Our Second Most Memorable Wedding Anniversary

By: Pureza Ramiro Pacis

Of course, our most memorable Wedding Anniversary was our Golden, here in Chicago, fi ve years ago. What, in my memory, would run close second? It’s the marrying month again, and I remember…

2001, JUNE 16. THURSDAY. The Memo from my Director “Proceed to Bacarra, (Ilocos Norte) to assist LGU for the Presidential Visit of GMA on Monday, for the Inauguration of the newly – renovated Municipal Hall, with the support of the National Historical Commission.” I felt like a turtle thrown unto the water! My late Dad from there; a sentimental journey it would be! Four kilometers northeast of Bacarra is our inland town Vintar. Home sweet home, my heart sang. Saturday would be our Wedding Anniversary with the hubby. Hello, long weekend!

FRIDAY. Together with the Presidential Staff , we were at the Bacarra Municipio to help in their preparations for the arrival of new presidentre the printed program, guests from the Ilocos Norte Provincial and Municipal Governments, as well as other concerns. You see, prior to her being elected President, GMA was Social Welfare Secretary, so it was presumed that we at the Department at least knew her preferences.

The Chief of the Presidential Staff was very friendly, you would think we had known each other for long. With the aircon room of cousin Mayor Pacing very conducive, we got ourselves talking about anything and everything under the sun. She was saying she was impressed with Laoag City, and, yes, of course, I said, it is the Star of the North. So fascinated with the Leaning Tower of Bacarra she was wondering what tourism potential the towns going north likewise have.

I told her that Pasuquin is a fast-growing commercial seaside town along the highway; Burgos has its vintage Lighthouse; Bangui off ers from its mountain ridges (No windmills yet at that time) a commanding view of South China Sea; Pagudpud has expansive beaches of sand as fi ne as Johnson Baby Powder (Likewise, no Hannah’s and other Resorts yet either).

“You should be with the Dept of Tourism, instead of DSWD, “she complimented, and taking it in stride, I felt proud to tell her that I am from the place.

“Turning right to the east,” I continued my erstwhile bragging,” is Dumalneg, with hills like those in the “Sound of Music”-alive. But you’ve not seen anything yet until you see Adams, our last frontier. At the boundary of Apayao, travel is rough. One must negotiate endless mountains, virgin forests, rugged riverbanks and a hanging bridge, said to the longest hereabouts. Reward later though of which is great: the sight of a well-laid cultural community -clean and verdant, fresh and fragrant brought about by the ‘Baguio’ fl owers and veggies now grown in the area and from the numerous waterfalls and pristine brooks close by. So beautifully serene, you are kept wondering whether the fi rst Man who ever lived still lives there…….”

“When was the last time you were there?” she cut me short. “A month ago,” I said, “where there was a kickoff ceremony for the re- construction of the elementary school, with aid from the Japanese Government. Almost fi nished by now with all the overtime. They say that the dump trucks ferry so ill, till daybreak, from the bowels of the earth down below.”

“Same time looking for buried treasure, perhaps?”, we guessed in unison. You see, they say that Adams is not only rich in fl ora and fauna; it is likewise rich in ore …

“Treasure of Yamashita! “, someone blurted. Guff aw….

It was already almost fi ve. I was thinking of dropping by my late Dad’s old neighborhood and later to swing to Laoag Supermarket for some stuff for Lunch on our Anniversary next day.

“Mission accomplished, ready for Monday, happy weekend”, we were bidding each other. We might have spoken too soon, though. My phone rang.

Text from my RD: “ Malacanang says GMA to Adams Monday PM, for Inauguration of Elem. School Bldg. Get ride Gabu Airport, Laoag City, tomorrow (Saturday) 7 AM. Scratching my head, I was asking myself, “What have I been saying?”

SATURDAY. A rescue plane with pilot plus two other military attendants was already waiting for me. No seats. I secured my hand unto the belt hanging from the overhead bin. Being the lone passenger, for me, was ego trip per se, though on my mind was the husband and the aborted plans for our special day. Duty fi rst, I consoled myself, and basked on the crew’s eff orts to treat me with the magnifi cent aerial view of the shoreline of the country’s northernmost province.

However, as we were over Pancian, barangay of Pagudpud, where we were to turn east for our destination, there was this gust of devil wind tossing our chopper, pushing, and pulling it as though there was a magnet from somewhere. It was a tug of war of sorts between the sea and the mountains, our poor vehicle now looked like a drunken master. Then came the next wind, and the next, that we were like going on a roller coaster ride, on a rickety old car. One wrong maneuver from the pilot would surely make us land on statistics, Clutching the overhead safety belt for dear life, I must have made a hundred and three rounds of Hail Marry’s. imploring, Not yet, Lord, not one of our four kids through college yet”!” No today, Lord, it would be painful to remember!”

Praise the Lord for the voice over from the pilot: “Back to Gabu!” Eureka, Bingo Hallelujah! After thanking the crew, I hurried off the airport to the City Proper for stuff from the Supermarket to bring home to Vintar.

After our very simple anniversary Dinner with family, Hubby and I were dancing just like on the night we were wed!

SUNDAY: Off to the First Mass- to thank the Lord for my new lease on life, for the longevity of our marital bliss, a gift granted to not so many couples (Dad & Mom were married for only fi ve years), and for all the graces received by the family. After the priest’s absolution, we reiterated to each other our solemn vow: “I love you more today than yesterday, though not as much as tomorrow.”

After church, to Adams, on the DSWD vehicle, arriving there by noontime. In the afternoon, met with the municipal and barangay offi cials, as well as the women and other community groups to map out strategies for the fi rst-ever Presidential visit to their place.

MONDAY. GMA was in Adams, per schedule. Watching from the sidelines-from the time she was met at the runway, with great anticipation to her being whisked by a gaily decorated Willy’s jeep for the Parade around town; to the Plaza to meet with the Provincial and Municipal offi cials and asking them about their concerns; her being crowned with fl owers to the tune of “Padapadakam”, the Ilocano Welcome song; to the Elementary School to receive the gift from the Japanese Government; to the early Powwow, conferring again with the municipal offi cials regarding their concerns; dancing with the womenfolk their “ ‘Tadek” in gay abandon; receiving their gift of a native costume woven specially for her; and later giving profuse acknowledgement and appreciation for a day well done.

To this day, twenty years hence, I can still feel I was highly privileged to have witnessed all these up, close and personal, making me able to swear from the glint of her eyes when as she was leaving on the Presidential helicopter for Malacañang Place, that she had found the gold in Adams – in the hearts of the people.

“Not gold, but man, makes a nation great and strong.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson