Now the world knows the miracle in Pampanga. Across the world, they were watching the proclamation of our Gov. Fr. Ed live. That is why the SMS I received the morning after the event was a bit disorienting. They were giving out food and groceries in San Vicente, it said.

Vote-buying after the elections? What in the world is happening?

No, it was not. Storekeepers in Sta. Rita town’s commercial area were giving out free food and drinks to their customers in thanksgiving for Friday evening’s momentous event. I didn’t know what to think. What was happening? When did it ever happen in the history of Sta. Rita?

I had to see for myself. And truly, there they were. It was unplanned, uncoordinated but as of press time, I have seen for myself that at least four establishments couldn’t wait for the town fiesta (22 May) to feed their customers and friends to celebrate Among Ed’s victory – their victory!

For breakfast and minindal, Apung Nenita and Gandelina Cabuso gave out free softdrinks, pancit, saguin con hielo and halo-halo to their canteen’s patrons. It was a thanksgiving, they said, for a battle that was won. They should know what it takes for Apung Nenita’s grandson and Gandelina’s son Wilson was one of the Sta. Rita EdQuarters volunteers.

Over at Aico supermarket (Brgy. San Matias), Ms. Batac its manager, ordered a calapiñera of sherbet for the store’s employees and patrons. She will also be treating her staff to an outing at a swimming pool.

Pang Ordoñez of Goto-Goto, also in Brgy. San Vicente opened his store that morning determined to serve free goto to his customers. He and his wife regularly joined the candlelight rallies and Masses during the campaign and dutifully went to the canvassing at the Convention Center. Sleepless nights over, it was time to celebrate and so the goto was ladled into bowls.

The Peña family, also of San Vicente monitored the conduct of the elections closely. They were also part of Sta. Rita’s text brigade. Sisters Kay and Peng went to the provincial canvassing of votes where physician Kay also played impromptu medic to some members of the audience who fell victim to the mounting tension before the winner was finally announced. The day after the proclamation, sandwiches, juice and a luscious chocolate cake especially baked for the occasion greeted their grocery’s customers.

It seems like these storekeepers just had to share their joy with everyone. To those who partook of their simple offering, I am sure the food tasted a lot more than it actually did.

This is just in Sta. Rita. I am sure something similar is happening in other towns.

Luid ya ing quecatamung balayan! Luid la reng Capampangan!
(Hail to our land! Hail the Capampangan!)