Sunday, August 10, 2014
Our gas was running low because I went to Tagaytay and Trece Martires last week.
Oyen’s classmates said names were already being called. We thought we could go straight to Ateneo first and then send the driver to get gas. Hindi, a kilometer from our house, the van sounded an alarm and umilaw na. Mahirap na, we couldn’t take the risk baka tumirik pa kami. We stopped at Shell and put P2,000 worth of gas.
We arrived in Loyola Heights at 2:45 pm, just in time for Oyen’s call time.
Oyen———– “Shoti, bring that, carry my toga…”
The parents proceeded to the Henry Lee Irwin Theater. We were only given two entrance tickets that’s why we couldn’t bring Nyke inside.
E———-“Ang aga pa natin, Oh, wala pang tao”.
The vacant seats were for the 400 graduates.
We were not early. In fact, we lost our “togetherness”. We couldn’t sit together because one row has 21 seats, odd number. All the 20’s were occupied already.
We both occupied two aisle seats. Every now and then someone would stand up and pass in front of me. With tight leg room, my toes suffered three tremendous “apak”, my step-in got dirty from other people’s shoes. One kid just passed without saying excuse me, hitting my knees and in the process, dragging my bag along. Nay ko po. The mom forgot to say sorry to me. He also stepped on my toes for her information.
Swerte, we were seated where Oyen entered. I assigned the dad to take a still photo while I take the video.
The medalists were the firsts to be called. I gave way to the father to be the one to go up the stage. Nag selfie pa ang mag-ama.
When Oyen graduated from college, we didn’t go up the stage, only parents who were alumnus and alumni of Fordham proudly walked with their children. Also, before the graduation march, Oyen was already wearing her medal.
When Oyen told us two weeks ago that only one could go up the stage, I gave way to Edmund. I wanted him to share in her glory. I wanted to see him smile and bask in the moment. How many times naman in a parent’s life that one gets to go up the stage? We never encouraged our children to collect honors in school. Ang babaw nga ng ambisyon namin, basta makapasa lang. Okay na yun.
At saka nung nag graduate kami ni Edmund in college, ewan sa kanya he didn’t attend the graduation. Ako, I was there, I was already there practically on the stage’s edge, the professor skipped my name. Pesteng ngyawok. Ang ikli na ng name ko, nalimutan pa. He jumped to letter U. Tapos napansin nila, there’s a poor little girl standing there. Hey that’s me. At saka lang tinawag ang name ko. Kawawang bata.
While my daughter and dear husband were waiting for their turn, I was holding my breath, I was afraid they might forget to read my daughter’s name just like what happened to me. Buti na lang hinde at naku maghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan. Stage mother ini to the max!
When the guy said Maria Julienne T.
I said to myself— “T, that’s me”.
