Love goes on under the volcano

LEGAZPI CITY — Some may call it "feeding the pigs" or "looking up the jackfruit," but by whatever name it goes, couples have no option but to renew their intimacy under the shadow of an active volcano.

As the majestic Mayon volcano simmered into its second week and with no "love tents" to provide comfort unlike during Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption 10 years ago, couples have thought up their own native alibis to re-enter the "danger zone" for some privacy at home.

At times it’s called "pagbahog nin orig (to feed the pigs)," or "paglinig nin harong (to clean the house)," even "pagtaman nin hayop (to take care of farm animals)."

During Mayon’s eruption last year the most popular was "to feed the pigs" but this year it has become "hilingon so langka (to look up the jackfruit)," according to social welfare officers assigned at Albay Central School.

Life and sex go on despite, or maybe because of, threat from either lahar or pyroclastic flows.

A medical officer told The STAR there’s "a need to address the psychosexual aspect of the evacuees to help divert daily stress and pressures in the evacuation centers."

Dr. Manuel Realuyo, medical officer III of the Provincial Public Safety and Emergency Management Office, said: "Healthy sex among married evacuees should be encouraged and if they can enjoy it often, the better."

With the imprimatur of such authorities, looking up the langka has become popular to help evacuees cope with the congestion and poor facilities inside the classrooms.

"Nagtitios man kami digdi pero igna man kaming comportableng turugan sa harong uni (Even if we are poor, we have a room where we can sleep soundly at home)," says Arlene Agao, 25, a mother of five from Barangay Matanag.

"Dai man puewede kami ni agom ta pano ki tawo buda dai man pigpalsok an ilaw (We have no privacy inside the classroom and the lights are not switched off at night)," Agao says, smiling as breastfeeds a two-year-old daughter.

She is staying with more than 10 families in the room. The cry of infants camped out with their folks and siblings on the cement floor covered with cigarette cartons and mats made from caragomoy fibers often deprives of her sleep.

Agao said Jun, 45, a farm laborer, is already waiting for her at their home. There are 385 couples staying at the Albay Central School here.

The barangay tanods can only understand too well the couples’ predicament, said Matanag barangay chairman Bienvenida Aton, 60.

Aton recalled an incident when a member of the barangay watch, on seeing the women making their way home, immediately instructed over the megaphone for the husbands to take a bath.

In another instance, the tanod advised the women to take their time because he would immediately warn them if the volcano exhibited any danger signs.