the traitor

The Art of Alay-Lakad

Holy Week is a period that commemorates Jesus Christ’s Passion and Death. And every Holy Week that passes each year signifies a need to purify the soul. This spiritual need is often met by the accomplishment of one or more practices common in these sacred times:

The Pasyon. A musical narration of Christ’s journey to Golgotha where he was crucified, the melodic patterns of which I’ve never been able to discern. This is where the deviant mind of the younger generation made an attempt to integrate RnB music for it to fit the modern times, but to no avail. The older folks prefer classic rock. 

Fasting and reflection. For most, basically this means self-deprivation during the Holy Week—and binging before and afterwards.

Caridad. A Spanish word for charity. This is a deliberate attempt to provide food to friends and neighbors whose existence you have no idea of, those who would only surface when they hear the word “free.”

The Penitensya. This is where masochism is publicly legal. The penitents’ only fear here is a spray of isoprophyl/ethyl alcohol into the air.

But of these few traditions during the last part of the Lent, the public participate in the most is the Alay-Lakad, an apparent display of thrift. Like most activities, alay-lakad requires careful preparation for one to experience its full effect.

The first part includes planning. This refers to the basic questions such as where to go (Novaliches, Antipolo, Montalban, etc.), who and what to bring, and when you should start walking. The destination varies depending on one’s current location. The basic computation is about twenty to thirty kilometres from the agreed upon starting point. Anywhere closer lessens the real purpose of the activity, whereas farther than what has been indicated above greatly reduces one’s fascination. With that distance, keep in mind that you’ll be hiking for hours. Therefore, it would be advisable to start your voyage at about eight to ten in the evening.

After determining the location, you’re going to have to be more specific of who you want to suffer with you. This part of the preparation may prompt you to consider certain relational factors that would influence your literal journey to spiritual salvation, be it love, friendship, or both. Friends provide company and a special someone provides inspiration (but some find motivation externally). However, it may be less tedious, and practical, to arrange the inclusion of generous people in your party. Keep in mind, your wallet does not have to suffer with you.

Next, gather the necessary supplies and equipment that will ensure the success of your journey. First in the list should be water, beverage, or an energy drink to replenish the fluids you will surely lose while trying to impress the opposite sex by not showing any evidence of exhaustion. Food is optional mainly because it adds weight. A mobile phone is necessary. Communication is vital for your safety, and in addition, your attention span. You may have to bring a mat, or any material that you may sit, eat/drink and play tong-its on. Do not bring musical instruments. Because by the last section of the alay-lakad, you will not be able to sing about anything but regret. Money is the compact form of your basic needs, so you should bring more than enough for yourself, without the other’s knowledge. Later you’ll find out why. Essentially, think of bringing the things you need, tell it to the group, and carry only the things that you want to bring. The remainder of the group will provide the rest, at times after a few negotiations.

Now that you are prepared, or finished letting everyone prepare what you need, proceed to your starting point. Now you may start the walk itself. This is the part where you’re going to be most active and bothersome in a regular time interval. As in a walkathon, avoid exerting much effort in the early stage of your expedition. You’re going to require the vigor to last the later part. Try to find inspiration around you, from the attractive group of young members of the opposite sex before, beside, and behind you; and you’ll gain patience and humility and bring joy around you when you fall into a road canal because of not paying attention to the path you’re walking on.

You are now arriving at your objective after several hours of walking and convincing yourself that you made the right decision of joining this very long hike. The house of God is in sight, barely visible amidst the wave of weary travelers that share your fate. You are now fifteen meters away from your destination. That is when, because of the vast number of people, you and your party will realize that that’s as near as you can get.

In a few hours the sun will rise and the volume of the voyagers will gradually wane. So with the last of your remaining strength, crawl to the nearest talipapa or souvenir shop and bring out the money that no one knew you brought. You may buy the items that you fancy, provided that the money you brought will suffice for your shopping spree and will still be sufficient for the fare for your trek back home. You and your group may still spend the early morning in a convenience store, and reflect on how gorgeous the opposite sex are nowadays and argue as to who got the greatest number of names and mobile phone numbers.

In whole, how we spend the Holy week conforms to our values as an individual and as a member of our parents’ religion, whether we partake in such practices or spend the Week in solitude. However, whatever motives we may have in participating in this practice, we must not forget that the real purpose of this expedition is the observance of our Messiah’s hardships and sacrifice. After this, you may again live your life violating one or more of God’s Commandments for the rest of the year.

Wait, should I be talking about religion?

The Act

Four
o’clock in the afternoon. On a pale azure sky, the afternoon sun hid behind
gray clouds that resemble vehicular fumes. For the most part of the day
scorching sun countered all hopes of rain on this first Saturday of March. The
brave minority attacked the searing heat outdoors with nary a thought of
accumulating skin diseases because of the high temperature, while the
mainstream preferred to be cooked in oven-like dwellings with little or no
ventilation. A good number of people may find it ironic that most of the inhabitants
of this tropical country never really liked the heated outdoors.

A
lone PUV halts to a stop as I cross Sumulong Highway, away from Roosevelt College,
concluding the several hours I spent in school. I stepped into the back of the
briefly stagnant jeepney and sat. I played with certain analogies to pass the
time, and became a part of a moving presentation.

The
cramped theater’s aged interior matched its wearied manipulator, worn out from
long years of providing for a family’s ever-expanding needs. The synthetic
leather-covered seats enabled rest, but offered no real comfort. I glanced at
the lone illumination, hoping that that light it emits would suffice to give
the vehicle’s passengers peace of mind. The open windows supplied ventilation
and a limited view of the outside, and framed a group of girls as they approach
my mobile stage. And as the cast poured in, the main actress sat beside me.

It
was another scene of unspoken dialogues and unperformed actions. Where the time
that passed by resembled the blurred images from outside. My part involved
handing fares and changes to and from the passengers, a link to the only
instance when the driver and the passengers actually communicate.

Though
our destinations vary, most of the passengers came from the school I just left,
and were, hopefully, familiar to me. So I tried to alleviate the moment by
attempting to put someone’s change in my pocket. The stunning girl beside me
reacted. I smiled as I looked at her and handed her change. The brief instance
that I was able to see her smile made my day.

The
performance neared its ending. The moving figures in the frames that border the
stage gradually became distinct. The cast and crew packed up. The supporting
cast got off first and the actresses followed. Almost everyone oblivious of the
parts they played in other people’s existence. I almost frowned. The ride was
another monotonous act.

I
descended the vehicle’s steps and savored the sensation of independence brought
about by open space. But reality started to set in.

I
walked fast and never looked back.

+
life is a journey where movement is the only constant. each passing year adds layers to the ever-growing awareness that we call memories.

what classifies the good and the bad?

none.

existences of various shades come. most stay, and some go away, leaving uncertainty of their return. but life’s definition relies not on what or who are among us, neither on the occurrences that challenge our sanity. but by how we react to the alterations that surround us.

-
questions, of which responses define one’s own personality constantly pervade, grow both in frequency and intensity with each passing moment of physical dormancy.

the dark glow of the black cross delineates answers. realism had never been so painfully honest: love impales.

act. do not think.

be reminded of who and what you are:

apathy.