Happy birthday, Mama!

Dear Mama,

    Today we celebrated in what I believe the most different way we celebrated it so far. We went to MOA, Mama. Because Angel had to attend an event with the new group she had joined. We accompanied her, Ralph, Edgar, and I. Of course, we left her upon arriving at the venue, while we 3 boys just roamed around the MOA.

    We went back to Angel before 3 pm. They ended at exactly 3, although she wasn't able to immediately, Mama. We then took the P2P bus from NAIA to SM City Clark, where we had our dinner. And we went home. Of course, we did not forget to buy you a cake, Mama. We sang happy birthday when we got home.

    If only you were still here, these celebrations would have been happier and meaningful. I miss you, Mama.

    Happy birthday!

    I love you.

                                                                                                            Daddy

My gig, Ralph's home, and other updates

Dear Mama,

    Sorry, it took me quite a while to write another letter to you again. It's not because I'm busy, you know I am not, Mama. It's just that every time I tried to write, I don't know where to begin or what to say.

    Ralph came back home from his Taiwan trip last week. I can't believe he bought an extra luggage in Taiwan so he could bring all the things he bought there, Mama. I think he enjoyed his trip. He was with his friends, Mama.

    Edgar, on the other hand, passed the insurance broker exam, Mama. He took it last Saturday. I am not sure if it was licensure or just accreditation. He is looking for prospects now. Too bad, I'm no longer connected with Toastmasters, Mama. I cannot help him. Although, I think even though if I am still in Toastmasters, I still won't be able to help to him. You know those people don't care about me. 

    Angel will have an event in Manila this Sunday. Of course, we will accompany her, Mama. I'm just hoping I have enough funds for the trip and other activities there. I don't want Ralph to spend for all our expenses there, Mama. I might just borrow some money so I won't make him pay or spend too much.

    Mama, I had a gig last Friday. It wasn't much. I was just paid transportation allowance, but I only sang about 6 to 7 songs. It was unfortunate it was raining then, Mama. That's why there were only few people. It was an open field. But I enjoyed myself, Mama. I had a lot of mistakes, but it was fun. I cracked jokes in between songs, and my punchlines connected. I need to build myself more for these gigs, Mama. So that I can get some more.

    I think that will be all for now, Mama. I hope I am making you proud. I'm for my shortcomings and failures. I still wish you were still here.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                            Daddy

Ralph's trip

Dear Mama,

    Ralph is on his trip right to Taiwan right now with his friends. He left this morning and will be back next week. Hope he enjoys himself there, he deserves it. It's just me, Edgar, and Angel at home now until next week.

    I don't really have much to say, Mama. Which is why I haven't written for a while. I don't have much update. Ralph still haven't started in the renovation of his house in Capas, Edgar is trying to get a side hustle which I hope he enjoys, and Angel has joined a book readers' club.

    As for me, nothing much, Mama. I still have not released any of my original songs in Spotify, and I'm just uploading short covers in TikTok, which get few views. You know I don't really have a good singing voice, Mama. I'm just a trying hard haha....

    Well, I think that will be all for now, Mama. I really wish I can be with you soon.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                Daddy

10 years in the company

Dear Mama,

    Last Monday we celebrated our ten years anniversary in the company, and being one of the pioneers it was also my 10th year of service. This is the longest I've lasted in a company since my stint in the bank, Mama. And it's only 3 years to my retirement age, so I'll probably just spend my last 3 years in this company, too. After that, I don't know.

    Today is the first day of TTKD 2025, Mama. You know, the Mardi Gras version of Angeles City that they copied from somewhere. As usual, the main road in Balibago is closed because they'll be holding it there. Fortunately for me, our manager declared an office holiday so we won't have to work. Ralph and Edgar, though, have to work. So, they'll have to pass through the traffic.

    Edgar is already in the office now. He'll get caught in the traffic on his way home later. Ralph is on his way home now from work. Probably already caught in the traffic because of the re-routing they did. It'll be worse for him when he goes to work tonight. There'll be tighter traffic as there'll be more vehicles and the TTKD will already start. He will try to leave earlier tonight, Mama. 

    Angel is undergoing treatment with the dermatologist, Mama. So far, she said she's feeling better. She's having a photo therapy session 2x a week, aside from the weekly consultation with her dermatologist. It's draining me financially, Mama but I have to find means for Angel. I just hope she gets better really.

    I guess, that will be all for now, Mama. Please continue to guide our children.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                                    Daddy

Update on me and the kids

Dear Mama,

    It's 9:35 p.m. now and I was about to sleep, but I remembered we might have no electricity tomorrow at 5 a.m. I'm not sure if we are included, but we need to prepare. So, I'm filling our pails with water now, Mama. You know how it is here, when there's no power, there's also no water.

    I am still coughing, Mama. It's irritating. It hasn't stopped yet, and also I still have this recurring headache in the morning. Are all these signs of growing old, Mama?

    Angel has been going to the doctors, Mama. Last Monday, with her doctor for follow up, and as usual she has been prescribed with medicines, antibiotic included. She was also advised to see a dermatologist, Mama. Because her doctor couldn't find anything wrong with her CBC, so he suspects it might be from her skin. So, she went to the dermatologist today, Mama. She was prescribed with more medicines by the derma.

    She was also advised to have a regular session with lighting exposure something, I forgot the actual term, Mama. But she will be exposed to certain lighting for a certain amount of time, which could help her clean her skin and make her skin asthma manageable. She will have to do this 2 to 3 times weekly, Mama. This is on top of her medicines from the derma and her regular doctor. This will drain my pocket again, Mama. But I just hope this will really cure her skin problem.

    Ralph is already at work now, Mama. He left earlier at 8:00 p.m. Edgar has been into plants lately, Mama. He's been buying seedlings and pots. He is also looking for plants he can cut every time he is out. We have a lot of small pots at the back of the house. Hope he can grow them, especially the vegetables, Mama.

    I guess that will be all for now, Mama. Sorry, I wasn't able to write to you lately.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy

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