bubbles

okay, remember when i made this blog about the 80s and i mentioned the menudo (not the dish)?

well, my friend kikoy is in puerto rico as we speak, and i suppose as part of his churva there (he’s shooting for a show), i think he met with the old members of the menudo. and guess who he asked to made me bati???

yes people who’s denying they fell for the Menudo, that’s Charlie Masso. as in i-still-believe-in-love-at-first-sight Charlie Masso. hwehweh. bidyo yan actually, pero di ako marunong mag-upload

basta sabi nya, ola Justine! blah blah blah charlie from Puerto Rico… espanyol espanyol espanyol a big kiss and a big hug! hahahaha. sabi ko kay kikoy, next time, ricky martin!

thanks maws for that nostalgic trip down memory lane, and for reminding me once again just how old i am. hahahah.

sa mga nakaka-relate, all together now:

i still believe in love at first sight

Charlie:
Bakit ba ‘pag kausap ka
I know that our love is forever
Lea:
Lalo na ‘pag kasama ka
I know that we’re made for each other
Both:
‘Cause I still believe in love at first sight
I don’t think it’s right to leave me
Just for a lonely night
And since our love will stand the test of time
Lea:
Maybe you and me will play it right
Charlie:
Nais ko na malaman mo
I’m willing to wait for a while
Lea:
Wait and see, what our love can be
We’re ready to face life together
Both:
‘Cause I still believe in love at first sight
I don’t think it’s right to leave me
Just for a lonely night
And since our love will stand the test of time
Maybe you and me will play it right
Both:
‘Cause I still believe in love at first sight

Charlie: Lea:
I don’t think it’s right to leave me Ohhh
Both:
Just for a lonely night
And since our love will stand the test of time
Charlie:
Maybe you and me will play it right
Lea:
Bakit ba ‘pag kasama ka
Both:
‘Pag kasama ka.

It was Good Friday and it’s H-O-T.

Don’t get me wrong, I love summer–it’s just the third-world heat that’s unbearable.

Anyway, it was a nice day to be out; so I took my trusty cam phone and took some images of summer.

this was taken Maundy Thursday at Pila, Laguna while waiting for the Delasarmas’.

these were taken aboard a tricycle on my way to Fule. i loved the way the clouds danced against that sky-blue background

that’s a full moon actually, taken after the Good Friday procession, while our boys took their kwek-kwek break

Mine was in June 2003—or was it 2004? It was his birthday, and
I called him up to greet him at the very stroke of midnight,
beating everyone else. Syempre naman, ikaw na ang girlfriend, dapat talaga
mauna! Little did I knew, I was already second in line. His OTHER
girlfriend beat me to first place. Joke’s on me. Ha. Ha. Ha.

It has been a while—in fact, too long a while. And I can’t
wait to do it again… or at the very least, say it again.

So, when was the last time you said I love you?

If I remember correctly, I have only seen three falling
stars in my lifetime. You know what they say about falling stars—make a wish
and who knows? It just might come true. 

I think I was in elementary when I first saw one. I was with
my childhood friends, we were laying down a hood of a car, literally just
watching the stars. Then suddenly, a star fell. It was amazing, although I can’t
remember—for the life of me—what exactly I wished for. 

Fast forward to my 30s, I saw another one. And on location,
too! My friends and I were at the rocky shores of Narvacan in Ilocos sometime
December of 2003. We just caught the sunset, and decided to watch the night
take over for a while. So while basking in the beauty of the night, there it
was, another falling star. Bigger, brighter—even more beautiful than I’ve
imagined.  At that time I knew what I wished
for. I even made a promise to come back to that very spot should it come true.
 

Needless to say, I haven’t been back to Narvacan since.

Last night, while waiting for the bus going back to Manila after another quiet weekend in the province, there it was again. Actually, it
kind of caught me off guard because it was a cloudy, star-less night.

Just the same, be it a shooting star or a firework gone
pffft, I made a wish—the same wish as before—probably the same wish I’ll make until
it finally comes true.
 

So just keep falling, dear star, for who knows? I just might
have my wish with me the next time I see you fall.
 

[thanks to C for helping me with the closing ]

For as long as I can remember, I have always, ALWAYS looked forward to Christmas. It IS the most wonderful time of the year—so where could I possibly go wrong right?

My earliest memory of Christmas, however, is my Papa. I remember going to a local bookstore a few days before Christmas, and I saw this pink plastic envelop with a handle and a Bambi design on it. I really liked it and asked Papa to buy it for me, but he didn’t. Of course I threw a fit, yet still I didn’t get my way.

Little did I know that come Christmas morning, it was going to be sitting there under the tree, waiting for me to open it. It was one of the best Christmas gifts I’ve ever had.

Then there was this Christmas, I think I was 6 or 7, when all of us kids in the family had a Game and Watch as gifts. It’s the predecessor of what is now known as the Game Boy or Nintendo DS – the coolest and biggest thing that ever happened to electronics, after the Atari that is. Ate got a Parachute, my cousins an Octopus and a Popeye (? I’m not sure), while I got the Egg. I can still see clearly in my mind that one family picture wherein all of us kids were not even looking at the camera because, well, we were busy playing. Man those were the days.

And who can forget that wonderful smell of new money? Whether it’s a 2, 5, 10, 20, or 50-peso bills (you’re considered a gazillionaire if you have a 100-peso bill), I’m pretty sure there was a time in your childhood life when you have those tucked in your wallet, according to denomination even. Money that will be spent a day or two later at the local carnival and baratillo place that was once called PhilCite, now popularly known as Star City.

Sometimes though, Christmas is not always about fun.

Our first Christmas with Ate in the States and us here in the Philippines wasn’t fun. The first Christmas after Papa died sure wasn’t fun, likewise after my Lolo Mocring died in 2006.  My first Christmas away from all my family didn’t amount too much, either. And just recently, in 2007, my Lola Caring died too, five days to Christmas. She was laid to rest on the last day of the year, practically New Year’s Eve.

Still it’s a Holiday I look forward to. Still it’s worth celebrating and be thankful for. For what will be the most wonderful time of the year if it wasn’t Christmas?

Belated Happy Holidays everyone.

One night
Just a few moons ago
You came to me looking for companionship
Nothing too deep, but neither was it shallow
Just an exchange of words and wits
Some laughter, some bitterness,
A hint of foolishness, even mischief.

It was whole lot of nothings, really—
But it became something
That somehow made my day, and even my nights.

But just like the moon
You disappeared somehow in the night
Slowly revolving, almost fading into that far distance
With no reason, nor hint of goodbyes.

There were a few words, I suppose
But nothing like before
Or at least nothing that I painfully hoped for—or sadly, assumed.

That left my days, and even my nights
Quiet, alone and empty—yet again.

c-c-comon everybody (everybody, everybody, everybody) c-c-comon everybody!

tuwing umaga nung highschool ako, yan ang kantang nagsusumigaw sa jeep ng papa ko. paulit ulit, walang kasawa sawa. at kahit minsan dumudugo na ang tenga ko dahil hataw sa bass ang sound system ng tatay ko, i still can’t help but smile at the memory of the music–and of course, si papa.

tawag sa kanila? Jive Bunny. it’s a novelty pop remix  na sumikat nung 80s. pinagdugtong-dugtong na dance songs like "in the mood", "rock around the clock", "wake up little susie" and "great balls of fire", among many others. pag narinig mo sila, i’m sure your feet can’t help but tap the floor. eh kung hindi lang ako dial up, malamang na-download ko na mp3 nyan. hmm. sa opis. hehe.

is it a bird??? NO! is it a plane??? NO! is it a TWIST??! YESSSS!!

_______________

nung isang araw naman kausap ko si Mimaws nang bigla kong naisip: ano-ano nga mga pangalan ng members ng Menudo?

o mga martial law and 80s babies, ‘wag nang magpa-cute at sabihing "Menudo? Like the ulam?" kutusan ko kayo eh. umamin na kayo na tulad ko, nahumaling din kayo sa mga boylets na ito. umamin na rin kayo na pumila kayo sa Folk Arts Theater para lang makita kung totoo bang nangingintab ang mga metallic-colored pants nila at kung di nga ba nadudulas ang mga langaw pag dumapo dito.

[thought bubble: my God, umuugong sa tenga ko yung ad ng concert... ~~on April 12, 13 and 14. They'll sing with you, they'll dance with teens. Menudo Live in Manila!... *shudders* nuknukan ka talaga ng jologs tiny!!!]

so anyway, sino-sino nga ba ang myembro ng Menudo? sabi ni Mimaws, i-Google na yan! sabi ko nde teka, alam ko yan!

syempre si ROBBY (if you’re not here), si RICKY (a big kiss and a big hug–muah!), si CHARLIE (coz i still believe in love at first sight–duet nila ni Lea Salonga), si Ray (uhm…) at si…. si….

yun, dun ako natigil. inisip ko, Rey din nga ba yung isa? tagal kong inisip, hanggang sa di ko na napigilan ang mag type ng www.google.com.

akalain mo, pagbukas sa Wikipedia, eh napakaraming batches pala ang mga mokong na yan? at tumagal pa pala sila hanggang 1996. at nung 2006, nakuha pa talaga nilang maglabas ng Triple Threat DVD/CD Combo compilation of videos and songs. patay ka jan.

pero sa bagay, nataranta nga pala ako sa kanila hanggang Menudo Live in Manila 2… mga grade 5 siguro ako nun. sukdulang ikahiya ng ate ko dahil mga panahong yun eh new wave, Duran Duran at Spandau Ballet na kinahuhumalingan nila.

what can i say, even then, Ricky Martin can shake his bon bons on me any time. he he.

ay, si Roy nga pala–sya yung nakalimutan ko.

_______________

"Swimming? In the falls in December?"

"So??!"

walang magulo. i love papa Aga Mulach! [same way i lab piolo and waks, sabi nga ni ate] at yan ang isa sa mga "famous" lines nya as Adie sa movie na Bagets.

sino nga ba ang di mapapataas ang isang kamay habang ang isa ay nasa may bandang tenga na akala mo may kausap sa phone at mag wi-wiggle ka jan to the tune of Growing Up ni Gary V.

anyway, ba’t ko nga ba nabanggit to? ah. sabi kasi ni ate, may re-make daw ng Bagets, as portrayed by today’s hottest young male stars. sino sino sila? di ko alam. pero sabi ni ate, si John Pratts daw si Aga Mulach. at least, justifiable.

as to who else is going to portray Topee, Arnel, Tonton and Gilbert? i’ll get back to you. alam ni ate yan. he he.

sa mga kabataang barangay na di maka-relate, eto , tingnan nyo. sa mga ka-batch ko, anong score nyo sa quiz? 

o sya tama na at napaghahalata na edad ko. 

Sa mga di nakakakilala kay Amor Powers, isa sya sa mga leading characters sa telenobela ng Dos na Pangako Sa’Yo, played by Eula Valdez. Rags to riches and drama ng lola nyo sa story — tipong kung noon eh inaapi-api sya, ngayon eh ultimo kuko ng mga amo nya eh binibili na nya ngayon.

Anyway, yan ang naging feeling ko nung isang araw sa bangko sa San Pablo. I went
there with Tyline kasi aayusin namin yung pasong ATM card ng nanay ko. Bihira akong mag-bangko sa San Pablo kasi sa Maynila ako nagtatrabaho. Kaya naman nung may nakita akong familiar face, natuwa naman ako kasi at least, baka sakaling di na kami mahirapan sa pag-papaayos ng card ni mama.

So anyway, nakapila na kami, hoping na si Vinia (dating SA na kakilala ko at ni mama) ang mag-assist sa min. Di nangyari yun, pero nakita naman nya ako. So syempre ngite-ngite, musta-musta.

Nang biglang:

Vinia (sa katabi nyang teller): Ay tita, sya yung apo ni Tio Thenes

Teller (tingin sa kin): Ah.. ganun ba? (bigay ang passbook) Ineng, pa-check mo muna kung di pa closed ang account mo doon.

So punta ako sa isa pang teller. Si Vinia, hirit ule:

Vinia: Tita Nora, sya yung apo ni Tio Thenes!

Tita Nora: Ahhhh. So ikaw yung anak ni Mrs. Bong? Si Justine?

Me: Opo.

Tita Nora: Kapatid ako ni ate Noemi.

Me: Ay talaga po?

Tita Nora: Eh kung ikaw si Justine, eh di ikaw pala ang pet ni Tio Thenes?

Nagtinginan lang kami ni Tyline at ngumite.

Pero I swear, biglang umiksi ang buhok ko (na medyo magulo yung bandang sa may
batok), naging off shoulder and suot kong blouse at for some reason, gusto kong
maglabas ng payong at sabihing:

"Anong pet ang sinasabi nyo? AKO ANG TAGAPAGMANA NI THENES!"

[Thunderous laugh. Play theme music. Fade out lights. Exit, stage left]

Hwehwehwe. Wish ko lang.

i’m working on a proposal today which struck me like a bolt of lightning. i told my boss nga that it was "right through the heart"–saktong sakto.

inevitably so, because i’m doing a proposal for a medical company that develops equipment to treat Parkinson’s Disease, a movement disorder. a disease caused by damage to nerve cells in a part of the brain that makes dopamine–the chemical that sends signals to other cells in the nervous system [http://patienteducation.upmc.com/Pdf/Parkinsons.pdf]. a progressive disorder. the very reason why Papa is no longer with me…with us.

it’s been eight years hence, and this month, he would’ve been 63.

let me call it irony, for now.

we miss you so much it hurts.

wish you were here papa. wish you were here…

a father’s wish

quietly he slipped from the face of the earth
almost on his twilight, but never reached his epitome.
with dismay he entered the door to eternity,
constantly looking back at the subtle footprints
he had left behind.

no longer will he feel her touch, nor her kiss
whenever the sun rises from its deep slumber.
nor will he listen to her tales,
about life and other daily grind of things
missing it as it unfolds right before his eyes.

no longer will he hear the child-like laughter and teases
of his precious ones, all grown-up and with a life of their own.
unable to wipe their tears, to hear their woes
to answer their questions on life, on love
that he himself did not see.

his thoughts he failed to say,
his love he failed to show
all because of the unkindness of life, of fate.
but his love never died in spite of his demise.
and if only his love can turn back the hands of time,
he’d scream from his soul, express from his heart
his life, his heart, his being — he’d offer it to them.
if only he can… if only.

@—->—–
*for papa
by tinetine
071499