My other parents

I am going to write about my family now.

My mother has four brothers and one sister. Being the eldest cousin, I have been fortunate enough to remember and experience their caring and their love for as long as I can remember.

Ninong was the one who took care of me during my first two years. According to his wife, I was always with him when he was courting her. He was the one who taught me how to add when I was 4 years old. He has seven kids, Jeff, Jeric, Jena, Junjun, Jaica, Jay-anne and Jester. Jeff and Jena grew up with Inay. We’re like brothers and sisters. Since Jeric and Jena were called early home by God Ninong and Ninang only have five to take care of. Jep is now mature enough to work abroad. He went home last month to attend his sister’s funeral. I miss him so much.

Tito Ding was the one who always brought us bread. He was a baker. When we were small, he would prepare special bread for us - one that was extra small or extra big, depending on his nephews’ and nieces’ wish. He would always bring us cheese. Kaya super favorite ko ang cheese. He now has two boys, Patrick and Jomel. He would always tease the youngest kid around – nowadays it’s Maemae’s and Troy’s turn. In a year or two, it would probably be Carlo’s turn to be teased. Last Saturday he asked me to accompany him to buy PC. I went with them siyempre, besides the I have nothing to do naman. When I got back from Megamall, I texted them (mama, papa and him) the same same message so may “love you”. Nakakatuwa kasi he replied with “ingat ka, kumain na ng dinner, lab u 2.”

Tito Joel was the one who took care of us during our early years until grade two. My mama and papa were staying in Manila during weekdays and would only see my brother and I during weekends. He was the one who would bring me to and fetch me from school, the one who would always make sure that we would study our lessons well. He has two kids. Maryel and Rafael Troy (a.k.a. ang pinaka-mabait kong inaanak). Super caring pa rin until now. He and his wife gladly scrutinized my first boyfriend up to the last detail. He and my Papa get along pretty well. They were the “makakakampi” among mama’s siblings.

Tita Luz or Taluts, as I fondly call her, was my mother’s only sister. She took over Tito Joel’s job of taking care of us when he got married. She was the mother of us all. As in! We would often say, “lahat ng apo ni Inay, dumaan sa kanyang pangangalaga.” From Grade 3 up to 4th year high school, she would bring us food during lunchtime, protect us from bullies and reserve seats for us in our school service. Siguro nga, kung hindi ako lumipat ng school ng college, she would still change our “sapin sa likod” during lunch time and would still fight the fight for us. Super protective and super mag-alaga! I consider myself lucky for being her niece. She would probably not like me if I’m not her relative. I just know. I think I am her favorite. She has two boys, Gello and Carlo (our youngest). I pity the women whom her kids would love and marry (haha!). Lagot sila kay Taluts :).

Then, there’s Tito Dan. He was the one who taught me the alphabet, the one who taught me to add and subtract numbers beyond number four. When my brother and I were kids, we would wait for him to come home hoping that he would bring us pasalubong. We would lock him outside when he doesn’t have any (hehe! salbahe noh? :). When I was a kid he was my favorite. He would bring me stationeries and bracelets and pins (brooch type) and rainbow cakes. I just realized now, that the reason why his middle daughter, Maemae favored him over anybody else (and vise versa) was because Tito Dan has always been super sweet to little girls. His eldest daughter, Danna ceased to be showy in her sweetness probably because she’s in her adolescence na. However, I could still hear her say “Papa, basa na ang likod mo, pupunasan ko,” every now and then. He has three kids. Daniel Troy, the youngest is still super sweet kahit na boy siya – manang mana sa Papa niya.

Anyway, I am just sharing this because I want the world to know how great and how kind my aunt and uncles are. They are part of who I am now and who I am going to be in the future.