Ode to my Hometown

Sometime ago, in one of my rare moments of tranquil solitude, I heard a humming in my heart - a soft, whispery, soothing melody. But it soon dawned on me that it was not a song, it was a word - a word we love so well.

C-A-R-A-M-O-A-N

Like a symphony, it filled my soul.

And I smiled dreamily and drifted off to that far away place of calming peace and serene contentment, when I quietly realized that I was uttering it repeatedly and in a variety of fashions.

Such was the magic in the word. I was hypnotized, mesmerized, spellbound. And lost in the reverie, I found myself saying the word slowly, relishing every syllable, reliving all the good memories that my birthplace gave me.

Soon, I came back to my senses, but not without first discovering the numerous hidden meanings and subtle connotations behind the name of our hometown that is Caramoan.


Listen !




CARA MO AN
Lalaw-gon mo an! ( that is your face ).
The phrase suggests that you should take care of "your face" or your reputation, because that is how you will be judged - on face value.




CARAMO AN
Pointing at ourselves, we say "kirita an"
Caramoanon First policy: "Bago ang iba, Caramoanon ngon-a" so goes a slogan hanging on a signpost at the riverbank, adjacent by the church.

CA RAMO AN
A way of speaking in a distorted or garbled manner.
"Deficil magkasinabutan an ramo-ramo na pagtinaram-taram."
This is a call to keep an open line to one another and to share clear and truthful communications with each other, as a definite way to better understanding among the townfolks.




c ARAM o AN
"Aram mo an" - you know it!
Yes, it is an encouraging word that compliments and boost self-esteem.
Caramoanon! You can do it.

CARAMOANg
"Mus-i-ngon" Untidy. A negative trait. But not at all, if that would be the proof of one's dignity of labor. It's still a common sight for Caramoanons carelessly making their hands dirty, toiling on the fields, and looking forward to harvest the fruit of their labor.

CA RAMOaN
Ka Ramo_n - sounds like a familiar pseudonym uphill.

cARA MO AN
That is your covetous desire.
This brings to focus a negative trait which is akin to our so called "Crab Mentality".
What a way to remind us that "Envy is the root of all evil".

Playing with the word led me to learn some homonyms and homographic possibilities, such as:




Carahan
A kind of sea turtle, of which the name Caramoan was derived from.




Carahayan
Goodness, state of well being.

Canamoan
A certain kind of root crop said to be endemic in Caramoan, and so goes another theory as the origin of the name, Caramoan.

Well, so much for nostalgic thoughts and homogenous sounds.
Just remember, when you speak the word CARAMOAN, you bring to life good memories, fun times, deep affection and undying love.

Value your name and family honor, for that is how you are judged.

Consider the will being of your fellow Caramoanons before anyone else's.

Remember that you are among the best and you can do it, whatever the challenges might be.

Beware of the "Crab Mentality" .

Project and promote nothing but Goodness and you will reap Abundance - in friendships
and in blessings.

No matter how far away you stray, always return to Caramoan, as the sea turtle - Carahan does from distant shores.

That is the true Caramoanon, for a Caramoanon is a symphony of many good things. And because this generation will hand these very same values down to the young ones.

The Caramoanon is a Living Concerto, a Timeless Melody.

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