10 February is the annual Town Fiesta in Chief Daddy’s hometown of Talisay, Batangas, Philippines. I’ve been following social media posts from my cousins and sharing them with my dad, which I think brings him some comfort regarding the post-volcanic-eruption state of things in Talisay.
Many communities around the Taal Volcano are still recovering from its eruption 12 January 2020, and even now, reports of 77 earthquakes overnight were enough concern for Philippine geologists to heighten the volcanic alert. In my previous post, I mentioned feeling lost, but I’ve not been in the situation my family is in now – ash and dust everywhere, some folks still wearing masks if they’ve been fortunate enough to return home. With the threat of another eruption, do you try to clean up or just wait?
Yesterday I enjoyed the first parade video that I was able to find on the Huntahang Talisay Facebook page. Once the whoop-whoop of an emergency vehicle passed, the first marching band approached, and it wasn’t until the trombones and percussion moved out of screen that I realized they were playing my most favorite kundiman, Ikaw (click to hear Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III singing in Tagalog or click the next link to hear Ikaw sung in Tagalog and English by The Lettermen). Tirso Cruz III performed it again in The Debut, starring Dante Basco (possibly best known as Rufio in Hook) and the hilarious Bernadette Balagtas. Note: If you love Jo Koy, then check out SlantEd Comedy.
Seeing posts and watching videos with Chief Daddy, I feel the pride. In the past year, I’ve been able to learn Talisay history through his eyes and experience. One never forgets from where they came, and if one is lucky, he never stops calling it Home. Like many towns in the Philippines, Talisay has a patron saint. Talisay’s is San Guillermo (Saint William of Maleval); therefore, the San Guillermo Parish is an integral part of the annual Town Fiesta.
This year’s fiesta feels like a testament of the faithful human spirit in adversity. So much work to be done, yet they honor their patron saint on his feast day. Gratitude. Faith in his protection. Beloved Talisay. Bangon Talisay!
Luceat lux vestra.
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