Dulce Karen Butay
After a six-year absence, the Maui County Fair finally made its long-awaited return. This beloved community event was last held in 2019 before placed on hold due to a combination of challenges—including funding shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating wildfires that deeply impacted the island.
This year’s fair carried special meaning for residents, symbolizing not only the revival of a cherished local tradition but also the resilience and unity of the Maui community. The community and visitors looked forward to the parade, live entertainment, local food vendors, carnival rides and exhibits celebrating Maui’s rich culture and Aloha spirit. The fair’s return served as a reminder that, even in the face of hardship, Maui continues to come together with strength, hope and community pride. Maui Strong.
Spooky season is here again—time to bring out the pumpkins, cobwebs and costumes! Whether you are planning a night of trick-or-treating, a costume contest at work or just handing out candy, it is never too early to start thinking about what you will wear. Will you go all out with a creative homemade costume or keep it simple with a fun store-bought look? Some of the best ideas come from things you already have at home—a clever mix of makeup, old clothes and imagination can turn into a showstopper! But if you prefer the ease of store-bought costumes, there is no shortage of spooky, funny or pop-culture-inspired options this year. Whatever you choose, the goal is the same: have fun, be safe, and enjoy the Halloween spirit. So, what will you be this year?
Shout out to all the October babies! Happy birthday to Susano “Jones” Domion Jr., Daphne Butay, Gemma Calvan, Lawrence Pascua, Cherry Respicio, Solomon Ezera, Flordelisa “Lisa” Corpuz and Zion Jess Butay. Pada-pada kam nga kumablaaw ti naimbag nga panagkasangay yo amin! (Happy birthday to all!) Happy, Happy birthday to you! Maligayang bati sa inyong kaarawan! (Tagalog) Naimbag nga panagkasangay mo! (Ilokano) Makapagayaya nga aggaw na nikeyana mu! (Ibanag) Masayang kebaitan queca! (Kapampangan) Masadya gid nga adlaw sa imo pagkatawo! (Ilonggo)
Let’s see what’s going on with our story this month and where Michael and Angel will be going next, shall we?
Michael’s gaze flicks to the glowing screen, the small square of Angel’s mother’s mukha (face) still visible. The sound is muted but the faint outline of Angel’s family remained, waiting patiently on the other side of the call.
“You were talking to them,” he says softly, “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Angel shakes her ulo (head) quickly, “Indi (No)—it’s fine. I finally connected to my magulang (parents),” she says, finally daring to meet his gaze.
The silence between them stretches, delicate as glass. Angel feels her chest tighten beneath the weight of Michael’s gaze, her breath caught somewhere between a sigh and a confession.
But before she could speak, a tingog (voice) breaks the moment.
“Is that you Robby? Robert?” The boses (voice) comes from the phone. Angel’s mother, still on the muted call, leans closer to her camera, squinting as though trying to peer through the screen.
“Is that you Robert?” she repeats, her tone a mix of disbelief and something softer— something that makes Angel’s stomach twist.
Michael’s mata (eyes) flicks to the phone, then back to Angel, his expression caught between surprise and unease. His lips part as though to answer but no words came.
The room seems to tilt, the air too heavy to breathe. Angel looks at Michael again.
“Robby,” her Nanay (mother) says in a sweet timek (voice), “You haven’t aged a day since I last saw you.”
Angel’s pulse quickens. She glances at Michael, searching his mukha (face) for a trace of denial, a flicker of confusion—anything. But instead, his jaw tenses and his gaze falls to the floor.
“Mom,” Angel says carefully, her bosis (voice) trembling just enough to betray her unease. “That’s not—”
Michael raises a hand, stopping her. “It’s okay,” he murmurs, his tone low and almost resigned.
Angel freezes. “What do you mean it’s okay?”
On the screen, her Inahan (mother) leans closer, her mata (eyes) glistening with recognition. “Robby … you remember me, don’t you? It’s been, what—thirty years?”
Angel freezes. Robert. The name echoed in her chest like a warning bell. “You … you know my mom?” she asks, voice cracking.
Michael finally meets her eyes, his expression a mix of guilt and sorrow. “No,” he says softly. “I don’t know your mom. But I just learned from Uncle Robert … that he does know your mom …” he says quietly.
The words hit her like a splash of ice tubig (water). The room sways again, the sound of her heartbeat roaring in her ears.
“Angel? … Angel? … ” the voice of her Yena (mother) on the screen breaks through the haze, still convinced … ” that’s Robby, right?” she asks.
Angel unmutes the call, forcing a shaky ngiti (smile) and says, “Inay (Mother), this is Michael,” she says, her timek (voice) steadier than she felt.
Michael gives a polite wave at the camera and he pahiyum (smiles), “Hello po.”
“Michael, this is my Nanay (mother), Lena.” Angel says, gesturing between them.
Michael’s expression shifts, “Lena Ramos Corpuz … ” he repeats quietly, almost to himself.
Angel’s mata (eyes) narrows. “You know my Nanang (mother)? How do you know her?” she asks, surprised and confusion threading through her words.
Then she turns back to the screen, “Nanay (mother), he is not Robert—he is Michael. How do you know his uncle?”
The silence that follows hangs heavy, like a held breath.
Anyways, that’s all I have. Keep an eye out for my column in every issue. I’m Dulce, helping you to master your Filipino Languages. Like always, let’s laugh, let’s makinig (listen) and Let’s Talk Pinoy! Hanggang sa muli! (Until next time!) Ingat! (Take care!)
Dulce Karen Butay graduated from Maui High School and received her Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Maui Community College. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in Accounting, from the University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu. She is currently the Administrative Officer at the County of Maui, Department of Finance. Butay is the owner of Maui Balsamic Vinegar and is a licensed Resident Producer of Life Insurance with World Financial Group and an Independent Consultant of Saladmaster. She is a part of Saladmaster’s Travel Club and won an all-expenses paid trip to Cancún, Mexico. Butay has traveled to Texas, the Philippines and Thailand as one of the delegates from Island Healthy Solutions, a Saladmaster dealer on Maui.