Baro Nga Tawen

The Sison Family went home to Agno one time to celebrate New Year local style. The boys - AJ, James and Mokong were very young then. Papa wanted them to welcome New Year sans fireworks.
Nagpaala ni Mama itti atiddog nga kawayan ta pinakayas na. The party began late afternoon early dusk. Venue was the frontage of the beachhouse at Bunga. Maawis amihttp://www.blogger.com/n nga ubbing agtataray da amin umay maki-daya.
The kawayan was propped up and Erich started to warm it up. Introducing - The Kaniobong. It was a long hollow kawayan of which one end was closed while the opposite end was opened. Adjacent to the closed end was a small hole which will be the entrance for the fuel (kerosene in lieu of the gun powder for the real thing) and the air to complete the requirements for combustion.

When the kayawan is heated up, and air has been introduced by puffing air through the hole, then a dash of kerosene is served. The hotter the kaniobong - the louder the booming sound it can produce.


The kaniobong is akin to the cannon - same shape same principle. Empty tin cans can be inserted into the cavity which will serve as the cannonball. Like I said, the hotter the kawayan, the louder the impact - the farther the trip for the tin cans.
The most difficult job was to clear out the trapped smoke inside the kaniobong. The longer the kawayan, the more laborious it was to blow out the smoke.
That is why all of the help is needed courtesy of the children and all of the "mirons" around. Ag-al-al ka nga talaga malpas ka nga ag-puyot.






Narang-ay nga baro a tawen kanyayo amin.

Pasko

Philippine Christmas Lanterns


Naragsak a Paskua
Narang-ay a Baro a Tawen kadakayo amin!

Christmas Wishlist

F or the believers of magic and Santa Claus, for those who still keep making Wishlists, here's mine to share with you:
1. A homemade dinner cooked specially by my Mama - uray Longganiza Alaminos ken fried rice mabalinnen.
2. Another or more, for that matter, Rosete Reunions to look forward to. In the same vein, maybe a Sison Reunion to look forward to.
3. A breakthrough with the research on cure for Cancer, Alzheimer;s and all of those horrible diseases.
4. Less of apathy, complacency and indifference. More on involvement, compassion and selflessness.
5. Retain a part of the childlike-ness of AJ, James & Mokong
6. Longer, if no possiblity of, ceasefire and laying down of arms.

I will add more as I go along my day. Chime in if any of you would like to.

Ama Mi

I am a subscriber/contributor to one of the ilocano blogs and I picked up this translated "The Lord's Prayer" using Spanish Orthography. I would want to share it with you all as one of the treasures you might be digging into later on from your memory hope chest.

Rita-Rita

I was able to gather bits and pieces of information on the mystery of Rita-Rita. Uncle Tony patiently relayed to me what he could remember about this practise.
Apparently, a group of men would go around the Ili to play some music with the purpose of waking up the townsfolk so they can hear the early dawn mass or simbang gabi. The likes of Tiyo Fortun & Tiyo Pasik-kil have their instruments of trombone and trumpet playing simple marching music to entice the barrio to go to mass.
Uncle Tony, Papa's brother, was kind enough to loan me a few bars of the marching music - tatan-tatan-tatan.
Tiyo Fortun is Tiyo Fortunato while Tiyo Pasik-kil has another name. Pasik-kil was his panayod or nickname. He was an embalmer by profession so his main job was pasik-killen dagiti natay ( passik-kil in ilocano meant to stiffen up - so his job was to "stiffen" the dead by embalming them). Agno joke - I tell you.
Anyway, Uncle Tony related that after the short libot of the musikeros, which was the Rita-Rita, they stopped at somebody's house whoever was assigned for the day, to have some early morning breakfast. Nakasagana itti kape ken tinapay nga kanen da.

Just like the Es El Fruto I told you about during the month of May, the Rita-Rita was another practise deep into he tradition of the townsfolk of Agno.

I remembered Papa who kept telling us about the Rita-Rita as the Simbang Gabi starts. I don't have him now to re-live this wonderful event. I have Uncle Tony though. Crude as my recollection might be -
at least we all have a glimpse of how the Rita-Rita was.

Simbang Gabi

Some of the best memories of Pasko sa Pilipinas is the onset of the 9 day Dawn Novena Mass. Manang Lilia will be my constant companion. She is very diligent at waking up very early so we can have at least a seat when we get to church. As I look back, the weather then was balmy compared to what we are having right now here in Missouri.
The church at Proj. 8 was equipped with a terrific choir. I enjoyed most the solemnity of " Ang Gabing Tahimik" which is the Tagalog version of Silent Night. Maka-tuglep ka nga talaga itti pinagkanta da. Of course the parish priest was ever ready with his sermons and admonitions of preparation for the big day. I just don't know how effective it was for I am pretty sure most if not all of the parishioners were mentally shopping for gifts at Shoemart.
How about some puto bumbong or bibingka? I used to just see these staples during the simbang gabi. However, because of demand most probably, magatang mo met dagitoy idiay basement itti Shoemart or other eatery places. Madismaya ak met since I feel that some of the Christmas Magic is taken away from me.
It is always a nice feeling to anticipate and look forward to the special effects of the holidays.

I used to equate puto bumbong with Misa De Gallo and Pasko. But in this age of innovation, age of instant gratification, it became very easy to produce these staples. Nawawala ang magic - in my opinion.

I don't do my mental shopping so much anymore while I am seated listening to the homily. I kinda enjoy taking it in - absorbing what the priest might say ( muni-muni ika nga). Siguro ito naman ang panibagong magic sa aking buhay. Siguro I've just gone past the stage of obligated gift giving (read - siguro dahil sa broke ayaw lang umamin).
Siguro talagang ganoon - one goes back to the basic necessities of life- lessons handed down from generation i.e. church readings na inuulit taon-taon but is always given a different interpretation which could be more apt to the present time. I am very sure the nuns of Maryknoll will be mighty proud of me if they get the chance to read this. One way or the other, remnants of the religious teachings of Sister Miriam Thomas stayed with me.

Those Bygone Days Of Doing Labada

This is an old picture of Lola Juliana and Uncle Renato when they were in Bani. Lola was holding her batya. This was one of the main rementas used in doing the daily laundry. The batya was made of tin ( I think). One would initially soak the soiled linens in this together with some detergent and water. I was looking for the palo-palo in the picture but the camera might have missed it.
How did one do the laundry then? It was a nightmare! Agsa-do ka itti danum ta awan pay met itti gripo. The most difficult part of the chore was the agkes-kes portion. Everything was mano-mano. No nakaro itti ngisit na dayti trubenized nga t-shirt ket maparigatan dayti immam nga agkes-kes. They used to soak the nalitem nga lupot with calamansi or piyas I think. There was no clorox then.
Imagine the ordeal of assuming the seated position with the batya between one's legs. Makit-tang ka lalo na no agmal-malem ka nga aglaba.
The pictures being shown with the women doing the laundry by the river having a good time (while singing Sa Kabukiran) is full of story telling a lie. Thank you Maytag for the washing machine.

Happy Friday

Let me end this week with a more upbeat note. This blog initially started with exchanging pictures with the Rosete clan at the Multiply.com site. We did the usual thingies of showing to one and sundry how we aged gracefully and how much pounds we have gained. I thought of extending the linkages with a "readable" periodico that we can read, comment and exchange ideas.
The blog eventually morphed into a Manang biday blogspot of which I finally opened to the viewing public (naks parang sine). I tapped the resources of the Agno High School site to propagandize Manang Biday & lo and behold adda met taga Agno nga immay nag-pasyar. The Agno site generated a lot of referrals to Manang Biday.
Kunak ngarud - we all can learn to disagree in a very cordial manner without the side dishes of name calling or profanities. I actually encourage a good dose of debates saan la kadi nga makasakit.
This blog too has introduced me to other relatives - Marita Nano Rio, Troy Nano, Migi & Jinky. It has also re-introduced me to cousins - Maristel, Marissa Torres & Randolph.

Naimas nga panunuten nga uray addayo itti maysa ken maysa ket we are just as close as are right now. I would like to think that when we all have the chance to see each other personally, the warm exchanges that we have on this blog will generate tight hugs and good memories.

One of my online buddies called the likes of us - memory keepers. I like that. Dagdagan pa natin ang mga memories so when the rest would unlock these, they can look back at a life full of niceties and glee.
Dios Itti Agngina..

Lola Cristina Rosete Nano

I am passing this information to you all from Auntie Nieva.

It is with sadness to inform you that our beloved mother peacefully passed away in Agno Tuesday 6pm. Funeral arrangements pending . I will be going to the Philippines as soon as possible. I don't have email addresses of some of our relatives. Please forward/inform them. Thank you very much.

Nieva

Mailiw Unay

This video was lifted from You Tube. He must be another homesick Ilocano like me. I tried to just download the music without the video but the music gets corrupted. At any rate, enjoy the music - I still am.

Mapaimbitaran itti mayat nga ag-dingngeg to this Ilocano Christmas carol. Mapalagip itti assideg nga ka-Pasku-an. Malagip ko itti kuna ni Papa about Christmas in Agno - the practise of Rita-Rita. Unfortunately, I did not pay attention to the details. Awan itti ma-istoryak kanyayo no anya itti Rita-Rita.
No adda kadi itti makalagip wenno maka-ammo with this tradition, please be kind enough to share it with me - with us.

Gemma Cruz

This is no story telling a lie - for she was, indeed, a visitor at Sabangan. I am talking of Gemma Cruz. Cross my heart - the Gemma Cruz Miss International. The sleepy town of Agno hosted Gemma Cruz in the 60s. This is a very faded picture of that event. Ms. Cruz was the tall lady with the umbrella and the ladies surrounding her must be the teachers of the Central School or the CWL ( I'm guessing with the latter choice).
I am not so sure but the lady in black with glasses might just be Lola Cristina. That is a wild guess but my gut feel is just about right.
Anya met ngata itti impakan da kanyana? Anya met ngata itti program nga insagana dagiti ubbing idiay elementary school? Nagsasala da met I bet ken nagsipagkanta da Auntie Ibos - ngem saan nga Kyrie for sure.
That was a crowning moment for Agno - a so laidback town at the tip of the Pangasinan map. There must be a reason no apay dinayo ni Gemma Cruz itti Agno. Not that I am making a bigg fuss out of it. It is just that she was an outsider looking in. Adda nakita na nga napintas idiay Agno which was worth spending her time.
It must be the Sabangan beach; it must also be the food or it must be the warm hospitality we are all famous for. If others can appreciate our town, why can't we? Are we just so used to the tapok created by the tricycles or the jeeps that pass us by? Did we fail to see beyond the dust that we missed out on the opportunities we have on hand? Food for thought.

The Pinoy Batman and Robin

The rage then, during the 60s, was the crimebuster partners of Batman and Robin. My brother, Erich (Moy) and Roncalli (Kiloy) were playmates. They were the Pinoy Ilocano version of Batman and Robin. Both boys have their toy guns and their make-believe enemies. How capable were they to create those sound effects - "pow...bangbang.." and nalaing da met nga agtulid-tulid tapno saan nga matirwan itti bala dayti paltog.
My brother, in fact, had his own costumes together with a favorite hat that he refused to take off uray naka-ang-angdod itti ulo nan. Adda pay aldaw nga dina kayat itti agsukat for he did not want to remove his outfit. Will he be like Samson whose strength did diminish the moment he had his locks trimmed?
Roncalli, on the other hand, must be the Batman character between the two of them.
Adda bassit nga pagmulaan da idiay likod itti balay iddi nga masapol nga masibugan no malem. Ag-ap-apura nga pinirmi ni Kiloy ag-ala itti danum nga pagsibug na tapno maka-ayayam da mannen.
Summer trips to Agno were fun for my little brother. Just like me and Cecil, he never ran out of playmates and toys. Tiyo Nabe was kind enough to even teach him how to "ag-irob" - iniruban. Dayti balay da kenni Tiya Mameng ket kaabay la itti balay da Tatay.

Thursday Afternoon

Let me digress from my regular "reminiscing" topic tonight and pass this story on to you. It might leave something - a thought perhaps- for you all to ponder on.
I see a lot of disabled children in the clinic. Such diagnoses of Down's Syndrome, cerebral palsy or paralysis are very common in my practise.
I saw my regular 1:00pm appointment today. A normal site - cries, slobbers, and running noses. After the session, both parents asked me if I could do them a favor - if I could bring some food stuff to the Catholic Church food pantry. I of course obliged.
I was totally floored when I saw the boxes of canned goods, cereals and noodles that they were turning over. The father is a driver for Pizza Hut. He is an Environmental Science graduate but is unable to find a job. Mother is a teacher but has to stay at home post partum. The Missouri state has given them food stamps to get by.
They have more than enough food and some of the food stamps are about ready to expire. The couple opted to spend the food stamps for food and in turn requested me to hand over these groceries to the church.
These family can just go ahead and keep the food - for these are meant for them anyway. But they opted to share the wealth around. If that was me - my initial thought would be to fill up my freezer (which is groaning with food). I would be thinking of myself and my family - when I know we have more than enough to last us.
Moral of the story - mayroon pa ring mababait na tao sa mundo. Mayroon pa ring mga tao who would think of others and not just have the world revolve around them.
I have no intention to preach nor to make you all feel I am just as good as these couple are. No - all I want to say is - at uulitin ko - mayroon pa ring mabubuting tao.
P.S. Jinky - sabihin mo kay Migi - salamat.

Meet Auntie Concesa

Auntie Concesa with Edward (middle) Marissa (right) Me (Left)
She is the youngest among the Eduardo Rosete children - that makes her my mother's youngest sister. Auntie Concesa was our ever loyal baby sitter when we were in Burgos.

She was a beauty (until now actually) in her younger days. Siguro talaga nga puli itti Rosete ti napipintas (wen sika, then chuckle like a turkey again).

She would patiently watch over the three of us - Edward, Marissa and I. I remember her more clearly when she used to live with us at Proj. 7. When she started to go to college in Manila (immay immudong naggapo Burgos) she stayed with us. Since Mama was working the nightshift, she would handily watch over the children.
There were weekends when we would have the opportunity to watch the movies at Quiapo. Ket kasanno met, ubing is ubing. Adda al-alikuteg latta nga makuna. Ay kabsat - naglaing nga mang-keddel ni Auntie. Her fine motor capabilities and dexterity of her fingers were without doubt very precise.
As I look back, I really can't blame her. The responsibilities given to her were immense. Tal-lo nga ubbing nga bantayan is definitely a chore.
She married Uncle Boy Torres who is a physician. I was on my last trimester with my older son when Papa, Mama & Jim brought me to him for examination. He was a lot nicer (okay Auntie - I got even with you).
I recently saw her in our Rosete reunion. Ma-amak ak nga luk-wen isso na baka ked-delen nak met (HomeRun Auntie).

Introducing.. .The Family

This picture was taken way back when we used to live at Proj. 7. Cecil and I were probably in our grade school days then while Erich was still playing "Batman" and not yet in school.
The fashion rage then was look-alike outfits ergo Cecil & I were wearing the same dress styles. i think the very reason here was to prevent one from "umapal" with the other. Mama used to buy our dresses at Cinderella's. Whatever dress I have, Cecil has to have one too. Unless, Uncle Tony, her godfather, would be handing her her presents - which normally happens all too frequently. My god mother was Ninang Rosie Nacino (sister of Auntie Pining) and my godfather was Ninong Pertoy Caballero.
I rarely saw them when I was growing up for they were both based in Agno. Mabalin nga nag-mano ak met kanyada maduma-duma ket napalladawan ak met itti piso (which was a fortune then).
Do notice the "hair-dids (instead of hair-do). Mama was our hairdresser. Remember awan itti kulot itti bu-ok ko for saan ak met nga immala itti Rosete, bu-ok wise. It was easy then to trim my hair for it was super straight - saan la nga makutab-kutab. Cecil's hair, on the other hand, is very Rosete - kulot. Narigrigat nga puteden ta madlaw no saan nga pare-pareho itti attid-dog ti kartib.
It was so simple then. We were asked to sit near the lawn so all hair remnants will not dirty the living room. Erich, on the other hand, was taken cared of by Papa. Uray kutab-kutab ti pukis na ket mabalbalinnen. His world just revolved around his "batman and robin days " together with the other kiddos ng kalye.