EVANESCENCE
The Politicians
by Gwyn Ann Adlip
Uncle Jun decided to celebrate his one-year old daughter’s christening together with his son’s 6th birthday and barangay fiesta. He figured that it would make the lechon baboy worth three times more than it would be. It was rather an intimate celebration with closed gates, exclusive only for the closest friends and family.
Uncle Jun worked closely for the partylist under Board Member Juan last election. It was there that he made friends with the newly elected SK Chairman Ponce and Barangay Councilor Enrile
whom he got as his daughter’s godfathers.
The christening ceremony was attended by the family—Uncle Jun’s partner and the two kids, Nanay, his mother, three nieces, the two godmothers, and the two godfather politicians. Before going home, everyone gathered outside the church.
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“Will the Board Member be there?” Councilor Enrile asked while checking his wristwatch. It read 10:39 AM.
“I don’t know. I only told him that the celebration starts at 10:30,” Uncle Jun replied and bade goodbye to get the vehicle. The politicians informed him that they would be at the reception in about 10 minutes and left.
“Jun, has BM Juan been there waiting for us?” Nanay asked Uncle Jun on the way home.
“I actually told him that the celebration starts at 10. I guess we’ll have to find out,” Uncle Jun said, his left hand on the steering wheel, while the other was dialing a number on his phone. It only kept on ringing.
When they arrived at their home, BM Juan’s car was nowhere to be seen.
“Maybe he’s on his way,” Uncle Jun reassured everyone inside the car. He checked his watch. The short hand of the clock almost reached number 11.
In front of Uncle Jun’s house were two blue tents decorated with pink and blue balloons all over. Long white tables and plastic chairs accommodated the guests and families. A rectangular table stood in front, carrying the feast for the three celebrations.
“Guess I’m early.” Councilor Enrile was first to arrive and noticed that SK Chairman Ponce and BM Juan weren't around. Uncle Jun guaranteed that the board member will be there soon. It turned out that the man just finished taking a bath and would be out on his way in a while.
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Councilor Enrile was a goofy man—-could be the reason why the people loved him.. He and Uncle Jun talked, laughed, and burned time for more than twenty minutes already—-the very same duration that they waited for BM Juan. He looked at his phone once again and asked for the man’s whereabouts. “Jun, what time did BM Juan say he was coming over?”
“Come on, Councilor. You used to be patient before the elections. You only won and now you can’t anymore?” Uncle Jun said, loud enough for everyone to hear. His laughter came erupting next.
Councilor Enrile was about to reply when SK Chairman Ponce’s smile welcomed everyone. They shook hands and the politician roamed around to entertain the people.
Ten more minutes and their guest was still on his way. “I’m feeling hungry already! Let’s eat.” Uncle Jun signaled and everybody ate their lunch. Midway through their meal, BM Juan came.