My First Love (Part 6)

 (For maximum enjoyment, please scroll down to read Parts 1 to 5 first before reading this post. Gracias!)

Transferring from the bustling street of CM Recto to the laid-back countryside of Quezon City was a tear-jerking experience for me during my first night at Kalayaan Dorm UP Diliman. With nobody to talk to, no  sounds of vehicles passing by, no one to eat with—I was homesick for the very first time since I left Marbel. My only consolation was the presence of my First Love who cried with me all through the night.

Kalayaan Dorm was exclusive for Freshmen. On my 2nd year, I was fortunate to join the de Jesus Family in an apartment along Tomas Morato. Lucky for me, my First Love was a favorite resident in our household!

Summer of 1977, my parents migrated to Las Piñas City and we were reunited as one family. Commuting daily to and from Diliman QC was tough and challenging but I made it through because of the Love of my life. Tatay no longer banned my First Love inside our home but still insisted that I stop my “bad habit”, as he called it. He was aghast when I told him I would never part with the Love of my life until my last breath. 

My First Love accompanied me and my wacky friends through college. He shared my joys and pains until graduation.  Throughout the darkest hours of my University life, he never left my side.  He stood by me through thick and thin, like a true gentleman.

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My First Love (Part 5)

 (Hi guys. Please skip this post if you haven’t read Parts 1 to 4 yet. Kindly scroll down. Merci!)

I thought nothing could make me sad anymore since I could be with my First Love anytime I want but I was wrong.

July 21, 1973:  As soon as I entered Room 6,  I could feel the heaviness in the air.  Based from the gloomy faces of my room mates, I could sense that something tragic just happened.  They advised me to sit down, gently telling me that I should be calm and not be shocked for what they were about to reveal.  I nervously complied but my mind was in a blur, not knowing what the fuss was all about.  When they thought that I was already composed on my seat, they showed me a tabloid and the Headline drained the blood out of me.  I screamed and cried like a lunatic while they tried to hug and pacify me.  I was shouting “hindi totoo yan (that is fake news)!

The following day, I received a social telegram from my dear father which said: “My condolences with the  death of your idol BRUCE LEE.  Please be strong.  I love you anak, Tatay.”

I cried a river.  I still couldn’t believe that my idol left this world at a very young age of 32.  My heart was crushed.  I wanted to fly to Hongkong but I did not have a passport back then.  Thankfully, my First Love was always with me to comfort me in my suffering.

While my heart was in pain, I was happy at the same time.  I was dismayed with Bruce Lee’s passing but was amazed with my father’s display of affection. I was in a trance that Tatay consoled me during my time of mourning.  I did not expect that behind his demeanor of solid rock, a soft spot existed within him that melted my wounded heart.  For the first time in 15 years, I was grateful to God that he was my father.  I love you Tatay!

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My First Love (Part 4)

(Have you read Parts 1 to 3? Read them first before reading this post. Scroll down please. Enjoy!)

To ensure my safety from the ‘civil war' outbreak in Cotabato, my dear parents thought it was best for me to continue my studies in Manila.

The timing was great, as I was then planning to run away from home.  I was desperate to be free from my father’s military-like discipline before it chokes me to death. I also wanted to punish my mother who was always prioritizing her career over her only daughter for as long as I could remember.  I already saved enough money for me to reach Dadiangas and some pocket money for me to survive while looking for work.  I was confident to easily get a job because I was highly trained by my own father with any household and office work.  Back then, hiring minors was a common practice.

God must really loved me because my dream of leaving home would now come true without me worrying about my living expenses.  I won’t be stopping my studies and won’t be working anymore  inorder to survive.  The arrangement was just too good to be true but it was really happening!

I was barely 15 years old when I left Marbel.  Holy Spirit Dormitory along San Sebastian St. became my second home during my 3rd and 4th year stay in UE HS Recto.  I considered myself very lucky that 4 out of my 5 room mates were also from Marbel and nearby towns.  It's as if I never left my birthplace because we were speaking in Ilonggo, our native tongue.

Feeling homesick was something I never experienced.  Thanks to the sisterly bond of the “6 Sexy Chicks of Room 6” and of course, for the the tender loving care of my First Love.  Coke and balut (boiled fertilized duck egg) kept me company every night while doing my assignments.

For the first time in 15 years, I was totally free to be with the Love of my life—anytime I want.  I was in heaven!

  

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My First Love (Part 3)

(You need to read Parts 1 & 2 first to enjoy this post. Kindly scroll down. Thanks!)

As time goes by, my relationship with my First Love became deeper and deeper.

Back in the ‘70's when Cotabato was only divided into South and North, the Moslem rebels in the North were adamant to gain dominion over the Christians in the South.  One ordinary fine day, while my friends and I were sipping our favorite Coke and munching the tasty banana cue (skewed deep-fried unripe banana saba soaked in brown sugar) in Non's Store, we heard the church bells ring and the deafening siren.  It was a warning signal for all citizens to take cover inside their homes because of a possible bloody attack from the North.  Our town Marbel (now Koronadal City) was the capital of South Cotabato.

In a flash, everybody around me vanished from my sight.

I was left alone with my First Love.

Nanay Goring, the owner of the store, frantically told me to go home right away.  She was Genevieve’s mom and was like my 2nd mother, taking care of me and my gang everyday that we were there at her store.  Non’s Store was just across KNCHS (Koronadal National Comprehensive HS).

I could sense that Nanay Goring was already anxious for my safety so I assured her that I would leave after I finish my bottle of Coke . . .

There were no cellphones then.  It was the age of Morse Code and snail mails.  Nobody knew where I was.  I was walking alone on a deserted town, just like a scene in a horror movie.  When I arrived home, people in our household were at the gate worried sick for me.  They couldn't believe that I would sacrifice my life because of a bottle of Coke.

I told them: If the rebels did attack our town and I was gunned down or beheaded, I would have died very happy because I was kissing my First Love during my last moment on earth!

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My First Love (Part 2)

(Please start with Part 1 first before reading this post. Just scroll down. Have fun!)

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.

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!

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My First Love (Part 1)

Would you believe I fell in love before I could even spell the word "L-O-V-E"?

Our immortal love story began when my parents rented one door in the Dizon apartments near Notre Dame of Marbel, South Cotabato and they decided to convert the second floor to a ladies’ dormitory.

My nannie and me saw the prospect of earning big bucks through selling soft drinks to our boarders.

That's how I met the "Love of my life".

My First Love owned the sexiest body on the planet, the object of attraction for anyone craving to quench their thirst.

Yes, my First Love was the curvy  8 oz. Coca-Cola bottle!

The very first time we kissed, I knew that our relationship would last forever.

Yes folks.  Merong FOREVER!

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WOULD YOU CHOOSE THE ONE YOU LOVE OR THE PERSON RIGHT FOR YOU?

Tricky.  I can almost hear you say “what in God’s name is the difference?”

I know, I know.  For a person truly in love, you feel in your bones that your “knight in shining armour” is the right person for you.  

But is he—really?  

You look at him and you see Miguel Rodriguez in the flesh.  After just a month of marriage, you realize that indeed, Miguel Rodriguez is already dead and long gone!

FLASHBACK:  My EX and I parked in front of Star City where we could see the roller coaster ride (it was my dream before to ride the roller coaster with the man of my dreams).  Amid the screams of the people enjoying the ride of their lives, he asked me a very thought-provoking question:  “What do I have to do to prove my love for you?”  It took me a while to answer his serious question.  After thinking about it for almost 60 seconds, I told him “you only have to do 3 things for me:  always make me laugh, never hurt me, and love me faithfully at all times”.   (I translated that in English for the benefit of our Non-Filipino readers but In our native tongue I told him “lagi mo akong patatawanin, hindi mo ako sasaktan, at mamahalin mo ako ng tapat.” )   Clasping his fingers in mine, he promised that he would do all those deeds  for me.  With Joey Albert’s song “Iisa pa Lamang” being played over the radio, I was mersmerized and believed him with all my heart, body, mind, and spirit.

While most people set minimum standards for their ideal husband or wife, I had none.  Maybe because at 25, I had already made a vow to remain single for the rest of my life (I actually wanted to be a nun but was instantly rejected at the convent’s doorstep but that’s of course another story hahahah  .  .  .  )  Anyway, my type of man was not the conventional one.  My love for him must be strong enough to defy this world’s expectations.  Someone I will love not because of what he has or what he is but because of what I become when I’m with him.  Someone whose presence alone will put a genuine smile on my face and lift the burdens I carry.  

How about you?  Would you choose the person you love or the one who’s right for you?

But  how exactly do you know if that person is the right one for you?  Do you keep a checklist of what your future husband or wife should at least have?  If so, what do you consider as a passing mark?  Is your list similar to like this?

1.  He should have a stable job or a thriving business that can support a family of 10 and will survive any pandemic that will hit the country.

2.  He doesn’t have to be drop dead gorgeous like Richard Gere but presentable enough for public exposure.

3.  Physically strong, healthy, and sexy.

4.  No family history of any Critical Illness.

5.  Sweet talker and have a great sense of humor.

6.  Demonstrative of his romantic affections.

7.  Shares at least one of your passions, support your hobbies and tolerate your idiosyncrasies.

8.  Amiable to your family and friends earning him their elusive stamp of approval.

9.  Generous with gifts, not only with you but to your dearest family as well.

10.  Doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink, doesn’t gamble, doesn’t engage in one-night stands.

11.  Willing to cooperate with household chores including babysitting.

12.  Prayerful.

And the list continues  .  .  .

Would you still say YES to the person even if his score is only 20% based from your criteria?  A number of you would tell me “I know where my heart is and it’s below my head”,  mimicking Eddie Garcia when he left  Gloria Diaz on their wedding day.  Others would say “ love conquers all.  Love should be unconditional and unselfish.  The measure of love is to love without measure.”  And so on and so forth.

I married my EX because I loved him.  He, on the other hand, married me because he speculated that I was the right woman for him. It would have been great to marry someome you love, but it would have been better if you loved the one you married.  He should have made the commitment to love me right after he said “I do” at the altar.

Loving someone and being loved in return is an exhilarating experience.  Not everyone is blessed to encounter that in this lifetime (like Park Bo-gum and Song Hye-kyo heheheh  .  .  .)   But when you do, hold on to it and never let go.

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