26 February 2011, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This time, I would like to share a story I have written in the past and lifted from my previous Taglish [mixed Tagalog & English] Journal entitled “Ang Buhay nga Naman” [“Oh it’s Life” in English].
This was originally written in Tagalog (the language from which the Filipino national language is based) when I was in high school but was not published as it was rejected by the editor of our school organ then. Well, here is the English translation of the story…
Original Title: “ANG BABOY NI JUAN” [The Juan’s Pig Story]
It was rainy season in the Philippines and time for the expected devastation from the storms and typhoons; I always remember this story of our neighbour.
One day a super typhoon hit the Bicol Region and consequently the pig’s cage of our neighbour, Juan, was destroyed and his domesticated pig got lost.
The next day, after the weather calmed down, Juan immediately searched for his lost pig, asking the neighbours on his way. But some time had passed and he still couldn’t find his pig. He passed by the Chapel and there he prayed. "Virgin Mary, please help me find my lost pig."
Thereafter, he continued the search. But it was already late in the afternoon and no sign of his pig. "Oh what a Shit Pig!" he said in dismay and gradually lost hope. Once again, he returned to the chapel and prayed. This time he prayed: "Virgin Mary if I find my lost pig, I will sell it and donate the proceeds to the Chapel.”, and then he humbly headed out of the Chapel.
As he was walking just outside the Chapel, lo and behold, his lost pig appeared just in front of him. He was so happy then, but immediately remembered what he has just promised to the Virgin Mary.
He took the pig home. His son welcomed him, “Oh! Father you found our pig.” Juan replied: “Yes, my son but it’s not ours anymore. I have just committed that (pig) to the Virgin Mary; I will sell the pig and donate the sales proceeds to the Chapel. By the way, I’m going to sell our cat too.”
The son was so surprised and wondered. "Who would buy that cat?" the son murmured (as there are a lot of stray cats in Bicol and definitely cats are not saleable).
Hauling the pig and cradled the cat, Juan peddled them to the neighbourhood market place. He shouted "Pig for sale!"
A buyer asked: "How much?", "Oh it’s cheap", Juan replied, "Only Five Pesos (P5.00)” [which is equivalent to US twenty five cent only at that time]. “Ok”, the buyer said, thinking this seller must be idiot! "What just five pesos?" reconfirmed the buyer. "Yes, but on one condition”, Juan replied. “What's that?” questioned the buyer. “You have to buy my cat also", Juan replied and the Buyer asked again "So how much?", "One thousand Pesos (P1,000.00).” [about US$50.00 that time], replied Juan. As the buyer thought it’s a good deal he said: “Oh, okay I take them all." They closed the deal and paid out.
True to his promise, Juan went back to the Chapel, prayed and thanked the Virgin Mary, "Thank you very much Virgin Mary for helping me. Here is Five Pesos for you."
(Moral of the story, pray and your prayer will surely be answered, but never break your promise.)
Until next time, I hope you enjoyed reading.
BLMabeza is originally from the Bicol Region where most of the storms and typhoons that hit the Philippines land fall.
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