Saturday night fever

Dear Mama,

    I'm having Saturday night fever, and it's not about the Bee Gees. It's Saturday night, and I do have a fever, Mama. Flu, actually. Since Thursday I believe. It's started with a cough since Wednesday, Mama. I thought. Now my throat hurts, and I even have a running nose. I'm taking my medicines, Mama.

    We already had our dinner. Ralph is out now. He's attending a trivia night, a usual activity he attends every weekend, Mama. At least he is meeting people outside of his work, and us. You know how he is social, just like you, Mama.

    Tomorrow, Angel will be attending a book club. And she doesn't want me to accompany her, Mama. She wants to go on her own. I hope it will help her get out of her shell. She seldom go out, Mama. Usually, she's always with us. Anyway, the event will be just in San Fernando, Mama. So, I guess it's safe for her to go.

    I guess that will be all for now, Mama. I will be resting in a while. I will just practice a little with my guitar.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you

                                                                                            Daddy

Friday night

Dear Mama,

    It's Friday night. It's 9 p.m. now and Ralph is already at work, Mama. He left at 8 p.m. earlier. Edgar is in his room, and Angel is working on something on the dining table. There's live singers right now at the grill beside us, Mama. But the noise is tolerable. I mean, I'm telling myself it's tolerable, Mama.

    I really don't know what to say here, Mama. After Ralph's birthday and my gig last Sunday, there's really nothing much happening. Nothing to look forward to, either.

    I guess, I just wanted to say hi. Hi, Mama. I wish you were here, or I was there with you.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                    Daddy

Ralph's birthday and my first gig

Dear Mama,

    Earlier we had lunch buffet at Nihon Aji, our children and I, to celebrate Ralph's birthday. That's the only way we know how to celebrate birthdays, Mama. I know if you were only here you might have prepared a birthday party for Ralph, or any of our children who's celebrating their birthday.

    After lunch I went straight home, while Ralph, Edgar, and Angel went to SM Clark. They went to the food expo at the SMX. I had to go home so I can prepare for my gig, Mama. I am supposed to meet them at Nepo Mall for my gig, but I was surprised they came home by 2 p.m. I guess they do not have anything much they can do at the mall, that's why they opted to go home and rest.

    I left home for my gig at 3 p.m. I told our children to just follow me later, after they have rested. I went early so I can set up and conduct sound check. It's a good thing they have people at the venue who assisted me, and their sound system was great, Mama.

    I started my first set at 4 p.m., I thought I wouldn't have any audience, but there were some people who have actually stayed to watch and listen, Mama. I was nervous at first, but after a while I was already having fun. I was still nervous, but I was enjoying myself, Mama. Especially when I can see some people in the audience singing along.

    Our children came before my second set. But they were very supportive, taking photos and videos. I had fun doing my first gig, Mama. It was far from smooth and ideal, but I guess it wasn't bad for a first time. I hope I'll get more paid gigs like this. It can help me a lot.

    After my gig, our children and I went to Starbucks for coffee, although I had juice for myself. Edgar, however, wasn't able to drink his coffee because he was having headache. Good thing we were able to get comfortable chairs, and Edgar slept while we were at Starbucks. He is already sleeping now, Mama. He slept as soon as we got home. Hoping he'll be okay tomorrow, so he can work. He already had 2 absences last week, Mama.

    Anyway, that will be all for now. I hope I was able to make you proud on my gig, Mama. Please help me improve my singing and guitar playing.

    I wish you were here. I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Nervous...

Dear Mama

    It's only a week until my first official gig. I'm nervous, Mama. I now feel regret that I accepted it. If only I can sing half as good as you, Mama.

    Last night, I practiced some songs. My voice wasn't good. It wasn't that bad, but it's not really good, Mama. My guitar skills is average, or perhaps even below average. I don't know why I thought I can be a performer, Mama. I wish I can make myself good. I am doing my best practicing, Mama.

    Please, hold my hand.

                                                                                                        Daddy

My first official gig

Dear Mama,

    I just had my first official gig schedule. It will be on Grandparents' Day, Mama, which incidentally coincides with Ralph's birthday. I asked Ralph's permission first before I accepted it. Anyway, we will have lunch  buffet, the gig will be on the afternoon to early evening, and then we'll have coffee or maybe light dinner, Mama.

    They said I will be singing old songs. because it's grandparents day So, I should brush up on my classics, Mama. I hope I will do good in my performance, Mama. If only I am even half as good at you when it comes to singing.

    That will be all for now, Mama. I just wanted to update you on my gig. I hope I can make you proud.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                            Daddy

We went to Tarlac

Dear Mama,

    This morning, Ralph and I went to Capas, Tarlac for his unit turn-over. I took a leave of absence from work so I could accompany him, Mama. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done on the house, some improvements and renovations. I don't know how will Ralph be able to do it, Mama. I told him to ask his cousins and friends for some advice. Unfortunately, I have nothing to advice him on that matter.

    He is already on his way to work now, Mama. We already had our dinner. I'm about to rest, but thought I'd write to update you, Mama. Please continue guiding our children, Mama, especially in their life's decision. I'm sorry if I am failing in guiding them properly.

    I know, things would have been better for our children if you're still here with us.

                                                                                                    Daddy

Another Sunday Buffet

Dear Mama,

    We arrived home about 30 minutes ago, our children and I. We came from a buffet restaurant where we had our dinner, Mama. Of course, courtesy of Ralph again.

    Earlier this afternoon, I went to Nepo area to buy t-shirt as a gift for Ralph's birthday next month. I waited for our children there. Ralph came from a lunch meet up with his former co-workers, while Angel and Edgar would be coming from home. I left earlier so I could buy the t-shirt before Ralph would come from his lunch meet up.

    Ralph arrived at around 3 p.m., while Edgar and Angel came before 4 p.m. We stayed for a while at Nepo Mall, then at around 5 p.m., Ralph booked a Grab car and we went to Century Hotel. We came earlier than the dinner time, but we didn't have to wait long because they opened the buffet table earlier. Probably because we were already there, Mama.

    How I wish you were with us during this family time, Mama. I'm sure it would have been happier if we were complete. You would have been proud of our children.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                Daddy

First day performance

Dear Mama,

    I arrived home earlier at around 8:30 p.m. (it's already past 9pm). Had my dinner, took my maintenance medicines, and now writing this letter for you. Ralph is already at work, Angel and Edgar are preparing to leave to go to a nearby coffee shop. I said I will no longer go with them, Mama. I said I wanted to rest.

    I came from the opening of the Bonzai and Beyond exhibit. They invited me to sing my original Kapampangan song because it ties with their theme, which is saving the trees in Friendship. The people who were there and heard it said they like my song, and it was beautiful. I'm glad I passed, Mama. Tomorrow, Saturday, I'll be back there to sing more songs, together with my fellow songwriters from the Songwriters Cabalen Community.

    I hope I am making you proud, Mama. I wish you were here.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy