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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.

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