When tita Helen was pregnant with Richel, she was expected to deliver in September but I predicted she was going to give birth exactly on 29 de Agosto after our street address in Manila. Indeed, Richel was born that day! -
29 de Agosto is more than just a street address. It's where I grew up and lived most of my life until I came to the States. It's where my childhood, my character, my values, beliefs (DIS-beliefs and UN-beliefs!!), everything about me and my family were deeply rooted, embedded in our consciousness, clearly defining who, what, how, where, when, why we are now! It's where I heard and played music all my life! It was where I heard the sound of mahjong as my mother played with her girlfriends and decks of cards as my father played poker with the husbands on weekends and when I felt most secure for as long as I heard their voices and laughter and the mahjong tiles and cards until I fell asleep at night. When I woke up in the morning they were still playing and the house was filled with the smell of cigar and cigarette smoke for the entire weekend. My parents had stopped smoking long long time ago and in retrospect, they were happy that no one among their children got addicted to the games. Or if anybody did, it was also with family and friends at home and only on Sunday afternoons as a pastime. I was never interested because I could not stand the smoke, thank God! But I was happy playing with the mahjong tiles and dice while everybody was having breakfast, snack, lunch, merienda, dinner - (Filipinos LOVE to eat!)
It was the party place for our annual Christmas Family Reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, everything, anything for friends and families, especially for my brothers as they were growing up while I, the youngest and only girl, could only watch from the windows upstairs. (It's probably how it shaped me to become an observer and watched people from a distance and at the same time become a private person. It wasn't bad nor sad, it was simply THAT!) Sometimes I got the chance to meet their guests as they were coming in or when I was asked to play the piano. That was the extent of my socializing. I was too little, too young to join...
Or were my brothers just overly protective of me?? I remember when it was MY turn to grow up and go to parties in high school, I had chaperones - my 4 brothers!! The two oldest stayed in the car and chatted or slept the whole night while the next two came along and became my DANCE PARTNERS@#$%^&*! Sure, I danced with other boys but as soon as a slow dance started, before I knew it, I'd see shoes I recognized right in front of me and as soon as I looked up, yup, they were my brothers! When we went home our parents would still be awake, anxiously asking my brothers, "How was it, did she dance with a lot of boys?"
"Yea!"
"Did she enjoy?"
"Yea!"
Right…
When my dad asked me one day what I wanted for my 18th birthday, a choice between a debut or a Yamaha Organ, (would've cost the same!), I chose the Yamaha!! Still, my family, ever so sweet and loving, gave me a surprise birthday party by inviting my friends and classmates! It was casual ‘cause I came from school but it was very special! Can you imagine, the whole day, not one of my classmates told me they had something up their sleeves?? My brother, Nandy, picked me up from school that night then brought me to A&W Drive-In Restaurant for root beer, sandwich and fries, (tagal na no'n!! Wala na 'yon do'n... nando'n pa ba 'yon?!). He said it was his birthday gift. I didn't realize he was buying time so my classmates and friends could prepare at home... WOW!!
I had another celebration that weekend at home, small, quiet, too quiet as only 1 friend and her boyfriend showed up!@#$%^&*! (Funny??... not then)
Our house was the hub for relatives from the provinces from north to south, either for a visit, in transit, or living with us for awhile. Such is our culture of extended families, and certainly why there is very strong family support among Filipinos. -
Memories of home, indeed!
Today something extraordinary happened on the bus. A man, middle-aged, medium built, got on the bus and I wasn't sure if I had seen him before but today, he especially reminded me of my brother, Jesse, who had passed away. They didn't exactly look alike, some similarities, perhaps, but there was just something about him, his demeanor, the way he sat and watched people, something that connected me to my brother. I thought what a day to remember M. Jesse - 29 de Agosto! At first I didn't pay much attention as we were both standing on the crowded bus so we couldn't see each other. Plus I was enjoying my iPod. But at the next bus stop, when several passengers got off, we both had a chance to sit across each other and that was when I started looking at him. I was simply drawn to him. I felt somehow my brother was connecting with me through him. I was holding back my tears. God, I missed my brother.
Next stop, an older disabled woman got in and I offered my seat and later on I found myself seated next to this man. Wow! It felt... I can't explain.
Meanwhile, across from me was an old Chinese lady carrying a paper bag which caught my attention. There were 2 words printed on it - Connect Together.
Coincidence?? Had I not offered my seat to the disabled woman and subsequently, sat beside this man, thus, sitting across the Chinese woman, I would never have seen the paper bag. Things happen for a reason and on a special day like today... I can't argue with that!
The man got off eventually, I wish I saw which stop, hoping I might see him again someday.
Goodbye, Manong Jesse, I love you, I miss you... until we connect again.
Looking back at the paper bag, I saw 2 new words down below in big black bold letters I did not notice earlier - REUSABLE RECYCLABLE
M. Jesse, do these words mean any… oh well, till next time.
I called my mother tonight in Manila. I try to call her as often as I can. Today was extra special and I didn't want to miss calling her.
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