Bok’s House

By Gonzalo Duque

 

CHRISTMAS and the New Year came and went.

As Fr. Jerry Orbos, whom we had the opportunity to briefly dialogue with, would say, “Let’s thank God we are still alive.”

Yup, please ponder that, mga kapuso, we tend to take God for granted. Hindi na tayo nag than-thank you sa Lord Almighty. Di ba masama yan?

Ok, let’s all say, with feeling, “Thank you, Lord, for giving us another new year.” In fact, what Fr. Jerry wants us to say, is we must say every day, every minute, every second, “Thank you, God, for this blessing every moment of my life.”

                                               *      *       *

No less than the charismatic priest brother of our friend, former Governor Oscar Orbos, noticed the  resplendent beauty of the home-resort of our bosom friend, Bok Crisologo, of the Bok Shoes fame, at the Cuison Village in Barangay Tapuac.

You’d feel like God has descended to mingle with everyone in Bok’s place, and with His coming, gumaganda  ang paligid.

Matindi talaga  kung gumawa itong kaibigan nating  si Bok.   “The place is a work of art,” blurted an ecstatic Jun Velasco.

Papaano naman, si Bok ay galing sa pamilyang may genesng artist. But in our book, Bok is the real artist. He does not express it only in the shoes he makes or art works he paints. His mind is contemplative, maybe why Fr. Ricky Miranda has spontaneous brotherhood with him.  You who are too wordly may grope on what we, former seminarians, are saying.  May kalaliman ng kaunti, kasi ang bawat salita ay may filofiya.

   Tugmang tugma yong pag scultpt ni Bok ng kanyang tahanan and paligid  na naging work of art, a resort  for people who love nature at its best, far from the madding crowd  and be drawn close to God.  Nakakainggit ang mga nakatira sa bahay ni Bok.  As if you’d wish na hindi ka na aalis sa kinauupuan mo, o kinatatayoan or nililibot mo, a tranquil atmosphere surrounded by river-trees, a lake dented only by a floating salambao eneveloped by a serene sky, a well manicured garden which is never ostentatious, and the house itself, ay naku, we have run out of appropriate words to describe our heavenly feeling.

*        *         *

Lagi tayong bumibisita kay Bok dahil we find peace and solace in his place.  Kung baga, as you all can see, our world is caught in a turmoil of political and social conflicts. Wala yan sa bahay ni Bok. Enjoy na enjoy  ang barkada na nag-receive  kay Fr. Jerry nang gabing pumunta doon. Dinala siya ni Jun after saying mass at their subdivision in Bonuan Blue Beach. Sumaya lahat ang mga bisita ni Bok, pati ang pretty wife niya at si Malou Balingit, ang asawa niyang si Cecil, si Marlene ng Cafe du Marc, ang old pal namin ni Bok na si total artist Alex Villaflor, Mamer Manaois,  Tikboy Ang,  George Erfe, Molly   “hindi  na taba” Reyes, Benjie Tan, Joel Braganza, Bhuddee Sison, Chip Chip Velasco, at marami pang iba.

Sayang si Chito Samson, late nang dumating, nakaalis na si Father.

And so we say, what a way to end Christmas and start the New Year!? Masaya hindi lang sa  panglabas or outerappearance  but also inwardly, spiritually.

And don’t forget. If you want a taste of heaven while you are still on earth even for a minute, visit Bok’s place. Pero isa isa lang ang visit, pa schedule kayo ha, para hindi naman madiyahe si Bok. Baka magalit pa sa unsolicited publicity na ito. Happy New Year! 

*       *       *

It’s now a fact. Every Christmas celebration in Dagupan, the two nights competing for having the biggest attendance are the city fiesta  coronation itself and the city high alumni night. We are happy to note that our friend General Art Lomibao, now undersecretary and national director of the National Counter Terrorism Group, guested at the city fiesta coronation. That slot was normally reserved for Congressman Joe de Venecia, being the highest elective official in Dagupan and birthday celebrator on that day. He chose to celebrate his birthday at his residence at Forbes in Makati City.  But he came to Dagupan the following day.

Did you know that several people in Dagupan and the rest of the district are already addressing Art Lomibao “congressman”? They may be putting it in light banter but nag swe-swell ang movement. Matinding kalaban yan si Art, kasi master of psywar tactic and military intelligence. And we heard he is the favorite candidate of Guvnor Spines who is willing to help oil his campaign machinery. Naku, if we know, milyones yan! Sasaya na naman ang mga taga 4th district. Anong say nyo, Mam Gina and Sir Benjie?

Speaking of the city night, we are happy to learn that Maning Roy, executive “comita” chairman, is still excited that his efforts to ensure its success was accomplished. Pero may umaatikabong hindi pagkakaintindihan sa  pagiimbita niyo ng tatlong orchestra. Agay kimet la, ag yo napasumpal so alumni building, pabongga kilan pabongga! Painom ka sirin Manny, ompian na silencio so sangik! He he.