I was about to board a bus heading home to Buguias. Most of the passengers are kaili-ans (town mates). Stepping into that bus made me feel as if I arrived home. Before the bus departed, pleasantries among the passengers were generously exchanged. It was a good gesture to start a travel home.
After more than hour, we have our pitstop at Sayangan, Atok. During this stopover a great wisdom unfolded: A peanut vendor hop in; she respectfully offers her roasted peanut one after another passenger but to no avail. She was turned down until she came to an old man who graciously bought a pack.
As he paid, the old man said “Kaasian di man ilaklako ta wada di iyat di namarsua ay kumaasi abe” (Be merciful to the vendor so that the Creator will be merciful also). I was so amazed to hear such kind of principle as he stated that wisdom. It’s a very tangible evidence of human goodness.
The old man, Mr. Suilan Guillao, continue to recant stories. 1st Story: An old man from Bokod saw a person in Baguio scavenging for food. After witnessing such, he was move to do something about it. He went to the grocery store buy foods and gladly give to the scavenger. After what he did, from that time on, the old man from Bokod was blessed: his animal business (biyaki) went booming!
2nd story: A man from Buguias always buys products of an old lady from the barrio, particularly the leftovers and rejects (ulay lawlawa). By that good action, the man was also blessed. His economic status skyrocketed (progreso)!
3rd story: A driver of PUJ was so very kind. He would bring all passengers to their destination even only when only one or two passengers are left in his vehicle. (Some places in Benguet are far away from each other that drivers would incur a loss on diesel if he has to bring the last passenger to a further desination and return to end his day.) He’s one of a kind driver. God (Kabunyan) did not let this act of the driver gone unnoticed for He blessed him with progressive economic life.
After these three great stories, the old man said “I told these stories for they are with good results. A story of an act without good results is not worth to be told. (En maistorya na tan wada di kaelaana, tan adi maistorya di maga kailaana) “That I hope people of today listen to us for what we speak is for your own good.” (Sunga mandenge kayo ay katagtago na tan din ebaga mi et din sumigedan yo). “Good and merciful action towards others bring forth blessings.” (Seg-angan di ib-a uno gaet ay ipugao ta wada di iyat Kabuyan ay sumeg-ang).
After the whole sequel, I got say this about the man: This old man is a wise old man! We must listen and, hopefully, act as we are told to continue his very good principle, the cycle of good human action guided by the Concept of Seg-ang (Mercy).
The stories above are very much similar to last October 9’s gospel. Jesus showed mercy to the 10 leapers by curing them. Jesus was so persistent in teaching us to be merciful, that we may merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful.
By: RODERICK V. PACUYAN
