The Curly Cook: And now the end is near…

Shortly after Typhoon Yolanda left a trail of destruction and despair along its path, a story started to make its rounds in Cebu. This is the story.

An old beggar had approached a female devotee as she was on her way out of the Sto Nino church.

He told her that he had been without food for a long while and was hoping she would be kind enough to spare some change so he could buy a piece of bread. Taking pity on the old man, the devotee gave him more than he had expected. The beggar thanked the devotee profusely and disappeared into the crowd.

Weeks later, as the devotee was leaving her house for work, she saw the old beggar sitting outside her gate. Surprised, she asked him how he knew where she lived. He answered vaguely that his being there was coincidental. He was in the area and had just sat down to rest for awhile.

But before he went on his way, the beggar warned the devotee of a great catastrophe that was soon to happen. He advised her to pray and pray very hard for protection. He then slowly walked away. The devotee, although a bit perturbed, went to work and immediately forgot about the warning. A couple of days passed before the catastrophe happened one bright morning. A magnitude 7 earthquake shook Cebu. The bell tower of the Sto Nino came crashing down. But nothing could compare to the damage caused in nearby Bohol.

The devotee, now quite anxious, was grateful that no harm had come to her and her family. She intensified her devotion to the Sto Nino and spoke of her encounter with the old beggar to all who would listen to her.

Days went by and strong after shocks could still be felt when the devotee once again found the old beggar sitting outside her gate. Again, when asked why he was in the area, he now, with great purpose, said that he had come to warn the devotee again to be prepared for another calamity. The beggar advised her to attend Holy mass conducted in Latin in a particular church (note: sorry, I did not catch the name of the church but I understand that there are some churches in Cebu that hold such masses). The beggar then went on his way. The devotee, meanwhile, was now very worried.

A week after the beggar’s visit, Typhoon Yolanda came to cause havoc on many Visayan provinces.

Desolate Road (Villaba, Leyte), picture courtesy of M

But this is not the end of the story.

The day after the storm found the devotee and her family sweeping the debris that collected on their front yard. As the devotee was carrying bags of debris to put out for the garbage truck to pick up, she once again saw the old beggar standing near by. The devotee asked the beggar if she could take a picture of him. You see, she had been telling everyone who would listen to her about his predictions. She told the beggar that if she had a picture of him, she would somehow have proof to her story. Then people would believe and start praying.

“Ayaw nalang ‘day. Kay dili makuha ang akong nawong sa litrato.”, he responded. (Don’t bother Miss. My face will not appear in the picture.”)

Nevertheless, she ran back into the house to get her camera and once back outside, took his picture.

He then went on to say, “Tungod kay dili ko kalimot sa imong gibuhat sa ako, nibalik ko usab kay naa kung i-sulti sa imo. I-padayon ang imong mga pangadgi sa Ginoo. Tambong sad sa Latin na misa. Mao ra gyud ni ang mapasalvar sa imo kay naa pa’y usa ka dakong trahedia mahitabo. Dako kaayo ning trahedia. Paghuman aning trahedia, usa nalang na isla ang magpabilin. Mag andam gyud ’day.” (I have returned to tell you something else because I cannot forget what you had done for me. Continue with your prayers to God. Attend mass said in Latin. These will save you from an upcoming tragedy. A great tragedy. After the tragedy happens, only one island will remain. You have to prepare.”)

”Adto na ko Inday. Hinumdomi ang mga gi-inggon ko sa imo. Pangadgi sa Ginoo.” (I now must go. Remember all that I have told you. Pray to God.”)

When the old beggar had left, the devotee immediately reviewed the digital picture she took of him. The screen on her camera was black. There was no picture of the old beggar.

---------xoxoxox----------

A friend of mine, after hearing this story, immediately called her mother. This friend relayed the story to the mother. And the mother wisely responded, “Ay, nakabati na ko anang estoria. Basta nay mga tragedia, mo gawas gyud nang mga estoria ug mga pasabot nga angay magbantay sa unsay mahitabo. Karaan na ug dugay na na gi-sulti sa Biblia. Muabot ang katapusan sa kalibotan pero walay makaingon kung kanos-a ni mahitabo. Busa, kung naka-andam ka, dili ka anggay ma-hadlok.”

(Oh, I have heard that story before. Usually when there is a tragedy or calamity, these stories and warnings usually come out. This is old as it is even mentioned in the Bible. The end of the world will happen but no one knows when. Therefore, if you are prepared, then there is nothing to fear.)

Amen.

--------xoxoxox-------

For a short while, like my friend, I was worried. My first thought was: What island will be left behind?

But quickly, I realize that being preoccupied with the end of the world robs us of living life now. So I choose to replace worries and anxieties with the joy of waking up to a brand new day. I choose to be grateful for the many opportunities to be able to do good. I choose to look at adversities as a way of purification. By doing so, I hope to be prepared when the end finally comes.

-----xoxoxox-----

While we prepare ourselves for the end, why not take some time out to cook this joy of a dish my brother recently shared with me. Having heard so many stories about how delicious it is, I recently gave it a try. The verdict: the stories are true.

My Brother’s Easy-does-It Baked Chicken

1 ½ k of chicken parts (legs and thighs are the best)

Half a head of garlic, minced

2 T soy sauce

Salt and pepper

1 large green bell pepper (or red or yellow), sliced

1 large onion, sliced

1 can of Campbell Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 can water

Sliced mushrooms, optional

Marinate the chicken with the soy sauce, garlic and salt and pepper. Leave in the fridge overnight or at least an hour before moving on to cook it.