My Catmon Geography

In Leylander's photoblog called "Moalboal" - he showed a partial picture of the rectory. We have spent time there visitng Tio Dido Flores - actually, one of the photos showed the windows of the rooms where my parents, my sister and I slept. We could not open them, because of the dust from the traffic.

How I wish I could have pictures of the Catmon of my memory. So please,if any one have pictures - kindly send it to me. It would be interesting to track the progress of the town.

Lola and I lived at the edge of Pilapil on Burgos Street. Later on the Botilla's - Nang Conching, Mano Roman, Mana Piling, the children Franco and later on Fenina - moved in next door. The two lots next to the Botilla's were filled with banana trees until the corner store of Man Pisyong and Inday Ason with Mana Tining. There was nothing on the other side of us except the pilapilan all the way to the National Highway.

It was a clear view from our pantaw all the way to the hills. I remember the day Mana Sisa killed her husband - it looked like they were chasing each other in the corn field.

Across the street - there was nothing. The land was owned by the Manit's - at edge there tipolo trees rumored to have supernatural residents.

Our house was surrounded by trees making it cool - hayahay, kaayo. Several people would come from time to time to take their afternoon naps at the house. Tiyo Tino used to come around when he was still in med school on vacation and when he first became a doctor. On the pilapilan side there were two tugas trees, a caimito tree, two guava trees, a coconut tree and only white tambis tree in Catmon for a long time.

I used to go and bounce on the guava trees singing "Guavas Are Ripe". We had lots of orchids - different varieties including the huge garlic smelling "Marso Marso" hanging from the pantaw down to the ground. Had the most gorgeous mauve-purple flowers.

In front of the house was a buongon tree - very sweet but very stingy with fruits. Another caimito tree, then a sabana tree - oh, sabana of my dreams - I only had fresh sabana once since I left Catmon. A couple of years ago, when I was spending time with my sister Jane Rojo in Southern California - she bought me a whole case of sabana juice. Not as good as the freshly picked tree ripened fruit - beggars can't be choosers. Then, going towards the back we had two avocado trees and a coconut tree.

Across the street past the Manit property, were the Villamor's - Lola Ensay, Nang Elisa and Munding, of course. The lower part of the house was occupied by Ingko Boy and Manang Nene. We used to gather there waiting for the newest issue of Bisaya, Kislap and Alimyon. Spent a lot of time there but more about that later.

Next door to them, in the corner lived the Estenzo's - Tia Ason, Tio Delfin,Inday Annie, Nonoy Yule and Tioping. They were my growing up family. To this day, I feel very loved and cared for by Tia Ason and Inday Annie. Lola and I slept at their house and ate with them for years it seems.

Next door were the Manit's - Mano Angel, Mana Asyon, Manoy Achilles, Arturo, Asterio and Allen. Across the street from the Manit's were the Rojas' and the Pontillas'. Nina Rojas actually came and spent time with me when she visited from Australia. Back to the corner stood the center of operations - the house of Tatay Ekel and Nany Angke Roldan. I have a treasure trove of childhood stories there and centered around this geography.

I am amazed how many memories were triggered by Leylander's blog. Thanks Leylander!