Post by Chris Ravenna on Feb 19, 2019 18:09:44 GMT -5
February 19, 2019
9:45 pm
It was a windy night, and Chris leaned on the handrails of the ship that his group was riding. He stared at the stars above the sky reflecting the sullen mood on his eyes. There could be something that bothered him. Somewhere out of the blue, Isidra appeared walking towards him.
“Andito ka pala, Chris!” (So there you are, Chris!)
Chris tilted his head towards his left and spotted Isidra placing herself beside him joining him to stargaze. She inhaled the breeze of the seas enjoying the fresh air.
“Ang ganda ng mga bituin ngayong gabi.” (The stars are beautiful tonight.)
Chris tended to agree, but he remained silent in response. Isidra noticed the sadness etched in his face.
“Bakit ka nalungkot? Hindi ka ba natuwa na babalik tayo sa Laguna?” (Why are you sad? Aren’t you glad that we can go back to Laguna?)
“Natuwa ako.” (I’m glad.)
“Sigurado ka ba? Halatado na nagsisinungaling ka.” (Are you sure? It’s pretty clear that you’re lying.)
A weak smile appeared from Chris’ face. He can’t help but laugh for making a fool of himself. He shook his head because the jokes are on him. He has no choice but to spill the beans.
“Naiisip ko ang laban namin ni Eron Hunter.” (I’ve been thinking about my match against Eron Hunter.)
“Tapos?” (And?) Isidra raised her left eyebrow.
“Hindi ko maalis sa isipan na malaki ang papel ko sa laban na ito para sa bansa. Kung manalo ako at nakuha ko ang titulo ni Eron, maaangat ko ang dangal ng Pilipinas. Pero kung hindi…” (I can’t stop thinking that I have a significant role in this match for the country. If I win and grab the title from Eron, it would bring honor to the Philippines. Otherwise…)
“Sa paligsahan, pwede ka matalo o manalo. Kung natalo ka, may magagawa ka ba?” (In a contest, you can either win or lose. What can you do about it if you lose?) Isidra interrupted.
“Ayaw ko mangyari sa kung ano nagawa ko sa Salem sa Amerika dati,” (I don’t want to happen the same thing as Salem in America,) Chris explained.
Chris referred to his loss against Nikki Vaughn in a singles match. The stipulation, made by Household Dungeon and the officials of Salem city in Utah County was that if he loses, Chris would be exiled from his hometown forever, and he did. It was tragic for Chris for America treated him as an outcast. He was afraid that it would be the same as his motherland.
“Hindi ka isang Amerikano, Chris. Tandaan mo ‘yan. Isa kang Pilipino. Kasi manalo ka o matalo, makikita ng lahat ng tao ang debosyon mo sa Inang Bayan. Hindi ba’t isang iyan sa marka ng makabayan?” (You’re not an American, Chris. Remember that you are a Filipino. Win or lose, everyone will see your devotion to your motherland. Isn’t that the mark of a patriot?)
Chris did fathom from Isidra’s words but still not convinced.
Isidra added, “Karamihan sa kababayan natin, nagiging abala sila sa mga bagay ng mga dayuhan ngayon. K-Pop, Anime, Pelikulang Aksyon mula sa Amerika… Hindi naman ito masama pero sa oras na mas tinutuon ang kanilang pansin kaysa sa ating Inang Bayan, diyan mapapansin na bininenta nila ang kanilang pagiging Pilipino para lang sa mga banyaga.” (Most of our locals, they were busy on the things that other nations have. K-Pop, Japanese Anime, American Action Films… It’s not that they were bad. But the more the locals focused on those, the more you see that they’ve sold their nationality over the luxuries of the foreign countries.)
Chris snapped and glanced at Isidra like her words were serious as she went on saying, “Buti nalang nagising ka sa katotohan, Chris. Kung hindi, mamamatay ang kultura ng ating bansa na hindi mo namamalayan. Bihira lang ang taong tulad mo, na namulat sa kalagayan natin sa ngayon.” (It is good that you know the truth. If not, our culture will soon to decline and die silently. It was rare for a guy like you to wake up from the situation going on right now.)
Chris slowly nodded realizing how lethal it can be if he wasn’t. Isidra looked at the young man’s face and smiled. “Huwag kang mag-aalala. Anak ka ng Inang Bayan, matutuwa siya sayo’ matalo ka o manalo.” (Don’t worry, you’re a son of our Motherland. She would be proud of you whether you win or lose.)
Chris brought up a smile on his face. He thanked Isidra for such encouraging words. She patted his left shoulder and left him in solitude in the night.
February 20, 2019
Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines
10:36 am
The bus moved along the road leaving Chris, Isidra, Paco (Chris’s young brother) and Lolo Tasyo in front of the road along the hill. They traveled all the way until they have reunited with their mother and Aunt Corina. Chris and Paco embraced their mother so much saying that they missed her. The group went into the house for lunch.
Hours later, as the vocalist sang Ravenna’s theme, Chris came out from the house, not as the rich or a middle-class person but a farmer boy wearing a white long-sleeved tunic and brown pants.
Halika na sa kabukiran (Come to the fields)
At ang paligid ay masdan (And look at its surroundings)
Sari-saring mga taniman (Fresh plants around)
Ang makikita sa daan (Can be seen on the way)
At ang paligid ay masdan (And look at its surroundings)
Sari-saring mga taniman (Fresh plants around)
Ang makikita sa daan (Can be seen on the way)
Chris breathed in the fresh air coming from the landscape that his motherland had to offer.
Sariwang hangin sa tabing baybayin (Fresh air by the riverside)
Parang pangarap na tanawin (Just like a view in a dream)
Bundok na kagubatan, gintong palayan (Mountain forest, golden ricefields)
Parang pangarap na tanawin (Just like a view in a dream)
Bundok na kagubatan, gintong palayan (Mountain forest, golden ricefields)
Chris rushed into the fields as the scene shifted into him jumping off into the waters of the Taal Lake with his brother Paco and Isidra. The trio acted like they were kids again enjoying the splashes the Philippine waters. It was shocking that Chris’ demeanor changed when he’s on his real hometown, from fiery and stern to child-like and joyful.
Malawak na karagatan (Vast sea)
Mga ibong nagliliparan (The birds flying)
At pagdapo'y nag-aawitan (And as they land they sing)
Mga ibong nagliliparan (The birds flying)
At pagdapo'y nag-aawitan (And as they land they sing)
Chris, while floating at the lake with two of his closest friends, stared at the wonders of the Taal Volcano living silently amongst the birds in the sky and trees on the land.
Mga punong nagtataasan (The tall trees)
Parang paraisong tingnan (Just like paradise)
Ibang paningin ang mapapansin (Different views can be seen)
Na gigising sa 'yong damdamin (That wakes up your emotions)
Malalagim ka sa 'yong nakikita (You will be surprised by what you'll see)
'Pagkat walang kasing ganda (Because the beauty can't be compared)
Parang paraisong tingnan (Just like paradise)
Ibang paningin ang mapapansin (Different views can be seen)
Na gigising sa 'yong damdamin (That wakes up your emotions)
Malalagim ka sa 'yong nakikita (You will be surprised by what you'll see)
'Pagkat walang kasing ganda (Because the beauty can't be compared)
The scene shifted from the lake to a forest. Chris sat under a tree to watch the trees sleeping below him.
LAGUNA! Nang ito ay marating ko (When I got there)
(LAGUNA!) Para bang ako ay nagbago (As if I have changed)
(LAGUNA!) Kakaibang damdamin (A different feeling
(LAGUNA!) Para bang ako ay nagbago (As if I have changed)
(LAGUNA!) Kakaibang damdamin (A different feeling
As the music faded, the smile of the young man dissipated as well. Despite the scenery shown by Mother Nature, it didn’t distract Ravenna from the only insecurity he has.
“Mahina lang ako.” (I’m just a weak person.)
Chris wrapped his face with his wrist covering his expression. It was unknown whether he cried or just plain sad. Minutes later, he went to rest sleeping under the trees.
“Anak.” (Son.)
“Tay?” (Dad?) Chris woke up from his sullen sleep, and he could not believe in his eyes. He saw his dead father in front of him accompanied by the lady who encountered him before. Chris called her as Inang Bayan. She watched Chris reunited with his father in the middle of the forest. The father held both of Ravenna’s shoulders with his firm hands and glanced into his eyes like he was a little child.
“Malaki ka na.” (You have grown up.)
Chris’ jaw dropped down at his father for the fact that he didn’t meet in his entire life. Chris only saw his face through family photos.
“Salamat sa pag-alaga mo sa nanay mo. Pakisabi sa kanya na mahal ko siya habang-buhay. Ipinagmamalaki kita, anak.” (Thank you for taking care of your mother. Tell her that I love her forever. I’m very proud of you, son.)
“Tay,” Chris whispered as his tear let it off and cried into his father’s shoulder. “Kung naging kasing-lakas ako sa iyo…” (If only I am strong as you…)
“Chris.” His father gently lifted his wet face while his tear flowed down from his watery eyes. “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang bagay na ipinamana sa akin. Nasa iyo na ang lakas ng mga ninuno natin.” (I’ll give it to you my inheritance. The strength of our ancestors is yours.)
The sun rose up from the horizon. One flash, their reunion was short-lived.
“Tay?” (Dad?) Chris woke up from his sullen sleep, and he could not believe in his eyes. He saw his dead father in front of him accompanied by the lady who encountered him before. Chris called her as Inang Bayan. She watched Chris reunited with his father in the middle of the forest. The father held both of Ravenna’s shoulders with his firm hands and glanced into his eyes like he was a little child.
“Malaki ka na.” (You have grown up.)
Chris’ jaw dropped down at his father for the fact that he didn’t meet in his entire life. Chris only saw his face through family photos.
“Salamat sa pag-alaga mo sa nanay mo. Pakisabi sa kanya na mahal ko siya habang-buhay. Ipinagmamalaki kita, anak.” (Thank you for taking care of your mother. Tell her that I love her forever. I’m very proud of you, son.)
“Tay,” Chris whispered as his tear let it off and cried into his father’s shoulder. “Kung naging kasing-lakas ako sa iyo…” (If only I am strong as you…)
“Chris.” His father gently lifted his wet face while his tear flowed down from his watery eyes. “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang bagay na ipinamana sa akin. Nasa iyo na ang lakas ng mga ninuno natin.” (I’ll give it to you my inheritance. The strength of our ancestors is yours.)
The sun rose up from the horizon. One flash, their reunion was short-lived.
Chapter 6 – The Third Vision
Memoirs of a Ravenna (working title) by Serena Eldritch
Chris woke up from his vision and saw that his father was no longer with him. He then grabbed hold on both of his knees forming himself like an embryo. He placed his face to his knees and wept.
Chris's Residence
10:45 am
Ravenna’s mother moved closer towards him holding a possession that kept to his family for generations, a machete which locals called it a bolo. It is a traditional weapon in Filipino warfare, especially in guerilla. Chris unsheathed the knife from its scabbard to peek the ancient steel from its blade.
“Manuel…” Ravenna’s mother whispered then glanced at Chris seeing the resemblance of his biological father.
“Ginamit ‘yan ng tatay mo sa giyera, noong kinalaban niya ang rebelyon sa Moro. Binalik ito sa akin nang namatay siya sa digmaan. Alam ng tatay mo na gusto na ipapamana isa sa iyong dalawa ni Paco ang bolong ito.” (Your father used it during his fight in the Moro Rebellion. It returned to me when your father died in a war. He thought that he liked to give that bolo to either of you.)
Chris nodded at it as Paco grabbed hold of it. The brothers knew their father left it as a family heirloom. However, it was bizarre for them. Their father used it the ancient weapon in modern warfare.
“Chris ‘Ravenna’ Santiago, ikaw ang nakatatanda at nasa tamang edad. Ipinamana na sa iyo ang botong ito. Paco Santiago, ikaw ang papalit sa kanya pagwala na ang kuya mo. Tandaan mo na ginamit ng iyong tatay ang bolo upang pangalagaan ang kasaysayan ng ninuno natin.” (Chris ‘Ravenna’ Santiago, you are older and at the right age. You will inherit this bolo. Paco Santiago, you will take his place when you’re brother is gone. Remember that your father used it to preserve our generation’s history.)
“Opo, inay!” (Yes, mother!) Chris and Paco responded.
“Chris, ipakita mo sa iyong kalaban ang lakas ng isang Santiago.” (Chris, show your opponent the true strength of a Santiago.) The mother gave the older son a final instruction.
“Opo, inay.” Chris answered.
The mother wrapped both of them into her loving arms and whispered both on their ears. “Mahal ko kayo dalawa, ipinagmamalaki din ko kayo.” (I love you both, I’m very proud of you.)
Chris echoed the words from mother like father told the same things before. The brothers smiled at their mother, kissed on her cheek and said their goodbyes. They went on their way to Mango Dome in Manila, Philippines.
Chris knew that the family heirloom was useless in practice for his upcoming match. However, it did gave him one thing, confidence. That bolo was a reminder that the strength of his ancestors including his dead father will be with him always.
As he obtained the bolo, his demeanor changed back from a child-like persona to a stern and focused fighter.
Eron Hunter will witness the power of Ravenna’s homeland.
The strength of Chris’ father.
The strength of his ancestors.
The gift of Laguna.
The gift of his motherland.
Translation from the lyrics:
lyricstranslate.com/en/laguna-laguna.html
