(7th of a series)
Prior to the involuntary dissolution of TIKBALANG, the original members were able to elect officers and had their grand induction at the Tierra de Oro Resort owned by Sps. Marius and Mila Zabat. It was an affair to remember for all the members because there was so much fun – drinking, dancing and singing up to the wee hour of the night. The off-key duet rendered by Nelson Cornista and Tony Valencia who sadly are both in heaven now brought everybody on their knees laughing out loud.
Without me knowing it, the top officers headed by the then City Councilor Dante B. Amante, Brgy. Chairman Macario ‘Ayong’ Almario and Dr. Edgardo ‘Egay’ Adajar already had a plot to match me with Palasig who was then too shy to dance with me. Dr. Egay announced that there had to be a dance competition and the winners shall receive a gift of sorts to which everybody agreed. When the soft music played, Palasig approached me in a gentleman’s manner and asked if I could be his partner. I was a bit adamant at first but I was pushed by Joy Cabrera Gonzales, the beauteous wife of Fiscal Ante Gonzales to go ahead and dance.
When we were already dancing in the middle of the ballroom, everybody gathered around us clapping their hands and chanting “Yehey! Kasalan na!”. I slightly pushed Palasig away from me but he pulled me closer to him and held me tightly. He then touched my hair and whispered “hayaan mo mga ‘yan…inggit lang sila”. I knew I blushed yet I managed to smile and finished dancing with the music. I did not dance again till we went home.
The following day, Palasig visited me at the office accompanied by Teresita “Tita Tikya”Pacia with a half gallon of ice cream which I shared with the staff of the Assisting Court under the late Judge Adelardo S. Escoses to whom I was the Acting Clerk of Court. That was the beginning of his regular visit at the office which I simply took as a gesture of friendship because he just lost his wife. We became close friends sharing personal stories about our past and some plans for the future. From his words I can honestly say that he was a good family man – a loving father and a doting grandfather to his grandchildren, Francis Ferdine and Florence Ferdinelli ‘Dindin’ Rosete.
Having used to seeing him everyday at the office or at the Capitol site, I started to miss his funny anecdotes or shalI I say, his presence when he was not around. I felt some sort of invisible attachment to him which I could not explain. It was like a magnetic pole pulling me towards him then suddenly both of us found out that we were into a mutual understanding that we were meant for each other. To avoid gossip, we would spend our lunch time and coffee breaks together at the house of his bosom friend Venus Penaflor which was just a stone throw away from my office.
(To be continued)
Melinda Bagsic Evangelista
I was born to write and I believe that’s my calling. I love writing because it brings me to the realm exclusively of mine. It is also my opinion that “immortality” can be achieved not by searching for the Holy Grail and drinking from it but by living your life worth-writing or writing something worth-reading. Since I cannot promise you a life worth-writing, I keep myself busy writing something worth-reading. I am thankful to God for giving me the talent and skill to see life in different perspectives not seen by many and the courage to share it to my readers. This first ever Tutubi Digital News Magazine is a perfect avenue to bring you the many facets of life that you can ponder upon in this time of the pandemic. Enjoy reading all the articles.
