The Coño Boy 6: Ten Lifetimes With You

Chapter Twelve: La Vida Es Sueño

Casa Arrastia
Poblacion
San Angel
22 May 2019
6:44 pm

Ate Bibang: Miguel, pa-sabi sa Señor Cente na magsi-silbi na ng hapunan.

The first night of the novena traditionally extends to dinner time. It is considered one of the highlights of San Angel's Maytime festivities. Unlike most towns in the Philippines that celebrate their town fiesta's during May, San Angel's is celebrated during July, thus the Flores de Mayo became San Angel's anchor to celebrate the peak of Philippine fiesta season. The houses whose daughters take part in the Flores de Mayo, host dinners on the 31st, after the procession or the sagala has taken place. But the most prestigious or sought after invite is still during the dressing of Inang at Casa Arrastia.

Even after the prayers have been said and the litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary chanted, other guests are still arriving. They almost immediately pay homage to the image enthroned at the shrine. Some kneel before here using the antique kneelers to pray, some approach her -touching the hem of her embroidered cape and tunic then making a sign of the cross, while another brought a small basket of flowers as an offering.

At Migz's signal, Kuya Kiko and Mang Cito are quick to place six round tables scattered across the open hall that is the public space of the house; from the ante-sala, sala mayor, and near the entrance to the comedor. The tables are then carefully transformed: draped over with white tablecloth, a light blue top-cloth, antique gold runner, floral centerpieces, and tea-light candles in antique glass votives by Bubbles and his assistants. By the time the plastic chairs draped with white covers are placed per table, the turnover is done in less than fifteen minutes.

Drake watches all this happen before him like choreographed dance where every one must dance their parts —even the women in white blouses who recite the prayers lending a helping hand.

Migz walks over to the group of guests gathered around Don Vicente. He leans over Don Vicente's right shoulder and whispers into his ear.

Migz: Lolo, dinner na po.

Don Vicente nods to acknowledge.

Lolo Cente: Tayo nang mag-hapunan.

He announces to his guests. Migz helps the elderly gentleman up off his seat.

Lolo Cente: Kain na po tayo!

The host invites everyone within earshot, gesturing with his left hand to the direction of the comedor.

Bastian: Hindi ka pa ba kakain?

Bastian asks Drake after he takes a few snapshots of the guests lining up for dinner.

Drake: I usually fall in line last.

Drake answers while checking his shots on the LCD.

Bastian: Talaga? Ako rin. Juice.

Bastian offers Drake a glass of dalandan juice.

Drake sees the glass of juice offered to him through the corner of his eyes. He tilts his head and notices that Bastian is holding two glasses. 

Drake puts down the camera and let's it hang by its strap.

He takes the glass of Dalandan Juice.

Drake: Thank you.

He smiles at Bastian before taking a sip.

Bastian: Kumusta naman pala na-research mo kina Doctor Francia kanina?

Drake could taste a hint of mint in the juice.

Drake: He has a lot, actually. Old documents, photos, may articles din that feature San Angel's Flores de Mayo celebrations through the years.