By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

Saved by my weight

At Fiumicino Airport in Rome, my suitcase was just a little over the allowed weight. I tried asking for consideration but the woman at the check-in counter looked adamant. I pleaded so desperately that finally she considered my request after casting a merciful look at me, a poor underweight fellow. My skinny structure must have made up for my excess baggage.

Coming of age

Coming out of the refectory for breakfast, our cook gave me a puzzled look and asked me why was I bringing the pitcher with me. Only then did I realize that I had picked up the pitcher instead of my Breviary, which I usually put beside the pitcher on the breakfast table. I must have had so many things on my mind that morning. Or maybe I’m already getting old – er.

Lessons in waves

I had never experienced a ‘heat wave’ though I had read an article about it. On our way to Takpamba, Togo, Fr Anthony Dindo was covering his ears like a Japanese tora-tora pilot swooping over Pearl Harbor. I was making fun of him throughout the trip, but he just ignored me. All of a sudden, a very hot breeze swept through the windows of the car. I ducked down, scrambling for a towel to cover my head. Now that must be the “heat wave”…I had to learn the hard way.

Beat this

I was having breakfast with a number of computer wizards one morning. The discussion was all about what the latest was in computer technology. ‘I have a computer that prints out four copies at once,’ said Fr Francis. There was complete silence. Everyone was dumbstruck – but me. I instantly knew what Fr Francis meant because I also own that kind of ‘computer’ so I blurted out excitedly, ‘Yes, it is true. I have the same model and in fact it can even print six copies at once! And it also talks a lot.’ Our bursar, who was known for his computer expertise, could hardly believe it. ‘I cannot figure out how that computer prints out four or even six copies at once. It’s impossible.’ ‘No, it’s not,’ I said. ‘How about that?’ I asked, as I pointed at the typewriter. Our bursar raised his hands in exasperation.