; somebody should taste the first fruit at people, he glorified the most favored persons in town, who
once." And Don Fermin murmured some words audible enough could then boast before the multitude.
to be heard by the young girl. He smiled maliciously afterward.
Ysagani bit his lips and his face reddened momentarily. On that day, all the windows of the convent were opened and as
usual a huge crowd of curious people gathered in the patio to
"Yes, that is true, Don Fermin, you ought to keep quiet ...with witness the ceremonies, all of them making side comments on
more reason" replied Ysagani. his movements. The friar would extend his hand and would add
"Theres nothing wrong with it," said the warehouseman, some slight blows (golpecitos) or tender pats (cogotazos) on the
somewhat irritated. "You ought to be grateful to me for this backs of their heads, saying: "Muy bien, well done!" After such
inside information. You should relay that tip to your father an act the favored ones could even insult the gods, like the
yourself." impudent Ajax.

"Yes, I know how to take care of things that pertain to me," If on the contrary, the friar distractedly extended his hand
Ysagani answered. blankly, as if he were staring far into the distance, this was a
bad sign. Later, he would extend his hand upward bad, a very
Don Fermin threw a glance at the young girl, but upon seeing bad gesture, since it was an omen of great misfortune.
her bearing and her figure, he repressed his ire, telling her that
Ysagani, the nephew of a mere assistant priest, was so But when the parish priest refused to give his hand Ah! this
pretentious. And he directed his comments to another group was a different story altogether. But then this had only
that of principales. Capitan Panchong was in the center of this happened once, when he unexpectedly found out that the son of
group of prominent people, about to leave, with a tasseled cane an unfortunate parishioner who had just arrived from Europe
held up high in the air. He was a small but obese fellow dressed had delivered a speech about the present conditions in the
in a swallow-tailed coat, the bosom of his white shirt soaked country. That event made everyone tremble each time they
with his perspiration. Capitan Panchong was painstakingly were reminded of it. The unfortunate persons who were thus
wiping his forehead with the hand that held the cane, which castigated went home weak and stupefied. Many got sick, and
looked odd, since his other hand held an exquisitely they only got well when the priest said Mass with greater
embroidered silken handkerchief. solemnity, prolonged tolling of the bells and numerous lighted
votive candles. In this context we can understand that Capitan
Every Sunday, the faithful townspeople assembled after Mass to Panchong had sufficient reason to wipe the perspiration off his
kiss the friars hand; the besamanos was a custom whlch was brow with his cane instead of his handkerchief. He was made
observed in Pili with much pomp and solemnity. This ritual was absent-minded by his preoccupation with the priests bad mood.
accompanied by the band, which moved around the patio and Thousands of dreadful suppositions welled in his mind,
proceeded to the convent in an orderly line, headed by the thousands of conjectures.
current gobernadorcillo. When they reached the convento, the
parish priest would be waiting to extend his clean, well- On this day the cura, a figure terrible beyond words, did not
perfumed hand for the veneration of the faithful. Of course this receive any of the principalia. There was no besamanos that
was also ostentatious act of displaying his well-polished Sunday. Everyone had to return home full of anxiety,
fingernails, which had been prepared for this ritual. uneasiness, and consternation. Never before had there been
any event like it in Pili. Most friars were really wont to have the
In other towns, cognizant of the poverty and weakness of his besamanos even if they were already lying on their death beds.
parishioners, the besamanos was done in a more diplomatic
The inquietude of the townspeople worsened when the curates "Sir, the bridge in our barrio is already destroyed," reported a
servant secretly told Panchong that the Among had shouted at teniente del barrio and its residents.
Menang and splashed his chocolate at the cook when he found
it too hot. With this news, Panchong and all the principalia were Panchong became furious. "Stupid fools! Dont you we are
seen running from the convent, as if fleeing from a garrotazo. concerned here with more urgent and important matters? You
Everyone looked crestfallen and melancholy as they proceeded come to talk about bridges? If your bridge is destroyed, let it be
to the tribunal to deliberate on the event, a process akin to that destroyed; and if you dont know how to swim, then let all of
done in Rome in times of public calamity. The musicians went you drown! Anyway, there is already an excess of people in your
home and were about to play a funeral march at the slightest town."
provocation. Panchong did not bother with any other matter, except the
Despite his great discomfort, Panchong proceeded to the nagging question: Why was the curate so angry? What was
tribunal instead of going home, in order to preside over a urgent now Panchong stressed repeatedly was to find out the
meeting. He had to take up several matters at this meeting real cause of the parish priests wrath, so that they could at
concerning Holy Week. But nothing was discussed in the pacify him.
tribunaL The question of Maligay and plans for the Holy Week Nobody dared give his opinion. However, a teniente del barrio
activities were entirely set aside. tried to recall reasons for the curates actions, suggesting that it
Someone who had been detained for two days complained of might be because of the bundles of firewood which had not
hunger. Nobody knew why he had been imprisoned. The been delivered to the convent, since the bridge connecting their
teniente mayor said the teniente del barrio was responsible, barrio to the town had collapsed.
while the latter laid the responsibility on the Justice of the Peace "I used to cross the river," replied the poor teniente. "Now I get
or the gobernadorcillo. This detainee, not knowing why and by wet up to the armpits, but since you talk of gifts, the firewood
whose order he had been jailed, complained of hunger. But he for the parish priest would get wet."
shut his mouth suddenly upon hearing that another fellow had
been threatened with flogging the previous night twelve "Very well, carry them over your heads!" Panchong retorted. It
lashes for claiming he had been forcefully abducted by thieves did not matter if all the bridges in the world collapsed
in uniforms very much like those of the Guardia Civil. provided his election would not be endangered. Would he be
able to get the support of the peasants if they got wet? Would
A teniente mayor who complained that his cattle had died they vote for him? Yes, all of them were wicked. The cabezas de
because of the raging pestilence in his barrio was bitterly barangay would surely vote for Capitan Tanukang who had
blamed by everyone for his gross negligence. He had failed to promised to pay them 200 pesos each. If his opponent won, the
have his animals blessed by the parish priest! The herd died by peasants would stop public office again. If the curate got angry,
the dozen and there were no people to bury them. Licentiate surely that would endanger his reelection. That was his problem
Lopez suggested that they should be burned, but Panchong left, now; He might not be reelected, Don Tanukang would surely
knowing the curate was indignant because he had not been win, and then would call him Kiao Kiao in front of everyone. This
asked to bless the animals. This led to the pestilence. But idea would surely drive him crazy. The meeting adjourned
somebody noted that the dead animals the very ones which had without any agreement, and Panchong went home restless.
been blessed by the priest, who charged five pesos per head.
Capitan Panchong had sufficient reason to be restless. He was
The teniente observed that the dead people had all been stupefied thinking of the bad humor of the curate, so much so
blessed. Panchong, who was in a bad humor, replied: "The dead that he wiped his forehead with his cane instead of his
are already dead, so. no one can ever revive them. What is handkerchief. What orders, or what dispositions of the curate,
important now is to know how to pacify the curate with gifts." had not been complied with? There had been a public
proclamation ordering the people to have their cattle, poultry
and fishponds blessed by the priest to protect them from an woman. In this life nobody, not even his own wife, could think of
epidemic of influenza. What was the sin committed, if not all the compromisos which might beset him.
would comply with the order? During that week, there were two
solemn burials and the heirs of the deceased certainly had to Meditating further on the reasons behind the priests unusual
sell part of their land to defray the expenses. In fact, another behavior, Capitan Panchong thought, it might be because his
rich and powerful person had died, but the heirs did not have a daughter, Cecilia, did not appreciate the carpet which the curate
pompous funeral although they could afford it. had ordered for her. Another stupid girl! How scrupulous could
she be! How egoistic! The parish priest was simply being a fine
Padre Agatons parishioners were all egoists who simply buried and gallant gentleman. What more could it mean? Nobody
their dead as they wished, unmindful of the exigencies which would definitely think any evil about that. Oh, Capitan Tanukang
they ought to follow as baptized persons. After a pompous and would be appointed and he would be called... Capitan
solemn funeral, many persons certainly asked what happened to Panchongs thoughts trailed off as he wiped his forehead again
the fattened capons given as gifts to the curate. with the tassled cane and looked around him.
These capons had been for sale, but they were confiscated from The principalia were glad about those afflictions and showed
a certain barrio resident who, unfortunately, had failed to their contentment to each other by meaningful glances. Times
produce his cedula. Oh! Therefore, if that was the reason for the were not really propitious, but they would willingly give a peso
priests foul mood, Capitan Panchong thought, then poor barrio each, provided they could provoke the curate to quarrel with
folk should be paid at least 25 pesos and taught later how to Capitan Panchong. He had an insufferable character, and he had
raise better capons! been elected only by his own will. Certainly, not as ordered by
the parish priest. Yes, Panchong would give at least a peso and a
Perhaps it was mere intrigue from the wicked Don Tanukang, half provided the curate would not quarrel with him, and thereby
who had vowed to disobey his orders in the coming elections? get him reelected.
Capitan Tanukang was capable of anything; he was a very
wicked person. He did not yet understand the consequences of Capitan Panchong was roused from his stupor by the arrival of
the priests actions, since he had never been exiled. the sacristan informing him that the parish priest was really
getting impatient.
Capitan Panchong continued to reflect on his political rivals
tricks. Two hundred pesos had been promised to each voter if he "Tell him that it is not my fault, it is the fault of the others," he
won the elections for gobernadorcilo. All this money not said. "Where are the others?" he asked anxiously "Dont you see
counting Capitan Tanukangs continuous gifts to the curate! Two that the parish priest is waiting for us?"
hundred pesos! That was immoral; Capitan Panchong had only
given 50 pesos to each voter. Where did Capitan Tanukang get "Its already a most opportune time, a pretty good time. This is
such a large amount of money? Why, Tanukang had even what we have been expecting from you," responded an elderly
offered him work one day in the street and even called Capitan man.
Panchong out in front of everyone. Oh, Capitan Panchong had "Its already a pretty good time," murmured Capitan Panchong..
sound principles in him, not all could call him well...really now, "What about the music?"
there must be ungrateful people in this world! Now, since
Capitan Tanukang offered 200 pesos, all voters would naturally "They are waiting for your orders, sir."
vote for him.
Then ten or twelve musicians lifted their instruments and
Oh well, the parish priest had not yet gotten angry. He might started to make short, brief sounds.
have fixed his attention on the silken cloth Capitana Barang had
bought for him to decorate the altars, Capitan Panchong had "But all that I have to do, all that I have to display," Capitan
already said that it was ordinary, but his wife was a very mean Panchong exclaimed furiously. "You have already seen It, Selmo"
he said, facing the sacristan. "When the Among gets angry, you
tell him everything you have seen. He expects you to fall upon you, so that everyone would at least have gained
enumerate them all. something from God."
"Let us go to the convent!" Capitan Panchong said with a Anday bowed her head and continued to work. She folded
commanding voice, and began to walk away with a gait that clothes, washed dishes, brushed and arranged the clothes of
betrayed an affected grace and solemnity. both mother and daughter. It was indeed very humiliating to be
accused of being a temptress and seductress in front of many
They proceeded to the convent accompanied by the tune of a people, but what could she do? Maybe her master had other
beautiful waltz. The sun was shining brightly and its brilliant motives for scolding her? Maybe there was a reason for doing
rays were like golden thread. The air was saturated with so, for accusing her bitterly?
perfume, and the patio was covered profusely with flowers and
beautiful ornamental plants. everything in the warm embrace of She had borne that daughter out of wedlock by the son of her
the sun. The almond trees were swaying. The palm trees were former master, which was why she was dismissed. Now her new
shaking their green fronds; the bamboo murmured mysterious master was Capitan Panchong, who demanded all kind of
songs like repressed laughter, and down below, the ground was services -- domestic and otherwise. Anday could not complain;
covered with a verdant green carpet. At the ramp, one could she either performed all these chores or Capitan Panchong
gather white flowers to be scattered into the air like a divine would surely maltreat her for many days.
perfume. It was springtime in the country of an eternal spring!
Being an unwed mother, she was considered despicable. Yes,
Capitana Barang heaped on poor Anday all the blame for Fr. she really was a sinner, but what could she do? She owed her
Agatons bad mood, which began when the curate had refused masters much money because she loved her daughter. She had
to bless her daughter. According to Capitana Barang, Anday to support the little girl. She could still remember her first
should have knelt near the altar before the priest read the last experience with her former master or rather lover, but what else
gospel, then he would surely have blessed her daughter even if could she have done? She willingly accepted all accusations and
he was in a bad mood. vituperations against her. But if these were against her
daughter? Santo Dios, oh no! Her daughter was young, just a
"Do you think the curate would wait just for you? Ay! You? A year and a half, charming, gentle and innocent. The girl still
miserable maid? If we your masters have to be on the alert cried when darkness fell during her prayers.
much more so should you!"
Capitana Barang continued scolding Ariday. "These are the bitter
Anday was a young girl of 18 or 19 years, yet her beauty consequences of being hardheaded, hence it is like condemning
seemed to have faded; she was pale and weak. She humbly your own daughter! Ay! There are children blessed by their
replied to Capitana Barang that she could not do as she was told parents for Satan. You will bring your daughter to Hell yourself."
since the sacristans would not even allow her to get near the
altar; they likewise refused to give her a candle on the pretext "Naku! seora," Anday answered very much alarmed. "God
that the curate was really furious. But Capitana Barang did not knows that I would offer my own blood for the sake of my
listen to Andays explanations, and continued reprimanding her: daughter!"
"If we who have already paid the cedula were not able to "Shut up! Dont you dare answer back because it was your fault,
receive Holy Communion. Ay!" Capitana Barang exclaimed, You did not insist that your daughter be blessed by the priest.
"much less this maid, who had only paid a media real! Surely, I You always like doing things your way. You are really stubborn
have to confess once more. Oh, Jesus! I am surrounded by many and hardheaded!"
temptations. If you were only able to have your daughter
blessed by the priest, you would have less occasions for sin. "Seora, if the sacristans would not permit me to..."
Thats why I lent you a peso and a half in spite of my tight
finances right now. I hoped that some drops of holy water would
"The sacristans, the sacristans, always the sacristans! Not, leave because she could not find another employer, and she
another word! You are such a nagger. You cant bear to be owed her masters much money. She owed them 60 pesos, yet
scolded you always answer back. Ay! anyone who cant suffer she received not more than four pesos a year.
scoffs and reprimands should stay at home and never borrow
money." She calculated that she had to work for 18 years before she
could fully pay her debts. That meant having to endure more
"I dont want to work as a maid, but there was no choice. Who years of suffering in the future. All of Andays computations
knows? I could have been a lazy flirt." excluded money required for annual tribute, as well as clothing
expenses, and payment for all the plates and utensils she might
Capitana Barangs suspicions were right, "How could she be break. She also needed money for her daughters medicine
serving day and night while committing sin at the same time, when she fell ill.
thus causing scandal to everyone?" Anday merely bowed her
heed and tears welled in her eyes. Capitana Barang, as an act of charity, used to give Anday
seven-and-a-half pesos since her father, the discredited
Capitana Barang could still recall the causes of the girl's gobernadorcillo, had once saved the life of Capitana Barangs
misfortune. Her father was once a cabeza de barangay who husband. Anday had already served as their maid for eight
embezzled money and eventually became bankrupt. He lost his years by then, so she had to endure some ten more years of
fortune in the cockpit. He had to make trips to the capital suffering.
several times, and was later sent to prison. Thus, his family had
to sell everything and borrow money at an exorbitant interest. During her first year in the house, Anday experienced all kinds
of hardships from Capitan Panchong in order to remain faithful
Consequently, Anday had to serve as a domestic with a family to her first love. She endured all these partly for chastity and
who had a son studying for the priesthood. This son was partly for fear that Capitana Barang would send her away.
handsome and amiable, so Anday, the maid, fell in love with him However, because of her initial resistance to his advances,
and finally allowed herself to be seduced by him. This happened Capitan Panchong threatened to send her away because of her
when she was barely sixteen years old. When the boys parents faults as well as her daughter.
discovered this, they immediately sent their son to Manila and
dismissed Anday after beating her up. The father of the boy Fearing dismissal, the maid first pleaded, cried and implored her
threatened her, saying she would be pardoned provided she masters mercy. What else could she do? Is God really just?. The
would forget the young man and deny that this future priest had young man who had seduced her had not yet returned to town
seduced her. and it was said that, sooner or later, he would be ordained a
priest. She then confided everything to Capitana Barang, and
She acceded to everything as long as she was not dismissed. was resigned to her fate. She said that she really deserved all
But later she admitted that she had been seduced by Titoy and kinds of insults from her master for she had, truly, committed
suffered much, but later became resigned to her fate. She some faults. She had deceived them before, but all her hidden
sought refuge and was cared for by an old woman who gave her faults were eventually revealed. The young girl was trembling
food, treated her well and made her pray so much. There, she with fear because she was very much afraid that Capitana
gave birth to a baby girl called Felicidad, but the old, woman Barang, even by chance, would discover her relationship with
died a few months later, forcing Anday to seek new Capitan Panchong.
employment.
Capitana Barangs sermons were endless. The good lady
She went to the house of Capitan Panchong, who treated her believed it was a virtue to preach to that unfortunate being and
badly, subjected her to hard work and oftentimes whipped and save both mother and daughter from the fires of hell. It was
tormented her little daughter. His wife Capitana Barang also evident that they were indeed possessed by the devil, because
used to pinch and scold her daughter. Anday could have Felicidad, the little girl, cried bitterly precisely when her mother
changed masters, but it was not so easy to do so. She could not
was praying. Surely, the devil took advantage of that occasion young I would never spend my time occupied with my children
to distract her from her prayers and condemn both of them to nor tell them to keep quiet. If they cried I would just hit them
hell! The devils wiles and deceit could be understood easily. The and they would hush up by themselves. Thus, the devil could
devil had vowed to impede the young mans vocation; therefore, never enter their bodies. But you? You willfully tolerate your
the little girl was the devils daughter. This fact was undoubtedly daughters playing and shouting
true! Similar examples were reflected in the novenas and other
religious books which could be read every day. Anday left her daughter alone with a heel of a shoe to play with.
But the girl stuck her "toy" into her mouth.
A teardrop fell, on Capitana Barangs skirt, which she hastily
shook off. That skirt had cost her more than six pesos! "But look "If you continue to behave like that, or refuse to be corrected,"
at. this maldita!" she exclaimed indignantly, pausing from her Capitana Barang said, "it would be much better for you to look
sermon. "Dont you see what youve done? You have tarnished for another master. I dont want to be responsible before God for
my-ten-peso saya. What would you do if I told you that I will add anyone. I dont want to be accused of neglecting and
this to your debts? Where would you get money to pay me?" abandoning both you and your daughter in order to be
condemned to Hell."
Anday momentarily forgot all her sufferings and sorrows
because of these threats. As she stood motionless Capitana "Seora. my little daughter is very good by nature. You dont
Barang pinched her hard and slapped her on the nape. know her well enough; she is good and obedient. If my daughter
behaves contrary to this, as you claim she does, I assure you I
"The skirt was not tarnished, seora. No, it was not stained will follow whatever you want." Anday could not contain her
either," replied the maid pointing to the skirt with a reproachful grief and anxiety any longer, so she burst into tears again.
look in her eyes.
Capitana Barang was about to scold her again, but she saw her
"Yes, it is not soiled, it is not even stained," retorted Capitana husband coming. together with two cabezas de barangay. The
Barang. "You are really clever! Your apparent sorrow meant little girl started to make noise again. Capitan Panchong was
nothing. I dont know what more I can say to you. You would very irritated. He heaved a deep sigh and called out "Barang...
have done the same thing to my mother. All I can say for the Barang!.."
moment is that I will pardon you now."
Anday did not reply; she just remained patient but kept crying
Panchitong's Cure
and sighing. She tried to be cheerful just to please her master.
She raised her head and was about to fold her dress when
Panchitong had just arrived home from the Tribunal and he was
Capitana Barang came in and tried to stop her little daughter
in a miserable state. His coat was slovenly, his pants were
from crying.
crumpled and his blue necktie was misplaced atop the collar of
"You see? Dont you see?" Capitana Barang shouted, pointing at his shirt, like a girdle worn by some sultan. He came in dazed,
the little girl. "Look, she seemed to be very intelligent or shall I howling and moaning, "Barang! Barang!"
say the devils ...oh, let her play alone. Dont waste your time
Pale and trembling because of the cold, Panchong closed the
just to make, her shut up. I have not even whipped you," she
windows quickly. Cecilia came, Capitana Barang forgot her usual
added furiously.
sermons to Anday and amidst questions, shouts and
Anday, trying to pacify her daughter, also wept, hard put to lamentations he removed his frac and lay in bed.
show the girl that nothing whatsoever had happened to her.
Everyone remarked that he might have been exposed to some
"Do you think I would pay you seven-and-a-half pesos if you just kind of bad wind, thus Capitana Barang tried all means to revive
wasted your time playing with your daughter? Ay! when I was his spirits. She stretched certain parts of his body, pinched him,
applied several kinds of spices like garlic, onion, mustard, etc.;
on his body, as if she would cook the poor Panchong like adobo. and likeable appearance. Once they had exchanged meaningful
Barang was panic-stricken yet she refused to send for a doctor, glances.
and attempted thrice to keep back their servant from doing so.
Cecilia felt a sudden flush in her cheeks. She wanted to
All the neighbors came to his aid; Cecilia wanted to call the withdraw, but her feet didnt want to move. She tried to turn
doctor but Capitana Barang repeatedly stopped her from doing back but it would be impossible. On the surface she seemed
so. There were many visitors, as if Panchitong would only live till serious, apparently indifferent, but in reality she directed her
nightfall. Well, the doctor could still visit, Cecilia suggested eyes to the garden in order to see better. She kept looking as
again. the young man drew away from her gaze. Cecilia felt a kind of
childlike reproach for that strange feeling. What? Was she in
Panchitong kept complaining about his ailments and the good love with the nephew of the new coadjutor who used to criticize
neighbors tried ail imaginable remedies. Mana Sebia suggested his new friends haughtily?
an infallible cure for scabies and rheumatism strong faith
through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin! Another remedy Cecilia was the daughter of Capitan Panchong and Cepitana
suggested was the relic of a certain saint for the pain of his pot Barang who could not support her education as she had an elder
belly. Then Capitana Barang remembered a bottle of holy water brother who was still at school. So Cecilia had been reared in her
which she had carefully kept following the advice of the cura. aunts home in Manila. She spent her childhood with Doa
This miraculous water, according to the parish priest and Mana Orang till her adolescent years, returning to Pili for two or three
Sebia, could cure all kinds of ailments. Since he was apparently days a year during the town fiesta. Capitana Barang had
in danger of death, they forced Panchitong to drink all the holy sacrificed her maternal love for Cecilia to her love of money,
water! and little by little was able to assuage and pacify the loving
tenderness she had nurtured in her heart knowing full well the
The unfortunate patient drank all its contents, although he quality of life her daughter would enjoy with her rich aunt.
abhorred its taste, and after a few minutes began to throw up
the rest of his breakfast consisting of puto, tapa and fried rice. It The young girl was very much interested in this man, Ysagani.
was an unusual meal, which made one believe that his illness She had already heard about him even while she was in Manila
was grave. living with her aunt, sister of her mother, the noted lawyer Doa
Orang who had financed her education and upon her death left
At eleven oclock he asked for confession. Meanwhile, Mana behind an immense fortune huge bank deposits and vast
Sebia went to the convent to summon their parish priest. Cecilia landed estates. Cecilia would soon be the sole heir, upon
was left beside the bed, silent and in a pensive mood, with her reaching legal age.
arms folded over her bosom; she was motionless and seemed to
contemplate his eternal damnation; she also tried to divine the This extraordinary woman, Doa Orang, used to revolve in high
causes of his illness. society. It was she who had molded Cecilias imagination and
character from adolescence, developing her into a strong and
Looking out from their balcony, Cecilia saw the figure of wholesome woman adorned with sterling virtues. Doa Orang
Ysagani, the nephew of the new assistant parish priest. The had nurtured in her mind the type of man she would love an
young man was passing byfixing his gaze on the window. Their ideal which her young mind had conceived even in her
eyes met and she managed a gracious smile at him and the fantasies.
young man took off his hat and greeted her.
Cecilia could visualize this type of man by following the ideals
The modest Ysagani served as a clerk at the tribunal. She had instilled in her by her deceased aunt, who used to tell her that if
met him when her father asked her to get a copy of some a woman would behave well she would be admired not only for
documents pertaining to her aunt Doa Orang. One of these her beauty but also for her strength of character, firm decision,
happened to be the will she had left after her death. Even at this nobility, intelligence and courage. Now she could feel that this
time, she was attracted at once to Ysaganis serious taciturn
ideal being really existed, or at least ought to exist, such that survey the flowers in the garden. "I myself have brought this
sooner or later she would meet and fall in love with him. They bottle of water from the Jordan which is a sure cure against any
would surely complement each other and then be happy. This kind of ailment."
would explain her apparent aversion toward all those who had
courted her. The young man in question was well off, he was the Fr. Agaton stayed for a while in the house. He told Capitana
son of a very affluent family. He was irresistible to her eyes. Barang that the water had also cured him instantly that
morning.
Most outstanding of all were his rarest qualities: valor, youth,
generosity, heroism and disinterest, which were his natural "Ah!" exclaimed Cecilia, breaking the silence, sensing that the
attributes. Hence upon waking up from the reality of her gilded friar was staring at her intently.
dreams, upon hearing his pastoral words, upon seeing him make "What beautiful flowers you have," he said as he moved even
a crude gesture, she closed her eyes, and smiled sadly. She closer to her, at the same time looking around him. "How
closed her eyes again, as if she would want to go to sleep and abundant are those roses; those dahlias and azucenas are
recall those nocturnal dreams of an ideal man, dreams improper beautiful! Is that one a camelia? How were you able to make
to a young maiden like her. That young man coming from an them grow and bloom in such a luxuriant way?"
affluent family was the real man she desired, the man to whom
she could confide her future and to whom she could unburden "I take care of them as best I can," Cecilia replied, to regain her
all kinds of self-deceptions. composure.
In her imagination she watched him dragging his feet gong a "Were you the one who made them bloom? Why, even the
huge mountain amidst gloomy shadows, then dancing and thorns in your hands would produce roses!" Fr. Agaton gazed at
smiling but still full of apprehension, with a very powerful her lovingly, as he drew closer and closer toward her, beaming
impulse. Later she stopped gazing at this disagreeable scene to the smile of a conqueror.
encounter the taciturn figure of Ysagani, enigmatic, silent and
incomprehensible. With her eyes she saw much more. There on At that moment, voices and exclamations were heard. The door
the summit seated like a sovereign was the imposing figure of burst open and Panchong came out, smiling and crying. He
the cura kicking everyone crawling on the floor before him. He genuflected, and extended his hand to grasp and kiss the friars
looked disdainful and arrogant like a victorious lord. hand in gratitude. Behind him followed Capitana Barang
together with several beatas and curiosity-seekers in tow.
"Here is a real man!" an interior voice murmured. Cecilia closed
her eyes. "Gracias, Among. Muchas gracias Among!" Panchong greeted
him. "I am well."
"What beautiful flowers you have, did you make these? With
those words Cecilia was roused from this dream. The curate was "Eh, what shall I say," retorted the friar, turning solemnly with a
approaching her together with her mother. Cecilia retreated, to victorious air. "Well, all this results from the water from the
no avail since the cura had access not only to all houses but Jordan."
also the private rooms of these houses in Pili. "Well then among, it is really due to the water from the Jordan.
The cura brought with him a bottle full of water which he Holy water is undoubtedly good, but water from the Jordan... too
claimed was water taken from the river Jordan. He had been bad I received not more than a few bottles."
informed that Capitan Panchong was sick, so he had come All the beatas insisted on being given even a few drops of the
bringing with him an infallible cure for his ailment. He had Jordan water. Fr. Agaton said, "A small bottle cost me ten pesos."
himself been cured by this water. But the devotees, undaunted, replied that it did not matter even
"I was informed that your father is sick," Fr. Agaton blurted out if it cost twenty pesos per bottle because with this water, they
while he was approaching Cecilia. He paused for a while to could economize on medicine and doctors consultations.
In spite of all this commotion, Cecilia did not utter a word. Her was inconvenient then he preferred natural flowers which
eyes merely moved alternately between her father and the bloomed abundantly in Cecilias garden.
curate. Panchong was really well.
The town plaza offered much animation that afternoon. The
"I have also come precisely to settle a problem." the cura young men and other pious persons who joined the prayers
added. during the Stations of the Cross were all talking about the
miracle as they gathered around the stalls selling food and
"Cecilia said that she could not make the decorated palm fronds drinks. The curate and Panchong had been miraculously cured,
for the Domingo de Ramos procession because she doesnt the former from an extreme headache and the latter from his
know how to fashion artificial flowers. Well, the garden is full of recurrent gas pains, which could not be cured by any medicine
flowers, so I will pay you thirty pesos for the decorated palaspas or doctor. A certain vendor had testified that the cura really
you will prepare for me plus an additional five pesos for those looked gravely ill that morning after mass, and this explained
you will make for my two assistant priests. Well? Is this all right why he did not receive his prominent visitors for the besamanos
with you?" that day. Another, an empanada vendor, confirmed that she had
All the women in the room were astounded at the curates seen Capitan Panchong almost dying, staring blankly while
generosity and benevolence. Capitana Barang accepted the Capitana Barang stretched all parts of his body in order to
offer on behalf of her daughter. She had never heard such a revive him. Fortunately, he suddenly was cured at about 11:30
generous offer in her life. in the morning, simply by drinking some drops of water from the
Jordan mixed with ordinary water and praying one Our Father
As Cecilia was contemplating this matter deeply, she was able and one Hall Mary! Panchong was on his feet again.
to divine the cause of her fathers illness. She became restless
and pensive, and looked out of the balcony of her room to "Ow?" one of them asked doubtfully.
distract herself. She could surmise the real cause of the curas "Yes, hes back to normal. As a matter of fact the best proof is
bad humor that morning but she did not dare to confess it to that he has whipped Andays daughter with his slippers twice
him, for fear he would be offended and embarrassed. since. I was there when it all happened, the little girl is still there
She proceeded to the balcony facing a miniature garden full of crying."
flowering plants on huge antique earthen pots of different sizes "What kind of water was it?" asked a pancit vendor.
and shapes. She tried to erase the curas obsession about her
preparing the decorated palaspas from her mind. "Aba! It is the water from the river Jordan."
"It is just like ordinary water, any kind of water which you use
for washing your plates," answered the empanada vendor, "but
Domingo de Ramos
it was really water from the Jordan river. Do you know its healing
During the Palm Sunday procession each year, the young people effects?"
who had not yet paid their cedula personal nevertheless had to
"Ah, ifs indeed water taken from the Jordan river," a young man
give ten cuortos for the cedula de confesion, a slip of paper they
as he looked at the two women, nodding his head with
would then present to the parish priest before confession. With
compassion, "Yes, it is the miraculous water from the Jordan.
the money from this cedula de confesion they subsidized the
Everyone can be cured instantly by applying it like balsamo do
decorated palm fronds for the cura, who used to collect around
Fierabras, the healing balm for wounds, or simply by drinking it."
fifty pesos annually. But this year the cura had entrusted the
confection of this to Cecilia, who had just arrived from Manila. "How strange."
Cecilia felt a certain repugnance for the chore, and wanted to
excuse herself, claiming she did not know how to fashion "You see, thats why it was so costly!"
artificial flowers from cloth. But Fr. Agaton suggested that if this
"How much?" of the Lord on the Via Crucis. In olden times this used to be held
inside the church in front of the twelve chromolithographs
"Aba! four pesos for a small bottle like this de grande chiquita! depicting the Passion from Pilates Judgement up to Christs
Ay! one could hardly buy a bottle of this water due to the burial. That was until Ceciliahad arrived in town. Since then the
miracles it is supposed to perform." cura ordered the gobernadorcillo to construct small altars for
"Oh, how fortunate I would be if I could live along the banks of the Stations of the Cross around the church patio. This design
the Jordan river!" said the pancit vendor calculating the amount had the added advantage of being conducive to prayer because
the cura could expect to earn at four pesos per bottle It was less hot and humid than it was inside church. Besides, the
parish priest could see everyone from his convent window,
"Listen," the young man asked pensively, "is the Jordan river the watch over them and guide them in the right direction
same place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ?" meaning, to any place convenient for him
"Thats right! Thats why one can get much profit from it." The procession started with great solemnity, headed by the
Cofradia president, who was devoutly following the carriage of
"But that place is very far away!" the Nazareno, whose stereotyped face was beaming with
"Just imagine, it is a very distant place and the baptism of Christ surptlse. It seemed as if the Divine Image could not comprehend
happened a long, long time ago." how on earth these people could abuse his infinite patience.
Below the carriage were four miserable-looking persons wearing
"Didnt they say that the water came from nearby mount San gaudy vestments; two of them were sacristans and the other
Cristobal?" two looked as if they wee criminals condemned to be hanged.
These devotees were commonly called the reputados.
"Thats true! I heard that the head of the Hermanos de San
Francisco would travel to Jordan every year. They would leave The image of the Virgen Dolorosa followed that of the Nazareno.
here on Good Friday after the procession, reach there on Palm She was weeping as usual, and looked as If she were
Sunday and return home before Easter!" admonishing the people to repent for their sins, but no one paid
any attention to her sorrowful gaze, specially those who were
"Departing viernes santo and reaching there by domingo de
bored and irritated with this Lenten obligation.
ramos?" the gullible pancit vendor asked.
Then a crowd followed, composed of the different members of
"Ah, I also heard that said about many hermanos; how curious
the various groups: cofradias, beatas, hermanos, and young
eh?" people -- happy and smiling who joined the procession just for
"Isnt that strange?" repeated the pancit vendor. fun and out of curiosity. The children merely simulated the
elders, kneelinh and kissing the ground; they stood up each
Church bells began ringing interrupting this amusing time the cofradia leader rose alternately with the music from the
conversation, and calling the faithful to take part in the Stations choir noted for their laud cheating, particularly the hymns
of the Cross. The church patio was soon filled with children, accompanied by the shrieking of a clarinet.
some running around, playing and jesting while the others
preferred to stay tranquil and were content to visit the bamboo It was Holy Week; they were going to crucify the Son of God who
altarcitos in the patio or those situated in the corners of the became man. He who had been suffering since the beginning of
plaza. Each altarcito contained a frame with a scene from the Lent in order to make even the stones cry, as Fr. Agaton used to
Passion of Christ between two flower vases, all resting on a table say to his faithful parishioners. Only God knows if both Mother
covered with a mantle. and Son had really suffered. Since the first Sunday of Lent, the
devotees had to endure the ordeal and discomfort at each of the
In this manner, Lent, like the other years before it, had bamboo twelve stations, hearing the snuffling voice of the mischievous
altarcitos covered with sawaIi built purposely to mark the path person who was leading the prayers during the procession. Step
by step they followed the Stations of the Cross like miserable that nobody would dare challenge him, he approached the son
mendicants who used to beg for alms in the midst of vast of Copitan Panchong, who was also in the crowd, and provoked
throngs of people: troubadours, various members of religious him.
fraternities and associations, people both old and idle twistitig
their bodies, like their souls and consciences. They went to "Lets go, the two of us." he said with a provocative air.
church just to evade boredom at home, or maybe the men did Cecilio, the son of Capitan Panchong. who was timid and bashful
not have money to bet in the cockfights? responded: "I dont want to play with you. Im not feeling well."
Finally, the little bell was rung at the end of each station. On one "Oh! Are, you afraid?" Silvino sneered.
side of the town plaza one could see numerous groups of men
seated in front of the tiendas and food stalls run by the women, "What? Me? Afraid of what?" Cecilio replied, somewhat irked.
in heated discussion on the issues of the day. On the other sida "Let us examine the eggs first. Oh, I guess you dont want to
the young men carried chicken eggs and busied themselves show your egg because it is filled with tiny brick pellets."
with their favorite pastime called tuktukan, played only during
Lent, while their fathers and elders were in the cockpit playing Silvino was irritated by these comments. "What brick pellets are
with their fortunes. you talking about? Youre a coward! The truth is youre just
afraid of your father, thats why you dont want to play!"
Boys usually played tuktukan until they become adults. The only
difference between this game and cockfighting was money. In "Say that again?" the once timid Cecilio answered. "When was I
cockfighting, one lost large sums but in tuktukan, the winner ever afraid of my father?"
just took the cracked egg. Before playing tuktukan, they first "Tuktukan!I" Silvino shouted triumphantly and maliciously.
carefully examined the eggs to determine whether one was "Tuktukan! Who would dare challenge me?" he repeatedly cried
more resistant than the other by testing them slightly against aloud.
each other. Firmly holding the eggs, they gave each a slight
stroke on the elongated portion of the egg. This slight blow on Still everyone refused to take the challenge, especially when
the lower part of the egg usually produced a tiny crack while the somebody whispered that Silvinos winning egg might be a fake.
top remained intact. In fact, young boys could devise many ways of faking an egg.
Some would meticulously prick a small hole info the eggshell,
In the plaza, one could see Silvino, son of Tanukang, among the then fill it up with tiny brick or metal pellets to reinforce the
group of youngsters. He was well-dressed, and carried a small elongated part of the egg.
pouch with half a dozen eggs that he had previously won,
wrapped in a silk handkerchief. He was thus challenging "Very well, then, tuktukanl I accept your challenge," Cecilio
everyone to the eggshell-cracking contest. retorted helplessly, yet looking quite impassioned. "Who will
hold the egg below my hand?"
"Tuktukan!" he shouted triumphantly. "Come on, are you afraid?
Come on! I have already received several blows." The other "You will," replied Silvino.
young men, upon seeing his basket full of eggs, shied away and
refused to join the contest. Silvino was notorious among the "No, you will be the one above," he said while trying to test the
strength of his eggshell by gently hitting it against his front
boys for being clever, arrogant and very demanding because his
father was in power. Besides all this, everyone murmured that teeth to assure himself of its resistance. He likewise made slight
and delicate blows or golpecitos on the elongated portion of the
Silvino was a cheat, who filled his eggs with very fine brick or
metal pellets. egg.
"Well, your suggestion is well taken," replied Silvino quite
"Tuktukan!" he shouted more arrogantly each time, and many
responded by shaking their heads and keeping silent. Seeing generously. "Ill hold my egg below your fist."
He grasped the elongated part of the egg firmly in the palm of Another fellow who was supposed to contest his winning egg
his hand, leaving only a very tiny portion of it exposed between sneaked out while the bystanders stood amazed at Silvinos
his thumb and forefinger. These boys knew by experience that tricks.
between two eggs of equal resistance the egg placed below the
hand usually loses strength since it receives the hardest blow. "This is just between us, Cecilio," Silvino told the loser, who
merely smiled wryly.
But the young boy suggested that they follow the rules of the
game strictly, and first examine the eggs to be used. The young Cecilio then replied arrogantly: "I dont like to challenge anyone
boy was glad, so that he could first test the strength of the in tuktukan without betting a big amount."
eggshell by pounding it slightly against his teeth. "All right then, let us play the game this time with big bets,"
Silvino also brought out his winning egg and tested it against his Silvino blurted out. "How much do you want to bet?"
teeth. He opened his eyes wide to attract more attention from "One peso and the cracked egg to the winner."
the onlookers. Upon testing, the egg gave a sharp and resistant
sound; he was exceedingly glad that it was really an "Two pesos!"
extraordinary egg for the contest.
"Well then, I agree."
"Well, now my friend, allow me to examine your winning egg,"
Cecilio said, as he extended his hand to Silvino. Hearing of the stipulated amount, the other boys gathered
round the combatants, encircling them in a tight cordon. These
You have already examined mine!" two boys were considered the best in town, the unbeatable
champions of tuktukan.
"Im giving you your option, whether I am to be below yours."
replied the young boy. "First, we will entrust the money agreed upon to this fellow
here," Cecilio said, pointing to another boy nearby.
"I can even get somebody to confirm that my egg is
unbreakable, Ill pay him a real for it. If you wish, Ill strike it "Naku! the parish priest and your father might see us. Watch
again against my teeth. Listen carefully and you can hear its out!" Silvino shouted. Sensing that he would surely emerge the
sharp tinkling sound," winner, he took two pesos from his pocket and took the winning
egg from inside his handkerchief. Cecilio did the same thing.
Silvino struck the egg once more against his teeth and it really Silence reigned momentarily even if all seemed to be at the
produced a strong tinkling sound. The young boy, who had not height of their excitement. Silvino bit his lips and gazed intently
had so much tuktukan experience was readily convinced and at the four pesos he was about to win, but Cecilio stood silent
nodded his approval for the contest to begin. Silvino firmly and motionless. "Shall we test the eggs again?" he asked.
grasped his winning egg in the right position and then smiled
maliciously. Cecilio grasped the elongated portion of his egg "What for?" Silvino replied and tried to divert attention by
with his right hand, when suddenly Silvino struck a strong blow asking "Now what do you want? Who will hold the egg below
against his opponents egg, producing a cracking sound. Cecilio and who will hold it above?"
suddenly turned pale, while Silvino laughed sarcastically.
"You should."
"Give me that egg!" Silvino said as he suddenly seized it from
Cecilio, who gave it to his opponent willingly without uttering a "No, you should be the one!"
word. Tears welled in his eyes. Meanwhile, Silvino victoriously "Cara o Cruz! Let us toss a coin," suggested a third party.
kept on shooting loudly:
"Youre right." the combatants agreed.
"Tuktukan, tuktukan! who wants to challenge me?"
"Cara, o Cruz?" asked Silvirio.
They tossed a coin and settled it this way. Cecilio held his egg The two boys exchanged insults and exhausting this, later came
below his opponents hand thus like the first try it would receive to blows. The eggs in the basket were thrown away. Silvino
the hardest blow. A diabolical smile brightened Silvinos face as received a strong blow, this time not on his egg but on his face,
Cecilio protected his egg, holding it carefully with both hands causing a black eye. Cecilio likewise had the same on his eye.
and showing only a very tiny portion of the elongated part of the They stopped for a while, perhaps to rest, and resumed the
egg such that Silvino could hardly touch the tip. Silvino became heaving boxing "Filipino style".
angry, since he could not even hear the slightest ticking sound
of his blow. All food vendors nearby shouted so much that those attending
the procession stopped their prayers because of the uproar.
"Both eggs are winners," he decided quite hastily. "Both?" When Tanukang saw his son, he hurriedly rushed toward the
Cecilio asked, quite surprised.. There was a momentary silence, scene, followed the rest of the faithful in the procession. Capitan
then Silvino tried to test his egg by striking it against his teeth Panchong. father of Cecilio, got there first and tried all means to
once more. He stood up and made heavy blows on his pacify the boys. His efforts were in vain, and seeing Tanukang
opponents egg repeatedly. Neither of the eggs cracked. hit Cecilio, his paternal love was offended and he rushed like a
However, they heard a faint cracking sound with the last blow. wild bull to defend his son.
"Its already broken," Silvino shouted triumphantly while looking Even the women rushed to the scene and there was so much
at Cecilios cracked egg with disdain "Yes, its already broken. panic and commotion that even the plates filled with pancit
You have lost! Your eggshell was already cracked." Silvino were thrown about in every direction. All you could hear were
glanced once more at the egg in his hand and noticed that the shouts, vituperations, interjections and maledictions. while the
tip of the egg had indeed cracked. women shrieked at the top of their voices, later following this
with deep sighs. The choir, psalmists, and even the men
"Lintik!" he exclaimed angrily. He suddenly turned pale and carrying the images of the Nazareno and the Virgen Dolorosa
looked at his opponent scornfully. dropped the carrozas and joined the riot.
"Now give me those eggs," Cecilio said, as he was trying to The Nazareno seemed both shocked and amazed at the mob,
retrieve the little basket for them. staring at them in utter disgust, while the Dolorosa behind him
Silvino allowed him to take the eggs, staring at him with knitted seemed startled, her wounded heart radiating with seven silver
eyebrows. He did not know who was to be blamed, so when daggers piercing it and shaped in the form of a fan.
Cecilio insisted on getting Silvinos cracked egg he flatly Grave consequences for both parties undoubtedly followed this
refused. rumble. The cord strung around Tanukangs waist was untied
"No, dont get take this egg. No. no!" during the scuffle of the fathers. Capitan Panchongs belt
loosened and his pants slipped down! Upon seeing this Capitana
"Yes, that egg," replied Cecilio "This was our prior agreement, Barang suddenly rushed to his aid covering the exposed part of
remember?" her husbands body with her tapis and pauelo. This riot
reflected both barbarism as well as sacrilege, which led to great
"Let me see your egg first!" dishonor for everyone.
"No, I dont want to, because you won t show me yours either." "Let us go to the tribunal!" Tanukang shouted, panting while
Then a sudden flash, like lightning, struck Silvinos eyes. "Ah! trying to fix his underwear. "Let us go to the tribunal," he kept
perhaps your egg, is made of stone. Maybe this is why you dare shouting.
not show it to me. Maybe your egg is filled with tiny brick pellets
thats why you wont show it to me." "But look at yourself." Capitan Panchong replied scornfully "You
should go home first and get properly dressed. Put on your best
shirt and pants."
"I dont know why you had to meddle in the affairs of these of an egg, it was a fake. Since everyone had agreed against
young scoundrels," Capitana Barang shouted at her husband Silvino the lawyer said:
while crying angrily.
"Tuktukan is a kind of pastime, a game, and so nothing can be
Capitan Panchong was berating his son: "I have already you that said against it. Now, as to the egg; whether fresh, empty,
you are too small, Cecilio. I have forbidden you several times cooked, refilled, or any way you want it, it is enough provided
not to mix with these rabble rousers." that it is an egg. As the contest is only centered on the eggshell,
if it has a shell, it fulfills the requirement for the contest. An egg
Everyone was talking, five or six people all talking at the same made of wood, despite its shape and general appearance does
time, when Tanukang shouted at the top of his voice, calling for not have a shell and cannot be considered in the contest."
the cuadrilleros and other local officials to intervene, but each
word he uttered was ignored. Capitana Barang with disheveled The doctor, on the other hand, had to examine Cecilio very
hair, raised her large arms and gesticulated; however, Silvino carefully as he might have sustained internal injuries which
and Cecilio continued their brawl, insulting, threatening, and could later prove fatal. It would therefore be convenient to make
lunging at each other. At this moment, the parish priest looked it known. Who knows? Silvino was a barbarian.
out of the convent window and saw the head of a lady from a
nearby house who also watched the incident anxiously, trying to "If I had not intervened," interrupted the gobernadorcillo, "a
guess what was really happening. catastrophe might have befallen us."

"We will see," Tanukang shouted. "This is a question of honor and defamation," the telegrapher
said. "If you wish me to do so, Ill send a vexing, mischievous
"Yes, vomos a ver," Capitan Panchong added mockingly as he note to the governor right now!"
thought to himself. So what if Tanukang might be a
gobernadorcillo,well, he worked in his calzoncillos, in his "But everyone knows that Tanukang is in the good graces of the
underwear! Besides, everyone called him kiti-kiti. parish priest." This thought occurred to Panchong at once,
because of his recent fears and anxieties about Fr. Agatons
Tanukang resumed the squabble. but Capitan Panchong displeasure at mass and the besamanos earlier on. "Then this
withdrew and left the scene with his son. At this point, one could means we can do nothing at all out of respect to the cura. Im
notice that the Nazareno seemed to stare in shock at the crowd, sure the cura will support and protect Tanukang."
while the Dolorosa simply stood, behind his carroza, in sorrow
her eyes filled with crystal tears. "Yes, he will protect him," added Capitana Barang. "Just this
morning I saw him going out of the convent. He had surely
reported the incident to the cura as you will see later."
The Aftermath of the Fight
"He is a subservient yet very mean fellow. He would do everything provided
That night the cura visited Capitan Panchongs house and after he could become gabernadorcillo to replace me."
the prayers the doctor, the lawyer and telegrapher likewise
gathered there. This time they arrived earlier to air their "I have not seen anyone with such a passionate hunger for
protests against Tanukang. The warehouseman who saw them power, butt."
enter Panchongs house closed shop at once and followed them, "We will see!"
for fear that anyone in that group would complain first.
Criticism flowed freely and the people in the house kept talking
As expected, they commented on the current issues of that about the gifts Tanukang used to take to the convent, not to
afternoon. They condemned their enemies, Cecilio was really mention, of course, the day he had given several kinds of fruit
sure that Silvinos egg was made of wood. Although in the shape and sweets.
Cecilia did not utter a word nor take part in their conversation.
She just smiled affably at the people around her and in turn,
they nodded their heads toward her. Capitana Barang began to
talk about mutual understanding between Capitan Panchong
and his peers. They would probably have to settle their dispute
simply, by offering some gifts to the authority concerned Fr.
Agaton.
At this point, the sound of footsteps on the porch alarmed them.
They pretended to talk indirectly about the matters at hand, so
that the parties concerned would not suspect their rather shaky
relationship with the parish priest.
"Yes, on the contrary," the doctor said, deviating from the topic
of their conversation. "I think the parish priest should be
married, because in the first place it is a call of nature. It is a
natural necessity of every man. To be celibate is against nature;
hence he might be incapable of properly administrating the
parish assigned him. If the cura is always irritable because of his
celibacy, there would be no peace in our town. That would be
dissatrous for all of us."
Then the doctor looked at Cecilia meaningfully and continued:
"This is, indeed, a natural need of our cura. When the parish
priest hears confession from a woman, the latter confides
everything. to him, even her innermost secrets. Therefore, it is
much better to confide such matters at home rather than in the
confessional."