posted April 28, 2009
April
21, 2009
Dear
San Esteban,
It
is peculiar to think, I have not set eyes on you for months.
I have
witnessed the new moon but not you. I have distinguished twilights
and cock-crows but not anything of your delightful features.
The
quantities of my shattered heart are so diminutive that they could be
surpassing through the eye of a needle.
I
yearn for you like the sun long for the flower. Like the sun wishes
for the blossom in the pits of a wintry weather. In its place to
focus its glow to, the spirit toughens like a petrified humanity,
your nonexistence have vanished me to.
Faith
directs me. It is what moves me through the day and expressly at
night. The hope that after you left from my sight, it will not be the
very last instance that I gaze upon you.
With
all the pieces of my heart and all the love that I possess…
I
remain yours,
The
Son of Your Heart
Saying
goodbye to San Esteban was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my
whole life. I left our town after losing the May 2007 election. I
believe I suffered defeat not because I don’t have a strong
political machinery but because I lack the funds needed to go with
the new trend in politics.
I
was elected as the Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) Chairman of Barangay
Poblacion in the year 1992. I am one of the pioneers to lead that
government faction for the youth of our town. I was elevated as the
Federated Vice President of that body at that time. The SK was
created to eradicate the traditional politicians or what we call
‘trapos’ after the famous Kabataang Barangay (KB) of Imee Marcos.
I resigned, eventually after a year of sincere service because of the
persistence of ‘trapos’ that should have been stamped out by SK’s
conception. By the formation itself, they were there, bulldozing the
minds of the youths to maintain the balance of the legislative body
prolonging the white
elephant
projects brought out by that administration. They say, “if you
cannot link them, join them”. I did not.
I
remember leaving San Esteban again those years but not that long
because I show up in fiesta activities – a very much awaited
feature that I always pine for. My Aunt constantly say that I should
have been the manager of Houseware Department in Robinson’s
Galleria Department Store long ago if I did not go home at all times
during the fiesta. Manila was a hospitable place for me before. A
green pasture all the time to employ me. A suitable space near my
hometown to visit. I frequently did so making my employment just on
the probation.
I
wrote this letter to my dear hometown to express a deeper thought of
how I feel away from him. As if I died or he died. Going to another
country and leaving him is so grueling. Nothing like just departing
to Manila for quite sometime.
This
is to accentuate that I bid goodbye but not farewell.
******************
I
got back in Dubai from my exit in Kish Island after 50 days last
April 21 – a memorable date in San Esteban. It was the historical
transfer of the provincial government to Vigan City. I thank Victor
Joseph ‘VJ’ Sabugo Vergara for extending his absolute support
together with my Friends Forever – Zan Europa and Ella Degala. VJ
works as a gym instructor in Dubai. He is a cousin – brother to me
as we practically grew up at the ‘dakkel nga balay’. I missed
Zan’s visit last December. I had a fantastic vacation with Ella
last March 2008. I saw VJ, just once , after 8 months of stay in
Dubai. And even, it was just a fluke when I went to Rowel Castro’s
flat in Deira to give my ‘paoit’ for Nanang in SE. It was October
when Rowel had his annual vacation to PI. VJ was there and we just
glanced and said ‘kumusta’.
I’M PROUD TO
BE A SAN ESTEBANIAN! EBAN NAK! EBAN TAYO! AGBIAG!
eAFTERTHOUGHT at
arthzbarrey06@yahoo.com
for
your suggestions and comments.
