December 9, 2019, Baguio
While I was praying, someone from behind said “Merry Christmas mam”. I looked and saw a young mother holding a tiny baby on her lap. I gave her a crisp P20 bill. I saw the faces of three women who were seated behind her react. They looked surprised that I gave what could be considered as too big of a limos.
I faced the altar again and continued praying. There were many things to thank for and at the same time there was one problem that hasn’t been solved and I was asking for big help from above.
I stayed seated for a while trying to relax my senses.
When I was ready to leave the church, I turned to her and asked if that was her baby. She said the boy is 6 months old, but You know that there are beggars who borrow their neighbor’s little children to use as a pawn so that people would take pity on them and give money.
She said that’s her son and she also has a two-year-old girl. She added that her husband had left her for another woman. “Iniwan ako, may bago na syang asawa”. You know that these people use the term asawa loosely. Syento-porsyento hindi naman yan mga kasal pero ginagamit nila ang katagang asawa. “Hiwalay na sila nung dati nyang asawa, ako na ngayon ang asawa nya.”
Kahit pangatlo na sya, asawa pa rin ang tawag. In our educated society, it’s rude or politically incorrect to call the second, third, fourth, in line to the throne as kabit. That sounds so offensive. It’s kabitsuytsuy. The word mistress is also offensive. People now refer to them as a girlfriend (as if they are two young and single lovers), partner (in crime) or business partners. The word mistress is now considered disrespectful to the kabitsuytsuy. Baka ma-offend. Dapat wifestress. Kasi she gives the wife stress.
I saw a bottle of milk and out of curiosity, I asked what brand of milk that was. Bonna daw.
Then she said “Mam, dagdagan mo yung pera. Baka gusto mong dagdagan.”
She said she’s from Dagupan and not from Baguio but she comes here because many people give money. Next time I see her, I will ignore her.
