I Butchered a PIG!

OK, it may be metaphorical - but then again, it may be literal. So, yes, today, I butchered a roasted pig - a WHOLE pig! I have carved a pig before - but carving does not seem appropriate when you are talking about a bigger animal so I really prefer butcher - and interpret it however you would prefer. I am not at all squeamish so it was not that big of a deal. Besides, it was one of those things - when no one else will do something that had to be done, I had to do it.

We hold a weekly devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help every Wednesday night. We have our devotees - these are folks who have a special and personal relationships with Our Mother and her Son - these are people who are thankful for all their blessings, and those who ask for specific favors and guidance. Since the feast day of Our Lady (Mother) of Perpetual Help is June 27th, we have organized a novena to celebrate her feast day. Most of the devotees came every night during the first eight nights. They came in droves today for Our Lady's feast (albeit, 1 day earlier than the actual day).

Today is the climax of the celebration. We had a special liturgy during the 12:30 Mass and it was followed by a procession and then praying of the last novena in Madonna Hall, after which was the fellowship - with a lot of food.

Madonna Hall was almost full and as we prayed the novena, my heart swelled with happiness as I listened to the full participation of everyone. They all sang, they all prayed and my little ukulele and my little karaoke machine were able to somehow fill the hall with accompaniment loud enough to guide the people. After Eva concluded the novena, we asked Fr. Alden to lead us in prayer before partaking of our feast. As I announced that food was ready and wished everyone "Bon Appetit", people started to get in the food line. Our spread was plentiful amd special. We collected enough money (in exchange for the booklets that Eva produced and donated) to have them catered and still other people brought their own dishes for the celebration. We also had a 70-pound roasted pig - LECHON as we Filipinos call it - a marquee at any special event.

As I was putting back my ukulele in its case, I saw a couple of people standing by the pig and they seemed to be starting to cut it for the crowd. The next time I looked after zipping up the case, I noticed that no one was doing any cutting or serving. There were just a couple of people with their plastic forks trying eke out some pieces of meat and skin from the roasted pig.

So.. I went to the poor pig, picked up the two knives sitting there and started butchering the pig and distributing the sumptuous meat to people who had already crowded around me. The knives were not heavy and not sharp enough (where is a cleaver when you need one!) and so it took a lot of energy to rip off the fllesh from the roasted animal. In the meatime, a good number of people started gnawing on the pig's golden brown skin - the best part of the dish. I eventually had to tell some to stay away as I was armed with two knives and I was dangerous - actually, since I was cutting up the pig, I could hurt anyone who got close. Before I knew it, someone had put an apron on me as I was wearing a white top with nothing to protect it from the grease coming from the lechon.

And so there I was, weilding knives, turning the pig when the one side ran out of flesh and cutting the ribs apart with my bare hands so I could reach more flesh to feed the crowd with. After about half an hour, some people actually remembered that I have not had anything yet so they asked me to stop and get some food. I didn't really feel hungry until I was reminded and it was about 2:45pm (and my stomach is programmed for a 12noon lunch). You know how time flies when you are having fun? I was having a work out with that pig that I hardly noticed I was hungry. So I got me a plate, took some food and started to eat a little bit. Old ladies from one table kept on motioning me to come over. They wanted to give me some fresly-picked beans that they said I could use for some Filipino dishes. I tried to refuse but one look at the disappointment in their eyes made me take the plastic bag they had prepared for me. They all said it was a wonderful event and everyone was looking forward to next year's celebration. They kissed me before they left. I felt a tinge of melancholy as these women reminded me of my own mother and I sometimes think that through them, she lets me know she misses me too.

It was all good. We must have had between 150-200 people and everyone had their fill. A number of folks even had "take home" plates. We all felt very fulfilled, especially Eva who spearheaded this event. A good number of people pitched in their time and treasure as well - a gesture to thank Our Mother of Perpetual Help for all favors they have received through her intercession.

We cleaned up the hall then headed home. Only after I got changed and sat down in front of my computer did I start to feel the pain in my arms. I needed a good rub so we went to get a relaxing massage where I promptly fell asleep as soon as my feet touched and soaked in the warm water. I just woke up when I the masseause asked me to turn. When we got home, my sister's kids were playing "Dance Central" in the Kinect. (They have keys to our house) As soon as they left (after begging their mother for "one more song" 5 times,) I was surprised that I had enough energy to play for more than half an hour and worked out a good sweat..

I will probably be sore tomorrow. Not just from butchering the pig, but also from the masssage and from playing "Dance Central." It will be a good sore - a sore that is worth the service I had the priviledge of rendering and the relaxation and fun I had after.

And how was your Sunday?