Our family moved to our very own house when I was in Kindergarten. Since we no longer run a dormitory, I had to give up my soft drinks business. Tatay saw the perfect opportunity to cut my relationship with my First Love. He was blaming my passionate drinking of ice cold Coke as the perennial culprit for my acute tonsillitis. Seriously, I was begging the E.N.T. Surgeon to remove my tonsils when I was 5. But he refused and told me to wait until I turn 8. True enough, Nanay and I flew to Davao City on June 7, 1966 for the removal of my tonsils. Guess what I took 4 hours after the operation? 1/2 gallon of ice cream and my First Love—1 bottle of my favorite 8 oz. Coca-Cola!
The Love of my life was banned in our household but that did not stop me from having 'stolen moments' with my First Love, since my beloved Baez Sari-Sari Store was just around the corner.
Then the unexpected happened. I met Kuya Johnny, the Mechanical Engineer of Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Dadiangas (now GenSan) over breakfast at the same hotel that we were lodging. He wanted to settle down and was searching for a wife. He asked me if I had a sister. I told him yes, I have an adopted sister who was not only very beautiful but hardworking as well. In one of Nanay’s trips to Dadiangas, I suggested that Ate Mely accompany her. When Kuya Johnny first saw Ate Mely, he immediately fell in love with her. He was working in Dadiangas but went out of his way to visit Marbel to formally ask permission from my parents if he could court Ate Mely. I took that as an opportunity for me and my First Love. I demanded that his passport to gain entry in our guarded house was 1 case of family size Coke hahahah . . . That was H-E-A-V-E-N for me!
As in any love story, our love was put to the test when Tatay forced me to dump my First Love. He instructed me to return Kuya Johnny's gift of 1 case Family size Coke, claiming that it was a form of bribe and I shouldn't accept it. He even accused me of selling Ate Mely in exchange of Coke!
I feared my father's wrath but my love was stronger. Tatay threatened to punish me for my disobedience but I did not yield. I fought for my First Love until the very end. I was willing to face death if I had to.
I did everything within my power to convince Tatay and Nanay that indeed, Kuya Johnny was the best man for my Ate Mely (Of course I did not only think of our future supply of unlimited Coke heheh. . . Kuya Johnny was the epitome of an ideal husband.) When Kuya Johnny and Ate Mely finally tied the knot, I felt in my heart and bones that my relationship with my First Love was now sealed forever. At last, I have found my ally! I'm sure Kuya Johnny would always defend me and the Love of my life. Obstacles will never cease to exist but I am now confident that I will remain true and loyal to my First Love.
The Love of my life was banned in our household but that did not stop me from having 'stolen moments' with my First Love, since my beloved Baez Sari-Sari Store was just around the corner.
Then the unexpected happened. I met Kuya Johnny, the Mechanical Engineer of Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Dadiangas (now GenSan) over breakfast at the same hotel that we were lodging. He wanted to settle down and was searching for a wife. He asked me if I had a sister. I told him yes, I have an adopted sister who was not only very beautiful but hardworking as well. In one of Nanay’s trips to Dadiangas, I suggested that Ate Mely accompany her. When Kuya Johnny first saw Ate Mely, he immediately fell in love with her. He was working in Dadiangas but went out of his way to visit Marbel to formally ask permission from my parents if he could court Ate Mely. I took that as an opportunity for me and my First Love. I demanded that his passport to gain entry in our guarded house was 1 case of family size Coke hahahah . . . That was H-E-A-V-E-N for me!
As in any love story, our love was put to the test when Tatay forced me to dump my First Love. He instructed me to return Kuya Johnny's gift of 1 case Family size Coke, claiming that it was a form of bribe and I shouldn't accept it. He even accused me of selling Ate Mely in exchange of Coke!
I feared my father's wrath but my love was stronger. Tatay threatened to punish me for my disobedience but I did not yield. I fought for my First Love until the very end. I was willing to face death if I had to.
I did everything within my power to convince Tatay and Nanay that indeed, Kuya Johnny was the best man for my Ate Mely (Of course I did not only think of our future supply of unlimited Coke heheh. . . Kuya Johnny was the epitome of an ideal husband.) When Kuya Johnny and Ate Mely finally tied the knot, I felt in my heart and bones that my relationship with my First Love was now sealed forever. At last, I have found my ally! I'm sure Kuya Johnny would always defend me and the Love of my life. Obstacles will never cease to exist but I am now confident that I will remain true and loyal to my First Love.
Today is Kuya Johnny’s 78th birthday. Happy happy bday Kuya Johnny! Thank you for all the love and care you have showered to all of us through all these years. May God bless you with a healthier body, mind, heart and spirit. We all love you!
(Thanks for dropping by my blog! Feel free to send your comments or reactions via Messenger or email to ndelr62@gmail.com. Stay safe everyone!)
