THE WATER WORLD

Jumping/Diving boards A few meters downstream was a cliff, pang-pang. Have you had this observation? When, now that you are five-and-a-half feet tall, run into someone who was already five-and-ahalf feet tall when you were only a few inches? That is how I describe that cliff. That was our, jumping board first, and as we gain confidence, diving. And it was like diving into the water from the roof-top of the present-day Municipal Hall. That cliff though, was for little kids. Babies, you know? A hundred meters up-stream was the real McCoy! For the big-boys only, and from the top, looking down must have been like looking at the children walking home from school from the belfry of either the Filipinista or Roman Catholic church, maybe a little less. We simply call the water resort, ilang Ambrosio. A huge mango tree, fifty-year old give and take, was standing on the edge of the cliff. Older boys hanged a rope into one of its branches. One can then hold it with both hands, move a few feet back then run towards the river and before the rope swings back, drops himself into the water. I know now that screaming helps overcome fear, but then we screamed because Tarzan does. You can go back up by climbing the cliff through the hundreds of roots, some only a little smaller than our body. Then get in line for your next turn. We were in childrens paradise. Round one is from early morning to noon and back after lunch for round two, till dusk (inig-hugpa sa kangitngit). A day was always too short. At days end, we all develop color-adaptation with the fishes around. And with eyes red. Going home with eyes red is a cause for grounding, at the very least. You can get rid of it by splashing water to your face facing the setting sun. Protocol those days was not un-heard of. We had an un-written one. We all put our shirts & shorts in one corner & agree to have fun from call to finish. A traitor is thrown mud at his belly. Two names can never be forgotten. One for fame, the other for infamy. Sabas Gere (may God grant his soul eternal rest) was the only one who swings, and into the water with his head first. A split-second indecision can put one in harm's way. Brigido Boy Borogo Agcol was late letting go of the rope, he landed on the side of the cliff, cushioned only by the roots. With minor bruises, he survived to swing another day. The line between fame & notoriety is hair-thin.