A visit to Nagcarlan

By Izah Morales
INQUIRER.net

THE FRESH, cool, and crisp air of the province welcomed us as we were on our way to Nagcarlan, Laguna. Away from the towers in the metro, our eyes were refreshed by the greens of the trees and farmlands. Long trips can make your legs numb but it can make your brain wander in a wilderness of thoughts and daydreams.

Numbness went away when we started exercising our legs and feet for a walk to the underground cemetery in Barangay Bambang, Nagcarlan, Laguna. Though All Souls’ Day is in November, people visit the graveyard because it belongs to the list of our country’s National Historical Landmarks.

The brick and stone walls and iron-gate gave the feel of baroque architecture. As we went towards the old chapel, the tour guide talked about how the underground cemetery became a national landmark. She said the crypt below the chapel served as a secret meeting place of the Katipuneros during the Spanish rule. It was believed that the pact of Biac na Bato was first planned in the said area.

Here’s a video we took of the underground cemetery.

The crypt gave us goose bumps as we made our way down the stairs which connect the chapel to the underground cemetery. The ceiling was covered with paintings while the tiled floor was slippery wet. The crypt housed 36 tombs according to the tour guide. She also related that the crypt was restored. However, it seemed to be renovated more than restored. Outside the chapel, we also noticed tombs buried on the brick walls.

Before we left the town, we stopped by a store to buy espasol to take home. When I took a bite of espasol, I found myself wondering how this soft and chewy delicacy of Laguna is made. So I asked Aling Ester Almanzor how Aling Belen’s Special Espasol is made.

Here’s a video showing how espasol is made, and Aling Ester recounting how her mother, Belen Castelo, established Aling Belen’s Special Espasol.

As the rain started to pour, we decided to go home. I thought the trip ended with buying pasalubong but I was wrong. We were already inside a jeepney when two townsfolk started chatting about getting rich.

The woman shared: “Alam mo, may kakilala ako dati na magbobote na tumaya sa lotto. Nanalo siya at yumaman kaso naloko sa sugal. Ayun, bumalik siya sa pagiging magbobote.”

On the other hand, the man said, “Kung mahirap ka, kampante kang matutulog na kahit bukas ang pinto mo. Kung mayaman ka, marami kang alalahanin. Mahirap din maging mayaman.”

Eavesdropping may be wrong but I could not help but hear what they were chatting about since we were in a jeepney. Not only did my ears hear real-life stories but my eyes also caught interesting signboards that I forgot to capture with my camera.

My photographic memory made me remember what was written on the signboard: “Sugal na Bisyo Mo, Salot sa Pamilya Mo.” Another signboard had this message, “Ang masipag umuunlad. Ang tamad naghihirap.”

Surprisingly, it reflected the conversation of the townsfolk.

Long trips can be exhausting but the learning experience makes you richer — even more than the millionaires.

Editor’s note: Photos by INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Isadora Morales. Interview conducted by Morales. Videos taken by INQUIRER.net online videographer Janie Christine Octia.

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