Silent nights and no last song syndrome

Welcome to _______________, a quaint community nestled on the foot of majestic Mount Malarayat -- where cool, pristine air soothes away the stress of city living, and neighbors know each other by name.  Here, crickets lull you to sleep, and birds welcome each new day with delightful chirps.  Truly, when you place premium on quality of life -- this is the place that you want to call home.

If this place is being advertised, then that's how I'm going to write its copy on a print ad.  But this is no expensive subdivision, but a small barangay at the edge of Lipa.  It is called Barangay Talisay, a small, peaceful community where bike trails criss and cross.

With a collection of small and big houses made either of wood or cement or both, this place is not any different from any barangay you would see all over rural Philippines.  But what distinguishes Barangay Talisay is how its residents value their security and peace of mind, and how they come together to ensure that they protect their quality of life; in many respects, like how exclusive subdivisions would protect theirs, though on a smaller and less expensive scale.



The main community can be reached through three different entry points, one from a neighboring barangay, another, a dirt road that winds down  from the edge of the mountain, and one that connects to a long stretch of secondary roads where the real exclusive subdivisions -- Malarayat, La Finca and Bel-Air are lined up.

Mang Allan, manning the gate

Noticeable in the last entry point, which is the main access to the barangay,  is the makeshift checkpoint that the local council put up, where each vehicle must slow down, roll down their window, and if need be, stop to be inspected.  If you are new to the place, you must leave behind an identification card or your driver's license which you can claim on your way out.  The checkpoint is manned 24/7 by barangay tanods composed of local residents.

Another simple ordinance, but which I find impressive and believe must be imposed in all communities, is that vehicles with loud exhaust pipes are prohibited from entering the community.  This is specially useful on nights that all you want is peace, quiet and a nice sleep -- without motorbikes or cars revving up to quicken your pulse faster than any caffeinated drink could.


How many sleeps, how many conversations, and how many quiet moments have these rude sounds violated? From my experience alone -- countless already.  But in Barangay Talisay, there is none of that.  Residents are very considerate of their neighbors feelings that those who celebrate special occasions stop using the videoke when it is time for people to catch some sleep.

A vegetable farm, one of many in and around the barangay

Because of the strict security and discipline of the residents, there is hardly any report of crimes or violence in Barangay Talisay.  According to Sir Allan, a resident and Barangay Tanod, if there is an incident that reaches the Barangay, then for sure a dayo, a visitor, not a local is behind it.

I wish some of my neighbors, who sing videoke till the wee hours of the morning, are from Barangay Talisay, so I will no longer wake up cranky, with Aegis' Ang Halik Mo lingering as a last song syndrome.