Pogi
In a world full of surprises, a story has unfolded. The story is about two boys christened with the same name – Pogi. The first Pogi is our lovable pet, a 10-year old black “askal” given by my family’s friend to my brother in 1999. The other Pogi is our neighbor, from whom our pet’s name is borrowed.
The lives of the two connected several times. When Pogi the dog is about one year old, Pogi the human also has an askal (let’s give him the name Bruno) with a very bad attitude. Bruno will always bark, and sometimes attack, any person that will pass by the house of Pogi. I and my family are always a victim as we need to pass there to go to school or church. Pogi the dog has also been a victim several times. I trained pogi to fight, so that it will not be abused by Bruno.
When Pogi is already two years old, he was already bigger than Bruno. So he lorded the place by his bark, and no one will ever attempt to attack him. Pogi is loved by our neighbors because he did not show any bad attitude towards those he knows. He eats at their house, sleeps when tired, and hugged and caressed by them, while Bruno stayed away from our house and our neighbors’.
Everytime my brother’s birthday comes, he will always attempt to slaughter Pogi for “pulutan.” During those days, Pogi’s lawyers will come to the rescue. One of his lawyers is my Uncle Ano, who will always object any idea of slaughtering or even hurting Pogi. And the most influential lawyer is our neighbor Ric, who will always offer to buy the dog instead of slaughtering him.
The other Pogi is an influential people in the barrio. During the time Pogi the dog was still growing, he is at the prime of his influential life. His allies includes most of our neighbors in the ”upper” class. Barangay officials, as well as church and sometimes town officials, are his friends. With this influence at hand, he is really powerful.
But such power sometimes conveyed negative message to the “lower” class, which includes us. At a time when one of his relatives died with no clear evidence as to whether such death is suicide or murder, aside from wounds sustained by his body, Pogi and his company has nailed one suspect. Rumors have said that they have fabricated evidence, including the testimony of one of the alleged witnesses. The suspect was sentenced to life imprisonment, and is still in Bilibid.
Such event triggered the anger of his neighbors. And the negative message shifted to outburst and hatred. The man is really hated by some.
Just recently, my brother’s birthday came again. And he said that he would like to slaughter Pogi for pulutan. This is the tenth attempt to kill him. But one of the loyal lawyers – my mother – came to the rescue. Pogi the dog is still alive, and is still loved.
Also just recently, Pogi the human was found dead in his house. The wake is still ongoing. And according to some sources, there are only few who come to see his remains. It is a bad fate indeed. Pogi is now dead, and is still hated.
