Sitsi-ritsit....

elek na belek

My Pen Mates,

I want to share an experience with you. Grace and I attended a Filipino Society fundraising dance in our community last night. It was a mixed group so the food was typical hotel fare. There was nothing native except the pamaypay centerpieces on the tables, and a scattering of barongs here and there. Even the DJ and live band didn't sing any Filipino song, so it was just another party except for the "Filipino" label.

Something absolutely nostalgic came during the entertainment portion of the program though. Kids ranging from perhaps seven to thirteen years of age danced native Filipino dances; costumed and choreographed like the real thing, they did the sayaw ed banko, sitsi-ritsit, and tinikling. Oh the memories it brought back! I was transfixed and transported to another time and place.

It was elementary graduation again! On the grass-covered stage in Central, with wooden desks and chairs hauled from the classrooms, and speaker after speaker talking our ears off. It's getting dark and the costumes are really itchy. The loudspeaker plays the music and you dance out of step to the tune, but no matter. It was the end of the school year, you're with friends and family, summer is yours to own, and freedom like you'll never ever feel again!

For one brief moment, Grace and I just stood watching these kids (about 20-25 of them), then it dawns on you, you were that kid. You were so happy, smiling ear-to-ear, gap-toothed and all. It didn't matter that you knew not what you were doing and that it was essentially for the benefit of the grown ups. You were part of it and that's all that mattered. The practices and the stern teachers never bothered you, you were just happy to be part of something, to be with your friends, and to bring a smile to peoples faces, especially you family.

I had to hug my wife, thankful that I share that memory with her (we actually danced together in one of those graduation ceremonies). I tell you my friends, it's more precious than gold. Material rewards you can spend, but to revisit memories such as these you can spend the rest of your life remembering.

All the best,
Mon