Clarin, James Ryan P.

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INTRODUCING MYSELF

All Filipino heroes are great and had characteristics that are awesome and
admirable. But if conditions states that only one is to be picked as a favourite, I would go
for the epic hero of our province; Francisco Dagohoy. He is said to be the initiator of the
Philippines’ longest revolt against the Spanish Colonial Government. Pretty cool right?
As Filipinos who were taught about nationalism since elementary, how could we deny his
greatness? But so much for that, allow me to spill some mysterious attributes of him which
was slightly concealed through the years.
Francisco likes adventure. As a child, he would roam the terrains and mountains
of Inabanga. He was so familiar with these places that playing hide and seek with him
would make him impossible to find if you are the “it”. Thus granting him the name
“Dagohoy” which means as swift as the wind. But that was only the prologue. If I could
have a chance to accompany him in his adventures, I’d go for this one unusual night.
Let’s say we set up foot to the forest to catch some spiders with only lighted palms as the
source of light. As we approached a heavy bush, a bright glow appeared which centres a
jewel-like thing. To our surprise we immediately checked and found out that it was
bounced to the air by a snake which treats it as a toy. We were amazed by the jewel so
we made a plan to get it. He then remembered that only carabao manure can conceal its
brilliance. So I remained to watch out for the “trabungko”—the local name for the said
brilliant jewel, while Dagohoy got a handful of fresh manure. After he came back, we hid
closer to the tree which was in-line with the bushes and waited for the right tempo to hit
the trabungko—and splaak! In a split second, the said jewel was pasted to the ground by
the brown dough, hiding its shine. He picked it up immediately and returned to the hiding
spot. The snake, bewildered by the loss of its plaything, sniffed around and searched the
area. When it came near to us, Francisco chopped its head in a flash using his pinuti.
After that, he took away its lymphatic glands and mixed it with oil when we came back to
the village.
The trabungko gave Francisco the ability to live and see clearly in caves, and also
to pass small holes like a snake. But the mixed oil had more interesting powers as when
the user anoints his body with it, he sheds off his old physical features and look young
again.
Later when the revolution broke-out, I was the vice-captain and together we led
the longest revolution in Philippine history. He lets me borrow either of the two special
items we got, granting us the upper hand in the war and helping our troops escape when
we are outnumbered. Every time there is a revolutionary encounter, both of us are always
young, vigorous, and strong. After that long span of revolting, we parted ways. I honoured
him as my captain then returned his magical items. He continued to lead the revolt to the
date which was recorded in history books.
Boarding the time machine on the way to the present, I smiled while proofreading.