IT WAS NEVER A HOLIDAY…
It was supposed to be a good holiday for me and my son but I am stuck with Jalosjos story because Manila editors and my bureau chief in Davao hammered me for daily follow-ups that almost blew my top.
Saturday December 22 until Tuesday December 25 calendared as “Family Day” for me and my son.
Every Saturday is marketing for our weeklong consumption Sunday is scheduled for “lamierda” such as window shopping at the mall, go to a food chain, do some ukay-ukay at Santa Cruz or stay at home and watch cartoon films.
But December 23 we skipped movies or food chain and instead scheduled for buying gifts.
Unfortunately, while pre-occupied with the Kalinggalang Caluang, Sulu encounter, I have heard from a friend that former Representative Romeo Jalosjos a convicted rapist reportedly “escaped” from detention and on his way to Dapitan City.
Since Dapitan is not really my area of coverage, I decided to shelve the story and let other correspondents nearby cover it.
However late that night, a friend from the PNP a native of Zamboanga City informed me that there’s an arrest order for Jalosjos and inquiring if I want to cover it. I said “NO” because it’s almost holiday. He didn’t told me other details and I didn’t care to ask.
When I woke up early dawn, I received many SMS I didn’t open the file because I presumed it’s more of Christmas greetings.
But at 7am December 23 one of the editors in Manila called up asking for details about whereabouts of Jalosjos and if he’s already in Zamboanga City.
“What?!!!” The editor repeated the same question and that day I sensed that my Christmas break will not be a break after all.
Manila and Davao editors kept pounding me for details so I was forced to re-schedule my plans for the day including begging for my son’s understanding.
“Heller! Mama pangako mo lalakad tayo at mamimili ng regalo, heller!”
I promised him that we still have time in the afternoon but my son knew once I start to click my keypads, “makakaalis lang kayo ng kwarto kapag tapos na ang mga report ni Papa David,” and that’s at 6pm.
I made several calls from my contacts arranged my itineraries and started covering the Jalosjos until he arrived here around 11am.
I know the PNP wanted my presence in that coverage while I was also torn between Jalosjos and the awarding of rewards to a civilian informant for helping the military in their campaign against ASG.
Finally I just stick to PNP at Camp Batalla and I managed to get a close interview with Jalosjos. I was bringing my videocamera and those required to join the group were cameramen and photographers.
While inside the camp’s office I was the only journalist then so I took the opportunity to interview the re-incarcerated solon.
It was past 12noon when I finished the coverage then start with my story. Like what my earlier feared, “natapos nga sa Mama gabi na.”
I knew he felt bad but I promised him on December 24 we will allot the entire day for “lamierda.”
I was wrong as my bureau chief didn’t stop asking for more development even late at night and early morning of December 24.
We ended up skipping the groceries and gift buying, fortunately my son found another interest as my sister brought home some kind of toys for her son and Kenjo is in-charge taking care of the baby.
What we did was cooked what is inside the refrigerator and didn’t bother to wrap anything as part of our family tradition.
I slept quite late because my bureau chief still has so many questions “naku magpatulog ka naman,” was my message to my chief.
The next day, I knew my chief could already imagine the meeting of two eyebrows as he demanded for more updates about Jalosjos.
I told him if he was just around “nasabunutan na kita,” and he just laughed off my anger.
At least the wrapped gifts for my son and the Narnia film made him quite busy.
In the end I realized that my holiday is not a holiday and my Christmas is literally spent with Jalosjos…
