looki ng backI was there. I am here. I will be here.

Ferdinand N. Cortez

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.ISBN 978 971 95980 0 8

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Copyright 2014Published in the Philippines.

Edited byCelene Heloise S. Cortez

Cover photo byJexrel A. Derije

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_______________________________________________Ferdinand N. Cortez

Oscar Wilde said: To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. From early innocent high school life starts a dream. This dream is honed by the desire to follow something noble that must sate what is in the subconscious.

Thus, a man’s journey becomes meaningful if he achieves self-actualization. Meandering in his early years, the quest of man had always been to achieve.

In the lighter moments, one could surmise the past. Nostalgia comes in, followed by memories. Those memories are encapsulated in this book, with testimonies and sharings of those who, in their own volition unselfishly thought it is worth writing before the imagination dims. They have helped financed the printing of this book. Beyond what is holds true, for memories are priceless, they have unselfishly looked back. Included here are creative works of the author, all alluding to high school memories. Once in a life time reunions come, especially the Grand. Reminisce we must, for time runs. It flows like a river, to the sea. We are coming home.

There is always a time to look back. Looking back gives us the momentum to go forward again, to live our lives to the fullest. Yes, “Life is not about making perfect. It is about committing mistakes and learning from them. Cry if you must until you are ready to smile again. Hate, until you are ready to love.”

Life is not really how we attain things. It is enjoying the little things we have leading to achievements.

The author, in some prospects, had trudged the rugged pathways towards high school. Yet in the paved highway of his life stumbled, but never wavered. With head unbowed he stood, brave, determined. For sleepless nights he wished he could put his thoughts in a book. Now, this is the reality. Looking back is now a book.

But not without the support of people who responded to his appeal on Facebook. Not without the trust of those who sent their hard earned money that this book will become a reality.

Foremost, the author would like to thank Dale T. Cortes, Diana Tactac Miranda, Brigida Adis, Pj Mondejar, Alice Mondejar, Alex Miranda, Adolfo Miranda Jr., Zeny Seminiano, Imelda Rondon, Jerry dela Cruz, Jeanne Unida dela Cruz, Aidz Gamab Cortes, Obet Ariniego, Villamor Velasco, Randy Articulo, Shella Ujano, Maricar Fabello Saldua, Jonathan Jimenez, Jun Dadulla, Patrocinio Unida, Dionisio S. Bulong, Racquel Jaramillo and Josephine Tayem, Delia Alonzo Taloza and relatives abroad.

The book contains regurgitations and memories too of the author. Read the pieces, some award winning. Others were written to set the mood that would enslave us to meandering, endearing memories, yet would strengthen us for the future. PJ Mondejar wrote the preface.

The author not only looks back at them. He bows his head in humility and admiration. Let us move forward.

Again.

looki ng backI was there. I am here. I will be here.

This very important occasion is a great moment of reckoning for us. It is just like summing up all our individual achievements in our chosen fields of endeavor, although success did not come

easy for most of us. It is always good to experience pain before any gain, otherwise, the stories we will tell our children and grandchildren shall be devoid of meaning and excitement. A child has to experience falling many times before he could properly walk. A soldier has to have scars of war before becoming a seasoned fighter. And a master has to be a disaster first before achieving excellence in his trade.

In pursuing our own profession or passion, I know that we are all giving our best shot in order to succeed. We draw inspiration from our loved ones or from anything that we believe in. Without belief, we could not achieve anything.

We are all going to that destination called Bright Future and how well we achieve it depends on our ability to overcome the obstacles along the way. It is not a straight path or a well-paved road, but rather a rugged and undulating terrain and sometimes we hit dead-ends, prompting us to blaze new trails just to get there.

Let us all, the alumni of the Northeastern Academy, our Beloved Alma Mater, do our share in inspiring the younger generations to always aspire for a better future.

A building must rest on a solid foundation in order to stand. If we have not done any digging for that foundation yet, the time to dig is RIGHT NOW.

Arch. Pedro Jr. Garcia MondejarBatch ’86 Northeastern Academy

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He was getting bored with the familiar waiting as he downloaded some newly found data he needed for his History assignment. His eyes ached from the glare of the computer monitor, and the air conditioned room in that Internet Café became dense with body heat from the six or so students seated and gawking at the consoles. What a world to live in the age of technology, he muttered. The data he was looking for flashed on the screen. He rose to tell the owner of the café to print it. He saw her.

On his left, she looked so attractive, jet black hair cascading softly on her shoulders, eyes livid with life, aquiline nose and the nubile features only a body of a young woman could have. The denim pants she wore lusciously clung to her well shaped legs. The pink T- shirt exposed such twin mounds so sensual, yet spiritual. He looked at her ID. Freshman, he thought. She was chewing a gum, like a child during recess time. His fingers poised on the keyboard, then jumped quickly at the mouse on her right, as if trying to catch a catfish, so elusive. Their eyes met, for eternity. He became conscious of himself as he was taken in a daze, propelling him in a distant place where he was born, near the singing sea, where winds in September are so perilous to boats men. She broke the infinite silence with a “hi,” her voice virginal and pure. He said “hello.” That was how he met Gwen. She was, to him, a fairy.

He was attracted to her from the very start, for when they emerged from the internet café, they had nowhere to go. They entered the campus and sat on one of the cemented benches near the main entrance, where they could see the statue of St Louis, San Jacinto building at the backdrop. The guards were eyeing them with prospect. The students passed by, with a curious look in their

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eyes. They, too, like them, were in jeans. This was a Wednesday. No uniform.

“So, you were surfing some websites too?’ she had asked. “Yes. Don’t we all? There are many things we can learn from history,” his voice was husky. He was conscious of her nearness. Her touch that first meeting was electrifying.

“I think History is such a bore. Why don’t you try downloading more blood curdling adventures? Like Philosophy, you know,” she said this with a smile. Sensing he might be offended, she held his hand.

“I have a lot of share in Philosophy,” he laughed. “I guess next time; I’m going to try the Law of Relativity.” Their laughter was a staccato of Hale.

He was astounded at her vivacity. The simplicity masked on her face, the radiance that reflected that early July morning, the elegance of her bearing: an almost immaculate aura, so innocent yet alluring. Something deep inside him was awakened this very day, by this lovely creature. Her eyes were probing his. She was amiable and affable at the same time, though one is in the genes, the other learned.

“What do you do aside from studying?” she offered a sheepish smile.

“I write. I sing.” He said, looking directly to her eyes.

“Do you play the guitar?” she is smiling now.

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“Why do you ask?” he said impishly.

“I like people playing the guitar,’’ she said, smiling at him.

He believed her. He cannot only say that he is the lead guitarist in their band, and that he was contented she had never seen him play the guitar yet. He was too modest to say that. Yet, in an instant, he wanted to play the guitar, and he remembered how many city girls have been lured by the melody. He wondered if she would enjoy his music. He wondered if she is now the fairy he was looking for.

She had invited her to attend a party next Saturday. In the house, she said, as she stretched to relax, wriggled her toes covered by sketchers. You will meet the gang, you will like them, and perhaps you can write a story about me.

He was too busy the next day, cramming with write ups and last minute projects his professors had mandated. Yet her image and perfume lingered everywhere, and he can’t help but to think of her. In his boarding house, he pummeled on his computer, writing about her, the first meeting. His face flushed, remembering her beauty, the simplicity she exuded. This will be a masterpiece about a fairy.

Then Saturday came. He dressed early, putting on his jeans and t shirt. He applied gel to his hair, and he splashed cologne more than necessary. He took a tricy to San Gabriel, giving careful instructions to the driver the address she gave him. He was thinking about her virginal face. He remembered the singing sea, when placid, a view to take. However, during September, the sea is catastrophic. And why? Why would he act this way? He had no

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idea. For sure, it must have been the melody of her voice, which he heard long time ago. In a distant place that keeps resurging. The melody of her voice nagged him, which was also the melody of his music.

The address was easy to find. He gave the driver the usual double pay. As he emerged from the sidecar, he could hear music. He paused for a moment. It was fast beat, and it was growing to a crescendo. Not his usual conservative music: there was something in it. He started for the gate.

On the third push on the doorbell button, she emerged. The smile was there, but something was amiss. Her face was the face of a movie star, so complicated. Gone was the simplicity, the vivacity he earlier loved. She was wearing jeans, alright, but the blouse was too short, exposing the milky skin of her navel. Her mouth was a wound, the eyes more pronounced by make up. He was looking at a stranger with a mask.

“Hi, come on in. My parents are out, and you can meet the gang,” her eyes sparkled with diamonds.

Almost clumsy, he entered the living room, reeking with wine and tonic. Smoke was rising to the ceiling, and the room was gyrating with bodies. He could hear the music; it was like thunder, no, it was just like the waves during September in the singing sea.

“Hey, this is Hendrix. He is a writer.” A dozen faces looked at his direction, and they smiled. He focused his eyes in the dim. One good looking brat, a mestizo was eyeing him differently. Suddenly, he felt faint. He allowed her to lead him to the array of drinks. He unconsciously accepted whatever was offered.

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The girls were giggling at Gwen. They have the same outfit. He could see the garter of their underwear, and some were smoking. He could clearly see her now. The blouse was filmy, her breast exposed. There were about six stags, all with beads and earrings. One handed a thin cigarette to him. He accepted it, only to put it on a marble tapped table. He chatted with a guy with a Che Guevarra shirt. He was wearing a gold earring. His knuckles had a tribal tattoo. Henna, he guessed. Saint Paul’s don’t put their students on the lam. He was talking about double pedals and Zidjian instruments. He supplemented whatever was asked. No, he said, it was Jimi Hendrix who was the God. Not Eric Clapton. I like Hale, he said. But you should hear my collection. He nodded in agreement. Do you know this web site where you can jam online? Gosh, the girls are lovely. I am not familiar, he said sullenly. But some guys in Saint Louis do.

The house was opulent, and he can see the reason: the father of the house is a lawyer. The mother is a young CPA. He can tell by the family picture hang on the wall of the den. Yes, this is a wealthy family. Just the canisters of wine could worth thousands. There were cheeses and cold cuts and rye, muttons and sausages, and one was coordinating with the DJ on what music was to be played. There was an array of DVD’s in one table. All were familiar to him, but to a degree of fondness.

Suddenly, Gwen was dancing with mestizo with beads, she was gyrating her hips, at her back, just above her garter, and he could see a stark tattoo. A colored tattoo, he cannot even decipher. She was lost in oblivion with half closed eyes in the rhythm of the universe, the rhythm of youth. Other pairs were embracing, catapulting themselves to unknown darkness. He felt at a lost. He placed his glass on the table, and swiped a Bud Light. I will learn

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this, he said. I will.

An hour later, Gwen was beside him. She was near, to him, and yet, she was telling stories to her friends. The mestizo was mixing drinks, and he gave one to Gwen. He kissed her on the cheeks, and then looked at him: as if saying, she’s mine, you know. There was jealousy in his heart, and later on regrets. The ache was there, agony, maybe, but then he thought of the singing sea, he was sure it will not ache forever.

When Gwen staggered and the mestizo fondled her bosom, he felt he has to go. Tipsy, Gwen brought him up to the gate.

“It’s early,” she said. “And I like you here with me.”

“I have to go. I have to write, you know. Besides, mestizo will be missing you.”

“Alex? O, he is a guitarist. And a banjo player too.” The pure virginal voice suddenly became fiery. Her eyes were begging, then commanding, then condescending.

“Goodnight,” he said. He suddenly thought of his article. Luckily, a tricycle passed by. He hopped inside, and when he looked at her direction, he saw that she was also having regrets, no, defeat. Defeat of losing him. She was looking at him, trying to run after him, then thought better to stay.

Back at the boarding house, he went direct to his computer. He booted the CPU and he started reading what he had written. He remembered their first meeting.

She looked so attractive, jet black hair cascading softly on

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her shoulders, eyes livid with life, aquiline nose and the body of a woman. The denim pants she wore lusciously clung to her well shaped legs. The pink T shirt exposed such twin mounds so sensual, yet spiritual. He looked at her ID. Freshman, he thought. She was a chewing a gum, like a child during recess time. His fingers poised on the keyboard, then jumped quickly at the mouse on her right, as if trying to catch a catfish, so elusive. Their eyes met, for eternity. He became conscious of himself as he was taken in a daze, propelling him in a distant place where he was born, near the singing sea, where winds in September are so perilous to boatmen.

The ache is gone now. He knew. Something inside him had died. A fairy, so brief, in reality was like a mist in the singing sea, had vanished so quickly.

He pushed the button delete when all he had written had been highlighted. Now, darkness enveloped him. He could see the light from the monitor, the distant, averted innocent look in his eyes became sharper as the screen saver came into focus. He knew, suddenly, as there are many lessons in history, there are also much more to learn in real life.

He shut down the monitor of his computer, stood in the darkness and laughed. It was a pained laughter without rancor. Then he went to bed, put on his head phones and was lulled by his own music to a dreamless sleep.

The fairy could still be out there somewhere.

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JOSE Y. DADULLA, JR. is an alumnus of Northeastern Academy batch 1975. He graduated with the degrees of BSBA Accounting from the University of the East-Manila in 1979 and Bachelor of Laws from San Sebastian College-Manila in 1990. He also holds an MBA (San Sebastian College) and has finished the academic requirements of MS Taxation at the Manuel L. Quezon University. He is currently on leave from his doctoral studies on Business Management at the St. Dominic Savio College.

He has also taught at St. Paul University, Centro Escolar University, San Beda College, the University of Santo Tomas, San Sebastian College, and the Far Eastern University where he is presently an Associate Professor

III and the auditor of its faculty union, the Far Eastern University Faculty Association.

In recognition of his efforts as an educator, FEU bestowed on him the Teaching Excellence Award from 2000-2013. He was even sent to South Korea in October 2010 as part of his achievement.

He is likewise the auditor of several companies, among them the Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. and the Famas Awards Foundation, Inc.

In addition, he is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Philippine Institute of CPAs in Public Practice, the Philippine Institute of CPAs in Education, the Council of Management Educators, and the Lex Cervus Fraternity.

Jun, as he is fondly called by family and friends, is an adventure-lover who has toured several states in the US and practically the whole of Asia. Jun is one of the luminous sons of Buguey, a stalwart alumnus of Northeastern Academy.

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Imbag pay kenka , NakkongTa natarnaw pay la panunot moKasla muyong ken linnaaw,Iti bigbigat iti kalgaw. . . Malagip ko idi tagibi ka pay,Duayya ken kantak, inkan mailibayKasta koma nga agnanayonInggana panaglakay kon Ngem awan iti bileg koNga mangtiped iti panawenNgamin tao tayo laeng,Plano ni Apo, ket rebbeng Ala, dumakkel kanto Anak ko. . . Ket sapay koma maawatam toNga uray kurang panawen nga naibuyog ko. . .Darikmat nga makita ka, dakkel nga ragsak ko. Ala, dumakkel kan to anak ko. . .Ala, agsalog to met iti tawen koKasta iti panawen ditoy lubongKasla danum iti lukong Ala, kantaan nak to met anak ko. . .Ket tarabayen nak toSikanto koma iti mangsippawen,No awiden nakton iti panawen.

DUMAKKEL KANTO ANAKKOFerdinand N. Cortez

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THE FOUR Rs: ENGR. RANDOLPH A. ARTICULO

It is not until much later, that children understand; their stories and all their accomplishments, sit atop the stories of their mothers and fathers, stones upon stones, beneath the water of their lives.”

Paulo Coelho

Randolph A. Articulo believes that hard work and persistence is the key towards reaching one’s dreams. The story of the four Rs could still be heard resounding in Buguey, especially in Northeastern Academy where all of them graduated. Born in a family house in Buguey, they are all familiar with the sea, and the lagoon. They are familiar with the tarik, the tanggar, the bayoyo and the kapiged. The story of the four Rs could be printed elsewhere, but the author was so lucky to have them in this book, LOOKING BACK.

ROSSELLE A. PAGADOR, NA Batch 84 (Honorable Mention), BS Nursing at the Perpetual Help College-Manila. She now lives in Coventry, UK together with her family. During her heydays, she enjoys playing the lyre, savoring its music, in a shade near the singing sea.

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RANDOLPH A. ARTICULO, NA Batch 86 (Valedictorian), BS Civil Engineer at the University of the Philippines, Diliman (First Alumni to graduate in UP), Riyadh, KSA (20 years as OFW “Bagong Bayani ” in the Middle East) Founder of N.A. Dabarkads – “APS Club”

RODERICK A. ARTICULO, NA Batch 88 (Valedictorian), BS Nursing at University of Santo Tomas, Manila. He is now living with his family in Tampa, Florida, USA.

RICHARD A. ARTICULO, NA Batch 90 (Lead Role in “Kadenang Papel, Best Actor”), BS in Computer Science at San Sebastian College – Recolletos, Manila. He is now based in London, UK. All siblings have their own families now. Their parents are all NA Alumni: Andy and Pilising. Their role models are their cousins, the Tomaneng Siblings (Susan, Nelia and Ramie “All NA alumni and successful in their careers). Moreover, they were mentored by their Uncle Iding, Auntie Ketang and the rest of the NA faculty that time.

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“What is success? The definition is very personal and will be different for everyone. One may have lived only sixteen years of the eighty years and might go on to live, but enough to distinguish what success is. In the book The Aim of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, who writes about an old salesman, full with expectations from one of his

older son. He imagines that the son will do great things and accomplish goals he himself has yet to strive for. Success is something accomplished over time. Over this course of time you gain knowledge and endure obstacles with patients and hardship. It ¡ ¦s all about how hard you try in your life, even if you have failed, your struggle to strive for success is so great you will feel no remorse.”

The author knows Jonathan, Athan as people close to him would just say. He was a typical high school dude of Northeastern Academy that time. After quite some time, there was a transformation. He spearheaded the First Licerio Antiporda III Airsoft Regional Cup in Buguey, Cagayan. He also invited racers, showing their skills in riding. Jonathan is both a leader and a sportsman.

Winning a seat in the Sangguniang Bayan, he now oversees Fisheries, being the Committee Chair. He attends seminars on law making and policy building to hone his skills in politics. He spends his spare time tinkling and setting up motorbikes for convenience. His passion is on sports, and today heads the Committee on Invitation, Information and Program of the 2014 Grand Alumni Homecoming. He is married to Virginia Jimenez. They are blessed with four kids: Pauline, Rosendo, Andrei and Julia. Athan is September born.

“Success is most often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.” -Chanel

HON. JONATHAN A. JIMENEZ

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TARIGAGAYFerdinand N. Cortez

Mapan ka iti kaltaang iti ariwawa ken panagdardaras, ngem lagipem nga adda talna iti ulimek. No mabalin, saan ka nga sumuko, gayyemem amin nga tao. Ibagam ti kapanunotam iti nalawag ken agpayso, dumngeg ka nga nasimbeng, ta uray dagiti nanumo, adda met maibaga da. Annadam dagiti mangirubo, sika ket sika. Adda riknam, agayat ka. Ta uray iti daytoy naranggas nga lubong ken napnot dukot, ti ragsak agtubo a kasla ruot.

No ikumparam ken idilig mo iti bagim iti dadduma, lumtang

laeng a napait, wenno masaktan ka. Ngamin adda latta nasay sayaat wenno paggidiatan iti tumunggal maysa. Maragsakan ka kadagiti naaramid mo, kasta met dagiti iwardas mo ken masinunuo nga plano. Uray kasano kanumo kababa nga trabaho, igaed mo, isunto dayta iti pagbaliwan iti gandat panawen ken panagputar mo. Ngem saan ka nga mabulsek, ta ti aglawlaw, addan to latta tumpuar a kinabannuar.

Naikeddeng ka nga sika. . .batonlagip, saan mo nga lissian iti

panagbukar iti rikna. Sanka nga agduadua iti panagayat, ta uray iti tiempo iti liday ken pannakapaay, tay rikna ken ayat ket tumpuar a kas sagibo. Awatem dagiti isasagibay dagiti tawen, awatem iti isusuko iti kinaubing. Papigsaem dayta panunot nga mangsangga ken mangsalaknib iti kinagulib, ngem saan ka nga agarapaap iti dakes. Adu nga buteng ket naggapu iti bannog ken pannakaitikleb.

Iti labes iti prinsipio ken disiplina, kaassiam dayta bagim.

Anaknaka iti uniberso, iti law- ang. Kas met la kadagiti kayo ken bituen, adda karbengam. Nalawag man wenno saan kenka, awan duadua, maawatam to iti kalangitan, dagiti planeta, dagiti gagan

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ayan. Adda Mannakabalin, ay ayatennaka, uray man no ania ngata iti pammatim kaniana. Ken aniaman nga arapaap, obra, iti baet ken laksid iti nagulo a lubong, nabuong nga arapaap, adda simpa iti ulimek iti kaunggam, iti riknam.

Makipagkaykaysaka kenni Apo Mannakabalin...uray ania man

iti pammatim kaniana. Amin nga arapaap ken panagtrabaho, uray narigat, iti daytoy naariwawa, nadaramisa, makatikaw a lubong ken biag, namaris, natarnaw ti kararuam. Amin a pannakapaay, naburak a tagainep, arisgar. . .Napintas pay laeng a lubong.

Umisem ka. Isamiram nga agragsak ka.

TARIGAGAY

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DIONISIO S. BULONG

From the distant past come the echoes that drove Manong Diony or Tang Macky, as all Ilokano Writers call this affable and amiable man, to look back and look forward to the Grand Alumni Homecoming. In a casual conversation, he said he wrote the Fiction SAPULENKA ITI PUNGTO TI BULLALAYAW when he recalled he was leaving Buguey bound for Manila. His elementary education was at Buguey Central School, finished it in 1956. Whence he took Secondary at Northeastern Academy in 1957, he left the school for stenotype, at National Business Institute, and then took up BS Journalism at the Lyceum of the Philippines, 1966-1968. He started off as a Proofreader, then News Section Editor at Bannawag Magazine. The might of his imagination and pen became a frontier in 1978 to 2005 when he became the Editor In Chief of Bannawag, the Ilokano Bible of the North. One of the most revered and remembered novel he had was Fighting Pogi, to which even to these days, is a sinequanon to writer’s gatherings. Because of his style, he received these awards: Plaque of Recognition, Journalism,

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The Buguey Circle in Metropolitan Manila & Suburbs, 1992 Plaque of Appreciation & Recognition, GUMIL Oahu, l996 Plaque of Appreciation, GUMIL Oahu, 1999 UMPIL (For Ilokano Fiction) – 1999 Pedro Bucaneg - 2000. He has served as a member of the Board of Judges in the Palanca Awards, ALVIYA, CFPJ, AMMAFLA and several more award giving bodies. As to organizations, Member, Committee on Literary Arts, Coordinator for Northern Luzon, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2002 – 2006, President, GUMIL Filipinas (Ilocano Writers Association of the Philippines), 2002 – 2006, Member, GUMIL Filipinas (Ilocano Writers Association of the Philippines), 1962 – Present Special Minister of Holy Communion, Our Lady of Anunciation Parish – 2001, Secretary General, Federation of Talipapa Homeowners Association.

He is now a freelance fictionist and essayist. Given the luxury of time, he writes novels. The latest is Galliera Queen, where the main character Ella, titillated again the Ilokano audience. He has toured many states in the US. The latest was New York.

He is the icon, the post and frontier of Ilokano Literature.

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“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”-Mark Twain.

Jerry hails from Leron, Buguey, Cagayan and one of the few Bugueyanos who have visited many ports, if not the only one who has set foot to many worlds. He was born in the month of March, and one of the candid, sparkling alumni of Northeastern Academy. He has visited The Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Britain, Estonia, France, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Greece, Turkey, Latvia, Russia, Israel, Syria, Morocco, Guinea, Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Angola, South Africa,

Mozambique, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, China, Hongkong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. United States: New York, Philadelphia, Texas, Washington DC, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and California. The Latin Americas: Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Haiti, Jamaica, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Costa Rica, Suriname, Venezuela, Curacao, St Croix. He had also been to Montreal.

This well travelled man is silent, he loves to sing and his promises are not made to be broken. He is one of the dearest friends of the author, a friendship that resumed before the grand. He is married to Jeanne Unida, one of the prettiest Bugueyanas even to these days. Jerry is a ship captain, a master mariner.

“Success is a sweet thing. Something that may appear impalpable at times, but something we should not fear. It takes a journey worth going on and effort worth spending to become successful. Do not fear the journey that may appear too perilous to trek on, but fear that we may miss the chance to take that journey.”

JERRY TORIDA DELA CRUZ

IMELDA UNCIANO RONDON

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“Surely one must live a life that inspires others and gives the man impetus. A man of action and iron will carry everything before him and, instead of being controlled by circumstances, he himself will control them.

What does it matter if a man lives for ninety years, and it is all a story of idleness and wasted opportunities? Jesus Christ died when he was hardly thirty, Swami Vivekananda died before he was forty, Napoleon did not live to be fifty, and Lenin died before he was sixty. And yet they have their impress on human history

that no octogenarian can claim.Not poverty but idleness is a great curse. If we waste time, time

shall waste us. A life crammed with work is a life bubbling with the joy of success. Great men of the world were born in cottages but they died in palaces.

America’s famous President Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in the forest. He could not afford a lamp and read borrowed books with the light of the fire in the hearth. And yet by dint of hard work, he rose to be the greatest man of his time. Stalin, the late Prime Minister of Russia, was the son of a mere cobbler.”- . (Subahasish)

To sum up, greatness and success lie in hard, honest and selfless Work.

Imelda Unciano Rondon was born on April 15, 1966. She is married to Rogelio Rondon. They have three kids: Retchel, Mitchel and Aimee Czarina. She is Batch 83, Northeastern academy.

IMELDA UNCIANO RONDON

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That morning was as glorious than ever. There were the chirps of the housebirds flying from the avocado branches to the banda fuera. The fragrant air, the misty leaves, the green meadows yonder and the foggy horizons made the feeling light, as if the this part of the world had been designed just for this day.

This is a perfect day, Ambo thought. It was March, and

mornings like these are signs of hotter days of the summer to come. His nanang had gone to Aparri to buy clothes, for today is Sunday and on Wednesday, it will be his graduation. Karen’s mother, he is sure, went to Aparri too. The vans and jeeps going there would pass by San Isidro, and take the detour to Balza. The weakened bridge is under repair, and passengers going to the east, say Sta. Ana will cross the Buguey Lagoon using boats, dammang, as how they call it. It was a sideline for those who have boats. Some say they can even earn five hundred pesos a day. He can imagine Ricky, his classmate paddling on the brackish water, ferrying passengers from the makeshift pantalan to the other side where they would ride in a multicab going to Sta. Teresita or Gonzaga. His tatang went out early, there is a derby in Sta. Teresita and he would be the gaffer of Judge Garcia. Before he left, he told Ambo to feed the fighting cocks, there were ten of them scattered in the yard. His nanang told him to husk the floor and to see to it that if Maring will arrive, he will get the payment for the curtains she had sewn. He had teased his nanang to buy a cellphone for him. Karen had one, and sometimes she gave it to him for safekeeping. When he asked why, she said he had to practice using one so when the time will come that he will be having his cellphone, he can already memorize the keypad, even in the dark. They had

A SIMPLE LOVE STORYFerdinand N. Cortez

22

agreed to meet at the seashore in Cabaritan, so it would be nearer for Karen to go. When he invited her, she had asked why. He said they can’t meet anymore after graduation. Besides, this was Sunday, and their folks would be busy preparing for their attire come graduation. Karen agreed.

He was sweating after finishing the chores. His hand was sore

from the beaks of the cocks. His right leg was tired from the husk. He sat down for awhile, listening to the songs of Air Supply.

When there’s a dark storm in your horizonAnd you think that you can’t do itJust put your hand in my handAnd I’ll show you how to do it He remembered Karen. They became close when they were

in second year high school. Karen was a good dancer then, a cheerleader in their basketball team. It was more on being close. She would be there when they practice songs for the battle of the bands. He was there also when Karen’s group is practicing for the yells and cheers.

They were always together during field trips and outings.

Karen had been the one to ask if he had already a girlfriend. Jokingly he said he is planning to court her. “I will wait for that day,” she had said. She blushed when he innocently held her hand. He had not forgotten those eyes, the perfect curve of her lips, the shoulder length hair and the swelling bosom, the swaying hips and the tapered legs.

He had composed poems for her and she read it and placed

them in a special leather case. She gave him tapes in return, her

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favorite songs, like Air Supply. He had special preference for mellow rock like Firehouse and Radioactive Sago Project but he was influenced by her music. During the last foundation days, the audience was surprised when he sang mellow songs. Still, he got an ovation. His bandmates too were satisfied but had not the courage to ask why he went mellow.

He went inside his room, locked it and proceeded to the

bathroom. Inside, he can still hear the music of Air Supply. He heard a voice from below. It was Nana Maring. She asked him about his mother. He told her she went to Aparri. Nana Maring gave him the money. He placed it in their aparador.

Karen was so innocently beautiful when he went to their

rendezvous in Cabaritan. She was in white sleeveless shirt and brown shorts. He was wearing the latest Islander footwear. Her wavy hair was tied in a ponytail. The round eyes alive and smiling.

“You are late,” she said.

“I have to finish the chores first,” he answered. “Come, we will be roasted here.” They walked to a shaded part of the shore. They sat down on an old, abandoned log in the shade of coconut palms rimming the shoreline. The sea was deep blue, calm and only the whispers of the small waves lapping the sand could be heard.

“Why did you invite me here?” Karen asked. She started to

bring out from her pockets candies and chocolates.

“It is because we can’t have a chance like this anymore.” He was close to choking. “I love you, Karen. You know that.”

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“You have told that to me many times. You know my feelings too, Ambo.” She started munching some of the Hershey’s she had brought along. “Papang said I will study in Manila. How about you? You have always been dreaming of becoming a journalist. Will you study in Manila too?” she fixed her gaze at him as she offered candies.

“My father said I will study in Tuguegarao. We can’t afford

the tuition fee in Manila, Karen. We are poor.” He held her hand. She didn’t refuse. Suddenly, Ambo’s heart was beating hard, his breathing grew harder. He placed an arm around Karen’s shoulder and he kissed her, tender at first, then hard. They rolled into the soft sand. Karen’s hands were at his back, her nails digging his flesh.

When finally their labored breathings subsided, they sat again

on the abandoned log. They were silent. “I have to go now, Ambo. Papang would be looking for me.”

Karen’s hand was on his. Her head rested on his shoulder. “I will accompany you to the main road. Will you study still

in Manila?” Karen smiled. “I will tell him I will study in Tuguegarao.” Ambo heard a distinct melody in her voice. It was the most

wonderful music to him. On his way back home, Ambo realized there is a sudden change

in him, that he could walk this shoreline, that he could swim the deep blue sea to the ends of the world, if Karen will be by his side.

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“Life is not about learning to be perfect. It is about making mistakes and learning from them. It is about looking at scars, turning them into stars. Let the searing pain go, but move on. Build your principles, do not compromise them. Cry if you must, until that smile appears again. Hate, until you learn to love. Remember: there is beauty in the morning. Sunrises and sunsets are beautiful.” (Segmented Thoughts)

This is only a passage that touched his heart. His motto could be found at the back of his picture, meaning he never wavered to the test of time. “Never give up.” He is a basketeer, way back in Centro Buguey where his team came out always the best. He finished Elementary at Buguey Central School, batch 85 at Northeastern Academy. In his college days in Saint Louis, Tuguegarao, where he took up Civil Engineering, he spearheaded his team, beating others with the tutelage of Engineer Juanito Montilla. He left the Philippines and settled at Ontario, Canada. While working, he studied at Vanier College, taking up HVAC, then continued at Aviron College where he became an expert in Electronics. If you have watched LeBron, that was his skill before. He has one sibling, Lida Cortes, now a successful medical practitioner in Canada. He heads Trilogix before, pioneering on car accessories and personalization. He also goes into Logistics. Married to Aida Gamab, they have one daughter, Cassidy, whom they pour their love and care. He loves to cook, and one of his hobbies is photography. He is the President of Adtronics Company. His friends remember his generosity, because he always sends money for their birthday party. He is a caring son to her mother, Estrelita Talla Cortes, who was widowed by her husband Dante when their children were young.

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AIDA GAMAB CORTES

To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others.-Pope John Paul II.

Aida is the lovable wife of Dale T. Cortes. She is an alumna of Buguey Central School and Northeastern

Academy. She took up BS Accountancy at University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao City where their love with her husband bloomed. Using her knowledge in accounting, she is now an Income Tax Specialist in Canada, and acts as bookkeeper to Dale. She loves decorating their new home, (sprawling complex), at Kanata. Her siblings have their own families now, except one. She just took a vacation a year ago, to look after her bedridden mother, who, in her presence, passed away. Aida is a perceptive and optimistic woman.

Her favorite passage:“Do not make the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make

you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, well, go for reason. You still believe it to be a beautiful place. Time and circumstances can change anytime. Let us value anyone in life.”

She is a very supportive wife to her husband Dale, and a very loving mother to Cassidy. More so, she is very supportive to her relatives and friends. She is caring, benevolent and understanding.

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“Success is always considered as the combination of both hard work and luck .People do not tend to appreciate the role of luck. However, luck is possibly the most important factor deciding whether people are successful or not. Firstly, luck often leads to significant changes in various circumstances. It might have positive influence in the result of people’s goals. That is because of many factors that control human’s life, such as nature matters. For example, in the countries that have agricultural policy, farmers have to work hard to take care of their fields for a long period. In the theory, they must have achieved favorable outcomes. However, if a disease occurs, no matter how hard they have worked, their harvests will be ruined. In this case, it cannot be denied that luck has an irreplaceable role in daily life. Secondly, there is no doubt that success can only happened when a person have chance to show his or her hard-work result. Reality proves that never mind how untiringly one has been working, it will become nothing without opportunities.” Obet Ariniego has both: luck and opportunity. Happy go lucky when he was in High School, he may have not wanted it to be where he is now. But blessings are blessings. Obet is now in Hawaii, a doting father and a loving husband. He is married to Gloria Acoba Ariniego. They have one kid, Jeric Bryan. He works full time at the Hawaiian Commercial n Sugar Co. where he supervises the crew. As Chief, he sees to it that work is done properly. He is April born. He hails from Centro, Buguey, Cagayan and a proud alumnus of Northeastern Academy. He now has a house in Hawaii, and recently purchased a speedster.

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PAYAKFerdinand N. Cortez

ADDA simmiplot iti muging ni Ponso. Kinitana ni Aloy sa nagdardaras a rimmuar. Addan ni Anton iti ruangan a landok a nagbaklay iti uppat a bayog. Nasapa nga immay nangibaga ken Ponso iti bayog nga aramidenna a rimaanan dagiti narasin a kuragna. Pagtiliw iti papa ti kurag. Bayog ti maaramat a rimaanan, ‘tay mangpasikkil iti iketna a pagtakkab iti papa. Adda met pangngati, awag kadagiti papa nga appan, tapno araken ti pangen dagitoy.

“No adda man maalam a sibong, ipabagim man la kaniakon ta adda abalbalay ni Aloy,” kinuna ni Ponso.

“Ay, sayang,” kinuna met ni Anton. “Adda napangngatiak a tagibian idi naminsan, manong. Ginatang ti kumprador a taga-Paddaya!”

Malaksid ngamin iti panangtultulong ni Anton ken ni Ponso nga agtalon, agkurkurag daytoy wenno agpangpangati iti papa a pamataudanna iti nayon ti matangdanna a makitalon. Isu ti maysa kadagiti lima laengen nga agkurkurag iti lugarda. Kuna dagiti agpalpaliiw ken mangad-adal kadagiti tumatayab nga agballasiw dagiti papa iti taaw manipud iti China tapno agsapulda iti nadanum a lugar nga adu ti makanda. Ket ditoy Capangdanan iti ili ti Buguey ti umuna a pagdissuanda. Malaksid ngamin a nalawa ti pagtatalonan iti Capangdanan, adda pay pinullo ektaria a piskaria iti abagatanen ti nalawa a kadandanuman ken karuotan a di mabalin a talonen. Dita ti pagitlogan dagiti papa. Inton makapessa ken makatayaben dagiti annakda, itugotdan dagitoy inton agsublida iti naggapuanda.

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“Nagsayangen. Ala, saaanmon nga isabsabali no makatiliwka pay,” kinuna laengen ni Ponso. Insurotna ti panagkitana ken ni Anton iti agpalaud a kalsada nga agpa-Aparri. Adda pay laeng sumagmamano a pilaw nga imbati ti tudo iti napalabas a rabii kadagiti likkaong ti kalsada.

Nadatngan ni Ponso ni Aloy a nakatugaw a nakatapaya iti akimbaba a tukad ti terasa. Masansan a kasla agpaspasungad iti terasa. Arig pagmurmurayanna ti umay agtapaya iti arsadanan ti terasa a mangtantannawag iti kalsada. Pammaliiw ni Ponso, un-unoren ti panagkita ti ubing ti agpadaya a kalsada, sa adda nauneg a sanaang ken liday ti ubing. Nakulding la ket ngarud ti rikna ni Ponso. Siguro, mapampanunotna a dita ti nagnaanmi idi isangpetmi, nakunana iti unegna.

Sangapulon a tawen da Ponso ken Ason nga agdendenna, uppat-a-pulo ken tallopulo ket pito ti tawendan nga agassawa kas panagsaganadda, ngem dida pay naparaburan iti anak. Gapu itoy, marikna la unay dagiti agassawa ti kaadda ti dakkel a pagkurangan ti biagda iti baet ti kinasaliwanwanda, a bunga ti tinawen a nawadwad nga apitda kadagiti nalawa a taltalonenda. Isu nga idi isingasing ni Ason nga alaenda ti maikatlo nga anak da Pedring ken Mely kas ‘ar-arakda’ kano ta padakkelen ken pagbasaenda kas pudno nga anakda, kinanunongan a dagus ni Ponso. Pagsayaatanna pay, immanamong met da Pedring ken Mely ta marigatanda unay a mangisakad iti panagbiagda ta agparehas met nga awan masnop a trabahoda.

Buridek a kabsat da Ponso ni Pedring. Saan a nakaturpos iti kursona a Fine Arts iti Saint Louis University, Tuguegarao City ta pinagsardeng pay laeng ni Ponso idi naigaaw dagiti pagayda. Idi pagtuloyenda koma manen ni Pedring—ta inkari la ket ngarud

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ni Ponso kadagiti pimmusay a dadakkelda a pagbasaen daytoy—nakigtotda laengen ken Ason idi isangpet daytoy ni Mely a tallo a bulanen ti tianna. Kakaseraan idi ni Pedring iti siudad ti Tuguegarao ni Mely. Ania ngarud, pinagkasarda dagiti dua ket napandan nagnaed idiay Sta. Ana a lugar da Mely. Inggawidda idi da Pedring, ngem kinuna dagitoy a nasaysayaat no sigudenda ti agwayas tapno ammoda ti awan kadakuada.

Maikatlo—iti uppat a naadi-adi—nga anak da Pedring ken Mely ni Aloy. Agmakatawenton iti denna da Ponso ken Ason ngem agpapan ita, di pay la mailiwliwag ti ubing ti pay-ud dagiti nagannakna. Kanayonda pay nga ipasiar iti siudad ti Tuguegarao, lalo iti pagaayaman iti akinngato a kadsaaran ti Mall of the Valley. Agpayso, mailiwliwag ti ubing ti sanaangna bayat ti kaaddana iti lang-ayan ken pagliwliwaan dagiti ubbing, ngem inton makaawidda, agsubli dayta a sanaang ken lidayna.

NATUKAY ti nabiit pay a pannakailibay ni Ponso iti sopa idi maallingagna ti panagsarsarita ti dua nga ubbing. Awanen ni Aloy iti naglupisakanna itay, ngem nakalukat pay laeng ti telebision. Kas pinangiliwliwagna itay iti panagmarmarbibi ni Aloy, dinanggayanna ti ubing a nagbuya bayat ti panangisamirana ti nagbasa iti Bannawag. Bimmangon sa nagdardaras a nagturong iti terasa. Napaisem idi makitana ni Aloy iti likudan ti ruangan a landok. Iluklukatanna ti kapatadanna a ni Killot, ti buridek da Anton. Imbagana ngamin itay nga umay kaay-ayam ni Killot ni Aloy tapno mailiwliwagna ti pannakailana kadagiti dadakkelna.

“Ania ti kaykayatyo, agbisikleta wenno agbuya ‘ti telebision?” Dinamag ni Ponso idi makastrek ni Killot.

“Bisikleta, angkel!” insungbat ni Aloy ket tinarayna ti bisikletana iti sidiran ti terasa.

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Daddy, kunam,a, kuna koma ni Ponso ngem napedalanen ni Aloy ti bisikletana a sinaruno met ni Killot. Nakasarsarangsang ti katawa dagiti agkasadar. Di mabayag, nakiraman ni Pogi, ti askal nga asoda, a nakiinnangaw ken nakiay-ayam. Naray-aw ken naragsakan ni Ponso iti naragsak a panagay-ayam dagiti ubbing ken ni Pogi. Wen, iti kastoy man la a gundaway a makita ken mangngegna ti panagkatawa ti kaanakanna nga agpito bulanen nga adda iti dennada ken Ason.

Kastana koma a kanayon…. naidawatna iti nakemna. Ngem ammona nga inton’ makapanaw ni Killot, pispis-itennanto manen dagiti luana.

Alas tres media iti malem idi dagasen ni Anton ni Ponso. Nalagipna ti tulagda a manglawlaw kadagiti taltalonenda tapno kitaenda no mano dagiti sinilong ti mabalinen a makuliglig. Dua a malem ngaminen a nagbayakabak. Di natuloy ni Anton ti umuna a planona a panagkuliglig ta pinatarimaanda ti makina idiay Camalaniugan.

“Sige, ‘mayakon!” insungbat ni Ponso. Simrek iti siledda. Idi rummuar, nakaaruaten iti pangtalon. Naglayon iti dayaen ti balay ket innalana ti talunasanna sana imbirko. Idi mapan koman iti gate, nakitana ni Aloy a nakamulengleng manen iti terasa. Adda metten ni Killot iti yan ni Anton iti ruar ti gate.

“No masipngetankami, mangrabiikayonto lattan,” kinunana ken ni Ason a nabiit pay met a naggapu iti pagadalan. Madamada ngamin nga agsagana iti umay a panaglulukat ti klase. Mangrugin no Lunes ti pannakaisayangkat ti Brigada Eskwela. Master teacher ni Ason iti Capangdanan Elementary School.

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“Agay-ayamkayo pay lang ken ni Killot, balong, a?” Kinuso ni Ponso ti buok ni Aloy. “Killot, agkadkaduakayo pay lang ken ni Aloy, wen? Haankayo agrirriri,” kinunana met ken ni Killot.

Sinurot da Ponso ken Anton ti nawatiwat a tambak nga agpaabagatan iti kanigid ti kalsada. Agtungpal daytoy iti innem nga ektaria a taltalonenda nga imuluan iti nalawa a piskaria iti abagatan. Nagsardengda idi madanonda ti umuna a kinelleng. Salapasap ti naurnong a danum ti kinelleng. Limmangton dagiti malaylaylay idi a pagetpet ken marapagay iti pannakadanumda.

“Mabalinen nga araduen,” kinuna ni Ponso.

“Wen, manong. Bay-am ta rugiak no bigat. Inton malpasko, ipakatkonto metten ti kuragko idiay ungto,” insungbat ni Anton.

Immallatiwda iti sabali a kinelleng. Nakudkod ni Ponso idi makitana a nasawang ti tambak. Ad-addan ti ngilangilna idi naduktalanda a nasawang pay ti tambak ti sabali pay a kinelleng.

“Daytoy ti rigatna no adayoka iti taltalonem,” kinuna ni Ponso. “Agisawang lattan dagiti tao a dida ibagbaga. Alaem dagiti siliar nga insuksokko dita tambak ti piskaria ta serraanta dagiti sawang. Pagsinsinantan.”

Inasak ni Anton ti pagattumeng ti danumna a katikeran. Idi agsubli, inyawatna ti maysa a siliar ken ni Ponso sa napan iti maikadua a kinelleng a nasawang ti tambakna.

Linislis ni Ponso ti gayadan ti putotna ken ti manggas ti diaketna a maong sa timmapog iti kinelleng. Kasla naipaanem-em ti danum ti kinelleng iti nagmalem a darang ti init. Imbagsolna ti

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siliar. Nakilnet ti daga, ngem inanusanna ti nagbukual.

Natambakanen ni Ponso ti sawang idi adda agparasapas iti katikeran iti asideg ti tambak ti piskaria. Adda mangsisiim kadakuada? Ket iniggamanna ti putan ti talunasanna sa nagpaliiw.

Adda nanabsuok sa nagparasapas. Tengtenglen ni Ponso ti angesna, inirutanna ti petpetna iti putan ti talunasanna sa siaannad a nanglayaw iti tambak.. Simpok iti katikeran. Pagammuan la ta adda nagbanesbes a nagpangato. Papa! Ket linukayanna ti petpetna a putan ti talunasanna.

Agsubli koman ni Ponso iti tambak ti sinilong idi adda karkarna nga uni a nangngegna. Umas-asideg ti uni agingga a timpuar iti nagbabaetan dagiti tiker ti maysa a sibong nga aglanglangoy. Tinukmaanna a dagus. Ania daytoy? Piek ti pato? Piek ti itik? Nakadanon ditoy ti tagibian nga itik ni Ikong?

Miningminganna ti petpetna. Umamarilio ti kasla dutdot ti pusa a dutdotna. Kasla sippit ti itik wenno pato ti sippitna. Adda ngumisit a dutdot nga agtubtubo kadagiti payakna.

“Nagsuertekan, manong!” kinuna ni Anton nga immasideg. “Agsapsapulka iti sibong ti papa, isu payen a mismo ti immasideg kenka!”

“Addan abalbalay ni Aloy!” inkatawa ni Ponso a bulonna a simmalpa iti tambak.

“Adu kano ti maputot ti makaala iti barako a sibong ti papa!” inkatawa met ni Anton. Innalana ti siliar nga inusar ni Ponso ket

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insublina iti nangalaanna kadagitoy.

“Bareng koma, a, no agpayso,” inkatawa met ni Ponso.

MAYMAYSA ni Ason nga agbuybuya iti telebision iti salas a nadatngan ni Ponso.

“Ni Aloy?” sinaludsodna.

“Napanen dita siledna.” Tinaliaw ni Ason ti bassit a siled iti abay ti kuartoda ken Ponso. “Adu manen nga ay-ayok sa simmango iti panganan. Umres payen… Kasa—” Saan a naituloy ni Ason ta nadlawna ti agpipiek nga iggem ti asawana.

“Nangalaam ‘ita piek ti itik?” sinaludsodna.

Nagkatawa ni Ponso. “Saan nga itik; anak ti papa. Natiliwko idiay taltalon. Pinanawan ti inana itay madugsakko,” impadamag ni Ponso.

“Pangipay-am? Mabiagmo, aya? Napia koma, a, no adda tagibian nga itik wenno pato a pangipasurotam!”

Immisem ni Ponso. “Agbiag, uray pupuotem. Adda abalbalay ni Aloy. Ammom, aya, no isut’ pakayaw-awanan ti iliwna?”

“Pangikkam ngarud? Baka pusaen… wenno sidaen ti bao.”

Imbes a sumungbat, napan ketdi ni Ponso iti kamalig iti likud ti balayda. Innalana ti indulinna a tangkal dagiti tinarakenda a lovebirds a nakabulos ket impupokna ti sibong ti papa. Nagsapul

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iti kalub ti garapon ket inikkanna iti innapuy.

“Sige, mangankan. Ad-adu, a, ti makanmo ditoy ngem ti maarusibsibmo idiay katikeran,” kinuna ni Ponso nga umis-isem. Siniguradona nga awan ti pusada iti komedor. Inap-apanna iti daan a pagiwarnak ti kanigid a pingir ti lamisaan sana imparabaw ti tangkal.

Saan nga iniddep ni Ponso ti bombilia iti komedor idi makapangrabii tapno makita ti papa ti kanenna. Ngem imbes a mangan ti papa, intuloyna ketdi ti nagpipiek. No kuan lumagto a kasla kayatna ti rummuar iti tangkal. Uray idi nakaiddan da Ponso ken Ason, piek a piek ti sibong. Sumardeng no kua biit santo manen agpiek.

Kabigatanna, nagriingan da Ponso ken Ason a napan kinita ti piek ti papa. Bumigaten itay madlaw ni Ponso a nagsardeng nga aguni daytoy. Nagkinnita dagiti agassawa idi makitada a nakakul-ob ti papa a nakakidem. Dina kinuti ti kanenna.

“Agdudunger sa metten?” kinuna ni Ason.

Ngem nagmulagat ti papa ket nagpiek manen. Nagtaraytaray ken naglagtolagto.

“Manganto no mabisin,” kinuna ni Ponso. Siaalisto a napan iti siled ni Aloy. Nakariingen ti ubing. Kas insuroda, ur-urnosen ni Aloy ti nagiddaanna a nadatngan ni Ponso.

“’Mayka, adda ipakitak kenka!” kinuna ni Ponso nga umis-isem.

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Dimmagas ti ubing iti banio. Nagdiram-os ken nagmulumog sa simmurot ken ni Ponso.

“Tan-ta-rannn!” inyayug ni Ponso idi makastrekda iti komedor idinto ta inwagisna ti imana iti nakatangkal a billit iti lamisaan.

Napanganga ni Aloy. Arintarayen nga immasideg iti lamisaan. “I-Itik?” nayesngawna. Nagtil-ay a nangtannawag iti tangkal.

“Anak ti papa, wild duck!” insungbat ni Ason. “Abalbalaymo. Kaay-ayammonto no dumakkel!”

Agrimrimat dagiti mata ti ubing a kimmita ken ni Ponso. “Nangalaam, angkel?”

“Idiay taltalon. Natiliwko idi malem. Nakaturogkan idi sumangpetak. Daddy, kunam, a, balong!” kinuna ni Ponso.

Iti maikadua nga aldaw, saan latta a sinagid ti papa ti kanenna. Nadlaw pay da Ponso ken Ason a kimmapsut ti unina ken saanen nga agtaraytaray.

“Agkakapsut san,” kinuna ni Ason. “Awan pagtungpalanna no di matay no kasta a di a mangan.”

Adda napanunot ni Ponso. Immallatiw iti kaarrubada nga agbabaud, dimmawat iti damili a panganan ti manok. Idi sumangpet, inikkatna ti kalub ti garapon nga intedna a panganan ti papa. Inikkanna iti kilabban ti damili sana dinanuman. Ket di napupuotan da Ponso ken Ason ti nagsipat nga agkatkatawa

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idi nagarusibsib ti papa iti damili. Uray ni Aloy agrungrungiit a naglaglagto nga agsipsipat.

AGKATKATAWA da Ponso ken Ason a mangbuybuya iti panagpakamat ni Aloy kada Pogi ken Peru, ti nagnumuan da Ponso ken Aloy nga impanagan iti papa, bayat ti panangipapaayat ti ubing iti damili a pangpanganan ni Peru—ken no kua paglanglangan a pangananda ken ti aso. Imbulosdan ti papa ta naamon daytoy. Ngumisiten dagiti dutdotna. Agtallo pulgada metten dagiti ngumisit ken sumileng a payakna kasta met ti ipusna. Aggayyem metten da Pogi ken Peru. No dadduma, agkuyogda pay a manglawlawlaw iti inaladan.

Ngem adda latta kanito a di matimtimek ni Aloy a kasla idi malem kalman manen, uray no aglanglang-ayda kada Pogi ken Peru iti paraangan, mapalpaliiw da Ponso ken Ason a bigla a kasla mapukaw ti ubing ti ganaygayna. Itugawna iti akinbaba a tukad ti terasa ket aragaag dagiti matana a kumitkita iti agpadaya a kalsada.

Umanges no kua iti dakkel ni Ason sana kitaen ni Ponso. “Makalagip manen ‘ta ubing. Di met la mairuamen,” kunkunana. “Abalbalay, bado, taraon ken dadduma pay a di kabaelan da Pedring ken Mely nga ited kadagiti ubbingda naitedta met aminen ti kunak. Iti umay a tawen, iserrekkonton iti Salvador Prep School dita ili.”

“Mayaw-awannanto. Kitaem, agkatkatawan no dadduma. Saanen a kas idi a di aguni no dimo pagunian,” isungbat met ni Ponso.

“Baka malaglagip met da Mely ken Pedring isu a kasta….”

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“Natural laeng. Anakda. Siempre, maikawada met. Ngem masapul a panunotenda ti masakbayan dagiti annakda. Kasano a maisakaddanto ti panaghaiskul, aglalo ti panagkolehio dagiti ubbing no kasdiay laeng ti pagsapulan ni Pedring? Isu ngarud a tultulonganta ida.”

MAYSA a malem ti Sabado a panagsagsagana ni Ason nga agluto iti pangmalemda, naguni ti selponna iti bolsa ti apron-na. Ni Mely ti tumawtawag.

“O, Mely, komusta! Nakalagipka man. Ni Aloy? Napanda ken manongyo dita balay da Anton. Mapanna kano damagen no napasuyotanna met la amin a kinelleng. O, mailiwkay ken ni Aloy? Isu met la a kasdiay, a, ta agparparikna ngata kaniana. Wen, agsangsangit pay laeng no makalagip. Ne, dika agsangit, a! Aniat’ pagsangitam? Ha-ha-ha! Dikay’ madanagan, saanmi a baybay-an ni Aloy. Anakmi, nagtaud kadakami a mismo ti panangibilanganmi kaniana. Umayyo sarungkaran no bigat? Agurayka, adik. Nasaysayaat no saan pay nga ita. Iruamtayo pay sayonto umay iliwen. No saan, dakaminto ti mangisarungkar kaniana. Bay-antayo pay a makailiwliwag ‘diay ubing. Diyo kad kayat a natalgedto ti masakbayanna? Met la gayam. Wen, adik, agteppeltayo pay laeng. Ilawlawagmo koma ket ni Pedring. Wen, dikay madanagan. Babay…”

Immanges iti dakkel ni Ason sa nagdalikepkep. Wen, maawatanna ti rikna da Pedring ken Mely. Ngem maibaybayag laeng ti pannakairuam ni Aloy no sarungkaran itan da Pedring ken Mely ti anakda.

Nakaluton ni Ason idi sumangpet da Ponso ken Aloy.

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Ubba ni Aloy ni Peru ket aglaglagto met ni Pogi iti likudanda a manglanglang-ay iti papa. Inyapon ni Aloy ti papa iti kulonganna iti denna ti kamalig iti likud ti balayda.

Addadan iti siledda idi ipadamag ni Ason ti yaawag ni Mely. Saanna nga imbaga itay mangmanganda ta amkenna a maapektaran manen ni Aloy.

“Umayda kan’ koma iliwen ni Aloy no bigat, ngem saan pay nga ita, kunak met,” inlawlawag ni Ason.

“Husto ti imbagam. Uray linawasto nga umayda no mairuamton ni Aloy. Masapul a maawatanda a pagimbagan ‘ta ubing ti panangalata kenkuana,” kinuna met ni Ponso.

“No ngata agpakitatan iti espesialista, lakay?” Pagammuan ta insingasing ni Ason. “Ta bareng koma no uray makamaysata la’ng… Saanta met ngarud nga umub-ubing.” Impatayna ti kanawan a dakulapna iti barukong ni Ponso sana minatmatan ti rupana.

Immanges iti nauneg ni Ponso sa simmarut dagiti matana iti bubongan nga an-anninawan ti nalidem a lawag ti lampshade iti uluanan a sikigan ti kamada. Kasla adda tiniliw ti imatangna a bituen; nagtinnag a layap, nagdisso iti mugingna. Inawidna ti ulo ni Ason. Minatmatanna ti rupana. In-inayad, inagkanna dagiti bibigna…

NAGALISTO a talaga a dimmakkel ni Peru!” indayaw ni Anton. Immallatiw a kadduana ni Killot sakbay ti pangngaldaw. Adda maysa a barako a papa nga imetna. Madama met ni Ponso

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nga ap-aprosan ken pekpekkelan ni Peru iti arsadanan ti terasa. Makipagap-apros met ni Aloy. “Talaga a nagbalinen nga amo idinto ta puli ti atap a pato! Aniat ipakpakanmo, manong?” Inyasideg ni Anton ti ulo ti barako nga iggemna iti ulo ni Peru. Kasla nakariing ti Peru ket kunam no adda riknana nga asideg iti barako ta nagkuek ken nagpuersa a rumkuas.

“Yaw-awidak iti bisukol,” inkatawa ni Ponso. “Dekdekek sa’k laokan ‘ti feeds. Napalalo ti pananggustona.” Inyawatna ken Aloy ni Peru sana innala ti barako a papa ken Anton.

“Agalinaga a talagan ti kinapapana,” insurot ni Anton dagiti matana iti panangubba ni Aloy. Nagkuyog dagiti dua nga ubbing a nagturong iti sirok ti lugo nga adda iti asideg ti ruangan a landok; kimmuyog met ni Pogi.

“Naggita ngatan ti imas daytoy a barako,” inkatawa ni Ponso bayat ti panagturongna iti likudan ti balay tapno ikatawna ti papa.

Mayat metten ti saritaan dagiti aggayyem iti sirok ti lugo.

“Dadakkel ‘agitoy payaknan, ‘nia?” kinuna ni Killot a nangukrad kadagiti payak ni Peru, idinto ta tengtenglen met ni Aloy.

“Makatayab ngata met ni Peru?” Innala ni Aloy ti kanawan a payak ti papa sa namindua nga inukraukradna.

“Makatayab, a. Kasla ‘agitay maal-ala ni papangko nga agkurag ken ‘agitay lumablabas a pangen no kua,” insungbat ni Killot. “Ipadasta ipangato, a.” Timmakder. “Uray kastoy la’ng, ne,”

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inunnatna nga imminda ti kanawan nga imana ken nakaudrad a dakulapna iti agarup uppat a pie ti kangatona.

“Mangitagayta pay bassit pangpaimas iti kaan.” Imet ni Ponso ti dua bote a red horse a nalamiis. Nagdiretso a nangala iti inumenda ken Anton kalpasan a maipanna iti kataw ti barako a papa. Inyawatna ti maysa ken Anton sana imparabaw iti lamesita ti pulotanda a kappukan a karne ti baka. Nagtugaw iti silionna kalpasanna.

Kabayatanna, impallangatok met ni Aloy ni Peru. Nagpayapayakpak met ti papa.

“Yeheyyy! Agtayaben ni Peru!” Nagkatkatawa ken nagpalpalakpak ni Aloy iti ragsakna; uray ni Killot permi met ti katawana, idinto ta nagtaultaul ni Pogi.

Napataliaw da Ponso ken Anton. Agsueken ti madlaw nga awan balansena a papa. Naglagaw dagiti dua nga ubbing lalo ken Aloy idi nanabtuog a nagdaramudom ni Peru. Nagtarayda a nangarayat iti agkukuek ken bumangbangon a papa.

“Saanyo a pilpiliten nga ipatayab ket no matukkolan iti tulang,” inlagaw met ni Ponso aglalo ta napanunotna ti kasasaad ni Aloy. “Dumtengto latta ti panawen a rumkuas ken tumayab nga is-isuna,” innayonna.

Nakabalesen ti papa iti kapadasanna idi adda nagsardeng a traysikel iti batog ti gate a naggapu iti daya. Nagtengngaag ni Ponso. Dimsaag ni Ason. Naud-udi ta nakitienda pay kalpasan ti misa.

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“Aloy, sabtemon, a, ni mommy, balong!” Nagpayapay ni Ason iti ruar ti gate.

“Gimmatangak ‘ti armalaitmo! Adda pay tisirt ken shorts-mo!”

Timmaray ni Aloy a simmabat. Linuktanna ti gate. Inyawat met ni Ason ti sinampaltog a plastik iti ubing.

“Dimo nakita ni mamang, anti?” Tinangad ni Aloy ni Ason. Saan a dagus a nakatimek ti naud-udi. Kinitana ni Ponso a simmabat met.

“Dita laeng sentro ti nakitiendaak, balong. ‘Mayka ta ipadasmo ti tisirt ken shorts-mo!” Ti nakarawa ni Ason nga insungbat.

Ngem sakbay a makakuti da Ason ken Aloy, nagkarekkek dagiti manok a tumangtangad. Timmulad met da Peru ken Pogi. Daras met a rimmuar iti terasa ni Anton sa nagkuridemdem a timmangad.

“Apo, nagdakkelen a pangen!” kinuna ni Anton. “Adda pay la agsangpet a papa, manong!”

“Sus, luglogendan, a, dagiti rinaepan!” insungbat ni Ponso nga adda panangigaga iti timekna.

Pagammuan, nagkuek-kuek ni Peru a nagtaray a mangtangtangad iti pangen. Limmagto a nagpayakpak ti billit, ngem nanabtuog ken naidugman iti katapokan. Nagkakatawa da Ponso iti napasamak ti papa. Siaalisto met da Aloy ken Killot

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a nangarayat manen iti nakadata itan a papa nga agkaykayaw-at.

“Ne, ambisioso ‘ta tarakenmo, Aloy! “inkatawa ni Anton. “Kayatnan a suroten ti pangen!”

“Agikabilka iti bambanti, Anton, tapno mabuteng dagiti papa a lumas-ud kadagiti rinaepanta,” kinuna met ni Ponso. “Tapno mayabogda iti yan dagiti kuragmo!”

“Rinugiakon, manong,” impakaammo met ni Anton.

ITI iruruarna iti dayta a bigat, nasiputan la unay ni Ponso ti panagpayakpak ni Peru a bulonna ti timmayab, pagattao ti kangatona, nagampayag a nagpalikud iti balayda. Nagdanag ket timmaray a nangsurot iti papa iti nagturonganna. Nadanonanna a bumangbangon iti arsadanan ti kataw. Pinugtuanna a naidungpar la ketdi dita ti papa. Pinidutna sana inap-aprosan.

“Saanmo pay a kaya. Madisgrasiaka, ‘la.” Kunam no adda met nakem ti papa a binagaanna. Nagmasngaad. Bininsirna dagiti natingran ngumisit a bumalbag a payak ni Peru. Pinagsinnublatna nga inuk-ukrad dagiti payakna.

Kapadesna a talagan ti agsursuro a tumayab, nakunana iti unegna. Dimmegdeg ti nariknana itay nga amak. No putdanna ngata ti payak ti papa? Ngem isu met laeng ti nangalay-ay iti amakna. Nagbalinen nga amo ni Peru a kas kadagiti manok. Nairuamen iti biag ken kasasaad a dinakkelanna. Ganggannaeten iti lugar ken panagbiag ti puonna, naisipna.

Inubbana ti papa iti panagsublina iti terasa. Nadanonna ni

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Aloy a nakatugaw iti dati a puestona a tukad ti terasa, kumitkita manen iti agpadaya a kalsada. Dimmuko manen ti nailibay bassit nga arigenggen ti rikna ni Ponso a parnuayen ti kasta a langa ken kasasaad ni Aloy.

“Ammom timmayab itay ni Peru a nagpalikud. Kinamkamatko man.” Pinaragsak ni Ponso ti timekna ta nakarikna iti panangngaasi iti langa ti kaanakanna. Ammona a malagip manen ti ubing dagiti dadakkel ken kakabsatna.

“Agpayso, angkel?” Rimmangrang ti rimat dagiti mata ti ubing.

“Kayatmo a makita?” inturtured lattan ni Ponso nga imbaga nupay adda danagna baka ilayon ti papa ti tumalaw. Nupay kasta, adda mulmulmolan ti panunotna. “Alaem ‘garud ‘ta damili a pangpangananna ta iyayatmo no kasdiay a tumayab. Uray ta saan pay a nangan.”

Nagtulnog ni Aloy. Adda laeng met iti sidiran ti terasa.

“O, sige, agbilangkan agingga’t tallo.” Nagsagana ni Ponso a mangipallangatok iti papa.

“Wan, tu, tri!” Napnuan segga dagiti mata ti ubing a nangsiput iti panakaisayyo-pangato ti papa ngem tinembeng ketdi ni Ponso ti kangatona. Ket anian a laglagto nga ay-ayat ti ubing iti naimatanganna a panagpayakpak ni Peru. Nalipatanna payen nga inyayat ‘tay damili. Nagampayag a nagliko ti papa a kumayabkab koma iti atep ti balay ngem kurang ti kangatona isu a kapilitan a nagkarkarab-as iti diding. Tinaray met a dagus ni Ponso a tiniliw. Simmurot ni Aloy.

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“Siak man met ti mangipallangatok, angkel.” Indissona ti damili tapno awatenna ti papa nga ubbaen.

“Daddy kunam ngarud metten, a, balong….” Inyay-ayo ni Ponso.

“Siak man met ti mangipallangatok, ang—d-daddy!”

Uray la natukay ti kaungan a rikna ni Ponso iti nangegna iti umuna unay a gundaway! Iti rag-ona, dina napuotan a timrem dagiti luana ken inar-arakupna ni Aloy a nakaubba ken ni Peru.

“Agyamanak, anakko, a! Agyamanak! Maragsakanak un-unay iti panangawagmo kaniak iti daddy!” kinunkuna ni Ponso. “Ala, pagtayabem ngaruden ni Peru.”

“Wan, tu, tri!” Impempennek ni Aloy nga ipallangatok ti papa. Nangal-alaan ni Peru iti buelona, nagpaypayakpak iti batog a ngatuen ti ubing ta naawidna iti panangipangatona, sa nagampayag a nagdisso iti tutok ti balay. Alisto met ti ubing a nangisurot ti panagkitana idinto ta daras met nga innala ni Ponso ti damili.

“Kuek-kuek-kuek!” Impaayatna ti damili a pangpanganan ti papa. Nakipagkuekkuek met ni Aloy. Nagguy-ad ni Peru ket nagampayag a nagturong iti yan da Ponso. Pasab-ok a sinippaw ni Aloy ni Peru ta isu ti nagampayaganna a nagdiretsuan. Nupay natumba ti ubing, ta dina natimbeng ti bagina, nakaragragsak nga agkatkatawa. Impatayab pay naminsan ni Aloy ni Peru sada pinakan.

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“Ammom, anakko, ipatpategka—ipatpategdaka a kas pudno nga anakmi.” Rinugian ni Ponso nga alaen manen ti rikna ti ubing bayat ti panangbuybuyada iti pannangan ni Peru. “Manipud addaka kadakami, sikan ti ragsak ken liwliwami. Isu a nagpaiduma ti ragsakko itay awagannak iti daddy. Dinakami kadi kayat, balong, nga agbalin a kas daddy ken mommym?” Inapro-aprosanna ti ulo ni Aloy.

“Adda metten da papang ken mamangko, angkel,” insungbat met ti ubing a kasla awan aniamanna.

Napaalimon ni Ponso. “Daddy kunam kad’ lattan, balong. Ngem siempre sabali latta met isuda, a. Sikami ti tumakder a kas nagannakmon. Ipaaymi dagiti kasapulam. Pagbasaendaka iti kaykayatmo. Namaymayat ti biag ti addaan naan-anay nga adal, anakko,” impalawagna iti ubing.

Ngem saan a simmungbat ni Aloy. Namrayanna nga inap-aprosan ti bukot ti papa.

“Kita’m ni Peru, nagalisto a dimmakkel, makatayab payen,” intuloyna. “Gapu ta maipaayan iti umno a panawen, pannakaaywan ken kasapulan. Ngem gapu ta ibilangdaka a pudpudno nga anak, nagasgasatka pay ngem ni Peru iti dennami ken Mommym Ason.”

“Apay ngamin nga awan anakyo, angkel?” kinuna ketdi ti ubing.

Naimayeng ni Ponso.

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KALPASAN ti dua a lawas, naammuan da Ponso ken Ason ti resulta ti laboratory test-da base iti naala kadakuada nga specimen aglalo ken ni Ason nga ad-adu ti dimmalananna nga eksamen. Positibo a nagita ni Ponso, a bagayan ti nakidser a takder ken pammagi. Agkainnalaan ti darada a dua ngem ti nasakit, napaneknekan a lupes ni Ason, idinto ta ti pammagina ket iparparangarangna ti kinadam-eg ken kinaganagan. Nupay kasta, imbalakad ketdi ti gayyemda a doktor nga agkarkararagda laeng iti Dios ta no pagayatanna la ketdi, awan imposible Kenkuana.

Manguddakudday la ket ngarud ni Ponso iti panagawidda ken Ason manipud iti klinika ti gayyemda nga OB-Gyne. Idi makalaemda a tallo kada Aloy iti sala, awan sintagari, impusotna ti kasla naadasan iti pigsa a bagina ta simmayag amin a namnamana a maaddaan iti bukod nga anak. Awan met un-uni ni Ason a simrek iti kuartoda. Iti kama, binulosanna dagiti luana. Dina la ket ngarud napuotan ti iseserrek ni Aloy. Ngem saan a nagtatagari ti ubing ta adda amakna a mangpaguni iti agsasaibbek nga ikitna. Nagin-inayad laengen daytoy a nagsubli iti sala.

“Apay agsangsangit ni anti, angkel,” inamad ti ubing ken Ponso a napnuan ulimek a nakadumog, sarsarapaen dagiti naglaga a dakulapna ti ulona.

Natukay ni Ponso. Nagsennaay iti yaangadna. Binagkatna ni Aloy nga impatugaw iti abayna, sana inrakus ti kanawan a takiagna iti ubing.

“Saankami a talagan a maaddaan iti anak, balong…,” impudno ni Ponso. Arig apagsingaw ti timekna. “Awanan gayam ti kabaelan nga agsikog ni antim….—ni mommym….” Nupay

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ammona a marigatan ti ubing a mangawat kadagitoy a bambanag, impapanna lattan a maawatan ni Aloy.

ITI maysa a malmalem nga aglinlinnemmengan da Aloy ken Killot, nagpukaw da Peru ken Pogi. Nagsawarda iti aglawlaw, ngem dida nasarakan ti aso ken papa. Ket nagsangiten ni Aloy.

“Nagtalaw siguron,” kinuna ni Ason. “Di bale, balong, mangyawidto manen ni daddym!”

Saan a nagtimtimek ni Ponso. Agtibtibbayo, nupay ipatpatangken ti panunotna nga adda la dita paraangan dagiti kaarruba ti aso ken papa.

Agin-innagawen ti sipnget ken lawag idi agtaultaul ni Pogi ken karakarab-asanna ti ruangan a landok. Arintarayen ni Ponso a napan nanglukat iti ruangan. Agan-anil-il ti aso a timmaray a simrek, pitakpitak. Idi mailukatanna ti aso, adda nagbanesnes a nagsuek iti sango ti terasa—ni Peru, pitakpitak met! Napanunot ni Ponso a ni Pogi la ketdi ti nangisungsong iti papa ta masansan ngamin a sumursurot ti aso iti talon. Wenno adda sinurotda a pangen? Ad-adda a dimagel ti danag iti kaunganna.

Iti umuna a gundaway manipud idi dumteng ni Aloy iti sidongda, ni Ponso ti nangabay iti ubing idi mangrabiida. Nakaragragsak met ti ubing a no kuan pagunianna ni Peru a kunam la no pusa a mangtangtangad kadakuada a mangmangan. Immannugot ngamin da Ponso a yuli pay laeng ni Aloy ti billit tapno mamagaan daytoy iti panangbuggona.

Kabigatanna, nangsemento ni Ponso iti pasadia a pagdigusan

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ti papa iti asideg ti bomba ta no mairuam dita ni Peru, mabalin a saanton nga agwalay. Narigaten no ulitenna ti mapan iti kataltalonan ket maisurot kadagiti pangen, baka saanton nga agsubli. Napanunotna pay a gumatangto iti pagassawaan a pato ta napia la a kadkadua ti papa.

Idi malpasna ti agrukod iti maysa metro ken gudua metro kuadrado a pagdigosan ti papa, innalana ni Peru ket bininsirna manen dagiti payakna. Talaga a dadakkelen dagiti payakna. Napanunotna manen a putdan tapno sigsigurado a saan nga agtalaw. Idandanaganna la unay ni Aloy. Amangan no mapukaw ti papa ket…

Nagsennaay iti nauneg. Timmakder. Igpilna ni Peru a limmaem iti sala. Nangala iti kartib.

MAYSA a kaadalem ti rabii, nabaringkuas da Ponso ken Ason idi matimudda ti matepteppelan a sangit-saibbek ni Aloy iti bangir a kuarto. Naarakattot dagiti dua a napan nangkita iti ubing. Nakapakleb daytoy iti katrena nga agsangsangit.

“Apay, ‘ya, balong? Ania ti nasakit? Wenno nagtagtagainepka kadi?” Nagtugaw ni Ason iti pingir ti katre. Inap-aprosanna ti bukot ti ubing.

“Aloy, nagtagtagainepka, balong?” kinuna met ni Ponso.

Ngem intuloy ti ubing ti nagsangit. “Papangkooo! Mamangkooo!” inrayokna.

Nagkinnita dagiti agassawa. Ngem sakbay a makapagsaoda,

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nataldiapanda ti maysa a bag iti sakaanan ti katre. Ti bag a nangikargaanda idi kadagiti kawes ni Aloy idi yawidda! Naikarga payen ti dadduma a kawes ti ubing iti bag. Agpada a napaalimon dagiti dua.

“Isunan, balong…” Dandani di simngaw ti boses ni Ason. Inap-aprosanna manen ti bukot daytoy ngem saannan a naigawid ti luana.

Immanges met iti dakkel ni Ponso. Nagtugaw iti iking ti katre ket inawidna ni Aloy. Sidudungngo a nangsaklot iti ubing. “Bay-am ta ayabanminto da mamang ken papangmo ta pasiarendaka. Mailiwka kadi?”

“W-Wen, angkel…” inrayok manen ti ubing ti sangitna.

Saanen a nakaibtur ni Ason. Rimmuar iti siled a nangilibas iti panangamlidna kadagiti luana.

PAGAMMUAN la ta nagarikiak dagiti manok idinto ta nagkayab met ti payak dagiti pagassawaan a pato. Timmayab gayam ni Peru, nakapegpegges nga immipus iti limmabas a pangen ti papa. Saan pay a nakauni da Aloy ken Killot a nangsipsiput iti pangen, ngem madandanagan ti rupa ni Aloy. Timmaray met da Ponso ken Ason a nakipagtangad ta nasiputanda met ti isasayag ni Peru. Nailingeden ti pangen kadagiti nalayog a niog iti abagatan idi kitaen ni Ason ni Ponso.

Nagkatawa ni Ponso. “Agawidto. Namin-anon nga inaramidna dayta?” kinuna laeng daytoy. “Idi naminsan, nagmalem nga awan. Ngem iti sumipnget, dimteng met laeng. Pupuotenyo, addanto latta

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manen dita pagdigdigosanna.” Ngem kinapudnona, dakdakkel itan ti danag ni Ponso. Ania ketdi ngaminen ti pannakaliwayna a nangpukis manen kadagiti payak ti papa!

Agtindeken, awan pay ni Peru. Limnek ti init, awan latta. Sangkasarungkar pay ni Ponso ti yan dagiti pato. Saan metten a matimtimek ni Aloy. Nakatugaw manen daytoy iti nababa a tukad ti agdan ti terasa a nakatapaya. Kasla manen pampanurnoranna ti kalsada nga agpadaya.

Kabigatanna, nasapa a bimmangon ni Ponso. Rummuar koman ta kitaenna no simmangpet ni Peru idi madlawna ni Aloy nga umip-ipus kenkuana.

“Nasapa pay, balong. Maturogka pay,” kinuna ni Ponso.

Ngem di nagtimek ti ubing. Sinurotna latta ti ulitegna. Awan ni Peru iti paraangan—iti pagdigdigusanna ken ti pagassawaan a pato. Napan ni Ponso iti yan ti kulongan bareng naturog iti rabaw daytoy. Awan ni Peru.

Timmallikud ni Aloy. Kunam la no lakay ti ubing a nangitallikud kadagiti imana sana pinaglaga dagiti ramayna. Managsaggaysa ti addangna a napan iti nakarikep a ruangan. Nagtil-ay. Idi dina matannawagan ti kalsada, nagsubli ket naglayon iti siledna.

“Awanen, saanen nga agsubli ni Peru,” kinuna ni Ason idi mamigatdan. “Di bale, makatiliwto manen ni daddym.” Inap-aprosanna ti likud ni Aloy iti abay ni Ponso. Ngem kasla awan nangngeg ti ubing. Intuloyna ti sagsaggaysa a panagngalngalna.

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NATARIMBANGON ni Ason gapu iti kasla naitubong iti lapayagna a panagsarsarita ti maysa nga ubing iti dayta a kaadalem ti rabii. Nagallingag tapno penkenna no ni Aloy ketdi daydiay.

“P-pa-pang-kooo… m-ma-mang-kooo…” Kasla agam-ammangaw ni Aloy, madlaw nga agtigtigerger pay ti timekna.

Nagtibbayo iti uray la ti barukong ni Ason. Riniingna ni Ponso sa nagdardaras a napan iti kuarto ni Aloy. Daras met a simmaruno ni Ponso. Pudno, agpigpigerger ni Aloy. Nagngato ti gurigorna!

Nagdardaras a nagpakusina ni Ason, nangtempla iti apaganem-em a danum. Pagimbaganna ta dina maliplipatan a punuen ti termos iti napudot a danum.

Nalabarandan ni Aloy ngem apagapaman laeng a bimmaba ti gurigorna. Napanunot ni Ponso a labuen iti lana sana intarapnos nga inil-ilut ti sibubukel a bagi daytoy. Di mabayag kalpasanna, nagkalma ti gurigor ti ubing.

Nagkinnita da Ponso ken Ason. Nagngilngilangil ti immun-una. Maaw-awatdan ti kinapudno a didan pulos maaddaan iti anak ta adda met ni Aloy. Ngem mariknada a marigatanda a mangala iti karirikna ti ubing kas napudpudno nga anakda. Pagangayanna, kasla doble ti sanaang a marikrikna ita dagiti agassawa.

Inawid ni Ponso a sidudungngo ni Ason nga insadag iti barukongna. Iti nairakus a takiag ni Ponso ken ni Ason, nariknana dagiti nabara, nanakanak a lua ti asawana.

INDURON ni Ponso ti ruangan a landok. Kasangsangpetda

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ken Ason a nakimisa iti dayta nga aldaw ti Domingo. Natimudna ti kasla naragsak a panagkukuak ti pagassawaan a pato iti asideg ti bomba ken pumarasapasda. Bigla nga adda simken iti panunotna a kabulon ti panagkebba ti kaunganna. Nagin-innayad a napan iti bangir a sidiran ti balayda. Idi makadanon iti ungto ti nagsulianan ti balay, pimmideg sa inin-inayadna ti simmirip iti bomba. Naklaat ngem nagrag-o iti kaunganna iti naimatanganna. Makidangdanggay ni Peru kadagiti pato nga agdigdigus!

Makalawasen ti napalabas manipud nagtalaw ni Peru; makalawas metten ti napalabas manipud intulod da Ponso ken Ason ni Aloy iti denna dagiti dadakkelna iti Sta. Ana. Ngem sakbay a makapagpanunot ni Ponso iti aramidenna, napnuan ragsak ken gagar ti timek ni Ason a mangay-ayab kenkuana. Kinapudnona, pinanawanna lattan itay iti gate. Ket imbes nga ituloyna ti aramidenna a panangtiliw ken panangiliw iti papa, nagdardaras a napan iti yan ni Ason.

Nakalas-uden iti paraangan da Pedring ken Mely agraman dagiti annakda idinto ta agin-inarakup da Ason ken Aloy; agsansaninglot ti naud-udi! Iti naimatangan ni Ponso ken gapu iti simken a gagar ken rag-ona, naluyaan daytoy ngem tineppelanna.

“Apay a diyo impakpakaammo ti yaayyo?” kinuna ni Ponso idi makaasideg.

“Kua, manong… bigla kimmarayo ni Aloy idi makariing itay bigat. Saanen nga agpabatubat itay. Intayon nga intayon iti yan da Daddy Ponso ken Mommy Ason,” ingsungbat ni Pedring.

“Awan ‘gamin no kuan ti anakyo, daddy!” Umis-isem ni Aloy

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ngem ti tonona ket kasla mangrabrabak.

Saanen a nateppelan ni Ponso dagiti luana gapu iti napalaus a ragsakna. Inubbana ni Aloy nga inar-akup iti nairut. Iti mugingna, nagalinaga da Aloy ken Peru!

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“Life is like a big party where you invite many people, and then some leave early, some come late, some will stay, some will cheer you up, some will laugh WITH you, some will laugh AT you, some don’t come. But in the end, after the fun, some would stay and help clean the mess with you, even if they didn’t make the mess. Those are the people you worry of losing.”

Typhoons in Buguey are so strong, they could twist trees. But Villamor confessed he is used to it and he is a survivor. A proud alumnus of Northeastern Academy, he left San Isidro for greener pasture. His break is in 1994- when he became the Account Executive Smart Communication in Makati City. Another break was when he entered the world of the glitzy, the world of entertainment in 1995- as a Field Cashier Regal Films. There, he met the likes of Ara Mina, Derek Ramsey and other stars. Another bonus was in 1997-2003, when he became as Freelance Production Manager PCSO, NBI, And Golden Lions Films. The more blessings he received. Other experiences: in 2007-2010- P.R.O Filipino Community-Migrantes Salerno, in 2009 he was chosen to represent Filipino Community in Strasburg European Parliament. He now deals with Migration and Integration, under Italian Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Social Welfare and Strasburg European Parliament Integration and Migration Conference. He is now the erstwhile FCSI President.

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” JFK

From this glitzy life, Villamor never forgets. If one Filipino, Bugueyano friend shouts for help, he is there, ready for a helping a hand.

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“Love is an emotion that a person feels inside his heart. People can love their partner; in addition, they can also love their friends. However, if a person were asked to choose whom they loved best, the majority would say they loved their partners more. When comparing love in this way, it would be conceivable that love can be measured. The same can be comparable to our children. While loving other family members, if we had to make a choice, we would undoubtedly choose our children.

Loving someone means you are willing to make sacrifices for them. Many say they would sacrifice their own lives for their children, or for a partner. In the movies, when a plane crashes or a ship is about to sink, the protocol is to save the women and children first. However, if a person had to choose between saving himself over saving a stranger, and he chose to save the stranger, this person would become a hero, having sacrificed his life for someone he did not even know. He would be known as having compassion and a kind and loving heart. In this scenario, love cannot be measured, for this kind of love is beyond measure.”

Married to a seafarer, Jeanne does not seat down waiting for blessings. She is a businesswoman. She is batch 86 of Northeastern Academy, and took up BS Nursing at Saint Paul’s University. While the husband is away, she takes care of their kids. She sees to it that their needs are met. She hails from Leron, Buguey Cagayan.

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The most important thing in life is thought to be happiness. In order to achieve success you must adjust to every situation with ease. When we use the term successful it does not mean the same as the conventional definition. The definition we are referring to is to be able to overcome hardships, nothing relating to business. Today the world is something of a giant melting pot of people. Communities everywhere are interblended with people from different places and of different

backgrounds. Inside these communities there are also many different mental/physical/physiological disorders and/or many people with family problems and work problems.

Josephine Tayem was born in Tabbac, Buguey. She attended elementary grades at Buguey Central Elementary School, and graduated from Northeastern Academy, Batch 1987. She completed BSEEd in Lyceum of Aparri 1991. She worked as a grade school teacher at Sacred Heart, Novaliches QC for a year and went to work in Hongkong as a contract worker from 1992-1998. She took and passed the Board for Professional Teachers given by the board in Hongkong in 1997, desired to finish a last contract and will return to Buguey to practice teaching profession but a greener / promising opportunity was possible that time to work with a contract visa in Canada under the Live - In Caregiver Program that allowed a change of work status after two years contract. She obtained a landed immigrant status in Canada in 2002. She went back to school and completed a 13 months program for LPN (License Practical Nurse) in 2004. She is now married to a batch mate from same hometown, Richard Ponce. Having two healthy handsome boys, Joseph Richie Anton Rely, she works in a long term care hospital in Edmonton.

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TINULUNGAN ni Gabriel ni Lelongna Sayong, Nazario ti pudno a naganna, a nangbagkat iti arado. Nagduaanda nga intag-ay. Imbitinda daytoy iti abay ti nakabitinen a suyod iti daanen a kamarin, nagatep iti nipa ken nagdiding iti tabla. Adda pay laeng sumagmamano a kaban nga irik a nakakamada iti sulina ti amian-a-daya, suli nga adayo iti sapri no agparrais. Iti sulina met ti daya-nga-abagatan, adda dita ti lima a burnay a pagbugbugguongan ni Lelangna Carmen. Iti maysa pay a suli, kasla bunton a napempen dagiti daan a sako ken lapag ti biray. Napateg ken lelongna daytoy a kamarin. Malaksid a ditoy ti pagidulinanda kadagiti maaramat iti panagtalon, ditoyda met ken lelongna nga aginnestoria, aglalo no kasta a malpas ti ani.

Nataldiapan ni Gabriel dagiti dapan ni lelongna. Saanen a makasapatos daytoy ta kasla laya dagiti ramay ti sakana gapu iti kabayagnan iti talon. Nairuam payen a dapandapan a magna. Iti ruar, aglulumba pay laeng iti pilaw dagiti tartaraudi ‘tay bayakabakna, tartaraudi nga itedtedted ti sagumaymay a nipa. Tinaliawna manen ni lelongna. Binuyana dagiti bimmaliti a ramay a mangisimsimpa iti arado.

“Isarunota dagiti sangol, apok,” kinuna ni Tata Sayong.

“Wen, lelong.” insungbat ni Gabriel a bulonna a nangsubli kadagiti sangol iti sirok ti bangolan a bittaog nga asideg laeng ti kamarin. Kas ken lelongna, nupay ubing pay, nabisked ni Gabriel, pinabisked ti pannakaritur ken pannakatennebna iti rigat. Idi simrek manen iti kamarin, kawkawikawen, ur-urnosen ni Tata Sayong dagiti tali.

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“Sinangalmo dagita, lelong?” dinamagna.

“Tinali, sinangalmi ken tatangmo.” Nakadumog a simmungbat ni Tata Sayong. Imparabawna ti maysa a nakawikaw a tali (iti bulto dagiti nakawikawen) nga adda nagdukol iti maysa nga ungtona.

Ni tatang… nakuna ni Gabriel iti unegna. Wen, ni Guiller Navarro, soldado ken kameng ti Philippine Constabulary. Tumawen metten a saan a nagaw-awid ni tatangna. Nasair manen ti sanaang iti barukongna.

“Kaano nga agawid lelong?” impainayadna a dinamag.

“Apok, nangegko la iti radio itay bigat a nagsinan da Apo Marcos ken Enrile. Awan makaammo ita no sadino ti ayan ni tatangmo.” Imbitin ni Tata Sayong ti tali nga adda nagdukol iti ungtona iti suli a sumadagan ti ridaw no mailukat. Insab-itna met dagiti nabatbati a kawikaw iti abay ti arado, guyodan dagitoy.

Nalpay ti gagar ni Gabriel iti nangegna ket ad-adda a dimmuko daytay sanaang a kasla mangiw-iwa iti kaunganna. Namrayanna laengen a pinasayagan dagiti kapadesna nga aggipi a raep ta adda laeng iti babaen ti turod a nagsaadan ti balay ken kamarinda. Idi kuan adda nangegna nga arimpadek. Simmangpeten ni nanangna Resurreccion ken da Manangna Rose ken Vilma.

“Nanang, kaano a sumangpet ni tatang?” impasabatna a dinamag iti inana. Awan ti sungbat ti naud-udi. Inlisina pay dagiti matana.

NASIMBENG ti panagpataray ni Guiller Navarro iti kotsena. Naiddep dagiti silaw daytoy. Kasla bulsek a guyguyoden ti dalan

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nga agturong sadiay Middleton, Virginia, singko minutos laeng ti kaadayona idiay Washington D.C. Daytoy ti lugar dagiti addaan—dagiti babaknang nga agtagikua iti Jaguars, Lexus, Porche, premiado a kabalio a ti presioda ket umanayen a mangpakan kadagiti umili iti Buguey iti lima a tawen. Naguni ti Com Link-na.

“Stony, where are you?” Dinamag ni Lt. McLean. Maysa daytoy a kaduana iti operasionda—ti Operation Falcon.

“Last one minute,” kinunana.

“Blastman, in position?” naguni manen ni Lt. McLean.

“Propped up, Amigo,” insungbat ti kaduada a Mexicano.

“Boyah. Go and cut clean,” naguni manen ni Lt. Mc Lean.

Miningmingan ni Guiller Navarro ti target-da a balay. Addaan gate daytoy ngem awanan alad. Masapul laeng a maduktalanna ti password ti security system ken maimuntarna ti hidden camera, malpasdan ti misionda. Imparadana ti lugan iti kasipngetan.

“Going in,” kinunana iti Com Link-na.

“Lens focused on you,” impasigurado ni Roberto. “Two more. One right, one left.”

“Blast off, Stony,” kinuna met ni Lt. Mc Lean nga ammona nga agbuybuya met babaen iti Bausch and Lomb nga scope ti riple-na.

Daytoy ti karigatan, nakunana iti bagina, no kasano a maabakna ti security system. Maysa la a kamali, umaweng ti sirena,

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agsilaw dagiti spotlight, santo dumteng dagiti armed response group. Kitaem laeng ti teknolohia, nakunana manen iti nakemna. Tinenggelna ti angesna idi iruarna dagiti screwdriver ken kasla calculator nga aramatenna, instrumento a binirngasanda iti Genie. Inyusokna dagiti guantes kadagiti imana, sana inin-inayad a minira ti instrumento nga aggilgilap iti sangona. Intapalna ti kasla calculator a balonna iti baba laeng ti seradura. Ay-sus, bassit la a kamali, naitanamitimna.

“Your call,” kinunana iti Com Link. Ammona a madaman a mirmiraen ni Lt. McLean ti Genie a naka-link iti laptop-na. Ammona met a nakasaganan ni Roberto iti aniaman a mapasamak.

“Oh! It’s more complicated than I thought,” nayesngaw ni Lt.

Mc Lean, idinto ta tinengngel met ni Guiller ti angesna. Kasla slot machine idiay Las Vegas a nagparang dagiti numero, 16-17-3-4-18 ti nagparang iti gadget a mulmulagatanna.

“That’s it. All on standby,” immandar ni Lt. Mc Lean sa

nagsennaay. Inikkat metten ni Guiller ti intapalna nga instrumento sana pinindot dagiti numero a nabasana. Naglukat ti ridaw. Kasla naikkat ti bukel ti santol iti karabukobna. Simrek. Daytoy gayam ti balay ti senador nga espia, nakunana iti unegna. Senador a kasla Mc Carthy ti diskartena, segun iti A1 report a naggapu sadiay Langley. Ditoy a balay iti drop point ti impormasyon, ken bisbisitaen dagiti iggem ti China a tattao. Nalawag ti order: ikkanda iti mata ken lapayag daytoy a balay, tapno masinunuo dagiti opisiales idiay Langley ti kinaasino ti umaw-awat iti impormasion—kritikal nga impormasion maipapan iti Scarborough ken Tubbataha Reefs.

Naikabilnan ti hidden camera iti salas, kuarto ken guest room.

Timman-aw iti tawa. Nalawa ti lote ti senador. Kasla kalawa ti

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talon a naisalda idi pimmanawda ‘diay Cagayan. Nalangto pay la iti panunotna ti dati a langa daydiay a disso. Birhen a lugar, nasulinek, nagbaetan ti babassit a turod, naaplagan iti tanap kadagiti samon, alem, tanglar ken bikal. Pinagtulunganda nga agama a pinatag, kaabayda dagiti nagdammang a taga Narvacan, Laoag ken Magsingal. Inumada, ginaikan ken rinebbakda inggana a nagbalin a pagtatalonan. Kasano ngata itan, dayta a lugar? nasaludsodna iti nakemna. Dinarasna ti rimmuar. Apagrikepna ti ridaw idi aguni ti Com Link.

“Stony, you forgot the secondary alarm!” imballaag ni Lt. Mc

Lean. “There’s no secondary alarm, I saw it.” Napnuan talek nga

insungbatna. “Blast off, Gil!” Napigsa ti sao ni Roberto. “Three gringos at

eleven o’clock. Gotta go!”

Nangegna dagiti saan a mailibak a subsonic a bala ni Roberto. Pinutokanen ni Roberto dagiti tao a nakitana. Silencer, nakunana. Kasta met ngatan ti inaramid da Carlo ken Rodney, dua pay a kadua ni Roberto a mangprotekta kenkuana.

Inrukobna ti nagtaray. Apay ngata? Awan met secondary

alarm a nakitana? “Cut clean, Gil. Gil, cut clean!” pariaw nga immandar ni

Lt. Mc Lean. Tinaray ni Guiller ti lugan iti nangiparadaannana, sikakarting a nangpaandar iti daytoy. Apagisu met a dimteng ni Roberto. Simakay a dagus, saan pay a nairikrikep ti ridaw ti lugan, insiweten a pinanawanda ti lugar.

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Nangsindi ni Roberto iti sigariliona kabayatan ti napaspas pay lang a panagpataray ni Guiller. “Some night, ei?” impug -awna ti asuk.

“Who are they?” dinamag ni Guiller. “Some wackos or drunks, man. Goin’ to your direction. Had

to put them off,” insungbat ni Roberto “You killed them?” “No. I used tranquilizer bullets.” Immisem ni Guiller. Simmindi met iti sigarilyo.

NAKAGTENGDA iti safe house a pagkikitaanda. Addan da Lt. Mc Lean sadiay. Nakitana ti natayag a nakatalllikud, puraw ti buokna ken madama a mangsindi iti estangco-na, ni Col. Dempsey.

Ni Col. Dempsey ti nangrekruit ken nakaimatang iti

kabaelanna. Kalpasan ti pannakabingay ti puersa militar ti Pilipinas, pinagpili ni Col. Dempsey ni Guiller: agbati iti Pilipinas wenno sumurot kaniana—iti America. Pinilina ti sumurot, agraman pamiliana.

Nagtugawda kadagiti sopa iti sala. Limada amin, ta

timmiponen da Rodney ken Carlo. Maikanem ni Col. Dempsey a nadatnganda.

“It went smoothly as usual, soldiers.” Nakaisem ni Col.

Dempsey. Nagsabet ti pamengbengen a kidayna. “Now we can hear, see and unlock the mystery of it all.” Iti tawenna a sisenta,

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nalinteg ken nakidser pay laeng ti takder ni Col Dempsey. “Guiller, as promised, you will have an R & R, so with the rest

of you. Mission has never been compromised. Go with the usual routine. Now, relax. The champagne is waiting.” Nagsig –am. “See you all in Maryland.”

Minatmatan ni Guiller ti gayyemna. Wen, adun a

naisangsangayan a tawen ti panagkaduada. Adun a panawen…. Ni Col. Dempsey ti nangirekomendar kaniana ken ni Gen. Hal

Copper, nga uray la nalikba ti bibig ti naud-udi idi maammuanna a Filipino ni Guiller. “We normally don’t hire faggots,” kinunana. Ngem iti amin a paset ti training, pinaneknekan ni Guiller ti kabaelanna. Napadusngi ni Col. Dempsey idi mairaman ni Guiller iti Elite Covert Ops Corps United States Army.

Minatmatanna dagiti kakaduana. Wen, nabayagda metten

a naglalangen. Ni Roberto, taga Tijuana, Mexico, a nagbalin a buddy-na; ni Carl, taga Fiji; ni Rodney, Negro a diborsiado; ni Lt. Mc Lean, natenneb a soldado, nasingpet nga ama, pagaayatna ti darts. Ni met Col. Dempsey, gayyemna a ti panagriknana ket kasla daniw ti kauneg ti panaggayyemda. Idi kuan naiturong ti imatangna iti banda ti Appalachian Mountains. Napintas nga ulien ken pagpallailangan. Idi, dati a maguyugoy a mapan kadayta a bantay. Ngem kasla nasipnget, nangisit a bantay ti panagkitana kadayta ita…

NAPARTAK ngem naurnos ti panangirubbuat ni Resurreccion,

ti asawana, kadagiti aruatenda. Awan met pamalpalatpatan da Rose, Vilma ken Gabriel no sadino ti papananda. Rubrubbuatan

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ni Nana Carmen dagiti ubbing. Naisaganan ni Col. Dempsey amin a papeles, ket ni Tata Nazario ita ti problemana.

“Mabatiakon annakko,” kinunana ni Tata Sayong. “Lakayakon,

bay- am a taripattuek daytoy talon.” “Ngem naisaldan, tatang, sumurotkan. Panawenen a sadiay

America ti papanantayo,” impalawag ni Guiller. “Guiller…” natangken ti sao ni Tata Sayong, “Ditoytayo

a nagdappat. Duata a nangrebbak kadayta a talon. Ammom a napateg dayta kaniak. Mabatikami ken nanangmo.” Nagsabet dagiti matada. Saan a nakasao ni Guiller. Pudno ti imbaga ti amana. Ngem nakasaldan ti talon gapu ta saan a nakasueldo ni Guiller iti sumagmamano a bulan a gapu met iti breakaway wenno panagsina da Marcos ken Enrile iti kangitingitan ti umuna a People Power iti Edsa idi 1986. Sa naisalda ti nabatbati a guduana tapno adda nayon ti gastuenda nga agpa-Amerika. Ni Ulitegna Julio ti nangsalda. Ti gudua-apag laeng ti agdama a suksukayenda kas saritaan iti panagsalda.

“Sakaemto ta talon…” Kinaut ni Tata Sayong ti dinublana. Nangiras iti kasapego. Dimmuklap ti angin, napuyupoy ti darang ti palito. Inulitna ti nangiras. Nagkabukabukab a nangkunokunot iti dinubla.

“Sakaemto dayta naisalda a talon, wen?” inulit manen ti lakay kalpasanna.

Dimmagsen lattan ti barukong ni Guiller. Kasla maltotan no agsao. Nagarimasa dagiti matana. Namrayanna laengen a

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pinakaradapan ti kataltalonan. Agdawan dagiti pagay. “Wen, tatang.” Kasla simngaw laeng nga arasaas ti bosesna.

Timmalikud ti lakay. Tinurongna ti kamarin. Idi agsubli, addan bagkatna a karton.

“Balonem daytoy…” napnuan talek nga inyawat ni Tata Sayong ti karton ken ni Guiller, kadagiti mata ti naud-udi, adda di maibinggasan a nagalawaaw a rimat.

IN-LOG OUT ni Gabriel ti desktop computer-na kalpasan

a mayakarna iti external drive dagiti palabsanna nga artikulo a para Baltimore Post. Inkabilna ti tablet-na iti nakanganga a bag. Kinitana dagiti kakaduana a madama metten nga agrubuat nga agawid. Timmakder sa nagturong iti ridaw.

“Hey, Gabriel.” Adda timek a naggapu iti maysa kadagiti

cubicle, ni Sophia. Umis-isem ken napnuan rimat dagiti bugagaw a mata ti balasang.

“Yes, Sophie?” kinunana. “Uh, that segment stories you wrote amazed me!” kinuna ti

Chief Editor-na. Section Editor met ni Gabriel iti Baltimore Post.

“Oh, yes… but I still have to put together the missing pieces,” inyisem ni Gabriel.

“It has a heart of its own,” impallilit ti balasang.

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“Sophie, I came from the Philippines. I am an Ilocano. Those segments you have read are just partial segments.” Sinabat dagiti mata ni Gabriel ti raniag dagiti bugagaw a mata.

“I have read most about the Philippines. But more on investigative point of view—politics, celebrities and people. Yours is a personal account.”

“I still love my roots. My blood keeps on running in those

roots. And those segments bring back my childhood fresh…but I feel there are still missing pieces…” Dimges ti iliwna a nabayagen nga uk-ukopan ti panawen iti kaunganna.

“It could be written into a book, you know… and… I am

looking forward to reading soon those missing pieces.” Sinimpa ni Sophia ti kurbatana. Naasideg ti balasang ken ni Gabriel. Banag a mapalpaliiw dagiti katrabahuanda.

“Well…but it’s not just easy to collect those missing pieces,

I’m sure.” Nayesngaw ni Gabriel.

“Go back to those roots. Perhaps, you can find those pieces. See you…” Imbabayna ti tammudona. Kalpasanna, timmalikuden ti balasang.

Kasla darekdek ni Gabriel a nabati a nagpampanunot gapu iti naisawang ni Sophia.

Ania pay ngata ti kurangna aya? Dinamagna iti bagina. Nalagipna manen dagiti sinuratna: biag idiay Filipinas—sadiay Buguey, biag sadiay talon, biag ti aglelong. Nalagipna pay ni

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Veronica Salvador a naam-ammona idi nagadal iti sekundaria idiay kabisera. Naisem ken naemma a balasang—balasang ti away. Nagminar ti isemna. Ayanna ngata itan? Ngem bigla a simmalin iti lagipna ti tatangna. Wen, awan pay naisuratna maipapan ken tatangna uray la koma ti kinasoldadona idi panawen ni Marcos. Ngem awan maanninawna ta kasla dina mapagsisilpo dagiti nabattaway a panaglangenda nga agama. Kanayon nga awan, kanayon nga agpukaw idi ken agpapan kadagitoy. Kas idi addada sadiay Bronx, kanayon nga awan. Bassit a panawen ti naigugor ni tatangna kenkuana. Mister Pukawpukaw, kunkunana payen no dadduma? Ngem naminsan, natiliwanna ti amana a naulimek nga agkapkape iti beranda. Madlaw a nakaun-uneg ti pampanunotenna ta pasaray agsennaay ken no kua dadakkel ti panagangesna; kumita iti adayo ngem kasla met awan patingga ti kaadayona. Pagunianna koma idi, kayatna ti agdamag—daytay nauneg a panagdamag ta awan pay nasuratna ken ni tatangna, ngem dina naangay ti turedna.

PAMPANUNOTEN pay laeng ni Guiller ti nagpatanganda ken Col. Dempsey bayat ti panagpatarayna nga agawid.

“Daytoyen ti maudi a trabahok,” impudnona. Nabayag a kinita ni Col. Dempsey ni Guiller.

“You intend to go back to the Philippines, Gil?” dinamag ti

superior-na.

“You knew all along what I have been through Colonel. Ammom a ti serbisiok kaasmangna ti sinapataak, nakitam amin nga inaramidko. Saan a rabrabak. Agyamanak la unay iti talekmo,” impainayad ketdi ni Guiller.

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Nagpatang da Col. Dempsey ken Lt. Mc Lean. Idi kuan adda tinawagan ni Col. Dempsey. Kasla agkakapsut ti Koronel a nagtugaw. “You are a good guy, Gil. The service still wants you. But your request and performance tells you, you deserved it.”

Agdaydayyeng ti riknana, pasaray agsagawisiw pay. Nalagipna

dagidi rigat a nadas-alanda idi kasangsangpetda iti maysa a tenement idiay Bronx. No kasano a nakaserrek iti trabaho ni Resurreccion, ti kaingungotna. Saanna met intulok nga alimunen ti laud a kultura dagiti kannawidanda. Sinukisokna no sadino ti pakagatanganna ti maluto a pinakbet ken dadduma pay masida ken makan a nakairuamanda. Naam- ammona la ket ngarud dagiti dadduma nga Ilokano iti daytoy a deppaar ti lubong. Adda pay naam-ammona a karpintero ken baglan.

Uray la agngilangil dagiti karrubada no mangwaris wenno

agpawaris ken mangatang no aggurigor ni Gabriel, banag a mamatida met no lumaing ti anakna. Sinuruan met ni Resurreccion dagiti ubbing nga agluto. No ruar, Ingles ti panagpapatangda. Ngem no iti uneg ti balay, ungtanna dagiti saan nga ag-Ilokano.

Nalagipna ti ragsakda idi maalada ti green cards-da,

immakarda sadiay Baltimore. Nalagipna no kasano a nagbalin a car dealer. Maysa a front, ta saan met mabalin nga ipalgak ti talaga a trabahona. Inaminnan idi pay, maysa isuna nga anniniwan.

Nalagipna daydi yaawidda idi pimmusay ni Tata Sayong—

ti daan a kamarin, ti pananglawlawda iti talonda ken ti panagsungbatda idi ken Ulitegna Julio ta saanen a kayat daytoy a pasaka ti talon. Tawidento kanon ni Samuel, ti anakna. Ngem impettengna a saan a mabalin ta isu ti namuonan ti pamiliada.

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Adu a ling-etda ken tatangna ti nagarubos iti pannagbalin dagidiay a daga a kataltalonan: didiay ti nangrugian ti pakasaritaanda… Iti daytoy a lagip, bigla a dimmagsen manen ti panagangesna iti kasla yiiwa ti nauneg a saem iti barukongna. Inin-inayadna nga insardeng nga impaigid ti lugan. Nagsipnget ti panagkitana. Inarikapna ti emergency button ti Com Link-na. Intalmegna.

NARIING iti kumarayam a nalamiis nga angin a lumsot iti

apagbingi a tawa a sarming iti kuarto da Guiller ken Resurreccion. Umuna aldawna pay laeng nga agpalpalaing iti balayda manipud iti ospital. Imbag ta mild stroke laeng ti napasamak kenkuana. Idi agmulagat, nakitana nga immuna ni Col. Dempsey, sa ni Resurreccion, ni Gabriel, Rose, Vilma ken dagiti assawada.

“Are you now okay?” inamad ni Col. Dempsey. Isuna ti immarayat kenkuana idi iti dalan. Nagtung-ed ni Guiller a kabulon ti yiisemna.

“Take time to rest, soldier,” inyalamano ni Col. Dempsey iti

nairut ken Guiller. “Thanks for being with us always, sir…” Adda naglibas a

nagtulid a binukel ti danum kadagiti matana. Simpeg manen ti nalamiis nga angin. Ammo ni Guiller a

saanna a malabanan dayta a lam-ek, kasla aguyas kadagiti tulang ken susuopna. Saan met a buteng iti ipapatay ti mariknana. Kinitana manen ti pamiliana. Nalagipna daydi pannakaalada iti green card-da.

“We are now Americans!” impannakkel da Rose ken Vilma.

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“Wen, agpayso ngem Pilipino—Ilokano-tayo latta iti puso ken dara.” Nasimbeng a kinuna ni Gabriel.

Immanges iti nauneg ni Guiller. No saanna nga ilawlawag ita, kaanonto? Anianto ti mapasamak no saanna nga ibinsabinsa dagiti pasamak? Makabasolto. Kasla naabakton iti ranget a kaungganna laeng ti makaammo ken makaibtur. Dua nga obligasion ti tungpalenna: daydi karina iti amana ken ti pannakalawlawag ni Gabriel, maymaysa a lalaki nga anakda ken Resurreccion. Ammona sumangbayto ni patay a kas iti lam-ek ti angin a sumiplag. Iti edad ken kasasaadna, daytoy binulbulodna nga anges ket sumina. Mortal ti bagi, ngem immortal ti itaktakder. Nabayagen a pinalpaliiwna ni Gabriel. Adu ti saludsod a kayat nga amaden ti barona, saludsod a saanna kayat a sungbatan a mismo, no di ket kayatna a maawatan ti barona.

“Pamiliatayo…” inrugina, “adda kiddawko a masapul a

matungpal, Gabriel. Ket ammok a saanmo a mapagkedkedan daytoy a kiddaw. Nalasatantayon dagiti krisis. Rose, Vilma, Vicente, Regal,” kinitana dagiti annakna ken assawada, “napintasen dagiti trabahoyo. Gabriel, wen, mannuratkan. Dumtengto ti aldaw a maisuratmo daytoy pasadastayo—daytoy a pakasaritaantayo….”

“Tatang, diak pay mapagsisilpo.” Nagsabat ti matada nga

agama. “Adda ken nanangmo amin a masapulmo. Pimmanawtayo

‘diay Filipinas. Napintasen ti biagtayo ditoy. Kaasi ni Apo, nalasatantayo dagiti karit ti panawen. Ngem saanyo nga ammo no ania ti marikriknak, kasla burayok daytoy awis a mapan idiay ubbog a naggappuan. Gabriel, sakaem daydiay talon a naisalda.

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Daydiay ti muhon ti kinataotayo.” “Apay a paggastuantayo pay laeng, tatang? Adun ti

naipundartayo ditoy,” inyallawat ni Rose.

“Agpadata ti marikrikna, tatang…” Kasla adda nawayawayaan iti kaungan ni Gabriel.

Nagkinnita da Guiller ken Resureccion. Nagsarita dagiti matada. Nagrukob ni Resurreccion ket adda ginuyodna a daan unayen a karton iti sirok ti kama. Inruarna manipud iti karton ti maysa a banag a nakasdaawan ni Gabriel. Daydi tali!

“Agawidka, Gabriel, sakaem ‘diay talon, anakko. Itugotmo

dayta a tali, ikabilmo iti dati a nangibitinan ‘di Lelongmo Sayong. Dayta ti tulbek tapno maammuam amin—ken maisuratmo ti amin.”

Nagsig-am ni Col. Dempsey. “Your decision deserves better

than I thought. Good luck!” insaludona pay.

NABARA ti panangpasangbay ni Ulitegna Samuel. Addan lima nga anakna. Inaunaan ni Fernando. Uppat a babbai dagiti simmaruno. Inyawatna dagiti pasarabo nga intugotna.

“Nabayagen a paniempo, Gabriel…” Arimbainen ni Samuel

idi awatenna ti iPhone a sarabona. “Wen, angkel, sipud idi sumina ni lelong,” kinunana. “Ket kasano met ti biag ‘diay Amerika?” dinamag ni Samuel.

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Inestoriana dagiti pasadasna ken pasadas ti pamiliada. “Kumusta ni Insan Guiller?” Dinamag ni Samuel a

magaggagaran.

“Nasalsalun–atka ngem isu, angkel. Nabiit pay a rimmuar iti ospital. Agawidto kanon ditoy no lumaing,” impudno ni Gabriel.

Kabigatanna, kalpasan ti puni ta kas gagangay, nagpabunar, inyaruangan ni Gabriel ti panggepna.

“Angkel, ammok a napateg met kenkan ti dagami. Ngem

ipagpagapum la kadi metten ti kinapaset ti biagmi iti talon—ken ti panagpapasettayo—ken daydi lelong. Kayatna a sakaenmi.” Kinitana ti ulitegna.

“Gabriel, no adda man saan a nagkinnaawatan da tatangmo

ken daydi tatangko, sabali kadata. Wen, saanko a gamgamen dayta a talon, ta ammok no kasano a nagrigat da Insan Guiller ken Uliteg Sayong kadayta. Idi nagawidkayo, siak ti kinapatang ni tatangmo. Ngem awan nabalinak ta sabali met ti turong ti panunot daydi tatang. Dumawatak iti dispensar kenka, barok,” naalumanay nga impalawag ti ulitegna.

“Pagyamanak la unay, angkel, no kasta ti kapanunotanyo.

Bay-anyo tulongak ni Kapid Fernando a makastrek iti trabaho. Di met nalaing a kusinero? Mabalin nga alaen ni Manang Rose iti restaurant-na,” impasigurado ni Gabriel

“Nagsayaat la unayen ta naibagam, barok. Agyamanak unay a no kasta.” Uray la rimmaniag dagiti mata ni ulitegna iti ragsakna.

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“Kayatko koma a kitaen ‘diay kamarin, angkel.” Inruarna ti duplikado ti tulbek ti kamarin manipud iti bulsana.

“Wen, inkan. Ta mangtiliwak iti kamanokan. Ammok a

nabayagkan a saan a nakaraman.” Tinapik ni Samuel ti abagana.

Timmakder ni Gabriel. Tinurongna ti kamarin. Nasukatanen ti atepna. Ngem isu latta ti langana. Nanayonan ti panagraemna ken ni Angkelna Samuel. Tinakderan daytoy ti karina ken ni tatangna. Linukatanna ti kandado. Simrek. Isu met la nga isu ti nagunegna. Adda pay laeng dagidi arado, suyod kada sangol a naibitin. Adda la parte ti diding nga awang. Inruarna ti tali iti uneg ti karton nga awitna.

Anian a pateg daytoy a tali! Insab-itna. Nagarbis. Wen, kas met la idi… no agarbis, agdukol no kua dagiti rettab. Dukol? Iti bigla a simken iti panunotna, napatalliaw iti nakawikaw a tali. Minirana. Nagbukol ti maysa nga ungto ti tali. Nasangal? Bimsog? Minatmatanna a nasayaat. Bimsog a talaga. Innalana ti tali. Babaen ti tulbek, inin-inutna a sinukitsukit ti naisangalsangal nga ungto dagiti tallo a natabid nga abaka. Adda bronse a nakitana. Nawaswasnan ti sangal. Tulbek! Tulbek ti baul wenno lakasa. Inwarasna ti panagkitana. Nagpatingga ti matana iti kasla bunton a naakkuban iti daanen a kostal ken lapag. Dumardarang ti gagar iti barukongna a nangikkat kadagitoy. Nakitana ti daanen a lakasa. Agtigtigerger ti imana a nangiyusok ti duogan a tulbek. Maysa a pusipos.. Dua. Nalukatan ti baul. Adda sinamay a lupot a nangbungon kadagiti duogan a papel a nakaikabil iti lalat a kasla enbelop. Linukatanna. Titulo ti dagdaga idiay Ilocos. Titulo ti daga ditoy Cagayan. Nailansa ti panagkitana iti dua a nakadadaanen a libro. Indalupisakna nga inukrad ken pinalabsanna a binasa.

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Salaysay ni Lelongna Sayong ti maysa. Kinitana dagiti petsa: 1900. . .1929. . .1930. . . . Iti ruar, kasla aglulumba pay laeng iti pilaw a pagdissuan dagiti tartaraudi ‘tay bayakabakna, tartaraudi a yar-ared-ed ti sagumaymay a nipa.

Linuktanna ti maysa. Salaysay ni tatangna. Adda pay nakaikabil iti plastik: identification cards, dogtag ken ladawan ni tatangna—ken kasuratan. Naimayeng, nagpanunot. Binasana. Kimmidser ti barukongna a nakaawat no ania ti kayat nga ipasimudaag ni tatangna. Maawatanna amin itan. Iti ruar nagbalin laengen nga arimukamok daytay arbis.

Insublina dagiti naatar -atar a linaon ti lakasa. Insimpana a kas met la iti dati. Intulbekna. Ginaburanna iti daanen a sako ken layag. Insangalna ti tulbek iti ungto ti tali. Imbitinna. Immisem iti nalagipna nga insawang ni Sophia: “Find the missing pieces. . .” Ngem saan a ni Sophia ti naganninaw iti panunotna no di ket ni Veronica Salvador.

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“Happiness is what we always seek. We try to find it in position we aspire for, wealth and places. But true happiness is beside us if we only learn to accept the reality. True happiness is in the family, in the contentment of the heart, the care of other people, and the work we have, no matter how simple it may be.”

This energetic lawmaker is married to Bernadette E. Miranda Teacher 3 of Licerio Antiporda Sr. National High School. They have one son: - Joshua Dolf E. Miranda. In the advent of his political career, Bjun as he is fondly called won as Barangay Kagawad of Barangay Leron for

two consecutive terms. He won a seat in the Sangguniang Bayan on May 13, 2013. Previously, when he was still in the pathway of seeking life, he worked as night auditor of Ramada Hotels at Dhahran, KSA for 6 years from 1993. He is Committee Chair on Finance, Budget and Appropriation, Education and Culture and Infrastructure and Housing. He pioneered as a course, BSCS, at SLCT, now USL in 1992. His brothers and sisters are all professionals; all excel in their respective fields.

Active in the lawmaking body, he is also active in church activities. In fact, he is the Head of the Ways and Means Committee, overseeing the Grand Alumni Homecoming 2014. In his vantage point, he sees to it that he serves his constituents to a degree he can muster.

How is it in the political arena? This is his favorite passage:“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to

the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.

Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” -Lee

HON. ADOLFO MIRANDA, JR.

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“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson

“There are many different professions and goals to set out for. Good or bad, big or small, in the profession we choose these things do not matter to us. However, I believe each role or occupation that we choose is its own entity and has its own morality. For example, a soldier’s duty is to defend our freedom, our land and

our bases and our people and county. There are times when a soldier’s duty may include brute force, or harm to our enemies at the cost of our defense. Can we say that the soldier is righteous, because he’s defending us? Or should we say his alignment is more towards diabolic, because he’s a killer? In a situation like this, morality to the unfamiliar eye may seem confusing. Some may even say he has no morals at all. Some may say, he’s just doing his job, getting ahead in his career, but carries no morals. I think it would be wrong to say that.

I believe morality plays its part in everything, even in an occupation like this. The soldier’s morale is placed not in the whole-hearted attempt at being good, neither is it placed in the attempt at being evil, his morality is established in the soldier’s role itself. The soldier’s role is that of a freedom fighter, a defender and a provider.” Shella, in one way, is a soldier. She is a lawyer, and she sees to it that justice is there.

One of the most successful products of Batch 2002, she figured at a very early age that she is destined to be a lawyer. She went to Far Eastern University - AB ENGLISH Language, Magna Cum Laude; then went to Manuel L Quezon University, School of Law 2010. Aside from lawyering,

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she taught in College at St John Technological Institute of the Philippines 2007-2008; she is now Professor at Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) - teaches Criminal Evidence and Criminal Procedure in Criminology Department since 2013 up to now. Her mother is Elena Tinaza Ujano and her father is Wenceslao Rabit Ujano. She was admitted in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on April 2011. She was a Valedictorian at Buguey Central School, Valedictorian at Northeastern Academy. Atty. Shella is December-born.

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“All of us have something in our past that we regret having done-an honest mistake, a wrong decision. That past remains a part of our lives, but it doesn’t have to determine our future. So, look ahead and prepare, don’t look back and despair. Life is worth living!”

Racquel U. Jaramillo was born on December 10, 1966 in Cullit, Gattaran Cagayan. The family moved to Mala Weste, Buguey, Cagayan. Her parents are Levelina U. Jaramillo and Vicente T. Jaramillo She took up BS Economics and now works in Moscow,

Russia.Favorite Passage: Hard work is the key to success. Nothing can be achieved without

hard work. Work, work, ever work, is a great panacea. Edison worked for twenty-one hours a day. He slept only for two or three hours on the laboratory tables with his books as his pillow.

There were no holidays in his calendar. Mahatma Gandhi worked ceaselessly day and night and won freedom for his country. Hard work is the price that we pay for success and all the gifts of life.

It has been-well said,“Heights by great man reached and kept,Were not attained by sudden flight,They while their companions slept,Were toiling upwards in the night.”Constant vigilance and preparedness to work is the price we have

to pay for success in life. Work is a privilege and a pleasure; idleness is a luxury that none can afford. Man is born to work and prosper in life. He like steel, shines in use and rusts in rest. Work is worship. It exalts man if it is done honestly. Those who toll are, sooner or later, rewarded with luck and success. A man of action acts in the living present. There is no tomorrow for him. He makes the best of his time.

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Life is full of strife. Life is action. Activity is the law of Nature. A life of idleness is a life of shame and disgrace. Idle men are intruders on society. We are endowed with brain and limbs, which are meant to be properly exercised. Failure in life is very often due to idleness. Industry is the key to success. Industry makes and idleness mars a nation.

Greatness can be achieved by great labour only. What a man earns by the sweat of his brow gives him a greater degree of satisfaction than what he gets by a stroke of fortune. Man wishes to have many things in life. Some of, them may be bestowed upon him by fortune, but to have the others he will have to work and toil; for he cannot have them for mere wish. (Subahasish)

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MALEMFerdinand N. Cortez

ININ -INAYAD NI TATA FERNANDO nga inkabil ti nagyan ti kaserola iti ngiwat ti agur uray a termos. Impangiwngiwna a kinagat ti pingir ti 3 in 1 a kape, sana imbukbok iti tasa. Kinargaanna daytoy iti agburburek a danum. Naibil- a ti dadduma a pumuraddaw a kasla pulbos iti rabaw ti narra a lamisaan. Nagsakuntip. Inyapplidna ti nisnis, sana pinunasan. Kasla ayamuom ti kannag no panaglulungpot ti pasayan, nayisemna. Ginaw atna ti anteohosna iti abay ti agkuskusapo a bag na a nakaparabaw iti asideg a lamiseta a nakaiparabawan dagiti nota ti putputarenna a kanta, BUYA TI MALEM, sana insuot. Nabayagen putputarenna daytoy. Iti panagpusotna, nataldiapanna ti langana iti vanity mirror iti bandana’t laud. Limmawan a muging, natundiris nga agong, narakab a rupa, nasukog a timid nga idi kabarona, kaykayatan a pidilen ni Lailo. Naisem a bibig a kasla inkitikit ti eskultor. Naisem latta, uray pay ita. Wen, Rudy Fernandez dayta a rupa idi! Rupa nga inapprasanen dagiti parrais ti panawen a dimteng iti biagna. Simmagepsep iti isipna ti agpaypayso: Sesenta unonan itay napan a lawas. Maymaysa nga agbibiag kadaytoy bungalow a pinapintasna, balaynan iti nasurok a tallopulo a tawen, sipud simmina ni adingna a Myrna iti sidongna. Nakaasawa daytoy iti seaman, ket agindeg dan idiay Montreal, Canada.

Tinaldiapanna manen ti Fernando iti sarming. Pinerrengna ti simmingkit a mata. Wen, sesenta unonan itay napan a lawas. Banag a rinambakanda kadagiti kakadduana iti trabaho nga imbilangnan a pamilia, ken dagiti imbilangnan nga annakna. Nagdarasen dagiti tawen! Kasla kadaras ti relasionda ken Lailo. Ni Lailo laeng iti namagpitik iti pusona. Maysa nga aribai a nangriing kadagiti darepdepna a wen, iti daytoy a lubong, adda ragsak nga

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ipaay ni Apo a Namarsua. Dimmuki manen dagiti lagip. . . lagip a dumteng sa agalawaaw. Saanna a malipatan dagidi a panawen a panagkuykuyogda. Napnuan ayat ken regta. Anian. Ni Lailo! Kimmampuso a rupa, mangaw -awis a bibig, napudaw a kutis ken gimmitara a pammagi, a no agkuti ken aglung ay ket kasla sumursurot iti simponia ni Beethoven. Naisem, mannakaawat. Dayta ni Lailo.

Taga Centro ni Lailo. Tallo a barrio sakbay ti Capangdanan a lugarna met, ken dimmakelanna. Kaklasena manipud elementarya inggana’t kolehio. Anian dagita a panawen! A kas man la naplano nga isuda iti agkatuloyan. Ngem idin addada iti maikapat a tukad ti kolehio, iti maysa a bakasyon nga agpatpatangda idiay balay da Lailo, kinuna ti balasang: ania’t aramidem no mapukawak? Agaremka pay iti sabali? Nagtibbayo. Saan, kinunana. Inarikapna ti nalamuyot a dakulap ni Lailo. Sika laeng. . .Immadayo ti turong ti mata ti balasang. Limmanay dagiti matana. Apay? Sinaludsodna. Awan. . .aleng aleng met ti sungbat a nagegna. Nabayag ti makapleng nga ulimek iti nagbaetanda. Intuloyda ti nangan iti pinaltao ken patupat idi maallangonda ti riknada. Idi agpakada, inarakupna ti nairut, insosente nga arakup. Kasla kabayag ti siglo dayta a darikmat! Ket idi naggradduarda, a sinaruno ti nagtipon a blow outda, nalipatannan ‘di saludsod ni Lailo.

Nalipatanna nga apagbiit.

Iti sumuno a bulan, bulan a binurborda a nagbakasyon sa nag review para board, adda naawatna a surat:

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To say goodbye is sadIt is better to say notThe lips express somewhatBut the meaning is in the heart

Parbangon pay, binisikletanan ti napan diay balay da Lailo. Nagapo. Naibaskag iti ridaw ni Nana Aning, ti ina ni Lailo. Kasla estatua daytoy a nakitana iti apagsipasip a lawag.

“Ni Lailo, ‘Nang?” Agtibtibbayo a nagdamag. “Ni, haanna imbaga kenka aya? Nag flight ‘tay napan a lawas!

Kunak a, no nagpatang kayo, ta ni met la tatangmo ti kadduana a nagpa Manila.” Nasdaaw ti baket. “Innala ni kabagis ‘diay Canada!”

Napaumel. Canada? Nag abroad? Anian! Timmalikud, kalpasan a nagpakada. Saannan nga ammo no kasano a nakaawid. Ti malagipna, inaldaw a mabartek. Nabaybay an na ti bagina. Idi naawatna ti resulta ti board exam, nagkirpa bassit. Masapul nga agbiag. Masapul a malasatanna daytoy nailupit a rikna. Nag apply. Naawat. Ket daytan a propesion iti nagbalin nga asawana, aglalo idi nadamagna a pimmusay ni Lailo idiay Canada. Cancer of the bones. Napagsisilpona dagiti pasamak. Di na man la nakita ti bangkayna, piman! Naitabonen sadiay. Addada ngamin aminen idiay Kanata.

Kinitana ti pagorasan iti ngatuen ti telebision. Alas singko iti parbangon. Tinarantanna iti nagpapel iti pandesal a ginatang kadaytay nakabisikleta nga aglaklako. Kastoy ti magustuanna a pammigat. Immigup iti kape. Nagalingasaw ti tasa ket limmidem

MALEM

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dagiti sarming ti anteohosna. Inuksotna, impunasna ti igid ti kamisedentrona. Insuotna manen. Naginat. Adda simmiplot iti panunotna. Dinaras na nga innala dagiti nota. Isuratna daytoy sakbay a malipatanna. Insuratna. Adda manen limmagidaw nga ayug. Inkur itna dagiti nota. Malpasto. . . .malpasto. Impalawlawna ti panagkitana iti uneg ti taengna. Nadalimanek. Mabain ti ngilaw nga agdisso iti baldosa. Amin a ramit, addada kagiti rumbeng a pagyananda. Nakasab it ti gitarana ken ti sumilap a cello iti maysa a diding. Dagitay met naipintura a salsallapingaw ken agraraep iti maysa pay, dumna iti masungad a kuarto. Nakalukat ti maysa. Nakasaganan dagiti aruatenna iti rabaw ti kamana. Pappapeles, tulbek ken banduria. Sinapana a binitonan ‘tay sapatosna itay sakbay a nagpaburek iti danum. Pinagbalinna a mini library diay maysa pay a kuarto. Ditoy a naatar atar dagiti librona, CD, Desktop ken laptopna. Minatmatanna manen ti pakabuklanna iti sarming. Nagrittuok ti siketna idi tumakder. Agdigosen. Kas iti dati, isu iti kasapaan a sumangsangpet idiay trabahona. Nagsubli ti ganaygayna. Immisem. Isu, ni Mr. Fernando Tapat, maestro iti Paddaya Este Elementary School, Buguey, Cagayan.

NAKITANA ni Pedrito a nakatakder iti abay ti flagpole idi magtengna ti iskuelaan. Flagpole a kasla muhon kannianan. Manon a bigat nga isu iti mangidaulo iti nailian a kanta? Wen. Pagaayatna iti musika. Isu pay ti nangputar iti school hymn da. Nagderetso iti duoganen a lugo. Adda nayadi ken nabaked a bangko ti sirok daytoy. Imparabawna dagiti ramitna nga agisuro, sana kinaot ti tulbek iti faculty room. Timmakder. Linabsan dagiti matana ti kadaanan a building. Adda pay laeng dagiti pagsasao maipanggep iti edukasyon a pinutarna idi. Napabaro laeng ti pintura da. Saanna kinayat idi ibagada nag ipinturada met ti naganna, yantangay putarna. Nagkitakit, putar ‘tay amin,

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kinunkunana. Iti likud dayta a nagtengnga a pasdek, mariparna dagiti kuliglig a nagluganan dagiti aagtalon a kasla sakuntip laeng iti panagdengngegna iti unida iti adayo a tanap, tanap a namsek iti nagdawan a pagay a kas man la kolor balitok a nasirayan ti apagleggak a nalikudanna nga init.

“Good morning, sir,” impallilit ni Pedrito. Ni Pedrito ti maysa

kadagiti adun a nagbalin a pupilsna ditoy Buguey, ken maysa kadagiti tinultulonganna a nagkolehio. Ket isu? Nangrugi ni Tata Fernando a nagisuro idiay Balza, sa Central, sana kiniddaw a mayakar ditoy Paddaya Este. Ditoyen ti kapautan a nagisuruanna. Maysa a kilometro laeng ti kaadayona idiay taengna. Nasdaaw ni Dr. Cortez iti pangngeddengna. Ngem imbagana a kaykayatna iti agisuro iti sulinek, asideg iti Capangdanan, sulinek met a barriona. Naragsakan ni Mr. Cangas idi mabakante ti puestona idiay Central ta inrekomendana. Isu ti simmukat. Inggana a nai promote a principal idi malpas na ti MA na ket ditoy ayanda ita ti damo nga assignmentna. Nagkaddua da met laeng ken Tata Fernando.

Dandani inaldaw a pagnaen ni Tata Fernando dayta a dalan nga agpadaya. Sa no pinagaawid, pagnaenna manen nga agpalaud, inggana’t taengna. Kas met la idi ni Pedrito. Isu iti sumabat a mangbitbit kadagiti alikamenna no nasapsapa a dumteng ngem isu. Idi a, idiay idiay Central. Nasdaaw ta nasapa ita daytoy, ket boundary ti Cabaritan ti balayda a paggappuanna.

“Good Morning, Pedrito. Nasapa ka man ita!” kinitana ti

natayag ken nabisked a baro. Agpadada ken Tata Fernando a nabisked. Naritur iti talon, ken panagtanggar.

“Ti maestro, masapul a nasapa a kas imbagam, Sir,” pinidot

sa inigpilan ni Pedrito ti bag nga aguspaken, ken dadduma a

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gamigam ni Tata Fernando. Paborito ni Tata Fernando daytoy a bag. Adu’t malaonna. Agsasarunon nga agsangpet dagiti pupils. Nagliliniada para iti Flag Raising Ceremony.

“Wen. Ammom, iti kasta, tuladen daka dagiti ad adalam. Kasla

kenkan ita!” immisem iti nangayed. Inrekomendana ni Pedrito ken Mr. Vicente Cangas a principal iti Paddaya Elementary School, a nangiyendorso met kenkuana ken Dr. Jim Cortez, ti superbisorda. Gapu iti record na, naawat. Nangrugi a nagisuro itay napan a lawas, ta naalanan ti itemna.

Nangegda ti danarudor ti Revo ni Mr. Cangas. Naglukat dagiti ridaw ti sakay, ket rimmuar daytoy, kadduana dagiti dadduma a katrabahuanna. Kasla aglulumba met dagiti naka single motor nga aggapu’t daya ken laud a pimmarada. Co teachers na ida. Inipig ni Mr. Cangas ni Pedring. Immasideg met ni Emma ken Tata Fernando.

“Siakon ti manglukat, manong,” daras nga innalana ti tulbek.

Nagsasaruno dagiti katrabahuanna a nakipila kadagiti ubbing. Nagsarimmadeng, sana inted ti tulbek. Nagturong iti dais tapno iruginan iti ag beat. “Bayang. . .ready, sing,”

Bayang magiliw. . .Perlas ng silanganan. . .nalamuyot dagiti takkiagna a nangkumpas, siisem a nagkanta. Simmurot dagiti ubbing ken co teachers na. Kalpasan ti sumagmamano nga anunsio, napanen iti sirok ti lugo.

“Sumrek tayon,” immisem ni Mr. Cangas. Nagsasarunoda

kada Pedrito a simrek. Pagam ammuan, nangegnan ti kanta dagiti co teachers na nga indauluan ni Emma. Iti likudda, adda telon, ket dita, adda ladawanna. The best teacher and companion

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ever! Dayta ‘tay kapsionna. Intunda ni Mr. Cangas iti agur uray a tugaw, bayat ti panagkantada iti For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow. Immisem. Wen, surprise program da met kenkuana ita. Sitatangig a nagtugaw iti nangitunduan ni Mr. Cangas kenkuana. Agretiron no bigat! Simmubli iti panunotna ti panagpatangda ken Dr. Cortez. Retirement is inevitable, kinuna ti superbisor. Ngem kanniak ket, re- tire, Sir. Kinuna. Nagkatawa ni Dr. Cortez. Dayta! Dayta ti kaykayatak kenta! Ha ha ha. Uray ta dakkel ti maalam! Mapanka ngatan idiay ayan ni Myrna, diay Canada. Immisem laeng ni Tata Fernando.

“No mabalin koma a guyoden nga agsubli dagiti tawen,”

Nagsabat dagiti matada. Inyawat ni Dr. Cortez ti naimprentan a programa. Namaris daytoy. “This will be your copy. The whole teaching force of all schools under me will be there. Umay pay ni mayor, ken . . . wen, dagiti dati a pupils mo.”

“Sir, agsao kayo kano,” inkalbit ni Pedrito. Saanna a nangeg

ti panangayab ni Mr. Cangas kenkuana. Nalpas gayamen ti kinnantaan. Sinimpana ti kuelio ti barongna, sa nagpatingnga. Sipaparagsit a nagsao iti sango dagiti naitallaong.

Anian a sipsipatda! Adda aglua, sa agkatawa, sa agpunas to

manen. Nalinteg ti takderna a ginibusanna ti bitlana. Namaymayat ton bigat. Ad adunto tao nga agdengngeg, kinunana iti bagina. Agkatkatawa a nagkurno idi datonanda iti sabsabong. Simrek met dagiti grade six pupils ket nagkantada.

“Awan a pulos nagbaliwam, kumpad,” kinuna ni Jose.

Kumpare na daytoy. Naud udi ni Jose iti walo a tawen. Inanakna ti buridek daytoy.

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“Ha ha ha! Nasabur latta nga agsao, kumpad, ania?” kinuna ni Tata Fernando.

“Wen. Imbag pay kenka ta maaramid monton amin a kayatmo.

Maipasnekmon dayta musikam, dayta panagsursuratmo. Adunton kuartam. Kastaak to koma met no ag retire ak.”

“Up to the last drop!” nagkatawa manen.

Timmakder idi sumpeg dagiti kakadduada pay a nagited iti regalo ken notes. Nakipagkatawa. Idi kuan, picture taking. Kayatanna ta wacky! Idi patukaren dagiti pupilsna ti La Compersita, indaulluanna ti nagsala. Inallop na ni Emma. Dimmanggay dagiti pares. Awan makaartap iti panagsalana! Ginibusan daytoy a send off party ti miryenda. Kalpasanna, nagturongdan kadagiti klaseda.

Kasla apagradduar ni Tata Fernando a nagisuro. Um umlek iti katawa dagiti ubbing a surruanna. Into no kuan, agulimekda. Kinayatanda ti activities na. Ta di kad inyalatna daydi Most Outstanding Teacher Award? Isu iti kangattuan iti evaluation iti sibubukel a Dibisionda. Isu ti sagat a kunkunada no iti let ang ti klasrum. Nagsabetda ken Mr. Cangas idi agbatingting ti alas onse y media.

“Dakdakkel to a pasken no bigat, sir,” kinuna ni Mr. Cangas. “Wen, Vic,” inkiddayna. “Addanto da mayor,” Sir iti awag ni

Mr. Cangas kenkuana. Saan a gapu ta in inauna. Isu ti nangtulong ken Vic a leppasenna ti MA na. Nasdaaw ni Vic idi damo. Kasano, saan nga intuloy ni Tata Fernando ti MA na. No intuloyna, PhD holder koma itan! Ngem saanna a kinalikaguman. Timmulong ketdi kadagiti nasaririt ngem pobre nga ad adalanna. Tinulonganna

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ida inggana’t kolehio. Saanna a pulos a pinanunot ti kasukatna. Umanayen dagiti panagyamanda, dagiti umayda disnudo nga iyawat a sida idiay balayna, wenno text message a quotations. Saan a pulos a nagkiddaw, banag a dinayawda. Imbilangna idan nga annak, a kas met panangibilangna kadagiti kakadduana ditoy a pamilia.

Nagkuyogda a napan iti faculty room. Nagbalinen a ritual nga aglalanglangda no kastoy nga oras. Agaramidda iti lesson plan, sakbay a manganda. Aglalo no biernes, adu dagiti maala ti trolan ken dagiti agtanggar. Nasdaaw. Adu a makan iti naidaya. Adda pay siniwsiwan a paboritona, netib a manok, natuno a dalag, adda pay pinapaitan a kalding!

“Immay impan dagitay parents dagiti natulongam nga ubbing,

manong” kinuna ni Emma. Immisem. Indaulluanna ti kararag. Nairuamen a kastoy ti takemna, ta no kasano kaaktibona iti banda ni Lakay Celin, ken mangisuro, ad adda pay iti simbaan. Maysa a lay minister , ket sumursurot pay ken Father Pintucan a mangmisa kadagiti adayo a barrio a kas Alucao ken Quinawegan. Nangaldawda. Naidumduma daytoy a pangaldaw, ta iti conference table iti ayanda a nakasango. Kastonay katawada no adda jokes nga iballaetna no naseryoso unay ti patangan.

Idi makasimsimpada, simminada kada Mr. Cangas ken Pedrito.

Naglayonda iti opisina ti imun una. Kas pattapatta na, imbentario daytoy. Naaramidnan idi rabii. Inatar atarna dagiti papeles ken dadduma pay a gamigam a masapul nga isublina. Bassit met. Tulbek ti library, maysa a bandoria, ken dagitay ipasana ken Mr. Vic Cangas.

“Ne! Nagpartak kan a nagisagana, Sir!” nayesngaw daytoy.

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“Kastaak! Saannak a maunaan,” inkatawana. “Vic, daytoy tulbek ket inton bigaten. . . .Daytoy tulbek ti faculty room.”Pinerrengna ni Vic.

“Wen a, Sir,” naawatan ni Mr. Cangas ti kayatna a sawen.

“Ala, sikan ngarud ti mang brief ken Pedrito. . .” timmalikud daytoy. “Agtemplaka ti kapeyo, Pedrito,” kinuna. Ni Pedrito ti sumukat kenkuana.

“Pedrito,” inyaruanganna idi madamadan nga agkape.

“Gayyemem amin a tao. Kanayon koma a nakasaganaka no mapanka iti classroom mo. Tulungam dagiti slow learners, kasta met a balance koma ti panaggradom,” immigup iti kapena.

“Wen, Sir,” nakadumog ni Pedrito. “Ammok no kasanoka nga

agisuro, idol ka.” “Kasta met nga ipakatmo amin a kabaelam no kasta nga

adda ipatrabahoda. Agsupapakto amin. Saanka a makibibiang iti biag ti akinbiag, ngem tumulongka. Aglalo no adda umay kenka agpatulong. Saanka a mamati kadagiti imposible, ken liklikam ti tsismis. Leppasem ti MA mo, ta daytan iti direksion ti biag ita. Ngumato kanto,”

Nakadumog latta ni Pedrito. “Alaem dagitay lesson plans ko. Kasta met a tawiden amin a

modules ken templates ko a pagisuro. Make me proud, Pedrito,” tinapikna ti abaga daytoy. Nagbatingting ti kampana. Agklaseda manen. “Ala, let us enjoy teaching for the rest of this day,” inkidday ni Tata Fernando. Nadlawna a naluyaan ni Pedrito. “Come on,

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Pedrito! Umayka latta ‘diay balay no adda problemam!” Tinapikna manen.

Nagturong iti klasena. Manen, sigaganaygay a nagisuro. Sinurruanna dagitoy iti musika. Anian a kankantana! Ket makikorus met dagiti ad adalanna. Filipino feet, across the continent may roam. . . .but the soul of the islander over ocean back home comes. . . .

“Kastoy ti tono,” kinunana. Intudona dagiti insuratna iti

pisara.

“Do re mi fa so la ti do. . . .DOmating ang nobia ko . . . REmedios ang pangalan. . .MInasdan ko ang pisngi. . .” Nagkakatawda! “Ti biag ket musika. Adda bukod a musika ti biag,” ingibusna.

Iti sumuno a klasena, science met. Inruarna dagiti adalanna. “Agbibiag tayo gapu kadagiti elemento,” inruanganna.

Immasidegda iti duogan a lugo. “Kitaenyo: daytoy a botelia ti danum, adda hydrogenna. Isu nga H2O iti awag. Saan ‘tay agbiag no awan angin. Kasta met a saan ‘tay agbiag no awan danum. Ti angin, oxygen. Ita, adda kadi agbiag no nagtipon ti hydrogen ken oxygen?” Miningminganna ida.

“Awan, Sir,” inkorus dagiti ubbing. “Adda!” inwagisna ti aquarium iti science room. “Intay

kitaen,” naglilinnia dagitoy a simmaruno. Inlawlawagna no apay a mabiag dagiti ikan iti danum. Ken no apay a saan nga agbiag ti tao iti uneg ti danum. Napa aahhh dagiti adalanna.

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Nagturong iti faculty room tapno agkape kalpasan dayta a klasena. Nadatnganna ni Emma a nakadumog a mangilepleppas iti lesson plan na.

“Haanmo unay! Lipaten daka,” inyellekna. “Alla, ni manong,” nagminar ti kallid ni Emma. “Kanayonnak

a surduen.” Awan asawa ni Emma. Agtrenta nanton no umay a lawas. Iti amin a babbai a katrabahoanna, isu daytoy ti kasingedan. Malagipna dagidi seminar nga inat atendaranda. Kanayon a kadduana ni Emma. Isu daytoy no kua ti mangtempla iti kapena, a kas ita manen, ta timmakder ti balasang ket sikakarting a nangitempla iti kapeda. Natayag, morena ken bassit ti sibet ni Emma. Pagat teltel ti buokna a nagpaubing kenkuana. Nakitana ti nakairuamannan nga uha ti rupa ti balasang idi idissona dagiti tasita ti kapeda.

“Adda sky flakes, manong,” indiaya ti balasang. Nakurang a

sangapulo a tawen met a nakadduana a nagisuro ni Emma. Ubing pay idi. Kadagitoy kastoy a panawen, saan a mailibak a kanayon a matmatan ni Emma ti rupana. A no sakbay mapan klasena, sumurot pay sana simpaen ti barongna. Saanna nga inikkan ti malisia daytoy, ngem maysa nga aldaw, nagkiriring ti selpon ti balasang. Ket nakitana ti ladawanna iti screen daytoy. Nasdaaw! Ladawanna ti adda iti selpon ni Emma? Saan a nagtagtagari. Limmabaga idi ni Emma.

Timmakder daytoy. Adda innalana iti drawer ti lamisaanna. Sasaggaysada ti lamisaan iti faculty room. Adda nabungon nga inruar ti balasang.

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“Kayatko a pagbadom no bigat,” nagsabat dagiti matada. “Agatendarak.”

“Agyamannak, Emma. Ngem apay?” “Regalok. Ken apay a dimo lukatan?” nagminar manen ti

kallid. Linukatanna. Barong ken pantalon. Nangisit a pantalon ken duyaw a barong, dagitay uso. Immanges ti nauneg. Saan nga inted ni Emma daytoy itay surprise program. Kinitana dagiti aruaten.

“Nangina dagitoy!” Nayesngawna. “Nabayagen a kayatka nga ikkan iti kasta,” nagpallilit ti

balasang. Nagminar ti kasla Angelina Jolie a bibigna. Maris sandia daytoy. “Saanmo magustuan?” nagpukawen tay manong nga awagna.

“Amman,” nauneg ti panpanunoten ni Tata Fernando.

Immasideg ti balasang. Impadasna ti barong iti likod ni Tata Fernando.

“Apagisu la unay!” narikna ti Tata Fernando ti imana iti

bukotna. Nariknana ti bara a kasla anges ti maladaga. Naangotna ti parbangon no agbukar dagiti orkidia. Insubli ni Emma ti lupot iti lamisaan. Immigupda iti kape.

“Ket, kasanon no malpas no bigat? Ania ti planom?” “Ti panagretiro ken panangrugi manen, Emma,” inkatawana. “Ha ha ha! Mangrugi nga agmusika? Wenno agabroad ka

ngatan!”

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“No agbakasion idiay Canada, kayatko. Ngem no aggian, ditana!” Nagsaruno ti katawada. “Pagugustok ti musika, ammom dayta, ken agtalon ken agpiskaria,”

“Masapulmo ti kadduam idiay balaymo,” “Dagiti lagip ti kadduak, Emma. Lagipko a nagisursuro,” “Adda iti panunot ti lagip, saanmo ida a makapatang,”

kimmulukol dagiti mata ti balasang. “Apay a dika kumita iti aglawlaw? Umanay kadin dagita lagip?” Ammona, nakuna ni Tata Fernando. Ammona ti pakasaritaan ti biagko. Sino ngata ti nakaibaga?

“Emma, naragsakakon kadaytoy a biagko,” nagraed ni Tata

Fernando. “Sika . . . ubingka pay. Masapulmo ti asawa. Mangpilika iti mangayat kenka iti napudno, naragsak ti biag ditoy lubong, ket ammok, uray agretiroak, adu latta iti masapul pay nga aramidek ‘itoy a biag,”

“Adu ti agar arem, ngem awan makatiliw iti riknak,”

nagdumog ni Emma. “Addanto masarakam,” “Dayta met kayatko ket bulsek met,” nakapsut ti timekna. “Kastoy,” . . . saanna a naituloy idi sumrek ni Pedrito. “O! Pedrito, agkape tayo,” “Wen, Sir,” kinuna daytoy. Sidadaras nga innalana ti bagna.

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“Adda text message ni Dr. Cortez, mapanak kano ‘diay Central,” ammona a ni Pedrito ti nadutokan nga ag emcee no bigat. Timmalikud ni Pedrito.

Nasiputan ni Tata Fernando ti panangisubbli ni Emma iti

supot ti barong, sana impauneg iti nakanganga nga aguspaken a bag ni Tata Fernando. Nagsabet dagiti matada. Nagsasaruno met a simmangpet dagiti co teachers da. Largan. Indalimanek ni Tata Fernando dgiti tasita a nagkappianda. Rimmuar. Nakalinnian dagiti ubbing para iti flag retreat. Immisem kadakuada.

“O, pigsaanyo agkansion, a?” kinuna.

Idi makapuesto dagiti co teachers na, nagturong iti dais. Inrugina ti nag beat. Ang bayan ko tanging ikaw. . .Pilipinas kong mahal. . .in inut met nga imbaba dagiti dua a grado sais a pupils ti bandera. Idi malpas, nagbabay sa nagsasaruno dagiti ubbing a nagtataray. Adda nagpalaud, adda nagpadaya. Sinakayan met dagiti co teachers na dagiti luganda. Nagbabay kadakuada, sa simrek iti uneg ti faculty room. Nagtugaw iti lamisaanna. Inyusongna iti bag dagiti daan a kuaderno. Nayawidnan ti dadduma. Nalag an laeng ti bagna ita. Impalawlawna ti panagkitana iti uneg. Nakurang a tallopulo a tawen, nakunana. Ag retiroakon no bigat. Kasanon ton? Awan ton ti masapa a sumrek. Maikawaak no awan dagiti ubbing. Awanton dagidiay nakairuaman a panagaramid ti lesson plan. Impalawlawna manen ti panagkitana. Agkakapsut a timmakder. Iniddepna dagiti ceiling fans ken silaw. Kasla agtabbed dagiti sakana idi umaskaw. Nadanonna ti ridaw. Nasagid ti pul oy malem ti rupana. Nagamlid. Nabasa? Ling et? Inruarna ti panio na sa nagpunas idi maikkatna ti anteohosna. Tumrem ta tumrem latta. Lua? Nagmattider. Sinangona ti ridaw sa nagkuridemdem a nangitulbek. Inyusongna manen ti anteohosna. Nalabsanna ti

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duogan a lugo. Nakitana dagiti naiwara a bungon ti kendi ken natinnag a bulong. Nagsaninglot. Indissona ti bagna iti nayadi ken nabaked a tugaw. Innalana ti nakapasanggir a sagad iti puon daytoy. Kinaykayanna dagiti rugit.

Inyabadayna ti bagna sa rimmuar iti gate. Sinurotna ti dalan nga agpalaud. Dumagasto kadagitay trawlan, adda naalada a talakitok itan. Gumatang iti luttuenna a sida. Sinabat ti matana ti agtabonen nga init. Ranghado daytoy, mabain pay dagiti ulep a manglinged. Inikkatna ti anteohosna. Pinerrengna ti lumlumnek nga init, nabasa latta ti baba dagiti matana. Pinerrengna ti init nga inut nga umag agek iti adayo a kapanagan. Iti no manon a tawen a pagpagnaenna daytoy a dalan, ita la a makita ken maamirisna ti in inut a panaglinged daytoy. Anian a buya. Adda musika a kasla agkubbuar iti kaungganna. Apagsipngetton no madanonna ti taengna. Immaddang. Kimmidser dagiti askawna, kasla lunglung ayanna ti simponia ni Beethoven. Inawidna a kinepkepan ti nakaabaday a bag na sa sinurotna ti maratapok a kalsada. Ileppasna ti putputarenna no makasangpet.

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“When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully. When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light. When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway. When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back. When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some .When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going. When times are tough, dare to be tougher. When love hurts you, dare to love again. When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal. When another is lost, dare to help them find the way. When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand. When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile. When you feel

great, dare to help someone else feels great too. When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best. Dare to be the best you can –At all times, Dare to be!” -Maraboli

He really dared to be. One of the most illuminated figures of Buguey and alumnus of Northeastern Academy is Alex Miranda. He made a record being the only CPA produced by UVC in the last 18 years. He finished that degree with flying colors. At a very young age, he was determined to succeed. Two of her sisters are accountants: Maricel and Elma.

The only difference is, among all accountants Nationwide, he is the only one who had passed the CESE. He did another record: the youngest CPA to pass that very difficult and rigid exam. He is happily married to Dr. Juliet M. Miranda, who holds the rank of a major. She is BJMP Chief Inspector. Alex is Accountant III at DPWH CFDEO, Aparri, Cagayan.

The couple has three kids: John Alex, who recently graduated at USL High School, Science Section, Kirk Axle, upcoming sophomore at Tuguegarao Science High School, and Julianne Xale, recently a graduate at SPUP Grade School.

Aside from these wonderful achievements, Alex spends his extra time restoring bikes, and collecting the latest models. He is also into sports, and basketball is nearest his passion. He loves sports car and a sporty dresser as well.

ALEX MIRANDA, MBA, CPA, CESE

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LEDDAANG KEN PANAGBUKARFerdinand N. Cortez

(Para kadagiti pada mi ken Insan Ecky nga nagawit iti Pagay) Napadasan yo kadin iti naglua iti nabara?Nagayus dita pingping, nagpababaKasla bumtak iti barukong iti kaarig naKet ti lubong nakabaklay kenka Napadasan yo kadin iti nagawit iti nadagsen?nadagsen, kasla maspak iti abagaNgem no maidissom, mabang aran kaKasla tudo iti Mayo no ibakabak na Ay no napadasan yo kakabsat nagasat kayoTa nasubok iti kinatibker yoDakulap nga nagkapuyo, mairuam to. . .Uray kasano kadagsen iti trabaho. Nagasat tayo uray nakurapay. . .Ta agbukar iti ragsak kada tignayIsut gapuna nga aggaget ken agsalimetmetAr arapaapen, sumangbay to met. Iliwliwag bannog wenno pannakapaaypanunoten agdinama, ken sinamarNgamin amin nga nagbannogan adda supapak na. . .Maragsakan tay to a pada pada.

...pagay...magapas...sa mairik...sa maibilag...

...maisako, santo mabagkat...kasta kami idi...

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MARICAR FABELLO SALDUA

Friendship is a feeling of love and affection of one person for another. This feeling of love must be reciprocated. Otherwise friendship cannot be possible. Friendship does not exist where tastes, feelings and sentiments are not similar.

The famous essayist Bacon has warned against the friendship between a very rich person and a very poor person. Economic disparity damages friendship. Thus friendship is a feeling of affection between two likeminded persons of uniform status.

It is said that a friend in need is a friend in deed. There may be many friends at the time of prosperity. But most of them desert at the time of adversity. We can examine the sincerity of a friend during our time of hardship and trouble. Only a sincere and faithful friend remains with us at the time of our trouble. All others leave us. It is very painful when our friends turn traitors.

Money is an enemy of friendship. Everybody has an attraction for money. When lending or borrowing of money is done between two friends, there is great risk. Friendship may be affected. So it is wise for true friends to avoid monetary transaction. Vanity is another element which breaks friendship. Everybody has self-respect. When a person tries to criticise his friend, their friendship is affected. So friendship must

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be treated very delicately.Very often some hypocrites pretend to be friends. They are more

dangerous than avowed enemies. By telling soft words they bring enormous ruin to us. A true friend never exploits. He rather surrenders. But at present, the meaning of friendship has changed.

There are many fair-weathered friends. They terminate their friendly tie as soon as their interests are fulfilled. It is very difficult to find a true friend today. It is better to establish true friendship with either a dog or an elephant. Both these beasts will remain faithful to their human friends. Today, friendship between two persons is short-lived.

Good friends exercise good influence. They always help their friends, in distress and inspire them to walk on the right path. But evil friends ruin us completely. (Mili)

(Maricar opted to inbox the picture during their reunion. She did not give her own picture. It is a silent gesture that says: friends are friends. FNC)

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That hard work is a key to success is a well-known adage. Parents, teachers as well as others guide a child to work hard so that he can achieve good scores. Though a little bit of luck plays a positive role but that hard work is the key to success. In fact if only luck is to be considered, no one would work but just wait till their lick shines up.

But this is not the case. Today we see that technology has improved to such an extent that a person can have a lunch in Paris and a dinner in New York on the same day. There lies great contribution from people like the Wright brothers and Henry Ford to invent these means of transportation, which were the result of

their hard-work and great efforts. If these people had waited for the D-day probably we could still have been using fire and wood to cook instead of using electrical ovens, and the globalization would not have taken effect.

A person can excel in his career due to hard work. If he sits at home, no one would offer him a job unless he initiates the job searching process. Also if you are working in a company you will be promoted only because of working hard: luck does not lie in the picture.

A student stands out firstly only if he studies hard. Many students after the graduation say that probably they were not luck enough to get good marks, or the evaluators must have marked their papers strictly. But again these are merely reasons that can’t be given preference.

Today a young individual has the potential to do something and crave in reaching a particular acme. Whether your luck prevails or not condition being hard work and efforts, which will pick you up whenever you are. (Rana)

ZENY SEMINIANO ARELLANO

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Zeny Seminiano Arellano was born on August 13, 1966 at San Isidro (1-4) where she has to walk up to Buguey Central School. She took her High School at Northeastern Academy, her College: Phil.Sch. of Business Administration (Manila) taking Bachelor of Science in Marketing (Year 83-88) She is married to Rodolfo Arellano. Her parents: Father: Federico Reminajes Seminiano Mother: Francesca Pagador Seminiano. Rudy and Zeny are in charge of the sprawling winery and grape- orchard, including the mansion of Il Pollenza, Class A winery in Italy.

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Sportsmanship is the character, practice, or skill of a person involved in sports. This includes the participant, the parents, the coaches, and all spectators. Sportsmanlike conduct includes fairness, courtesy, learning to be a good loser, being competitive without rude behavior, or experiencing any ill feelings toward the opponent.

Too often in any sporting event, the purpose of the sport is forgotten. Winning has become

overwhelmingly important to the adults involved. This attitude is inflicted on the youth. People of all ages should be allowed to fully embrace the

challenge and fun of playing sports. Teaching, coaching, motivating, and winning are fine as long as the reason for the sport or activity is prioritized. The attitudes of athletes are instilled in them at a very young age. They reflect the motivation and goals of their parents, who sometimes push them into sports they would not normally choose for themselves. Play is essential in growth and development. Children who play sports with other children tend to socialize and adjust better as adults.

Butch Pagador started off as a happy go lucky college bum. He majored in Political Science. As he matured, he discovered the wonders of the world. He is fond of Nature, he loves music, (in fact, it is his passion) and lately, he collected antiques. An idea is always borne out from silence. He went into shooting, shredding the targets. Now, he is the secretary of their Gun Club. He is into woodcraft in his free time, transforming very old wood and century-old roots into works of art. “The wood I used is carved and designed by the elements of nature,” he said.

Butch is the Information Officer of LGU, Buguey.

BUTCH PAGADOR

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Hard work is the real wealth of a man. No can achieve success without doing hard work. Hard work is the key to success. Hard work always pays off. Hard work can turn sludge into gold. Hard work starts from where we

stop looking for alternatives. Hard work is the secret of success. Laziness and sluggishness makes one’s life a bane and only hard work can turn it into boon. We can take an example too. Such as if we do not study hard, we can not clear the exam we are going for. A person can achieve his goal only with the help of hard work. Flyovers, roads, buildings, malls etc. all are made by the laborers by working hard. A painter, writer, poet etc, everyone get his reward on the basis of their hard work. Some people give more importance to their luck rather than working hard. And later on, when they fail, they blame their luck only which is very absurd. What can luck do if a person himself is not ready to work hard? Nature also works hard. Sun rises every morning and sets on its time every evening. Birds and animals work hard for getting their food. Plants and trees make food with the help of chlorophyll by the process of photosynthesis. Human is the best creature in the world. But a lazy person is a problem for himself too. A poor can gain wealth and become rich by working hard. Hard work is also helpful in reducing the problems of unemployment, poverty and failures in life. We can take the examples of the great personalities of our country. If Mahatma Gandhi and the other great leaders of our country had not worked hard for getting freedom for the country, then we might still be a slave. The great achievements by the great men are not hidden from anyone of us. Napoleon Hill, an American author was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success

JOHNNY Q. ANGELES

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literature. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States, is one of the famous personalities. Hard work is challenging but not impossible or paining as we have dream of achieving our aim. Hard work helps us in reaching the heights. We must have never giving up spirit. A hard working person is always honest, dedicated and committed to his work, helpful. He always takes his aim as his passion and strength. He is a man of character and led a happy life as a result. We must have an optimistic look towards everything and the spirit of never giving up, and then we can achieve our aim and reach to the top. So, hard work is very necessary and we should always work hard as hard work always pays off.

Johnny Q. Angeles hails from San Isidro, Buguey, Cagayan. He was born on August 21, 1959 and he is married to Ma Lenny Anonuevo. He own NY2, a Printing and Publishing House in Quezon City. He published this book, LOOKING BACK.

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Persistence means continuing to work toward a goal even when it takes a long time or things get tough. Without persistence, obstacles stop us; with persistence we learn from our failures – we work with them and use them as stepping stones instead of barriers. Persistence allows us to succeed where otherwise we might fail, because much of what matters in life requires sustained efforts and repeated attempts. The greater the accomplishment we seek, the more likely this is to be true.

Persistence in the service of a higher goal calls out many other virtues in us, because in order to persist we have to push ourselves beyond what is comfortable.

The man who, being really on the Way, falls upon hard times in the world will not, as a consequence, turn to that friend who offers him refuge and comfort and encourages his old self to survive. Rather, he will seek out someone who will faithfully and inexorably help him to risk himself, so that he may endure the suffering and pass courageously through it, thus making of it a ‘raft that leads to the far shore’.

Mario Q. Angeles hails from San Isidro, Buguey, Cagayan. He was a happy go lucky guy after college, where he became a high ranking officer in CCT and ROTC. He is a dear friend and relative of the author. He partly financed the live band, and an alumnus of NA who loves music. He is married to Tessa Respicio. He was born on September 9, 1956.

MARIO Q. ANGELES

LOVEDFerdinand N. Cortez

Memories flickered like fire on a candle’s wickAnd I am the flameWaves of them assault meI am myself, I am lame

They are here, opaque yet clearI am in flight againThough I long for them, I fearIt is simple and it is plain

Once it’s done, it’s doneEchoed in my mindDisarranged, distorted, wanThe past is alive, alert, entwined

Alive, alert, entwined, quenchedThis must be the reason why I liveDisarranged, distorted, now entrenchedThe ghosts are ghosts, they never leave

I am so used to them notThey have lingered far too longLingered, lived, lovedRecited, written in a song

Recited, written in a songI am so used to them nowThey have lingered far too longLingered, lived, loved.

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There are many paths that a man may followWhen mature years engulf him keepThe dreams those are not too shallowThey wallow like sails of a giant ship.

An Unseen hand guides himTo a throbbing principle to fight

Safe kept like a petal, O, not whimWinding the rest to follow with might

His creativity is stirred by historyThe truths whispered by the wind, unveiled

He then decides to write his storyHis pen, ready: Its ink his blood.

Crimson read might be the sunsetBut he lingers waiting for the rest.

To awake until they too shall follow, all setTheir sails and go for the lofty quest

He soars like an avenging angelThough others can’t understand

Humbled, maybe profaned, disinheritedHis whispers are shouts, scything hell

He may fade not seeing the dawn, that sightForget not those who have fallen during the night

Arise, Hope of the Fatherland, arise!Let the dreams come together, let them blend.

(Vicman is married to Alicia Ochinang Tabisaura. Their children are Vicman Jr, Ginno Pietro and Vanessa.

Work experience: DPWH=Field Engineer,1988 to March, 2007=MPDC, LGU, Buguey, June-Dec, 2007 SB-LGU, Buguey. He

is one of the dearest friends of the author.)

ENGR. VICMAN G. MONDEJAR (+)

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The day I was born, the stars aligned to spell my name

I saw that sign as I grew upWill I blame my fate?

Time flew fast; past passed my viewBleary, blurry search for love, untrue

Will I blame my state?

To me, comets and stars don’t lieThough they light the skies

Did they connive, did not gyrate?

Help me fantasize a hungry heartPush that to my starving eyes

Is it my heart betrayed by fate?

MY FATE

PATROCINIO UNIDA, JR.

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Greetings

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Greetings to all the Alumni of Northeastern Academy and our warm Facilitation of the past and present faculty of our beloved Academy.

We salute the active involvement and participation of the alumni living in our country and abroad without the Endeavor this occasion will not prosper.

Mr. Bonifacio S. Alonzo, Mrs. Mary Uclaray-AlonzoNora Alonzo-Costales, Grace Alonzo Costales

Teresita Alonzo Zareno, Linda Alonzo SandiAida Alonzo Varilla, Delia Alonzo, Marissa Alonzo Boncacas

THE ALONZO FAMILY

Our family joins in congratulating the officers of this newly-formed association and in wishing many more fun-filled events in the future.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FACULTY AND ALUMNI OF NORTHEASTERN ACADEMY

Candido M. Zareno, MD and Teresita Alonzo Zareno, MD (Alumni)and Staff

Pico Clinica Medica Latina1600 W. Pico Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90015USA

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FACULTY AND ALUMNI OF NORTHEASTERN ACADEMY

THE ZARENO FAMILY

Dave, Tina, Dennis, Lola Nene, Maritess, Derrick, Dr. Dodie, Dr. Teresing (Alumni)

GrandchildrenKaitlin, Makayla and Darin

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But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33 NIV

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:3 NIV

Greetings from the children of the late Jose and Felicidad P. Jimenez, Miriam, Ephraim, Jofel, Rachel, Rosendo, Loida, Dan and Dinah (deceased). All

Graduates of Northeastern Academy.

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GREETINGS ANDCONGRATULATIONS

TO THEADMINISTRATORS, FACULTY, STAFF,

ALUMNI AND OTHER MEMBERS

OF

NORTHEASTERN ACADEMYBUGUEY, CAGAYAN

FROM

AIDA ALONZO VARILLAALUMNI 1965-1966

AND FAMILY

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CONGRATULATIONSTO THE ADMINISTRATORS,

FACULTY, STAFF AND ALUMNI OFNORTHEASTERN ACADEMY

BUGUEY, CAGAYANPHILIPPINES

GRACE MANOR IRESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY FOR ELDERLY

GRACE ALONZO COSTALESADMINISTRATOR/OWNER

19200 CALAHAN ST.NORTHRIDGE, CA

USA

GRACE MANOR IIRESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY FOR ELDERLY

GRACE ALONZO COSTALESADMINISTRATOR/OWNER

10616 DEERING AVE.CHATSWORTH, CA

USA

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CONGRATULATIONSTO THE ADMINISTRATORS,

FACULTY, STAFF AND ALUMNI OFNORTHEASTERN ACADEMY

BUGUEY, CAGAYANPHILIPPINES

GRACE MANORASSISTED LIVING

MARIE COSTALES TUMALIUANADMINISTRATOR/OWNER

314 W CROFTONCHANDLER, AZ

USA

GRACEFUL LIVINGRESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY FOR ELDERLY

GLADYS COSTALES MANIAGOADMINISTRATOR/OWNER

10348 LORAINE AVE.CHATSWORTH, CA

USA

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“Life is not about learning to be perfect. It is about making mistakes and learning from them. It is about looking at scars, turning them into stars. Let the searing pain go, but move on. Build your principles, do not compromise them. Cry if you must, until that smile appears again. Hate, until you learn to love. Remember: there is beauty in the morning. Sunrises and sunsets are beautiful.” (Segmented Thoughts)

He was born in San Isidro, Buguey, Cagayan. He took his Elementary Education at Cabaritan Elementary School, two kilometers away from San Isidro.

His high school days were spent at Northeastern Academy, Buguey, Cagayan. At a very early age, he was taught to read

literary pieces by his mother, Resurreccion Navarro. He didn’t have a chance to grow with his father, Jesus Cortez who died when the author was only three years old. He finished AB English at Saint Louis College of Tuguegarao City, now University of Saint Louis. He finished his masters degree in the same school, with his study “Comparative Analysis Between English and Ilocano Language and Predicted Difficulites.” He was an exchange professor in Univeristy of Utara, Malaysia. He finished his doctoral degree in 2005 and currently the Editor-In-Chief of the Northern Forum, IELTS trainer and SPELL trainer. He is a regional speaker in various topics and a poetry and short story winner.

The nom de plume Dina Naussica was taken from the middle four letters of FERDINAND. NAUSSICA means Great and Legendary in Greek mythology. He had been using it since his elementary.

About the Author