An Embarrassment of Riches by Charlson Ong

Author:Charlson Ong [Ong, Charlson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789715422024
Amazon: 9715422020
Publisher: University of the Philippines Press
Published: 2000-01-01T16:00:00+00:00

20

The presidential palace was rather disappointing up close. Built during the colonial era by Spanish architects, it bore little of the quaint Old World look which marked other colonial structures like the former governor-general’s summer rest house. Its original builder, a Spanish conde, had named the house the Casa del Fundador, so that latter-day pundits dubbed it the FunHouse. The last Spanish governor-general moved here after his official residence burned down, refurbished the place and called it Castila Blanca. The American gov­ernors also lived here during their time.

Much reconstruction had taken place since the postcard picture of the palace was taken, and its grounds now carried more kitsch than culture. Each of Azurins mistresses had left her mark in the place and a five-story imitation Japanese Buddhist pagoda stood across some gargoyles ravishing a maiden. I saw Aldoux burning spirit money in a huge urn at the center of the front lawn. He Was being assisted by some young people dressed in yellow robes. The smoke had begun irritating the eyes of some early guests.

“You think the Cardinal will let this one go in the spirit of ecumenism?” Mailin asked me. We were allowed to park beside the presidential limo.

“He might not get to see it,” I replied.

“He’ll show up, Jeff. They’ll all show up, don’t worry.”

“I think Aldoux has other gods to propitiate,” I whispered, uncomfortable in my barong Sadagat, the traditional male ceremonial garb on our island. It is of soft and light fabric woven from pineapple palm. But my couturier’s assistants seemed to have erred on their measurements. “The Cardinal’s had his share of incense and smoke. I’d like to see how Brother Mike takes this,” Mailin replied.

The US ambassador’s limo arrived with Marine escorts. It seemed to be visiting a war zone rather than attending a presidential oath­taking. The Russians came in Benzes and the Chinese in sedans of unfamiliar make. So far the event had the makings of the first respectable and internationally recognized inaugural in our nations history.

Kate, Ignacio and I had pushed for a grand inaugural at the Carlos Remedios Park, attended by a massive crowd. I wanted Jenny’s inaugural speech, the first speech I’d written for her, which she was using in full, read before the multitude. It would be our finest hour. But Moss’s security concerns once more got in the way of good theater and Jenny decided to have a palace inaugural with live TV coverage. Aldoux said the palace had better feng shui for such an event than did the Park and that we had to exorcise the spirits of governments past immediately through a palace inaugural. I suspected, however, that Aldoux was sending me a message. He was reminding me that if I had access to Jenny’s ears, he had permanent residency inside her mind.

The palace interiors reminded me strangely of Aldoux’s home. I realized then that he’d previously redesigned the place, putting talismans in strategic nooks and replacing furniture that emitted negative vibes. The famous Persian carpet with a huge growling tiger head design of which I’d heard so much was nowhere in sight.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.