Family Matters

I am always proud of my kinfolk, at least on the first degree level; we may not be as powerful and wealthy as other families would be but one thing certain, we know how to define the word family in its most complex meaning. I am always delighted to see how my Mom and her siblings were brought up by a sugar plantation employee and a plain housewife. They were a big family but the love for each other comes along with the size. Of course, there had been misunderstandings and fights, petty and significant; but at the end of the day, they could easily manifest the famous aphorism, “Blood is thicker than water”.

You see, my uncle ran for the Chairmanship on the recently concluded Barangay elections. Unfortunately, he lost for reasons my uncles and aunts know clearly. But despite the loss, they were again able to instill in our minds (their children) the value of joining hands altogether to achieve a certain goal. They were able to teach us the greatest lesson of being a family – that even if there are differences and clashes – a family is always a family. And humbly speaking, we were one as a family in this failure.

We wouldn’t be hypocrites, we were saddened by the election’s turnout; but we were more than joyful to know as to who among our neighbors and relatives are clearly in support of us - politically, socially and personally. I hate to say this, there were second degree cousins and relatives who betrayed us; what’s worst, these are the guys my grandparents especially my Grandma have treated well and their own. But then again, we can’t simply please everybody. And I am shameful of them; their own self and what they have done – they whose principles can be bought by a thousand peso, a jar of cheap alcohol or simply by a bet to illegal gambling games (a real bullshit to the game of politics!) – they who can sacrifice the good relationships they were able to foster with my uncles, aunts and grandparents for many generations – they who simply have sold the ties that bonded us – our own blood and flesh. Again, shame on them!

We may have our grudges, but sooner or later, these will all pass. I know my uncle have realized where he should better position himself. I just hope that those who have beaten us as a clan would have the asses to face us all when time of vengeance comes. I know I’m not aware of the whole story for I live not on the same barrio, but I don’t need to know all the details for me to understand the whole picture. All I know and understand now is that this most recent election has proven us as a family that we have given a good fight – a very fair fight – not on our opponents but most specially, to the blood that has been the source of my inspiration and pride. And with this I declare, I will always be proud of being a member of the VILLANUEVA CLAN.

Peace be to all!!!