A birthday in the dark
January 7, 2004 | 12:00am
"Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell
" The lights went out. It was the third brownout that night, the eve of the New Year and we were praying the Holy Rosary, a tradition weve been doing for many years. Our belief is that we celebrate Gods goodness at the end of the year and as we begin a new one. Despite the darkness, we continued to pray even for Batelec the electric company that supplies power to Lipa City and other parts of Batangas including our small barrio of Calamias.
This is not the first time Batelec has darkened our New Years eve. At the turn of the century in 2000, this also happened. And I decided to brush this awful memory off the cobwebs of my mind. But this time in the middle of the Holy Rosary I was so tempted to say that may Batelec burn in the fires of hell for the despicable brownout.
But outside, stars twinkled it was a lovely night. The dama de noche smelled heavenly. The moon smiled and the flowers in the garden giggled. We lit candles and torches around our home and it was magical. Outside, Bong, Vic and Lanie started our fireworks display. Nanay and I were busy with our ritual in front of my favorite Sto. Niño. We opened our doors, windows, cabinets brought coins inside the house, spread paper bills on the floor and chairs and we rolled over them.
We blew our horns, prayed, laughed, jumped in joy to welcome the New Year. Nanay was praying aloud thanking God for the excellent health and love He has showered our family. I thought I also heard her say that God help her in the coming elections. Niño smiled.
It was a lovely evening and we barely noticed that Batelec has tried again to dampen our celebration. Like evil in biblical stories, it did not triumph. Nobody even noticed.
I do not understand why Batelec would be so heartless, inconsiderate, even cruel and apathetic to a small barrio like ours. A brownout on New Years eve, the second time around! Why? Only Batelec and Belshebob know.
At 10 minutes to 1 a.m., lights came back. I didnt bear anyone in our household jump in joy. We were fine with the lights coming from the moon and the stars, from the candles and torches.
Thank God for the endurance and patience and the creativity to have fun in darkness.
Batelec surely knows the way to hell, I hope it goes straight there where it belongs.
Nanay was in high spirits dancing the Otso-Otso with Jake, her threeyear-old apo. That night Batelec decided to cut our lights, Nanay turned 75. Not even the cruelty of Batelec stopped her from celebrating her 75 wonderful years in this world.
It was an exciting evening. The thought of suing Batelec for cruelty to a 75-year-old woman celebrating her birthday was completely tempting.
Let me consult my lawyer!
Marvin Agustin is glowing with happiness. He reveals that things are going fine with him and Adelle, official candidate of Singapore in the Miss Earth pageant held in the country last year. He also says his father may be paroled anytime soon. He is also feeling good nowadays because his latest movie, Malikmata, Canary Films entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival, is still doing good at the tills.
"I am very happy Malikmata continues to do well in theaters," he says.
In Malikmata, directed by Joey Reyes, Marvin plays Patrick, a murder victims stepson. "Its really a dream to work with Joey Reyes. I love his movies."
Though Marvin is considered one of the best actors of his generation, he says he still had a hard time playing his role in Malikmata. "It was not easy because I had to express two different emotions most of the time. Im lucky to have been handled by a brilliant director."
Marvin guarantees the movie will scare viewers out of their wits. "Kung ako nga natakot kahit kasama ako sa movie."
Ask him what scares him the most losing his lovelife, his money or good looks, and he answers, "Naku, lovelife na lang. At one point or another, youll lose money and your looks will fade away but I hope love will stay with me forever."
Baby-faced Camille Prats has a new baby: RDL Skin Whitening Lotion. The cosmetics company recently tapped her to be its pitchperson a role she readily accepted. "Their products are good, very affordable and effective," she says. Camille stars in a new commercial for the product and numerous billboards will be displayed all over the countrys major thoroughfares.
Meanwhile, Camille denies rumors that she and best friend Angelica Panganiban arent seeing eye-to-eye because of Carlo Aquino. "Thats not true," she says. "We and Angelica are friends. I cant do that. And regarding the issue that shes badmouthing me, I dont believe that. Angelica is nice, and incapable of doing that to me."
Besides, Camille coyly reveals shes very happy with her lovelife. Ask her about the real score between her and rumored boyfriend, model Francis Ricafort (Francis even sported an airbrushed shirt during Camilles debut saying, "Sorry guys, but the debutante is taken!"), she just smiles and says, "Basta Im happy!"
This is not the first time Batelec has darkened our New Years eve. At the turn of the century in 2000, this also happened. And I decided to brush this awful memory off the cobwebs of my mind. But this time in the middle of the Holy Rosary I was so tempted to say that may Batelec burn in the fires of hell for the despicable brownout.
But outside, stars twinkled it was a lovely night. The dama de noche smelled heavenly. The moon smiled and the flowers in the garden giggled. We lit candles and torches around our home and it was magical. Outside, Bong, Vic and Lanie started our fireworks display. Nanay and I were busy with our ritual in front of my favorite Sto. Niño. We opened our doors, windows, cabinets brought coins inside the house, spread paper bills on the floor and chairs and we rolled over them.
We blew our horns, prayed, laughed, jumped in joy to welcome the New Year. Nanay was praying aloud thanking God for the excellent health and love He has showered our family. I thought I also heard her say that God help her in the coming elections. Niño smiled.
It was a lovely evening and we barely noticed that Batelec has tried again to dampen our celebration. Like evil in biblical stories, it did not triumph. Nobody even noticed.
I do not understand why Batelec would be so heartless, inconsiderate, even cruel and apathetic to a small barrio like ours. A brownout on New Years eve, the second time around! Why? Only Batelec and Belshebob know.
At 10 minutes to 1 a.m., lights came back. I didnt bear anyone in our household jump in joy. We were fine with the lights coming from the moon and the stars, from the candles and torches.
Thank God for the endurance and patience and the creativity to have fun in darkness.
Batelec surely knows the way to hell, I hope it goes straight there where it belongs.
Nanay was in high spirits dancing the Otso-Otso with Jake, her threeyear-old apo. That night Batelec decided to cut our lights, Nanay turned 75. Not even the cruelty of Batelec stopped her from celebrating her 75 wonderful years in this world.
It was an exciting evening. The thought of suing Batelec for cruelty to a 75-year-old woman celebrating her birthday was completely tempting.
Let me consult my lawyer!
"I am very happy Malikmata continues to do well in theaters," he says.
In Malikmata, directed by Joey Reyes, Marvin plays Patrick, a murder victims stepson. "Its really a dream to work with Joey Reyes. I love his movies."
Though Marvin is considered one of the best actors of his generation, he says he still had a hard time playing his role in Malikmata. "It was not easy because I had to express two different emotions most of the time. Im lucky to have been handled by a brilliant director."
Marvin guarantees the movie will scare viewers out of their wits. "Kung ako nga natakot kahit kasama ako sa movie."
Ask him what scares him the most losing his lovelife, his money or good looks, and he answers, "Naku, lovelife na lang. At one point or another, youll lose money and your looks will fade away but I hope love will stay with me forever."
Meanwhile, Camille denies rumors that she and best friend Angelica Panganiban arent seeing eye-to-eye because of Carlo Aquino. "Thats not true," she says. "We and Angelica are friends. I cant do that. And regarding the issue that shes badmouthing me, I dont believe that. Angelica is nice, and incapable of doing that to me."
Besides, Camille coyly reveals shes very happy with her lovelife. Ask her about the real score between her and rumored boyfriend, model Francis Ricafort (Francis even sported an airbrushed shirt during Camilles debut saying, "Sorry guys, but the debutante is taken!"), she just smiles and says, "Basta Im happy!"
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