HOME OF THE ASHFALL that volcanoes were conspicuous mountains
and had fiercelooking summits like Maycns
John Jack Wigley and Haicons. But this one was deeply Pampanga hidden among the several mountains called the Cabusilan mountains of Zambales. How a volcano had managed to hide among the The eruption of Mount Pinatubo was mountains and be covered with a defence recorded as the second largest terrestrial forest was something I couldnt comprehend. eruption of the 20th century, and the largest If it was bound the erupt, I guess it would be eruption populated area. Ash fall, which just like a firecracker. formed a weighty, raindrenched snowlike Hell, I thought that if there was a film, affected almost the entire island of mountain near us which I imagined would Luzon, and even reached the neighbouring erupt anytime, it would be the Arayat, which countries of Malaysia and Vietnam. It was was located at the heart of Pampanga, with its further aggravated because of Typhoon open mouth and forbidding countenance. Yunya, which brought with it heavy rains and Not this obscure mountain whose native strong winds. To the Kampampagans and to inhabitants, the Aetas, never even knew the people affected by this tragedy, it would about, I paid no more attention to warnings. serve as a testament to their irrepressible I had only been in Manila for barely attribute of rising about their plight and six months and was enjoying my newfound predicament. independence. I would sometimes go to I was no longer living in Angeles City Angeles City to see Mother during days off, when Mt. Pinatubo erupted on June 15, which usually fell on a weekday, since 1991. I was promoted from being a crew management people did not have the luxury member at Pizza Hut Dau to management trainee at Pizza Hut Harrison Plaza in of the dayoff during weekends because it was December 1990. After being a service crew the time when more people would go out member for more than four years and and eat. Pizza Hut Harizon Plaza was a high graduating from college in 1989, I had to say volume unit. goodbye to my hometown where I lived for That fateful day, after my opening more than two decades. It was my first time shift, I went to see a film. I t was Hihintayin to work in manila. I asked the assistance of Kita sa Langit, Ed Calupitan, a fellow Pizza Hut Dau crew a film adaction of Brontes Wuthering member now based in Manila, to help me Heights directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna. find a place to stay. He was living in a The film starred erstwhile lovers played by Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta. I was twobedroom apartment and gladly offered feeling all mushy and melodramatic after the other room to me. watching the film when, once outside, I saw Weeks before the eruption, I read parked cars covered with what seemed like a several news and warnings about Mt. whitishgray blanket. And so were the streets. Piantubo. Frankly, I never knew that there was a volcano in the Zambales mountain Is it finally showing in Manila? I thought, as I range. Nobody among my Kapampangan felt some of the particles in my hand and friends did. I guess we were all clueless about smudge my shirt. When I looked closely and the impending danger this would cause in our touched them, they were grainy. It was like lives. Later on, I realized that the summit of ash from an ashtray. the volcano was just fourteen kilometres away from the extent of Clark Air Base. I thought I saw farther down the riverbank that I was meaning to say no but I was people were lining up to cross the river by speechless, still talking everything in. Besides, stepping on coconut trunks and wooden I wanted to see my family. I nodded my poles attached from one end to the other. head. The gaunt shirtless boot who was juggling Koya, padagdag naku mu keka ne. coins and walking to and fro shouted. Pesus Kasi lupa kang mabayat. Ill charge you extra. mu. Deng bisang lumakad papunta Angeles, You look heavy the barker smiled fully; keni na kayo bang ali la mabasa deng bitis yu. revealing he had no teeth. For one peso, take this trail and your feet For a moment, I wanted to pull his wot get wet in the river. I was about to fall in hair and drown his head in the river. This line but I realized that there as a long queue impertinent one. I thought. He had to subtly of people already as far as the bend, waiting insult my chubby body. But I surmised that for their turn to get actions the river. he meant well. It would take me forever to get to It was not going to be easy carrying other side if I fall in line, I thought. I talked me to the other side of the river. I just simply to the person behind me. Malalam ya pu ing agreed. I sat on the chair and put the bag on daanum. Is the water deep? my lap. The barker clasped an improvised Tabalu. Bala mu, malalam pin. I rope seatbelt from one and to the other. dont know. Its deep. I guess, he Yeah, like I would experience a terrible immediately rejoined. Lawen me itang tau accident by forgetting to use this seatbelt, I angga ne keng atyan na. Look at the guy thought sarcastically. crossing. The waters up to his tummy, he Just hold the chairs handles, sir its said, pointing to the man. good that you came this early. Potang It was deep, I contemplated. I didnt gatganapun, ali tana makapunta karin uling want to take the risk of getting my clothes malalam ne ing danum. Later in the wet. I was also thinking that perhaps the afternoon, we wont be able to cross because water that flowed down the river was of the deep water, the barker enthusiastically contaminated because of the volcanic ash and said. As he started lifting the chair, I felt that I the sulphuric content of the water. was sliding down. The fabric of my pants was Just I saw about four barkers holding slippery Sagull, Kalakalale. Wait, carefull wooden chairs, inviting people to cross the Mananabu ku! Im falling, I cried. river on these chairs. They explained that The barker haited for a second and people would be sitting on the chair and thr adjusted me weight on his arms. I wiggle barkers themselves would carry the chair to momentarily and after a while, I instructed the other side for a fee of ten pesos. Despite him to carry on. He looked at me and then the horrible sight before me, I forced a smile smiled blissfully. I was thinking about how indestructible First, it was my body weight. Then I humans are. These people were still sensed that he was mocking me because he struggling to live even if catastrophes like thought I was a sissy. I turned back to the typhoons and volcanic eruptions had truck. other barkers, and they were all carrying Catastrophes constantly plagued their lives. I passengers, all of whom were women. One felt deep admiration for them. was carrying an older woman with cane. I saw One barker thought my smile was an the men and they were braving the river. Oh indication that I wanted to ride in the chair. dear, now all these barkers would regard me Bisa kang sake. Would you like to take a as the only man in the Abacan river who did ride? he asked. not want to get his feet wet. Why hadnt I decided early on to just cross the river? Now, I felt guilty that I had to subject this look for me when you want to cross the river cadaverlooking barker to such pain and going back. Ill take you. He said as he suffering by carrying me, the queen all of my nooded his head approvingly, once again 160pound royalty for a measly 15pesos. I showing his toothless mouth Sige pu, shook my head of all this guilt away. Well, salamat mu rin, I replied. too bad, I thought I had the money which There was hardly any roving jeepney you hadnt, sorry. Even in ancient times, at all when I climbed up the gully. Tricycles slaves laboriously carried their obese masters. were waiting at the corner, but I chose not to History repeats itself; I tried to reason out in ride in one. I decided to walk. The house my thoughts. was only about five minutes away anyway. When we got to the middle of the As I was walking, I thought about river, I closed my eyes, not because I was what the future would hold for this city I afraid of the water, but because I was worried loved. Kapampangans are known to be a that the barker wouldnt be able to cross it, proud people. I only wished that they would with me as his burden. The water was already get past all this soon. I was hoping that I kneedeep. He wasnt even wearing any would also see my family complete and in the footwear. What if he slid done because he best of health. My steps got quicker. I started stepped on a rock or a hole under the water? to run. But he was very much focused. His At the threshold of the house, I saw steps were showing but cautious. I wanted to Mother carrying a bundle of laundry. When talk to him so that my mind would be she saw me, she smiled and patted my arm. distracted from worrying, but I felt that he I was puzzled to see her carrying a needed full concentration to get us through. I load. Where are you going? I just got here. I just held on the hand rest of the chair. was so worried about you. Where is ate and I imagined that poor people have her family, are they okay? I asked. always exhibited their resilience this way. Mother placed the bundle on the When calamities happen, they are the first table and tightened it. Theyre all okay, ones to suffer the initial blows. Yet, they thank God. Im going to Dau to give this to survive and eventually thrive. They just need your ate. to go slow and sure. The rich and the middle What, are you serious? I was class are alienated from this kind of survival shocked by Mothers retort. The Abacan strategy. That is why much is lost in them bridge has collapsed, didnt you know? How when things go down. But not the poor; they are you going to get to Dau? are like fungi. They dont die. They morph I know that the Abacan bridge is no after a catastrophe. more, Mother said pensively. Ive been to We got to the order end of the river. Dau and back twice already. There are still The barker found a coarse spot where he barkers that lift chairs down there in the river, could put down the chair. He was painting arent there? she looked at me. heavily, beads of sweat dripping from his I was aghast to hear this from her. temples. I thanked him and handed a twenty You mean you want to go down the river? peso bill. He looked grateful and smiled. I You are not afraid? was waiting for him to utter an insulting Why should I be afraid? Mother remark so I could give him the sermon of the interrupted. Only the old ones are afraid to day. But he didnt. cross the river. I am not that old. Besides, Dacal a salamat pu koya. Thank youre here to keep me company, right? Ill you. Pantunan mu naku potang bisa nakang cook your favourite ginataang kamansi. mibalik keng sumangid. Hatad daka. Just I was dumbfounded. Mother was unbelievable. Hurry up! The river gets deeper in the afternoon,Mother shouted Lets go.