CHAPTER 13 - THE COUPLE

Chapter 13

The Couple

(Add here Vengie Capucao family pic)

The heat of the sun takes its toll severely on Mang Tonio de la Rosa, Taklin's father. Sweating profusely glistening like silvery dewdrops gliding through his face and drenching his white shirt spotted with dirt all over, he decided to call it a day. From his appearance, he looks dog-tired furrowing his farm in preparation for planting season next week. His hair turning gray is still thick and intact covering his small head. Wrinkles are evident when he speaks. His strong devotion to farming allowed his mustache to grow long covering his thin lips. His beard covering his neck untrimmed for more than a year and dangling from his swell-chiseled face makes him Moses' double of the Old Testament. He would have them probably cut or trimmed when he would enter back into politics. His broad shoulder sinewy and strong legs make him a good candidate for any movie. Deep inside, however, Mang Tonio is also very tender and gentle and above all, a well-disciplined man himself.

There are only three things in life one must observe and practice if you would like to succeed. Discipline, discipline, and another discipline, his advice to his children. No wonder they are making the best of their lives whether in school or in social, civic, and church activities. Such qualities did not escape Manang Elsa three years his junior who because of Mang Tonio's implacable courtship ended in a whirlwind romance. It was said that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and true to Mang Tonio he never allows the chance to slip by or other suitors might have owned the love of his life now.

Thus far, thirty years and still counting of happy married life, Manang Elsa still glows and with the complete set of teeth still intact could smile ala Mona Lisa making the tender Mang Tonio as close ever to her. The couple is blessed with five children: Angela, Rona, Ramon, Taklin, and Bernabe. Angela and Rona are still working on their college degrees. The eldest would be graduating from the University of the Philippines and once she hurdles the Nursing exam intends to seek greener pasture in the Middle East, Europe, the USA, and just anywhere else where salaries offered are one of the juiciest, she learned from friends. Working she said in the country is fine. But not when you consider the very low salary pay offered by the government which is not even enough to sustain a family of four. Rona is taking up Biology at Santo Tomas University, one of the oldest universities in the world established by the Dominicans in the early 16th century, in preparation later for Medicine. Taklin joined Driarco entering Minor Seminary after Secondary education. Not sure what steps to take while they're in the Seminary. Bernabe is still undecided about what course to take. Political science then Law, he would sometimes tell his friend. Of all the siblings, Bernabe seems to follow in his father's footsteps in politics as a public official. The police uniform before Mang Tonio's retirement simply catches Taklin's interest in awe and amazement.

"I'll continue wearing that when my time comes," he told as if there's no other career up there other than following his father's footsteps. More than that however is the respect he had for his father. The moral courage and ascendancy shown in earning trust and respect from people emboldened him to enter PMA smitten with his love of the country what with restlessness all over brought by Martial Law. Becoming another alter Christos is fine but better to give way to Driarco perceived as far holier than him.

Manang Elsa was a secondary school teacher, a thankless profession in the country. She decided to embrace it as her chosen career for good amidst a promising offer to work abroad doing any menial job like any overseas job seeker as a vocation.

"Of course, I hate mentioning it but why not for survival," she revealed given euphemism teaching as a vocation like any priests are doing

Many of her co-teachers went to Hongkong, Brunei, and the Middle East as domestic helpers because of the very salary pay in the country barely receiving starvation wages never enough for decent survival. She has been receiving a letter from them luring her to try her luck just like theirs in foreign countries.

"No way!" her prompt reply.

"Wow what an insult to that lofty position exchanging your dignity and value for mere money cutting that bond in the family," she defended.

"Yes, it's dollar versus peso. But look ties you broke with the family," she further validated. She will never will, she promised.

"It's not only a disgrace to the teaching profession but also a smear campaign against the government's inability of upgrading the noble teaching profession." She would rather die joining a hunger strike lobbying for competitive salary pay than leaving the teaching profession dear to her. For Manang Elsa, the teaching profession is not that hopeless.

"We are not heroes alright. But we could make heroes from our students!" she bragged about the possibility.

"Time would come when teaching would be elevated to greater heights earning respect and appreciation from our Lawmakers in Congress and Senate giving us higher pay," she told her co-teachers.

What an inspiration Maam Elsa is to her co-educators.

"It's just a question of political will you know from the government to do its job recognizing our efforts in educating our students. If there are proposed additional salary pay among military why not us Educators," she said to Cecil, her co-teacher close to her.

"And why not from P40,000.00 to P50,000.00 the way Chief of Offices are receiving," she spoke her mind on the issue considering the sky-rocketing prices of different commodities.

"If the government was able to upgrade non-teaching positions to higher salary pay which are the relatively white-collar type of job and risky professions like the military and the police each year providing handsome benefits like automatic promotion to one higher notch in rank upon retirement, why could they not do it with the teaching profession when it is considered almost the dirtiest and thankless job for all."

It's indeed unfortunate that the government has remained callous to the teaching profession's inherent right to better and higher salary pay. And no wonder that DECS has remained the milking cow of graft and corrupt public officials making the Department a perennial member of the most corrupt government agency in the country.

Manang Elsa has been teaching high school students for the last thirty long years. She's looking forward that teachers would stage mass action if need be, hunger strike, to bring their cause closer to the Secretary. But she feels that this is better said than done as the teacher's loyalty to the Ministry of Education Culture and Sports like an innocent sacrificial lamb is surprisingly legendary. For instance, you could see them serving during elections, entertaining guests from Manila, and similar activities, on the other hand, the same faces could be seen moonlighting selling different items from simple foodstuffs to Tupperware, insurance to appliances, and the similar extra underground economy. It's funny but Manang Elsa has seen their drawers filled with candies, peanut butter, and other foodstuffs. Social scientists would call such a strategy a coping mechanism practiced to augment their low salary pay or they would starve and die their natural death. Those who don't have the initiative too lazy to do these extra-curricular activities fall prey to usurers and money market shops charging prohibitive six percent interest rates a month but surprisingly approved by Central Bank.

Worst, teachers who destroyed their credit line become victims of five-six syndrome perpetuated by Bangladesh nationals and other opportunists abounding everywhere. This evil scheme implies that you have to pay six pesos for every five pesos borrowed daily or to the tune of 120% usurious interest daily depending on the deal forged between the usurer and innocent client. Some collect the amount, weekly or monthly depending on the deal mutually agreed upon but always at the expense of teachers. Result of this abominable situation, concerned teachers would not care anymore about receiving their paycheck. What would they get anyway after all deductions are made? Just a simple pay slip with a few remaining coins inside. But despite this hardship, you could still hear familiar jokes from prospective grooms to always prioritize a teacher as a possible wife to enjoy an assurance of an instant loan right after the wedding.

President Marcos in one of his general orders promised to increase the salaries of armed troops. There was no mention incidentally or inadvertently of teachers. If she could only swallow her contempt and summon enough guts, nerve, or courage whatever she might have probably written the President about her predicament. But who is she to give unsolicited advice to the President? What's the assurance that her letter would not be shelved in a cabinet allowing there to gather dust? These sentiments prompted her just to remain silent and patient.

"It's not the proper time yet to do it," she said.

Who knows if she might be included in the hit list depriving her family of the writ of habeas corpus? Should that happen she's only good again as additional fertilizer for the country.

Too bad indeed for her and all teachers throughout the country. "But what could they do, these teachers are also human beings who eat rice daily in this rice-eating banana republic," she said in defense of the sorry plight of her comrades in the teaching profession.

. . . . . . . . . . .

It's lunchtime. Manang Elsa finished preparing the table for the family. The meal includes linaing na gabi, fried catfish Mang Tonio brought home from the farm, and sinigang na mudfish. They're perfect and healthy organic combination menu she being an experienced chef of native foods.

His fishpond abounds with freshwater fishes providing a steady supply of fish for their meal. Add organic vegetables all there is on a farm and you have practically all the gifts of nature right at your doorstep free for daily kitchen use.

Eyes were closed as Mang Tonio led in saying the grace save for Taklin whose consciousness was dulled by the latest event making him uneasy as if he is among those to be apprehended.

"Guess kids why do we have all this sumptuous preparation today? - it's Father's Day today!"

Great applause ensued as kids kissed and reached out their father's hands for their blessing.

"But more than that I'm happy that one of you will be entering PMA," Mang Tonio revealed.

"Cheers for the future General," Bernabe echoed as they all raise their glass and bottoms, collectively drinking the cocobeer in one stroke.

"But let's have the floor yet to the Celebrant," Taklin instructed.

"Where's Ramon and Victoria? Are they not eating with us?" Mang Tonio worried knowing that there were empty chairs around.

"They would be right back." I was still cooking earlier when they called

informing me that they could not be on time but would be catching up by eating their lunch with us. They have very special commitments I suppose this hour."

"In this ungodly hour?"

"Thanks for your concern. But never mind. Anyway, I already set aside their share. They would be around in due time I suppose Tony," the wife assured the hubby.

For the first time, Nong Tonio almost has goosebumps and a nosebleed popping out when

he was surprisingly given a spiritual bouquet to the tune of "I'll Be There" sang by Taklin, Angela, and Bernabe capping the Father's Day simple rite of the day.

Ramon and Victoria just arrived on time with flowers and cakes with the icing "Happy Father's Day to a Great Dad on earth!" and jammed singing Michael Jackson's "I'll Be There."

"No thanks for the song. While I like the music and its lyrics, it's not a good way to promote any movie of a broken family because of a philandering husband and martyred wife," he broke the ice catching the rest of the family off guard relating to the reality of marriage among Filipino families in the country.

"Well, I'm sorry as I might have hit the nerve of a simple Filipino family. But thanks, and God forbid, we didn't. We're stronger than ever," he roared holding captive his own family as listeners.

Maybe he was just too romantic and can't help himself but relate his message of a typical Filipino family, still intact despite enormous economic difficulty and adversity.

"No marriage is made in heaven by the way. Guys when your time comes, make sure you do it here and live like no other never mind how they are doing it there in Hollywood."

"Look the guys up there promoting family in movies, they are all diametrically opposing the cause they portray being direct contrast role models having been certified philanderers in real life. The producer of the religious song "All in the Family" did too great favor having that great crooner with resonant voice interpreting giving justice to the song, unfortunately, singing the wrong message because of a familiar identity crisis."

"The list is long down the line from the cute heartthrobs to complicated family man sending home all sorts of entertainment mixing up with the message if at all there is any. But none save the handsome benefits derived from such antics capitalizing on the gullibility of

their listeners for nothing except purely entertaining pleasure."

"The credulous public just enjoyed them anyway. As convicted actor implored the viewing public from the mess screwing up his sexy kitten: hate the sin but please not the sinner."

"Yes, sir no problem as it takes two to tango. We are also descendants of Hercules, strong libido safely tucked under our belt. But do note as well that temptation is never considered a sin unless you give way to it. How could you avoid and abhor sinning if there are no takers? Ok no further moralizing here as man's sin no matter how great are practically peanuts compared to the love of God. That's why we have seven sacraments to bail us out from our infirmities restoring our broken relationship with God."

"Isn't that beautiful?" he stressed.

"That's the problem we have in the world of make-believe. They are dragging the issue to a far higher proportion until they practically explained it away. But no way unless you are naive yourself just playing around with your marital vow. Their credibility simply smacks off right on their faces the substance of the point swiftly slipping away the general viewing public."

"Certainly, so because fatherhood is not an entertainment reason why many marriages ended battered on the rocks. Neither is a temporary state of being. It is a vocation instituted by God Himself as one of the sacraments you and your wife permanently tied as one nobody could put asunder as a vocation it is meant to be lived and pursued at all cost till death do us part not on further notice. Hence, the importance of strengthening the marital bond or falling into the trap of the third option – divorce - concocted in Congress and Senate by lawmakers to no avail who don't mind at all the underlying real issue. Understandably so because the majority are all mostly party to it. Many marriages are broken sending children roaming around the city as street children and vagabonds precisely because of the very loose marital bond. Result of the broken vow, a priest would qualify the alarming increasing numbers of street children in one homily for the kids at Mother Teresa Street children's Foundation."

"Those who can afford to avoid onerous court proceedings simply did it away through a legal separation. That's what happened to many celebrities, marrying one after the other Hollywood style just like changing clothes as many as one pleases. The rest turned back to Islam to legalize their second marriage. Head going nuts, this is it a shortcut convenience to cover up a loose marital bond," Mang Tonio quoting columnist Ramon Tulfo of National Daily cleared.

The less mortal ones on the other hand who can't afford the prohibitive separation cost just settle the issue through an amicable arrangement tacitly agreeing on terms and conditions stipulated in a contract. No sweat especially if both parties have been living in their new respective family. The bottom line is the children are either left out or subject to collateral damage."

"Fatherhood is no mean feat. You either go for it or not at all contract marriage. But you would become a philosopher if you don't marry. Why not then be a real father when you could be none at all. You can for as long as you're holding on to the identity as father wherever you maybe no matter what the cost. Stand by it in other words."

All faces of the family were as usual glued to the celebrant of the day.

"That I believed the reason why hell broke loose last Sunday when fathers themselves uncontrollably shed their tears as their wives and ordinary churchgoers holding on to their bated breath in the pew witnessing real drama unfolding right in front of them But I suppose they were more tears of joy having survived this far to their calling," Manang Eliza gathered the thoughts on her mind.

"To those who fall short, just move on. I have not seen the face of my father ever since I saw light in this world. He was mercilessly murdered by his bosom friend when I was barely an innocent two years old kid because of an altercation. Nine bullets only felled his body. What could I do? I will meet him anyway comes the engrossed family off guard.

"I'm sorry for the unsolicited revelation. But sometimes life is so harsh that you don't know it coming that way. Enjoy the life of course while it last but never lost sight of the real enjoyment awaiting us there when all finally is done, we would be all one with Him up there forever."

"Amen, amen and amen," Manang Elsa proudly intoned further.

It was the best ending, Nong Tonio thought gauging from the silence of his family.

"It's good to be candid to clear doubts that way lending credence on the importance of the credibility of every communicator in handling and delivering the topic."

As a reality check, he was delighted reading the message of Rona returning the compliment where he stands as a model father? The answer was an acronym. It reads: A model father is: F-aithful husband, A-ffectionate man, T-ruthful person, H-umble leader, E-xcellent worker, and R-esponsible provider. Blessed Father's Day! Psalm 155:15, the apt parting shot.

"Well, where do I stand? Barely earning passing grade getting three scores out of five. Not that bad especially with humility counted never mind excelling in work and good provider," he quipped.

Working with as much passion as he has maybe been not be enough.

"Sorry and no way messing up government's money. That's corruption.," he cleared the issue giving benefits of the doubt to those who are thinking otherwise. But he is happy however that he is still making it through thick and thin despite the harsh realities of life.

"God is good. There, He's always ready opening windows after closing each door indicating that sometimes somewhere out there grass is far greener than in any other pasture. That for as long as you hold on to your sanity and identity as a real father."

"Cheers to all fathers –real or make-believe, branded or pirated but most especially the real ones, the toughies with gung-ho personality protecting the vow they covenanted with the Lord when they said "I do!" to their wives in not so distant past," the appropriate clincher by Taklin drawing laughter from the rest of the group.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

"You're dead serious to enter PMA?" the father addressed Taklin busy eating.

"The Pastoral Council Officers briefed me earlier about this development in the convent. So be it son."

Taklin nodded approvingly.

Manang Elsa elated over the development of Taklin, remained quiet. For sure, it's a big blessing on the part of offering one son for the service of the country and humanity. But it is still premature to conclude. Man chooses but God disposes of it, she remembered. That Taklin decided to enter the military of his own volition in itself is a positive factor and the

possibility of becoming an officer was not farfetched, inebriated her.

"Unless of course, if God has other things in store for you son"

. That she would not bar, let alone condemned.

"Many are called but few are chosen, "she again remembered.

"Yes, I already prepared myself save of course for my allowance."

"We're taking charge of that as I already told possible sponsors on this. Besides your Auntie Helen in California would surely be helping you. She would be elated I believe if she would hear you pursuing a military career. Remember her regrets when Randy, her eldest son, withdrew from military training after a few years stay inside?"

"You have a heavy responsibility on your shoulder kid just to let you know," Manang Elsa reminded.

"Twenty to thirty dollars a month I think from her pocket is peanuts," Mang Tonio answered.

Mang Tonio himself felt elated too over this development being once a Police Officer himself. At least a son would take over where he left off from his last assignment in such difficult circumstances yet. But he is positive that Taklin could make it having been involved in familiar activities securing peace and order in school, family, and community. Discipline is what he needs. Besides financial windfall is given on automatic scholarship anyway among successful Plebes. None so far among his roots has been into PMA. Good that Taklin took the challenge of treading that difficult path towards serving humanity few men survived. Somehow, this delighted him.

"Never mind falling on the way," he remembered some of his friends in the profession.

"Just stand up every time you fall and move on, "he remembered relevant inspiring words.

"God after all still does a miracle. Taklin's persistence to become one is part of that miracle," Mang Tonio believed.

"Good luck Taklin de la Rosa, we're with you always for as long as you want us for help. But this I could only ask for one thing. It's your own decision to become one. And if you do, please be a good one. Never allow yourself to be an additional questionable man in a cloth sowing confusion among the people," the happy father told his son after tapping Taklin's shoulder driving home his message.

"Thanks. Should you make it. Kindly come back and fix our restiveness in our backyard. Promise? Is that a deal," Mang Tonio challenged Taklin.

"With God's help, I will. Okay, your deal is accepted," Taklin said acknowledging the good cheer of his parents' happiness written all over their faces as seen grinning widely their spirit soaring up to the sky filled with pride and bliss.

That has been a few years back. Good that Taklin survived. But it was no mean feat. "You have really to be strong and courageous focusing on what would be like in the future," he shared the challenges received and hopefully standing tall when all else dampens his enthusiasm.

"Way to go and all is up given greater responsibility later entrusted to him to handle.

"Would just cross the bridge when already there," he told keeping his sanity intact.

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