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OPINIONS
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(October
6– October 12, 2008) The
Bard of Blaise Jopo Guerrero Tale of tales Once
upon a time, five young tales were
discussing what they want to be when they grow up. Harry, the youngest
of them, jumped into the center and waved a wand. “Expelliarmus!”
he screamed. “I will become a story of the greatest and the most powerful
wizard of all times—the protector of both human and magical worlds against
the dark arts.” “Weakling!” Romeo, the suave
tale, combed his hair for the jillionth time
as he gently snickered at Harry and Clark. “Oh, you are both
hopeless!” he said. “What can those horrific screams and bloody creams offer
to men?” “If you ask me,”
Romeo flashed a smile, “I will be the home of teenage romance that will defy
all generation gaps and family feuds. My sheets will sweeten even the most
star-crossed affairs.” Aris, the bespectacled tale, groaned aloud. “You make me
puke! You are all childish—and that’s to the superlative degree!” “Only worthy
philosophies, yes, only the great wisdoms will taste my pages,” Aris declared. “I will be the cradle of true knowledge
and ideals—and not those drivels that you ignorantly desire. “ “What!!!” Harry,
Clark and Romeo chorused as they poised to hit Aris. “Wait, wait, wait!” Aris threw his hands up.
“I’m only speaking my mind. Instead of satisfying violence, let’s just listen
to Manny!... Hey, Manny!...
What story do you want to be when you grow up?” Manny, a tightlipped
tale, merely shrugged and smiled. “Is it about magic?”
asked Harry. “No,” Manny
answered. “Is it about
superpowers?” “No,” Manny smiled. “Is it about hugs
and kisses in the balcony?” Romeo whispered. “No,” Manny almost
laughed. “Ah! I knew I have a
comrade in you, Manny!” Aris cried in delight. “You
also wish to become the foundation of the city-state!” “No,” Manny politely
answered. “Then what will your
story be?” the other tales roared in unison. Manny fidgeted.
“Nothing. My story will be about nothing.” His fellow tales
raised their brows in confusion. They searched the face of Manny for traces
of indifference, indecision or even insanity.
“I hate to admit it,
but we can’t understand you, Manny,” Aris finally
said. “Please give us more details, my friend.” Manny sighed. “Uhm….Well, I believe that the world is now falling.
Falling because all beings are getting heavier and heavier everyday. We are
getting heavier due to our countless powers, gifts, strengths, talents,
intelligence, wealth and personal pride. Uhm…..I
think the only way we can save the world from falling is to unload ourselves
from ourselves….Or—to aim to be nothing.” He sheepishly
giggled. “Uhm...Funny? Well, I can’t blame you. But
every night a glowing man visits me in my dream. He keeps on reminding me
that I should become a story about nothing. He also said that my key
character will be a boy – born in a manger in a cold winter night. I think… I
think I should name the boy, Jesus. Cute name, isn’t it? What do you think?” Harry, Clark, Romeo
and Aris looked at each other before they gave out
insulting sniggers. But Manny just
smiled at their rudeness. He felt nothing—a fresh and redeeming nothingness. *** BARD NOTES: A happy reading to 2nd District Representative Ferdinand Marcos,
Jr. Governor Michael Keon, Mayor Michael Farinas,
City Administrator Gloria Peralta, Provincial Treasurer Josephine Calajate, Provincial Board Member Jessie Galano, INWD General Manager John Teodoro,
Former Paoay Vice-Mayor Julio Cabacungan,
Mrs. Mely Ortega, Mrs. Tessie
Dimagiba, Mr. Noli
Cardenas and the employees of National Food Authority. Email – bardofblaise@hotmail.com or
bardoblas@gmail.com / URL – www.redroom.com/member/jopoguerrero . Ilocos
Times copyright 2008 |
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