Hymns of Tubabao

The characters in this story and their lives are part of the author’s imagination. Some events may seem to have really occurred as they are part of history. The creator admits that their knowledge in this genre is still lacking, so if there are any mistakes in dates or details written here, they ask for your comments. However, they also hope that you will correct any mistakes in the work.

“Your Excellency! We, the Refugees of the United Nations Evacuation Center on Tubabao Island, in the Province of Samar, express herewith to Your Excellency, your Government, and the entire Philippine Nation our sincerest gratitude for the cordial hospitality, and brotherly treatment extended to those who, by the force of political circumstances, were deprived of the privilege of having a country of their own.

The unforgettable legend of your noble and generous act in saving five thousand five hundred human beings from the claws of the Red Beast, by offering them a haven at the most critical moment of their lives, will live in our hearts forever and ever.

These emotions and feelings will be carried by us to the remotest corners of the earth, wherever we may find our future homes. Daily we pray to the Lord for the welfare and prosperity of your country and its deliverance from Communist terror, slavery, and aggression which are threatening the world of today.

May the Almighty bestow His blessings upon Your Excellency and the Filipino people, and may He prolong your services to your nation and to all freedom-loving mankind.

Long live the Republic of the Philippines!”

[National group leaders and their signatures are designated at the bottom part.]

She read the long message on the historical marker. She had limited knowledge of the events during World War II, but Elica deeply understood the importance of those words.

This historical marker served as a symbol of the connection between the White Russians and the Filipinos during the war. It could only be found in her birthplace — Tubabao Island, here in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

“Is it March 7, 2015 today?” Elica wondered if the date in her mind was correct. She had stopped listening to the Regional Director’s speech.

Her mind had been drifting for a while. She was thinking about what she would cook later in the afternoon, wondered if her new boyfriend is fooling around. She wasn’t paying attention to what the DOT director was saying.

She couldn’t deny the boredom she felt. If it weren’t for her job, she wouldn’t have attended such a dull event. Unfortunately, she was selected as one of the Private Tour Guides, so she had no choice but to endure it.

Her eyes wandered around the vast surroundings. They were surrounded by trees, and the fresh breeze felt swell. The sun's ray was intense, so it was fortunate that they had set up a canopy or gazebo tent. If they hadn’t set up a roof, their skin would have burned from the heat.

In the center of the area were rows of mono-block chairs, some provincial government officials and local government members sat there. And behind them, the Russian guests were sitting and fanning themselves.

Elica guessed that the foreigners weren’t used to the country's climate. She couldn’t help but laugh when she saw their frowning faces. But the tourists had no choice, just like her — they were here for work.

These were ambassadors from another country, and they were in the Philippines to attend the so-called Dobrota-Tur. It was a free commemoration tour to celebrate the strong relationship between the country of origin and Russia. The tourism circuit would start in Tacloban City, go through Samar, and end in Balangiga.

The Tour Director told them that more foreigners would be arriving in the town. They were expecting a thousand Russians to visit this year. So they were advised to stay alert. A list of hotels and copies of the homestay program were given for proper accommodation of the visitors.

Elica sighed. She looked at the tall and handsome foreigner standing near the speaker. He was wiping sweat off his face because of the heat.

“He’s so handsome,” she thought. It seemed like fate gave her a chance when the man looked in her direction. Their eyes met, and he smiled at her. Her grin widened, and she couldn’t help but feel flustered.

“Should I just marry a foreigner?” she teasingly asked herself. “I’ll just break up with Bernard since I don’t think I can trust him.” She sighed when she remembered her boyfriend.

“Why am I just thinking of this now?” she touched her chin. “If I marry a foreigner, our children would be beautiful and handsome too. They’d also have bigger... compared to—” She couldn’t stop herself from laughing at her mischievous imagination.

But that smile quickly faded when an abaniko (fan) hit her on the head. She immediately held the hurt spot and looked at the elderly woman beside her. Lola Lucita’s eyes were wide open. She looked like she was about to devour her on the spot. It seemed like she noticed her flirting with one of the guest.

“Tuko na!”

“Lola, really!” she replied, pouting, and glared at her companion. “Is it my fault if someone is attracted to my beauty? Besides, I’m working right now. I’m a tourist guide, Lola. If someone hears or sees us, it’ll be embarrassing.” She glanced around to see if anyone had noticed.

“ Waray ak labot. You need to listen to the director,” Lola Lucita continued her lecture and fanned herself.

“I’m listening, Lola! Please stop speaking in Bisaya. I don’t understand,” she scratched her head. She had moved to Manila when she was still a baby, she grew up in the city and only moved to her parents’ hometown when she turned 25. She didn’t know how to speak Waray but understood a few words.

Lola just glared at her and continued fanning herself. She was Lola Lucita Garcia Dyquangco.

She was the sister of her grandmother, Lola Paulita. She was the aunt of her mother. She was known for being strict and grumpy, which is why her two siblings avoided her.

But Elica knew that her Lola was also kind. She was just grumpy because of life’s hardships. She had also experienced the cruelty of war that caused her traumas that were never healed.

“Why are you here, Lola? You should rest at home. The weather is so hot! It’s bad for you.” She was trying to get rid of the old woman so she could flirt freely. If she was here, she’d surely stop her from getting close to the foreigner.

“You know I join the commemoration every year, right?”

“Yes, of course. This seems even more important to you than Christmas.”

“Christmas is important to me too, my dear.”

“But you never say why. Lola Paulita doesn’t even come to the commemorations. Why do you go to these events every year?”

The old woman didn’t speak. Elica looked at her and was taken aback when she saw the sadness in her eyes. “Why, Lola? You suddenly look upset,” she asked. “Did you remember a traumatic event again?”

The old woman looked at her. She gave a small smile and shook her head. “  Buang gyud ka!” she joked. “I’m not sad!”

Their conversation was interrupted when they heard applauses from the crowd and the music from the band performing for the celebration. The speech of the Regional Director was over, and preparations were underway for the upcoming buffet.

The food for the Boodle Fight was arranged in another gazebo. People quickly flocked to the table. It felt like a fiesta with all the noise and excitement around her.

Some chose to chat and catch up, but the bold ones rushed to the dining table.

“Elica! Let’s go!” Her fellow tourist guide grabbed her arm. It was Jelia with some of their coworkers. “Let’s eat.”

“I’ll eat later! I’m with my Lola!” She pointed to the old woman beside her. “You go ahead.” As soon as she said that, the others quickly headed for the free meal.

Elica just shook her head and rubbed her forehead. “They’re only here for the food!” she said.

“Go with them, my dear,” her Lola replied.

“What about you?”

“I’ll take care of myself.”

“Are you going to eat?”

The woman shook her head.

“You need to eat first before you go."

“No need, my dear...” she muttered and turned away.

“Where are you going?” she asked, but the woman didn’t respond. Confused, Elica followed the old woman with her gaze as she walked away.

***

Lucita walked towards the beach and let her feet sink into the fine  white sand. A red shawl was wrapped around both her shoulders, holding its ends against her chest. The wind played with her long white hair as her eyes gazed towards the blue sky, birds freely flying through the air. She felt thankful for the gathering clouds that blocked the sun’s rays, the heat was reduced because of them.

She sat on a large stone, lost in thought. She sighed as she observed nature and listened to the rustling of the leaves swaying in the warm wind.

Sixty-six years had passed...

Sixty-six years of waiting...

Lucita wondered if the man had forgotten about her. If he had already forgotten the past. She hoped not, for the memories were still fresh in her mind.

Her feelings had not changed.

Just like Tubabao...

Even if many years or generations had passed, the beauty of the island had not changed. This small island had sheltered the lost hearts searching for a home. It became a paradise for the suffering souls...

What she's seeing now by the shore- is the same as in the past. Nothing compared to the beauty of this white sand beach... Nothing could change her love for this place...

“But where are you now? Where could you be?” she asked herself. She whispered to the wind, the hidden contents of her heart. She looked up at the vast sky, as if searching for an answer, yet the heavens gave no reply.

“Lola.”

She turned when someone called her. She hadn’t expected to see Elica's face again.

“Oh?” she replied, curious. “Why did you follow me?”

“You know, Lola, if something is troubling you, I’m ready to listen,” Elica reminded her, raising two paper plates with food. “Let’s eat while I listen to your story.”

Lucita smiled when she realized the young woman cared for her well-being. “Thank you, my dear. You even brought me food.”

“We’re family, Lola. I won’t let you be alone. Also, tomorrow I’ll be busier. This is the only opportunity I have time to chat.”

“So where will the foreigners stay?”

“They’ll stay in Tacloban because there are more hotels there.”

“Has your work with them ended, my dear?”

She nodded. “I was one of the tourist guides who picked them up at the International Airport. We toured Guiuan earlier this morning. They really liked the Calicoan Surfing Station.”

Lucita nodded. The young woman sat beside her and handed her the food. They sat in silence for a while.

“Lola, tell me. Why is this island so important to you? Even though Lola Paulita and Mom have invited you to live with them in Manila, you refused. Life is better there, Lola. If I didn’t have a job here, I’d go back to Manila.”

Lucita frowned when she heard what her grand-niece have said. “Elica, you wouldn’t understand, even if I told you.”

“Lola! There you go again, being judgmental about me!” Elica huffed and pouted. “Try me, Lola!” she challenged.

Lucita sighed and smiled. Of all her grand-niece, Elica was the most stubborn and playful. She also had a lighthearted approach to love, changing boyfriends almost every month. But despite that, she was very loving towards her family

“Tubabao is important to me.”

“Why is it so?”

“Do you remember, my dear, when someone tried to buy our old house on the island?”

Elica nodded. “Yes. You didn’t sell it, and you even chased the man with a machete. You almost got sued, Lola!”

“That was the right thing to do!”

“That wasn’t right, Lola! But let’s go back to my question. Why, Lola? What’s so special about this place?” Elica asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Lucita fell silent. For several seconds, she just stared at her beloved Elica. They were indeed related by blood. She could see her younger self in the young woman. Her eyes were full of curiosity. She remembered being the same when she was younger. The only difference was her principles when it came to love. Lucita smiled as she realized something. “Why I'm having doubts to tell you, anyway? Maybe, you need to hear me out so you’ll think seriously about your relationships.”

“Ha, Lola?” Elica raised an eyebrow, slightly offended by what Lucita said.

“Isn’t that true?”

Elica frowned and crossed her arms. “Okay, fine! It’s true,” she admitted.

Lucita chuckled softly. “Alright, my dearest Elica. Let me tell you a story that time has forgotten by generations throughout the years, but not in my heart.”

The young woman fell silent and waited for her to speak.

“Here, in this place. Right here where our feet stand, a hymn was formed, began, and ended. A tune that only I know... Notes shaped by my feelings for him. Even though many years have passed, I still remember how to play that musical piece on the violin, that piece was born from our love...”

Lucita closed her eyes. It felt like only yesterday when she first learned to play the violin. Time flew so quickly, and each day turned into yesterday in the blink of an eye.

And even though no one was playing, she could still hear the music-- only her heart knew. Soft. Slow. The alluring sound of the notes...