Concerns of the Living and the Dead

We always hear people say,  most especially the religious that we should always be ready to go anytime.  To Christians,  go to confession, dapat we should always be FREE OF MORTAL SINS and we should be  kind, sincere, humble, compassionate,  respectful,  helpful,  basta lahAt ng may FUL.  In other words,  mabait.  Super bait.

This morning,  I was thinking of that preparedness thing.

Daming namamatay.
There were two funeral processions last Sunday afternoon in Binangonan.

We don’t know who would be next.  According to weight ba yan,  looks, height,  cholesterol levels,  blood sugar,  IQ,  age,  or alphabetically arranged?  Sabi nila, pag mabait,  mas mabilis mamatay.  Actually salbahe ako talaga,  kala lang nung iba mabait ako.  Pakitang tao lang yan, don’t believe it.

One can never be prepared to die or to be interred.   Both the living and the dead have things to worry about.   We live in this world that’s  full of issues and concerns,  we would die bearing with us those same concerns.

To us living,  how can you be ready?  Ang tagal ng preparation.  Daming gagawin.   For example if a mother would be called by San Pedro tomorrow, this would be a typical habilin to her children:

1.  BDO Mastercard is overcharging me by P3,000,  Please call and request them to reverse the charges.

2.  My Citibank Visa credit card is due on the 15th.  Make sure you pay 3 days before to avoid interest and penalties.

3.  I had my coat dry cleaned.    The receipt is under my brown appointment book.  Get it ha.  That’s Gucci.

4.  Watch your father.

Sabi nila,  mabuti nga daw yung patay,  wala ng concerns, no more worries,  kasi nga patay na sila.

But how come some of the dead come back,  make their presence felt.  They visit.  Their spirits linger.

Ewan,  I don’t know.  We should ask them.  Eh wala naman tayong matanong so we would know what happens after death.     Sadly,  we cannot ask them anymore.  Even if they rise and speak to us,  we would not want to do that.  Matatakot naman tayo.  O, Manolito,  eto ang Lolo Karyo mo,  interview-hin mo na.

Actually wala na silang i-wo-worry except for some minor things:

1.  The coffin’s glass case is too close to their face.  Dapat high ceiling para hindi tumama sa ilong kung matangos ang ilong.

2.  The coffin is too tight, wala ng hangin sa loob.  Hindi sya makahinga.

3.  Women could go back to the funeral parlor,  to complain about their make up.  “At sino ang nag-make-up sa akin”.  Baka mumurahin yung powder and lipstick,  nag-i-smudge.    Hindi naman professional bridal make-up artist ang kinuha.  Ang kapal ng foundation, mukha tuloy syang inembalsamo.

The living extends their neck to view the dead person’s face.

“Mukha lang syang natutulog”.  “Mahaba pala ang pilikmata nya.”   “Matangos pala ang ilong nya”.

Did you ever wonder what the dead say about the faces of people who stared down at them?

If you want to know,  get your cellphone,  mag-selfie ka.  Hold it just below your chest,  do you see your chin?  Very unflattering. That’s how the dead sees you.  “Ay, double chin sya”.  Malaki pala ang b____s ng ilong nya”.   “Bakit ka titingin-tingin?”   “Nag-abuloy ka na ba?”  “Viewing is free, but I need cash”.

Other than those minor things,  the dead shouldn’t worry anymore.  They should rest in peace.