yabs

I've never completed a single series of "Simbang Gabi"... I was always able to look for reasons not to go. Even when I did go I would stay outside and take first pick of the various edibles of which had an aroma that filled the air. This year, I did not even consider going to a single mass.

A few days back I was at a local bar drinking with my friends. We talked, played billiards and had a nice cozy time. Nothing truly eventful happened that night so I decided to go home. As I was walking-out, a group of people had just walked in and I overheard a single word - "Bibingka"...

I arrived home shortly after. Took a shower and lay in bed. Four hours into my sleep I was awakened by the caterwauling of cats in heat. Then and there, I suddenly remembered Bibingka. I began to imagine the nice coal-cooked dough rising as it gets heated. The buttery goodness partnered with the rough but creamy texture of each and every bite. Bibingka with a light coconut topping and an added twist of salty red-egg, all wrapped in a lightly charred banana leaf "Mmmmmmmmmmm!" I thought to myself.

My stomach began to growl. It is weird sometimes when you ate a full meal and your hunger has seemingly been satiated, only to feel hungry at the thought of more food that couldn't possibly fit in your tummy because of the heavy meal that preceded it. I went out nonetheless for the Baguio Cathedral. First day of "Simbang Gabi" and I was there.

"Wow! Bibingka! Masarap!" I uttered loudly. Then it happened; A lady, a foreigner as based on my assessment, tapped my shoulder and looked at me intently as if I had offended her. "Excuse me?!" she uttered in a quick but mispronounced way. I stared at her and said "Huh? Maybe you have mistaken me for someone else." She put her hands around her waist and told me "You made a remark at me! You said Masarap!" Puzzled and irritated by her utter audacity, plus irritated by her vanity, I did not hold myself back. I'm a straightforward person and so I told her, "Look sweetness, I'm sure you get hit on a lot, but you have to think. Coz not every f**kin' remark revolves around you and your prissy attitude."

Staring as if she was going to eat me (in a bad way), she started poking me with her finger and told me off.

My face turned red and I was flushed with embarrassment. Her name was apparently "Babinka" a cute name no doubt but a weird one just the same. I was surprised by it and even more surprised that she did not get the humor in it. Then again, although she knew a little tagalog, she was still a foreigner afterall. She turned around and she gave a parting insult, "F**kin' A**hole!"

I was not offended. To the contrary I thought it was cute. I felt guilty. How could we part ways under such conditions? I slyly followed her. I saw where she sat and let my plan come into play. I went to a bibingka stand and ordered one. I had 30 minutes... I need to do this quick.

10 minutes later I had a bibingka on one hand and a torch-lighter in the other. I began to use the torch on the smooth yellow-orange surface of the bibingka. 10 more minutes and I was done. I re-wrapped the bibingka and made my way into the church just in time for the communion. I casually sat beside her as she glanced back-and-forth at me. I smiled, rubbed my hands together and said "Wow, this is the coldest Baguio has been all year!" She looked at me blankly and then raised her eyebrow. "You don't even know me... Why are you talking to me?" she remarked. I answered "Hey, I'm just makin' small talk. Tryin to be nice. 'Tis the season afterall..." "Oh and I do know who you are, Babinka right?" I smugly added. "That's just a name." she replied as she crossed her arms and sharply stared me down. "It's a start, right?" I told her.

The communion was almost over so I stood up, looked at her and smiled. "Merry Christmas Babinka!" I gently said as I turned and walked away. I left on a better note than the first encounter we had. I feel so much better. I wasn't done yet though.

The mass ended and I waited for her by the exit. She passed me and I walked over to her. I handed her the bibingka I bought earlier. She looked puzzled, a man she just had a hostile encounter with is giving her something and making an effort at doing so. "Its a special bibingka, with a personal touch. Merry Christmas again!" I told her and then vanished into the crowd.

I sat in a slightly hidden area and watched. She pulled my peace offering out of the bag and opened it revealing the words burned into it with my lighter. I wrote "Truly Sorry! M.Xmas" I saw her smile. My day was now done. I could go home and sleep.

The next morning I returned to the Baguio Cathedral. I realized I never did get any bibingka which I was craving yesterday. I attended the service and when it was finished I stood by smoking before heading to a bibingka stall. All of a sudden a nice cute and gentle voice said "I'm sorry too!" I looked behind me and saw Babinka smiling at me holding a bibingka with two hands gesturing for me to take it.

I smiled back, nodded and took the bibingka. I thanked her and we ended up talking for quite a while. When she left I got into my car and opened the bibingka. On it using coconuts, she wrote; "Tomorrow?"

I completed my first ever Simbang Gabi Series. Always having a scintillating conversation with Babs after each mass.

And that is my Bibingka Story.