THE FISHPOND. Yes. What about the fishpond at Fatima? This pond was made controversial by people who dont know the real story. The truth. The temporary dumpsite needs a very big volume of soil to cover the citys daily garbage generation. Mr. Dondon Tecson offered it for free. The soil will be taken from an adjacent land, their land, which is about a kilometer away from the intended dumpsite. When the dumping of garbage started, a problem arose. The drivers of the dump trucks and the backhoe operators were afraid to go and work in that area, out of fear from bandits. (Please take note that the place is notoriously known. A few days after the opening of the dumpsite, a couple was shot and killed in the highway leading to that place where the soil is supposed to be excavated). Dondon and I discussed the problem and he said he will initially request his Uncle Petronio to provide the soil which will be taken from his uncles nearby land. I told him his uncles place is nice as it is very near the dumpsite, so it will be more favorable to the city in terms of fuel/oil saved as well as maintenance cost on tires,etc.So Dondon Tecson let them excavate the soil from a nearby land after his uncle gave his consent. The land was a flatland, on the level of the immediate cemented highway. Some only 200 meters away from the dumpsite. I believe what made his uncle agree was my suggestion to Dondon that since there is water continuously flowing nearby, why not make a fishpond out of the excavated land? His uncle saw a nice give and take. The dumping started, the garbage covered, the hauling cost of the city was very much lessened, the safety of the workers secured, the soil for free and in the future, a nice fishpond for his uncle and their people. I was there when I noticed the first two birds who dived and drank from the pond after the water was allowed to flow in. I told Dondon, tomorrow they will be four, then six, then eight. I was not wrong. The Mayor was happy when he saw the pond. He said Makapamasol na jud diay ta ani Kapatid and so we thought. But we were wrong. No pamasol is in the offing for them. When the pond was deep enough, I was so happy seeing many children from nearby places, jump and dive in the new water. But miserably it became an issue. That Dondon has used the equipment for personal use, etc etc. It was aired maliciously freely on the radio during and when the Kapatiran was suspended. One time, while Jun Bacus was discussing it on the air, the Uncle Petronio of Dondon felt his nephew has been unfairly bashed. He called up Jun Bacus and identified himself. Jun Bacus, was so happy to have him as an audience participator, or participiter, ( The story why Jun Bacus readily and happily accepted Dondons Uncle Petronios participation can be discussed in another time. It is a story of two betrayals, not by his uncle, which led to the suspension of the Kapatiran). At that radio program, Uncle Petronio categorically said, Naa man diay mo problema anang fishpond, palihug iuli na lang ninyo ang yuta nga inyong gikuha dinha. Itabon ninyo ug balik. Jun Bacus was caught offguard. He thought Uncle Petronio will say words on their favor. Jun hanged the phone after promising to call him again after his talk with his Bosses. Dondons uncle is still waiting. The birds and the children still play on the waters. The tilapia fish and hito are now grown up. How I wish the Kapatids are doing their fishing happily together. And of course, me too.
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 05:01:30 +0000