tagabungtod

 

Hi and hello to Trino and other Tagabungtods. 

Nahimuot gyud ko pagbasa sa mga Tagabungtod’s messages sa iyong blog. These brought back memories to old days when I was a young lady (I started teaching at NCES when I was 20) with all those trials and challenges, and yes happiness sab pud, both in my career and personal life. Those experiences made me a strong, prayerful and an empowered woman while living in the place, and helped me to understand people more whom I get acquainted with later, both in the workplace and in private life. 

Until now, I consider Nabunturan as my second home, whether the original Tagabungtods like it or not. I live life, that includes warm and wonderful memories of Nabunturan. 

Why I got my first job in Nabunturan? I did not want to teach in the city so I defied the policy then that a public school teacher should be a resident of the place. One of the daughters of one Tagabungtod insik, Ellen Chan ( may she rest in peace), and Lina Puig (whom I shared a room with during college) encouraged me to join them in their hometown. We all came from the same state college, and all assigned in NCES nga atbang sa NNPCHS ug kalsada padulong sa Alcantara and Sons. 

How I love Nabunturan whose people I found so warm, accommodating, and friendly, dili plastic – datu man o simpleng tawo. I used to frequent the house of the very kind Mr. and Mrs. Puig, Lina’s parents at nobenta y dos, and yes tam-is ang ila red pomelo. Half-way from the poblacion to Lina’s place was a private memorial park, that I have bravely entered one night para ubanan a grieving close friend. Hadlok pud, but in Nabunturan it was so easy and fulfilling to share others’ sorrows. Like it was also easy to understand friends who left the place, including dreams and promises, for good and never visited again, by choice.

I was protected, and provided with a safe and comfortable place by my hosting families, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them again and again, namely Dr. and Mrs. Pet-Etang Layug, Mr. and Mrs. Ben-Babes Tomas, Mr. and Mrs. Indoy-Cris Pajaron, Mr .and Mrs. Jess-Ester Blanza, Engr.and Mrs. Miguel-Condring Cabrera, Mr. and Mrs. Quiel-Nene Labrador, Mr. and Mrs. Mandel-Deling Zabala, and Judge and Mrs. Betty Garette. Daghan kong nakaila ug nasuod nga Tagabungtod through them, dugangan pa sa taga-NCES teachers, parents, and students. 

So you see, I almost have lived in all corners of the poblacion. I used to spend my free time with the family of the late Supt Arsenio Flores, composer of Nabunturan hymn, and a very smiling and thoughtful Nang Ason in their home. Linda“Babes” Flores and I spent nights magestoryahanay sa among kinabuhi. I really had wonderful time at my 20’s with lots of wonderful Tagabungtod. Kung balikon ang panahon, I would still choose the same, to teach in Nabunturan and to meet the same people. Wala koy i-edit, wala koy i-erase, wala koy usabun.

We went camping to Mainit hot spring with the girl and boy scouts. Going to places (bisan unsa kalayo nga barangay) for school and civic activities was always exciting even if it rained. I used to love rain in Nabunturan. Wherever I am, I still relate rain to Nabunturan, and remember some people dear to my heart. I pray and thank GOD for the Tagabungtods who have touched my life, and even for those who caused me stress, worries, and pain. Nabunturan is close to my heart, and no one can change that. I may not be there now, but the place lives in my heart.

Some recent messages made me sad, like the passing away of Congressman Prospero Amatong, and Mr. Max Roxas. Both were good leaders, and worked hard for good governance in their respective field. Max was then a good shop teacher in my group at NCES, and my partner in folk dancing. I danced sayaw sa bangko with Max only, we had that kind of chemistry in dancing. Together we pray for the Tagabungtods, including my best friend and confidante, Margie Gonzales Vinarao, who are now in the kingdom of GOD.

Regards and GOD BLESS.
This is Melo Colita Bautista