: Tragic Ilocano Tradition
Another one of my brothers is getting married this summer. Next year, another brother will walk the aisle, and by then all of my siblings are married.
Fudge.
Interesting. A Family Doctor met up with our block to talk about “family dynamics.” After discussing the supposed importance of socio-culural aspect of a patient (truth is, the next time I hear the word biopsycho-freakin-social, my ear would bleed), she asked who are the Ilocanos in the group.
Three of us raised our hands.
Apparently, she said, Ilocanos have this tradition of designating one of the children as the spinster for life. Yes, “Spinster… for life.” Putting emphasis (quite unnecessary, believe me) on the phrase “for life.” She explained, “They’re supposed to take care of the aging parents, or the pamangkins in case something happens.”
Everybody found it funny, in fact, everybody laughed out loud. Excuse me, am I the only one who thinks this is thoroughly unfunny, if not morbidly tragic?!
What? Suddenly there’s an explanation?
That I have only been unconsciously following some dreadful tradition?
Susme!
Another one of my brothers is getting married this summer. Next year, another brother will walk the aisle, and by then all of my siblings are married.
Fudge.
Interesting. A Family Doctor met up with our block to talk about “family dynamics.” After discussing the supposed importance of socio-culural aspect of a patient (truth is, the next time I hear the word biopsycho-freakin-social, my ear would bleed), she asked who are the Ilocanos in the group.
Three of us raised our hands.
Apparently, she said, Ilocanos have this tradition of designating one of the children as the spinster for life. Yes, “Spinster… for life.” Putting emphasis (quite unnecessary, believe me) on the phrase “for life.” She explained, “They’re supposed to take care of the aging parents, or the pamangkins in case something happens.”
Everybody found it funny, in fact, everybody laughed out loud. Excuse me, am I the only one who thinks this is thoroughly unfunny, if not morbidly tragic?!
What? Suddenly there’s an explanation?
That I have only been unconsciously following some dreadful tradition?
Susme!