Utopia in a Kite
(Joy can still be found in the simplest things. This is what i learned when I covered the Bear Brand Kitefest, held recently at Rizal Park. This is my story that won in a competition organized by Nestle. Hope you like it!)Memories of kite flying brought on images of little boys running in an open field, tugging their errant kites along as echoes of their laughter tried desperately to catch up with them.
It was a glimpse to the past of the Filipino child, of Pepe, who find such inconceivable joy in the flight of a simple paper-string ensemble— the saranggola— crafted by the loving hands of tatay and emboldened by the gentle ministrations of his naynay.
Then was an era of simple pleasures, of laughter found in a 30-peso kite, of Utopia created in familial love and togetherness. And though time has laid the saranggola in a forgotten heap, memories of this personal Utopia remained.
Perhaps, it is this longing to reclaim once again their own brand of Utopia that spurred participants to pack up their bags, haul their kids to the next bus stop and travel the thousands of miles each year to join the Bear Brand Kitefest.
Recreating a dream
“With our schedules, it is really rare for the family to have a get-together. Ang hirap e, we had our own lives to lead. Yet ever since I brought a kite home and flew it with the kids, we have never been closer. Kite-flying has become a tradition of sorts, that rare moment when we can just be together without worrying about our work or our responsibilities. Kites have that effect,” relates Dr. Delfin Pilones, who had the whole family in tow in Luneta except for his two eldest who had summer classes.
The Pilones are familiar fixtures in the kitefest, making it a point to be there, not only in their area, Isabela but also in other legs as well. Case in point, the Manila leg.
Short of putting up p a tent under the watchful eyes of Jose Rizal, Dr. Pilones and his wife Vicky brought everything from food to the family dog… in addition of course to the kites, which the good doctor painstakingly makes for each member of the family in his spare time.
“Suddenly I had the time ano. I guess when you really enjoy what you are doing, it ceases to be a strain in your time. Pero di rin madali ha. When I started, I absolutely had no clue! Since nobody knew a thing about it, it came to a point when I had to research on the net and read encyclopedias… to no avail. I ended up buying kites in the market for our first kite fest,” he confessed with a laugh.
These memories, Pilones, claims, are the ones that make them come back year after year, leg after leg. “Di matatawaran ng kahit na magkano ang memories that you make with your family. Kahit nga hindi na manalo, just seeing them fly the kites that you made is enough. Fulfilled ka na doon.”
Breaking age gaps
Perhaps having been born in a time when skyscrapers ruled the city streets and lampposts tower over the afternoon skies, the young generation cannot imagine how in the world kites can compare to their favorite video game.
No doubt, Lolo Pilito Quintos will have a hell of a time pleading his case but at the rate he is now going, it seems verdict is at hand and it is going his way.
“Haay naku, nagawa ko yan sa anak ko, gagawin ko rin sa aking mga apo,” states the 68-year-old enthusiast with so much conviction, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the statue of Jose Rizal suddenly comes up to him with a kite in hand.
True enough even without the help of his son Boyet, who is away because of work, he had managed, single-handedly, to “coerce” 13 of his family members to gather under the scorching heat of the sun. They even brought their own tents plus a host of other paraphernalia to make their psuedo-reunion as comfy as possible.
“HAHAHA! Actually, ginawa na nga namin itong get-together ng buong angkan. Hakot talaga ang buong pamilya from Cainta plus may mga kamag-anak from Manila na pumunta. Ang sarap kasi minsan na lang kayo magkita-kita. Kakaiba nga lang kasi sa kitefest pa namin ginagawa,” he divulges after a resounding laugh, realizing how totally irregular their set-up is.
His grandson Patrick confirmed this saying that because some of his cousins are already going to college, the kitefest is their only opportunity to bond and to catch up with each other. “Ang saya. Para kasing bumabalik ka sa pagkabata e. Ni hindi ko nga nararamdaman yung init ng araw sa sobrang enjoyment ko. Ayan tuloy, nangitim ata kami.”
Quintos believes that kiteflying is one way of reaching out to his grandsons despite the colossal gap in their ages.
“Nung grade 2 or 3 si Boyet sumasali na kami. Enjoy talaga siya. Hindi mo ma-explain pero ang gaan ng feeling panoorin yung kite mong lumilipad. Limot mo yung pagod mo. Parang pati ikaw lumilipad na rin. Ngayun kasi napakakumplikado na ng buhay. Ang sarap bumalik sa mga simpleng bagay. Iyong feeling na yun ang gusto kong I-share with my apos.”
Generations of Kite-flyers
Isagani Cajulao’s love affair with kites was actually passed on to him by his lolo who shared with him and his brother the Utopia found in its simple flight.
And though he had been joining kite fests for more than 15 years, the heat of the competition has never gone to his head, preferring to rebel against present standards and joining just for the fun of it.
“Of course you’d want to win. Who doesn’t? But it was never about the competition. Ang sarap lang gumawa, magpalipad. Kahit nga sa outing ng pamilya, di nawawala ang saranggola. Talagang nagpapalipad kami kapag may pagkakataon,” he reveals, proudly showing off his creation, a three-header, which his kids and pamangkins had helped to make.
Knowing how much kite-flying made a difference in his relationship with his lolo and how it has continued to make him and his brother close, he feels that this is one thing of value that he can give to his children.
“Simple lang na activity ito pero ang value niya sa relationship ang laki. Kaming magkapatid, we share a bond. I want that for my children. I want them to have that special kind of relationship that I have with my brother. Hindi lang naman sa mga kitefests na ganito nagiging close ang mga tao. Yung mismong pagpapalipad ng saranggola, simula na yun. Iba kasi kung mayroon kayong isang bagay that you love doing. Iba yung bonding niyo, iba yung connection.”
Utopia at hand
On its 15th year, Bear Brand Kitefest has no doubt witnessed hundreds of kites, fancy and elaborate enough to make anyone’s jaw drop in awe but what is even more awe-inspiring is the number of relationships forged, memories created, distances bridged and families reunited through something as simple as flying a kite.
More than a celebration of the Filipino creative and pioneering spirit, the kitefest is a symbol of going back to the basics, to the simple things that make life worthwhile… family, friendships and flying a kite.
Little boys ran in an open field, tugging their errant kites along as echoes of their laughter tried desperately to catch up with them.
It was a glimpse to the past and hopefully to the future of Pepe, a start of another era of simple pleasures, of Utopia found in the flight of one’s kite.
posted by Amyline Quien Ching @ 1:41 AM
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