Grass-head

Once a month, when his hair starts to look like a grass-head, that is the time that I get to cut his hair. Well, shave his hair is the more suitable term. Thinking that this saves money and time to go the barbershop, we retired the old electric shaver and purchased a new one lately. Complete with all the “gadgets,” I play Dennis’ personal stylist, or plainly, his barber, for thirty minutes to an hour until he becomes bald again. Not sure if we really get to save electricity but this is one of things I enjoy doing.

The last time, Lij and Josh were there and they took pictures as they watched Dennis turn into his normal-no-hair -look from being a grass-head.

Saturday Night Club

Everytime we pick up Ikoy on Saturday mornings, he would always ask the same question. “Tutulog ba tayo sa bahay ganda nuni?” In an excited, yet, "please-fully" manner, you couldn’t say no. So my sisters and their better halves are all in for the sleepover. Thus, the birth of the Saturday Night Club.






Ikoy has a different set of toys for every house and so he looks forward to playing with Woody and the 101 Dalmatians. He wouldn’t stop playing with Casper, Cotton and Ginger to the point that the dogs themselves, will hide from him. He also likes taking a bath on the shower and would make each of us smell him afterwards claiming, “Lilo ako sa ulan.”

We? We just look forward to every weekend with him. Aside from the coffee, dessert, home cooked brunches, I look forward to a house with more than two people on weekends. And spending quality time with my sisters.

Rainbows

Typhooon “Ondoy” hit most of part of Metro Manila last September 26, 2009. Most of us had a share of stories and experiences. For us, it was just the house: the furniture and appliances. What was painful are the photo albums and the old pictures that were destroyed, and the one and only videotape of mommy. And of course, Papa’s labrador, Caloy.

As they say, after the storm, there is always a rainbow. Blessings came with all the family and friends that sent a simple caring text or email. “Taskforce Marcial” went there to the rescue. We didn’t mind cleaning piles of mud or washing tons of dirty clothes because we are sharing stories, smiling and laughing. Bonding and spending quality time. Rebuilding the house is far from being completed. But we are thankful that Papa is safe. The best rainbow of all is realizing, more of being reminded, that Mommy Rose is always by his side, watching him.

Pag-uusap sa "TEXT"

Umaga
Ama: Huwag na kayong pumunta dito dahil baha na papasok.
Anak: Ok, mamaya na lang tayo lumabas, kapag tumigil na ang ulan.

Tanghali
Anak: Kamusta ka na dyan? Malakas pa din ang ulan dito.
Ama: Papasok na ang tubig sa loob ng bahay.
Anak: Ok ka lang ba dyan? Ayaw mo bang umalis, magpasundo?
Ama: Hindi na. Dito lang ako.

Hapon
Anak: Baha na sa labas. Papasok na din yata ang tubig sa loob.
Ama: Dito may tubig na, hanggang tuhod.
Anak: May pagkain ka ba? Ayaw mo pa ding umalis dyan?
Ama: Oo, meron. Hindi ako aalis dito.

Gabi
Ama: Nandito na ako sa simbahan. Lagpas bewang na ang tubig sa loob. Hindi ko na narinig si Sam at Caloy na tumahol.
Anak: May mga kasama ka dyan?
Ama: Oo, may mga tao naman dito.
Anak: Yung paa mo, yung mga sugat mo.
Ama: Hindi, ok lang.
Anak: Kumain ka?
Ama: Oo.
Anak: Pa, sorry mag-isa ka dyan ngayon. Birthday mo pa naman, wala kami. Hindi ka naman namin mapuntahan kahit na gustung-gusto namin.
Ama: Ok lang ako.

Alas tres
Ama: Andito na ako sa bahay. Wala nang tubig sa loob. Madumi at maputik lang.
Anak: Mabuti.
Ama: Si Sam buhay, si Caloy wala na. Si Justin, hindi ko pa nakita.
Anak: May higaan ka?
Ama: Pwede na sa kama ko.
Anak: O sige, magpahinga ka na. Punta kami dyan agad pag-umaga.
Ama: Ok.

Simula noong bata ako, hindi naman kami masyado nag-uusap. Madalas, isang tanong isang sagot lang. Kahit nga madikit lang ang dulo ng daliri ko sa kanya, parang hindi ko matandaang nangyari. Pero ito na marahil ang pinakamahaba at pinakamatagal na pag-uusap namin, kahit na sa text lang. Andoon pa din ang mga isang linyang sagot at tanong, at ang pag-aalinlangan ng pagpapakita ng tunay na nararamdaman. Pero pinilit pa rin naming iparating ang pag-alala namin para sa kanya. At tingin ko, pinilit din niyang ibsan ang takot sa amin.

Iniisip ko kung bakit hindi siya nagpasundo nung umaga, o ba’t hindi siya lumisan nung tanghali pa lang o kung bakit hanggang kaya pa niya, hindi niya ito iiwan. Hangggang sa huling minuto ay hindi niya inalisan ang bahay na yon. At hindi siya lumayo, at binalikan pa ito kaagad. May puntong naiinis na kami dahil gamit lang naman ang andon at mas mahalaga ang kanyang kaligtasan. Nito na lang sumagi sa isip ko ang dahilan. Hindi lang tatlong aso ang kasama niya. Hindi siya mag-isa ng birthday niya. Ayaw niyang umalis sa bahay dahil ang bahay na iyon ang tanging lugar na may pinakamaraming alaala ni mommy. Kaya’t alam niyang ligtas siya don, hindi siya nag-iisa. Kasama niya si mommy.

At naintindihan ko na.

After All

After a few months, we got to see Chawo again. Awkward at first but it was fun. And at the end of that day, we were happy, for both of them.

The Nurse

During the time that Mommy was sick, she had an “imported” nurse. Yes, a nurse all the way from Canada, who took time, packed her bags and went to the Philippines to take care of her, even for just a few weeks. When Tita Maricar was here the last time, I remember how she spent every single day with Mommy. As a nurse, she gave her the proper medical attention that she needs. As a sister, she held her. Talked to her and listened as well, fighting to hide the pain, always keeping the smile on her face.

After eight years, she came back with her family for a visit. On their farewell party, Papa came up to her and talked to her. “Maricar, gusto ko magpasalamat sayo. Sa lahat ng ginawa mo noon kay Rose. Hindi ko makakaya lahat yon kung wala ka.” And she smiled.

I seldom hear Papa say thank you. But then he knew the unconditional love the sisters had for each other. He just needed to remind Tita Maricar.. or himself. Perhaps, all of us well.

Balikbayans

Tita Maricar and her family had a surprise visit to the Philippines. This was the first time that we met our cousins, Youlein, Jireh and Zian and we got along after a few introductions. Nanay’s very happy seeing them.

I remember Youlein when he was a baby, she is a beautiful lady now. Zian’s shy but so pretty, she was very sweet, always standing by Nanay’s side, holding her hand. Jireh is the curious one, always asking questions—trying to understand Tagalog.


A typical group picture with Nanay’s angels, but this time with three more APO’s.