I was allowed to visit back home whenever he wanted me to adoption’s only condition agreed to by Mama Julia
when I was about seven years old Father and my older sister Coring arrived unannounced traveling in a boat he made himself bringing gifts of large dried fish small salted fish green edible seaweed called, “latu” and ceramic pots made by Mother
Father had never been to Carigara but found the house with no trouble everyone knew the Tranis they directed him to the big house called, “Tiha” three stories a tiled terracotta roof coconut trees sweet, fragrant yellow bananas Mama Julia was away in Manila old folks hesitated in her absence fearing Father might keep me they asked that he leave my older sister to ensure my return Father agreed
a very old friend accompanied Father to sell her handmade pottery very friendly with messy white hair and only one front tooth her name was Reyang they spent the night at Tiha planning to leave early with me but Apoy Reyang got drunk from the tuba* Father brought she went out into the street walking and talking to herself my friends told me later they liked the old lady speaking wildly like a witch we feared stories of bad witches who snatched little kids but no one ever actually saw one so they were glad to see a real live old witch who wasn’t scary at all they thought she was my grandma actually envying me for the nice witch in my family
Father built a mast in the middle of his banca outriggers on both sides were made of bamboo poles lashed together with rope sailing back to Guintarcan he brought food to snack on when wind stirred Father raised sail to make the boat go faster when it was calm he wrapped the sail on the mast and used the paddle I liked it when Father asked me to hold something for him but he spoke in a Samar dialect when he realized I couldn’t understand him he rephrased it the Carigara way
a perfect day sea was calm sky cloudless I reached down to feel the cool, clear water rush against my open hand when the boat was moving faster increased pressure on my palm was pleasing I was happy and excited for the chance to visit with family but this adventure’s biggest thrill was simply: my Father came for me