Guest Translator: Ka Berto
Ang Tanong ni Berto: Bakit ko raw sinasabing malapit na ang Pasko?
Berto's Question: Why do I always say that Christmas is near?
Kung hindi mo napapansin, iyan ang walang kamatayang shout-out ko sa ibabaw ng mga kuwento ko. Walang kamatayan kasi ni minsan hindi ko inalis iyan, kahit tapos na ang Pasko. At wag ka, mag-ingat ka lang at wag mong i-click yan at baka masira PC mo. Arooooooo!
In case you did not notice, that is the undying "shout-out" message above my posts. Undying, because I never removed it at any time even when Christmas is over. And watch it and do not click on it or your PC will get broken. Arffffff!
Hindi naman talaga nagtatapos ang Pasko, Ka Berto. Tulad ng mga palamuti na ito . . .
Christmas does not really end, Ka Berto. Just like these decorations . . .
. . . na walang kupas ang ligaya at saya sa lahat nang makakakita niyan.
. . . that never fails to elicit joy and happiness to anyone who sees it.
Aba, kahit na ligpitin ang walang kamatayang, nakaka-atsing na mga palamuti na iyan . . .
And even if these sneezy dust-filled decorations are taken down and stored . . .
. . . na inabot lang ng apat na orocan, isama mo na ang mga ilawan . . .
. . . which took only four orocans (plastic boxes), including the lights . . .
. . . hinding-hindi mo talaga maililigpit ang Pasko, Ka Berto!
. . . you really can not remove and store away Christmas, Berto!
Oo, kahit na magmukhang baliw ang anak kong si Bogart . . .
Yes, and even if my pup Bogart look silly . . .
. . . sa kasusuot ng palamuti, na waring pilit ibinabalik ang saya ng Pasko . . .
. . . wearing the decorations in the hope of bringing back the joy of Christmas . . .
. . . na sadyang hindi naman talaga ito nagtatapos. Ang Pasko ay pag-gunita ng isang dakilang pagsilang, at lahat ng ligaya ng pagsilang ay hindi nagtatapos sa pagsilang lamang. Ito ay tuloy-tuloy na lumalaki at binubusog ang puso mong uhaw at sabik sa ligaya nang pag-ibig.
. . . which in truth does not really ends. Christmas is reliving a great birth. And the joy of the birth does not end in the birth. This will continue to grow and fill your thirsty heart aching for the joys of love.
Iyan talaga ang tunay na Pasko, Ka Berto. Pag-ibig na wala naman talagang kamatayan. Kahit pumanaw man ang minamahal mo, patuloy pa rin ito nabubuhay sa puso mo nang masayang pag-alaala.
That is the real Christmas. Love that does not end. Even if the one you love has left, it will continue to nourish your heart with happy memories.
At oo, hindi ko rin nakakalimutan ang namayani kong asawang si Pica. Kung buhay siya ngayon, aba, magiging 19 na siya! O, 133 kung tao siya! Aba, sino naman ang gustong mabuhay nang ganuon?
And yes, I have not forgotten my late mate Pica. If she is alive today she will be 19 or 133 in human years! Hey, who wants to live that long?
Kaya't masaya ako na pumanaw si Pica na masigla at masaya. At sa puso ko, siya ay parang Pasko. Walang kamatayan at walang ka-kupas-kupas . . . Salamat Ka Berto sa pagsulat at pagtanong mo.
That is why I am happy that Pica left happy and hearty. And in my heart, she is like Christmas: undying and eternal . . . Thank you, Berto for writing and asking me.
KaBerto: And thank you too, Sumo, for responding wisely to my question. You are quite a funny and smart dog for your age. Hehe. Please try to visit me so we can have a drink somewhere . . .
