Sorrow is Happiness

E.N. Wellzon

In a place not famous to the world, in a municipality that lies within the province of Northern
Samar. In its one barrangay known to harvest fat and good quality crabs and crusticians. In the
year 2000 mid-septemter, when farmers are busy cultivating thier lands for planting rice, a baby
was born. Born in a poor family, he is the fourth and youngest son of the Ejercito family, his
father is a farmer and his mother is a housewife. Five years later, his younger sister was born
and another 2 years when their youngest sister was brought to the world making his family a
big one consisting 6 children.

His childhood is typical, he would spent his days outside playing with his friends and
watching television in their neighbor. Everyday, his mother never fails to take care of them, she
would prepare their breakfast in the morning, clean the house, feed the pigs and chickens,
wash dishes and even do laundry with her bare hands. Things are pretty good in his childhood,
though his father is fond of drinking and causing quarrels and misunderstanding not just inside
their house but also outside, in the community with thier neighbors. Regardless, people would
still look up to them because they were still raised as good people. They would excell in class
and graduate with awards always.

Back then, during summer, his family is planting vegetables in the farm as their source of
living since rice fields are left empty and useless after the harvest season of rice. They maybe
aren't perfect family but they were happy and contented, problems would visit them but was
solved right away. Not until, the year 2015, in its 8th month.

T'was a cold, peaceful night, he and his mother ride a tricycle heading to his High School, an
event is set that night for the stakeholders, parents and officers. As the President of the
Parents-Teachers Association in the school, his mother is obliged to attend for a fine is waiting
for those who will not. They arrived at the event's place before the start of the program, they
sit on the table together with his mother's friends and co-officers. Approximately 10 minutes,
when he noticed that his mother's eyes are turning red and teary, her face was distorted and
her lips appeared to be unbalanced. With that image, he knows that his mother is suffering
from a high blood pressure attack, he doesn't know what to do. He tried to take his mother to
the nearest clinic but was unable to do so for his mother barely walked. People come asking
what's happening, teachers would run around looking for a bottle of pineapple juice but failed
to give one until a pedicab arrived ready to take them into the nearest clinic. And then
everything happened unnoticeable, he found himself crying as he hid at the back of a tree.

August 24, 2015, four days after the incident, at 3 am, his 2 younger sister and his father was
sleeping, a voice was heard outside their house. It was calling his father's name. Even before he
got to respond, his father stand up and see who's calling, they murmured outside, words are
not understandable. A minute after, he heard a fast motorcycle. His youngers sisters woke up,
the three of them is wide awake now. No one is in their house except the three of them
because everyone now is in the hospital- his 3 older brothers and his father. Out of scare, they
decided to wait for their father outside but accidentally overheard their neighbors talking about
them, pitying them because of their loss. He hid in the tree and continue listening until he
confirmed that his mother just died, that is the reason why his father is in a hurry. Tears fall
down his cheeks. Not so long after, their neighbors noticed their presence and immediately
shift topic, call them to stay with their children until the morning.

Morning came and he prepared his sisters for school and eventually sent them there.
Neighbors come and ask him to help them clean the house for his mother will arrived soon that
day, they said, lying about the real thing. Unfortunately, a relative came asking when was his
mother died, he pretended to not to know about it and ask to repeat the question but his
relative refused and left him. 11:34 in the morning, his younger sisters arrived from school-
crying, their classmates told them about the news and was confirming it to him. He keep silent.
An hour later, their father with their older brothers arrived- tired, emotionally and physically.
Informed them that their mother is on her way home. He decided to left the house and watch
from afar the arrival of his mother while inside the wooden, rectangular box, peacefully
sleeping.

During his mother's wake, people would come visit- relatives and friends, the noise produced
by people somewhat let them escape the cruel reality, the pain of missing her and the silence of
loss. During her burial, tears are unmeasurable, pain is overflowing and conscience is killing
him. If just they did not attend the event, maybe his mother is still alive, if not because of that
event.

Days passed, things are not the same anymore, people inside their house barely talked to
him. Until the day of his birthday- the 18th day of september. He had a misunderstanding with
his older brother but what crushed him are the words thrown to him; "waray ka karapatan
magtangis, ikaw an dahilan kun nanu namatay si mama! (You don't have the right to cry, you
are the reason of our mother's death!)" T'was like a line from a melodramatic movie or
teleserye but the pain it brought to him was so severe that his mind stopped working and what
was left is the idea of running, he ran into the farm and cried everything out. Maybe, he really is
the one to be blame. That was not the only thing that happened to him, because everytime
someone asked his father what is the reason of the death of his wife, a constant reply is a
pinpoint to him with the words "Nahi-unong tyadto (because of him)" Their oldest brother treat
him differently also, there was a time when his oldest brother bought lansones, everyone
knows in the fanily that he loves lansones. And that time everyone knows that he is in the
kitchen, but they never tried to call him, he then realized that seeds and fruit peel are the only
one left to him.

In the culture of the Filipinos, after the burial of the deceased, fourthy days must be waited
to end and that is the time everyone can go back to what they do. After the fourthy days, his
oldest brother left home for manila to work, his second brother left home also to form his own
family, while his third brother also left home and stayed in University of Eastern Philippines to
study, and very seldom to go home, very seldom that once a month is very impossible. He was
left home with his two younger sisters and a drunkard father. By that time, he is enrolled in his
senior high school in Don Juan F. Avalon National High Scholl in the neighboring municipality.
He suffered from tight financial crisis, for his father is jobless, his two younger sisters are
studying; one in high school and the other one in elementary. His oldest brother would share
his wage to them but it is not enough for four stomach and the school fees for his younger
sisters. He then decided to find works where he can earn money to support his study and his
sisters' and even for their daily needs in the house. He would host events - Birthdays, wedding,
and seminars, he also offered tutoring sessions to interested high scholl and elementary
students and accepts commissioned poem writings and school requirements for some students.
This kind of living saved him from stopping his studies.

In his two years in senior high school, there are times that he would walked all the way from
San Roque where his school is located until he reached home in Barangay Camparanga,
Pambujan. His drunkard father would beat him and punch him because he is late to go home,
not knowing that he actually just walked. Almost every night, his father is drunk and would
always chase him with bolo, he would chase him all over their barangay while he keeps on
running and hiding. Two years of living that kind of life, two years of suffering the blame of his
family and two years of acting like a mother, sister, brother and father to his younger sisters.

His graduation came and he is undeniably excited. He got awards and medals, he is one of
the top students in his school, but sadly, no one in his family come. His teacher is the one who
marched with him during the processional march and his adviser is the one who recieved his
awards for him. A happy night of harvest turns to be sad for him. No one was there for him, no
one!

He then enrolled in UEP, with him are his dreams and goals in life. He continued to work as
tutor and events host and to accept commissioned works. Along with this, he continued to
support his younger sisters, even after his third brother graduated from college. He still helped
him to support their younger sisters. His oldest brother eventually form his own family and
refused to share his wage.

December 24, 2019 when he decided to take a Christmas break in their house in his
hometown, but was shocked how the house turned to be. The flowering plants that was once
there is no where, they all died. His old room was destroyed and the house has no space for
him to sleep anymore. For the whole Christmas vaction, he would sleep in the sand for their
house is not concrete just like the other houses. His brother hated him because he is too
arrogant and choosy for not liking everything in the house and this brought another
misunderstanding between the two. They fight that his oldest brother ask to stop calling him
his brother. Until now, they are not talking to each other but is silent. He then decided to not go
back to that house and spent his whole years while studying in his boarding house. But
Pandemic come and twist all his life, he lost his works, and lost his source of income, making it
impossible to pay for the rent and so he decided to stay in thier ancestral house. The house is
located in proper, it is too old that it also rains inside everytime it rains outside. Until now, he is
in a very tough life because of the loss of his source income. His savings is in its last coins but
still unable to find job. But he is still determined to continue, whatever happens, he will never
give up. He maybe have suffered from depression but he won against it and is still fighting the
battle of this war called life.
 Life is not easy, it is true. It is full of unpredictable happenings and series of unforgettable
experiences and this all are meant to be experienced to mold us, to hone us, and this he truly
understand.

And by the way, his name is WILSON NUNGAY EJERCITO.