this is a free writing by one of my good friends in our office, Ms. Jean Daroy, she's 30+ and she is so coooooooool! Ms. Daroy used to teach in De La Salle, Adamson U etc etc... i love this. hope u like it too.
=D

              Ang Puno't Dulo ng Pag-ibig

		   by Jeanet Daroy

Nakakatawa talaga ang love. Isa siyang napakalaking

oxymoron. Lahat ng pwede mong masabi sa kanya, 

baliktarin mo at totoo pa rin.

Ang labo diba? Pero ang linaw.

Masaya magmahal. Malungkot magmahal. Di mo

naiintindihan pero naiintindihan mo. Walang rason.

Maraming rason. Di mo na kaya, pero kaya mo pa rin.

Masakit magmahal. Pero okey lang. Leche, ano ba 

talaga?!

May kaibigan ako, sabi niya dati "Love is only for

stupid people." Nakakatawa kasi laude ang standing 

niya, pero dumating ang panahon, na-in-love din ang

hunghang. At ayun, tanga na siya ngayon. Lahat 

kasi ng nahahawakan ng love nagiging oxymoron din. O

kaya paminsan, nagiging moron lang.

Hindi lang kasi basta baliktaran ang pag-ibig.

Lahat ng bagay nababaligtad din niya. Lahat ng 

malalakas na tao, humihina. Ang mayayabang,

nagpapakumbaba. Ang mga walang pakialam, nagiging

Mother Teresa. Ang mga henyo, nauubusan ng sagot.

Ang malulungkot, sumasaya. Ang matitigas, lumalambot.

(At tumitigas din ang mga bagay na madalas nama'y

malambot.)

Nakakatawa talaga. Lalo na kapag dumadating siya sa

mga taong ayaw na talaga magmahal. Napansin ko nga

eh.

Parang kung gusto mo lang ma-in-love ulit, sabihin

mo lang ang magic words na "Ayoko na ma-inlove!"

biglang WACHA! Ayan na siya. Nang-aasar. Magpapaasar ka

naman.

Di ba nakakatawa rin na pagdating sa problema ng

ibang tao, ang galing galing mo? Pero 'pag problema

mo na yung pinag-uusapan parang nawawalan ng saysay

lahat ng ipinayo mo dun sa namomroblemang tao?

Naiisip mong wala namang 
mali dun sa mga sinabi mo.

Pero bakit parang wala ring tama?

Bali-baliktad din ang nasasabi ng mga taong

tinamaan ng madugong pana ng pag-ibig. "Ngayon ko

lang nalaman ganito pala. Sabi ko na eh!" "Ang sarap

mabuhay. Pwede na 'ko mamatay. Now na!"

At hindi lang 'yon. Ang sarap din pagtawanan ng mga

taong alam naman nilang masasaktan lang sila eh 

magpapatihulog pa rin sa bangin ng pag-ibig. Tapos

'pag luray-luray na yung puso nila, siyempre hindi 

sila yung may kasalanan. Siya! "Bakit niya 'ko

sinaktan?" May kasama pang pagsuntok sa pader yon,

at nagbabagsak ng pinto.

Hayop talaga.

Mauubos ang buong magdamag kakaisip ng mga bagay

na nakakatawa 'pag pag-ibig na ang pinag-usapan. Ang

daming beses ko na kasi siya nakasalubong kaya

masasabi ko nang eksperto na 'ko.

Pero wala pa rin akong alam.

Pero ang pinakanakakatawa sa lahat ay ang

katotohanang kapag gusto magpatawa ng pag-ibig,

ipusta na mo na lahat ng ari-arian mo dahil siguradong ikaw

ang punchline.

Nakakatawa no?

Nakakaiyak.

It's been a while now and I'm still alone, you know, the same things happen over and over again and when your friends ask you: "How's your 'love life?' and all you can say is "Hey I'm single!!!" then they'll follow with the hardest question to answer: "Oh I thought you're with ______? What happened between the two of you?" then you'll force a smile coz you really don't know if you'll say the truth or just make a joke out of the truth.

For the record, I'm single. Let's say it's been 5 months now? I broke up with someone last May and that was my last. I told myself that I will stop dating for 5 months since then, my deadline was October 1 (my birthday, I'm turning 21). My friends thought it was a joke, pretty stupid. But I'm not joking, it's a promise I made to myself and I committed myself to that promise. Today is September 23, roughly 10 days to go and I'll start dating again. That was my original plan, but I decided to extend my deadline. Haha

A lot of good friends tried to set me a date, gave phone numbers, and introduced me to some 'good' people. Some people approached me and tell they like me, I received a couple of gifts, some compliments, some proposals, some 'pahaging', and some 'paramdam'. Hahaha. I'm not the most gorgeous man on earth, but I know I'm likable, I'm confident, ask my friends if you want. Ahem!

I just realized that I need more time, it's not that I'm still not over with my latest break up (I'm over it for sure), maybe it's my job or maybe it's just not the season of love for me. I can wait. Oh well, till then, DOORS CLOSED.

New Deadline : JANUARY 01, 2008. yeah yeah maybe 2007 is not my year. Let's see… let's see… we will see…

June 16, 2007 > Saturday seems to be a very long day for me and my new friends.  So many things happened in just a couple of hours, and it's freakin amazing!

SALCEDO COMMUNITY MARKET

At 7am we went out from work and decided to have breakfast in Salcedo Community Market (in Makati, in Salcedo Park of course!). it was my first time and I can say that the experience was great.  (I was with Bounce, Carmi, Hue, and Francis)

Luckily for us, it was the 3^rd year anniversary of the place, and it's like a barrio fiesta in the heart of Makati! With all the Ati-atihan and the playing of bands. And the food too! You don't need to go to Antipolo, Pangasinan, Laguna, Bicol, Mindanao, or anywhere else just to experience the unique cuisines of different places. It's all in Salcedo (well, almost. Haha). So make sure to visit Salcedo Community sometime (though open only on Saturdays…). You'll surely love the place.

(what? We saw Eric Mana, Mayor Binay, and Winnie Cordero in the event. Haha. Oh well, not really important. Hehe)

too bad I failed to bring my camera, if  I only knew!!!!!!!!!!

TRINOMA

This Ayala Mall is a wonder! You should come and see for yourself!

Ok, after our amazing breakfast in Makati, we decided to go to Quezon City to try the newly opened establishment, Trinoma, to watch Fanatastic 4. (this time it was only me, Francis and Hue). We took the MRT and headed straight to the mall. I was not expecting anything great this time.

We arrived at probably 11;45am. We saw the outside of the mall (not really fully done yet) and I was like: "THAT'S IT?" But when we finally entered the mall I was like: "WOW!"

Luckily, again for us, there was an event in the mall, it's the BENCH MODEL SEARCH. Haha. So we decided to take a peek of the 'hopefulls'. It was really fun seeing young good looking (not all) model wannabes strutting their stuffs and showing their capabilities. It was like watching a reality show.

While the model search was still on going, we decided to go and check out the cinemas and bought tickets for the 12:45pm viewing of Fantastic 4. Then we took a peek of the mall's great view. There were sliding doors in every floor of the establishment where you can enter and feel the outdoors, smoke, and have coffee. Then you can go back to the mall in just a few steps. (Damn, if only I brought my camera! I'm having a hard time describing what we saw!)

At 12:30pm we decided to go inside the movie house and watch Fantastic 4. And it was also a great experience! The cinema is amazing. (better than most popular cinema malls). Again, I'm having a hard time describing the experience, so just go and check it out for yourself. Hehe.

As I said, the mall is not fully done yet, there are still a lot of unopened stores but you should really check it out guys. Visit after a month or so. This is a very promising shopping spot. I will surely go back to that mall.

Sa totoo lang sa buhay natin, meron talaga tayong matatagpuan na isang ONE GREAT LOVE. Kadalasan nga lang, hindi sila yung nakakatuluyan natin, un ang masaklap sa buhay. Hindi lahat ng gusto mo makukuha mo.

ONE GREAT LOVE -  cia ung taong sobrang minahal mo pero in a twist of fate bigla nalang naglaho sa hindi mo alam na mga dahilan. O kung hindi man sya naglaho, kinailangan talagang itigil dahil bawal. Kahit nasa isang relasyon ka na, sya pa rin ang hinahanap mo, sya ang iniisip mo, siya ung isang malaking panghihinayang mo sa puso mo. Pero kailangan tayong mag-move-on at ituloy ang buhay na wala sya. Magpasalamat nalang tayo na at least once in our lives, dumaan at naranasan mong magmahal ng sobra.

Believe it or not, meron akong one great love. Sya ung sobrang nagpatigil ng mundo ko when I was younger. And until now, I still think of what "could have been" if we took the risk and stayed together.

Dati, lagi kaming magkasama. Parang kami lang ang tao sa mundo. May mga bagay na di maiiwasan, na talaga naming dapat mangyari, ayan, ilang taon na kaming hindi nagkikita.

Tapos minsan naka-chat ko cia. Almost a year ago. Kung mababasa man nya to, ok lang sa akin. Kasi alam naman nya. Isang gabi… isang maikling paguusap na para bang nagbalik ng mga alaala.

Eto ung napaka walang kwentang conversation:

(Note: I changed the Yahoo ID for privacy. Hahaha. Ako si Yoh Madz, cia ung OGL or one great love. haha)

JUNE 12, 2006

OGL: waw busy

yoh madz: oist

yoh madz: musta?

OGL: oist ka jan?

OGL : cno ka?

yoh madz: yoh

OGL: hehehe

OGL: joke lng

OGL: ayus lng

OGL: ^_^

yoh madz: cno ka jan? langya ka ha

OGL: kaw musta

yoh madz: ayus din

OGL: ahhh

OGL: d n me ngaaral ......

OGL: kaw musta stud

OGL: ?

yoh madz: sabi nga nila

OGL:

yoh madz: bukas pa pasukan

yoh madz: gs2 ko n nga pumasok e

OGL: hmm

OGL: nice

yoh madz: hmm???

yoh madz: nice???

OGL: nice ng aaral ka

OGL:

OGL: lahat nmn 2

OGL:

yoh madz: huh? gulo mo

yoh madz:

yoh madz: nu na nangyayari sau?

yoh madz: busy na kaw?

yoh madz: minsan n nga lang maguusap. nwala pa. ampf!

yoh madz:

Hide Recent Messages (F3)

OGL: indi po

OGL: kumain lng po

OGL: w8

OGL:

yoh madz: ngek

yoh madz: just buzz if ur done . ok?

OGL: okies

OGL: ok n

yoh madz: oh

yoh madz: kwento na

OGL: hheeh

OGL: wala me bago e

yoh madz: ungas

yoh madz: bakit d ka nagaaral?

OGL: ala pa pera

OGL: hehehe

OGL:

yoh madz: wakoko

yoh madz: kala ko ngttrabaho ka?

OGL: ngstop dn me

OGL: npapagod lng ako

OGL: hehehe

yoh madz: ahhhhhhh

yoh madz: ano balak mo sa buhay mo?

OGL: d2 lng sa bahay

OGL: my fone ka?

yoh madz: cellfone lang

yoh madz: wlang landline eh

OGL: ok

yoh madz: ganun p rin landline mo?

OGL: 0906+++++++

OGL: uu

OGL: num ko yan

OGL: joke lng

yoh madz: tnatawagan kita, laging wala

OGL: ngeenrol n me sa UE

yoh madz: tlga???????????

yoh madz: anu course?

OGL: it p dn

yoh madz: good

OGL: good

OGL: hehehe

OGL: wala nmn pambaon

yoh madz: wahoho

yoh madz: smart b yan o globe?

OGL: globe

yoh madz: ok

yoh madz: nkakatxt mo c rona?

OGL: indi

OGL: nmis mo na?

OGL: kala ko......

yoh madz: hndi. globe ka kc e, globe din yun. gs2 mo kunin numbr???

yoh madz: kala ko....????? wakoko

OGL: wala lng

OGL: ahh

yoh madz: gagu ka. namiss kita

yoh madz: hahahahahaha

OGL: may gagu

OGL: ampf

yoh madz: oo

yoh madz: wahehehe

OGL: nmis bkit nmn?

yoh madz: wow. ayus sa tanong

OGL: batet?

yoh madz: tgal n ntin di nagusap, nagkita. di ko n nga naririnig boses mo eh

yoh madz: wahoho

yoh madz: thats why

OGL: a

yoh madz: ano na trip mo ngaun?

OGL: wala nmn

yoh madz: ragna>????

OGL: di na

OGL: mag aral

OGL: gus2 ko n mg aral ulit

OGL: saka manood ng sine

OGL: saka kumain

OGL: uminom ng coke float

OGL: manood ng mga oVa series

OGL: kaso wala nmn akong pera

OGL:

yoh madz: good. at least maganda mga gusto mo. wahehehehe

OGL: mlamang'

yoh madz: kwento pa

yoh madz: minsan lang to

yoh madz: uy

OGL: aw

OGL: mgtxt k n lng

OGL: mgrrply ako

OGL: joke

yoh madz: sun ako e

OGL: w8 laru lng

OGL: ayus lng yan

yoh madz: ok

OGL: balak ko dn nga buy ng sun e

yoh madz: cge laro ka nlang muna

yoh madz: rill nxt tym

yoh madz: *till

yoh madz:

yoh madz: ngatz

-end-

ayan na. parang wala lang diba? Hehe. Pero sa aming dalawa, yan na yun. That's it. Hindi tlga pwede e. so bakit ko pa pahihirapan ang mga sarili namin? Wala din namang mangyayari. Hindi tlaga pwede. Pero sayang. Sana lahat ng pagmamahal ay natutugunan.

Anyway, I still dedicate the same song for that person.

WHEREVER YOU ARE by Southborder

Sinabi na sa song yan ang lahat ng gusto kong sabihin.

Namimiss ko nang sumakay ng jip.

Hindi naman dahil yumaman na ko at naging maarte kaya di na ako sumasakay ng jip, sus, hindi ako mayaman at hindi ako maarte.

Actually, sumasakay pa rin ako ng jip pero iba na yung ruta. Isang beses sa isang araw na lang.

Namimiss ko ng sobra ung pagsakay ng jip na may rutang Divisoria. Dati, sa araw araw  na pagpasok ko sa eskuwela, talagang madalas na basehan mo kung magiging maganda ang araw mo ay ang nasakyan mong jip. Pag badtrip ka at sobrang natrapik, malamang badtrip din ang araw mo. Pag ok naman ang byahe, kwela pa ang driver, malamang magandang maganda ang mood mo.

Namimiss ko ung sasakay ako sa harap ng jip, sa tabi ng driver. Tapos manghihiram ako ng tabloid sa driver para magbasa ng entertainment (chismis) section, tapos tatanungin ako ng driver: "SAYANG ANG GINEBRA NO? NATALO NA NAMAN." Wala naman akong masagot dahil di ako nanonood ng basketbol, sasagot nalang ako ng: "OO NGA E, BABAWI PA YAN." Haha.

Minsan pa pag walang baryang panukli yung driver tatapatan nya ung isa pang jip para magpapalit ng barya. Ipapaabot sa akin ung pera: "POGI PAABOT NGA NITO SA KABILANG JIP." Pagnagkapalitan na sila, sasabihin nung driver ng kabilang jip: "ANG GWAPO NG TAGA-ABOT MO AH." Sasagot naman ung driver ng nakasakyan kong jip: "SYEMPRE!". Tapos magtutuksuhan sila: "BADING! BAKLA! HAHAHA." Nakakatuwa tlaga sila. Hehe.

Madalas naman pag di masyadong maganda ang byahe, puro over-take ang gagawin ng driver kaya natutunan ko din sumenyas sa ibang jip. Dati di ko alam yung mga senyas. Nung una akong nauutusan sumenyas, ang tanong ko: "PANO?" sabi lang nung driver: "BASTA ILABAS MO LANG YUNG KAMAY MO, ALAM NA NILA YUN." Kapag natapos na ung over-take, sasabihin nung driver: "SALAMAT POGI, ANG GALING MO." Hehe.

Madalas din papatingin ng driver kung flat na ba ung gulong ng jip nya: "POGI PATINGIN NAMAN NUNG GULONG KUNG MAY HANGIN PA, PARANG DI PANTAY YUNG KANAN EH." Ako naman, titignan ko, kahit di ko masyadong alam kung paano ma-distinguish ang flat sa hindi. Pero ngaun alam ko na. hehehe. Most of the time, hindi naman totally flat ang mga gulong nila, mejo nabawasan lng na hangin, kaya sinasabi ko nlang: "PAHANGIN KA MUNA BOSS, MLAPIT NG MA-FLAT." Hehe.

Nakakatuwa din minsan ung titirik ung jip tapos sasabihin ng driver: " MGA BOSSING PATULAK NAMAN." Kapag may ganitong situwasyon, ako lagi ang nangungunang bumaba ng jip para magtulak, tapos susunod na yung iba. May instance pa nga na walang bumaba kundi ako lang, kaya talagang sumigaw ako: "AKO LANG BA MAGTUTULAK?" Ayun, natakot naman ung ibang mga Manong kaya bumaba na din sila. Haha. Sa totoo lang, napakagaan ng mga jip at kayang kayak ko itulak un mag-isa, may gulong naman yun kaya konting force lang, maitutulak mo na. Pero ayoko magtulak mag-isa no, ayokong ako lang ang pagpapawisan. Haha. Tapos sobrang magpapasalamat ung driver na may kasamang pagpapaumanhin. Haaay, namiss ko na magtulak ng jip. Haha.

Saka alam kong mababait na tao yang mga driver na yan. Nung minsan kasi na umuwi ako ng alanganing oras, ako nalang mag-isa ang pasahero ng jip. Kaya sabi sa akin nung driver: "BOSSING, LIPAT KA DITO SA TABI KO, BAKA MAHOLD-UP KA DYAN, MAG-ISA KA LANG DYAN." Oh diba? Hehehe. Concerned yang mga yan, akala nyo lang hindi.

Iba tlga ang mga driver ng jip pa-Divisoria e. Ibang iba tlga sila. Kung usapang kalye lang ang paguusapan, talagang malupet ang mga driver na pa-Divisoria. I should know, kasi tatlong Tito ko ang driver. Ang saya saya nila, lalo na sa inuman.

They said that nobody owns me

And nobody will…

They said Im hard to reach

And that Im insensitive…

They said that Im numb

And that Im impossible…

Many words have been said

Many things have been criticized

Many had judged me

Many had tried to analyze

But when will they realize

That I only need someone who will stay?

Someone who will stay beside me and never give up.

Someone who will stay in spite of my changing hues.

I just need someone who will stay.

SOMEONE WHO WILL STAY.

NOTE: THIS HAPPENED NOVEMBER 20, 2006. OK? SINCE IVE GONE TIRED OF WAITING FOR THE PICS, I DECIDED TO POST IT.

i was so exhausted after my practice-teaching at Calderon Highschool. After my duty, i went straight to our main campus to pay for my graduation picture and yearbook, then i decided to pass by the mall (malamang SM manila to) to buy hairwaxxxxxxxxxx since i badly need a new haircut (yes, im cutting it short, back to spikes!). Believe me, im not expecting to see any friends there but i was wrong, here he goes walking like a conyo guy staring at me then BANG!!!! i saw Buddy Jed! my best buddy ever!!!!!!!!!!

First words:

Me: Bud!!!!!!!!!! What are you doing here???

Buddy Jed: Im on my way home, I was just passing by to buy some lunch.

Me: My gawd! I missed you!

Buddy Jed: Bola!

I asked him to join me, and of course he did! He doesn't have much of a choice because I know he missed me more than I missed him. Hahaha (Jed is going to kill me after reading this. Haha)

First Stop: Watson's

ok, im not vain, Watson's is not a place for vain guys, ok??? Im just hoping to find Gatsby Wax Mat and Hard finish… OK??? (yeah, Gatsby works for me best), obviously, its out of stock (as always). Went off. Done.

Next: Bench

 Checked out some fragrance, shirts, pants, etc etc… then finally grab the Bench Fix Clay Doh (I don't have other choice) this is the first time that im going to use this product for my hair…

Then: Icespot

 Take note: this Lasalista is kuripot. Hahaha (now hes really gonna kill me!!!), nagpalibre pa ng sundae! Haha. Well, its ok with me as long as he stayed, so we enjoyed our ice cream while chatting. only few people can make me feel so at home, and one of them is definitely my buddy. I don't know, I just feel so comfortable with him, feels like ive known him for so long (considering its only a few months ago when we started chatting), you know, the kind of feeling that u can say anything about anything, plus, u can do anything with him! Hahaha. And he brings out the my inner child, bsta, di ko ma-explain. Cguro kasi feeling teen-ager ulit ako when im with him. Haha

Then: Foodcourt

 Xempre, mawawala ba naman picture taking? Haha. We took some photos together, then I told him to send it to my e-mail. (im still waiting for the pictures bud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Send them to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Last Stop: Sakayan

 We went home with big smiles on our faces. Feeling great. Right bud? Haha.

opinions. reactions. suggestions. will be highly appreciated. i hope u love these photos.

this is my vision. my perspective.

have a nice day.

They call it fate, destiny sometimes

Another stranger

Another voice

Another story

A doubter I was

Holding back is easy

You speak to me of words

Heartfelt, deep, and divine

I was moved

You made me believe

You speak. I listen.

You ask. I respond.

Your voice is a heavenly recall

Your breathing is good to my soul

Your crying is its poison

And your laughter is the antidote

You've touched me from over the mountains

Every mile is an embrace

We made distance our haven

I considered you mine

You will never ever cry in the rain

No more waiting.

No false hopes.

No more tears. No more pain.

I never thought that heaven can be this close.

If only I can bring you closer…

My bliss…

(To whom I dedicate this poem: you don't need to thank me. I thank you for coming into my life. I know I don't own you, but I consider you mine from the moment you made me believe that heaven is as close as the phone in my hand.)

RECTO: isang lansangan sa Maynila. A place famous/infamous of its 2^nd-hand books, pagawaan ng mga invitation, fake diplomas, fake IDs, fake certificates, mga thesis, at lahat ng pwede mong i-fake, ipa-laminate, pati DVDs, mga XXX. At mga affordable Motels, mga sinehang may malalagkit na upuan, mga callboy at mga beer house, at syempre mga snatchers. Andito din ang portion ng U-belt, mga dorm, mga computer shop, at kung anu ano pa…

Great combination, Motels and Universities. Haha. San ka pa?

Last night, I was in Recto, smoking alone while waiting for our thesis to be book bound. Two hours of waiting, considering that it was already a rush order. But this is not about me, the wait, the thesis, or the snatchers along the dark streets of Recto, this is about ATE BLACKBAT, this is about LIFE.

While I was waiting for the thesis, I asked one of my best friends (Abvie) to call me and said that she was in the vicinity, so I decided to meet her (she's with her classmate, Rizza).

We met in front of their school (FEU) then we went to a computer station to watch some of her friends play DOTA, we got bored so we decided to go home at 10pm (in Recto at 10pm? Good luck to the snatchers).

We were walking in the sidewalk and decided to stop and smoke for a while. We bought some gum and cigarettes from this sidewalk vendor, lets name her Ate BlackBat.

While we're smoking, a man was talking to Ate BlackBat.

MAN:  oh? Ano nangyari sa paninda mo?

ATE BLACKBAT: naku, nanakaw ang paninda ko nung sabado!

MAN:  naku, edi nalugi ka nyan?

ATE BLACKBAT: oo, pagkabukas ko ng umaga wala na kong paninda, DJ MIX, BLACKBAT, lahat kinuha.

MAN:  wala bang nakakita? May tao pa ba dito kagabi?

ATE BLACKBAT: Oo may mga estudyante pa dyan sa taas kagabi na natira.

MAN: tsk tsk, nalugi ka nga, mga P2000 din yan.

ATE BLACKBAT: oo nga e.

The man left. I said to Abvie: "tang inang yan, swerte naman nung mga nagnakaw, DJ Mix, tapos nagpakabanggag sa BlackBat. Haha.", then we asked Ate BlackBat:….

ABVIE: Ate magkano benta nyo sa BlackBat?

ATE BLACKBAT: naku, wala akong BlackBat ngayon e.

ME: e kung meron nga, magkano benta nyo?

ATE BLACKBAT: P5 isa, pag isang kaha P70.

ME: ah ok. Pwede…

ATE BLACKBAT: naku, nanakawan kasi ako nung sabado e, kaya hanggang gabi kailangan ko magbenta, dati nagliligpit na ko pag madilim na, ngayon hanggang gabi, kailangan kumita e, laki ng lugi ko dun sa nananakaw.

ABVIE: Naku Ate, pagpapalain kayo.

ATE BLACKBAT: nangutang nga lang ako dun sa isang estudyante para magkapuhunan ulit ako.

ME: Pinautang ka naman nung estudyante?

ATE BLACKBAT: oo

ME: pinautang ka talaga?

ATE BLACKBAT: oo, kaclose ko naman ung estudyante.

ME: ah ok.

ATE BLACKBAT: kailangan ko talaga kumita eh, may babayaran sa eskuwela yung anak ko.

RIZZA: may anak na po kayo? Ilang taon po?

ATE BLACKBAT: oo, isa lang 5 years old na. iniiwan ko sa hipag ko.

RIZZA: san po nag-aaral?

ATE BLACKBAT: sa Don Bosco, Kinder. Leader ng sayaw yun.

*in my mind: she is so proud of her son. Wow.*

RIZZA: sa Don Bosco, sa Tondo?

ATE BLACKBAT: oo, sa Pacheco.

ME: Ah alam ko yan, jan ako nagturo dati, sa mga out of school youth, yng iba dating snatchers pa nga!

ATE BLACKBAT: *laughs* (then she continue on telling us about her son, about the P5000 tuition of her son at Don Bosco, her son's wit… etc.) basta matalino anak ko, ok lang!

ABVIE: asan po ang asawa nyo?

ATE BLACKBAT: naku, patay na. napatay dyan oh (points to the street), binaril. Patay.

ABVIE, ME, RIZZA: *shocked* dyan lang? nahuli ba yung pumatay?

ATE BLACKBAT: hindi, andyan lang, gumagala. Yung byenan ko kasi, inareglo.

ME: magkano???????

ATE BLACKBAT: P75,000.00

ME: puta, P75,000??? Binenta nya buhay ng anak nya sa P75,000???? E binigyan ka ba????

ATE BLACKBAT: naku hindi, hindi ko kailangan pera. Baka isipin ng asawa ko mukha na din akong pera, kaya kong buhayin ang anak ko. kaya di ako umuuwi jan sa byenan ko e.

ME: e san ka natutulog ate????

ATE BLACKBAT: dito, yan oh, bumili na ko ng tulugan.

*in my mind: pakshet ang buhay nya. Tang ina.*

ATE BLACKBAT: hay naku, kaya kong buhayin yang anak ko.

ME: demanding yung anak nyo, gusto pa sa may tuition, baka pag laki nyan at magcollege sa

La Salle pa gustuhing mag-aral!

ALL: *laughs*

ATE BLACKBAT: e basta, basta ba lumaki syang matalino, ok lang sa akin.

ME: sa bagay…

Then we said goodbye to ATE BLACKBAT saying: "pagpapalain ka Ate. Madaming biyaya. God Bless You…"

As we walk through the dark sidewalks of Recto, we keep on talking about ATE BLACKBAT's life, her future? How about her son? In the end, all I said was: "Sige, dapat dumami pa ang mga nagyoyosi para kumita si Ate."

To ATE BLACKBAT, ang tindi mo! Bilib kami sayo.