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| Tim Harvey, the moderator of our forum, is now a dual citizen, Philippine-wise :) For besides his being "Cebuano", he is now a "Kapampangan" as well :) At least that's how American Filipinos here in Portland, Oregon regard him as, and I expect the same to happen in DILA. He has been baptized with the nickname Mekeni Tim, a name he himself has chosen :) I urge Kapampangans to honor the honor bestowed on him and treat him as a brother. Biba, Tim Harvey! Biba!! NEWSFLASH! September 6, 2004 Cascade Locks, Oregon The turn out in the picnic at Cascade Locks Park was good. There was food and some singing entertainment as usual. Its program included the induction of officers and a karaoke singing contest. But the one that stole the show was the "knighting" of Tim Harvey as an honorary member following the successful initiation he had undergone. He was given three tests - one on loyalty, one on knowledge and familiarity with the group he was joining, and one on courage. For the loyalty test, he was blindfolded and his hands were tied behind him. His heartbeat was tested to make sure he did not have the fear factor as we did not want him to have a heart attack and be flown by a life-flight helicopter to the nearest hospital which was some 40 miles away! He was forewarned by the master to make the sign of the cross, as he was going to be led to where wise men fear to tread. Then he was made to recite as a pledge while repeating after the master (initiator) the first stanza of William Ernest Henley's poem, Invictus: "Out of the night that covers me Black is the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever Gods may be For my unconquerable soul." "Do you possess an unconquerable soul?" asked the master. And Tim replied. "Yes!" Then, he also was asked to pledge and pray: "Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of Danger, I shall fear no evil, for the indomitable Kapampangan spirit is in me." Then in Angelo dela Cruz fashion, he was led to walk along with his Kapampangan guards to a place where there was allegedly a snake pit inhabited by a deadly diamondhead rattler. A joker was wildly announcing all the dangers that might befall on him along the way, in an attempt to scare the daylight out of him. Tim, however kept his calm and was all too willing and determined to take the risk in order to prove his loyalty to the organization he was joining. He was not even apprehended by the joker's announcement that Norman or Charlie, whom he crossed swords with in Fil-Am Forum, were lurking in the shadows and trailing him and might throw him into the cold Columbia River nearby! He was not afraid of the announcement that he would be placed by them under water for five minutes! With faith in his heart and unmindful of such announced perils along the way, he acquiesced to where his guards led him. Neither did he falter even for just a moment to doubt the safe situation he was promised with long before the day of his initiation. He was really a believer - an adherrent to the fact that Kapampangans are worthy to be friends with and won't ever betray his trust. He knew all along that just being with Kapampangans already guaranteed his safety from harm's way and he just scoffed and derided the joker's unfounded lies! A boxer during his prime, he probably would have given the joker an upper cut to the chin had he not been blindfolded and bounded securely by his guards! To make the long story short, he was able to survive the ordeal. And with flying colors! His genuine loyalty to Kapampangan was proven and was greeted with a round of applause from the spectators (mostly Kapampangans) around! For the next phase, Tim was asked seven questions - all related to Kapampangan studies and he got them all correctly! For every question he answered right, he was given a thunderous applause. Herewith are the questions asked along with his answers: (historical) What was the name of the former U.S. base in Pampanga? Clark (cultural) What is a "kababayan" or compatriot in Kapampangan? cabalen (cultural) How do you say "Come here" in Kapampangan? Mekeni (cultural) What was the title of the zarzuela masterpiece of Crisostomo Soto? Alang Dios (political) What is the capital of Pampanga? The City of San Fernando (political) Lubao, Pampanga is the hometown of the President. Name her. Gloria Arroyo Then came the third test, the test on bravery. The master said: "Our ancestors were noted for this character trait. They had the red badge of courage. They fought not only the Spaniards and Americans during the revolution, and the Japanese during the War. During the colonial times, as Spain's most loyal mercenaries, they also fought against the Moros, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British, earning well-deserved praises from the king of Spain. One friar even referred to them, according to historians, as the Castilians of their race." So, to prove his bravery, he was asked to approach with caution the stuffed dummy of a lion and kick it. Tim then beat his chest with his fists like an ape-man and with his booming voice that reverberated across the Columbia, he yelled the immortal words "Keng leon o tigri e ku tatakut, keka pa?" (If I am not afraid of neither a lion nor a tiger, why would I be afraid of you?) No sooner had he finished hollering that line than he kicked the lion with all his might and sent it flying across the field! For that he was again greeted with cheers and applauses! Finished with the tests and passing them all, he was then asked to kneel on a cushion in preparation for the regal ceremony. The master said "We have reached the moment of truth. If some of us here are taking pictures, now is the time. For the knighting of Tim will happen in just a moment." There was silence for a few seconds. Then the master was handed a gleaming sword. He raised it and then dubbed the subject on the shoulder with it while saying: "Tim Harvey: With this sword of Aring Sinucuan, and by virtue of the power vested in me as president, I proclaim you as an honorary special member of the Aguman Capampangan." It was done with solemnity and with the regality the occasion deserved. Shortly after that, the president extended his hand to the new "Adopted Son of Pampanga" and said, "Rise up, my brother." He then gave him a hug. Then Miss Aguman Capampangan, looking as lovely as ever, placed a lei around his neck, and a line of officers took turns hugging and kissing him as they at the same time danced and sang their offical folk song, "Atin Cu Pung Singsing". End of ceremony. But the feast and the merriment went on until almost nightfall. |
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