When Tatay and his fellow settlers were building our houses in Kalawag in the early 50s, they already knew that the lots where they were constructing are reserved government lands. This land is composed of thousands of square meters in a form of a triangle. Called “the triangle” by many, its eastern side runs parallel to the Kalawag creek. With no one to impose restrictions then, Tatay already made it known that should the government reclaim the lots someday, he was willing to vacate it right away as we have two other owned lots purchased earlier. That’s how Tatay was law-abiding and always ready. Somehow, we stayed long here until the progress of the newly-founded municipality of Isulan shifted outside of Kalawag along the national highway.
Reminiscing the time we were growing up in Kalawag, it was a peaceful and a happy place to live with crimes of any kind rarely happening. Residents here feel like they’re one closely-knitted family having good relationships with each other. One of the closest persons to us was the pharmacist Miss Mirza Gonsalez whose drugstore was next to us. She married Jose Ma. Mercado and being so close to us, her eldest daughter Inday Emily turned out like she was our youngest sister. Both her parent, however, are now dead. Others who we have established good and close relationship with are the families of our town’s first health officer Dr. Ramon Aristoza, Sr., the Osanos, the Chongs, the Cebritas, the Bacligs, the Paneses, the Espejos, the Dela Cruzes, the Pamas, the Retirados, the Cabaels and many others. Two of our uncles and their families, namely: Simplicio “Tatay Pesiong” Aujero and Sulpicio “Tatay Isul” Cordero were also among them, but the most visible to this day is the pharmacist Priscilla Sorongon who married teacher Cesar Piosca.
Kalawag was such a happy place that at its peak, many memorable events like fiestas, church-related celebrations, political rallies and educational fairs took place here. Fiestas and many other fairs were always celebrated at the Kalawag Elementary School while market day which was always on a Monday were inside “the triangle”. During fiestas, people converged here as assorted events like beauty pageants for the fiesta muse, parades, agricultural fairs, school dancefests, parlor games and singing contests were always held. It was in the singing contest that my classmate and close friend who I tangled with in a fistfight earlier, Elpedio Juan was always a star and standout that most times, he was not allowed to participate. Instead, he acts as just one of the judges.
On market days, mobile peddlers who came from as far as Esperanza and Norala along with many home-grown merchants fairly compete with each other. Baratillos selling assorted merchandises were also very common luring or inviting would-be buyers with their very loud sound systems. It was also at this time that double-header movies were being shown in our sinihan. But occasionally, movies are being shown for free at night inside the triangle by travelling merchants selling drugs the likes of Cortal and Ascarol, and/or of cigarettes like Chelsea and Lucky Strike. If movies are not offered, some simple magic tricks and puppets or kenkoys as they were better known were exhibited to attract customers.
During holidays like Christmas and lent, Kalawag was one not to be outdone in celebrating them. Christmas carollings by school children and private citizens alike were very common occurrences every time, and all schools have their rooms decorated with Christmas decor. Then, Christmas party follows before vacation time till the new year. The Catholic Church just like anywhere celebrates mid-night or Aguinaldo masses during this time while other churches have also their own celebrations. And fireworks cannot be discounted all the time as I was one who has probably lighted hundreds. On holy weeks, people who are mostly Catholics turn out in full volume to observe the lent season by attending church rites and joining the usual procession of the cross around town on Good Friday. The Pabasa which had been a franchise of all Pampangos anywhere are ever present. But before all these, however, is the Last Supper on Holy Thursday.
As it had been a practice here, the Last Supper is being reenacted by feasting the men who act as Christ’s “12 apostles” plus the parish priest during Holy Week with a last supper after the church rites on Holy Thursday. It used to be the parish that spends for this feast, but Nanay took and assumed all the responsibilities later freeing the parish precious time and money. Since then, it had been our family’s tradition for decades to host all the Last Supper feasts in our house. When Nanay sensed in the 70s she was not getting any younger to do all this forever, she passed on the hosting to us children in our own respective houses. It started from the eldest down that next year, will be my turn again to host the Last Supper.
