2Rivers February 9-15
Fisherboy: Imaginarily Directed By Ishmael Bernal
A Short Novel by Jonathan Aquino
The sun was playing hide-and-seek in the gliding
clouds above Divisoria. The sprawling market was bustling with people like a
town celebrating the fiesta. A vegetable vendor in one of stalls near the
sidewalk was calling out to customers.
"Hey, suki, you can be sure, vegetables
are always fresh!" said Maxima, who looks like Gina Pareño in Kubrador.
A young Indian guy was
in his daily round to collect debts. "You're really one of a kind, Aling
Maxima," he said admiringly as he parked his scooter. "You sound like
a drugstore!"
"Patel," said
Maxima maternally, "if you just eat more vegetables, then you won't need
medicines!"
"You look happy
today!" said Patel, who looks like Sam YG
"And since when did
you see me look like a witch, aber?" replied Maxima gaily. "Besides,
today's my last payment to you! Here, it's three hundred, right?"
"Thank you,"
said Patel, accepting the money. "Another loan?"
"I've just paid my
debt and you want me to get another one?"
"Nothing wrong with
borrowing money," said Patel with conviction. "As long as you pay it,
of course!"
"Marketing
guru!"
"Want a DVD
player?" asked the young businessman. "Only 500!"
"It's only 500 but
that's 500 everyday!" replied Maxima. "Hello!"
"It's called
installment!"
"Can you make it
consignment?" kidded Maxima. "I'll return it after my movie
marathon!"
"I really like talking
to you, Aling Maxima," said Patel, laughing.
"Like?" said
Maxima. "What am I, Facebook?"
Later that day, a young boy who looks like Jake
Vargas in Tween Academy approached
the stall.
"Good afternoon,
ma'am," he said politely. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm looking
for a job. My name is Jay. Uh, I noticed that you don't have any helpers, so I
would like to apply."
"Gee, son, but my
niece is coming next week," said Maxima, feeling sorry for the boy.
"Oh," said
Jay, crestfallen. "I see." Then a thought struck him. "Well, she
won't be here until next week. Maybe I could work for you for even just a
couple of days."
And before she could
reply, he added, "Please?"
"Have you tried
others?"
"I've been around
the entire market," said Jay matter-of-factly. "All the canteens,
hardwares, even the ice factory and the slaughterhouse!"
"Where do you
live?"
"Uh,
Marikina."
"So what are you
doing in Manila?"
"Oh, I went to
somebody I know in Juan Luna," the boy explained. "But he gave me a
wrong address."
"Then why not go
home?"
"Well, the truth
is, I came to Manila to find work."
"How old are you,
anyhow?"
"Fifteen."
To Be Continued Next
Saturday Night On The 2Rivers Saturday Evening Posts
(Photos courtesy of oceansbridge.com, catalogue.globalfilm.org,lifestyle.inquirer.net, gmaseven.blogspot.com)
3 comments:
Huggybear's story "Fisherboy: Imaginarily Directed By Ishmael Bernal" is a coming-of-age tale about a boy and his tragic rite of passage from innocence to acceptance of the mysterious forces that guide the destinies of men
As human beings, we all respond to the emotional cadences of our collective music, as this story also deals with the unbearable pain of losing a loved one, showing that courage often shows itself in the little things we do in our day-to-day existence
I write visually, so when I was writing my 2012 Palanca Award fiction story "Fisherboy: Imaginarily Directed By Ishmael Bernal," I was already seeing it like a movie
This explains why the characters are described as looking like specific actors, and the scenes are set to let the characters come to life and the plot to develop vividly and unforgettably
Jay (looks like Jake Vargas) was a 15-year old homeless orphan who was adopted by an old bachelor, Prudy (looks like Dolphy). On their first night together, he had his first sexual awakening. Jay became fascinated with being a fisherman when Prudy took him to Bicol. Prudy wanted him to send him to school but the boy refused. Prudy, fearing that Jay would rebel like his late ward Arman, agreed.
Jay experienced the harsh realities of being a fisherman. He became close with Orlando (looks like Sid Lucero), a young man who advised him to finish school and not waste his youth. Among the fishermen, Orlando was the loudest in denouncing the use of dynamite in fishing.
Then one day, Jay, was traumatized for life as he saw Orlando, whom he saw as the brother he never had, died when Orlando's boat got blown away
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