The Agony of Elsa

Parents is a word, which here in this episode of Elsa's story would mean: Preposterous! It may also refer to such lexemes like: punishment; apathetic; defilement; and umbrella!

Elsa, if euphemism would make it any different, has what I wish to call "a natal mother who is four quarters short of a dollar, a substitute father who is five cans short of a six packs, and a biological father who is wandering the Elysian Fields"!

While most young girls of Elsa's age would be delighted on the thought of going home from school every afternoon knowing that a loving mother would be ready to meet her at the door with a warm hug, Elsa, just so that you are aware, does not!

If most young girls of Elsa's age would be confident on the thought that what ever happends, a supportive father will always be around to defend her from bullies in school, Elsa, to make my point clearer, does not!

The reason why Elsa does not look forward at meeting her mother at night after school is easy to understand! And it is easier to understand why Elsa does not consider her father supportive! At this point of the story, allow to me remind you about the name of Elsa's father. He is: Icasiano Antonio Ragoza. It is important that I mention that name again. It is important that I remind you of that name in case you have forgotten all about it. Some people, especially the grown-ups, have the proclivity to forget minute details like the names of people.

If you are a grown-up who has followed this story from the onset and has forgotten about Icasiano Antonio Ragoza, I honestly do understand and infact, you are forgiven! But if you are new here and is just starting with this episode, then you have three options: the first is to leave hastily and look for something else to read; second is to trace back four episodes back and start reading the episode entitled: The Simple Schoolgirl; and third is to forget about prerequisites, just read along, infer, and make a conclusion! A conclusion which, since it’s devoid of basis, may end up biased!

Anyway, for the third time in this episode, allow me say again that the name of Elsa's father is: Icasiano Antonio Ragoza! Icasiano Antonio Ragoza spent his childhood days in the largest province and the biggest rice producer of Central Luzon in the Philippines: Gapan in Nueva Ecija! When he reached the age of 22, he decided that he had enough of the provincial life! And so, he went to Manila to look for a job. Unfortunately, he wasn't very successful at finding an employment! Knowing nothing else and having no other skills but to sow and reap in the rice fields, he always ends up with small jobs with very meager pay! But, despite the elusive luck, Icasiano Antonio discovered that he attracted the attention of many women due to his nice looks! And, Icasiano Antonio Ragoza also soon found out that he could survive life in the city using only his good looks! He got romantically involved with several women who could afford to give him allowance every month. Icasiano Antonio Ragoza got things going until he met Maritess Dolores Pulmones, The Vile Vendor!

His liaison with The Vile Vendor paved the way for him to meet the woman who he really fell in love with and whom he eventually married, Fanchita Isidra! Unhappily, his love relationship with the woman who he really fell in love with was doomed because of a curse made by The Vile Vendor! A curse that states: "Death will be the reward for whoever gives true love to the first born child of Fanchita Isidra and Icasiano Antonio Ragoza!"

After spending sometime of his life as a gigolo, Icasiano Antonio eventually wedded Fanchita Isidra in a civil ceremony. They used the earnings from the Special Banana cue stall, which Icasiano Antonio took with him when he eloped with Fanchita Isidra, to start up their family. The two contentedly lived together and in no time, Fanchita Isidra got heavy with their first child.

When Fanchita Isidra concieved, it was then that Icasiano Antonio realized that he has to start working hard for his family. He realized that soon he will grow old and his good looks would no longer be much use to him. He realized that it was time for him to take his life seriously! And so, he decided to go to Hong Kong and worked as a Cutter in a Clothing Factory. Icasiano Antonio worked really hard! He sends home a big portion of his earning every month so that Fanchita Isidra could save a portion of it so that she'll have money to spend when she delivers her child and she spends a portion of it for household expenses and home improvement.

A couple of months past and Fanchita Isidra gave birth to Elsa. But Elsa's birth, which was supposed to be a very happy event, turned out to be the beginning of The Vile Vendor's curse. When Icasiano Antonio learned that Fanchita Isidra gave birth to a baby girl, He was very happy and was so full of pride that finally he is a father. Icasiano Antonio became more determined to work hard for his family. Icasiano Antonio felt so much love for Fanchita Isidra and his new born baby, which of course would be Elsa! And because of too much joy, Icasiano Antonio decided to celebrate the special day by inviting some of his Filipino friends in the factory for a night of drinking in a bar.

The celebration went on and then ended a minute past midnight. At the end of the drinking spree, Icasiano Antonio was already so drunk to even go home that he fell asleep on a bench in the park which is right infront of the bar. When he woke up that morning, he was no longer feeling well. He was nauseous. He was throwing up. He was feverish. At first, he thought that it was a simple flu that he caught as a result of sleeping in the park. But, he got worse as the day progressed. He still reported for work however! But toward the end of the day, he just went from worse to worst. In the afternoon, he collapsed while at work and so he was rushed to a nearby hospital. He was confined at the hospital for a week before he breathed his last. The official hospital report indicated that Icasiano Antonio's cause of death was: Meningococcemia!

When Fanchita Isidra learned of the news of Icasiano Antonio's death, she was devastated! When she learned about the cause of Icasiano Antonio's death, she was terrified! When she learned about the reason why Icasiano Antonio went drinking that day, the drinking that made him drunk, that made him fall asleep in the park, that made him sick, and that made him pass to life eternal, she was furious! Fanchita Isidra was very angry! And she blamed her new born child! She took it all against Elsa! From that day on, Fanchita Isidra never really cared about Elsa anymore!

Fanchita Isidra never breastfed Elsa! Fanchita Isidra never changed Elsa's diapers! Fanchita Isidra never sang a lulluby for Elsa. Fanchita Isidra never hugged Elsa! Fanchita Isidra never even considered Elsa as her daughter!

Elsa grew up uncared for by her own mother. Elsa never really knew what happened to her father. Fanchita Isidra never spoke about Icasiano Antonio to Elsa. And it was because of that missing piece in The Simple Schoolgirl’s life that made Elsa think that her father "was not supportive"!

Six weeks, six hours and six minutes after Icasiano Antonio's death, Fanchita Isidra met Rodelio Jay Cabogus. Fanchita Isidra was on her way to the Juetengan to place a bet that time when she met Rodelio Jay Cabogus. By the way, Rodelio Jay Cabogus is a short stout senior Jueteng bet collector who came from a family with history of mental illness!

Because of Cupid's mischievous game, Fanchita Isidra and Rodelio Jay, upon laying eyes on each other, instantly fell in love. Fanchita Isidra even gave Rodelio Jay a “beautiful eyes” as the latter took her bet. Rodelio Jay on the otherhand reciprocated by giving Fanchita Isidra a wink. Then he made sure that Fanchita Isidra won on that particular Jueteng draw! Of course, it was Rodelio Jay who delivered Fanchita Isidra's winnings that night! And it was that night too when Elsa's life went from worse to worst! Rodelio Jay and Fanchita decided to live together. Rodelio Jay didn't mind if Fanchita Isidra already has a child! Rodelio Jay didn't mind at all because he knew that he could make use of Elsa when she grows up!

Time flew fast! Days went on to weeks, weeks went on to months, and months went on to years! Fanchita Isidra and Rodelio Jay now have three daughters! The two love their children! They took care of them well! Fanchita Isidra breastfed all of her three daughters. Fachita Isidra also changed their diapers! Fanchita Isidra sung lullabies to her three daughters! Fanchita Isidra hugged her three daughters as well. Rodelio Jay also helped in taking care of his daughters. Rodelio Jay played with his daughters! Rodelio Jay bought dresses for his daughters! Rodelio Jay brought his daughters to the playground! Fanchita Isidra and Rodelio Jay were good parents...but only to their three daughters! To Elsa, they were terrible! Not once did Fanchita Isidra ever considered Elsa to be her daughter. Not once did Rodelio Jay ever bought Elsa a dress. Not once did the two ever cared for Elsa. Infact, they treated Elsa as their slave! Elsa was made to do all the household chores! From repairing the roof, to doing the plumbing, to washing the dishes, to boiling water for Rodelio Jay's hot bath, to cooking Kalamay Hati for Fanchita Isidra's dessert!

Fanchita Isidra also forced Elsa to go to work at an early age! Fanchita Isidra forced Elsa to sell Pandesal every Labor Day, Taho every Town Fiesta, Sampaguita Garlands every Piyesta ng Nazareno, Kamoteng Kahoy every Easter Sunday, Cotton Candy every Christmas, and Thunder Lolo every New Year! Fanchita Isidra also didn't mind if Elsa was tired, hungry, lonely, or sick!

Rodelio Jay also required Elsa to hand over to him all her earnings! Rodelio Jay also required Elsa to tickle his callously feet every night so that he could fall asleep. Rodelio Jay also required Elsa to sing him a song every night as his lullaby! But it is not suppose to be an easy task as he required Elsa to sing songs backwards! And while Elsa is singing... she must pull off her hair one by one! Now, didn't I just answer the question that I promised to answer back in the first episode?

Anyway, Rodelio Jay and Fanchita Isidra took turns in making Elsa's life miserable. Sometimes they do it in tandem! They punished Elsa for the slightest mistake! They did all terrible things to Elsa! They called her names! They repeatedly told Elsa that she was useless! They repeatedly told Elsa that she was ugly! They repeatedly told Elsa that her life was headed nowhere! They repeatedly dampend Elsa's spirit! They inflicted pain not only in Elsa's young body but also in Elsa's innocent heart!

Now allow me to mention that when Fanchita Isidra discovered the sleeping effect of the feet tickling and the backwards song number that Elsa performs for Rodelio Jay, she also required Elsa to perform the routine to her! Fanchita Isidra also required Elsa to learn to sing her favorite songs backwards! Her song list includes: Lollipops and Roses, Moonlight becomes You, Maria Leonora Theresa, Kahit konting awa, Pearly Shells, Tiny Bubbles, My Pledge of Love, Ang Pipit, Yesterday when I was young, Tipitipitim, and Yeyeh Vonnel! And, if Elsa doesn't sing the songs backwards perfectly, she also asks Elsa to pull off her hair as punishment! Fanchita Isidra does everything to make sure that Elsa's life was miserable!

This episode wont be complete if I dont tell you about the miserable incident about the umbrella. The event with the sunshade took place one day, at around 2:46 in the afternoon, Fanchita Isidra went home gnashing her teeth. She was very furious because she left her favorite umbrella in an Airconditioned Baliwag Transit Bus! The umbrella is fuchsia colored and she got it as a prize in a raffle! So, she ordered Elsa to run after the Airconditioned Baliwag Transit Bus and retrieve the sunshade! Elsa, without second thought, obeyed! Elsa, after writing down the plate number of the Airdconditioned Baliwag Transit Bus on her palm, quickly sped off and ran after the Airconditioned Baliwag Transit Bus which was enroute to Baliwag, a 1st class urban municipality in Bulacan, Philippines! Running by the way was an easy task for Elsa! The reason why could be inferred in the first episode.

While running after the bus, Elsa was thinking only of making sure that she retrieves the precious fuchsia colored umbrella. She was motivated on the thought that if she is able to bring back home the umbrella, her mother would start appreciating her. Elsa was also thinking that the reason why her mother ordered her to ran after the bus was for her to learn how to be speedy so that one day she could enter the Olympics and be a well-known sprinter like Lydia de Vega and Nancy Navalta!

Without Elsa knowing it, she already out run the bus and has arrived at the bus terminal ahead of time. She waited for the bus to arrive. Elsa waited for 3 hours, 17 minutes and 52 seconds! When the bus finally arrived, she breathed a sigh of relief! She waited for all the passengers to alight the bus! When everyone has gone down already, Elsa went inside the bus and started searching for the sunshade. It wasn't in the front seats! Elsa became nervous, she wondered if she was in the right bus! She checked the plate number, it was the same one. She went back inside the bus and continued her search. Elsa looked among the middle seats! But the fuchsia colored umbrella wasn't in there either! Elsa became even more nervous! She wondered if someone already took it! But Elsa continued looking around until finally, she found it at the left corner at the back seat! The sunshade was on the bus floor beside an empty canister of Pringles Cheez Ums Flavor size 163g! When Elsa saw the fuchsia colored umbrella, she quickly grabbed it and embraced it like it was the most important thing in her life! Then after making sure that it was indeed the umbrella that Fanchita Isidra won in the raffle, Elsa almost immediately started running back to Baseco compound where her mother was waiting!

When Elsa reached home at around 8:03 in the evening, she quickly but lovingly handed the fuchsia colored umbrella to her mother. Fanchita Isidra grabbed the umbrella and inspected if it was indeed the same one that she won in a raffle! After making sure that it was without a doubt the same one, she knocked Elsa hard on the head with the handle of the umbrella and scolded Elsa for taking too long! She yelled at Elsa, called her useless 29 times, told her that her life was worthless 39 times, told her that it was better if she was dead 49 times, and then she whacked Elsa’s face really hard for 3 more times! She never said thank you! She blamed Elsa for a delay in her schedule! Apparently, Fanchita Isidra wanted to stroll in Luneta Park with Rodelio Jay...and the fuchsia colored umbrella!

Originally, this part of the story wasn't subsumed in the plan. However I am certain that there are some people, stumbling upon this story one day, who would find it categorically abstruse to clearly deduce the role of Aling Doleh in Elsa's grievously sad life if I don't put things in exact details. So I have decided, after some great amount of reflection, to rope in the Vendor's share of agonies so that it would be clear how Aling Doleh's life story would eventually shape Elsa's own!

Aling Doleh, or Maritess Dolores Pulmones is a native of Barangay Pasol-O in the 4th Class Municipality of Jamindan in the Province of Capiz located in the Western Visayas Region of the Philippines! The Pulmones Family is a household name in their rural Barangay of less than 1000 people. But they are highly feared. Maybe it would help in explaining why the Pulmones's are feared if I mention the name of Aling Doleh's family and the occupation of each! So here is goes. Her mother named: Ludivina Cecilla Pulmones is a well known Mangkukulam. Her father named: Sebero Gaudencio Pulmones is a popular Mangbabarang. Her eldest sister named: Nova Joy Pulmones is a Manananggal. Her elder brother known as: Willie Boy Pulmones is a Mangtatawas. And Aling Doleh, the youngest of the 3 kids, is a Banana cue Vendor!

Now you might be wondering why Aling Doleh seems to be the only one in their family who does not appear to have embraced the dark side. Well, I understand if that is how you are thinking right now. And it is for that other reason why I again included this part of the story.

Anyway, Aling Doleh was really destined to become a Mangbubutbot. But her real dream was to become a Saleslady in SM Shoemart. So, after she graduated from their local High school, she begged and urged her parents to allow her to go to Manila so that she could fulfill her dream. At first her parents and 2 siblings were against her plan because she must be initiated to the dark side before she turns 18 years old as part of the family legacy. But Aling Doleh's persistence was so great that in the end her family granted her their permission but with the condition that she must promise that she must always carry with her a sparkling magical black stone which is the size of Halls Candy but as rough as a panghilod. Aling Doleh must bring the magical stone with her wherever she goes and must swallow it once she decides to join the dark side. She must also shout out loud the magic word: "Ay! Palaka!" to make the magic work! Aling Doleh agreed on these conditions but at the back of her mind, she has already decided not to get initiated to the dark side. She knows that she will never use the magic stone. She just agreed with the plan just so that her family would allow her to go to Manila to fulfill her dream of becoming a Saleslady in SM Shoemart!

So, preparations were made for Aling Doleh's migration to Manila. A party was held. However no one from the neighbors attended the send off party in fear of being placed under the spell of the family. But the Pulmones family didn't feel bad about the non appearance of the invited guests. As a matter of fact, they were a bit happy because they had all the foods for themselves. It would also help if I mention that the Pulomes Family are all horizontally challenged.

The night before Aling Doleh's departure, the family conducted a ritual. While at the center of a big circle surrounded with black lit candles and with bonfire and incense smoke swirling around, each member of the family took turns in giving Doleh some gifts. Her mother gave her the sparkling magic black stone placed inside a small red velvet pouch. Her father gave her a small bottle with skull designed cap filled with lana, 13 pieces of fresh ikmo leaves, a bundle of banana cue sticks and a neon green lighter all placed inside a black box made of Kamagong. Her sister gave her a voodoo doll. And her brother gave her a taliasi!

Aling Doleh was emotional during the gift offering ritual and was evidently teary eyed. But again, just to be clear about it, let me mention that part of why Aling Doleh was teary eye at that time was because of the smoke from the bonfire and the incense smoke that was lit nearby. Anyway, Aling Doleh was really touched with her family's thoughtfulness. She adored the gifts that each of her family gave her. So, after the ritual that actually lasted for 4 hours and 18 minutes, Aling Doleh made sure that the gifts were all placed in her bag with flower design along with her floral underwear, floral dress, floral skirts, floral shorts, floral pants, floral socks, floral shoes and floral half slips!

Doleh was suppose to ride her magic broom going to Manila, but she has an extreme and irrational fear of heights called acrophobia so the family decided that she takes the passenger ferry instead. Now, being out of budget at that time, Doleh's family bought an illegal one way complimentary-economy ticket to Manila in MV Doña dela Paz from one of the ferry's corrupt crew. Holders of the cheap tickets were not listed in the official passenger manifest which Doleh's family got so concerned about, but Doleh didn't care!

At the time of Doleh's voyage to Manila, there were a great number of locals going to Manila for either vacation or work. The ferry which has a maximum capacity of 1,518 passengers and 66 crew members was jam packed with a staggering 4,375 people on board! The extremely overloaded passenger ferry left some of the people without a cabin or even a bed to sleep on. This means that displaced passengers must make do of whatever was available like tables in the pantry, floor on the hallway, and even stairways. Doleh choose to stay awake during the entire journey to Manila! And while everyone was fast asleep, she was actually at the top deck of the starboard side of the ship staring at the night sky and was day dreaming of being what she always wish to become: a Saleslady in SM.

At the middle of her day dreaming Doleh suddenly felt a strong thug and a loud crashing sound. The sudden push outbalanced her and made her fall straight into the ocean below. But she was quick to grab her floral designed bag. When she fell into the dark ocean, a whale was actually swimming nearby. When the orca heard the loud splash, the huge mammal of the sea swam towards Doleh's direction and gobbled up Doleh.

Meanwhile, the passenger ferry actually collided with an oil tanker named MT Victory. The impact caused damage and lost of lives to both ships. Due to the collision, MT Victory's cargo of fuels and oil was set ablaze and spill into the surrounding waters, causing much of the deaths of the crew and passengers of both ships. Both sea vehicles were engulfed on fire before it sank on Davey Jones. Many lives were lost on the sea mishap. Out of the thousands of passengers on both sea traveling vehicles, only 24 souls survived! In this list, Doleh was not included!

There are two reasons why Doleh's name was not one of those reported to have survived! One is because she was not in the ship's manifesto in the first place and two because she was rescued not by a person but by a grampus. Now how was she saved by the whale if I earlier mentioned that she was swallowed by it? Well, read along.

Since most cetacean mammals doesn't chew, Doleh went straight into the whale's stomach. She was alive. At first, all that Doleh could see was darkness. But Doleh remembered what she has on her bag with floral design. So, she dig into her bag and she took the neon green lighter that her father gave her and then she gathered up some woods inside the whale's stomach and started a fire. Then she caught some tulingan that was also trapped inside. She grilled the tulingan and ate them.

While Doleh seems to be enjoying her picnic inside the whale's stomach, the baleen on the other hand started feeling sick. His stomach was burning and smoke was making him dizzy. So, after a few more hours the poor narwhal threw up and out came Doleh as well.

When Doleh realized that she was thrown out up in the air, she closed her eyes tight because she was afraid of heights! So, she didn't know where she was already. Her eyes were still shut close when she felt that gravity was pulling her down already. While falling back to the ground, Doleh was actually imagining that she'll end up in an island with nothing around her but coconut trees, mountains, and monkeys. Doleh fell hard flat on her face.

Doleh was a bit aghast when she lifted her head and opened her eyes. Instead of coconut trees, mountains and monkeys she saw container vans, ships, and feet! Apparently Doleh landed in North harbor in Manila. But when Doleh started to realize where she was, she became so happy that she shouted: "Hello Manila, Mabuhay!" People who saw and heard her thought that she was crazy but Doleh didn't care! What matters to her is that she is now in Manila.

After realizing that she is finally in Manila, and after shouting: "Hello Manila, Mabuhay!" Doleh, with her floral designed bag on tow, started walking and looking around. She was enjoying every sight! It was far from the island scene that she originally expected but it was fine with her.

Before Doleh knew it, she has reached Baseco compound already and it was there that she settled. She rented a small house. Then after a few weeks she ventured into applying for a Saleslady position in SM Shoemart. Unfortunately she was rejected because she was overweight. She was asked to lose weight and just reapply after six months or, once she has slimmed down already. Doleh was disappointed, but she wanted to be a Saleslady so much that she vowed to start a diet so that she could pursue her ultimate dream. But while waiting to slim down she needs some income. So, she made good use of the banana cue sticks and the taliasi that she brought with her. She put up the Banana cue stall in Baseco compound!

Her Banana cue stall was an instant success! Being the only one who sells Banana cue in Baseco at that time, Doleh's Banana cue stall became very popular! She had lots of customers! People love her Special Banana cue! In time, Doleh's name became a household name! And no one fears her! Infact, she is well loved by people in Baseco. People in Baseco loves her Special Banana Cue. People look up to her and started calling her: "Banana cue Queen"! With this title under her name, Doleh set aside her original dream of being a saleslady in SM for a while and focused on keeping her title!

Time flew fast, it has already been 6 months since Doleh arrived in Baseco! She has been working hard to maintain her title. There were other people who also tried putting up a Banana cue stall but none were as successful as Doleh. Doleh was unbeatable! Doleh maintained her title as "Banana cue Queen" and was undisputed!

Notwithstanding her success, Doleh still feels that there was something lacking in her life. She knew it was not "the dark side" that she misses. She has vowed long ago that she will never embrace "the dark side". There was something missing and she could not understand what it was. Until one day.

It was an ordinary day in the Banana cue stall. As usual, there were many people purchasing her Special Banana cue. She was busy crossing between cooking and selling Banana cue when a charming man came to buy from her. The very instant that she laid eyes on the man she knew she was in love. What really attracted her to the man was the kuntil. Doleh likes men with kuntil and there was, in front of her a man who has that. She was even more enamored when the man smiled at her and told her: "Your Banana cue is so delicious"! The world seem to have stopped. Doleh saw nothing around her but the man who has kuntil eating her Special Banana cue.

Doleh later on learned that the man was a new resident of Baseco compound. And he has no girlfriend. And he is living alone in a rented room. And that the man loves Banana cue. And that the man's name is: Icasiano Antonio.

In time, Icasiano Antonio became a regular customer at the Banana cue stall. Doleh was inspired! Every time Icasiano Antonio comes over, Doleh makes sure that she puts extra segunda mano sugar on her Special Banana cue! She would also put the Special Banana cue on sale. This made people in Baseco even happier! And as a result, Doleh's Banana cue stall became even more popular than ever!

Due to the continuous popularity of Doleh's Banana cue stall, she has to employ an assistant since she could no longer manage the Banana cue stall all by herself. She employed her industrious, hardworking, diligent, laborious, tireless, and beautifully sexy neighbor and close friend named Fanchita Isidra!

Fanchita Isidra was a big help to Doleh. Fanchita Isidra's presence in the Banana cue stall brought in more customers and so Doleh gave Fanchita Isidra a raise in her salary. They also became closer to each other as a friend! When they are both not busy in the Banana cue stall, Fanchita Isidra would play the FLAMES for Doleh and Icasiano Antonio. Fanchita Isidra always makes sure that the FLAMES ends with: "Marriage". This makes Doleh even happier and considered Fanchita Isidra her lucky charm!

Meanwhile, Icasiano Antonio still frequents the Banana cue stall and every time he is there he always makes sure to tell Doleh how delicious her Banana cue is. He also tells Doleh that she is beautiful and gives Doleh a flying kiss every time he leaves the Banana cue stall. After a few more visit in the Banana cue stall, Icasiano Antonio courted Doleh. The Banana cue Queen did not give Icasiano Antonio a difficult time. After 30 minutes of courtship, Doleh gave Icasiano Antonio her sweetest consent on love.

Doleh was very much in love with Icasiano Antonio that she did not mind if she was the one spending for their dinner dates. She also didn't mind if Icasiano Antonio asked her to buy him an expensive Honda motorcycle as a gift for their First Weeksary; an original Rolex Watch for Second Weeksary; an 18 CF Two Door No Frost White Westinghouse Refrigerator for their Third Weeksary; and an original Ray-Ban Shades for their Fourth Weeksary. Doleh also wasn't bothered that Icasiano Antonio obliged her to give him 15 thousand monthly allowance. Eventually, Icasiano Antonio also began scheduling their dates and started making restrictions like: they should only go on date whenever there is a storm, they should watch movies in only Baguio City, have dinner in only Dumaguete, check in a hotel only in Davao, and go malling at any mall but only in The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao!

Spending for Icasiano Antonio was something that did not bother Doleh because Icasiano Antonio explained to her that their love affair is like two countries: "I.T.A.L.Y. (I Trust and Love You) so, G.U.A.M. (Give Understanding and Money). But what Doleh did not understand is why Icasiano Antonio started scheduling their dates. At first Doleh suspected that Icasiano Antonio was not proud of her as his girlfriend. But when she confronted Icasiano Antonio about how she feels towards the many restrictions on their love affair, Icasiano Antonio just told her that: "I just want to make sure that no one would see us together because I get jealous every time someone else looks at you." Icasiano Antonio's reason was enough for Doleh to love the charming man even more! So things went on with Doleh and Icasiano Antonio. With a blooming love life and a Banana cue stall business that was a big hit, Doleh could not ask for anything more!

One Wednesday morning at around 8:56, in the Banana cue stall, Doleh was about to go to market to buy more Sagging an Saba for her Banana cue when Icasiano Antonio dropped by and said that she better go to Blumentritt Market instead of the nearby talipapa. Icasiano Antonio told Doleh further that the Saging na Saba in Blumentritt Market are better in quality and this would be good for the business. Doleh was touched with Icasiano Antonio's concern on her Banana cue business so she agreed to go to Blumentritt Market instead! Then when Doleh was about to leave, Icasiano Antonio said: "You know what? I think it would be better if you walk going to Blumentritt Market instead of riding a jeepney. You know I am concerned about your health. I want you to remain sexy". Doleh blushed with what she heard. She felt even more in love with Icasiano Antonio. Doleh felt that Icasiano Antonio was really so concerned about her. So, Doleh agreed to walk going to Blumentritt Market from the Banana cue stall in Baseco compound in Tondo! Before Doleh left, she still saw Icasiano Antonio giving her a flying kiss! Doleh smiled. She was happy to have a man who loves her a lot and a friend who will take care of her Banana cue business while she is away.

After 13 hours, 45 minutes and 11 seconds, Doleh arrived back from Blumentritt Market. She was very tired and was haggard looking. When she passed by the Banana cue stall, she was no longer surprise to see it closed. So she decided to go straight home. She was thinking that Fanchita Isidra would be waiting for her there to hand over the day's earning and that Icasiano Antonio would be visiting her later that evening. But when she was about to leave, she noticed a letter posted on the stall. She took the letter and started reading it. The letter reads:

Dear Doleh,

I, Icasiano Antonio do solemnly swear that I would like to ask you to forgive

me for making you believe that I truly love you. I am asking for your kind

consideration if I took with me the earning of the store today. I am also very

sorry if I ran away with Fanchita Isidra. Please be informed that I will not let

you know where we will be hiding. I will not give you a clue. I wish that you

will forgive me upon receiving this letter of mine. I, thank you!

Love,

Icasiano Antonio & Fanchita Isidra

P.S.

Your Banana cue is so delicious!

And remember: J.A.P.A.N (Just always pray at night)!

Doleh got shocked at what she read! She was speechless for a while. Her eyes opened wide. Her jaw dropped. Her heart stopped beating! She turned purple! Then she fainted!

After exactly 36 minutes, Doleh recovered. She was still in front of the Banana cue stall. She was still speechless! Her mind was filled with thoughts of Icasiano Antonio and their happy moments together. She also remembered her happy times with Fanchita Isidra and those times when they were playing FLAMES. Doleh started walking home speechless, expressionless and emotionless!

When Doleh arrived home, the first thing that she did was look at the mirror. When she saw how haggard she looks that was when reality struck her! Pain started to conquer her heart! She felt deceived by her Boyfriend and Bestfriend! Doleh could not bear the pain that she was feeling in her heart so she screamed and cried! While Doleh was screaming and crying, the neighbor's transistor was playing: "Kung liligaya ka sa piling ng iba by Imelda Papin". Upon hearing this, Doleh screamed even louder!

Devastatingly heartbroken, Doleh decided to go drinking. She bought 2 cases of Red horse beer and ordered Special Sizzling Sisig for her pulutan! She downed the bottles of beer all by herself. All the time that she was drinking, the neighbor's transistor kept playing the same song over and over! After Doleh gulped down the 2 cases of Red horse beer, she decided that she wants more! She wants to forget the pain that her Boyfriend and Bestfriend caused her. So she stood up and was on her way to the nearest store to buy 2 more cases of Red horse beer when she glanced at her image at the mirror again. She saw how haggard she looked like. She blamed her looks for her Boyfriend's deception. So before leaving the house, she applied Johnson's Baby powder original scent on her face, combed her hair with her yellow springmaid comb, and splashed Angel's Breath Baby Cologne all over her body.

Doleh was wobbling as she walked out of the house to buy some more Red horse beer. She could still hear the same song, when she tried singing along with the song she noticed that her mouth was reeking with beer. So she grabbed into her pocket and pulled out a small rounded object that she thought was Halls candy. She quickly put this in her mouth. As Doleh was about to pass by the door, she suddenly tripped over and fell flat on her face. The fall made her swallow the small rounded object. While she was lifting her face from the ground, a bull frog suddenly leaped in front of her who made her shout: "Ay! Palaka"! Upon saying this, magical lights suddenly surrounded Doleh and she felt revived! She felt strong! She was no longer feeling dizzy! The pain in her heart was mysteriously gone as well. And instead of pain, Doleh could feel intense hatred towards Icasiano Antonio and Fanchita Isidra! She could feel hatred slowly taking over her whole being. Doleh's heart was filled with so much anger that she could not think of anything else but settling of score!

While Doleh was thinking of how to get even, she felt her body morphing! So she ran back into the house and looked at herself at the mirror. The reflection in the mirror confirmed her great fear! She now looks even more ghastly! Her hair is all messed up and she has warts all over her face! She has now been initiated to the dark side! And she is not just an ordinary Mangbubutbot! She has also inherited her whole family's power! She is now a Mangbubutbot con Mangkukulam con Mangbabarang con Manananggal con Mangtatawas!

This time around however, Doleh welcomed the power of the dark side! Without second thoughts, she right away set out to conduct her first Evil Deed! Using the lana that her father gave her, She applied some of it all over her body so that people would still see the image of the old Doleh instead of her witch self that reflects back at her in the mirror! Then she also used some of the lana on her Banana cue so that even if Fanchita Isidra is no longer around to help her, people would still buy from the Banana cue stall! Finally, summoning all her power and asking for help from the Diwata, Engkanto, Itim na Duwente, Kapre, Nuno sa Punso, Tikbalang and Tiyanak, Doleh using the voodoo doll that her sister gave her, placed a curse on her ex Boyfriend and ex Bestfriend!

Doleh's curse however was not directed towards the two people who deceived her. She actually placed a curse on the first child of her ex Boyfriend and ex Bestfriend! Her curse states that: "Death will be the reward for whoever gives true love to the first born child of Fanchita Isidra and Icasiano Antonio Ragoza"!