Lumawig could only nod, but deep in his eyes uncertainty and worry could be seen. It is not difficult to understand his uncertainty though, as Lumawig is a child who has dreams and aspirations, but never in his wildest dreams that he would become a babaylan.
Looking back, lolo Gani noticed that Lumawig seemed to be reluctant in becoming a babaylan. However, he can only sigh and shake his head, as he knows that only Lumawig can change his own heart. He only hoped that when the day came for him to accept his gift, he would be ready. Lolo Gani can only focus in preparing his apò for the ritual.
The following day, lolo Gani went to the town market and look for a healthy, white-feathered rooster and a white goat. These two animals will be used for the rituals. He also went to buy a liter of local coconut oil so he can concoct a new batch of his lana which he will also use in Lumawig’s ritual. He also went to buy several bamboo poles, that are just a little bit taller than a full-grown adult and as thick as an adult’s forearm, candles, some Pasyawan branches and other paraphernalia he would need during the ritual. He also bought two servings of bihon. He then went home but he did not stay long. He only left Lumawig’s share of the bihon and told him to eat when he is hungry. Lolo Gani then went outside carrying the bamboo poles on his shoulders, he crossed the rice fields headed north and into the thick forest a couple hundred meters away from the very last rice paddy.
It is almost noon, and even with the shadows of the leaves in the forest, the heat could still be felt. Lolo Gani could be seen walking steadily inside the forest, his face is dripping with sweat, his steps, unhurried but sure. He was not following any man-made path, but he seems to know where he is going. From time to time he would drink from his water bottle. The cool water would provide comfort and coolness to his throat amid the hot summer sun. Some birds could be heard in the distance, but other than that the forest is relatively quiet.
After walking for almost two hours, Lolo Gani reached a small clearing in the forest, and in the middle of this clearing, there stood a Narra tree. The tree is not very tall, only 15 meters tall, but what is surprising is its circumference of 5 meters. If one looked closely, on the side that faces east, there is an opening that leads to the inside of the tree. The opening is only big enough to allow only one person at a time, but inside, it is enough to accommodate up to three persons with room to spare.
After finding the opening on the tree, lolo Gani went inside. Inside the tree, lolo Gani took out some candles and lit them, illuminating the dark interior of the tree. Though it is summer, the inside of the tree is cool, a relief to the sweltering summer heat. From the entrance, on the left side, there is a small altar half a meter in height, but there is nothing in there. Traces of blood could be seen; however, these blood has dried long ago. Below the altar is an elevated piece of earth, half a meter in length, so shaped that the top portion of the mound is flat and remnant waxes of candles could be seen. Apparently, this piece of earth was used asa candle stands.
A look of reminiscing could be seen in lolo Gani’s eyes.
“I cannot believe that I will be using this as the place for Mawi to accept his gift, just like how Inang Selia did back then.” The old man sighed, nostalgia filling his eyes.
He then proceeded to clean the place, once done he sat down and started concocting his lana. Unlike the usual concoction of oil, he uses in his hilot services, this concoction contains some pieces of unknown wood chips, dried leaves and some roots. After putting these things in a large bottle, he then proceeded to pour the oil, stopping a few times to lightly swirl the liquid together with the other materials while chanting an orasyon, filling it up all the way to the bottle’s mouth. After the chanting was finished, lolo Gani then took out a piece of white cloth and poured some of the newly concocted lana on it; once soaked he then proceeded to wipe it on to whole length the bamboo poles he brought. While wiping he can be heard muttering softly a prayer, though the language he is using is incomprehensible. Once he has wiped all the bamboo poles with the oil-soaked cloth, he started to sharpen one end of the bamboo pole so that it became a simple bamboo spear. Finishing quickly, he set them aside inside the tree leaning on the right side inside the tree’s cavity. He then proceeded to bury the lana he just concocted in the soil near the altar and exited the tree. All this action of his took no more than an hour. Looking up at the sky, lolo Gani then proceeded to make his way home, however, he did not take the same route when he came to the clearing.
Meanwhile, Lumawig who was left alone all day by his lonesome did not slack off. Even though it is his summer vacation, he is still doing his household chores faithfully. However, it can be seen on his face that he is deep in thought. It seems that what his lolo told him is still lingering in his mind, and try as he might, he cannot seem to get them out of his mind. Nevertheless, when his three friends came over, he immediately stopped thinking about it and went with them to their basketball court and play.
It was almost dark when his lolo came back, lolo Gani was smiling, he brought his hand to his face and showed Lumawig that he is holding six large palakang palay (frogs). Lumawig was immediately delighted as palakang palay are his favorite. He wasted no time and went inside their house to cook rice, while his lolo cleaned the frogs, Lumawig prepared the ingredients needed for his lolo’s adobong palaka (frog stewed in vinegar and soy sauce). After everything was cooked, Lumawig excitedly ate his dinner.
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“Mawi, after you’re done with the dishes, wait for me at the table. I need to tell you some things.” Lolo Gani instructed.
“Yes lolo.” Affirmed Lumawig.
When Lumawig was done with the dishes, he waited for his lolo at their dining table. A couple of minutes later, his lolo came back; now holding a small booklet and a triangular agimat in his hands. These were the same items he brought when he kneeled in front of the balete tree yesterday afternoon.
“I know you have a lot of questions right now. I did too when I was your age. You do not have to worry as I will answer them all, but not everything at once.” Lolo Gani explained without waiting for Lumawig to ask his questions.
“This small booklet I am holding is called a librito. I am sure you have seen me use this whenever I concoct medicinal potions for those who are sick. Libritos like this contain prayers that helps improve the efficacy of the medicines I make.” Lolo Gani started explaining.
“However, this librito that I am currently holding is different from the one I am using when making medicines. The librito is special, as it has been handed down to me from Inang Selia.”
“Inang Selia? Isn’t she your lola (grandmother), lolo?” asked Lumawig.
“Yes, Inang Selia was my grandmother. She was also a babaylan, a powerful one in fact. Long ago, she also told me that this librito has been passed down to her by her lola, and the one that was passed down by her lola was also from her lola’s lola. You see, most babaylans are women, however, there are cases when a man would receive the gift connect with the spirits. That is why I have become one, and so will you.” Recounted lolo Gani.
“This librito that has been passed down in our family for generations is not a simple one. As I have said earlier, this librito is special. Here, why don’t you try and open it.” Lolo Gani then handed Lumawig the librito.
Receiving the librito, Lumawig first studied the item. The librito that was handed to him was not big, it is only half the size of a regular notebook. It is not thick either, from its appearance, the librito seems to be only 20 pages thick at most. It looks to be very old as well, with its pages colored mostly brown and seems to be brittle. The cover is made from cow leather. While inspecting the notebook, Lumawig noticed that it weighs heavy as opposed to its size. He was curious by the phenomenon, but he just kept the question in his head as he knows that his lolo will tell him what he needs to know.
After looking over the librito, Lumawig then open the booklet. Surprise could be seen in his eyes, as he hurriedly flipped the pages of the booklet.
Confused, Lumawig asked his lolo, “Lo, why is it that the pages of this librito is all blank?”
“Apò, the pages are all blank because you haven’t fully accepted your gift yet. You will only be able to see its contents once you have completed the ritual that we will be doing after five days. I am also sure that you have noticed the weight of the librito. As I have already mentioned, this librito is special. In time, you will be able to understand its mysteries.” Lolo Gani then smiled mysteriously.
Lumawig then thought. He seems to be deeply and seriously considering things. A few moments later Lumawig could no longer hold himself back, so he suddenly asked,
“But lolo, if I become a babaylan, what will happen to me and my future? What about my education?”
To his question, Lolo Gani patiently answered.
“Being a babaylan will not be detrimental for you nor your future aspirations. In fact, it will instead help you by broadening your mind. You will be able to learn more than the average person. The only catch is that you will be burdened by a responsibility, which will be revealed to you at the ritual.”
Not waiting for Lumawig’s reply, lolo Gani then handed him the triangular shaped, brass agimat.
“This agimat is also one of our family’s keepsake. Unlike the one I use during my healing sessions with the people, this agimat is also special. However, I am not sure how to use this thing exactly, as I am not as good nor as strong as your Inang Selia.” There is a hint of disappointment in lolo Gani’s eyes when he said those last few words.
“That is why I kept it hidden in my baul. However, one of the functions of that agimat is to determine if a person has the gift or not. Try holding the agimat on your palm.” Instructed lolo Gani.
When Lumawig heard his lolo’s instructions, he immediately placed the agimat on his palm. Not even a breath later, he felt that the brass item on his hand became hot. He was not hurt however, but due to his surprise, he flipped his hands and dropped the agimat on the table.
“HAHAHAHAHA! That was also my reaction when I first held that thing!” lolo Gani was laughing when he saw his apò freak out from holding the agimat.
“WHAT IS THIS THING LOLO?!” Lumawig is now standing a little bit farther from the table.
“Why apò, is there something wrong?” still chuckling, lolo Gani picked up the agimat however,
“Lo, that thing is hot!” Lumawig, afraid that his lolo would be hurt tried to take away the agimat from his hands, only to notice that his lolo is not being burned by the agimat. Lumawig then took a deep breath and sat back down, waiting for his lolo’s explanation.
“Did you feel your hand getting hot?” lolo Gani asked. Lumawig only nod in affirmation.
“This agimat, as I have told you earlier can determine if a person has the gift or not. If held by an ordinary person, this agimat will remain as it is, and there will be no change on its temperature. However, if it is held by someone like me, they will feel it turning hot, but you ought not be scared as this thing will never harm you. Here, hold it again. Tell me if you notice anything else.”
Lumawig then held the agimat on his palm again. This time, as he has already been told that it will not hurt him, he did not let go when it became hot. He then noticed that he is feeling more refreshed and invigorated, despite not having worked any hard labor for the day. His troubled mind became clearer.
“Lolo, this agimat, does this have healing powers as well?” asked Lumawig.
A twinkle in lolo Gani’s eyes can be seen when Lumawig asked.
“Healing? Tell me, what did you notice!” excitement was evident in lolo Gani’s eyes.
“I’m feeling invigorated right now, and my head feels clear as well.” answered Lumawig.
“You are just like Inang Selia.” Said lolo Gani filled with emotion.
“Tomorrow, I will start preparing you to fully accept your gift. As for your decision in becoming a babaylan, you make that on the day of the ritual. However, I would like you to know, that whatever you choose, I will fully support your decision.” Lolo Gani told Lumawig, his words full of kindness and doting. Lolo Gani then kept the agimat and the librito.