Barefoot in Balete

Punong Barangay Colango of Guanko came to see the Mayor some few weeks past. He asked permission if she would allow a couple of his constituents to come to her office barefooted. Taken aback by such an unusual request, Mayor Bubut wondered out loud why they would elect to come barefoot when it is that easy and practical to wear shoes or slippers. The explanation of the Kapitan was an eye opener: The couple came from a remote sitio of Ganzon, a village situated in the rugged mountain ranges bounding the municipalities of Jamindan, Capiz and Balete. All their lives, they never had the chance to visit the lowland nor had they learned to wear slippers. Their feet were muscular, deformed and spread out like gingers, used to making their way in the slippery slopes of the area. This time, they were forced to go down from their mountain abode to legalize their bond as husband and wife. Personally, they are assured that their union is solidified by their faithfulness to one another, however, their children had informed them that they would not be admitted to school if they could not produce the married contract of their parents as well as furnish their teachers photocopies of their Certificate of Live Births.

And so they brave the storm and came down to the hills and presented themselves to their Kapitan, imploring: please help us secure the documents needed so that our sons and daughters could continue in their schooling. Please accompany us downstream into the plains and help us out deal with the lowlanders.

The village chieftain was having second thoughts. He learned from experience that Mayor Cordero has given instruction to all Punong Barangays to be in their business suits whenever they conduct business with the local government. Precisely that he went out to see the mayor first and asked her permission to let the seekers come into her office barefooted. He did not want to embarrass his people nor wish to offend the sensibility of the chief executive officer. For Kapitan Nono, he was treading on an untrodden path. So before approaching the lady mayor about the matter, he went to see the gatekeepers, soliciting their opinions; will Mayor allow those uncivilized people come into her office? Will she solemnize their marriage if they elected to remain barefoot?

What do you think was Mayor Bubut's response to the request?

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