And the priest would say, "Oremos Pavescom."

Then somebody at my back will murmur, "Usang kumkom nak ruyom..."

(I don’t know if this guy at my back had to say this just for the rhyme or he could be asking for a little rain.)

***

During barrio fiestas, we used to attend a novena for our patron saint. There, barrio folks contribute for their turno so everybody will attend the novena. One day, my cousin was told to attend a novena. He answered, "Indi ako simba, uya tuyno"

***

On the fiesta day itself, there is the takusan. Takusan is the share of food proportional to one’s contribution. Oftentimes when a relative is assigned to the kitchen, there is nepotism involved. Because of this, one person in disgust commented, "Kayne con cayne, singapoy con singapoy!" (Karne kung karne, singapor kung singapor!).

***

On the last day of mourning prayer for the dead, couples attend the parasay. During the litany, most of the wives will do the prayer while their husbands stay in the kitchen, drinking and eating.

When the litany says, "'Orapronobes."

Those in the kitchen will murmur, "Orimukmok".

***

During my high school days in Banton, I had a classmate who came from Manila. During mass when the priest says, "Manalangin tayo."

Then my classmate will murmur, "Sige, sinong tinakot mo..."'

***

Years ago when I ask my uncle why do we call the fish trap bobo, he answered, "Pauno'y puro bobo nak isra ka nasuyor. Man-o nganing masuyor, daok ra igliwas."

***

On the way to Togbongan for a bonit , I asked Tang Yando if there are still fish somewhere in Toctocon. Then he answered me, "Sa libro ngani'y karamo, sa ragat pa ara?"

***

Sometimes some fishermen coming from nearby island towns/provinces, they sell their catch in the town. When somebody asks that the fish is not anymore fresh, (yago') as seen from its reddish eyes, the vendor answers, "Ikaw nga ang lumangoy mula Mindoro hanggang dito, sigurado mamumula rin ang mata mo!"

During rainy days in Banton, almost every household is busy making hulip with their roofings. But there was a time when this very old couple was not able to make hulip and heavy rain poured, the old fellow said to his wife, "Asi, liwas yangey kita, kada dili sa sakop, pagkakusog ra ka tuyo." (I don't want to mention their names. Narurumroman rabuno guihapon miskan buko sa rasay.)

Then again, one of his neighbors once said to me, "Mas maado pang maramo ka imo utang, kesa tuyo ka imo atop." I asked him why and he answered, "Tung imo ing-utangan, indi magpamukaw sa gab-i. Pero pag-umuyan it gab-i siguradong mabati ka."

***

Naglalako: Dante F. Fadriquela