Napag-uusapan lang:
Ingkong Tasyo: “Bakit hila-hila mo ‘yang sinulid?”
Aling Pacing: “Sige nga, itulak mo.”
*****
“Do the right thing,” so it is always advised.
Quite a truism among many people struggling with sense and sensibilities, doing the right thing seems to be the most plausible cliche oft-said to feel blameless and detached until proven otherwise.
An advice-seeking friend once confided that he had been told many times to do the right thing, whatever it was. Past the telling, he would find himself alone, left to decide and fend off conditions and situations for himself.
So, he would do what he had to do, oblivious to the cheers and chides he might earn for doing his “right thing.”
When the dust had settled, he would have only one truth in mind – he did the right thing, confident that he would make a difference. And that would be all that mattered, a win-win he and only he could do and earn. Good for him.
Frankly, if ever you would ask for my insight, I look forward to living a long simple existence. Thus, please refrain from advising me to “do the right thing.”
Don’t push it! That would be too much, if not too complicated (shucks, FB!).
But if you really can’t help it, kindly keep in mind that Grandma always knew best: “If you have nothing good to say, keep your mouth zipped!”
*****
Mayroon akong isang napakabuting kaibigan, si Mang Asyong. Bihira kami magkita at mag-usap, but during those rare moments, we share a lot of niceties, some drawn from back-in-the-day memories and others carefully picked from recent experiences. And he always starts with “Kumusta ka?”
Every now and then, we talk of serious matters relevant to our beings:
- Like who helps with the dishes, laundry, grocery visits and who enjoys noble grandfatherly duties;
- Like what would the world be if it really and seriously rained cats and dogs;
- Like when was that time politicians and many community leaders were open, transparent and did not lie;
- Like where was that café where we bit cinnamon rolls washed with soda or devoured a burger downed with root beer;
- Like why cell phones are no longer absolute necessities (admittedly, I have no need for one because I never get calls from those close to my heart unless it’s a downright chore that could be relayed through a landline; he, on the other hand, still enjoys the voice of Jane – or was it Siri, Alexa or other bots);
- Like how a walk in the park or how seeing an open tribute concert could be exhilarating and relaxing;
- Like etc., etc., etc.
Never is there a dull moment with Mang Asyong. Every meeting and conversation is promising, as it is later very rewarding.
Don’t push it! I know that either one of us could render sound advice, simply because neither one of us liked the catchphrase: “Go get a life.”
But if you really can’t help it, kindly keep in mind that Grandma always knew best: “If you have nothing good to say, keep your mouth zipped!”
*****
Last time Mang Asyong and I met, we were with our respective wives. In all likelihood, we talked but never raised our voices.
If ever there was a moment of silence, we had a good reason: “Dumaan ang mga anghel.”
*****
“Get back, get back. Get back to where you once belonged.”
No! No! No! This is neither a reprise nor a paraphrase of that despicable and racist chant Trump and U.S. Republican Party supporters recently did south of the border in North Carolina. I repeat. No reprise, no paraphrase of that hateful and racist chant Trump and U.S. Republican Party supporters recently did in North Carolina.
Quoted above is the classic refrain of “Get Back”, which Wikipedia noted as a chart topping song that Sir Paul McCartney wrote (later also attributed to Sir John Lennon) and which The Beatles recorded and released in 1969. It is also the closing track of album Let It Be (1970), released by The Beatles just after the group split.
The song came to mind as I reflected on the Scriptural readings cited during a religious service that celebrated the first death anniversary of dear friend and media colleague Antero “Tenny” Soriano III (January 9, 1946 to July 22, 2018). Fr. Edwin, resident priest of Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough ON, officiated the service at the cemetery’s columbarium on the morning of July 20, 2019.
I imagined Tenny having completed his journey from a well-rounded and well-lived physical existence to infinite spiritual happiness in the realm of The Almighty God in heaven where angels pass by without end.
Yes! He has gone back to where he once and did truly belonged, a creature made in the image, the likeness and the goodness of Bathala.
“Get back, get back. Get back to where you once belonged.” Don’t push it! Tenny has arrived and is there.
Grandma Myrna can’t help but proudly show grandson Keogh Antero (of Aris and Czarina), knowing that beyond the urn that contained Tenny’s ashes, the proud grandpa felt the kick and is smiling above.
It was a close-knit family gathering and celebration of Tenny’s life and memory: Myrna with children Anagaile and Rico delas Alas, Leklek and Lamia, and Aris and Czarina; immediate relatives and close family friends.
From the heavens, Tenny did see it all.
I bet he has been enjoying the company of a lot of friends and colleagues who came before and after him.
Question: Between him and fellow Manila and Toronto journalist Joaquin “Jojo” Taduran Jr. (September 26, 1941 to March 30, 2019), who will be first to write their heavenly exploits for Toronto’s Filipino-Canadian community newspapers?
Well, if by Jove’s name that happens, takbuhan na! Please, don’t push it!
*****
Kawhi Leonard had been formally introduced to Los Angeles Clippers fans on July 24.
Whatever, only until the LA Clippers face the Toronto Raptors in the next National Basketball Association (NBA) season games will Leonard get back to our beloved city.
I just can’t wait for Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Fred Van Vleet, Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell, OG Anunoby, Matt Thomas, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Patrick McCaw, Stanley Johnson, Chris Boucher, Malcolm Miller, Jordan Loyd, and Dewan Hernandez to show Raptor power against their hardcourt opponents.
Don’t push it! Leonard is gone. Simply say, thank you.
After all, it is etched in the NBA’s and other sports history books – the Canada-based Toronto Raptors, as a team, is the 2018-2019 NBA Season Champions. O, ‘di ba?
*****
So, Leonard is no longer and earthshaking piece of conversation in Toronto; and it seems like basketball fans hereabouts have moved on.
The talk has shifted to a number of random weather anomalies that have disrupted what most city residents earlier looked forward to as a great summer.
It’s August, isn’t it? And it’s halfway through a season everyone wants to enjoy outdoors. Then the quick and sneaky thunderstorms come, bearing instant floods. Heat warnings are not okay, particularly when accompanied by Mr. Extreme Humidity. The beaches seemed to have been invaded by E. Coli, whoever.
Cooler nights are welcome; just keep it that way.
But wait. It seems that the earth’s crust has gone into a lot of activity in recent weeks. No worries, says a friend, for Torontonians. History and records say that tremors of high energy do not happen often in the area.
Wikipedia notes that in recent years, Toronto was struck by 5.0 and 5.1 magnitude earthquakes, respectively on June 23, 2010 and on May 17, 2013.
Move on? Don’t push it!
*****
Napag-uusapan lang muli:
“Ang bagal kumilos!”
“Alin? Yung earthquake?”
*****
Napag-uusapan lang, one more time:
Maraming tsismoso’t tsismosa ang nagkakagulo sa tulay. Sila’y nakamasid pababa sa tubig, sa isang taong humihingi ng saklolo. Mula sa umpukan, ang lalaki ay tumalon. Iniligtas niya ang sana’y naging biktima ng pagkalunod. Sa pampang, ang bayani ay pinalakpakan at ipinagbunyi.
Nang siya ay sumigaw ng malakas: “Sino tulak??!!!” #####