How a bullfrog keeps Jaime Laya awake when it rains
Dr. Jaime Laya on the frogs he had shipped in from the Candaba swamp, the somber santos and vintage narra indoors, and the first sentence he labors over.
MANILA, Philippines — The way Dr. Jaime Laya says it, you would think it is the start of a magic-realistic novel.
There were frogs in the backyard when they moved in.
But about seven to eight years ago, the croaking grew more and more faint. “I asked someone to catch me a few frogs from the Candaba swamp (and bring them here). They adjusted (quite well), and now there is at least one macho bullfrog that keeps us awake when it rains.”
We take a tour in and around the house filled with somber santos, vintage narra and frog concertos.
What is the first thing you do upon waking up?
I dress up, go to the sports club, exercise, and sit down with people basically doing the same thing. Three or four of us.
What is your favorite spot in your home and why?
On Sunday afternoons, it is my other library upstairs. On weekdays, it is the room where the TV is and that is where I attend to paying household bills.
How do you describe your home? Your homemaking style?
Like Topsy (the elephant) it just grew. I am what is described as anal-retentive, and (my house is) filled with my and my family’s things accumulated since childhood. Under, above, inside and beside — everything is something. When my friends visit, they are astonished. A friend tells me my place is the only one with greenery visible from a nearby tall building. My children tell me they were embarrassed as kids to bring their classmates to our house because it looked so strange, filled with old stuff, different from anyone else’s.
Which pieces of furniture or home accents have a sentimental value to you and why?
The sala set from my mother.
What books are on your night table (current reads)?
Guide books to museums, books on new developments in technology, books on the way of thinking that will influence the next century. Sari-sari. Depends on my mood.
In case of fire, what is the first thing you will save?
A painting by Juan Senson, the guru of the Angono school (of art). I got it in a house in Antipolo. The owner passed away, and the heirs were selling. It was so dirty (when I bought it). Akala ko ’yung image sa piyesa ay waterfall. When I had it cleaned, nag-appear ’yung magi-itik-itik. Another telltale sign that it is a Senson is the image of a bird flying off with a snake. Similar nung nasa Central Bank.
What is the last thing you do before going to bed?
I usually do some readings.
What would be the title of your memoir, if you ever find the time to write it?
I’ll think of a title if and when I finish anything. In everything I write, I take pains over the first sentence — and the last.
A version of this story first appeared in The Philippine STAR, 2019.
