Chapter XLII: Naitawid Kuma (Supposed to be Inherited), Part 1
The fireworks of the New Year still echo faintly in the distance, and the smoke from last night's celebration lingers in the streets of Pardas and Hermosa like the scent of joy that refuses to leave. It's 2016 now—another year, another cycle of life, but this time, something feels more peaceful, more complete.
Ben, Meric, and Mark sit together at the dining table, finishing what's left of their carbonara, graham cake, and queso de bola. The flicker of the fluorescent bulb above them dances slightly, and Mark laughs softly. "Mommy, Daddy, do you think Mamang's watching us now?"
Meric smiles, touching the small photo frame of Mercy displayed near the altar. "She always does, Balong. Maybe she even made sure our New Year's fireworks didn't fail this time."
Ben chuckles. "Or maybe she just scared the neighbor's dogs again."
Mark bursts into laughter. "That explains the howling last night!"
Their laughter fills the room, a sound that feels like healing—like Mercy herself is joining them in spirit.
Days pass, and January 12 arrives—a significant day in the parish of Guardino. The town buzzes with excitement. The Guardino Parish Church is adorned with flowers, gold banners, and Marian flags waving gently in the afternoon wind. The 60th Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of Charity is about to begin, and devotees from all corners of Luzon are here — carrying different Marian images: Ina Poonbato, Our Lady of Piat, and Our Lady of Manaoag among them.
They hop onto their tricycle and head toward the church, where thousands have already gathered. Banners flutter in the breeze—blue, gold, and white—while Marian devotees wave handkerchiefs as the processional images arrive.
Meric and Mark arrive on foot, walking side by side under a hot sun. Meric carries a small umbrella while Mark balances the camera bag.
"Mommy," Mark says, panting. "You sure this starts at four? We could've just come at three-thirty. We're like... roasted peanuts now."
Meric laughs. "Patience, Balong. If Mamang would still be here, she'd tell you—"
"'Punctuality is respect,'" Mark finishes, mimicking Mercy's soft but firm tone.
They both laugh as the church bells ring at the Guardino Bell tower that sits on a majestic hill, built in 1591, the oldest watchtower in the Philippines. The bells echoing across the mountainous town. Inside, hundreds of people fill the pews. Some kneel, others raise their rosaries.
The image of Our Lady of Charity, dressed in blue and gold, stands majestically at the altar, surrounded by candles and flowers. The bishop begins the ceremony with solemn grace.
Mark gazes up at the altar, watching the flickering lights, and whispers, "Mommy... this is beautiful."
Meric nods, her voice trembling. "If only Mamang could see this... she'd be so happy."
The choir starts singing Kenka Apo Caridad, and the entire church feels wrapped in reverence.
"Apo Caridad, Taklinan,
Il-ilim a Ka-Ilokoan,
Kiibinen nakam a mangipan,
Ken Jesus, Mangisalakan."
Tears quietly slide down Meric's cheeks. She wipes them away quickly, pretending it's just the heat. But Mark notices.
Statues of the Blessed Virgin from different parts of Luzon are displayed in splendor. There's Ina Poonbato carried on bamboo poles by men in traditional attire, Our Lady of Piat surrounded by Cagayanons singing hymns, and Our Lady of Manaoag bathed in the afternoon sun, her golden mantle gleaming.
Meric stares at the altar, eyes moist. "Mark... Mamang would've loved this."
Mark nods silently. "Yeah... I bet she's smiling from Heaven."
Ben places his arm around them both. "Let's pray she's happy seeing us here."
As the choir sings the Marian hymns, Meric closes her eyes and whispers, "We're all here, Mamang. You'd be proud. The Lady you loved the most is being honored again."
Weeks roll by, and February arrives. The gentle breeze carries the scent of kalachuchi flowers blooming along the roads. Inside their home, a small cake sits on the table, a banner reading "Happy Birthday, Mark!" hanging slightly crooked on the wall.
Ben is tying a blue balloon to a chair while Meric arranges candles. "You think this is enough?" she asks.
Ben smiles. "It's perfect. Simple, but full of love."
Mark comes out wearing a polo shirt. "Are we still going to Hermosa Cathedral?"
"Of course, Balong," Meric says, pinning a small scapular on his chest. "We'll start your birthday with a thanksgiving mass."
As the family prepares in the living room, something odd happens—the light bulb flickers once, twice... then goes completely out.
They all stop. Silence fills the room.
Then, after three seconds, the light flickers back on, steady and bright.
Ben looks up, puzzled. "That's weird... we just changed the bulb last week."
Mark, eyes wide, whispers, "Mommy... maybe it's Mamang."
Meric smiles faintly. "Maybe she's greeting you, Balong. 'Happy birthday,' from Heaven."
Ben chuckles. "Or reminding us to pay the electric bill."
They laugh, breaking the eerie stillness. But deep inside, they all know it's not just coincidence.
Outside, the morning sun glows soft and golden. The driver drives the tricycle to Hermosa Cathedral while Meric holds Mark carefully. Inside their living room, unseen by human eyes, Mercy's spirit sits quietly on the sofa—her gentle smile beaming as she watches them leave. Her presence radiates warmth, her translucent form shimmering in the soft light. She clasps her hands, whispering, "You're all complete now... that's all I ever wanted."
Days pass, and a bus drives through the national highway leading to the province. Inside is Lucio, Mercy's elder brother, finally returning from abroad after years of working overseas.
"Para po!", he tells the driver.
(Para po means 'this is my stop, stop the bus')
He's older now, with streaks of gray in his hair and deep lines on his face. "Ah... Philippines," he murmurs, breathing in the warm air as the countryside rolls past.
A while ago, before all of that, he calls Maxi and tells him that he is coming back home. Maxi is joyed with this.
Days later, Lucio lands in NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) in NCR (National Capital Region), and heads directly to Cavite, where his daughter Gina is residing. As Lucio arrives there, Gina is overjoyed with his father who is now back.
Maxi on the other hand, goes to Cavite to see Lucio. Upon opening the door, Lucio greets Maxi with open arms.
"Kuya! It's been ages!" Maxi exclaims, hugging him tightly.
Maxi laughs, slapping his brother's back. "You got a bit fatter, ah!"
"Better fed than lonely!" Lucio jokes. "Come in, I cooked adobo."
The two spend the afternoon reminiscing, talking about their other siblings, their parents—their entire lineage, like opening a scrapbook of memories and a recap of the latest updates when he was in abroad.
After a few days, Lucio goes north to Brgy. Banggai, Guardino. The road curves through rice paddies and hilly terrain until he sees the old ancestral house—its wooden panels faded, its once-grand staircase now cracked.
The bus stops, he steps out of the bus, and stands there for a long moment. The wind blows gently, carrying the faint scent of the sea nearby.
"So... this is what's left, huh?" Lucio mutters. "Still standing, though. Just like the family."
He pushes open the creaking gate and walks inside. Dust swirls in the air. Spiderwebs glisten in the afternoon light.
"Hello?" he calls softly.
From the inner corridor, Junior emerges, carrying a small pail of paint. "Oh! Lucio! You're here!"
Lucio smiles. "Junior! Look at you. I almost didn't recognize you."
"I was just heading out to town," Junior says. "Umian ka ditoy? (You staying here?)"
"Yeah. I'll be cleaning up a bit," Lucio answers.
Junior nods, a bit uneasy, and excuses himself. Once outside, Lucio puts his bags down at the worn-out sofa, and rests there.
After some days, he goes to Caluipat to visit Meric and the family.
He requests a relative to drive a tricycle going there. With a sack of rice, he goes to Caluipat.
Once arriving there, the tricycle parks at near the house, and Lucio gets off. Ben is out for work, while Mark is at school. Only Meric is left at the house, managing the store.
Seeing Lucio getting off the tricycle with a sack of rice, she is surprised to see him.
"Niya Uncle, addaka met? (Uncle, what brings you here?)", Meric says.
"Umay ko man ited diay pinakabagi ni Mamang mo, (I've come here to give Mercy's part of the inheritance,)" he says warmly.
It's for the first time that on Mercy's part, they are receiving a part of the inheritance, and as Lucio gives the sack of rice, it's like a clear day in the province. Not once did Mercy's family received rice, especially when it comes to some relatives in Banggai.
Lucio with the sack of rice, goes inside the house. Meric and him chat following what has been happening, especially the lots in Guardino.
Lucio is saddened with Mercy's passing, yet proud of her.
He expresses, "Bagta napaadal nakay' amin ni Mercy. (Glad Mercy had all three of you finished your studies.) While me, not all of my children have finished their studies."
Despite having a large salary in abroad back then, the use of Lucio's money was a big gamble, especially in the hands of his wife. Almost all of his treasures were lost.
"You know, I have a great plan for the house in Banggai. How about, restoring it, bringing it back to its old majestic grandeur like when Nanang and Papang were still alive. There are many damages in it: falling wood planks, leaky toilets and shower heads, and broken Capiz shell windows. The house is a total wreck, especially the damage it took when the Dominion Bus slammed into Nanang's room. It was fixed, but still looked ugly."
He continues, "It can also be used by our relatives from other places such as from Central and South Luzon. However, I will immediately start soon on its restoration."
As their talk is finish, Lucio goes outside.
"I hope that I'll see Ben one day.", he tells him.
Lucio then goes hop into the tricycle and heads back to Banggai.
In actuality, Ben and Lucio hasn't seen each other personally, but both spoke to each other via phone, when Ben was still in abroad.
Back in Banggai, sticking to his words, and to revitalize the memories and heritage that would be passed on to the next generation, Lucio starts the renovation of the house. He starts with the comfort rooms, fixing the shower heads, pipelines, and the toilets.
Lucio's vision in preserving the heritage is starting, but someone isn't pleased with it.
Junior doesn't like the idea of it, and wants to claim the house as his own inheritance.
"Rogie, addan sa balak ni Lucio ken daytoy balay. (Rogie, I think Lucio is planning something for this house).", he tells Rogie.
His brother Rogie, lounging nearby, looks up. "Wait—what's this about a museum?"
"They're turning the ancestral house into a display! That means it's no longer ours!"
Rogie frowns. "They can't do that without all our signatures. No way."
Junior slams the table. "Lucio's trying to take everything. First the land, now the house."
Rogie grins bitterly. "Then we'll make sure that doesn't happen."
Both of them keep silent for the moment since Lucio is in charge.