By ALI G. MACABALANG
MALAPATAN, Sarangani — A 102-year old man, despite his knowledge about an exemption for aged people from fasting and other religious practices in Islam, is still fasting this Ramadhan because of what he described as his lingering wish to "die fasting" during this Muslim Holy month.
"Ya ko tamu mabpitas su nyawa ko sa kapabwasa saguna a Ramadhan, kumin kano ped a tempo. Obligasyon ta kanu Allahu ta Ala so kapabpuasa" (I’d rather die while observing fast this Ramadhan than in any other month. To fast is our obligation to Allah), said Apo Hamsa, an old Maguindanaon claiming to have reached 102 years. Worried for his health due to old age, no members of his family could convince him to rethink his decision.
The oldest son of the couple Balungo of Tuyan and Kutedtam of Lun Padidu, Malapatan, Amil Hamsa Balungo based his age by counting the years of his existence since he learned how old he was as told by his parents.
In his native tongue, he related: "Before settlers from Luzon arrived here, slaves were sold like commodities. The datus ruled this place. They were good people and hated trouble. Once you were caught stealing, your fingers would be cut off. The Sultan of Maguindanao also visited here. They traveled by horses or on foot."
"Prior to the arrival of Japanese armies, we lived near a Japanese storeowner named Kinjo (Yuzo Kinjo) at Buayan (now a barangay in General Santos City). I saw his little children named Tabung, Pigok, and Diamping. I was a young adult then." (Mohamad Kinjo has just informed this writer that Tabung Kinjo, his oldest brother, was born 1919).
Apo Hamsa’s voice is still loud and he still hears quite clearly. Aside from being farsighted, he complains about his weakening right foot that demobilizes him, and which he believes was caused by a witch.
He stressed: "I don’t have any secret diet or regimen. I just consume fruits, rice, fish, and no vetsin, nor other unnatural food."
Apo Hamsa recalled in an interview last week how he strictly abided by the rule of peace and amity. "I’ve never received any complaint nor been put to trial. I was often asked to mediate some disputes," he said.
He is very pious as gleaned from his own actions and his neighbors’ words. "I believe Allah loves me much for having good character and perform regular prayer. I am poor and those are my only treasure," Hamsa said. (With report from Gandhi Cordeta Kinjiyo)
