My Time With You

How do I start this?

Should I start from the good things to bad or the other way around?

Should I try to recall the best times or unearth the really worst moments that I would wish never happen?

Should I shed tears of joy or tears of hurt?

Should I shout your name out of longing or curse you out of anger?

Should I see your smile warm like the sun or your eyes made red with tears?

Should I see you at all?

Should I?

Maybe I shouldn't.

Food for Thought

"Being active in church does NOT guarantee holiness nor goodness of the heart. It's ONLY guarantee is to make you aware of the gravity of sins. It can only make you religious on the outside but cannot stop you from being SINFUL."

Some of the most vile crimes against humanity were committed in the name of religion. Read on the history of the REFORMATION and the COUNTER-REFORMATION. And discover why a religious order was nicknamed "Hounds of God."

Slips of the Tongue & Other Verbal Mis-steps

What's That Again? (Oct. 25, 2011)

Please be informed that there are twenty-seven (27) &*^^% Clearance Processing Centers that are already online and open to server the public:

- from a government website.

What's That Again? (Sept. 29, 2011)

Following her breakup with Tom Cruise, Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman went on "The Late Show with David Letterman." Dave asked her how she was handling the split, and Kidman teased the 5'7" Cruise, saying that she can finally where high heels.

- from an article in Yahoo! Movies  "Pitt and Aniston: Exes Strike Back" by Mike Krumboltz

What's That Again? (Sept. 21, 2011)

"Magagalit ang mga mindanaoans. Bakit lagi kaming behind?"

- from a street interview in Unang Balita

What's That Again? (Sept. 15, 2011)

Willie: "Ano name mo?" 
Contestant: "Joy ho"
Willie : "Napaka-joy naman ng buhay mo ngayon."

- Will Time Big Time

What's That Again? (Sept. 14, 2011)

"Ang taas ng nakuha niyang grade. Naka-tens points siya sa test kanina." 

- a kid from the local elementary school in our area

What's That Again? (Sept. 13, 2011)

"A lot of things had changed. I have a noontime now." 

Kris: "Sino ang roommate mo, Venus?" 
Venus: "Ako, si Malaysia."

- guests in Kris Aquino's show

Filipinoisms in English (A Repost from G.R.P.)

"Well well well. Look do we have here!"

"Let's give them a big hand of applause."

"The more the manyer."

"It's a no-win-win situation."

"Burn the bridge when you get there."

"Anulled and void."

"Mute and academic."

"C'mon let's join us!"

"If worse comes to shove."

"Are you joking my leg?"

"It's not my problem anymore, it's your problem anymore."

"What are friends are for?"

"You can never can tell."

"Been there, been that."

"Forget it about it."

"Give him the benefit of the daw."

"It's a blessing in the sky."

"Right there and right then."

"Where'd you came from?"

"Take things first at a time."

"You're barking at the wrong dog."

"You want to have your cake and bake it too."

"First and for all."

"Now and there."

"I'm only human nature."

"The sky's the langit."

"That's what I'm talking about it."

"One of these days is not like the other."

"So far, so good, so far."

"Time is of the elements."

"In the wink of an eye."

"The feeling is actual."

"For all intense and purposes."

"I ran into some errands."

"Hi. I'm Jograd, what's yours?"

"What is the world is coming to?"

"What is the next that is?"

"Get the most of both worlds."

"Bahala na sila sa mga batman nila."

"Whatever you say so."

"Base-to-base casis."

"My answers have been prayered."

"Please me alone!"

'It's as brand as new."

"So. what's a beautiful girl like you?.."

"I can't take it anymore of this!"

"Are you sure ka na ba?"

"Can't you just cut me some slacks?"

"I couldn't care a damn!"

"What's your next class before this?"

"Nothing in this world is perfect except the word 'change'"

"Standard and Chartered Bank"

"I'm very iterated!!!"

"Hello, my boss is out of town. Would you like to wait?"

"Don't touch me not!"

"Hello?.For a while, please hang yourself."

"Its spilled milk under the bridge."

"Don't change anything! Keep it at ease."

"Hello McDo? Mag-i-inquire lang ako kung magkano ang kidney meal?"

"You!!! You're not a boy anymore! You're a man anymore!"

"Out of fit ako these days eh."

"Bring down the house down!"

"I'm the world champion of the World!!!"

"Beneath the belt naman yan!"

"Oh shocks!"
"Nakakagulat ka, you started me!"

- (Sept. 13, 2011) 

Kanto English

1.ats iff! ...
2.the nerd!
3.im sick of tired!
4.true good to be true!
5.when it rains,it's four!
6.once in a new moon.
7.keep your mouth shock!
8.connect me if im wrong.
9.i hope u don't mine.
10.will u please give me alone?
11.PLS. DON'T MAKE FOND OF ME!!!!
Pili na ng favorite nyo....it's your CHOOSE not mine

- from an FB friend (Sept. 13, 2011)

What's That Again? (Sept. 12, 2011)

"In my province some of these positions are even for SEL. Yes, they're for SEL."

- from a guest in a talk show in ANC

!d(-_-)b!

A Little More (song)

by Lisa Stansfield

give me more love
give me more time

i can't understand it,
maybe you've found someone new
tell me what did I do wrong,
what did I do?

lookin' in your eyes now,
i don't see the love we had.
i don't see compassion,
and i don't see anything.

give me just a little more love
some more to tide me over
give me just a little passion
give me just a little more love
and a little more time.

i don't see the reason
why you should be so unfair
but I have seen it comin',
seen it hangin' in the air

baby, when you hold me
you don't touch me like you did.
but still I want you by my side;
baby, I'll do anything.

give me just a little more love
some more to tide me over
give me just a little passion
give me just a little more love
and a little more time

i can see you're slippin' away from me
but i still feel the magic sometimes when we touch
you and me, ooh it has to be
'cause baby without you,
i don't think that i can carry on

give me just a little more love
some more to tide me over
give me just a little passion
give me just a little more love
and a little more time
(i'll do anything)

give me just a little more love
(anything)
give me just a little passion
(hmmm, baby)
give me just a little more love
(ooohhh)
and a little more time
(give me more love)

give me just a little more love
some more to tide me over
give me just a little passion
(passion passion)
give me just a little more love
(little more little more love)
and a little more time
(tell me what did i do wrong? ooh)

give me just a little more love
(more love)
give me just a little passion
(little more passion)
give me just a little love
(a little more, little more love)
and a little more time.

!d(-_-)b!

Last Saturday At Willie Revillame's Show

Just saw this at Willie Revillame's Show. A girl contestant was asked to introduce her father. The girl (she's about 10 or 11 yo) said "Pinakikilala ko po ang tatay kong BABAERO."

!d(-_-)b!

At the Local Bakery

This morning, I went to the local bakery to buy some pandesal, the native staple bread. Since it is the only bakery nearest within our vicinity ("sitio"), the place is packed on Sundays with people buying their breakfast fare of the local bread and choice spread. The waiting time at moment was 15 to 20 mins. There's a crowd of 20 or more people when I got there, all turning in their orders of either "malambot" (soft) or "tostado" (toasted) with the corresponding amount of 10, 15 or more pesos. I put in my "trenta-trenta" meaning two orders of 30 pesos each worth of pandesal. Why the two orders of 30-peso instead of a single 60-peso order? There's some logic to this and my dad was responsible (But that's another story to be told at another time)

As I waited for my orders, I slowly became conscious of the idle talk around me; ranging from the mundane to simply comical slips of the tongue.

"Ate, bente pong pandesal." - a kid

"Sandali lang... Bumaba ka dyan... Masisira mo yan eh..." - head attendant of the bakery talking to the kid. She's a bit on the mean-side.

"Pun***a! Ang tagal naman nung babae yun. Kanina pa kami dito ah." - a man with three visibly irate kids in tow. he's referring to one of the assistant attendants who took his order.

"Kuya, ikaw ba yung binti pesos?" - the head attendant again, asking me if I ordered the 20 pesos worth of pandesal.

"Saan na kaya yung katurse?" - the head attendant yet again, asking herself who ordered the 14-peso pandesal.

"Buntis na ba siya ulit? Di nga?" - one of the women chatting away while waiting.

"Ate, dalawang Marlboro nga." - a man in a basketball outfit, apparently just came from a basketball game on the nearby street court.

"..dapat not guilty ang sabihin nya... Pag guilty, wala tayong hearing... sa Makati City Jail o Bicutan mo na siya bibisitahin.... Dalawa lang yun... guilty or always not guilty." - a neighbor with absolutely no sense of the appropriate voice volume; talking on the cellphone.

!d(-_-)b!

Just A Thought

          Got a strange feeling in the past few days that something's about to happen in my life. Can't quite put my finger on it but my gut is telling me that. Probably, it's the adjustments my body and mind making to my return to school.

!d(-_-)b!

Sweet Baby (song)

         

This version is different from the one everyone is familiar with. He sang it with just a piano and did away with the original full-orchestral arrangement. Here the song became more intimate and touching. It made me cry when I first heard it.

!d(-_-)b!

Favorite Quotations

• Sic transit gloria mundi (Worldly things are fleeting.) - Said to be whispered to Caesar when he entered Rome after a successful military campaign. And also to a newly-installed Pope during his first appearance as Pope from a balcony over St. Peter's Square.

• O quam cito transit gloria mundi (How quickly the glory of the world passes away) - Thomas à Kempis "Imitation of Christ"

• Heard from a Hell's Kitchen contestant (Sous Chef Jillian) : "I don't know anything about sushi. I've never worked in a CHINESE restaurant before." WTF!

• "Can't you be stupid somewhere else?" - Sandy Cheeks to Patrick Star ("Spongebob Squarepants")

• "Act as if you can do everything and pray as if God can do everything."

• "It seems we don't have any control whatsoever over our hearts." - Grey's Anatomy.

• "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Chinese fortune cookie

• "Every wise man started out by asking many questions." - Chinese fortune cookie

• "I want someone who will never leave me no matter how hard it is to be with me."

• "Success is the sweetest revenge of all."

• "You have to lose before you can win."

• "It's not what you know but it's what you understand."
•  "If you've been loved before, you know you will be loved again"  - Homer Simpson to Moe, "The Simpsons"
  

!d(-_-)b!

Photos (a view from the Pasig River - Nokia N73)

Photos (Trinoma - Nokia N73)

Photos (Sony K730i)

A comment found on the Net

Somebody wrote his/her comment on the recent news regarding the large scale destruction of a coral reef off the coast of Mindanao: 

  "Then they should go to jail!!! how could you be so stupid ... I suppose when your overwhelm with the countries problem you would do any thing in desperation including selling your soul to the devil...its really sad these poachers dont know that the corral reefs protects the coast from soil erosion and it harbors as much life as the rain forrest ....your going to have less tourist diving in these waters because of some ones GreeeeeeD!!!" 

 - I may agree with his/her ideas but not necessarily with his/her grammar.

...!d(-_-)b!...

A Cigarette in the Rain (song)

by Randy Crawford

guess the end is near,
the reasons now are clear.
still it seems strange somehow to fall in love;
only to find our love is not enough.

like a cigarette in the rain;
a single drop puts out the flame.
we were lovers but we were never friends.
should have known that it would end
when the first storm came.
like a cigarette in the rain.

what a cruel twist of fate,
to watch our love turn to hate.
all of the arguments, the needless fights;
nothing in common but our sleepless nights.

like a cigarette in the rain.
a single drop puts out the flame.
we were lovers but we were never friends.
should have known that it would end,
when the first storm came;
like a cigarette in the rain.

i heard the thunder miles away.
didn't think that it would work out this way.
the storm came and it rained all night;
washed away all our love before the morning light.

like a cigarette in the rain.
a single drop puts out the flame.
we were lovers but we were never, never friends.
should have known that it would end;
when the first storm came.
like a cigarette in the rain.

like a cigarette in the rain.

PCAT Laboratory High School Batch 1978

1. Abaya, Diogracias (deceased)
2. Aberin, Fernando
3. Abundo, Roberto
4. Alde, Florencio Jr
5. Alforque, Josephine
6. Amper, Nicomedes
7. Angeles, Jesus
8. Angeles, Arnel
9. Avila, Reinelito
10. Barbero, Shelumiel
11. Barican, Ricardo
12. Blanche, Florian
13. Borromeo, Ronald
14. Capili, Joselito
15. Capistrano, Noel
16. Castro, Georgia
17. Cornejo, Conrado
18. Custodio, Daniel
19. Calanag, Rowena
20. Dy, Richard
21. Furagganan, Roberto
22. Gallardo, Edwin
23. Gaskell, Eduardo
24. Gaviola, Lorenzo
25. Golez, George
26. Gomez, Arnel
27. Gomez, Manuel
28. Granada, Ulysses
29. Guioguio, Miguel
30. Gumabao, Danilo
31. Guzman, Radito de
32. Hizola, Urbano
33. Ibalio, Cerilo
34. Jacobo, Leo
35. Jarin, Fernando
36. Javier, Danilo
37. Justonal, Roberto
38. Leon, Paulino de
39. Limbag, Rodelio
40. Lomboy, Lucila
41. Lopez, Fernando
42. Lumaque, Doming (deceased)
43. Madrid, Noel
44. Magat, Laureno Jr.
45. Mandaue, Alvin
46. Manglapus, Vicente
47. Maranan, Wilfrfedo
48. Mipaña, Danilo
49. Miranda, Alfonso
50. Napalan, Grace
51. Napalan, Noel
52. Nulud, Antonio
53. Ofracio, Marcos
54. Ortaliz, Ma. Eliza
55. Ong Vaño, Baltazar
56. Osorio, Luisito
57. Pajuyo, Rolando
58. Paraiso, Manolito
59. Pedro, Alexander
60. Pernes, Leo
61. Pore, Emmanuel
62. Querubin, Precioso Jr.
63. Quindara, Ruperto
64. Ragudo, Simplicio Jr.
65. Rexcis, Gregorio
66. Roy, Virgilio
67. Ruiz, Ricardo Jr
68. Sabido, Ernest
69. Sacco, Alberto
70. Sagum. Ceasar
71. Salazar, Perla
72. Salenga, Urbano Jr.
73. Sambrano, Benjamin
74. San Jose, Edgardo Elmo
75. Santiago, Manolo
76. Santos, Elmer
77. Sarmiento, Reymundo
78. Silbol, Renato
79. Terrado, Allan
80. Timbol, Basilio
81. Tolentino, Antonio
82. Vasquez, Rommel
83. Villagracia, Abelardo
84. Yap, Jocelyn

Invisible War (song)

Originally sung by Julia Fordham. This version is a cover by Janis Siegel (a member of the Manhattan Transfer)

invisible war
seems we're waging an invisible war,
strange maneuvers, keeping silent score
in this invisible war
every day I seem to lose you more.
both wishing that it was like before
in this invisible war.

talk about a fine line between love and hate;
we've lost more of that direction of late
talk about a fine line between lovers and friends;
we've never been lovers, now we're not even friends;
in this invisible war
seems we're waging an invisible war,
everyday I seem to lose you more.
in this invisible war.

if wounded deeply, the scar is here to stay;
opening up at the little things I do or say.
you always want things to be as before
so I make you angry and you bleed a little more
in this invisible war,
seems we're waging an invisible war,
every day I seem to lose you more.
in this invisible war.

want to run away, I still love you;
got to go away, I always love you;
got to be away, time heals all wounds.

Of A Promise Kept

I made this video as part of the requirements in my World Literature class.

A Video Tribute

This is a video tribute I made last year. He is a friend whom I haven't seen in years. I was saddened by the news of his death. As my gesture of thanks and tribute, this video was made to honor him.

Ang Kaibigan (Isang Maikling Kwento) - "The Prodigal Son"

        Pagod si Pedro sa maghapong pagbubungkal ng lupa ng kanyang amo, Jaime. Si Jaime ang pinakamayama sa kanilang lugar. Maraming ari-arian at negosyo. Halos lahat ng mga tao sa bayan ay kanyang trabahador.

       Si Pedro’y isang ordinaryong tao. Mabait. Palakaibigan. Madaling kausapin. Mababa lang ang natapos na pag-aaral dahil sa kahirapan at kapurulan ng isip. Tanging pagbubungkal ng bukid ang kayang gawin kaya ito ang naging hanap-buhay. Ang kakulangan sa talino’y binawi sa lakas ng pangangatawan. Tanging pag-inom ang bisyo. Pang-alis daw niya ng pagod sa buong araw na paggagawa sa bukirin ni Among Jaime. Maliit lamang ang bayan nina Pedro at Among Jaime. Halos magkakakilala lahat at alam ang kwentong-buhay ng bawa’t isa.

       Nag-iisang bahay-inuman ang pinupuntahan ni Pedro para maglibang. Nasa labas ng bayan ito, patungong bukid ang kinalalagyan. Kaya nadadaanan ito tuwing pauwi na siya. Kilala siya sa bahay-inuman. Halos yun at yun ding mga tao ang matatagpuang umiinom. Walang basag-ulong nangyayari dahil sa magkakaibigan lahat. Tanging pakay ay magpakalasing para pansamantalang makalimot sa mga pasanin sa buhay.

       Isang araw may dinatnang bagong salta si Pedro. Tahimik lang ito sa isang sulok at mag-isang hinihimas ang malamig na baso. Nakakalahati na ang laman nito at dahil sa may kalaliman na ang gabi ng makarating si Pedro, marami na rin ang nainom. Malayo ang tingin nito at halatang malalim ang iniisip. Di pinapansin ang mga nakapaligid sa kanya. Nakaugalian na ni Pedro ang kausaping ang mga bagong salta sa bayan para maging kaibigan. Lumapit siya at tinabihan sa kabilang upuan. Nagpakilala si Pedro. Bagay namang ikinatuwa ng kausap. Mababaw lang ang mga pinag-usapan nila sa simula. Mga simpleng bagay: pangalan, kung saan nanggaling, estado sa buhay at bakit napadpad sa maliit na bayan. Marunong makibagay si Pedro kaya madaling nagkagaanan siya ng loob ng estranghero. Nagsimula na siyang magkwento ng mga serysong bagay tungkol sa buhay niya. Marunong din mangilatis ng pagkatao si Pedro kaya madali rin niyang napansing kakaiba ang tindig ng kausap. Mula sa pananalita, sa pag-galaw, sa pagbigay ng kuru-kuro at pananaw. “May sinasabi ‘to sa buhay” ani ni Pedro.

        Lumalim pa lalo ang gabi pero hindi pa rin matapos-tapos ang kwentuhan ng dalawa. Simple lang ang mga galaw ng estranghero. Hindi balbal ang pananalita. Hindi malakas tumawa. Magalang. Kung di lang sa gusgusing pananamit nito, masasabing nakakaangat sa buhay. Makatawag-pansin ang huling kwento ng estranghero bago siya nagpaalam. Sinabi niyang patungo siya sa kanyang bayan na matagal niyang hindi nakita. Malaki ang naging kasalanan niya sa kanyang amain. Uuwi siya para humingi ng tawad. Dating siyang mayabang at sakim na tao. Pilit na hiningin ang kanyang mana sa amain kahit na buhay pa ito. Naglayas siya nang makuha ang parte niya ng yaman. Nilustay sa pag-inom, pambababae at kung anu-ano pang bisyo.

      Hanggang sa tuluyang naubos ang kanyang pera at iniwan na ng mga kaibigan. Noong walang-wala na siya at saka niya napagtanto ang kanyang kamalian. Dito niya naisipang bumalik at humingi ng tawad. Napatahimik na lang si Pedro habang nakikinig sa kwento ng kanyang bagong kaibigan.

        Makitid man ang pag-iisip pero malawak ang puso ni Pedro. Naunawaan niya agad ang pakay ng kaibigan at nakiramay sa sinapit sa buhay. Nagsabi ang kaibigan na natatakot siya na hindi siya tanggapin ng amain. Marahang sumagot si Pedro na kung talagang ganung kabait ang kanyang amain, hindi ito magdadalawang-isip na patawarin siya. Wari’y lumakas ang loob ng kausap at nagkaroon ng bagong pag-nanais na makita ang ama. At dito na nagpaalam ang kaibigan. Nagpasalamat kay Pedro sa kabutihang ipinakita sa kanya. Sabay silang lumabas ng bahay-inuman. Mag-paalam sa isa’t isa; kanya-kanyang landas ang tinahak.

...!d(-_-)b!... 

Ang Mag-Ate (Isang Dula)

Oras: Ala-sais ng umaga
Lugar: Sa gate ng bahay ni Lito

Lito (nag-iisip. nag-aagaw-tulog. galing opisina, isang call center sa Makati)

Nagkasalubong sila ng ate niyang si Tess. Tinatangka niyang buksan ito mula sa labas nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng gate. Si Tess ay ang nakatatandang kapatid na nagtratrabaho sa isang opisina sa Makati. Pang-umaga ang pasok kaya paalis pa lang ng bahay habang si Lito ay pauwi na.

Lito : Salamat, ‘Te. Ingat ka.

Tess : Salamat din, Etong (bansag ni Tess sa kapatid) Kamusta na work mo?

Lito : Ok naman. Marami lang “call.” Naglabas kasi ng bagong modelo ng cellphone yung kliyente namun. Madami sa “units” sira nang matanggap ng mga customers kaya ayun dagsa ang reklamo.

Napatigil bigla si Lito. Marami pa siyang gustong ikwento sa ate niya pero alam niyang gahol na ito sa oras.

Lito : (pangiting sinabi) ‘Te, sige na. Antok na talaga ako. Tsaka na lang.

Tess : Ok, sige. Alis na ko. Mamaya na lang natin ituloy.

Inihatid ni Lito ng tingin ang ate. Siniguradong nakasakay na ‘to ng jeep bago isinara ang gate. Sa magkakapatid na lima, silang dalawa lang magkalapit ang loob. Si Tess ay panganay at si Lito naman ang bunso. Lumaki si Litong nanay-nanayan si Tess. Madalas lapitan ang ate ‘pag may problema siya.


Nakatulog na si Lito pagkatapos niyang mag-almusal.


Pagdating ng hapon, magkapalit naman ang mag-ate. Paalis na siya at parating naman si Tess.

Tess : (medyo namumugto ang mga mata)

Lito : Ate, bakit?

Tess : Wala ‘to. Meron lang akong natanggap na di magandang balita sa office namin.

Lito : Eh ano yun?

Tess : Wala ‘un. Sige na. Alis ka na. Baka mahuli ka pa sa trabaho. Alam kong mahigpit sa oras ang office nyo.

Lito : Ok lang yun. Sinabihan ako na mag-half-day. So, hindi ako nagmamadali. (sabay ngiti)

Tess : Ah ganoon ba?

Lito : Oo kaya ano ba ang problema mo? Baka makatulong ako.

Tess : Ok… (medyo napipigilang magsalita) Baka kasi matanggal ako sa opisina eh. Medyo nalugi ang company last year. Kaya nasabihan kaming lahat na magbabawas ng tauhan.

Lito : ‘Te, ano dating sa ‘yo nun? Ano ang tyansa na matanggal ka?

Tess : Depende sa performance daw. So may evaluation kami mula bukas. Isang buwan ang itatagal. Pagkatapos nun, maglalabas ang HRD ng listahan ng kung sino ang mananatili.

Lito : Ngek! Ang tindi naman pala ng pressure sa inyo. Pero don’t worry, ‘Te. Nandito lang ako. Ako muna ang sasalo sa ‘yo. (sabay kindat)

Tess : Salamat (mahinang ngumiti), Etong.

Lito : No problem. Panahon na para makabawi ako sa ‘yo. Ilang beses mo rin akong natulungan nang mangailangan ako. Dapat lang ako naman ang tumulong.

Napaluha si Tess nang marinig ‘yun sa kapatid. Di niya akalaing si Lito ang makakatulong sa kanya. Medyo matagal nanahimik ang mag-ate. Pawang parehong napaisip ng malalim sanhi ng kanilang pag-uusap. Nakatingin si Tess sa bintana ng bahay habang pinagmamasdan siya ng bunso. Di naglao’y palihim na pinawi ni Tess ang luha sa pisngi.

Tess : O, sige na. Pumasok ka na. Ok na ‘ko. Maraming salamat talaga, Etong.

Lito : Ok lang yun, ‘Te. Ako na muna ang bahala sa ‘yo. Sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kung di tayong dalawa.

Tumayo na si Lito at lumabas ng bahay. Naiwan si Tess na nakatayo sa may bintana. Inihatid ng tingin ang bunsong kapatid hanggang sa makasakay ng jeep.

...!d(-_-)b!...

Si Jason (Isang Maikling Kwento)

       Laging maagang pumapasok si Jason ng aklatan para mag-aral, magbasa ng kailangang basahing libro at gumawa ng mga project. Kakaunti lamang ang tao sa umaga. Marahil may parehas na kadahilanan kay Jason kaya nandun sila.

          Mga isang oras ang tinagal ng biyahe niya mula bahay hanggang iskwela. Alas siyete bukas ng aklatan kaya alas-singko pa lang gising na siya. Madalas nauuna siya sa pagdating ng libraryan kaya sarado pa ito. Uupo siya sa tabi ng pinto para mag-intay; bubuksan ang aklat sa pahinang dapat basahin. Dahil sa mas madalas pang huli dumating ang librarian kaysa sa tamang oras; nakakatulog si Jason sa pag-hihintay. Kilala na si Jason nito kaya marahang ginigising siya nito sa balikat sugyat na bukas na ang aklatan. Isang maliit na ngiti ang babadbad kay Jason na sinusuklian din naman ng bata ng isa ring ngiti.

          “Halika na, anak. Bukas na ang library. Pumasok na tayo. Alam kong marami kang gagawin ngayon,” ang sabi ng babae. “Opo, ma’am,” ang sagot ni Jason. 

          Ngunit noong araw na 'yun ay maaga si Ma’am kaya tuluy-tuloy lamang si Jason sa pagpasok ng silid. Diretso siya sa nakaugaliang upuan; sa tapat ng isang bintana malapit sa mga book selves. Napatingin na lamang ang librarian nang nakaupo na ‘yung bata at nasa kagitnaan ng kanyang pag-aaral. Napatigil ng sandali ang babae upang pagmasdan ang maliit na bata. Marahil sa dalaga pa siya kaya magaang ang kanyang loob sa nakikitang tiyaga at sipag ng batang naituring nang isang anak. 

         Naalala niya bigla ang mga pag-uusap nila. Napansin niyang mailap sa pagsagot ng bata sa mga tanong tungkol sa kanyang pamilya lalo na sa kanyang ina na nag-iisang magulang. Di niya ito pinansin ng maigi. Inisip na lamang marahil sa likas na mahiyain ang bata. Sapat na regular ang pagpasok ng bata sa iskwela at mukhang maayos ang itsura ng bata; tanda ng may nag-aasikaso sa kanya. Pero ang napansin niya ay ang nakaugaliang hawak ng bata sa kanyang beywang habang magbabasa; parang nangangalay na buntis ang itsura nito. Kasama nito ang sandaliang pagpikit na mariin. 

           Isang taon na sila magkakilala ni Jason at nakasanayan na niya ang paglagi ng bata sa loob ng aklatan. Minsa'y tumutulong ito sa mga maliliit na gawain sa aklatan. Ang pagkuha ng mga libro sa shelves para hiramin at pagbalik nito kapag isinauli na. Naging katu-katulong niya ang bata ng di-naglaon. Lumipas ang mga buwan at ganito ang naging “routine” nilang dalawa. At lalong nakagaan ng kanyang loob ang bata. Bakas sa mukha ni Jason ang kagustuhang makatulong. 

           Kaya labis ang kanyang pag-aalala ng hindi nakapasok ang bata ng ilang araw. Umabot na ng isang linggo ang “absence.” Kinausap niya ang adviser upang alamin ang kalagayan ng bata. Ang sagot na nakuha ay “Marahil eh napagalitan na naman ng nanay yun at pinarusahan.” Nagpasya siyang sumama sa guro para i-“home visit” ang bata. 

        May kalayuan ang bahay ng bata, isang oras ang biyahe. Duon lang niya nalamang tatlong sakay pa pala bago makarating sa lugar. Huli ang sakay sa trisikel papasok sa looban. Nang makababa at makapagbayad sa driber, lumatad sa kanila ang malaking grupo ng mga tao. Sa gitna ng pulutong nito ay isang burol. Maliit lamang ang puting kabaong. May kaingayan ang paligid dahil sa mga nagsusugal. Wari mo’y walang pakialam sa patay; interes lamang ang makataya’t manalo. Napasilip sila sa nakaratay. Laking lungkot ang bumalot sa librarian ng makilala si Jason. Sumagi muli ang mga alala ng kanilang pinagsamahan. Tahimik na tumulo ang luha. Nagkaduktong-duktong na lahat ng kanyang masamid sa bata. Wala nang magawa kung hindi ang makiramay ng tahimik at mataimtim sa inang iniwan ng bata.

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