Saturday, November 2, 2019

"Nahulog sa Tulay" (Fell off the bridge.)

Take a break with laughter 

Nahulog sa Tulay
(He fell off the bridge.)
 As told to Dr Abe V Rotor

                                   
Once there was a community where the parish priest got irked by the confession of the faithful of a sin most frequently committed – adultery.
Footbridge in acrylic by the author AVR 2002

So the priest coined a code for adultery: Nahulog sa tulay (fell off the bridge).  Indeed the priest was quite satisfied to hear confessions on the popular sin.  Instead of saying adultery, or nangangaliwa (turning to the left, meaning unfaithful), or may kulasisi (having a pet parrot), the faithful just say “Father, “Nahulog ako sa tulay.”  For which the concerned father would say, “This time be careful.  Mag-ingat ka.” (Be careful)

As it is the policy of the church to reshuffle assignments of priests, the priest in this community was transferred to another parish.

A new priest arrived, and as he heard confessions he was surprised to hear a string of “Father, nahulog ako sa tulay,” that the apparently puzzled priest simply cautioned the faithful, “Mag-ingat ka sa susunod,” (Be careful next time) thinking of the literal meaning of the statement.  With firmness he went to see the municipal engineer and asked why he is not doing his part to prevent accidents by seeing to it that the bridge is safe and sound.

To this the engineer laughed and all others in the municipal hall joined.  He laughed and laughed as he was the butt of the accusation he was mistaken for.

Not outwitted the priest said, “Well, Mr. Engineer, I still say you take care of that bridge.”

“Father, that bridge is not in my care.”

“It is,” the priest concluded.  “Your wife fell in it three times.” ~

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