GUEST COLUMNIST
On March 30, I had the honor of witnessing the signing of the Memorandum of Declaration between the municipality of Bacnotan in La Union, and Alpas owner Champ Liu Pio, famous singer of the Filipino band Hale.
The declaration officially designates the Elyu haunt as a protected bird sanctuary. Representing Bacnotan was Mayor Divina C. Fontanilla, fondly called by everyone “Mayor Divine,”
whom I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time and instantly felt a connection with.
After the formalities concluded, Mayor Divine invited me to join her for breakfast the next day and offered to give me a tour of her charming municipality.
Bacnotan, one of the 12 towns comprising La Union, has a fascinating history. Established in 1599 as part of Ilocos Sur, it was later integrated into Pangasinan in 1785 during Governor-General Jose Basco’s administration. Finally, in 1850, Bacnotan became an integral component of the province of La Union. It is dubbed “the home of honey, silk, and mushroom” and is a good alternative for the crowded San Juan as a surfing hot spot.
Come Sunday, Mayor Divine and I pushed through with our date. First on our itinerary was St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church, popularly known as Bacnotan Church.
I was immediately wowed by the church’s exterior, which combines baroque and neoclassical architectural elements. It features a grand bell tower and intricate columns, showcasing centuries of rich history and profound religious significance.
Admiring architectural wonders reminds us of the stories they hold within each corner and wall—the tales of our ancestors' triumphs, struggles, and resilience. This is why I perceive in them not only structural marvels but also the soul of our nation.
Cooperation among local and national governments and private organizations is imperative for preserving historic landmarks. I genuinely hope pertinent institutions like The National Museum of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Heritage Conservation Society, among others, would better acknowledge these architectural gems and unite efforts to guarantee their long-term preservation for future generations to appreciate.
Our next stop was the Bacnotan Municipal Hall. Similar to the church, the municipal hall boasts of antique designs and features. It likewise radiates grandeur, resembling a classic and cultural mansion.
To say the least, the lovely office emanates an exquisite appeal befitting the esteemed Mayor, whose affable personality and hospitality bring a sense of ease to anyone.
What followed is the complicated bit of the story.
While Mayor Divine was talking about her plans and the upcoming festivities for Bacnotan, just as we were about to leave the Municipio, my breath came in shallow gasps, each inhalation a struggle against the suffocating weight pressing down on my chest. Nausea churned in the pit of my stomach, a relentless tide that pulled me under. This happens to me every time my potassium, sugar and magnesium levels drop, which, my doctors suspect, are effects of hyperthyroidism.
Fearful of undermining Mayor Divine’s efforts, I was reluctant to voice my discomfort. Instead, I asked for an orange juice, my go-to stopgap for my health problem. In this instance, the beverage didn’t help.
Moving on to the next destination, the Bacnotan Farmers’ Agri-tourism Center, I went to the car, unusually jittery and anxious. My heart raced like it was trying to break free from my rib cage. I was fighting with a disorienting dizzy spell. Panic gripped me; its icy fingers wrapped around my throat, further squeezing the air from my lungs. My friend, Erika, who is also a registered nurse, checked my vitals and was alarmed by the frenetic pace of my heart and the grayish to whitish color of my lips.
My limbs grew heavier as if encased in lead, and I felt a tingling sensation from the tips of my fingers to my torso, as though a colony of ants was crawling beneath my skin. My condition kept on worsening throughout the drive until I was on the brink of collapsing.
When I arrived at the agri-tourism center, a doctor asked me to lie down and rest. My body felt rigid, locked in a fierce battle against hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, and depleted magnesium levels. The numbness was unbearable until the doctor finally decided for me to be rushed to a hospital.
I felt like I was teetering on the edge of oblivion, clinging desperately to the fragile thread of life. Every fiber of my being screamed in agony, and a chilling realization crept over me—I was staring death in the face.
As I lay, trembling and struggling to breathe, Mayor Divine’s reassuring presence provided a glimmer of hope. With the help of medical professionals, I was transported to emergency room of the provincial hospital, where I underwent a battery of tests and intravenous workups on potassium and magnesium. It was frightening. But I overcame it. Then, I again realized how I stared death in the face and won.
Mayor Divine stayed by my side throughout the incident, offering words of support that served as a comforting balm to my troubled body, mind, and soul. The gentle warmth from her hand enveloping mine infused a sense of calm amidst the chaos. Her unwavering kindness and compassion, which I saw from the beginning, even before the health episode, moved me.
If I had to describe Mayor Divina in a single word, it’d be motherly. She has this gentle demeanor and exudes a warm aura, welcoming visitors and locals as though they were her children returning home. Based on how she dealt with me, she goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being of her constituents, just like a devoted mother who tirelessly looks after her family.
This event made me remember the power of being kind. In the words of Barbara De Angelis, “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”
Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, ups and downs. Despite the challenges along the way, kindness makes the ride more bearable. Moreover, we must trust the universe and believe everything happens for a reason. My body acted up to prompt me to take better care of it.
Maybe, this all happened in La Union while I was alone to make me understand that there will always be people like Mayor Divine ready to help.
The belief that everything has its purpose gives us hope in times of despair, strength in times of weakness, and peace in times of turmoil.
We must acknowledge that God works through us to spread love, kindness, and compassion.
Let us embrace our role as instruments of God and strive to embody His love and grace in all we do. By doing so, we can truly make the world a better place and fulfill our divine purpose.
There is hope!