Emilio’s Homecoming
/By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:
SECTION 1. In each of the school divisions of the Archipelago examinations to secure a list of students best qualified to receive and profit by a course of instruction and education in the United States shall be held …
SEC. 2. The Civil Governor may … elect, select and appoint for the fiscal year nineteen hundred and four one hundred students to be educated in the United States at the expense of the Government of the Philippine Islands.
SEC. 3…upon the termination of his studies in the United States, in conformity with this Act … he will return to the Philippine Islands …
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Cosmopolitan Club members, Emilio Quisumbing is 6th from the left, first row
“Kuya Emilio, Sir!” the cochero called. Emilio gazed out into the crowd and saw that his ride awaited him.
“Your mother sent me to bring you back home to Los Baños. She sent some baon for you; it’s rice and adobo. You must be hungry. Let me take your luggage.” Emilio thanked the cochero and climbed into the kalesa. Before long, they were off, riding along rice fields, past villages with thatched huts and coconut trees. Emilio let himself relax, hearing the familiar sounds of the countryside—carabaos lowing, birds chirping, pigs squealing–and the castanet rhythm of the horse’s hooves.
They drew closer to Los Baños, and Emilio saw familiar sights. In the distance Mount Makiling towered over the landscape, blanketed by tropical trees, some of which sheltered extended families of bats, who lounged upside down from the branches. Mist from nearby hot springs spiraled through the air.
As they approached the mountain, Emilio remembered the stories his mother told him about Mariang Makiling, the guardian deity of the mountain. She often walked among the spirits in the forest, overseeing their activity, and as they rode by, Emilio could feel the spirits’ energy. He felt a shiver tremble through his body, and his senses heightened.
The kalesa driver stopped in front of a small dirt path enveloped by trees. Emilio stepped down from the kalesa and walked to the path. The area looked unfamiliar to him after so long; it was overgrown, and he could no longer see ahead, but slowly, he tread forward. The trees whispered and beckoned him deeper and deeper into the jungle, and as he walked, Emilio remembered the old folk tale that his mother used to tell him.
“If you get lost in the forest, it's because Mariang Makiling or her servants are playing tricks on you. Don’t be afraid, simply put your clothes on backwards, and you will show you have nothing to hide from them. You will always find your way back.” As he went deeper into the forest, he thought back to his childhood and his upbringing. Ever since his father departed, he followed what his mother wanted. But now he was of age to make his own decisions. He wanted to find his father.
Emilio Quisumbing just before heading to Cornell. We believe that Emilio was among the first class of pensionados sent to study in the US.
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By authority of the President of the United States, be it enacted by the United States Philippine Commission, that:
SECTION 1. Whereas, Honorato Quisumbing, Presidente of the town of Los Baños, province of Laguna, was murdered because of his loyalty to the United States; and his untimely death leaves his wife and seven small children in needy circumstances;
The sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500), in local currency, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Insular Treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to be paid, in the discretion of the Civil Governor, either to the widow of Honorato Quisumbing or to the Commanding Officer of the District to be held and expended by him for his benefit.
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Emilio’s mother never explained why his father suddenly disappeared. After he left, she would go around the town, carrying her black umbrella, like a dark storm cloud above her head, bearing a bottle of oil and herbs to keep away the evil spirits. She told Emilio that his father was eaten up by the forest but was living among the forest spirits, protected by Mariang Makiling herself. Emilio was always curious about his father’s disappearance, and the fact he did not know ate away at him, but every time he asked, his mother would sternly change the subject and remind him to focus on his studies. Late at night, as he studied by the oil lamp, Emilio sometimes saw her walk among the spirits, searching for her lost Honorato, and in the morning she would tell Emilio that she could hear her husband whispering to her.
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After reporting to his subordinates that the local chief of Bay had, under his orders, arrested Honorato Quisumbing, an Americanista who had never served as a spy, and that his captor had killed him when he called to the American troops who were near to help him, Cailles adds: “His companion was likewise duly executed as a spy and guide for the enemy. Let us offer up a prayer for their eternal rest.”
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Walking through the narrow path, Emilio found the balete tree his mother told him about. This was the place where his mother would wander through her lonely nights, searching for lost company. A maze of gnarled roots and branches ran up the trunk, as if the strange plant were strangling itself. Parasitic vines hung down from the tree branches, reaching the ground, like hanging chains in a rotting dungeon, emitting an aura of darkness. Emilio had heard of stories of people who had contracted illnesses walking by these trees. These trees were said to be inhabited by encantos or encantados, spirits who live in the natural chambers formed by the tree, and it was common knowledge not to approach a balete tree for fear of falling victim to these unseen beings. Yet, Emilio approached the tree, steadfast. He studied the tree for a moment. He saw that the hanging roots formed a tunnel, beckoning him forward. When Emilio stepped inside, he found a shimmering pool of spring water, and mysterious light glowed from under the dark shadow cast by the tree. The next thing he knew, Emilio saw his father rise from the pool of water. He appeared as a thin vapor, an apparition of mist.
“I haven’t seen you for a long time, Papa,” Emilio said quietly.
He reached out and took his father’s hand and pressed it against his forehead, a sign of respect. “Mano po (your hand, please), Papa,” he murmured.
“You have grown up, Emilio,” his father said. “I am so proud. You bring this family pride.”
Yet, Emilio felt nothing from these words. He stared down at the shining pool of water, his face blank.
“Why did you leave us, Papa? Why did you leave me?”
“I died helping the Americans. I believed they would have brought prosperity to our country. I believed that they would bring us a better future. They have helped bring you an education so that you may do good for our community.”
Emilio knew the rumors surrounding his father, and he considered what his father said. “Were you a spy?” he asked.
“That I cannot say. But know this: the Americans have given, and they have taken away, and they will continue to do so in the future. Your sons will die fighting alongside them against a common enemy. They will give their lives fighting for their cause, just as I have.”
Emilio did not know how to react, so he said nothing. After a few moments of silence, his father continued.
“I have seen your future, Emilio. You will live a comfortable life, and will be adored by your family, and will find success in all endeavors you pursue. But you will forever feel a void in your heart. Nothing will ease the pain of losing your three sons, and the pain of losing me.”
Emilio Quisumbing, Jr.
Emilio felt a shiver run through his body that reverberated throughout the tree. He could feel the ground shaking, and he straightened himself from his slouched position. “The encantados are approaching the tree, and I must leave now. Please give my love to your mother.” His father’s image then condensed to mist, and slowly floated back down to the water. Emilio stared down at the spot where his father disappeared into the glimmering pool.
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Headquarters Division of the Philippines
Manila, P. I., March 22, 1901
General Orders, No. 56.
Before a military commission which convened at Calamba, province of Laguna, Luzon, … Headquarters Department of Southern Luzon, November 14, 1900, … were arraigned and tried: Eugenio Hervosa, Ysidoro Enicela, alias “Munti” (Small), Isidro Aligpala, Jose Reyes, and Teodoro Lacerna alias, “Caliua,” natives.
Charge. -- “Murder”
In the foregoing case of …natives, who were jointly tried, it conclusively appears that decedent was a Visayan doing business as a merchant at Santa Cruz and Los Baños; that he was formerly loyal to the Spanish Government and transferred his loyalty, active assistance, and cordial good will to the succeeding Government of the United States; that he never joined, but opposed, the insurrection, … he yet never descended to the part of the spy or to any means of action contrary to the laws of war. Because of his friendship for, and willingness to aid, the forces of the United States, he was made a marked man, and the order went forth from the insurgent chiefs that he should be secured, dead or alive; and a money reward was offered for his life.
… these accused lay in ambush for the deceased, … when he was passing through the barrio, suddenly set upon him, dragged him from his kalesa, gave him stabbing wounds in the side and thigh, hurried him to a banca, and conveyed him by water to the pueblo of Bay, where they delivered his body, with life practically extinct, to a party of insurrectos waiting for it. A few of their number then returned to Calamba, while others accompanied the decedent’s head, which was then severed from his body, to the camp of the insurgent General Cailles in the mountains.
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The balete tree began to collapse on him, and Emilio struggled to escape the labyrinth of roots and branches that obstructed his path. The rest of the forest, as if commanded by the balete tree, attacked him, with branches flying into his face. Spirits shrieked through the air, but Emilio's heart beat too fast for him to hear. He felt dizzy, almost tripping a few times over the tangle of roots that threatened to pull him down, but somehow he kept his balance. The branches thinned out as he saw a clearing up ahead, and Emilio could see moonlight pouring in through the forest canopy. Just for a brief moment, he glanced up towards the light and almost smiled, but then he came tumbling down with a thud. Right before losing consciousness, he felt his clothes turning inside out. Though he would never know for sure, Emilio would always recount that this moment was when he felt his father’s love the most. Then everything turned black.
Emilio woke up lying in a grassy clearing, sampaguita flowers surrounding him. In the warm sunlight, he felt the welcoming embrace of his mother. He knew he was home.
Lucas Q. Villaseñor is a 17-year -old high school senior at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Massachusetts. Aside from discovering his identity at the Iskwelahang Pilipino of Boston, he spends his time rowing, playing tuba, and playing the guitar in the rondalla.
