Of ‘witches’ and ‘heretics’

By Nora Sorino .

ILIGAN City – It was already past six in the afternoon. As we made our way through some side street before reaching my place, my friend Sita said: ” Did you hear that, ma’ am?”

“No.”

She said it was a “tikling,” her voice barely a whisper. So that bird really in her mind was associated with something ” fearful. ” As fearful as a witch.

But most of the time, I don’ t believe in them. And I told her so.

” Ah…” she said. Maybe she was a little disappointed because I did not share her beliefs, or her fears.

Later though at home, upon watching some news on TV, I found that there really are witches in our midst. For the former American President, the Donald who is not a duck said: “This is a .. phase of the greatest witch hunt in our country. ”

What? He was considered a witch by many Americans? How come?

That was of course, following his acquittal
by the American Senate after being impeached a second time by the House.

The cause of all that? His perceived role in the Jan 6 trouble at Capitol Hill.

Being a “witch” he has transmitted his wretched powers to his supporters by telling them to ” fight like hell”?

But his defense said those words were just “rhetorics”.

Now speaking of rhetorics and witches some people in Luzon are saying that some winged creatures, not necessarily witches, but doves or ” kalapati” are doing some “nagging” to them. They say as they fly over them:
“Paturok! Paturok!”

Over here in Mindanao and in this city, I have not heard of a winged creature like a parrot telling people to, ” pabakuna! pabakuna! ” Although some other animals like politicians are parroting those ” pabakuna ” words.

As if their political future have something to do with “bakuna”!

It is said that powers of witches are transmissible, just like Covid. Like this story of a “witch” who lay on his death bed ready to die anytime. But he could not die. Unless he had ” transmitted” something, the “power” that he possesses. Which he kept inside a clenched fist. So he said to those watching over him: ” Dawata…dawata…” At length, a hesitant son received it so the father could die in peace.

But when the son opened the thing being given to him he saw that it was only a piece of paper in which some numbers were written: “729.”

They were just numbers in which the father had maintained all those “witching” years meaning the son had to continue maintaining, for the suertres, huhuhu.

The prevalence of “witch hunting” too is an indication that election fever is in the air. Like that report in Manila that there are now tarps saying, “run, Sara run”. There’ s no indication though that these are messages from some witches in Mindanao.

In this city of IIigan though, the name calling has shifted to that being called “erehis.” That’s what a die hard supporter of the “blue” team led by Cong. Frederick Siao said. The supporter, Boy Decena said that these creatures, these “erehis” or “heretics” are now doing their thing. Meaning, they are “dirtying” the political scene of Mayor Celso G. Regencia. CGR to note is now pining for the position of congressman. Of which former congressman Vicente Belmonte Jr is reclaiming too if some hacks are to be believed. Thus the calling of “erehis ” to CGR’ s likely opponents.

This, Decena shoved to lawyer Moises Dalisay too, I mean the “erehis” ideas as he is a former councilor and maybe, plans, like Belmonte, a return of the come back together with some names allied with him who have already successfully penetrated the once all too powerful hold of CGR. Names like lawyer Providencio Abragan Jr., Michille Sweet, Simplicio Larrazabal lll. They are now city councilors along with one other name that has escaped me for the moment.

They had shoved aside Belinda Lim, a doctor and Leony Roy Ga, a former police chief. The two though have been “recycled,” Lim as head of City Health and Ga as city administrator.

That’s the beauty of our politics, the winning team can do some “recycling”. Even doing some “analysis ” on some creatures who are thinking of some returns of the come back. Like Vicente Belmonte Jr who wants to reclaim the position of congressman here.

So Boy D says they are now branded as
“erehis” by some rabid CGR team supporters.

“What?” Dalisay said, in reaction for he might want to be konsehal of the city again.” I am a heretic? But I believe in God and go to church!” And he adds, “who is more of an ‘erehis’ people like me? Or a priest who has taken off his priestly clothes in exchange for some red – colored shirts before the church altar?”

He was referring of course, to Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz, that priest he was talking about and now “on leave.” And who is now casting moist eyes on the position of mayor even as congressman Siao’ s eyes are “focused” on it too come 2022 elections.

Now my question is/are, who are really the witches ? And who are in reality, the “heretics”, in among us?

No further question marks, your honors. Only some one or two exclamation points!!