Sunday, May 22, 2005
My Mother, My Life
Last May 8 was Mother's Day. Mother's Day is always celebrated on the first Sunday of the month of May.
So Mama, Lola and I went to Tagaytay to celebrate THEIR DAY. I have to say that without my Mama and my Lola, I will not be here right now in front of my PC and writing this entry. Since it was Mother's Day yesterday, let me tell you a few things about me and my mother.
From the time I was born until my pre-school years, she reads to me almost every night until I fall asleep or until she falls asleep. My favorite books were Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. When my brother was born, she told me, "I can't read to you anymore because I have to take care of your brother. You have to learn to read by yourself." So I was forced to learn my ABCs.
Whenever she gets home from the office, she makes it a point to buy me and my brother something and we actually call it 'something'. I thought that 'something' meant 'pasalubong'.
Whenever my brother and I would fight she would tell us, "Pag may umiyak na isa sa inyo mamaya, malilintikan kayo sakin!"
She never forced us to finish our meals, go to church on Sundays or to study for an exam. When we were kids, we basically did what we wanted to do as long as the house is clean and all our body parts are complete when she gets home.
Aside from death and dying, I am very afraid of the dark. Before, when I had to pee in the middle of the night, I had to wake up Mama to accompany me to the bathroom. If I wanted to go to the kitchn for a glass of water, I ask Mama to accompany me. It became a nuisance to Mama so she told me, "Pumunta ka na dun at kumuha ng tubig! Saan ka mas takot? Sa akin o sa multo?" Of course I was more scared of my mom.
Until now I'm still afraid of the dark. Whenever I go upstairs to our bedroom, I run as fast as I can and Mama would ask, "O! Bat hinihingal ka? Bat nagmamadali ka?" and I would say, "Nakakatakot sa baba!" and she would say, "Parang kang baliw!"
She became a single mother when I was 6 and my brother was 3. She sacrificed a lot for us. She worked her butt off just so she could send us to the excellent schools and make sure we have a bright future ahead of us.
When I was little and cried because I hurt myself from playing or being too makulit, she would tell me, "Wag ka masyadong umiyak. Pag namatay ako baka wala ka ng luha na iiyak." Morbid. But it works most of the time. I try to save my tears for my mother's death.
Speaking of death, Mama wants to be cremated and be buried under a tree she calls "Spring Showers". As of now, I have no idea what that tree looks like and where to get it.
Mamais totally obsessed over American Idol. She watches the primetime show on ABC 5 around 7PM. When I get home around 10PM and start watching it, she watches again. I seldom watch the American Idol when it's time to vote off someone so she usually texts me and tells me who got voted off.
When I can't sleep at night, I hold Mama's hand or hug her. After a few minutes, I'm already sleeping.
Mama is my No. 1 Fan. If I tell her that I want to be the President of the Republic of the Philippines in the future, she will believe me.
Mama is my No. 1 Consoler (if there is such a noun).
Year 1996
Mama: Bat ka umiiyak?
Maan: Bumagsak ako sa UP!!!
Mama: Eh ano naman? Sa La Salle ka mag-enroll. Mas maganda naman dun kesa UP.
Maan: Sinasabi mo lang yan coz bumagsak ako sa UP!
Mama: Hindi ah. Nagpapasalamat nga ako di ka nakapasa. Ayoko sa UP.
Maan: Oo na! La Salle na!
Year 1999
Mama: Sinung kausap mo? Boyfriend mo?
Maan: Boyfriend? Hindi ko boyfriend yun noh.
Mama: Hindi mo na boyfriend. Bakit? Break na kayo?
Maan: Oo.
Mama: Bakit?
Maan: Kasi kupal sya.
Mama: Tama yan. Kung kupal, hiwalayan mo. Walang kwenta yan. Marami pang iba dyan.
Year 2004
Mama: O anong nangyari? Natanggap ka?
Maan: Hindi.
Mama: Ha? Bakit? Anung nangyari?
Maan: Ewan ko sa kanila. Mga kupal sila. Magsisisi sila na di nila ako tinanggap.
Mama: Hayaan mo na. Ginusto ng Diyos yan.
Maan: Ginusto na naman ng Diyos...
I believe the biggest fight that Mama and I had was over my brother's cellphone. Ironically, I'm the one using it and paying for its monthly bills.
I was very self-conscious when I was a kid. Lahat nalang ng bagay, nahihiya ako. Then Mama told me, "Bat ka nahihiya? Mahiya ka lang pag may ginawa kang mali." Ngayon, nasobrahan naman yata ang confidence ko.
My mom is my life. Everything I am today, I owe it to her. Everything I do, I am doing just to make her proud. I cannot imagine living my life without my mom.
---
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be -
I had a mother who read to me.
-Strickland Gillilan
Maan @ 11:02 PM
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