Nevergirl’s

He has Alzheimer’s, my lolo. He no longer knows people by name. He smiles at everyone with the guileless innocence of a child. But everyone assumes he would remember who I am and what I mean to him.

He did, that day I visited. His yaya was feeding him but he stood up when I entered. “Do you know her?” My lola asked, sure that he doesn’t. His eyes lit up. “Ming,” he said, calling me by the pet name he gave me when I stood no higher than his knee. That was all the invitation my heart needed to break.

Two minutes. That’s how long I managed to stay in his room before bolting out and crying.

(more…)

Posted in Big Sad, Heartstrings | 5 Comments »

I march to my own beat, especially where music is concerned. I can’t sing Gwen Stefani’s latest (whatever it is) but I do know the lyrics to Max Surban’s and Yoyoy Villame’s songs. I have my grandfather to thank for this. Every day, rain or shine, and at precisely 7:00 a.m, he’d have Bisdak music blaring from speakers.

In the old days, I loved the songs because I found them funny. Today, I listen to them because they bring back tons of memories.

There’s something about Bisaya and I won’t say “Bisaya, the dialect” because the hub would call me on it. He insists Bisaya is a language because from a socio-anthropological perspective, it has a syntax that’s different from all other languages (geek tip: sinebuano is a language; Binol-anon, Surigaonon, and Ilonggo are dialects). I say whatever. Whether it’s language or dialect, I’d feel the same way about Bisaya songs. They’re songs that break down time and space; and wherever I may be at any given point in time, they never fail to bring me home.

(more…)

Posted in Harking back, Wee wonderfuls | 1 Comment »

I hate doing house chores but ironing is always therapeutic for me. I’m not sure why I love to iron – perhaps it has something to do with being able to take something wrinkled and messy and making it neat and flat.

(more…)

Posted in Blathers | 3 Comments »