SULADS STORIES

JUST THE THREE OF US

As told to Dave Soreqo

Lapangon Mission School

April, 2000

The following day after we had sold our abaca and had witnessed the death of that man who God taught a lesson, we went to San Fernando town to buy some goods.  Four wheel vehicles in this out-of-the-way place are scarce because of the rugged dirt roads.

Motorbikes that unbelievably load 5 passengers or more are the public transportation in this area.  We three from Lapangon gathered ourselves in one corner of the road to pray before we took the motor bike.  “Lord, please send your angels to be with us in our travel,” we prayed.

 So the three of us positioned ourselves on the bike, our feet securely fixed on the foot rests, and held each other tightly as the bike jumped up and down the bumpy rugged road.  None of these motorbike rides for sure is comfortable.  And for us Manobos especially who are used to climbing up and down mountains are very uncomfortable on this unwelcome ride.  But we had no other choice but to take the ride to get to the far San Fernando town to buy some goods and get back again to Lapangon before dark.

When we reached the town, each of us gave his fare.  The driver seemed not satisfied and waited for more. 

“Why?” We asked.  “Is there any problem?” 

“Yes,” the driver said, “you have give enough for three people when there are four of you.” 

 We looked at each other and said, “There are just the three of us.” 

 

“No, the fourth one in white alighted first and went ahead.  Why? Did you not see him disappear in that curve” (he was pointing to a nearest curve on the road).  “He seemed to be in a hurry for something.  I know he is your companion.  There were four of you when we left.  I should have not brought you here when if there were just the three of you.  I never drive with only three passengers that far.”

Again, we explained that there were just the three of us.  Besides we were budgeting our money.  But the driver demanded that there were four of us.  He insisted that we pay for our fourth companion but we were firm that there were just the three of us.

The driver, glancing at our bolos, did not insist anymore for the fare of our fourth companion.  We realized later on that we asked in our prayer before our trip for the angels to travel with us, and God sent one. 

“Thank you, Lord,” they prayed again.