I didnt want to blog about the Princess of the Stars because 1) other blogs do this sort of thing better than I do, and 2) my brother-in-law might have been on that boat and I guess I didnt want to jinx his survival. Then my wife sent an SMS from Masbate yesterday and she confirmed that her brother was indeed on that boat and is still missing. I hope she's wrong. I hope he never went on board. You can never really tell with my brother-in-law. He's, shall we say, erratic. He'll tell you he'll do one thing, assure you in fact, then turns around and does something else.
I havent seen him for years. The last time was over 10 years ago when he dropped by the house and asked if he could stay for a few days until he could get back on his feet, and I said sure, and had him do stuff around the house, which he was glad to do. Not heavy stuff; just the usual: go to the palengke, cook, stiff like that. It was fun having a regular drinking buddy on the weekends too. He offered to paint the bedroom. I said he didnt have to do that, but he insisted, so I said ok. He did a decent job, and left the next day. I found out later that he took a gun I kept on top of the aparador with him. (It wasnt loaded, so relax, Gunless Society freaks.) We didnt hear from him for years at a time: he's back in Masbate, he's in Cebu, he's in Davao. There were even rumors that he was dead, but a letter would appear and it would be from him. He couldnt come back to the house probably because he was too embarrassed, but I wouldve welcomed him I think, but he kept in touch with my wife. I didnt mind not hearing from him. In fact the less I heard from him the better.
And now...
I havent seen him for years. The last time was over 10 years ago when he dropped by the house and asked if he could stay for a few days until he could get back on his feet, and I said sure, and had him do stuff around the house, which he was glad to do. Not heavy stuff; just the usual: go to the palengke, cook, stiff like that. It was fun having a regular drinking buddy on the weekends too. He offered to paint the bedroom. I said he didnt have to do that, but he insisted, so I said ok. He did a decent job, and left the next day. I found out later that he took a gun I kept on top of the aparador with him. (It wasnt loaded, so relax, Gunless Society freaks.) We didnt hear from him for years at a time: he's back in Masbate, he's in Cebu, he's in Davao. There were even rumors that he was dead, but a letter would appear and it would be from him. He couldnt come back to the house probably because he was too embarrassed, but I wouldve welcomed him I think, but he kept in touch with my wife. I didnt mind not hearing from him. In fact the less I heard from him the better.
And now...
5 comments:
The tragedy really has a different effect once you know someone among the victims. I guess all you can do right now other than pray, is to go through the process of grief (instead of suppressing it).
My brother-in-law is the 'masamang damo' type. He's the type you can't rely on for anything but someone you'd want watching your back in a fight or when things get rough.
If he was on that boat I won't be surprised if his name doesnt appear in the manifests. He's the type who can get around the country without paying for tickets. I dont know how he does it, but he's a charismatic, charming sort of chap. Just like his mom. But that's another story.
actually, not to be indecent here, but the thing that struck me most is that you kept a gun.
Which begs the question: did he ever get to use it?
Which then begs the usual torero making-light-of-the-situation zinger: maybe he shot the crew of the ship, hence no one was able to man the vessel, typhoon or not.
Yes, my fellow torero, I understand the perplexity the gun caused you. Because the Traveling Toreros dont need guns. All we need is our wits and our devastating sex appeal. Nyaahahahahaa!!
But like I said, it wasnt loaded and didnt think of getting bullets for it, although the other Torero in Texas couldve supplied me with some. In fact he wanted to get me a bazooka.
damn Texans. i ain't messing with 'em.
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