BA-OT

I mentioned that my father was a product of the Agno School System. I knew that papa would rather be with his "friendly buddies" idiay tindahan rather than be inside the classroom. Thus, he was constantly reprimanded by his teachers for skipping classes, missing assignments or just being a "sutil".

Heavens to betsys, Mr. Cabantac was one of his teachers. Mabaot no mabaot ni Berty no agluk-luko. Impulong ni papa ni Mr. Cabantac kenni tatay. Well, the strategy to get even with Mr. Cabantac was hatched. No ba-u-ten na ka mannen, agtulid-tulid ka Bertie ta agsangit ka itti -Matay akon- tulungan dak - insuro ni tatay kenni papa. The day did come - & lo and behold- papa did carry out the plan. Mr. Cabantac carried papa home to the laud house after the aborted "ba-ot session". Tatay deviously smiled while nanay was fuming mad: Dayta itti insur-surom ta anak mo.. The last sentence was always a familiar line among the Berto children - Cecil, Erich & I. Papa was our shield or armour to mama's wrath when we, the children were in trouble (more often than not I should say). Unfortunately, naba-ot kami amin once or twice in our lifetime. Uray saludsuden yo ni Mama.