The Pintados Festival

Roberto the Rooster stood in his tiny wood and wire cage just outside Gemma’s window, wide-awake and crowing in the darkness.

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"Ruck-a-ruck-a-roo! Ruck-a-ruck-a-roo!"

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Mr. Cruz rose from bed and took a brisk shower before putting on his slippers and robe. He went to the kitchen and started a kettle of water for his morning tea.

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"Ruck-a-ruck-a-roo!"

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Mr. Cruz poked his head through the curtains and checked on Roberto.

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"Alright old boy, I'll be right out."

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Mr. Cruz removed the green pail from beneath the sink and headed to the pig pen. He dumped the contents into the trough and the pigs fought over old fish heads and rotten vegetables as Roberto crowed even louder than before.

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“Hold your horses, old boy!”

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Mr. Cruz guided Roberto out of the cage and onto the ground. As Mr. Cruz went about his morning routine, Roberto followed closely behind.

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Roberto let out a caw as he neared the girls’ room. It startled Gemma from her sleep.

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"Get up, Gemma," said Mr. Cruz, "today is Pintados!"

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“I almost forgot!”

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Gemma jumped up and quickly took a shower.

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“That was quick," said Maria.

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"Today is Pintados!"

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Gemma quickly finished getting ready and and rushed outside.

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"What is everyone sitting around for? We're missing Pintados!"

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"Sit down and eat your breakfast first."

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"But mom…"

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"Gemma, we've got a long day ahead of us. Let's start it off right."

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Gemma quickly gobbled all the food on her plate and took the dirty dishes to the kitchen and washed them. As soon as she returned, everyone walked to the road and waited. Pidro flagged down the next Jeepney as it approached.

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On the Jeepney, people’s faces were painted in vivid colors. Two sisters even wore panther and leopard costumes. Gemma sat down next to them.

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"Magandang Umaga," said one girl – Filipino for ‘good morning’.

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"Magandang Umaga!” replied Gemma, “Did you do this yourself?"

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"I used these pieces of yellow, brown, and black charcoal.”

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"It's pretty."

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"My sister and I drew pictures on each other's faces. Would you like me to paint your face?"

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Gemma nodded.

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"Close your eyes.”

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The girl traced the outlines of eyes, a nose, and whiskers. The hot air from inside the bus mingled with the smell of charcoal and the girl's perfume. Gemma twitched her nose, attempting to scratch an itch. The girl took her charcoal and rubbed it against the outside of Gemma’s nose, just where it itched.

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"Thank you," she whispered.

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"You're welcome. Do you want to see what you look like?"

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Gemma looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like a lion with a bright yellow face and dark brown whiskers.

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"You like it?"

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“Rawr!” Gemma growled with a giggle, “of course I do!"

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Gemma turned toward Maria and growled at her. Then, the little lion rose over the seat back and growled at her father. Mr. Cruz jumped back in fright.

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"Oh, daddy, quit it!"

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"But you're a very scary lion."

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"I am?"

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"Yes…and you’re the most adorable lion, too." Mr. Cruz gently kissed Gemma on the tip of her nose. Black charcoal smudged his lips. Mrs. Cruz used her handkerchief to quickly clean Mr. Cruz’s lips. Gemma grew more excited with each stop and each painted passenger.

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The bus turned onto a street that was filled with all sorts of people in all colors of costume. They sang and danced all around her. Gemma's heart pounded excitedly. Finally, they had arrived at Pintados!

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Maria took Gemma by the hand and led her off the bus. A group of men seated in a drummer's circle beat on drums while singing tribal folk songs.

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As Gemma began to dance, a girl came up and gave her a necklace made of colorful beads.

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A drummer motioned to Gemma and she joined in as the men beat on the drums. Her drumbeats were uneven and didn't match the other drummer's beats. She quickly decided to return to dancing until the song ended.

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"Did you see me drumming?" Gemma asked Maria. Maria nodded.

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Gemma took Maria by the hand and led her through the Festival grounds. People were painted every color of the rainbow. It wasn't long before someone painted Maria's face with bright blue and yellow stripes.

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"Maria?"

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"Yes, Gemma?"

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"What is Pintados?"

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"Pintados is a celebration of our ancient tribal warriors. They were called 'Pintados' because of the tattoos painted on their bodies. Their body paintings were signs of courage."

"So I'm a Pintado?" Gemma asked.

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"Today, everyone is a Pintado."

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Maria pointed towards Mrs. Cruz. Some boys had painted bright colors on her mother's shirt, changing it from plain white to red, blue and green. They painted stripes on her face, too.

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Gemma and Maria watched a man get a real tattoo – and it was on the man’s tongue.

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As the tattoo artist painted the tribesman's tongue, girls in bright yellow dresses danced nearby. Their arms flowed like birds. Some girls even had feathers braided into their long, black hair. Long yellow ribbons swirled around as the girls waved their arms.

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Maria led Gemma through a maze of people to the empty street curb and sat down. Soon, their mother joined them.

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Gemma was too excited to realize that both Pidro and her father were missing. When the parade started, girls in bright yellow costumes advanced in two lines before peeling off in two separate directions. They swooped around like a flock of yellow birds. A girl in a red feathered dress danced while girls with yellow ribbons twirled about, weaving circles around her.

.Next, a man on stilts strutted down the street in his long silver suit. He held a hand above his eyes, as if he were scanning the crowd. He flung a handful of candy towards Gemma. She scampered into the street and grabbed a lollipop.

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A group of men beat heavy sticks on the ground as they danced. They looked to the sky, let out a chant and pounded their sticks against the ground. When they finished, one man approached and smiled brightly. It was Pidro. He and Mr. Cruz were both painted in tribal tattoos and wore fancy costumes. Pidro growled at Gemma. She immediately ran towards Pidro and danced next to him.

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"You look great, big brother."
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Thanks, little sister! Now go back with mom and Maria and watch the parade."
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Afterwards, Gemma, Maria, and Mrs. Cruz followed the parade to the festival grounds. Everyone was brightly painted, but it was still easy to find Mr. Cruz and Pidro. Mr. Cruz bought Chicken Adobo skewers and mango juice for everyone to enjoy.
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.As the festival ended, the moon hung high overhead, watching over Gemma and all the other Pintados. Gemma walked for a little while before her father gave Gemma a piggyback ride to the bus stop. She wrapped her legs around his waist and rested her hands on his shoulders. With each step, Gemma jostled from side-to-side.

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Gemma fell asleep sometime between there and the moment her father nudged her on the shoulder. Gemma glanced toward the roadside, but it was too dark to see.

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"Come on, we’re home."

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Gemma got off the bus and walked toward her house. As she walked along, she held on tightly to her father’s hand.

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"Did you have a good time?" he asked.

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"The best," replied Gemma.
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"Me too, Gemma. Me too.”

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