inverse tutuldok

Salamat sa Saranggola

2012-01-25T12:29:00.000+08:00

Noong nakaraang taon, isa ako sa maraming sumubok na sumali sa paligsahan ng malikhaing pagkatha ng tula, sanaysay at mga maikling kuwento - Ang Saranggola Blog Awards. Ang unang layunin ko ay maibahagi ang aking mga katha sa ibang manunulat at mambabasa. Nais kong malaman kung masisiyahan ba sila o hindi sa mga sinulat ko. Magiging kaplastikan naman kung hindi ako maghahangad na manalo, kaya ito ang aking pangalawang layunin. At ang huli ay makilala ang ibang mahuhusay na manunulat ng Tagalog sa mundo ng blog.

Sa pagpasok ng taon, nakatanggap po ako ng parangal mula sa kakatapos lang na 3rd Saranggola Blog Awards. Hindi ko lubos na inakala na ang aking mga simpleng katha ay makakatanggap ng papuri mula sa mga hurado.

Lubos po ang aking pasasalamat. Sa dami ng nakilahok at sumubok, isa ako sa mga pinalad na mabigyan ng karangalan.

Ang aking tula na Teleponong Lata ay nagkamit ng ika-apat na puwesto para sa kategorya ng Tula. Ito ay tungkol sa aming pag-uusap ni Tatay sa telepono na inihalintulad ko sa laruang aking kinalakihan.

Ang aking litratong Pahinga Ka Muna ay nagkamit din ng ika-apat na puwesto sa kategorya naman ng Larawan. Sa totoo lang, ang aking anak na si Sam ang kumuha ng litratong ito, kaya sa kanya dapat ang parangal at hindi sa akin. :)

Muli, sa mga bumubuo ng komite ng Saranggola Blog Awards, marami pong salamat at mabuhay po kayo. Sa mga nanalo ng mga parangal, tanggapin po ninyo ang aking pagbati.

Magkita-kita tayong muli sa susunod na pagtitipon. :)

Ang Role ni Tatay

2012-01-20T12:51:00.001+08:00

Dalawang araw pagkatapos ng pista ng Nazareno, itinakbo sa hospital ng aking mga ate ang aming Tatay. Bumagsak kasi ang kanyang dugo, bumagal ang tibok ng puso at halos hindi na siya makahinga dahil sa kakapusan ng oxygen. Karga ng aking bayaw na isinakay sa taksi, mabilis nila itong naihatid sa pinakamalapit na hospital dito sa amin.

Nabigyan ng agarang lunas kaagad si Tatay, ngunit nanatili ang panghihina ng kanyang katawan. Kinailangan siyang i-admit upang obserbahan. Kinailangang din siyang lagyan ng supply ng oxygen at salinan ng dugo upang makarekober sa panghihina ang kanyang katawan. Ayon sa doktor, humina daw kasi ang kanyang pulmon, pero ang totoo kumplikasyon na ito ng kanyang iniindang sakit.

Ilang araw din akong lumiban sa trabaho upang bantayan ang kalagayan ng aming Tatay. Nagpapalitan kaming magkakapatid sa pagbabantay, minsan ako sa umaga habang ang mga ate ko naman sa gabi.

Sa mga araw na ito, nasaksihan ko ang pagbagsak ng katawan ni Tatay. Ang dating malaking tiyan ay umimpis na; ang matitigas na mga masel sa braso ay lumundo na; ang malaki at masayahing mukha ni Tatay ay nangayayat na. Bakas na sa kanya ang hirap na pinagdadaanan niya. Ganunpaman, ipinamamalas pa rin ni Tatay paminsan ang kanyang kagustuhang labanan ang mga sakit niya. Kumikilos siya mag-isa at hindi nagpapatulong kahit alam naming hindi na talaga kaya ng kanyang katawan.

Nasa ikatlong araw na ni Tatay sa hospital nang mapagkasunduang ako ang magbabantay sa gabi kasama ng aking kuya. Sa isip-isip ko, tutal bihira kami magsama-sama, magandang bonding time ito para sa aming mga lalake.

Pero wala pa ang alas dose ng gabi, singlakas na ng traktora ang hilik ng kuya ko. Hindi ako makatulog, pati si Tatay nga ay nagugulat paminsan-minsan. Pinagkasya ng kuya ko ang sarili niya sa isang upuan. Sa laki ng kuya ko, iisipin mo kung paano siya nakatulog doon sa puwesto niya. Dahil na rin sa hindi siya gaano makaunat ng diretso, naalimpungatan si kuya at napagdisisyunan niyang umuwi na lang muna at sa bahay na nila siya magpapahinga. At dahil malapit lang ang hospital sa bahay nila, umuwi muna ang kuya ko pero dumating din naman ang isa kong ate. At gaya ng kuya ko, miyembro din ang ate ko ng MTA Gang (Mahiga-Tulog-Agad Gang). Dahil sanay ako sa puyatan, ako ang magdamag gising para bantayan si Tatay, ang ate ko na tulog at ang mga nars na kada isang oras ay pumapasok sa kuwarto namin para magdeliver ng kung ano-anong gamot.

Mga bandang alas dos ng madaling araw, pagkatapos turukan ng tila pampatulog si Tatay, naging mahimbing na ang kanyang tulog. Marahan akong lumapit sa kanyang kama. Matagal na kaming nagkikita ni Tatay, ngunit ngayon ko lamang siya natitigan nang matagal. Habang tinititigan ko siya, dahan-dahan akong bumabalik sa aking pagkabata. Nais ko syang yakapin at nais kong magpakarga muli sa kanya. Bagay na hindi ko madalas magawa noon dahil nasa ibang bansa siya nagtratrabaho. Inayos ko nang bahagya ang kanyang mala-abong buhok gaya ng ginagawa niya sa akin nuong bata pa ako kapag akoy matutulog na. Maya-maya, kinuha ko ang aking cellphone at hinanap ang litrato naming mag-ama.

Malaki na ang pinagbago ni Tatay sa hitsura niya sa cellphone ko. Mula sa kanyang buhok, hanggang sa kanyang pangangatawan. Sa totoo lang, mabigat ang Tatay ko pero kanina nung binuhat ko siya para itaas ang katawan sa kama, naramdaman ko ang malaking timbang na nawala sa kanya. Sa edad ng tatay ko, mahina na ang kanyang katawan pero nananatili siyang malakas upang labanan ang kanyang sakit. Samantalang ako, malakas ang pangangatawan ngunit lubos na nanghihina kapag nakikita ko ang Tatay ko na nahihirapan.

Gusto ko sanang gisingin ang Tatay ko para makipagkwentuhan sa kanya pero himbing na himbing na siya. Naisip kong gawin ang ginagawa niya sa akin noong bata pa ako - ang magkwento. Kahit natutulog, sinubukan ko siyang kuwentuhan. Ikinuwento ko muli sa kanya ang kanyang masterpiece na 'Bakit Umuungol si Lamok sa Tenga Natin?' Panandali, nagpalit kami ng papel ni Tatay. Bago pa man ako matapos sa kuwento ko, hindi ko napansin, lumuluha na pala ako.

Dahan-dahan kong hinawakan ang kanyang kamay, pinisil ko ito nang bahagya. Sa kapal ng kamay ng Tatay ko, ramdam ko ang mga pinagdaanan nitong trabaho. Tinitigan ko muli ang kanyang mukha, wari may hinahanap akong hindi ko makita. Gusto kong sumigaw noon at gusto kong kunin na lang yung sakit niya, matanda na kasi si Tatay at mahina na, hindi ako sanay na makita siya sa ganong kalagayan. Hindi ko alam kung naririnig niya ang mga iniisip ko o hindi pero naramdaman ko na gumalaw ang kanyang kamay na hawak ko. Mayamaya, isang patak ng luha ang kumawala mula sa nakapikit na mata ni Tatay.

Magdamag kong binantayan ang Tatay ko, hindi ko sinubukang umidlip, kahit antok na ako. Tanging ang palabas sa TV ang naging kaagapay ko sa pagpupuyat. Kaya kong tiisin ang puyat at kaya kong tiisin ang pagod at gutom; kapag pamilya ko na ang pinag-uusapan, lalo na ang mga magulang ko, kaya kong tiisin ang lahat.

Masaya ako na kahit natutulog si Tatay nang mga sandaling iyon, naramdaman ko na nakikipag-usap siya sa akin, naramdaman ko na naging bata akong muli sa piling niya. At higit sa lahat, naramdaman ko na mahal na mahal ako ng Tatay ko.

Ang Relo ni Tatay

2012-01-12T20:18:00.000+08:00

Bago magretiro si Tatay mula sa pagtatrabaho sa Saudi, noong mga kalagitnaan ng dekada 80, nakaipon na siya ng ilang mga personal na gamit na binigyan niya ng karampatang halaga. Isa na rito ang kanyang relo.

Makintab na abuhin ang kulay nito na may maliit at matigas na pihitan na parang tenga sa gilid. Noong bago pa lang ito ay may kabigatan ito para sa akin dahil yari ito sa isang metal, lalo na ang bracelet nito na kabit-kabit. Kulay itim ang gilid ng mga numero na nakasulat dito at ang kanyang mga kamay ay kulay puti pero sa gabi ay umiilaw ito na malamyang berde na parang sa rosaryo. Isang Seiko na automatic ang relo niya at para sa kanya, ito ang pamantayan ng iba pang relo na makikita at makakasalamuha niya.

Noong una, ibinibida niya iyon sa akin dahil nga daw automatic. Hindi na daw kailangan ng baterya para tumakbo, ang kailangan lang daw ay laging suot ito para hindi tumigil. Bilib naman si ako kaagad.

Sa mga engrandeng okasyon o mga pagtitipon, lagi kong napapansin na suot niya iyon. Bagay iyon sa kanya lalo na kapag nakabarong siya. Sa ibang ordinaryong araw, hindi ko iyon masyado napapansin sa kanya pero alam kong lagi niya nga itong suot. Minsan nga, natanggal ang pagkakakapit nito sa kanyang braso dahil nagkakarpintero siya, nahulog ito sa sahig at muntik nang mabasag. Pansin ko ang pagkatakot niya nung nangyari iyon.

Nuong minsan naman na napaaway ako, sinubukan niya akong tulungan sa suntukan. Hinamon niya ang kalaban ko noon ng mano-mano, nung pumayag yung kalaban ko, dagli-dagli niyang hinubad ang relo niya at pinahawakan sa akin. Ayaw niya raw mabahiran ng dugo ang relo niya, buti na lang inawat siya ng nanay ko kundi bangas-bangas sana yung kaaway ko.

Simula noong isang taon, dahan-dahang bumagsak ang katawan ng tatay ko dahil sa iniindang sakit. Dito ko nasimulang mapansin ang pagluwag ng relo niya sa kanyang kaliwang braso. Kung dati ay laging nakakapit ito at laging nasa itaas ang mukha ng relo, ngayon, iniikot pa niya ang mukha nito bago niya makita kung anong oras na. Ganunpaman, ayaw niya pa rin itong pabawasan ng bracelet at para sa kanya ay eksakto pa rin ito sa braso niya.

Nagkita kami ni Tatay isang araw bago magpista sa Quiapo. Mahina na pero bakas pa rin ang ngiti sa kanyang labi dahil sa aming pagkikita. Ipinakita niya sa akin ang kanyang relo. Mabagal na raw ito at madalas pumapalya na ang oras. Kinuha ko ito at pinagmasdan ang hitsura.

Bakas sa anino ng relo ang ilang taong pinagdaanan nito. May mga gasgas at mantsa sa bracelet at sa salamin nito. Ang tila umiilaw sa gabi na mga kamay nito ay tila naubusan na ng ningas. Magaan na siya at magaspang, wala na ang dating kintab sa kanyang kulay. Pero gaya nga ng sabi ng Tatay ko, umaandar pa ito, yun nga lang mabagal, tila nahihirapan na rin gaya ng kanyang amo.

Sinabi ko sa kanya, hiramin ko muna at ipapaayos ko. Walang salitang nabanggit ngunit nakita ko ang kanyang pasasalamat sa tinuran ko.

Pagkatapos linisin ng isang taga-ayos ng relo ang relo ng aking Tatay, pinilit niya akong palitan na ang ibang piyesa nito. Sabi ko sa kanya na gawin niya itong parang bago. Mahirap daw pero pipilitin niya.

Noong binalik ko ito sa tatay ko pagkatapos maayos, sinipat-sipat niya ang kanyang relo. Napansin niya na naandon pa rin ang mga gasgas at mantsa na hindi matanggal, pero kahit paano ay kumintab ito nang kaunti. Tiningnan niya ang kilos ng mga kamay, tila sinusukat ang galaw ng bawat segundo. Maya-maya tumingin siya sa akin at ngumiti, sabay sabing "Salamat anak, magkano ang bayad ko?'

Biglang bumalik sa isip ko ang mga gamit na ginawa ni Tatay para sa akin. Mula sa mga kahoy na laruan ko nung bata pa ako hanggang sa drawing board na ginamit ko nung college ako. Lahat ito, ginawa niya para sa akin na walang bayad at hindi kailan man naningil, libre ika nga.

Tiningnan ko lang si Tatay at hinawakan ang kamay, sinuklian ko din siya ng ngiti, sabay wikang, "Bayad na 'Tay, matagal na at may sukli pa kayo..."

Nadagdagan ko kahit paano ang buhay ng relo ng Tatay ko, ito rin ang pinipilit naming gawing magkakapatid para naman sa Tatay namin, kahit alam naming hindi ito kasing dali gaya ng isang relo. Sana lang mas humaba pa ang mga segundong kasama namin siya.

Ang Tunay na Deboto ng Poong Nazareno

2012-01-05T23:50:00.001+08:00

Ngayon ang ika-labindalawang taon ko na sa pamamanata sa Poong Nazareno. Sa bawat taon, kapansin-pansin ang pagdami ng mga deboto ng Mahal na Poon. Para sa akin, magandang bagay ito, yun nga lang, mas dumarami ang mga baguhan kesa sa mga beterano tungkol sa pamamasan sa Quiapo. Kaya minarapat kong gumawa ng listahan na dapat gawin o sundan ng isang tunay na deboto.

Bago yon, ipapaalam ko muna kung ano ang makikita mo kapag sumubok kang sumalang sa lubid ng Nazareno. May dalawang mahaba at matitibay na lubid ang hihila sa karosa. Sa pagitan ng dalawang lubid, may mga kapatid na nag-aayos ng takbo upang hindi magkadikit o magbuhol ang mga lubid. Sa unahan ng lubid, may katabi itong bandera na kadalasan ay kulay maroon, ito ang ginagamit na palatandaan ng mga deboto kung nasaan ang unahan ng lubid. Kadalasan, mga babaeng matatapang ang nilalagay sa unahan ng lubid, para hindi gaano sila maipit. Samantalang ang karamihan sa mga mamamasan ay sa gitna hanggang sa dulo ng lubid pumupwesto. Napakadelikadong puwesto sa dulo ng lubid na nakakabit sa karosa. Maraming pagkakataong, naiipit ang mga naandito kung hindi marunong. May iilang mas matapang na mga deboto na pumipingga sa karosa, sila yung katabi mismo ng karosa. Sila yung inaapakan sa ulo at balikat para makaakyat ang ilang debotong nais humawak sa Poon. Mapapansin mong mas madungis ang kanilang mga damit lalo na sa bandang balikat. Pagkatapos ng karo, kasunod ang mga debotong babae o yung mga hindi kayang mamasan. Sila yung mga tahimik na nagdadasal sa likod habang nagkakagulo sa harap at gilid ng karosa.

Ang tunay na deboto, iniisip ang kapakanan ng iba bago ang kanya. Iniiwasan niyang makasakit ng iba hangga't maaari. Ang mga kilos at galaw sa loob at labas ng lubid ay dinidikta ng agos ng tao. Madalas marami kang maaapakan at maiipit ngunit kung kaya mong kontrolin, iwasang makapagdulot ng sakit sa mga katabi mong kapatid sa pananampalataya. Tulungan ang kayang tulungan, lalo na ang mga bata at matatanda, mga babae at pati mahihina. Tandaan, hindi ka nagpunta doon para manakit. Hayaan mo na na ikaw ang masaktan bago ang iba.

Para magawa ang mga ito, may mga bagay akong nilista na sa tingin ko ay makakatulong nang malaki upang maiwasan ang makasakit sa iba.

Sa isusuot:

Importante ang pananamit kung ikaw ay papasan, ito ay para maiwasan mo ang makasakit o ikaw ang masaktan.

- Una sa lahat, bawal ang magsuot ng kahit na anong sapin sa paa, lalo na ang sapatos. Sa sobrang siksikan sa gitna ng prusisyon, hindi mainam ang magsuot ng sapatos dahil makakasakit ito sa ibang kapatid. Kung hindi maiiwasan na magsapatos, pakiusap huwag sumama sa pagpasan ng lubid, doon na lamang pumwesto sa likod ng karo ng Nazareno.

- Kung may damit na maroon ay mas mainam na suotin lalo na yung may mga imahe o tatak ng Nazareno. Iwasang magsuot ng mahahalay na tatak o nagsusumigaw na kulay. Pakiusap wag magsuot ng sando.

- Mas mainam kung maong o kaya short na maong ang susuotin, dahil hindi ito mabilis mahubad sa iyo. Maaari ka kasing kapitan sa pantalon kapag umakyat ka sa karo, kaya mas maigi na sakto sa yo at kumportable ka sa pantalon mo.

- Iwasang magsuot ng sinturon, lalo na yung may buckle. Masakit sa likod ng nasa harapan mo ito kapag nakasalang ka na sa lubid.

- Iwasan ding magsuot ng relo o mga alahas.

Sa dadalhin:

Malaking bagay ang malaman kung ano ang mga hindi dapat dinadala kung sasalang ka sa lubid.

- Iwasang magdala ng wallet. Kung magdadala ng pera, ilagay na lamang sa harap na bulsa. Ngunit wag kalimutang magdala ng kahit isang ID na may pangalan mo, telepono at address na nakasulat.

- Huwag na ring magdala ng mga bag, cellphone o kahit na anong abubot, hindi mo kailangan yon sa pagsali sa prusisyon.

- Magdala ng tuwalya na puti, pwede ring magdala ng extra. Alalahanin, ang tuwalya ay winawagayway sa piyesta lamang, ngunit kapag Biyernes Santo, mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang pagwagayway nito.

Mga paalala bago sumalang:

- Maligo at maging presentable kung magagawa. Kung maaari, huwag sumalang kung lasing o nakainom. Hindi dahilan ang piyesta kaya ka naglasing.

- Bago sumalang, subuking makinig muna sa misa. Dito ka makakakuha ng lakas para sa pagsama sa prusisyon ng Nazareno. Sumunod na lang sa prusisyon kapag natapos mo na ang misa. Mas malakas ang bisa ng hiling kapag may binabasang libreto ng mga deboto.

- Kung sasalang, mag-abang muna kung saan may pagkakataong makasingit. Tanungin ang nakasalang kung maaari kang pumasok, siya kasi ang gagawa ng paraan para ka mapasingit sa pagpasan.

- Iwasang sumalang kapag nakababa ang lubid, o nasa baywang ito.

- Ibaba o ikubli ang siko hanggat maaari, masakit kung ito ay makakatama ng iba.

- Kapag nahulog ang panyo, tuwalya o ano mang bagay na dala, huwag subukang kunin. Mawawala kasi ang balanse mo at malamang na madaganan ka ng mga tao.

Mga paalala habang nakasalang:

- Kapag nakasalang, huwag ipaling ang ulo kung nasaan ang lubid. Kung nasa kanang balikat ang lubid, dapat nakapaling ang ulo sa kaliwang balikat.

- Kung nakahawak ang kanang kamay sa lubid, ipatong ang kaliwang kamay sa balikat ng nasa harapan mo.

- Kapag nag-otso ang lubid, bitiwan ito kaagad. Maging alerto kung sasabit ito sa ulo mo o sa ulo ng ibang tao. Maaari mong tapikin ang mga kamay na ayaw bumitaw sa lubid kapag nag-otso na ito.

- Kumanta o magdasal ng Ama Namin kapag nakasalang.

- Sumabay sa agos, umindayog kapag isinayaw ang lubid.

- Itaas lang ang kamay kapag nais mo nang kumawala sa lubid. May huhugot na lang sa iyo bigla.

May mga aalalay sa iyo kapag nakasalang ka na. May sasalo o sasalya sa iyo kapag bumabagsak ang linya nyo. May magbibigay ng pagkain o di kaya tubig, may makikipagkuwentuhan, may kukuha ng litrato o video sa TV. Huwag ka mag-alala, maraming tutulong sa iyo na hindi mo kakilala.

Hindi ko sinasabing kumpleto ang listahan ko pero para sa akin, ito ang mga dapat tandaan at isaisip ng mga bagong deboto. Higit sa lahat, naniniwala akong milagroso ang Itim na Nazareno, ngunit nagiging mabisa lang ito kapag bukal sa iyong puso ang iyong pamamanata at hindi para lang masabing nagpunta ka doon.

Maging maingat po tayong lahat.

(image source: royginald flicker photos)

If We Only New

2012-01-01T23:52:00.000+08:00

I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family.

And to have friends at work and at play, seeing old buddies and drinking classmates, discussing with online groups and writer wannabes like me remind me that blessings come in different sizes and shapes and it all depends on our own perspective. If people only knew that there are no small blessings, (only small perspective) then everyday will be a new year to thank God for all those blessings.

Happy New Year everyone!

Happy 6th year Inversetutuldok!

Christmas InTENsity

2011-12-20T12:07:00.000+08:00

Our company's small Christmas party coincided with our tenth year anniversary foundation hence it was a blast. Held at Ayala Greenfield Golf and Leisure Clubhouse in the mountains of Makiling, our party was indeed a white Christmas party. With clouds all over the place.

And the atmosphere was intensified further when I dance my way to Teach Me How To Dougie (sorry no pictures, hehe).

Under Pressure

2011-12-15T12:42:00.000+08:00

I have been out of school roughly fifteen years ago but somehow I always feel attached to it. Like a tattoo - school works, professors and assignments, never left me. It somehow faded or changed color but it is still there.

Doing school work has been a part of me since I was in elementary. It is an everyday routine and always an element of my regiment. I was fortunate that my siblings taught me the importance of having ‘homework time’, even if it meant not being able to watch favorite TV shows or not being able to play street basketball. They always tell me the importance of being prepared for school. I always dreaded the day when I don’t have any homework or school project to submit. You know, the hardest part of it is pondering on which alibis to use to your teacher and sticking to it to the very end. And I tell you that I am not good at it.

Therefore, when it comes to my kid’s schooling, I always see to it that their school works, projects, visual aids and reports are always with my go signal. I serve as QA Manager at their school works and I’m kinda making a good feel out of it. Sometimes my wife would imply a joke that I enjoy doing school projects more than my kids. I would always answer it with a smile.

The other night I slept around 1AM due to the unfinished assignment of my kids that needs my attention. It was kinda hard battling fatigue and sleepiness while finishing the item but I still managed to finish the assignment. Which brings me to a point – should I continue helping my kids do their school works and make them reliant on me or should I let them on their own and developed their being independent?

Well, as far as the question is phrased, I think most would answer the latter. Parents should guide their kids, however kids need to make decisions on their own to develop their self-esteem. And the best way to start giving them these decision-makings is from school works and projects. Each correct decision would add a little sense of worth for them. But be very aware that each wrong decision that they would formulate on the other hand, can break or make them, which brings me to the first argument.

Continue helping your kids up to the point that you think they can make it on their own. As the song goes, it’s a wild world out there; your kids might not be equipped enough to carry and handle failures and pressure. Parents should be able to help them carry the load until they can manage. But when do we stop helping them? I don’t know for others but for me, it’s up to the point that I can no longer help them.

I can spend sleepless nights and I can endure pain, pressure and fatigue but I can’t withstand the sight of my kids being helpless. It pains me more than it hurts them. Pathetic it may seem, but they’re the best that I’ve got and this is the best that I can offer to them.

Why do I feel attached to school? Simply because I am their father.

Twelve

2011-12-12T15:02:00.000+08:00

Twelve years ago, I made a gallant vow

It managed to get through, in ways I don’t know how

For some, it was sheer stupidity at its best

For me, it was my life enduring a difficult test.

Despite the difficulties, amidst the tension

I have heard all harmful comments that they can mention

I was bleeding profusely right from the start

Others disagreed, but I still followed my heart.

Twelve years ago, I made a solemn promise

That despite the hatred for me, I will treat them as is

I haven’t moved on quite a bit from there

But I know now where I stand from yonder

Twelve years ago, I made a sacred vow

It managed to get through, in ways I don’t know how

The twelfth day of the twelfth month is a good reminder

That I will live a life that is happily ever after.

Unexpected

2011-12-06T12:18:00.001+08:00

“The key to a man’s heart is an unexpected gift at an unexpected time.”

After a month-long preparation, last Saturday, we have given our Tatay, his most unexpected birthday party ever. Even some of us were caught unaware of the guests who showed up. Close friends and relatives all come to join our Tatay who celebrated his 78^th birthday.

Me and my siblings reserved a private resort here in Paranaque and arranged everything from food and drinks to invitation of guests and presentations. Tatay had no idea what is in store for him. So when he arrived at the place, he was kind of wandering why he was brought there. When he finally opened the gate, he was surprised more than ever. All of us who were standing there shouted “Happy Birthday!”

Tatay was amazed when he saw the crowd. He saw some relatives from Samar, his nieces and nephews, cousins and grandchildren. He also saw the contingent from Looban, our neighbors back in Palanan. He saw his brother and his family and most importantly, he saw us – his own family. He couldn’t help but shed a couple of tears. We all knew that those were tears of joy and that was all we wanted to see from him.

Tatay was treated with some surprise numbers from his ‘apos’. Ina, Kat, Hanna and Sam danced their way to Super Bass while my kids especially Nicole stole the spotlight when then taught everybody else how to dougie. My Ate Jo tried to sing my Tatay’s original composition of ‘Kusinero’ but she couldn’t get the words clearly, and guess who rescued her – of course my Tatay. And that was indeed totally unexpected!

I also made a simple movie presentation which was shown during lunch. Highlight of which were interviews from his ‘apos’ overseas.

Tatay is currently battling a serious ailment, the mother of all his battle. He is weak and unable to stand or walk for a long time but we never saw him feel pain that day, perhaps it is because of his strong personality and big heart.

When my father took the stage, we all knew what we wanted in the first place and we saw that in him during his speech – it is for him to enjoy the moment. To see him smile at us was more than enough rewards and bonus for all of us. We never expected that we will have our early Christmas gift.

To our loving Tatay, Happy Birthday! We all love you!

Thanksgiving Spirit

2011-12-01T12:33:00.000+08:00

After a month long silence, I am now again able to speak. Pardon if I will not able to explain the reason here, perhaps you would truly understand me if I opted to also keep some harmless secrets for myself.

It’s the first day of December and for many of us, it ushers in the spirit of the Christmas season and thanksgiving. Schedules are packed with parties, reunions and get-togethers, neatly arranged in-between the traffic and the shopping-spree. I often agree that December is indeed the month we have been waiting for the whole year. That Christmas is strategically placed at the end of the year because we are all saving the best for last.

For the past ten years, me and my wife and two kids have been spending the holidays at the house of our parents in Bicutan. Noche Buena is always shared by all the family and opening of gifts is exactly at 12MN. Thanksgiving is always the format. Tatay often wears a Santa costume and he mimics Santa’s gift-giving ceremony. Consequently, my Ate Jo’s birthday is on the eve of Christmas, that is why, all her life we are always celebrating her birthday. Complete family with complete set of gifts for all.

December is also our thanksgiving month. For the whole of December, we are silently expressing our gratitude to all those that have helped us become a better person from last year. So if you receive a small present from any member of the family, consider it as a gift of thanks. We dedicate this month for all those friends, relatives and strangers alike that have affected us in their own small way and inspired us to continue what we have been doing all along.

So, don’t be surprised if one of these days you received a small gift from Santa, we have given him our naughty and nice list.

Merry Christmas everybody!

In Full Circle

2011-10-25T12:29:00.002+08:00

Call into action. Early this month, I attended my first ever TED experience. For the benefit of those who have no idea about TED, it is a gathering of individuals where ideas are being shared to inspire others to do the same. I was fortunate to be one of the limited attendees for this. I met various artists, movie makers, writers, painters and at the end of the spectrum, others like me, the storytellers. It was really a dream come true for me, one for the bucket list.

Aling Epang, our neighbor back in Palanan kicked the bucket early last week. She died from complications of a certain ailment, she was 82. Aling Epang was well-loved in our neighborhood and is very well-known for her generosity. I once wrote a story about her. Me and my siblings attended the last day of her wake and we met Aling Epang’s remaining daughter and sons. We also met good old folks from our Dian neighborhood. It was just a pity that every time we will see old friends, the timing is always during a wake or funeral of a family friend.

Old families and friends were the members of our Facebook group, Riverside Boys and Girls. In here, we see updates from old drinking buddies to updates of your first crushes. When Miko started a thread of “Taga-Dian-Calatagan ka kung…”, old childhood memories were remembered and laughed about. It was one silly thread to read but the nostalgic feeling was all worth it.

After days of practice and sacrifices, it was all worth it. Sam and her volleyball team placed second in the PSAP Volleyball Tournament held last week here in Paranaque. It was the first time that Sam joined such athletic competition and she enjoyed it so much. The only problem is that she got her skin some dark shade of tan all over, however her cheeks were red like apple.

Got myself an apple. Teban as I called him is an iPhone, he replaced my dearly sweetie Sassy. So far, after three consecutive sleepless nights of working on it, I finally began to appreciate his stuff. The apps were good and the easiness of usage is splendid. The GPS was a great road companion, my twitter account was reincarnated and NBA 2K12 was just a button away.

I was away and silent for quite some time in the blogosphere due to some kids-stuff that I am doing. School projects and my kid’s reports submission were some items that fuel me, although the factor of time for this is clearly needed, hence I was not able to visit or read other noteworthy blogs. I never noticed that my Saranggola Blog Awards entries were getting traffic to my blog. I am not expecting that I will win considering the number of entries and the caliber of the bloggers, but I do hope that my entries inspire somebody else and will make them call into action.

No Excuse

2011-10-24T21:08:00.000+08:00

There are tons of stories that I wanted to write but couldn't find the desire for writing. :(

Teleponong Lata

2011-10-06T21:35:00.000+08:00

Kausap ko lang si Tatay sa telepono

Tila kanina pa niya hinihintay ang tawag ko

Halata kasi sa boses nyang nagpalseto

Naalala ko, ngayon pala ay araw ng Linggo

Biniro ko siya, na sa gusto man niya o ayaw

Kailangan kong matikman ang luto niyang sabaw

Makikikain ako ng tanghalian kasama si bayaw

Makikinood na rin kami ng laban ni Pacquiao

Kung tutuusin, bihira kami mag-usap ni Tatay

Kaya ang sandaling yon, nilasap kong tunay

Bigla na lang, naalala ko ang laruang ibinigay

Teleponong lata, nagkakaroon ng buhay

Yari ito sa dalawang lata ng sardinas

Pero mas maganda kung gagamitin lata ng gatas

Tinanggalan ng takip at sa dulo ay binutas

Pinagkabit ng isang pising matibay at malakas

Kapag ang magkabilang dulo ay iyong hinila

At subukang sa isang lata ay magsalita

Magugulat ka o di kaya’y mabibigla

Dahil boses mo ay maririnig sa kabila

Sa aming magkakaibigan, ako lang ang meron

Maliban sa naging sikat, pinagkaguluhan din ako doon

Kahit yung mayaman kong kalarong si Ronron

Nakitawag din at nagbayad pa yon.

Bumalik ang alaala kong ito habang kausap si Tatay

Matandaan pa kaya niya ang laruang ibinigay

Ang teleponong lata na nagdulot ng mga kulay

Simbolo ng aming komunikasyon ni Tatay.

Hindi ko man kita si Tatay sa kabilang linya

Ramdam ko na napapasaya ko siya

Nakangiti at nangingilid ang luha niya sa mata

Palagay ko, yung laruang telepono, naalala na niya

Teleponong lata, wala na nga yata ngayon

Natabunan na ito ng mga bagong imbensyon

Mga gamit patungkol sa komunikasyon

Patunay lang na ang tao, kailangan ng atensyon

Natuwa si Tatay sa mga tinuran ko

Napaligaya ko raw ang kanyang Linggo

Sa totoo lang, mas natuwa ang puso ko

Parang ayaw ko pang ibaba ang telepono.

ang tulang ito ay kalahok sa Saranggola Blog Awards 2011

http://www.saranggolablogawards.com/

Lastiko

2011-10-01T17:32:00.000+08:00

Isa sa mga paborito kong laruan noong bata pa ako ay ang lastiko o yung mas palasak na tinatawag nating ‘goma’. Kinukuha ko ang mga ito mula sa bungkos ng mga gulay ni Nanay galing palengke. Minsan pati yung sa kapitbahay ay hinihingi ko na rin para ipunin. Kapagkatapos ng isang malakas na ulan, umaanod ang mga ito sa may ilog sa likod ng bahay namin, galing daw ito doon sa isang pabrika sa taas ng ilog. Iniipon ko rin ang mga ito at nililinis.

Goma, napakasimpleng bagay na naimbento pero ang daming gamit sa buhay. Naalala ko pa yung ginawang tirador ni tatay sa akin na ginamitan ng putol na mga goma. Gamit din itong pang-ipit sa buhok ni ate, pangtali sa maluwag na medyas ni kuya, pambura sa dulo ng lapis ko at madalas pambukas ng mahigpit na takip ng garapon ni nanay. Iba’t-ibang kapal o kulay o laki ang aking iniipon upang gamitin ito sa iba’t-ibang klase ng laro na aking nakasanayan.

Una na dito ang dampa, kung saan pagagalawin mo ang iyong pato na goma papunta sa finish line gamit ang hangin na magmumula sa paghampas ng magkasaklob na kamay. Mas malakas na hangin, mas malayo ang galaw ng pato mong goma. Ayaw na ayaw ng nanay ko na naglalaro ako ng dampa, kasi pagkatapos maglaro, nalipat na lahat ng dumi ng semento doon sa damit at katawan ko.

Makakalimutan ko ba ang paligsahan sa paghagis ng isang goma para mapatungan ang iba pang goma sa malayo? At kapag nagawa mo ito, sa iyo na ang lahat ng gomang nakalatag sa sahig. Lagi akong talo dito, kaya di ko ito makalimutan. Syempre naandyan din ang walang kamatayang ‘kalog’ at ‘tatsing’ kung saan goma ang pinaglalabanan ninyo. Kapag naman pinagsama-sama mo ang mga ito maaari mo itong gamitin sa pangbading na larong ‘chinese garter’ at ‘10-20’.

Pero ang pinaka da best na gamit ng goma para sa akin ay ang paggawa ng iba’t-ibang hugis at anyo gamit lang ang isang pirasong goma sa pamamagitan ng kamay. Mula ‘star’ hanggang ‘double star’ pati ang mukha ni Mazinger Z at Bahay ni Tarzan ay kayang-kaya kong gawin noong bata ako. Kailan lang sinubukan ko uling gawin ang mga ito gamit ang isang napulot na goma sa daan. Laking gulat ko nang malaman kong hindi ko na pala ito kayang gawin. Muntik na akong mag-panik. Nagtanong-tanong ako doon sa mga kaopisina ko kung sino ang kayang gumawa ng mga ito lalo na ang ‘Bahay ni Tarzan’, ngunit kagaya ko, limot na rin nila. Hanggang sa makakita ako ng isang technician na laking kalye din gaya ko. Biglang bumalik ako sa aking pagkabata.

Nag-evolve na rin ang goma kung tutuusin. Ang mga baller ID at mga crazy bands ngayon ay pawang mga modern adaptation ng ating klasik na lastiko.

Kamakailan, sumali ang aking anak sa Math Quiz Bee sa kanilang eskwelahan. Hilig ko kasi ang Math at nais ko syang turuan na magustuhan niya rin ito, kahit pakiramdam ko ay napipilitan lang siya. Magaling ang aking anak, matalino at masipag mag-aral, ngunit nung mga panahong iyon, nahirapan siya sa mga tanong. Sa madaling salita, hindi pinalad ang anak kong makapasok sa final round ng kanilang Quiz Bee. Dinamdam niya ito.

Kinausap ko siya at sinabihan ng mga magagandang salita, para kahit paano ay maibsan ang kanyang kalungkutan, ngunit hindi pa rin siya doon natuwa. Kung nag-aral pa daw siya nang kaunti baka daw nakapasok siya sa Final Round. Kumuha ako ng goma at ipinakita sa kanya. Hinila-hila ko ito ng mahina. Ikinumpara ko siya dito. Kapag hinila nang katamtaman ang goma, humahaba ito na nagsasaad ng kanyang pagiging elastic. Binanggit ko sa anak ko na lumaban siya sa Math Quiz Bee at doon gaya ng goma, nahila ang kanyang kakayahan. Sinubukan kong hilain ng malakas ang goma hanggang sa mapatid, nagulat ang anak ko. Ang tao ay parang goma rin, kapag hindi na kaya, kusang sumusuko, napapatid. Napatingin sa akin ang anak ko. Sinabi kong, maganda ang naging resulta ng Quiz Bee, dahil doon nalaman niya kung hanggang saan lang ang kaya niya, para sa susunod, mapaghahandaan niya iyon at masubukang pahabain pa ang kanyang limitasyon.

Higit sa pagiging laruan ng ilang kabataang gaya ko, malaking bahagi ng aking mga desisyon sa buhay, nakuha ko mula sa aral ng isang simpleng bagay sa paligid-ligid – ang lastiko.

ang post na ito ay kalahok sa saranggola blog awards 2011

Paglingon sa Pinanggalingan

2011-09-26T12:35:00.000+08:00

Hindi ko ikinakaila na laking-kalye ako. Umuuwing basa ng pawis ang likod at ang mukha, puno ng alikabok ang paa at nanggigitata ang suot na damit. Nasanay na ako sa ganitong hitsura kagaya ng pagkasanay ko sa sermon ng aking nanay tuwing makikita akong ganito. Minsan sinusubukan kong tuyuin muna ang pawis ko bago ako umuwi para hindi masyadong halata, kaya lang, hindi maikukubli ng aking amoy ang mga nangyari sa akin sa maghapon sa kalye.

Marahil kulang ako sa magagarang laruan noong bata ako kaya’t sa kalye ko hinahanap ang karapatan kong maglaro ng malaya. Natuto akong makisalamuha sa ibang mga batang kagaya ko at tingalain naman ang ibang mga batang di naman kawangis. Dito ko nakilala ang mga kababatang nagpatibay sa akin bilang isang tao.

Maraming pagkakataon na akong nagkuwento ng aking mga pakikibaka at pakikisama sa mga batang kasabay kong lumaki, kasabay kong nagkaisip at kasabay kong nakipagsapalaran sa hamon ng buhay. Sila ang mga kababata kong hinahangaan sa tuwina. Marahil patayin man ako ng ilang ulit, hindi ko sila kayang ipagpalit. At alam kong ganoon din sila sa akin.

Malalim pa sa malalim ang pinagsamahan naming magkababata. Kung may mga taong kilala ako ng buong-buo maliban sa pamilya ko, sila na marahil ang mga ito. Kahit magkakaiba ang aming estado sa buhay, pinagbubuklod kami ng pagkakataon upang makilala ng wasto ang bawat isa sa amin. Ito marahil ang dahilan kung bakit matatag at matibay ang aming pagkakaibigan.

Maraming itinurong leksyon ang pakikisama ko sa kanila na hindi ko natutunan sa loob ng silid-aralan. Kasama na dito ang tunay na pakikisalamuha sa ibang tao na hindi ka nahihiya sa anyo mo o sa kakayanan mo. Ang matakot kapag nakagawa ng masama at ang pagpapakumbaba sa pag-amin ng paggawa nito.

Matagal na kaming nagkahiwa-hiwalay magkababata, humigit-kumulang dalawampung taon na. Matapos magiba ang aming barong-barong na tinitirikan ng bahay at matapos lumipat ng ibang lugar ang aming ibang kabarkada, kasabay nitong nagkalamat ang aming mumunting samahan.

Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.

Nagkahiwa-hiwalay kami at nagkanya-kanya kami ng landas na tinahak, lahat kapwa naghahangad na sana balang araw, magkikita-kita kaming muli. Malungkot akong lumayo sa aking mga kaibigan bitbit ang mga aral at alaala ng aming kabataan.

Malugod kong ipinagmamalaki na maganda ang pagpapalaki sa amin ng aming mga magulang. Marahil ang hindi ko pagkahilig sa pag-inom at paninigarilyo ay nag-ugat sa aking mga kababata. Kahit kasi namulat kami sa mga ganitong bisyo, hindi naming sinubukang maging sentro ito ng aming samahan. Kung ano ako ngayon, malaking bahagi ng aking pagkatao ay utang ko sa aking mga kababata at kaibigan.

Sa isang pambihirang pagkakataon, nagkaroon ng oras ang ilan sa amin upang magkikita-kitang muli. At ang napagkasunduang lugar kung saan magkikita ay walang iba kundi ang aming kinalakihang kalye ng Calatagan sa Baranggay Palanan. Bumalik kaming lahat sa aming kabataan.

sa kalyeng aming kinalakihan, tambay sa bangketa hanggang di dalawin ng pagod o antok

Magdamag kaming nagkuwentuhan at nagtawanan sa mga kalokohan naming lahat. Sinariwa namin ang mga lugar at pangyayaring tumatak sa aming isipan. Ang mga pagkakamali naming hindi na naituwid at mga alaalang nagpatatag sa amin bilang magkakaibigan.

sa likod ang ilog kung saan nanggaling ang pangalang Riverside Boys

Sa kabila ng aming pagsasaya, may lungkot pa rin na di namin maikubli. May mga kaibigan kasi kaming hindi nakadalo sa hindi namin mawaring kadahilanan. Ayaw naming isiping napariwara sila at naligaw ng landas at nahirapan nang makabalik, iniisip na lang namin na hindi pa nila nakikita ang tamang daan nila tungo sa kanilang pinanggalingan.

Gagamitin ko na ang blog na ito upang ipanawagan ang ilan sa aming mga kaibigan na hindi na namin mahagilap. Malaking bagay para sa akin at sa aking mga kaibigan ang makita silang muli at makausap.

1. Alejandro Lapaz kilala bilang Allan o Komang

2. Augusto Gamier kilala bilang Ogos o Putakte

3. Joel Banal kilala bilang Joel o Kwatog

Kung saan man kayo naandon, parati kayong mag-iingat. Alam kong darating din ang araw, magkikita-kita rin tayong lahat at maglalaro ng turumpo at taguan, kahit ako na ang laging taya.

kasama si Aling Luz, ang numero unong tagasaway sa amin...

Kami ang Riverside Boys.

Lights, Camera... Rolling...

2011-09-24T12:37:00.001+08:00

Life is like a movie and we are all but actors. You have to find what role you have to play in the film of life.

My role is to tell stories.

Tagu-Taguan

2011-09-23T20:47:00.000+08:00

“Makabilang ng sampu, nakatago na kayo!”

Sa isang bakanteng lote na maraming halaman at mga punong-kahoy naglalaro ng taguan ang mga magkakaibigan. Nang marinig na nilang magsalita ang taya, kanya-kanya na sila ng diskarte sa pagtago. Mabilis na gumapang sa ilalim ng natumbang puno ng santol ang matabang batang si Jong, habang ang patpatin na si Isay naman ay pilit na ikinukubli ang sarili sa manipis na puno ng bayabas, halos kakulay din kasi ng kanyang damit ang katawan ta mga dahon ng bayabas.

“Isa... Dalawa... Tatlo...’’, ang malalakas na sigaw ni Mikay na siyang taya noon. Nakaharap sa puno. Ang kanyang mga mata ay natatakpan ng kanyang kaliwang braso na siya namang nakadikit sa puno. Ang malaking katawan ng puno ng mangga ang kanilang ginawang base para sa laro nilang taguan.

Nagmamadali namang sumiksik sa pagitan ng mga magkakapatong na lumang gulong si Kwatog na ilang hakbang lang mula sa puno ng mangga.

“Apat… Lima… Anim...’’, tila nangingiting sigaw ni Mikay.

“Sandali lang!”, ang magkakasabay na sigaw nina Kwatog, Isay at Jong. Hindi kasi mapakali si Isay kung aakyat ba siya sa puno ng bayabas o pilit na ikukubli ang sarili sa mga katawan ng puno.

“Pito… Walo… Siyam… Sampu! Game na!”

Dahan-dahang dumilat si Mikay at nilinga-linga ang kanyang paligid. Parang isang tigre na naghahanap ng makakain. Binabantayan ang bawat kaluskos na madidinig at bawat paggalaw ng mga halaman na makikita niya. Una niyang sinubukan lapitan ang mga nakasampay na kumot na dekolor, ngunit wala siyang nakita doon. Di niya napansin na malapit na rin doon ang pinagtataguan ni Kwatog. Papalapit na siya sa pinagtataguan ni Jong nang bigla niyang marinig ang isang kaluskos sa kanyang likuran. Napangiti si Mikay, alam niyang may tatlong pares ng mga mata ang nagmamasid sa bawat kilos niya. Dagli siyang tumakbo pabalik sa kanilang base at muling nagmasid.

Naging matahimik na muli ang paligid at tila nahihirapan na si Mikay na hanapin ang mga kaibigan. Maya-maya marahan niyang ipinikit ang kanyang mga mata. Iginalaw ang ulo na tila may hinahanap. Napatingin siya sa may mga lumang gulong at napangiti siya. Napabaling din siya sa may puno ng bayabas at napangiti rin siya. Nung napaharap siya sa may natumbang puno ng santol, bigla na siyang napatawa ngunit agad niya rin itong pinigilan. Nakita niya kasi sa kanyang isip ang kanyang tatlong kaibigan at kung paano ang hitsura nila habang nagtatago ang mga ito.

“Bung, Kwatog!”, sabay turo ni Mikay doon sa mga magkakapatong na lumang gulong. Dagli namang lumabas si Kwatog at karipas ang takbo upang unahan si Mikay.

“Save!” Taya si Kwatog.

Pagkatapos, isinunod ni Mikay na punahin sina Isay at Jong sa kanilang mga pinagtataguan. Di nagtagal lumabas na rin sina Isay at Jong na takang-taka kung paano nalaman ni Mikay kung saan sila nakatago.

Kapag siya naman ang nagtatago, madali rin siyang mahanap ng kaniyang mga kaibigan dahil sa iisang lugar lang siya parating nagtatago. Paborito niya kasing magtkubli sa likod ng mga batuhan, malamig daw kasi at parang walang panganib doon.

Pagkatapos ng ilan pang mga minuto, maya-maya tinawag na sila ng kanilang mga magulang upang umuwi na.

Sa bahay, masayang ikinuwento ni Mikay sa kanyang nanay ang mga pangyayari sa kanilang larong taguan. Inilarawan ni Mikay ang mga hitsura ng kanyang mga kaibigan sa mga lugar na kanilang pinagtaguan. Si Kwatog na pawis na pawis sa nasa pagitan ng mga lumang gulong ng magkakapatong. Si Isay na nagmistulang puno ng bayabas dahil sa kanyang kapayatan at si Jong na hindi alintana ang mga langgam na gumagapang sa kanyang mga kamay at binti. Tuwang-tuwa si Mikay sa kanyang mga kalaro.

“Anak”, ang marahang banggit ng ina. “Hindi masama ang makipaglaro sa mga kaibigan, ang hindi ko lang nagustuhan ay ang paggamit mo ng iyong angking kapangyarihan para makalamang sa kanila“.

“Pero, ’nay, ginamit ko lang yon upang tulungan ang aking sarili na hanapin sila.“

“Panglalamang pa rin yon anak, lamang ka sa kanila dahil nakikita mo ang mga bagay sa likod ng mga harang na hindi kayang gawin ng mga ordinaryong tao gaya nila“, ang bulalas ng kanyang ina.

Simula pagkabata, si Mikay ay may kakaibang angking talento na nakakakita ng mga bagay kahit na may nakaharang pa sa mga ito o kahit nakatago ang mga ito. Kaya nyang sabihin kung may gagamba sa likod ng kanilang malaking kabinet o di kaya kung saan nakatago ang nawawalang tsinelas ng kanyang ama. Kaya niya rin makita kung anong buto ang nabali sa iyo kapag nabalian ka at kung may taong nagtatago sa likod ng pintuan nyo. May X-ray vision si Mikay.

Kapag ipinikit niya ang kanyang mga mata nang matagal, kaya niyang padilatin ang isa pa nyang mata na nakalagay sa gitna ng kanyang noo. Hindi ito pansinin kasi natatakpan ito ng kanyang buhok sa harap na hanggang kilay ang haba. Kapag nakadilat ang kanyang ikatlong mata, tumatagos ang tingin nito sa kahit anong nais niyang tingnan, bato man ito o kaya bakal. Ano man ang harang kayang malaman ni Mikay ang mga bagay sa likod nito.

Laging ipinapaalala ng kanyang ina ang lakas ng kanyang kapangyarihan ay dapat gamitin lang sa kabutihan ng nakararami at hindi para sa pansariling interes lang.

Isang araw, sumama ang apat na magkakaibigan sa isang ‘Hiking Activity’ sa kanilang paaralan. Halos hindi maubusan ng kuwento ang apat habang sila ay naglalakad sa loob ng isang gubat. Minsan pa silang nagkatakutan tungkol sa mga engkanto, duwende at kapre na nakikita sa mga kagubatan.

Sa haba ng kanilang nilakad naisipan ng grupo na magpahinga muna. Kanya- kanyang latag ng mga baong banig at higaan upang kanilang pagpahingahan pansamantala. Habang masayang nagkakakuwentuhan ang lahat, may namuong munting apoy sa may di kalayuan. Dahil sa init ng panahon, mabilis na kumalat ito. Nung mapansin ng grupo ang apoy, malapit na ito sa kanila. Nagkagulo ang lahat.

“SUNOG!!! SUNOG!!!”

Nataranta ang lahat kabilang ang apat na magkakaibigan. Kanya-kanya sila ng dampot ng gamit at takbo papalayo sa apoy. Mabilis ang kanilang ginawang pagtakbo kahit medyo nahihirapan si Jong dahil sa kanyang katabaan. Hindi nila namalayan na napahiwalay sa kanila si Mikay.

Si Mikay ay napadpad sa isang batuhan. Hindi niya alam ang tamang daan dahil napapalibutan na siya ng apoy. Sinubukan niyang gamitin ang kanyang kapangyarihan ngunit hindi ito gumana. Ito ang limitasyon ng kanyang talento. Hindi niya kayang silipin kung ano ang nasa likod ng apoy.

Takot na takot si Mikay. Wala siyang magawa. Ang buong akala niya ay kaya siyang iligtas ng kanyang kapangyarihan, ngunit hindi pala. Naisip niya na may mga pagkakataon palang dapat siya mismo ang gagawa ng paraan at hindi iaasa lang sa angking kapangyarihan.

Napunta si Mikay sa may batuhan. Naisip niyang gumawa ng isang malakuwebang taguan mula sa mga bato sa gubat. Ito ang ginamit niyang pananggalang sa papalapit at nangangalit na apoy. Dito naghintay na lang si Mikay sa mga susunod na pangyayari. Maya-maya ay nawalan na lang ng malay ang kawawang si Mikay.

Nang humupa ang apoy, malaking bahagi ng kagubatan ang natupok. Nagkaroon ng malawakang paghahanap para kay Mikay. Naging mahirap para sa mga bumbero, pulis at mga kaibigan ni Mikay ang paghahanap sa kanya dahil sa lawak ng pinsala ng sunog.

Di naglaon, napansin ni Jong at ni Kwatog sa may di kalayuan ang mga batong magkakapatong. Naalala kaagad nila ang kanilang kaibigang si Mikay. Mahilig kasi ito magtago sa mga batuhang gaya ng kanilang nakita. Napansin din ito ni Isay kung kayat agad niya itong pinuntahan. Sunod naman sina Jong at Kwatog. Dito nila nakita ang walang malay na si Mikay. Nakabaluktot at may basang tuwalya na nakatakip sa mukha nito. Agad itong ginawaran ng pangunang lunas ng mga bumbero. Maya-maya’y nagkamalay na muli si Mikay.

Nagbunyi ang lahat kasama ang kanyang ina, lalong-lalo na ang apat na magkakaibigan dahil muli na naman silang magkakasama at makakapaglaro ng taguan.

Ang Kuwentong Pambata na ito ay kalahok sa Saranggola Blog Awards 2011

Pahinga Ka Muna

2011-09-23T20:42:00.000+08:00

Dumadating ang panahon na minsan kailangang magpahinga muna para maghanda sa mga susunod na paglalakbay.

Ang litratong ito ay kalahok sa Saranggola Blog Awards 3.

Of Death and Dying

2011-09-20T22:31:00.000+08:00

Sabi nga ng isang kanta ng Sacred Oath - death is inevitable. Ang kamatayan ay di kayang iwasan. Isa ito sa mga bagay na siguradong mangyayari sa yo maging ano man ang estado mo sa buhay. Maaari mong mapahaba ang buhay mo kahit kung hanggang ilang taon ang kaya mo pero eventually, maaabutan ka rin ng kamatayan. Ang ilang karakter nga sa bibliya ay umabot pa ng ilang daang taon pero hindi pa rin nila nalabanan ang kanilang kamatayan. Sabi ng iba, ito ang finish line ng buhay, ito ang katapusan ng lahat, ang sukatan ng ating pagkatao. Una-unahan nga lang daw yan.

Minsan, kung pag-uusapan ang tungkol sa kamatayan, nakakailang ng kaunti, lalo na kapag tungkol ito sa isang taong malapit sa iyo. Lagi tayong in denial kapag ito na ang topic ng kwentuhan. Nahihirapan tayo kasi hindi natin ito kayang tanggapin o kaya hindi pa tayo ready. Pinapatunayan ito sa mga resulta ng mga surveys at interview, na isa sa pinaka kinatatakutan ng mga tao maliban sa public speaking ay ang kamatayan o pagkamatay. Kelan ba ang panahon na handa ka nang mamatay?

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. ~Mark Twain

Noong isang linggo lang, nagpunta kami buong pamilya sa isang burol ng tatay ng isa naming family friend. Kumplikasyon ng sakit na diabetes ang kanyang ikinamatay. Matagal siyang pinahirapan ng sakit na ito, naandyan yung naputulan pa siya ng paa dahil dito. Matagal nang tinanggap ng kanyang mga anak at asawa ang kanyang kalagayan kaya’t hindi gaano sila naapektuhan nang mamaalam na siya sa mundo. Handa na ang kanyang buong pamilya.

Sa tapat ng bahay namin sa Bicutan ay may nakaburol din, na namatay dahil din sa isang malubhang sakit. Kamakailan kakalibing lang din ng isa kong kakilala na nabundol ng bus sa may Commonwealth. Nag-leave naman yung isa kong kasama sa trabaho dahil libing ng kanyang lola. Tuwing uuwi ako, nadadaan ako sa isang memorial chapel na kung saan hindi ko pa nakitang nabakante. Laging puno lalo na kapag gabi, box office ika nga.

Bawat minuto may namamatay, bawat segundo may nabibingit sa kamatayan. Makailang beses na rin akong nakipaglaro sa kamatayan at may nakita na rin akong mamatay sa harap ko. Ang tanong ko lang sa sarili, handa na ba akong mamatay o mawalan ng isang mahal sa buhay?

Kahapon lang, sa isang bihirang pangyayari, nagusap-usap kaming magkakapatid tungkol sa bagay na ito. Gaya ng nakararami, dumaan din kami sa stage ng denial. Ayaw naming simulan ang usapan noon, lahat ilag kapag usapang kamatayan. Pero sa ngayon, unti-unti na naming tinatanggap.

Death is inevitable. Ito ang mga katagang tumanim sa akin sa lahat ng binanggit ng kuya ko doon sa aming pag-uusap. Nakakatakot isipin pero tama kahit saang anggulo tingnan. It is certain.

Sa ngayon, mas matindi ang pinagdadaanan naming magkakapatid, pero walang sumusuko sa amin, walang bumibitaw. Kapwa pinaghuhugutan namin ng lakas ang bawat isa sa amin. Mahirap pero kailangan naming pagdaanan. Sa mga pagkakataong ganito, mas lalo kaming tumitibay. The virtues that were thought to us since childhood are being tested now. Ngayon pa ba kami susuko?

Higit sa lahat, hangad lang din namin ang patuloy na patnubay at pag-alaga ng ating mahal na Panginoon.

Tatlong TAO-n

2011-09-18T00:08:00.000+08:00

Noong tumuntong ako ng kolehiyo, akala ko magiging madali para sa akin ang aking pag-aaral gaya ng aking nakasanayan sa high school at elementarya, hindi pala. Na-culture shock ako. Kinulang ang aking mga inihandang armas, naging supot ang mga baon kong bala at panangga. Mas matindi pala ang college kesa sa aking inaasahan; mas madaming manloloko at mas garapalan ang lokohan.

Ang unang dalawang taon ko sa kolehiyo ang itinuring kong pinakamahirap sa lahat ng taon ng aking pag-aaral. Normal lang daw ito, lahat daw dumadaan sa ganitong stage. Adjustment period daw ito, sabi nila, ganito ako katagal mag-adjust sa aking bagong mundo.

Maraming beses na akong nakaranas ng kabiguan sa buhay, ngunit dito ko naranasan sa unang pagkakataon ang bumagsak sa isang subject. Kasamang nawala ng aking scholarship ang tiwala ko sa sarili. Hirap na hirap akong tanggapin ito, sa puso ko at sa aking pagkatao. Ngunit ang pinaka mahirap sa lahat ay ang pag-amin ng aking kabiguan sa mata ng mga kaibigan at kapamilya.

Hanggang sa makilala ko ang mga taong naging malaking instrumento sa aking pakikibaka sa mga natitirang taon ko sa kolehiyo. Sila ang tatlong Maria ng buhay-kolehiyo ko.

Sa huling tatlong taon ko sa kolehiyo, sila ang nagbigay sa akin ng inspirasyon upang baguhin ang aking mga maling nasimulan, upang tahakin ang tamang landas ng wastong pag-aaral. Habang buhay kong tatanawin na malaking utang na loob ang kanilang ginawang pagtulong at paggabay sa akin.

fifteen years in between

Ang tatlong Maria sa aking buhay - isa naging matalik na kaibigan, isa naging mabuting tagapayo at isa naging butihing maybahay. Kung wala sila, ibang Edong ang naandito ngayon.

2011-09-12T22:08:00.001+08:00

There are things that words cannot express.

My Fairy Tale in Verse

2011-09-08T23:59:00.000+08:00

We met in the second floor, West Bldg., Mapua

In an organization called SOLID

There was some sort of connection at first sight

I don't know why but there was indeed.

Her name, I missed when we were introduced

I was caught by her gorgeous smile from the start

It made her Mona Lisa, unique from all the rest

So enchanting, it really captured my heart.

I joined SOLID because of her

I wanted to make her my inspiration

But after a few weeks I've noticed

That in my heart, she's occupying a large portion.

I've got to know her more, I told myself

But how am I going to do that?

A friend suggested to court her right away

Thanks but maybe not.

They formed a circle of friends, which includes me

We're mainly composed of school bums

Quite witty, frank and somewhat cool

We call ourselves, WET JAM

It was the initials of our names

WET is for Willie, Eddie, Thelma, nonetheless

JAM is for the Computer Engineers

Joyce, Alyssa and of course my Maritess.

She's a very sweet and caring person

It is impossible you won't be attracted to her

And as our friendship grows, I've found out

I am frantically falling for her.

For three years, I have kept my silence

Although it was against my plan

Do you know what a 'torpe' means?

I should know because I am one.

I did not try to court her during college

I was afraid I might lose her friendship

Seeing her was good enough for me

Still, I struggle for all the hardships

I planned of telling her how I feel before we graduate

Because I believed this is the only solution

My heart and mind both agreed, so be it

We parted ways, a week before graduation.

If we're meant to be, I'll wait for her

Until forever, that's what I'll do

Because the one thing I am sure about

Is my love for her, that is real and true.

Happy 13th year anniversary Mommy!

TED and Edong

2011-09-06T12:50:00.000+08:00

I have been an avid listener of TED, ever since I came across their web site. The variety of talks and topics can extend from your self up until the ends of earth. Inspiring, motivational and sometimes mind-boggling talks that capture your attention and your innermost feelings and desires.

If I am not writing or reading blogs, chances are I am listening to their podcasts. I have once said to my wife that if given a chance I would definitely attend such talks. If in case there would be a chance that they will bring it here in the Philippines, I would fall in line even for hours.

Lo and behold... TEDxDiliman.

When I saw their ads, I heard angels sing.

However, they have to limit the number of attendees to 100 only. If I would text and visit and email and beg to all the organizers to allow me to get in, there is a big chance that I would end up inside Mandaluyong. If I applied online, there is still a slim margin that I would be picked up. So I gambled and prayed hard after.

I have been good for a while and this is an early Christmas gift for me. :)

Thanks to the organizers. Woohoo!!!

re-Joyce and be Glad

2011-09-01T12:45:00.000+08:00

like every other special friend of mine

who deserves a warm and comfy hug

i cannot think of a gift more fine

than a space for you on my blog

it's the first day of september

and we know it is your day

may you stay as sweet as ever

and from our hearts, happy birthday!

we love you joyce!

edong, thess, sam and nicole

Combination

2011-08-27T16:11:00.001+08:00

This blog has been in existence because of my love for the combination of both poetry and essay. I have been writing those for the last twenty years and most of it were published in this blog and some were written on scratches and were already gone. This combination has been the formula behind inversetutuldok and until now it is working for me.

Obviously, I have been telling my family about my passion for the written words and fortunately my wife and my kids are always supporting me for this. I often recall to my kids about the time when I was still in elementary school and actively joining school contests about writing and declamation. Though I did not win often, still I had that experience of writing essays and have somebody read it and judge it.

Lately, I've been busy helping my kids experience the same. They both joined their school contests for Essay Writing and Declamation. Nicole was on the level for Grades 1, 2 and 3 while Sam entered the level for Grades 4, 5 and 6. On the first week, I devoted some time studying their pieces and trying to develop actions and gestures while putting emphasis on certain words and elements of the poem. When they have memorized it, we practiced it diligently.

For the essay, I let them write their candid opinions on certain subjects and helped them connect the dots between these opinions and make it worthy of reading. My wife Thess also enrolled in my writing workshop, though she always thought she would ace it, hence she did not dare write a word on paper. According to her, it was all written in her mind. I see.

On the day of the contest, I gave my last advice to my kids and let them work their way out. When I arrived home that day, Sam said that there were many good contestants and she thought she gave them a good fight. Nicole on the other hand, just gave her shot, not the best though, but still it's a good shot according to her.

Essays and poems are really good combinations. Most poets are also well known essayists while great essay writers have been found writing poems also. I have been doing this also and it works for me, how about for my kids?

During the Linggo ng Wika celebration, my kids' school gave the awards to all deserving students, future poets and essayists.

Nicole got the third place for the Declamation contest competing with Grades 2 and 3 while Sam got the second place for the Declamation and the first place for the Essay Writing.

When I thought about how good are my kids when it comes to this, well I always tell myself, it is a good combination of my wife's witty X-chromosome and my talented Y-chromosome. Perfect pair.

To conclude, this blog has been in existence because of a good combination, not only of poems and essays but more importantly because of my wife and daughters.

A Few Good Men

2011-08-17T12:47:00.001+08:00

Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again. ~William Shakespeare

When I learned that they have filed for resignation, I was silently protesting and groping for answers. Questions keep filing up at the back of my mind. I don’t know the real score on where and what went wrong with them, all I knew was that a part of me would simply wanted to win them back. But sadly I cannot, because we are not on the same department, they are not my subordinates. I cannot teach an apple tree to bear bananas. It was depressing to know that there are things that won't happen the way you wanted it to happen and much more frustrating is that you cannot do something about it.

I could have asked them to stay, but I thought I don’t really hold their future nor dictate their decisions so I opted not to intervene. I know it was a difficult choice for them and probably have undergone so much thinking before they came up with that. It was their choice and it was as they thought for the betterment of them.

We were not that very close friends but I get to bond with them every once in a while. The thing is, I saw a young Edong in them - heart burning with the desire for work; putting passion into their chosen fields but in the end, still coming up short from the expectations of their superiors. Needless to say, it was just a matter of perspective for self improvement. The engineers thought that they have done their job very well but the managers thought otherwise. I have been in the same situation before and frankly, it was not good. You will try to hate everyone including yourself, and when that happens, you hit rock bottom. Perhaps, they have reached their lowest point also.

I may have not known the real reason behind their resignation but I salute them both for doing what they have done to the company. Aside from doing the best in their line of work, they have also captured the hearts of almost all ladies in the company, simply because of their unwavering humility and friendliness.

At this point in their lives, there is no other way but up. And I strongly believe that they would go far beyond their expectations. God is always good.

I'll see you guys around!

(p.s. exactly 4 years ago today was also my last day in my previous company...)

Tagos sa Kaluluha

2011-08-08T21:17:00.000+08:00

(salamat sa isang kaibigan sa pagpapaunlak na aking gawan ng tula ang kanyang karanasan,

ang tulang ito ay kalahok sa isang pakontes ni Iya)

Sa galit ni Tatay, aaminin kong ako’y natatakot

Tingin pa lamang niya, wari’y apoy na nanunuot

Bibihira lang mamalo, ngunit latay kapag ika’y inabot

Subalit pagkatapos noon, aatakihin na siya ng matinding kalimot

Si Nanay naman ay kakaiba kung magalit

Kasalanan mo man o kahit ikaw ay pawang nadawit

Maliban kasi sa palo, may matatalim pa na sinasambit

Pipigain ang puso mo hanggang sa mamilipit

Kaya kong tiisin ang mga hambalos ni Tatay

Ilang araw lang kasi, maghihilom na ang mga latay

Ngunit ang mga sugat mula sa mga sermon ni Nanay

Dala-dala ko habang ako’y nabubuhay

Ang mga matatalas na salitang sa bibig nakawala

Parang sibat na tumatagos hanggang kaluluwa

Sa munting kasalanan, parusa’y habambuhay na iniinda

Patawad aking Nanay... bagkus mahal pa rin kita.

image source

Nutribun

2011-08-03T23:22:00.000+08:00

Nutribun, ito yung tinapay na inilalako sa murang halaga para sa mga mag-aaral sa pampublikong eskwelahan noong panahon ko. Programa daw ng pamahalaan ito bilang pantawid gutom ng mga estudyante noon. Upang solusyunan ang lumalalang malnutrisyon noon sa mga kabataan, ito ang nakitang sagot - Nutribun. Panalo.

Kung sa hitsura at laki, walang pinagkaiba ito sa mga monay. Pero mas siksik ang laman nito di gaya ng pandesal. May katigasan nga lang ito na kapag kinagat mo, aakalain mong may palaman na, pero wala pa pala.

Inilalako ito na nakalagay sa isang tray na umiikot sa klase, kasama ang sankaterbang chitchirya, na kailangang maubos lahat bago ibalik sa canteen. Mahusay na inilahad ito ni Bob Ong sa kanyang unang libro, ngunit nakakalungkot isipin na hindi nya nabanggit ang nutribun. Kung ilan kayo sa klase, ganoon din kadami ang binebentang nutribun. Sa maniwala kayo o hindi, inabot ko pa ang nutribun sa halagang bentesingko sentabos.

Compulsary ang pagbili dito, kung wala kang baong pagkain, nutribun ang sagot sa kagutuman mo. Kung wala ring pagkain si Bantay, nutribun ang sagot. Kung may kaaway ka, nutribun lang din ang sagot. Kung marami kayong ipis sa bahay, nutribun ang dahilan niyan. Pero kung gusto mong mawala yung mga ipis sa inyo, nutribun lang din ang tanging solusyon. Minsan kahit ipis, nauumay din.

Nasa Grade 3 ako noon nang minsang magkulang ang perang napagbilhan ng mga nutribun. Galit na galit noon ang aming titser na si Mrs. Barila, pilit kaming pina-paamin kung sino ang kumuha o kaya hindi nagbayad ng nutribun. Nanlilisik sa galit ang kanyang malalaking mata sa likod ng makakapal niyang salamin. Umabot pa sa puntong nagbanta siya na susunugin daw ang kwarto namin hangga’t walang nagsasabi sa amin ng totoo. Takot na takot kaming lahat, lalo na ang mga kaklase kong babae. Nang magsindi siya ng kapirasong papel at nilagay sa may pintuan, doon nag-iyakan na ang iba.

Tumawag ng pansin ang palahaw ng iba kong mga kaklase, kaya to the rescue ang ibang mga titser doon. Hindi ko makalimutan ang mga pangyayaring iyon dahil ilang araw na nagdulot iyon ng takot sa aming lahat. Walang umamin sa klase namin dahil alam kong wala naman talagang nangupit noon, baka nahulog lang o kaya na-misplace. Malaking bagay na kasi ang sinkwenta sentabo noon na halaga ng dalawang nutribun.

Ngayon, hindi ko na nababalitaan ang nutribun. Matagal na siyang wala sa sirkulasyon. Napalitan na ito ng mga pancit canton, rasyon na bigas o kaya nilagang itlog. Sa eskwelahan nga ng anak ko, hindi rin nila ito kilala. Hotdog sandwich, ham and egg sandwich, donut at minsan croissant ang kilala lang nilang mga tinapay. Hindi nila naranasan kung gaano kasarap na patabain at pasiglahin ng kakapirasong tinapay na iyon.

Nanunumbalik ang mga alaala sa akin dahil noong isang buwan, ipinagdiwang natin ang Nutrition Month. Nagkaroon ng isang Quiz Bee tungkol sa Nutrisyon doon sa paaralan ng aking anak, isa si Sam sa mga sumali dito. Kung titingnan ko ang hitsura ni Sam at iisipin kong Nutrition quiz ang sinalihan nya, baka makumbinse akong kami na talaga ang grand winner.

Kung ikukumpara ko kasi ang laki ng mga estudyante noon (panahon namin) sa mga estudyante ngayon (panahon nila Sam), hamak na hindi kami uubra sa palakihan. Walis ting-ting laban sa vacuum cleaner.

Ibig sabihin ba nito na hindi masustansiya ang mga kinakain ng mga bata noon kumpara sa ngayon? O sadyang mas mabilis lang kami magsunog ng taba kesa sa mga kabataan ngayon na ang alam lang na laro ay panay on-line games.

Kung tutuusin, malaki na nga ang pinagbago ng panahon. Wala na ngayon ang hinahangaan kong nutribun. Ngunit dahil sa kanyang angking kapangyarihan, kahit ilang taon na ang lumipas, nag-iiwan pa rin ito ng kakaibang panlasa sa mga kabataang gaya ko.

ps. Si Sam pala ang naitanghal na kampeon sa kanilang Nutrition Quiz Bee. :)

Standing on SOLID Grounds

2011-07-30T08:07:00.000+08:00

When I graduated from high school, I had no idea what was in store for me in college. I was just certain that I will be taking up engineering as I wanted to be an engineer like my Kuya.

Needless to say, I was in for the biggest culture shock of my life. College was very different from high school, far more different than what I expected. In high school, demons are wearing disguises, but in college, all hell break loose.

I was really having a hard time during my first two years in the institute. I was exposed to numerous influences in which I seldom fall prey. My grades are dropping faster than my will to learn and worst I lost all my scholarships. In the learning war that I am involved, my only battle cry was ‘HELP!’.

During my 3rd year, my friend Willie introduced me to this student organization called SOLID. It stands for Study Organization that Leads to Integrated EE-ECE-CoE Development. It was just a normal student organization, but little did I know that it was the turning point of my academic life.

I gradually gained various friends in SOLID, from the graduating batch down to the freshmen. As well as everything in between the geeks and the meeks. I also learned a few tricks of the trade and a little ‘diskarte’ on the side. SOLID armed me with few weapons I need to have to power me on my learning war.

Indeed, my friends in SOLID helped me sway with the waves and kept me afloat during high tides. I will be forever grateful to them.

I may not be the greatest, I may not be the best

I may not get 100 percent in all kinds of test

For the whole year long, I may be nuts

But as a SOLID member, I always have the guts.

Thank you guys for being my SOLID ground.

For the Love of the Game

2011-07-26T12:09:00.001+08:00

Ever since I started watching my Kuya play basketball, I have fallen in love with the game. It was such a beauty for me to see players do their stuffs; on how do they handle the ball well or perhaps shoot it with ease and a little bit of luck.

When I was small, I really wanted to learn how to play the game, it was fortunate that all of my friends from childhood have the same dream. It was easy for us to organize. In a basketball-craze country, basketball courts can almost be seen anywhere, sprouting like mushrooms. We were exposed in an environment with half-courts placed on the streets, these were our training grounds.

Even though I was not blessed with height just like my Kuya, it did not stop me from learning the game. I was in 2^nd year high school when I first joined a basketball league. From then on, I continue to play the game and learn some new tricks every so often.

When me and Thess were just starting, she seriously asked me if I drink, smoke, gamble or perhaps busy with night life? I answered that I can give up all of that, just please don’t let me give up my love for basketball. She agreed wholeheartedly and I obeyed our new found agreement.

Last weekend, on a very short notice and limited advertisement, NBA Superstars Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and a few others graced the famous basketball court of Smart-Araneta Coliseum. I was lucky enough to get a lower box ticket since the Patron seats were all sold-out during the first two hours of ticket selling. It was such an awesome experience for me to see NBA Stars play right before my eyes.

As early as 3PM, crowds were lining up for the General Admission area to get a good view. The event was also star-studded, Former President Erap Estrada was there, Senator Dick Gordon and Bong Revilla with his family. Sitting in front of me, were the newlyweds John Estrada and Priscilla together with Randy Santiago. When I took a pee at halftime, guess who’s next with me at the urinal, Mr. Sauve himself, Vhong Navarro and Bayani Agbayani.

I was really amazed on the wide range of basketball tricks they have offered the crowd. Every time they do tremendous dunks and You-tube-material alley-oops, the crowd goes wild. PBA Superstars were caught watching and not defending, probably because of the moment. It was such a rewarding experience for me to be able to see them live.

I am not good at basketball, I never was but basketball thought me so many things in life that I am living now. Discipline, Teamwork, Friendship to name a few, but the greatest thing I learned from it is that Life is like a Basketball game, it always brings new opportunities and challenges, it is just up to you on how you will handle it.

Limahan na!

Bagahe

2011-07-14T12:34:00.001+08:00

Matagal nagtrabaho si Tatay sa Saudi, paminsan lang sa isa o dalawang taon siya bago makapagbakasyon muli sa Pilipinas. Sa pagsusumikap ni Tatay, nakaipon kami paunti-unti ng mga gamit sa aming munting bahay. Sa isang pag-uwi ni Tatay, isang malaking kahon ang kasama ng kanyang mga bagahe.

Pagdating sa bahay, ito ang unang binuksan ni Tatay. Regalo niya daw ito sa aming magkakapatid sa patuloy pagsusumikap sa aming pag-aaral. Sa pagbukas ng malaking kahon, isang itim na bagay ang tumambad sa aming lahat. Abot ang ngiti ko noon nung makita ko ang laman ng kahon. Isang mini-component siya.

Bihira kami magkaroon ng magandang gamit sa bahay. Yung TV namin na black and white ay kailangang pukpukin sa taas para gumana yung vertical-hold, kasi kung hindi, sasakit ang ulo mo bago mo matapos ang isang palabas. Yung ref naman namin ay pang-isahan lang, na dalawang pitsel lang ng tubig ang kayang ilaman, personal-ref lang kasi siya. Bigay ito sa nanay ko ng isang kustomer niya sa paglalaba. Yung luma naming radyo ay AM lang ang kayang masagap, kaya bihira yon mapatugtog kasi madrama masyado. Maliban sa mga ito at sa aming plantsa, wala na kaming ibang de-kuryenteng gamit sa bahay.

Kung kayat malaking bagay para sa aming magkakapatid ang magkaroon ng bagong radyo. At hindi lang basta radyo, mini-component pa. San ka pa?

Malupit ang radyo ni Tatay. Kulay itim ito na mahaba at madaming pihitan at pindutan sa harap. Dalawang malalaking speaker ang nakakabit sa kanya sa magkabilang dulo. Maaari mo itong tanggalin at ilagay kung saan mo gusto. Minsan nilipat ko ito sa malapit sa pintuan naming sabay nagpatugtog, muntik nang mapaaway ang nanay ko sa kapitbahay namin. Ang pinaka natutuwa ako dito ay ang dalawang cassette player niya. Maaari mo kasing i-record sa kanang bahagi ang pinapatugtog mo sa kabilang bahagi. Hi-tech, ika nga ng kaibigan kong si August.

Madalas kapag naglilinis ng bahay o kaya nagbubunot ng sahig, sumasabay sa tugtog ng aming component ang galaw ng aking mga paa at kamay. Nagiging automatic ang kilos ko base sa bilis o bagal ng tugtog. Maya-maya mararamdaman ko na lang na umiindayog na sa musika ang aking mga kalamnan. Minsan pagkatapos maglinis, hindi ko alam kung saan ba galing ang mga pawis ko – sa paglilinis ba o sa pagsabay sa makiliting tugtog ng aming radyo.

Ang radyo ni Tatay mismo ang nagpakilala sa akin sa mga sikat na mang-aawit sa Pilipinas at sa ibang bansa. Malaki ang naidulot niya sa akin kung bakit gusto ko ang mga awitin ng ABBA, Carpenters, America, Sinatra at siyempre ang Asin at si Florante. Nung matuto ako mag back-masking ng mga cassette tapes ng mga sikat na singers, duon ko lalo minahal ang aming radyo.

Totoong malawak ang kapasidad ng radyo ni Tatay. Mabilis pumawi ng lungkot ito kapag nakinig sa mga nakakatawang programa. Kasing-bilis din naman ikaw palungkutin kapag nakinig ka sa mga drama sa hapon. Maingay siya kapag umaga pero kapag patulog ka na ay nakikipaghele din siya sa iyo. Kapag mag-isa sa bahay, si radyo ang aking kaibigang tunay.

Sa tuwing makikita ko ang radyo namin, lagi kong naaalala si Tatay. Doon ko kasi pinapakinggan ang mga recorded messages ng Tatay ko sa amin. Ang mga iba’t-ibang kulay niya sa harapan ay tila mga mata ni Tatay na nakatitig sa akin. Ang dalawang mahahabang antenna ay nagmimistulang mga kamay ni Tatay na handa akong yakapin. Para sa isang batang gaya ko na sabik sa piling ng Tatay ko, yung radyo ang napaglilibangan ko.

Hanggang sa isang araw pag-uwi ni Tatay, isang malaking kahon ang kasama sa kanyang bagahe. Biglang kabog ulit ng aking dibdib.

What's With July 16?

2011-07-12T12:41:00.005+08:00

July 16 had been etched in the memories of the thirty-something and above due to the very infamous Luzon earthquake that happened that very day year 1990. However, this coming Saturday, July 16, a strong, terrible earthquake is about to happen inside of me. An intensity strong enough to ripped me apart into pieces.

Mensa will be holding its Mensa Challenge (Qualifying Exam) in UP. It has been ages since our last public qualifying test and I wanted to be a part of this historic one under the leadership of our new president, Art Ilano. Well, the testing event is one experience that I can be proud of. Inquirer link

Jkul will host a lunch and awarding ceremony for the winners of the KM2 Essay Writing contest. After the historic announcement of winners, Jkul wanted more, he wanted to gather all those writers, bloggers that became part of this event. The Top 10 winners as well as the Special Award winners are all invited. This is one gathering I wanted to attend right from the start. Aside from meeting seasoned bloggers, I wanted to experience of being able to connect with my online world.

Gerry Roxas Leadership Awards Foundation will be holding its GRLA Leadership Forum and Get-together. This is a good chance to meet other GRL awardees from different schools and colleges not to mention a good quality time to spend listening on credible speakers. I haven't attended one yet but I am planning to drop by at this event to give back to the foundation which supported me in my schooling. Facebook link.

My youngest niece, Mikay will be having her 2^nd birthday party. At her young age, Mikay had undergone several major operations already and we are very much happy that she is now a healthy beautiful baby. Her birthday celebration will also be a celebration of triumph and thanksgiving. Sure couldn’t miss this one.

Willie, a college friend of mine came back to the Philippines for a vacation. He is currently working in Bahrain for a telecom company. He wanted to see his friends here before going back to Bahrain. It has been a long time since we last saw Willie and his family so we cannot afford to miss this one and besides this could be the get-together of WETJAM and our families.

So what do you think is the probability that all these events will happen in one single day? That is on Saturday, July 16. Huh?! Isn't it a busy world?

Me? I am not busy, I'll just get ready for the earthquake. :)

Performance Evaluation

2011-07-03T00:19:00.000+08:00

When I was still working as an Engineer from my last company, I would always look forward for every Performance Evaluation. Whether I would get promoted or not, I think that single meeting between me and my superior alone was just my thing. I get so thrilled easily by this because of the thought that I will be able to hear what my superior would say about me. Moreover, excited because this is a good avenue for me to say what I think about my superior. In this way, I would know what areas I need to improve on myself and my craft.

On that very day of July 2007, I woke up at the wrong side of the bed. I had this strangest feeling before my 'appraisal', that if there is somebody that would walk out of that door as a loser, it would have to be me. The thought was more scary, though I did not further encourage it. I would rather think that we should walk out from that door as winners both, no losers (two-way communication). Anyway, the meeting went on and on and on and after a few weeks from that meeting, I resigned from my job.

Actually, I felt disturbed from that evaluation meeting. I was robbed with my rights as an employee. I believed that the performance rating I had was unfair for me and for my line leaders. I insisted that my line leaders deserved more that they were given and I had all the data to prove that. However, my supervisor's points were unclear and his judgments were biased and not factual. And even more terrifying blow was that is was final and nothing can be changed. As it turned out, my vibe was actually right from the very start.

Last week, we concluded the Performance Appraisal of my subordinates from my current company. I had more or less 20 personnel under me. My approach was simple; establish, explain, encourage, empower and extend congratulatory remarks. I always see to it that the atmosphere I established was very different from my last company. Here, there was talking and there was listening (although I was the one who does the talking now). But I always encourage them to talk also, so that I may hear what they wanted to say about me or about their job.

Now, I was on the other end of the spectrum, not like before. And to tell you, I like it like that. The perspective was almost the same but my point of view was totally different, at least the way I see it.

At this point, I can judge if I had lead my pack well or not; if I was able to plant them on fertile soil or on the rocks; if I had inspired them to do better or become a better person or not. At this point, I was not only evaluating them, I was also checking my performance as a leader through them.

To see them smile upon reading their performance ratings was like a gift being presented to me. If I had to gather them all, I'm pretty sure, I can fill-up a basketball court.

My previous experience from a Performance Appraisal thought me a lot of things and most importantly it thought me to appreciate small little things.

Three years have passed since I planted my seeds, I am now busy collecting the fruits of my labor.

Tatay

2011-06-18T12:36:00.000+08:00

To the world, he is just a man. For us who knew the man, he is our world.

Happy Father's Day Tatay!

Munting Pangarap

2011-06-18T00:36:00.000+08:00

Noong magsimula akong pumasok ng High School, araw-araw akong naglalakad papunta sa eskwelahan. Maaga akong napasok dahil ayaw na ayaw ko ang nahuhuli sa klase. Plantsado ang unipormeng puting polo, nanamnamin ko sa aking pisngi ang ihip ng umagang hangin. Didiretsuhin ko ang haba ng Calatagan, tatlong kanto ang aking bubunuin para maabot ang dulo nito.

Sa unang kanto ng Guernica at Calatagan naandon ang 'Corner Store'. Maliit lang ang tindahan na ito pero siksik sa tinda, medyo may kamahalan nga lang kumpara sa ibang tindahan doon sa amin. Dito ako madalas bumili ng mga gamit sa eskwela kapag walang tinda kila Miko's Store. Mataas ang lupa sa lugar ng Corner Store, magandang dahilan para dito kami madalas tumuntong kapag naglalaro ng langit-lupa. Sa upuan sa harap ng tindahan, dito ako madalas mangarap. Titingin ako sa bahay sa tapat nito at mangangarap na balang araw magkakaganyan din ako.

Konting lakad pa, madadaanan ko ang kanto ng Ibarra. Dito kami madalas maglaro ng taguan nila Dennis dahil sa dami ng pwedeng pagtaguan: mga puno, lumang bahay, mga sasakyang nakaparada, at higit sa lahat, dito ang bahay ng isa sa mga pinapangarap naming maging kasintahan noon.

Sa susunod na kanto, sa may Matanzas, naandon ang bungalow nila Michael. Kasama ko sa basketball team si Michael, mayaman at may hitsura. Kahit hindi sya mag-aral ng matino o kahit hindi sya makatapos o kahit hindi sya makapagtrabaho, kayang-kaya niyang mamuhay ng matiwasay dahil sa yaman ng pamilya nila. Attorney ang kanyang tatay kaya dati pinangarap ko ring makatapos ng pag-aaral at makahanap din ng disenteng trabaho, parang abugado.

Kapag nasa dulo na ako ng Calatagan, kakanan ako sa may Filmore at dadaan sa may shortcut papuntang Cash & Carry. Minsan kapag masyadong maaga, sarado pa itong shortcut na ito. Sa Cash & Carry makikita ko ang naglalakihang mga billboard ng mga produkto at minsan mga litrato ng mga artista sa pelikula. Madalas sumagi sa isip ko na sana maging artista ako at makikita ko ang litrato ko sa mga higanteng billboard doon. Pero syempre pangarap lang yon.

Paglagpas ng Cash & Carry, tatawid sa South Superhighway at titigil sumandali sa ilalim ng tulay ng Buendia. Pupunasan ang konting pawis at aayusin ang konting gamit na dala. Saka tutuloy sa aking mahal na eskwela.

Araw-araw naglalakad ako papasok, Calatagan, Filmore, Cash & Carry at Highway baon ang kakapiranggot na tiwala sa sarili at syempre, ang aking sankaterbang pangarap.

Kahapon ng umaga, habang papasok sa opisina, may nakita akong isang batang estudyante. Sakbit ang isang malaking bag sa likod, naka short na kaki at naka tsinelas lang. Plantsado ang polong puti, nakatayo sa may kanto, tinitingnan ang mga sasakyang dumadaan at parang ninanamnam ang umagang hangin. Nilapitan ko sya at nginitian. Sinuklian niya rin ako ng ngiti sabay usal sa akin.

"Nangangarap lang, kuya!"

"Sige utoy, sasamahan kita!"

KM2: Alawit

2011-06-09T23:43:00.001+08:00

(ang post na ito ay dulot ng isa pang post na nabasa ko, sinubukan ko lang din sumali sa hamon ni jkulisap...)

jkulisap, salamat sa parangal na iginawad mo...

Mahirap buuin ang tiwala sa sarili, hindi lang kasi isang beses kang magkakamali ng iyong mga desisyon sa buhay. Sa bawat pagkakamali mo pa, nababawasan ang katiting na tiwalang pilit mong binubuno upang lumago. At mas nagiging mahirap magkaroon ng tiwala sa sarili kung madalas kang inilulugmok ng iba sa kahihiyan at lugami. Manananggal ang tawag ko sa kanila – manananggal ng tiwala.

Maraming pagkakataong nilalabanan ko ang kawalan ko ng tiwala sa sarili at maraming pagkakataon ding nagugupo ako ng aking sarili mismo. Ang hindi pagsagot sa panahong ipinapahiya ka ng maharlika mong guro dahil sa iyong paniniwala ay isang malaking pag-amin ng kahinaan. Tila inilalabas ang tunay na kulay ng iyong kuyukot. Kahit alam mong dapat ipinaglaban ang nangangalumata mong prinsipyo sa buhay, mas pinili mong magtago sa yungib ng iyong pagkatalo.

Kung may paligsahan nga sa mga taong kulang ang tiwala sa sarili, malaki ang tsansang hindi pa rin ako makakakuha ng gantimpala. Kasi kahit sa ganitong pakontes ng mga dikya, wala pa rin akong tiwala sa sarili ko na mananalo ako. Isang malalim na buntung-hininga at halinghing lang ang kaya ko.

Ngunit ni minsan, hindi ko naisip na sukuan ang panibugho kong kinasangkutan. Sa mga pagkakataong, nagagapi ang aking sarili, doble ang isinusukli kong pagod upang mag-aral ng matuwid at matutunan ang bawat pagkakamali at ipagpatuloy ang aking munting banal na adhika. Ilan taon ko ring pinilit na palaguin ang aking tiwala sa sarili, upang kumawala sa peklat ng aking kahinaan ng loob.

Sa ngayon, malago na ang aking ipinunlang tiwala sa puso ko. Minahal ko kasi muna ang aking sarili bago sila. Nagsisilbing alingawngaw ito upang pagkunan din ng tiwala ng ibang tao sa paligid ko. Sabi nga ng kaibigan kong si Luwalhati sa akin, hindi mo maibibigay sa iba ang bagay na wala ka. Siniguro ko munang mayabong na ang aking puno, hitik na sa bunga at nakahanda nang ipamahagi sa ibang nangangailangan.

Hinog na ang pulot-pukyutan ko, kanya-kanya na kayong hugot.

Making It Come True

2011-06-06T22:06:00.000+08:00

It all started with a dream…

Two years ago, while having dinner with my wife, we happened to talked about spending a week out of the country with our kids. My wife has visited almost all the regions of the country, so she suggested on going outside the country, for a change. Hongkong, Macau , Thailand , Malaysia and Singapore came into our discussion. Until, we concluded that we will celebrate Nicole’s 7th birthday and Sam’s 11th birthday in Singapore . That was the start of a wonderful dream.

Since the trip would roughly cost us a budget of less than a hundred grand, we started planning out our means. First, we needed it to be as confidential as possible, since we are still not sure if our budget can make it through. Initially, the secret was shared between the two of us only, no other family members knew about it. Second, we needed to open a bank account, wherein there would be no withdrawals, only deposits are allowed. Third, we have to believe in our dream and that we can make it through, even in tough times.

For almost a year, our monthly input and output were strictly monitored and documented. There were instances that we discussed about canceling it all out because of certain events that affected our budget; but the flame of our simple dream kept burning and it made us held on to it.

Our plane tickets were part of the promotional ones. The cheapest three-star hotel in the city that we can find was booked. On-line tickets for the parks and zoos were purchased and before we knew it, we were off and flying.

This is the first out-of-the-country trip for the whole family. Though the budget was more than a year in the making, it was all worth it. The smiles on my kids’ faces as they enjoy every adventure of the day and the moments with my wife while watching Songs of the Sea were indeed priceless. I will treasure it for life.

And remember, everything just started with a dream…

Finding My Roots

2011-05-18T12:13:00.000+08:00

I have never had a good recollection about my grandparents from both father and mother side. If I did, it was very brief and vague. Perhaps, my age has something to do with it, because I was the youngest of four siblings. If I had my moments with my grandparents, I was too young to remember. Just the mere stories of my parents about them would suffice my desire to know them more.

Last weekend, the whole family (Tatay, Nanay, Kuya Olan, Ate Ne, Ate Jo and me) with my nephew Kenken as photographer, decided to go to my father’s native land – Salcedo, Eastern Samar. It’s around 130 km southeast from Tacloban airport.

The initial plan was for my parents only to visit Samar along with my Kuya, however, my wife suggested that the whole family should go and enjoy the bonding time. We were all dumbfounded. It was one suggestion, we simply cannot refuse.

Schedules were arranged and flights were booked. It was the first time in many years that the whole family traveled on an out-of-town adventure by plane. It was also my first time to visit my father’s native land and I was really excited.

Salcedo, Eastern Samar is located near the tip-end of the Samar island. It is a coastal area bounded on the left by the Leyte Gulf while on the right by the Philippine Sea (Pacific Ocean). The coastal road to Salcedo from Tacloban is really captivating. The sceneries were majestic and perfect. Rainforests that can only be seen in movies and in postcards will feed your eyes and imagination. The place was literally overflowing with trees particularly with coconut trees. My rough initial estimate is that the ratio of a man to a coconut tree is 1:6.

Far more than the stunning landscape, I came to know more about my family roots and branches. Kuya Giling, our eldest cousin on father’s side gave a vivid and personal story about my Lolo Adriano. He was fortunate enough to live and grow on the same house where my grannys used to live. He have wonderful experiences when he was a kid, especially when he was dealing and negotiating with Lolo Adre. It came to me that I never had experienced having a Lolo on the side. At one point, I envied Kuya Giling, because he has a very good reason to say, “wala yan sa lolo ko…”

Lolo Adre died when I was in elementary school, he was 84. I remember receiving a birthday card from my Tatay with a picture of an old man, with gray hair and his grandchild standing by the shoreline, looking far into the horizon. Tatay told me in his letter that I was the kid in the picture while the old man was Lolo Adre. I held on to that memory until now because frankly, it was the closest experience that I had with my Lolo. Sad to say, I never met my Lolo Adre in person.

Well, I remember asking myself once, what traits did I get from my Lolo? Kuya Giling, may have answered it indirectly in one of his stories. If Lolo would still be living today and I would met him and exchange stories with him, I am pretty sure, he would have blogged it. Lolo Adre was a brilliant writer.

Inversetutuldok found its roots.

"Mahal"

2011-05-06T12:17:00.000+08:00

Isang simpleng salita pero punong-puno ng kapangyarihan. Maraming buhay na ang nabago at nasira dahil sa simpleng salitang ito. Sa isang lalakeng kagaya ko, malakas at malalim ang dating ng salitang ito, lalo na kung iisipin ko kung kanino manggagaling ang salita.

Marahil maaari kong makalimutan ang pangalan ko pero hindi ang salitang ito. Ito kasi ang tawag sa akin ng aking nanay.

Noong simulang nagkakaisip pa lang ako, nagtataka ako kung bakit hindi ang tunay na pangalan ko ang tawag sa akin ng aking nanay. Samantalang si tatay naman ay ‘Eddie’ ang tawag sa akin at ang mga kapatid ko ay ‘Idong’, bakit si nanay, iba ang tawag? Siguro dahil ako nga ang bunso sa amin at ako ang pinakamahal niya.

Sa totoo lang, naiilang ako kapag tinatawag ako ng nanay ko ng ‘Mahal’, lalo na kapag naandyan ang mga kaibigan ko o mga kaklase. Dyahe. Sinusubukan kong pigilan ang nanay ko pero susuklian niya lang ako ng ngiti. Yung ngiting tipong, wala ka nang magagawa. Nagiging tampulan kasi ako ng tukso ng karamihan kapag naririnig nila ang nanay ko na tinatawag akong ‘Mahal’.

“Mama’s boy ka pala, Edong!”

“Hahaha! Mahal pala pangalan mo… gaano ba kamahal?”

Akala ko noon magsasawa din ang nanay ko sa pagtawag sa akin ng ganito. Iniisip ko na baka dahil bata pa nga ako at dahil nga bunso din ako kaya niya ako tinatawag na ganito. Malamang pag tumuntong ako ng high school o kaya’y magkaanak pa ang nanay ko, hindi na niya ako tatawagin na ‘Mahal’.

Pagdating ng kolehiyo, bibihira ang mga kaklase kong nakakapunta sa bahay. Ayaw ko kasing malaman nila ang tawag sa akin ng nanay ko. Ayaw kong malaman nila ang sikretong matagal ko nang itinatago. Alam kong pagdadaanan ko na naman ang matinding kantiyaw at tukso sa oras na malaman nila ito.

Hanggang sa makilala ko ang isang kaibigang nagpabago ng aking pananaw at paniniwala. Naiinggit daw siya sa akin dahil iyon ang tawag ng nanay ko sa akin. Siya kasi, kahit anong tawag gugustuhin niya, marinig niya lang daw ang tinig ng kanyang ina. Ulila na kasi siyang lubos. Nabanggit niya sa akin kung gaano kalaki ang pagmamahal ng nanay ko sa akin. Sa sobrang pagmamahal daw ng nanay ko na nasa kanyang puso para sa akin, umapaw daw ito sa kanyang bibig at yon ang naitawag sa akin. Matagal kong pinag-isipan ang mga katagang iyon at napagtanto ko na napakaswerte ko pala talaga.

Dumaan ang mahabang panahon, ikinasal ako at nagkapamilya, ito pa rin ang tawag sa akin ng aking nanay. Kung dati ay nangingiwi ako tuwing maririnig ito, ngayon gusto ko pang ulit-ulitin. Minsan kapag nag-iisa, hinahanap-hanap ko ang mga tinig na iyon ng aking nanay. ‘Mahal’. Malumanay na bigkas na may lambing sa dulo. Nakakamiss din minsan ang maglambing ang nanay.

Isa pang sikreto - Nanay ko lang ang binigyan ko ng karapatang tumawag nito sa akin, kahit asawa ko, hindi niya ako matawag na ‘Mahal’. Tanging ina ko lang.

Summer Job

2011-05-04T12:32:00.000+08:00

With the scorching temperature during midday and the student-less commuting public, I have fair, good reason to believe that summer has indeed arrived. And it came with a bang.

When I was a kid, summer season is the best season of the year for me. I can sleep and wake up late without thinking of homeworks, quizzes and exams. I can do whatever I wanted to do and that is to watch TV and play all day long.

Lyrics | Phineas And Ferb lyrics - Theme Song lyrics

While I was watching Disney Channel’s Phineas and Ferb with my kids, I was fascinated by its upbeat opening theme song. When I searched for the lyrics and read it, it caught me off guard.

Obviously, the cartoon shows how Phineas and Ferb are spending their summer days on a very meaningful way. Everyday, they worked on an adventure they wanted to do or a project they actually designed. At the end of every episode, may their projects be successful or not, it still taught them simple life lessons that they cannot learn in classroom teaching alone.

It came to my senses that I haven’t capitalized much on my summer days when I was young. I was too busy singing and playing just like the grasshopper. But I cannot cry over spilled milk now, hence I need to make some chosen individual’s summer vacation a fruitful one.

This is my summer job.

Sayonara

2011-04-30T07:00:00.001+08:00

There was sadness in the air. As the president tried his might to battle his emotions, we all fell silent listening to his farewell speech, during our morning assembly. The mood was melancholic and gloomy as a pack of gray clouds went hovering above us. Every word he utters is like a backhoe digging memories of him.

“I have many good memories here, actually more than a thousand. And I won’t forget every single one of them.”

We all knew him that well, and his words struck us, sometimes even in the deepest portion of our emotions. His voice trembled as most of us get teary-eyed. Silently, in our hearts we are crying, we all knew that this day would be a very special day because a part of us would be leaving.

“I have known almost all of you. I have attended weddings, funeral and baptismal and have met most of your family.”

He was the president of the masses, our kind of guy. A blanket of silence was still covering all of us, but you can distinctly hear the sound of feelings that are being crushed. Oftentimes, he would pause from his speech to check his emotions; we all knew that he was just preventing himself from crying in front of all of us.

“The last five years of my life were the best and the most unforgettable.”

Same here sir... same here...

Another Shot

2011-04-23T13:11:00.000+08:00

I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
- Michael Jordan

Been busy for the last 20 days or so. I have been spending quite a few time editing and re-editing some of my works. Sometimes asking favor from friends to do some for me. It is a very tedious task and requires more attention and much needed time than I expected.

More often, I would write until the wee hours of the morning or until my body would surrender due to its threshold limit. Most of my writings are not being posted on my blog due to its content and privacy, but sometimes I wonder, what is still private with me.

I have already shared a big part of me when I started blogging. My initial purpose was just to make an on-line diary for myself that I can read wherever I go. But a few friends who have read some of my stories and struggles, suggested that I share it to others.

I am not good at writing but I know I am good at telling stories, hence my writing is like storytelling for me. I share my stories for the purpose of inspiring others.

When Michael Jordan statistically categorized his number of tries and mentioned his number of failures, he was just saying how many times he learned from that. When you stopped trying, you stopped yourself from learning.

I have written many stories, composed many poems, worked out on a handful of essays and I always put my heart to what I am doing. I am not saying that I always succeed with this formula. What I am trying to say is that when you love what you are doing, there is no failure.

I am taking another shot at this year's Palanca. Good luck to me again!

The Prize of Humility

2011-04-07T22:53:00.002+08:00

With all the hype being given to our youngest daughter Nicole, her Ate Sam on the other hand was quietly and silently reaching her own goal too. Being the youngest and smallest in her class, she was having quite a hard time to cope up with her classmates (physically and intellectually). However, this did not deter her to pursue her aspiration of receiving recognition at the end of the school year.

Sam received awards from her Spelling Bee stint as well as in maintaining a second place in their Math Quiz Bee. She also represented her school in the PSAP Spelling Bee which won her third prize award. To top it all, she was awarded the Third Honor in her Grade V class. She was extraordinary awesome.

Through it all, Sam maintained a low profile stature, she did not bragged about her achievements even though it can be considered far better than most of her classmates’ accomplishments. Sam was humble enough to stand behind her sister’s back eventhough she can stand on Nicole’s side. At her finest, she still walks above the platform of humility.

Being the big sister for Nicole and being humble despite of greatness, she deserves our gift to her.

3,000 Peso Speech

2011-04-01T16:29:00.000+08:00

Memorizing a speech is dedication itself. You have to allot a proper amount of time, focus on the content and context of the speech and most importantly put your heart into it. This is what we have done to our youngest Nicole when she was given the task of delivering a Valedictory Address on their graduation day.

Initially me and my wife made sure she understood the content of her speech and then we asked her to write it on her notebook, this is for her to picture the placement of words in the paragraph. Nicole had a very good memory especially with words and photographs, hence we tried to utilize her very special talent. We also recorded the speech and have it playbacked one hour before sleeping and one hour before waking up. Technically, this is affecting her subconscious state which is a great storage of memory.

On every occasion that she will practice her speech, we gave her some sort of incentive. If there were few errors and ahhhs, it can increase her pot money in increments of 500 pesos. A perfect speech can reach the maximum of 3,000 pesos (this is the cost of the Baby Alive she wanted to have).

After two days of extensive training and preparation on the valedictory speech, we finally reaped the fruit of our labor.

I was sitting at the side of the stage holding a copy of her speech, just in case she forgets it I will be there to give her some sort of signal. My wife was the one handling the camera but could not focus it properly because she was nervously shaking. Sam was covering her face, she was too afraid that Nicole might not remember a line or two. It was my daughter’s shining moment and she delivered smoothly and effortlessly.

I was watching her on the sideline and goosebumps were all around my body. It was really all worth the pain, stress and sacrifice. When I walked back into my seat, a few teachers stood up and congratulated me, I was elated, they didn’t noticed that I was on the verge of crying.

After the speech, Nicole approached me and asked me if her speech was enough to worth 3,000 pesos, I simply answered, “Anak, it was more than that, it was priceless…”

She hugged me tight and whispered, “Thank you daddy…” then my heart melted like ice cream.

Thirty Years

2011-03-25T13:27:00.000+08:00

After thirty years, many have changed. In all aspects of our society, change was inevitable. It will be a good thing for us if change was for the better.

When I was a kid, I spent most of my time playing in the streets. Tumbang Preso, Patintero, Syato, Bending Body, Taguan among others were some of our favorite pasttime (I sometimes blame my street-playing as the cause of the color of my skin). Watching TV was a luxury for us then since most of us didn't own any television. We have to travel a few blocks then climb a small fence just to watch a rerun of Three Stooges in black and white. Well, thirty years after, I still watch Three Stooges, but now on some freaky gadget.

1981 was full of memorable events that created our history. Lady Diana Spencer married Charles, the Prince of Wales, thirty years after, their son Prince William will marry commoner Kate Middleton. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated 1981, after thirty years Hosni Mubarak has stepped down as president of Egypt, after weeks of protest in Cairo and other cities.

IBM in US launched it's first PC which uses Microsoft Software MS DOS in 1981. We were in awe when we saw how MS DOS can compute and calculate simple mathematical equations. Now, Microsoft released Windows 7, it would be a good thing if they release Doors 2020 later.

June 11, 1981, Richter Scale measured 6.9 magnitude Golbaf earthquake at Iran, killing at least 2,000. Thirty years after, Sendai, Japan was hit by an earthquake 9.0 in magnitude, killing more than 10,000. Well, things really change, even the geography of the earth was not spared.

Exactly thirty years ago, I graduated Valedictorian during my Kindergaten. My parents, Tatay and Nanay were so proud of me. I got a few awards, but those were more than they expected. As I deliver the valedictory speech, I can see how nervous they were.

Thirty years after, I am putting myself in their shoes.

Who is your Hero?

2011-03-21T23:20:00.000+08:00

With the recent tragedy that struck Japan , I came into thinking, what if there was a super hero that can stop that earthquake or even battle that enormous tsunami?! Well, he could have saved thousands of lives as well as millions worth of properties. He could have been famous worldwide. He could have been a household name. But when reality bites us, we come into thinking that a super hero is just a figment of our imagination.

(picture taken from this site)

It was the child in us that created that imagination. That simple imagination which often ignites a little flame in our hearts. Then as we grow-old, that little burning flame in us can see ordinary beings turn into real-life heroes.

I come across a website that described the traits of a hero. According to this site, being a hero is selflessly doing the best you can in times of need. It listed five traits on how to see a hero from among all of us.

My own personal hero falls into all categories with flying colors. He is an educated person without a college degree. However, he gets his learnings from knowing the people around him and exerting much effort to try listening to them. He is very compassionate. Giving extra time helping others or looking on how to serve others without being recognized in return. He is a strong leader and a great follower. He has a magnetic charm from people of all ages, that is why he is well-respected in the community. He has this magical smile greeting that can definitely warm a cold heart. For most of us, there could be no greater person than my personal hero.

Last weekend I met this lady, she was the author of the very famous book, Born to be a Hero.

After listening to her as she captivates the hearts of her audience, I was somehow compelled to approach her and talk to her very briefly. She was very accomodating, as we engage in a simple and light conversation about me. At the end of that conversation, I told her how she changed my view in seeing the heroes amongst all of us.

Well, I see my personal hero as a man of peace but my personal hero is battling his own war right now. A war he never intended to join but hoped on winning every battle. Perhaps this is the greatest battle he is undergoing right now and no matter what it takes, I will be sitting at his corner to support him during his fight.

My personal hero is not a Superman nor a Batman, but for me he qualifies as one. I do hope he still has enough courage and strength to fight his own battle against cancer. I know we can always win this one, go TATAY!!!

Dear Ate Sam

2011-03-08T12:48:00.000+08:00

Whenever, there are school projects, I always see to it that it would pass by my standards. Hence, my kids were having hard time to reach that standard. But they have developed a good excuse, for me to take charge - they would often ask me what would I do if I were in their shoe.

Fair enough, I would take charge.

But there are instances where taking charge doesn't give enough lessons for my kids to learn. I'm sharing a good example with me and my eldest daughter Sam.

Dear Ate Sam,

The other night, me and your mom slept at half past midnight. We tried to finish the project that you need to submit by tomorrow morning at your school. Unfortunately, you were not able to submit it since it lacks a few items that need to be included in the project.

We are exerting extra effort to show how much we truly care for you, even sacrificing a few hours of rest just to finish what you requested us to do. If you will just look into it deeply, it was actually a labor of love. However I got disappointed when you failed to submit it because of some carelessness into details.

We could have avoided it in the first place if you informed us beforehand that we need to include those required items in your project. What saddens me is that I felt that you didn’t care at all whether your project is complete or not, whether it is good or better or even not good at all. What you only see is the fact that you have submitted a project, end of story.

When I was a kid, I often do all my projects, without the aid of technology. I always use the basics, pen and paper and my imagination. If it is poster-making, then Kuya (Toto) would help me because I am not good in sketching. I would not sleep unless Kuya finishes it.

I am not saying that I am a good student. I must admit that there are many instances that I believed that you were better than me when I was your age. All I am saying is that I wanted you to be more involved with your projects, because you simply own them. If you will notice, it somehow reflects a part of you or two. If you get involved in it, then you would be more careful and you would give more attention to details, just like what you are doing with your dolls when you were young.

I hope that you have been more aware of the consequences of your actions. You are a big girl now and that’s what you need to work on. I do hope you understand my point.

But that doesn’t mean that I am mad at you. How can I be mad at the apple of my eyes? How can I be angry at the angel of my life? Forgive me if I acted weird last night. I was just stressed and was not feeling well, but believe me that I smiled when I saw your letter to me and your mom. Nicole saw me smiling. J

You were made out of love and you are God’s gift to us. We have loved you from the moment you were born and we will always do. The rain may stop from falling but our love for you will never ever change.

I love you Ate Sam and we always do.

Love,

Daddy

When she received my email message to her, she immediately replied a short note. This is the complete and unedited version.

Dear Daddy,

Thanks dad...

I thought you were mad at me because I didn't passed my project on due date. But, surely I will make it up to you someday....

I know that your hardwork went up to nothing.... Hope you will forgive me the earliest time you can.......

I Love You Daddy!!!

I stood up and went straight to the washroom, I was preventing my tears from falling.

This one really melted my heart.

4 E-heads Are Better Than One

2011-03-07T20:10:00.001+08:00

May kakaibang timpla ang mga kanta.

Isa ako sa sankaterbang nahalina.

Eraserheads, nakaka adik ka.

Ano ba talaga ang meron ka?

I had a few treasured E-heads shirts stuffed in my closet.

This one I got from an ukay-ukay in Baguio.

They call this as the small-heads cartoons.

photo courtesy of planetmarkus.com

During the E-heads reunion concert at SM MOA Concert Grounds,

Raimund was wearing this shirt from Daily Grind.

Of course, I've got to have one also!

At a stall in Market Market, I saw this one hanging out.

I grabbed it immediately.

Last year, Daily Grind released this Anniversary shirt.

Today, this shirt is exactly 1 year old.

The One

2011-03-05T23:52:00.000+08:00

For the last two weeks, we’ve been looking for a ‘kasambahay’ and until now we haven’t found the right one. We have been informing this to friends and relatives in the hope that they can recommend to us a good catch but despite that we are still helpless and now we are nearing desperate moves.

Our last ‘kasambahay’, Patet, got pregnant and she has to leave us early because of her condition. However, after she left, our normal daily routine schedule drastically changed and it is affecting our simple way of life. That is why we are looking for that very elusive 'kasambahay'.

If you know someone who is willing to work as a ‘kasambahay’, please let me know, however, there are four major requirements though:

Must know how to cook. Our small family are one big happy eaters. If there is one thing that we all love doing, it is eating. A knowledge on international cuisine would be an advantage, though an expertise on Filipino dishes like sinigang, adobo and tinola would be good enough for us.
Must know how to spell simple English words. She must be ready to answer easy questions with regards to spelling. As you can see, my kids are champion spellers and she must have to live with that level.
Must know how to fix my kids' hair. Regardless of style - braid, ponytail, plaits, she must be knowledgable with how things work with hair. A diploma from Ricky Reyes would be sufficient.
Lastly, she must know how to swim. :)

Interesting package awaits. Leave a comment or drop me a call.

Simply February

2011-02-27T00:20:00.000+08:00

This month has been one great roller coaster ride for me. There were many ups as there were many downs, but at the end of the journey, I'm glad I came out one piece and a better person.

Thank you all for making this month a memorable one for me.

Finding the perfect month is never easy,
     You have to choose the best from a dozen plenty.

Each time you picked which you believed is the greatest,
     You will always end up thinking it is not, more or less…

But I do have a favorite month as you can see,
     It is not truly perfect, but I assumed it to be.

Remember every time there is a leap year,
     This month adds another day to make the year clear.

Usually, there are many celebrations during this month -
     Flower festival in Baguio and Cupid is out and ready to hunt.

And not to mention, the Chinese New Year is a big celebration,
     Less we forget the world-famous EDSA revolution!

Ranking it all, this month will always be close to my heart.
     It is not the end-month of the year neither the start…

Yet if you get the first letters from each line of this piece,
     It will spell out my favorite month from the entire calendar list.

My Sixth Sense

2011-02-24T12:40:00.000+08:00

A close friend asked me once, what makes me and Thess click? Well, aside from the love and respect and everything 'emo', I believed it is our great sense of humor. I added to my friend that eventhough we are stressed out in our everyday work, just a simple delivery of punch line can make our dull day fine. My friend smiled and hurriedly left. I was just about to say to him that I was just joking.

I take it that having a good sense of humor is an advantage for me. I used it to break the tension, calm my nerves and of course caress my way to one's heart and senses. More than that, it is very contagious, a good example is my wife.

Practically all of her friends know that Thess is a serious kind of person, especially when she is dealing with her work as a consultant. Focus is what she does best, but when she starts throwing jokes and knock-knocks, you will find her so dearly amusing. She has this rare talent of giving jokes that is not funny at all but for the effort you'll find yourself laughing. Really, its true! According to her, she got this from me.

As for me, I was born a comedian. When my mother delivered me, I was so small, she couldn't figure out which is my head and which is my butt, she thought she had twins. Fortunately, she remembered that legs are closer to hips and not lips, so as a mother, she willingly accepted me. From then on, I asked my brain to work its way up to my real head, so far the process is still ongoing.

Right now, we are grooming our kids to develop their sense of humor. It takes a clown to make a clown. And believed me if I told you that this has been a great journey for me and most importantly, we are all laughing our way into that.

Well, my kids are my number 1 fans. Every single joke that I delivers to them, may it be funny or not for me, but for them, it must be put in their all-time list of great jokes. That is how they admire my being a comic.

Sometimes, it pays to have a clown in the house, you will not have any boring moment. But when you have a house full of clowns, then at least you have to warn your neighbors, that the circus is in town.

Under the Spell

2011-02-20T23:15:00.000+08:00

Last week, our company held the global sites' Annual Conference here in the Philippines. For three consecutive days, we hosted our foreign colleagues from Japan, China and Thailand. It was the first time that this particular conference was held here.

For weeks, we were busy preparing for this event - making schedules, hotel bookings, logistics, food arrangements and setting up meetings. I was one of the two that were assigned to do the company presentation. At first, I was hesitant, but when my Japanese bosses talked to me, saying no was never an option. It was like they were controlling my decision-making button and that I could not turn them down.

Unfortunately, at the same time during the conference, a very special event was also happening. It was the PSAP (Private Schools Association of Paranaque) Spelling Quiz Bee, wherein my two daughters represented their school on their respective genres. Nicole was on the Pre-school (Nursery, Kinder, Prep) division while Sam was on the Intermediate (Grades 4~6) division.

I wanted to attend that event and witness my kids and give them moral support, however, I just cannot. It was like being under a spell, wherein you cannot do the one thing that you like doing. Sometimes it just had to be done this way.

At one time, we were all under pressure. I was busy presenting our company's data at the convention while my two kids were sweating their hearts out at the quiz bee. Maybe, it was God's way of putting stress into us at the same time but not at the same place.

The Annual Conference was a success, I learned many things from our global partners as well as from our mother company. But more than that, my kids were much successful. They each captured the bronze medal from their respective divisions. They are certified spelling champs of Paranaque.

It pays not to be a jejemon. :)

Sweet Valentine

2011-02-14T22:48:00.000+08:00

I was caught by surprise upon reaching home this evening. I really never saw this coming.

My kids made a Valentine message for me and their mom. It was written on a Manila paper and taped in front of the door of our room.

The message was simple but it really melted my heart. I never thought that my kids could be these sweet and lovable.

Aside from that, they gave us Valentine cards as well.

Valentine's Day was never meant to be celebrated by couples alone. It can be with anyone as long as there is love around. And my kids surely know how to show it (on card or Manila paper).

More Than Friendship

2011-02-14T12:54:00.000+08:00

When I attended a sort of college reunion weeks ago, I have met old friends and classmates with their hubbies and kids. It felt good to have friends like them until now, whom once you copied their assignments and xeroxed their reports. We had a great time reminiscing good old memories of college life.

When I observed my friends and their spouses, I noticed that from among all of us, only me and Thess were the college friends that end up with each other. We were the only pair that can participate in our discussions about college life. Our affair were the only one that they have witnessed grow and flourish. In fact, it is in our love story that they have contributed one way or another. Most of them knew that I had a crush on Thess and that Thess had a crush on me but both of us have no idea that we have a crush on each other.

When I looked closely at them, I can’t help but entertain the thought that it could be someone from them that I could have end up marrying. It could be someone that I had a crush on or someone that had a crush on me. It could be someone from that circle of friends.

But at the end of the day, I would simply smile at myself and thanked God that I have waited long enough for Thess to be part of my life and be the other half of me.

Happy Heart's Day!

Busy Balancing

2011-02-13T11:05:00.000+08:00

These past few weeks were dreadfully tiring. I never thought that I would be that busy in my life, that I do not find time to update my blog nor post a good shout-out on my FB account. Balancing between family, friends and career has been a talent I really wanted to hone.

Work has been eating up most of my weekdays. Deadlines, reports, audits and meetings were part of my daily servings of breakfast way up until dinner. At night, when I got home, I need to help my kids with their homeworks. Make visual aids and reviewers, research some reports and check their diaries. I won't sleep unless I finished them all. In my dreams, problems at work and unfinished tasks have been continuously haunting me and draining me further.

During weekends, I need to have time for myself and my wife, to balance my life. Once, I met up with college friends, just recovering lost conversations. Attended some workshops and seminars to develop my skills. Dropped by at the monthly meeting of my yahoogroup. Checked with my barber. Visited my parents. Did the grocery. Finished my short story contest piece. Read a couple of books.

In-between those items, I need to see if my wife still knows me. It is really fulfilling to know that despite my hectic schedule and limited time with them, my family still supports me with my things. But sometimes, I need to make myself busy in front of my kids, so that they will not make me do some weird stuff and wild things. If they caught me not doing anything or just lying around and watching TV, then I'm their slave.

But despite exerting extra effort on the things that I do, I must admit that I'm still not perfect. That I fail more often than I succeed.

You know, I am not a perfect employee. I do falter during critical times at work, sometimes I do not meet deadlines and often, forgot an important task. But I always see to it that I do not make the same mistake twice. Wonderful enough for me and my team.

On the other side of the scale, being a dad tells me that I am really not a perfect dad at all. I got moods, I do get angry with my kids. Sometimes I miss important school activities for them. But I always set aside a quiet time, where I can talk to them heart by heart. And this is truly a wonderful experience for me as a dad.

My favorite writer once wrote, "Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some". Everyday I am looking for that wonder and everyday I always find it, it never fails. It usually comes in different sizes and shapes.

2011 has been a busy year for me so far. If this will dictate my schedule for the rest of the year, so be it. I just need to learn how to balance it in a near-perfect way, and at the same time, looking for that 'wonder'.

Kuwentong Numero Uno

2011-01-25T12:53:00.000+08:00

Last night, my wife asked me what is my favorite number (when I was still single and unattached). I was watching Basketball TV that time so I then remembered the number of my favorite basketball player - Samboy Lim, so I answered 9. She doubted it because it was our month-sary date, however I stuck with my answer.

When I thought about it this morning, it simply occurred to me why I made that answer. Well, perhaps it was the best choice during that time.

1. I was born on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. My birthday will be included in this year's unusual dates:

1/1/11

1/11/11

11/1/11

11/11/11

A friend told me to try this: Take the last two digits of the year you were born plus the age you will be this year, it will equal to 111. Sounds freaky but don't be fooled.

2. When I was joining little leagues in basketball, I would always pick my jersey number to be # 11, my second choice would be # 1. Due to my height and leadership abilities (naks), I play the point guard position and that requires me to get the position no. 1 in basketball. Nelson Asaytono of PBA also wore jersey # 11.

According to Wikipedia, an American football team has eleven players on the field at one time during play. 11 is also worn by quarterbacks, kickers, punters and wide receivers of American football's NFL. The only NFL team that has retired the #11 is the New York Giants, in honor of quarterback Phil Simms.

3. When I was in Grade 1, I was in Section 2. My father told me that the cream of the crop is always on the top section which is Section 1. Student authority in school usually emanates from Section 1. From then on until I graduated in high school, I was in Section 1.

Article II Section 1 of the Philippine Constitution states that the Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.

4. Before I reached the age 10, I had 1 grandparent, 1 barber, 1 doctor, 1 brother and 1 Barong Tagalog. If I had a choice, I would love to add more.

"there is the oddity of the number 10, which historically grew out of counting on our fingers. The oddity is that 10 = 1010 in binary arithmetic - 10:10.

HOWEVER, if you count the fingers on your hands in unary arithmetic - no zeros - then 10 fingers, in unary mathematics, = 11111111111 - EXACTLY 11 ONE"

- from here

Well, perhaps number 9 was indeed the best choice during that time, because when she gave me my allowance this morning, she multiplied it nine times. Lucky me.

Magandang Simula

2011-01-11T20:54:00.000+08:00

Dahil sa matinding pagod, uhaw at pagkalam ng sikmura, naisipan kong magpahinga muna sa isang tabi at hintayin na lang ang pagbalik muli ng karosa ng Poong Nazareno sa may Quiapo. Sa labas ng isang saradong tindahan ng mga hopia, malapit sa isang malaking drugstore, doon ko sinubukang magpahinga muna. Nais ko lang talagang isandal muna ang likod ko bago ako bumili ng aking makakain at maiinom.

Habang nakasalampak ako sa malamig na semento, isang batang lalaki ang kumuha ng aking atensyon, mga dalawang metro lang ang layo mula sa akin. Sa liit niya, tantya ko mga nasa pagitan ng tatlo at apat na taong gulang pa lang siya. May kalakihan ang tiyan at halos walang makitang leeg. Pinabilog pa ang mukha niya ng kanyang pagkakalbo. Naka t-shirt na stripe na asul at short na medyo nangingitim na sa alikabok at dumi. Bakat sa kanyang mga binti ang mga sugat na sanhi siguro ng mga galis ng bata. Ang nakakatuwa sa lahat, bago ang kanyang suot na tsinelas na dilaw na Spongebob. Litaw na litaw ito.

Hawak niya sa isang kamay ay isang bilog na Styrofoam na may tatlong tukneneng. Samantalang sa kabila naman ay isang matulis na stick para pangtusok ng pagkain. Nakadikit sa kanya ang kanyang nakatalikod na nanay na palagay ko ay naghihintay din ng pagdaan ng karosa ng Nazareno.

Sa tuwing mag-aabot ang aming tingin, isang ngiti ang aking binibigay sa kanya, na agad niya namang iniiiwasan. Nais ko kasing makuha ang kanyang atensyon na noon ay nakikiramdam lang din sa akin. Nakatutuwa kasi siyang kumain ng tukneneng. Dahan-dahan niya itong tutusukin ng stick sa loob ng Styrofoam cup na may suka. Kapag natusok na ay buong-buo niya itong kakainin. Bilog na bilog ang mga pisngi nya dahil sa kanyang pagsubo nito ng buo. Halos di niya ito manguya.

Nung naging isa na lang yung tukneneng, marahan muna siyang tumingin sa akin, ngumiti, sabay tusok sa maliit na itlog. Nagulat ako sa mga sumunod na pangyayari. Dahan-dahan siyang lumapit sa akin at iniaabot ang stick na may tukneneng. Hindi namalayan ng kanyang ina na wala na sa tabi niya ang kanyang anak. Naandon na kasi siya sa harap ko at pilit na ibinibigay sa akin ang huling piraso ng kanyang meryenda. Natulala ako.

Madaming tao noon na dumadaan, maingay, maputik at maulan ngunit pakiramdam ko, kaming dalawa lang ang naandon. Tahimik at wala ni isang tao.

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo mula sa aking pagkaupo, sabay yuko at umakmang tatanggapin ang kanyang alok. Sa kanyang pag-abot, inakala niyang hawak ko na ito kaya niya binitawan bigla. Nahulog sa putikang semento ang huling tukneneng niya. Nagulat kami pareho. Nais niya pa itong pulutin ngunit hindi ko na siya hinayaan, bagkus dumukot ako ng dalawampung piso sa aking bulsa at bumili ng apat pang itlog. Iniabot ko ito lahat sa kanya.

image source

Bumalik ako sa aking pagkaupo samantalang bumalik din siya sa tabi ng kanyang nanay. Habang kinakain niya ang mga itlog, nakangiti na siyang nakatingin sa akin. Dahil sa pangyayari, tila nawala ang aking matinding gutom, pakiramdam ko noon, busog na busog na ako.

Hindi lahat ng tao, nakakaranas ng ganitong pangyayari. Masaya ako at kahit nasaan ako, alam kong may mga mumunting anghel na nagbabantay sa akin. Ito ang simula ng aking bagong taon.