May is one of the most enjoyable month in Asingan. In the '60s, there was this traditional Floral offering done by Asinganian kids ( many of whom are now all over the world, in their 50s or greater ). The late Josie Casimiro, with her sweet voice, sometimes acted as the leader: She would instruct the kids on what to do before the Mass starts. In the afternoon, a few volunteers would come to the church to prepare the flower vases ( cleaning them with soap and water and lining them outside to dry ). In the afternoon or early in the morning, the kids would go around houses in Poblacion asking for flowers from the garden owners to be used in the Floral offering for the Virgin Mary.In a few isolated cases, some kids would just pluck the flowers and run esp. if the owner is nowhere to be seen!
Every morning,at 5:00 am sharp, the church bells start tolling. There would be the slow single peals that came in say, 3- minute intervals. It seemed to say to the townspeople: "Wake up, another day is dawning..Get ready.." There will be around 10 or 12 clangs like these: then 2 quick ones and the bell stopped: for a while at least. The Philippine Independent church would do the same, same tone succession. But in the absence of a real bell, at that time, they were using a big acetylene tank. We could see it from our balcony because we are neighbours ( and friends ) with the Phil Independent church..
Anyways back to the Floral offerings. As soon as the Catholic priest enters the church to say Mass, he would linger below the church, pull the bell rope a number of fast tugs. "Come on, come one, Mass is about to start" the bells seem to say. Then he entered the church to prepare himself for the Mass celebration.
During the whole month of May, the mass commenced with the hymn "Bring Flow'rs of the Fairest, Bring Flow'rs of the Rarest.." Josie's beautiful voice would lead the singing blending with the children's chorus. From my bedroom window, which overlooked the Catholic church, I could hear their voices resounding inside.. A small altar bell with also sounded, accompanying the singing like a glockenspiel. If the offering was done on a Sunday, I would accompany them on the harmonium ( another name for the Organ ) . On other days, they would sing a capella ( no accompaniment ).
The last Sunday, of course would be the Mayflower Festival. At that time, Reina Elena and her court were selected among the young beauties and handsome boys active in the church activities. There would be a procession at night but in the afternoon, there would be an all day game festival in the church yard. There was climbing the pole ( a greased one, i.e. ). On top of the bamboo pole is money. Others rub their legs with ash or sand to get a good grip, but its not easy! Only after several tries ( the grease will be rubbed off at that time ) will the prize money be won. The most riotious one would be catching the pig. The pig, of course is scrubbed with pork lard ( heavens!) and he would go through the gauntlet of several hands trying to grab him as he squealed away to seek refuge somewhere. I guess he was afraid the time has come for him to be roasted! The victor would win, not the pig, but some money!
There was the pillow fight, sack race, and ocassionally, there was this bicycle tour of Asingan. The grand prize then was 50 pesos which was already a tidy sum during this time. At the end of one such race, the winner sweating like a horse after going around all the barrios, arrived at the chruch gate.."Where is his trophy and his money?" asked the priest. The money was produced but instead of a trophy, there was a bouquet of flowers which were hastily picked up from the flowers of the morning offering. A few of them were wilted and started to smell..He appeared happy to receive the money..and the flowers. As he biked away, he paused slightly on one edge of the plaza, dumped his flowers and proceed his way back home--#
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