Sangkusing

Before the start of the second world war, we were seven young men from Tampoy, all surnamed de Leon, trying to SHOW how brave they were. The eldest was Carlos Jr. (Canchu) while the youngest was Julian (Bong), both sons of Carlos de Leon,Sr. The other three were Nunilo, myself and Nestor; the three of us were sons of Roque. We were all playmates using the thick foliage and bushes behind Cine Malolos that was close TO THE SANTOS CLINIC. On that particular morning, Dr. Luis Santos himself appeared from the bushes and, with a smile, invited us into his clinic. All of us respectfully lined up in answer to our "lolo" Luis' invitation. Julian and Nestor were then too young to undergo the rite of "BAPTISM", a valid excuse that would haunt them for the rest of their young lives. Absentees from the initiation were Arturo and Job, both sons Carlos. For what reason, I do not know.