My Father’s Tragic Death is the title of this segment of My Story as told by Thelma Cabalic Dorig or Emang as childhood friends and relatives called her. We are going to use the third person in reference to Thelma or Emang.
Thelma’s father was struck by lightning to his death on one dark gloomy afternoon on May 15, 1961. A farmer, husband, and father of 9 very young children of whom the youngest was 6 months old. He was only 35 years old.
That unfortunate afternoon was like no other day than many many days and years before. According to Emang’s eldest brother and other relatives who witnessed the event, the day seemed to have turned into full darkness with roaring thunders and lightning strikes as if there were firecrackers.
Being a farmer, her father needed to secure the safety of his animals. He had water buffalos or carabaos, cows, and a horse on the farm. These animals are a necessity for a farmer at the time. They are used to pull the plows to till the soil, pull carts or wagons, and personal transport. The cows are used for milking and meat for food. Needless to say, Carabaos are farmers’ best friends. He needed to save his animals.
Thelma’s father tied his bolo knife on his waist and asked her eldest brother if he would come along with him. Her brother declined because he was working on his school project. A cousin went with her father to the farm.
They found the carabaos and cows, so Emang’s father sent the cousin home while he went to get his horse nearby to help in herding the animals. A soon as the cousin reached the backyard of the house, strong thunders started to rumble hard and lighting struck with fire. Witnesses said they saw smoke and fire on the farm in the vicinity of her father. The farm area became so dark and black with zero visibility.
The relatives in the house felt nervous thinking something unthinkable must have happened to her father on the farm. They went to the farm to see if he was alright. Thelma’s brother described to her how the scene was like.
There was total darkness in the scene, her brother stated. They could hardly see because of the darkness. They began to see the tragedy as the darkness clears up a bit. The scene was like something similar to an alien horror movie. In a weird scenario, her brother said; “The animals encircled the charred body as if they were performing a ritual of some sort.” (animal way of praying for the deceased).
And the scene becomes more of a miracle because just a moment passed, there was a sudden change in the aura of the sky. The afternoon became so very bright and clear as if nothing tragic happened. As if the sky’s telling us that it has taken what they wanted and now continue on living.
The body of Emang’s father was carried by relatives to the house. Apparently, the bolo tied to his waist was struck by lightning while he was on horseback. His body was burned and charred beyond comprehension and description.
Emang was so very young to know everything then. These are some of her recollections about her father. She remembered seeing the coffin of her father laid in the middle of the living room. But she didn’t know his face, didn’t remember him cuddling her, him talking to her, or teaching her about anything. The only thing she did remember was the song sang by her siblings with the lyrics ” No mahilem ana, antina hi tatay, ampanandali, ibat ya ha paliyan.” translated in English: (in the evening, my father comes, hurriedly, coming from the farm). Thelma’s note: She knew his father did cuddle and carried her and most likely danced while doing so, just like any other father would do to their babies; but she didn’t remember it.
This is the story of Thelma’s father as told by her eldest brother, mother, and other relatives. She remembered this though; he had an unfinished project: An add-on room to the house.
She also remembered seeing her father’s horse hitched on a guayabano tree while she was sitting by the unfinished room window. The horse seemed to look sad and doing a whinny. Emang was very young to know everything so she didn’t realize whether or not she was saddened to see the horse by itself.
Thelma’s father died from a tragic lightning strike. He died so very young where some of his children don’t even remember his face. They were too young to have lost their father. Their mother was left alone to raise 9 young children.
The next episode of MyStory will be about how Thelma’s mother makes ends meet to support the large young family all by herself. See you next time.