To the Guardians

Hello grannies, grandpas, ate Nora and kuya Pao. How’s business up there? Have you met FPJ, Jose Rizal and Ninoy Aquino? Have they told you their stories? Life’s a bit rough down here. There were serious problems that come and go, issues left to be discussed and solved, and food scares busying the air waves. But don’t worry about us, we’re all fine and we haven’t had food with melamine nor formalin in it. I wrote this letter to report to you the things that had happened when you guys left. It was difficult for us to adjust to the mere fact that you are physically absent. We sobbed pails or tears to ease out the pain we felt when we knew you’re not coming back. I can’t explain how much pain we had suffered and how long it took us to pick ourselves up. I do not mean you guys had caused us so much pain when you left, it’s just that, we love you a lot, that’s why it has been a long way for us to recuperate from the days of dull.

When you left, there were changes, and there were also the things remained unchanged. Nanay, your house just got renovated; it stands out among the neighborhood for its cool green paint. And Tatay’s and Franz’s remains were moved to a close bone and ash repository near you. And you got another apo from kuya Ajjie, her name is Erica Skye, she looks like IC when she was at the same age. She is turning a year old in November. Kuya Ajjie, by the way, is planning to settle with Ate Joan, an officemate at the company he works in. Mom, Pops and Tita Rose are okay now. They forgot about the old age fights. Chinie and I are in the same university. I’m on my first year while she’s on her third year in Psychology. Mara graduated in elementary, she’s on her third year in high school. Francis got circumcised (hahaha, blimey, he had a hard time moving around the house.) Tita Olive, Tito Joel, and Joey finally migrated in Las Vegas. Joey has grown a lot, and Tita O mailed us-Joey is a straight A student in his school. He said he was lucky he knows how to speak Tagalog because he has Filipino classmates who can’t. Tita O’s house was intruded, and is still on the process of investigation (you know how slow the processes are here.)What else, ah, Ate Trins is getting married in March with his Muslim boyfriend Amir. What’s so cool is that they don’t have problems about their religious and cultural differences. I hope these don’t get in the way the moment they get married. So there you go. A lot has happened, right? But in all these momentous events, you guys are remembered. You all are a part of it.
We really miss you. I know death is a natural phenomenon, but we won’t let death burn the bridges of our love to you. The turn of the century was really difficult for us. But we thank you for guiding us always and for interceding for us. We love you.

Nanay, we love you very much. Mama is just very lucky to have you as her mother. She inherited your great cooking skills. By the way, everybody has been attempting to make your Maja Blanca during get-togethers, but no one has successfully made the same Maja Blanca you make.
Tatay, though you passed away 20 years right before I was born, I look up to you. I’m amazed on how you brought up your eight totally different kids and how you raised your children to the persons they are right now.
Ate Nora, thank you for being the second mother to me. Thank you for taking care of me when I was a baby. Thank you for showing great patience for a brat like me. I never told you this but I really love you.
Lola, though we’ve spent little time together, you know how much I love you. I look up to you. Without you, I could never have the best father in the whole world.
Lolo, I really miss you! Christmas is getting near, it’s your birthday on Christmas! I really miss the days when we exchange Christmas cards and gifts, and your voice when you call us telling you have sent us gifts for our birthdays. I’ll continue your dream for Tito Rey. Love you, lo.

Kuya Pao, you’re unfair. How could you leave so soon? Mama and Papa had a hard time recovering from the pain. Until now, they’re still crying about the fact you’re not physically with us in our new house. It’s been five years, but it still pains us to see a vivid picture of you gasping for life. Francis is acting like you when you were his age. He’s 15 now, and he acts exactly like you. Remember our major fight? When you shot a pencil toward me and it has nearly blinded my right eye? I still have the pencil mark a millimeter away from the corner of my eye. But I’m thankful you did it. Because it taught me, a kuya will always be a kuya. I miss the days when we go to school together, when you drag me by the neck when we cross the streets. When I got in 4th year high school, my teachers were your teachers when you were in your 3rd year. Remember Ms. Galang, the one who embarrassed you in your class? She was my adviser. Mrs. Tare, Mr. Octavo, Sir Jove and Ms. Regala knows I am your sister. You left a mark in E.S.P.S. Haha. Remember your favorite song? “Now this looks like a job for me so everybody, just follow me coz’ we need a little controversy coz’ it feels so empty without me.” Yes, it really feels empty without you, kuya Pao. We love you sooooo much.

Until we meet again, guys. You are loved, being loved, and will always be loved and remembered.