The last time I saw Tio Efren “ETASOR” Sorra alive was Thursday afternoon, Dec. 28, 2023, at his humble “payag” in Valencia, Virac
He was on his wheelchair, about to be taken by his children for a checkup with cardiologist Dr. Rene Reyes at the Immaculate Heart of Mary after experiencing shortness of breathing for the past two weeks.
So it was a shock to be informed via his Messenger account (Efren Sonila Millete Sorra) apparently by one of their children, that he had been taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Eastern Bicol Medical Center sometime past 7 PM last Saturday, Dec. 30.
I was with Bishop Manolo delos Santos at the ICSA Social Hall during the reception for the eight couples who reaffirmed their marriage vows that same afternoon at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
Less than an hour later, as the annual event came to a close, came the final message: “Dai na po si Papa.”
Tio Efren was the second columnist/feature writer for the Tribune that I recruited at the Virac Airport, back in the days when people were still allowed to loiter inside the fenced compound (the first was former CSC President Dr. Rodolfo Azanza, whose Sixth Sense was a weekly feature at the time Burabod began).
He expressed reluctance as he was then already enjoying retirement with his beloved wife at their garden home along the highway.
But Tio Efren came through and the weekly “Burabod” was born, with the first seeing print on July 26, 2006.
For more than a decade (exactly 17 years and six months), his weekly poems in the vernacular appeared at the back page of this paper (he specifically asked for the location, just as entertainment and classical music writer Pablo Tariman sought his frontpage spot).
When he was usually too busy or otherwise occupied with keeping himself healthy (he had been undergoing twice-weekly dialysis for several months), he would send a brief message that “nahubas na naman ang burabod.”
This time, we realize much to our regret and deep sadness, talagang hubas na ang Burabod…
On behalf of the Tribune management and our loyal readers, may I express our profound condolences with the family of Tio Efren for their great loss. May they find some consolation in the thought that countless Catandunganons have found inspiration, enlightenment and guidance in what he has accomplished in theater through Hablon-Dawani and in his weekly Burabod…
*****
After a zero-case record in 2022, the province of Catanduanes had three injuries arising from the use of fireworks and firecrackers during the Yuletide season.
The first was a 32-year old female from Danicop, Virac, who sustained a burn on her right foot from a baby rocket (kwitis) shortly before midnight of Dec. 31, 2023.
The second was a resident of San Andres whose left leg was hurt by another kwitis while the third was a Panganiban resident whose left hand was burned by a sparkler (luces).
But official DOH records will reflect only the Danicop case as it was recorded at the sentinel hospital, Eastern Bicol Medical Center.
Judging by the results, it appears that the local campaign against the use of firecrackers and fireworks is a failure.
A total ban as suggested by the DILG would likely be a failure.
It would be difficult for authorities to implement against makers and users.
*****
GOING NUTS. A cruise ship passes by a remote island, and all the passengers see a bearded man running around and waving his arms wildly.
“Captain,” one passenger asks, “who is that man over there?”
“I have no idea,” the captain says, “but he goes nuts every year when we pass him.”