Silakbo

Kabanata 1

Philippines, 2023
Month of August

Imogen.

The universe is vast; extensive than how we think it is.

Ang sabi sa akin, time is nonexistent in space. Thus, when we look at it through the sky, we look at history. Kaya sa tuwing nagdarasal tayo sa universe, it's like we're connecting with those who have come before us — praying to them to guide us and lead us to a better place. Kasi mas nauna sila sa atin, e, at mas nauna silang nawala kaya they already know better. And as spirits they already have traveled the universe and have known better.

"Naniniwala ka talaga ro'n?"

My eyes creased as if they formed question marks when I looked at Nina who was on my left while we were sitting beside the driver's seat on a jeepney in España. Kakatapos lang namin actually mag-picture sa side mirror dahil nasita kami ni manong na wala na raw siyang makita sa salamin.

"Hindi."

"Even after falling ill  for three days?"

Here's the thing: It was Heaven's — my best friend along with Nina — younger brother's birthday. Syempre para i-celebrate, their parents thought why not go out of town since bukod sa birthday ng kapatid niyang si Sky, patapos na rin 'yung summer break. Bilang fourth year students sa paparating na semester, they know it will be hard for us to travel and enjoy outside academics anymore.

Bilang inseparable at dependent sa isa't isa, Nina and I tagged along. Sayang din, libre na lahat at ganda na lang ang kailangan naming iambag.

It was a week-long vacation sa El Luna — said to be the prettiest province in Luzon as its lands are higher than those of Baguio's kaya mas maliwanag at malapit ang buwan sa city na 'yon, hence the name of the town.

At oo! Maganda sa El Luna for a first timer like me. Isang buong linggo akong sinamahan ng mga nagtataasang hills nila at 'yung dagat sa paanan ng mountain city sa isang linggong runaway agenda ko sa nakaka-stress na pamumuhay sa Manila. Plus the hospitality of the people there? Something to die for!

However, I almost gave the province a ten! But during our last day, we visited a religious place that practiced old doctrines at last men standing na lang daw sa country na naniniwala sa ganoong beliefs kasi people would often laugh at them or find them weird kapag nage-encourage sila ng mga tao to join their organization.

Because of that, cinonvert na lang nila into a tourist spot 'yung church since it is part of our history and it existed even before Catholicism pa. But they still practice their creeds and ask their visitors to join them sa history-telling nila; hindi sapilitan, kahit hindi na maniwala.

They believe, by the way, in manifestations and making wishes to the universe — to the power of the heavenly bodies. It was weird at first but since we all have different beliefs in life naman and I respect all of it, I participated genuinely. And when I say "I", ako lang talaga nag-participate.

Dahil sabi nga sa internet, live your life based on YOLO — and so I did! I thought minsan lang naman ako maka-encounter ng ganoon kaya why not join them in their actual prayers kasi wala namang mawawala, hindi ba? But maybe that's just me. Maybe I underestimated the power of the higher beings around us.

Right before the prayer kasi where we had to look up at the night sky and submit ourselves to the stars, I fainted. I woke up in a hospital in Manila bedridden, like all my energy was sucked out and pulled by the universe.

Sabi ng doktor, baka nabinat lang ako lalo na't mahina ang immune system ko. Sinulit kasi ng family ni Heaven 'yung vacation kaya we did so many activities. Sabi naman ni Nina, baka raw dahil hindi ko ginawa nang tama 'yung prayers. At sabi naman ng Mommy ko, puro disappointments na lang daw dala kong balita sa kanila.