Guardia de Honor by Nick Joaquin

Guardia de Honor

by Nick Joaquin 

Natalia Godoy is a young woman of 18 who is excited to join the Feast of the Virgin of Manila as one of the guardias for the first time. The feast is celebrated every October, where a breath the North stirs Manila, blowing summer dust and doves from the tile roofs, freshening the moss of old walls, as the city festoons itself with arches and paper lanterns for its great votive feast. This feast, in honor of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila is held every 2^nd week of October. Historically, the Virgin is believed to have guarded Manila against different battles. As it is, the eyes that, long ago, had gazed up anxiously, invoking the virgin, had feared a grimmer rain--- of fire and metal; for pirate crat crowded the horizon. Our Lady of La Naval de Manila was declared a “National Cultural Treasure” in RA 10066 or the NCCA Heritage Act of 2009.

But for Natalia, the feast had become emeralds from her father. She would wear the emeralds to the procession. The jewels are a set – a ring, a necklace a brooch, a comb to crown the veil with, and pendulous earring shaped like chandeliers. She was all set and was awaiting her ride to the rendezvous of the procession when her father Don had approached her for a conversation regarding her two suitors; Esteban and Mario. In this conversation, she had discussed with her father that she has already chosen the man that he loves, but that she would be riding with the man she has not chosen. Her father found this arrangement curious commenting “How you girls love to kill with kindness!” This was the time as well when the good Don had finally realized that his little girl is finally a young lady whose heart was captured by a young man. She had asked for his blessings which he had given. In this brief exchange of thoughts and feelings as well between the father and daughter that the good Don learned that, Elisa, Natalia’s aunt, is in love with Andong Ferrero. When her father was to go downstairs, she requested him to tell Mario that she would be riding with Esteban, a gesture which during their time is considered to be the woman’s way of telling the suitors who was chosen, only in this case this practice is not observed. When her father has left, Aunt Elisa had come to see Natalia asking her to hurry as they would be late. Along the conversation of these two women who are in love, Natalia had thought of just riding with the man she loves after seeing a vision of violence and death  thus she asked her aunt to see Mario and tell him that would be riding with him. Unfortunately, Elisa did not see Mario who came to confront Natalia of her choice insisting that it was him whom Natalia loves. Irritated by his gesture and unwillingness to listen, she challenged him saying he has no right to dictate nor question her choices. For a moment’s whim, she decided to right with Esteban instead forgetting the omen that has forewarned her of the turn of events. This angered Mario badly leading his to race them, and for the first time Esteban took control of the horses’ reign and raced with Mario as if racing to the heart of the woman they both loved.  This race had led to the death of Elena and Esteban. In this accident caused by jealousy and passion, as well as childish whims, Natalia lost her jewels save a piece of the emerald chandelier earring, which from then on is worn with grace and pride by the generations of guardia de honor after her. In the end, when all has settled down, Natalia ended marrying Andong while Mario, aggrieved at the same time guilty of the wrong judgement he had committed that day had decided to serve the God by becoming a man of God.

Andong and Natalia had good and happy life together, grateful that Elena has been a way of them finding each other.

 

These events unfolded in the present time as Josie looks into the mirror in her childhood room. She had seen what had happened and what was supposed to happen to Natalia and Mario, the ony event he did not see was the death of Elena and Esteban.  Read the rest of the short story to see how this tale reflects and warns us against impulsive decisions.

Source: Joaquin, N. (2017). The woman who had two navels and tales od the tropical gothic. New York: Penguin Books.

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