Of Ng. Alex (+), Tay Seth and My Friend Ramly



WHAT you got with this equation: Nong Alex (God bless his soul) + Tay Seth + Ramly?

Not Descartes. Not Einstein. Only a true blue Baleten-on can answer that.

A yellow-bellied whistler (pilago) perching on a tree. 
      Name calling is one of the pastimes in rural Balete. It is not argumentum ad hominem per se but is typically a form of gut level communication between friends who wish to strengthen their bonds. Take for instance the late Nong Alex, Tay Seth and Ramly. On lazy afternoon in March of 1998, their paths crossed along M. Calizo St. From a distance, Nong Alex called out addressing no one, "Tong!" The perceptive Tay Seth responded in amusement, "Agoooo!, Agoooo!" "Tong!" Tong!", Nong Alex rebutted. Ramly, who was setting beside me in one of the park bench (read: wall) as we waited the day to pass us by, suddenly interjected in jest, "Haron eon man kamo!" (There you are again!).

       Wrong timing. Sun Tzu sagely advised, "Don't call attention to yourself." Two cannons were suddenly trained on Ramly. The Pilago and Tong-tong chorused as if announcing a checkmate: "KAHOY!"

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