Those were the days 26 April 2009

Those were the days when my parents would stay late at night until the wee hours of the morning as they alternately lull me to sleep. I would cry as soon as they put me back on the bed. Yes, they had to carry me and pat my back for me to sleep soundly.

Those were the days when the whole neighborhood knew that I was taking my bath – morning or afternoon or any time of the day. I cried and screamed like hell.

Those were the days when a family friend asked for my parents’ permission to bring me to Punta Taytay Resort to spend a day with them. I remembered walking barefoot under the heat of the sun crying and looking for my way home. I could have gotten lost while strolling alone. A female stranger approached me and asked for my mother’s name to which I replied “Mama.” She then asked where I lived and I simply said “Plata” which should be “Plaza.” Luckily, someone – I’m not sure if that was the female stranger or a different person – knew our family friend and safely brought me back to her.

Those were the days when I stayed at the house of the same family friend in Airport Subd. It was getting dark and I kept telling them to bring me home back to my parents. They kept convincing me that it was getting dark and there was no PUJ available. I tearfully looked out from the window and pointed to them their owner-type jeep.

Those were the days when my mother would bring me with her while she bought some stuff in the public market. I took a small dried fish ( gono ) from a vendor and directly put it inside my mouth while we were in Libertad Market. In Central Market, I curiously held a single fresh egg on my plam then crushed it with my bare hand.

Those were the days when my mother went to a local store in Gatuslao St. across Central Market while I tagged along. She was picking some clothes when she couldn’t find me nearby her after a few minutes. She went back to ask for help to look for me. After a little while, a sidewalk vendor, noticing that they were looking for a lost child, told her that I crossed Luzuriaga Street alone with fellow pedestrians. I was calmly munching on a guava fruit when they found me.

Those were the days when I would go inside the fastfood area of the same building where we used to stay to ask for some ice cubes. I love letting the ice melt in my mouth and I still do it.

Those were the days when I frequently go up to the 2nd floor to the cinema, in the same building mentioned earlier, through their back door which was near their canteen section to watch movies for free. I would even ask my parents to buy “Chiquito” so that I could play with him. Chiquito was the late comedian who was famous during the 80s. He and actress Beverly Vergel visited that cinema once before. My parents asked how much it will cost to buy “Chiquito” and I would confidently say “pito” as I held out my forefinger. I really meant “piso” or 1 peso in Hiligaynon. Additionally, I volunteered to assist Palito and 2 other comedians when they visited our stall but with a saleslady by my side, of course!

Those were the days when my father brought me along with him in Manila with his friend and they almost lost me - for the nth time. We were in Arranque Market in Binondo buying for a black chicken – my favorite. It has a black skin with white feathers but it is smaller than a native chicken. I was too engrossed watching the stall owner and his helpers in hot pursuit of the monkey that got lose from its cage when I suddenly felt my father’s hand grabbing my back. They got worried when they realized that I wasn’t following them.

Those were the days when I dozed off on the sofa while watching tv. My father would carry me to my bed so that I could sleep properly. I woke up the next day feeling good. Most of the times, I would fake a sleep so that my father would carry me to my bed instead.

Those were the days when I was still a baby, a toddler and everybody’s little girl…

Now… I’m stepping into another journey of my life to be the mentor, the friend, and the mother of the tiny little life inside me.