My cousins and my siblings play with Bantay whenever they see him. Every time I go home from my Kindergarten classes, I would also go to the house of Bantay and cuddle him. Bantay is the source of joy in our family.
One morning, before going to class, I saw a marching group of men wearing green uniform. “Sino po sila?”, I asked my parents but they didn’t answer me. I think it has something to do with the piece of paper they received the last week. I heard it was a notice.
When the men in green approached our lot, my mother took my hands and dragged me away from them. I couldn’t fully comprehend yet with what’s happening at that time. Bantay, acting like he understands the situation, suddenly went out of his house and attacked the man in the middle and bit his leg. Later, I heard the sound of a gun.
Grandmother grabbed a brick with her frail hands but auntie grabbed her arms before she could even hurl it to the demolition team.
“Do your best at school”, my mother told me. I nod to her in reply.
I’m pretty sure that day was my first absence at school. More importantly, I wouldn’t be able to play with Bantay ever again.
Photo credits via MadisonWoods.wordpress.com
Br. Allen 
Oh no! What a sad story. I could picture it all in my head. Very powerful.
Here’s my link:
http://jansthoughtsovercoffee.blogspot.com/2012/03/waiting-for-my-boy-fridayfictioneers.html
Read your entry and left a comment. Your post brings back childhood memories. Oh the nostalgia. Thanks for dropping by.
An excellently told story. And very sad. I do have a personal question, though–was this a true story? If so, have you ever given thought to writing a memoir?
This is my link: http://quillshiv.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/dichromatic/
Actually, it was inspired by a true story except Bantay, the dog. About writing memoir, I haven’t thought about that yet. I’ll consider it. Thanks for dropping by.
Oh no! Gah. Just so sad 😥
Nice job even if it made me tear up.
My attempt: http://unduecreativity.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/a-little-longer/
This is the first story that came to my mind and I’ve just written it right away. Next time I’ll write a cheerful entry. Thanks for reading. I’m glad you appreciate it.
Great story that takes us into another world yet still shows us that we are all one people. Bantay rules.
Welcome aboard, Allen.
Aloha,
Doug
http://ironwoodwind.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/answer-to-love/
Bantay means to guard or protect. I’m glad that people can relate to this kind of experience. Thanks for visiting again Doug.
Cool: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/233860/news/nation/bantay-dog-mascot-to-be-launched-in-makati-on-world-rabies-day
This is the first time I learned ’bout this. I this the name Bantay is cool enough to be named as a national mascot.
Nice glimpse into a different world. Very sad. Life is so hard sometimes.
Here’s mine: http://bridgesareforburning.wordpress.com/
Read your entry. I find it funny. It seems the owner doesn’t like cats and dogs combined. That means trouble if that happens. No wonder why heavy raining is synonymous to cats and dogs. Thanks for dropping by.
hello, allen,
‘yong sa amin noon, he was taken away kasi, nanginain ng mais sa katabing bukid (harvest season noon). wala rin kaming nagawa. maraming taon pagkatapos na hindi muna kami nag-alaga ng dog. ayon…
well, Bantay was just living up to his name, doing what he knew best…^^ pag ang alaga ang nawawala, para ring taong nawala ang pakiramdam natin… regards and cheers. 🙂
Oo nga e. Parang tao rin ang aso, kapag nawala nakakamiss. May naalala tuloy ako. May aso kami dito sa kumbento, sa loob ng school campus. Actually, tuta siya na malaki. Di namin alam ang breed. Parang ala-Snoopy yung lahi. Ayaw niya ata ng may kumukulit sa kanya na strangers kaya nakakagat siya ng mga batang lumapit sa kanya. Dalawang beses na nangyari yun kaya pinaalis na lang rin namin para di na magreklamo ang mga parents at school physician ng estudyante. Salamat SSA!
hello, allen,
oo, malungkot… may dog kaming namatay last year. mahigit 4 years na naming alaga – Shit Tzu na makulit. dalawang buwan ata akong down pagkawala nya. miss pa namin sya hanggang ngayon. ayon… regards! 🙂
Such a sad piece. Grateful, though, for the saving of the boy. Well written.
Mine: http://www.vlgregory-circa1800.vpweb.com/blog.html
Aw. I visited your site. The story is brutal but I enjoyed it. Human sometimes are no less than dogs in terms of irrational thinking and choice of actions. It could have been prevented if the cow just listened. Thanks for visiting.
What a rich glimpse into a life so different from my own. Even though your story was sad, I still appreciated hearing it. No need to aim for happy or sad unless it’s what you’re wanting to write, just write.
Thanks! I’ll just keep on writing. Hope I can leech an internet connection somewhere next week to make another entry.
Very touching story.
One of these days, I must learn Tagalog, or at least visit the Philippines. For now, I’m content with experimenting with Pinoy cuisine (even making my own banana ketchup).
Here’s my story: http://wp.me/p24aJS-3m
When you visit the country, you can learn Tagalog by just interacting. I’ll check out your story later. Thanks for visiting.
Poor dog… Dogs are indeed man’s best friend. Remembered my dog, Mulo from Bantay’s story. God bless.
Hello Buboy. Haven’t heard (or read) of you for a long time. Thanks for dropping by.
Reminds me of my first dog, Starkey. He was killed by gunshot. Police thought it was the best way to get rid of rabid dogs.