I remember that Easter in Tatay's hometown started way before Sunday. There was a vigil from Good Friday and this culminated in a Mass late Saturday night. There was also an early morning Easter Vigil Mass on Sunday. Early meant around 3 AM and this was attended by farmers who came from all over the town for this event. They brought with them 'binhi' or seeds for the next planting, particularly of rice. I know of this because I had two aunts, the elder sisters of my father, who went to these Masses in the early morning and who brought with them the binhi or seeds to be planted in their small plot outside of the town proper. Tatay's lifelong friend and kumpare Tay Domeng and his family also always attended that Mass and stayed at our home to have breakfast and exchange stories before returning to their home in the 'uma', which I think is the equivalent of inaka in Japanese.
For some reason, I recall that it always rained or at least drizzled that night or early morning. It was probably a sign that there will be a good harvest from the seeds brought to be blessed that morning. Too bad sometimes for the 'salubong' or 'dampog' as they called it in Kiniray-a. This was the ceremony recalling the meeting of the resurrected Christ and His grieving Mother. The image of the grieving Mother Mary (Dolorosa) had a veil removed by a child dressed as an angel who announces that Christ has risen. I think I only woke up a couple times for this and the following first Easter Mass. That was mainly for the experience of it aside from me not having an option not to go with relatives for this event. Tatay always went to the second Easter Mass when he also met up with old friends and other relatives who probably didn't know he was there.
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Last night, we received news of the passing of a first cousin. Manong Pecoy died of cardiac arrest last night, the second one he suffered in the last week. He was hospitalized for a week before his demise. Francisco Manopla y Regidor was blessed with a long life and just turned 90 early this April. He was a cousin though he was older than Tatay. Tatay being the youngest among siblings had sisters and brothers who were much older than him. As they say, matanda kami sa dugo (our blood is older), which explains why many of my cousins from my father's side are senior citizens and I have grandchildren as old as my youngest brother. Our nephew was saying that just before he passed away, Manong was in high spirits and even joked that he wanted to have a bottle of Red Horse (beer). He was a simple man who worked hard and helped his sister finish school. He shared many experiences with Tatay who likes to relate how difficult life was and the sacrifices they made in order to have an education.
I thought it was apt that he passed away during Easter. He was not the religious type but he definitely lived a life that is more Christian than others would pretend theirs to be. Paalam Manong Pecoy. You lived a blessed and exemplary life more than how you probably saw it. May you now rest and rest eternally with our Creator.
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