Dear Mama,

Tonight will be Ralph's last night with us because he will go to Manila tomorrow. I have already rented a van so it will be convenient for him to bring all his things. They're quite plenty... and bulky, Mama. I guess he had no idea before when he said he'd just ride a bus on his way. But since I know better, I could not let it be that way. Unfortunately, I have to use all our resources to be able to do that.

Last night, I was able to buy him a foam for his bed. All he needs now are an electric fan and a portable cabinet. If we would get our salary today, I will be able to buy him tonight. If not, I told him to sacrifice at least for a week and promised to buy him an electric fan next week.

Angel's school items are almost complete while I still haven't bought anything for Edgar, aside from a bag. He still doesn't have any notebooks. Anyway, his classes won't start until June 10. So, I still have the whole of next week to buy him his things.

Well, that will be all now Mama. I hope you can help me look after Ralph while he is in Manila. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

Last night I took the kids out for a movie and dinner. Of course, I had to stick to a budget because I'm saving up for Ralph's needs as well as the two kids. I just felt we need to go out and spend time together before Ralph goes to Manila. It's a good thing Edgar's schedule at Jollibee yesterday was in the morning.

The kids had fun. They were satisfied, Mama. We went home at around 10 p.m. I slept immediately because I still wasn't feeling well.

On Saturday, we will be going to Manila to help Ralph bring his things. I hope he will be safe while he's in Manila, Mama.

Well, I guess that will be all for now Mama. I just wish you were with us last night. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I'm really thankful for everything that you did while you were still here. Because of all the kindness and goodness you've shown then, good things are happening for the kids. Thank you very much, Mama.

I received a message from an old friend whom I haven't seen for a long time. He said he will help on Ralph's needs while he is Manila for his review class. Isn't that great, Mama?! I know it's all because of your good karma. I have been thinking these past few days on how I could support Ralph while he is in Manila while making sure I can also provide for Edgar and Angel's needs here and all of a sudden, help came from an unexpected source. Thank you very much, Mama.

Right now, I'm battling a flu. I don't really fell well, physically. But I really feel good from the news I received. God is still good to us, Mama.

Well, that's all for now Mama. Until my next letter. Take care of yourself. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.


Daddy


P.S. Thanks again.

Dear Mama,

I hope I'm doing the right thing. I've rented a van that we can use on Saturday to help Ralph bring his things to Manila. You know he'll start his review class on Monday and he will be bringing lots of things, from clothes, books, pillows, mattress, and more. He can't carry all those if he would just commute.

I have enough money left to pay for the van and a little amount for his pocket money for the first or at least second week. After that, I can only pray that there'll be provisions for us that would come.

I think I should stop now, Mama. I feel you won't like again what I would write if I continue. Please help us pray, Mama. I'm getting weak... I'm almost wanting to give up. Help me be strong, Mama.

Until my next letter. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

We went to Manaoag Church yesterday. Most of my prayers were for Ralph, for his safety during his stay in Manila for the review. He will be leaving this Saturday, Mama. I am still trying to find some means to provide for all his needs.

Both Ralph and Angel will be starting on their respective classes next Monday, Mama. Edgar, I think, will start the week after that.

We're fine, Mama. The kids are doing well. Take care of yourself. I hope I can see you soon. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I was able to buy Angel's books this morning, but most of them are second hand books. They are available at their school's bookstore and almost half the price of the brand new ones. I hope Angel won't mind, Mama. They are still in good condition, anyway.

I'm sorry I have to be prudent on Angel, Mama. I just want to make that I can cover all their needs, our three kids. That is why I had to seek cheaper items because I really do not have enough money. I'm sorry, Mama.

Bye for now. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

Hi! I haven't written for a few days,  sorry about that. It's less than 2 weeks before classes start, Mama. I still haven't bought any supplies for the kids. Although I was able to have Angel measured for 3 blouses for her uniform. Hopefully I can buy her books until next week, that is if we get our salary, Mama.

Ralph will be leaving us soon for Manila, Mama. I hope he'll be fine there. Although he'll be there with some of his friends, I'm still worried about him, Mama. It's not just an overnight thing. Just thinking about him on his own in Manila fills me with anxiety. Please guide him, Mama.

Edgar still enjoys working with Jollibee. He will be on graveyard shift tonight. He likes that schedule, which I don't. But of course, I won't intervene with his decision, especially since there's really nothing wrong about it. I am just worried about him, Mama.

Mama, I hope I am doing good in raising our children. I really don't feel I'm doing well. I wish I can do better for them so that I won't be worried every time they are away from me.

I guess I should stop here, lest I start whining again. Take care of yourself, Mama. I really miss you.

I love you, Mama.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I'm sorry I forgot that today is May 19, I forgot to greet you in my earlier letter. Happy anniversary, Mama. Thank you for giving me a chance then. I'm really sorry I forgot, I have a lot on my mind lately. I hope you can forgive me.

Happy anniversary, Mama. I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

Edgar is requesting for paksiw tonight. He is actually at work and texted me asking if I know how to cook it. He will be home in the afternoon that is why I know he wants it at dinner. I know how to cook it Mama, although I cannot always make sure it will be perfect every time. I guess I just have to rely on my gut feel.

Angel is still sleeping while Ralph is now having his breakfast. I am now going to watch some videos on the net on how make a perfect paksiw, like it was you who cooked it Mama.

That's all for now, Mama. Good morning. Take care of yourself. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

Edgar worked the whole day today. He left at about 9 a.m. this morning and came home at past 8 in the evening. Tomorrow, he'll work again starting 6 a.m. I hope he won't get overworked, Mama. He is sleeping now. I told him to sleep so he can rest and wake up early tomorrow.

That will be all for now, Mama. Please look after Edgar, help him wake up early Mama.

Until my next letter. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I'm about to sleep but I want to write you a letter first. I haven't written for about 2 or 3 days now, I'm sorry Mama. I guess I just do not have any good news to say.

Anyway, the kids are doing fine. Like what I've said in my previous letter, all of them are already enrolled and my only problem now is their things - books, pens, papers, uniforms, etc. I'm sure something good will happen soon... I hope.

And that's it. That will be all for now, Mama. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

P.S. Things would feel a little easier if only I can hold your hands right now, Mama.

Dear Mama,

Edgar was admitted for enrollment in spite of the below minimum initial payment of P2,000. Of course, we had to almost beg and explain that it was the only money we have in the meantime. The deficit will be added to his installment, that means bigger installments for us, Mama. But I'll just think about it later, right now I need to find some means to be able to buy their needs. We still haven't received our salaries, Mama. It's more than a month now. I really wish I had a better option.

That will all for now, Mama. Take care of yourself. I miss you, Mama. Hope to be with you really soon.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I tried enrolling Edgar today with only P2,000.00, they accepted the money but they did not accept his enrollment. They said a minimum of P5,000.00 is needed for him to be enrolled. We still do not have our salary yet, Mama. I'm not sure if we're going to get it this week as they promised. I'm running out of time, Mama. Just like before, I am a total failure.

I'm sorry, Mama.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

Happy Mother's Day!

Today is Mother's Day again, Mama... and we will be spending it without you again. We miss you, Mama... I miss you! I wish you are looking down at us now from heaven and smile for me.

I hope you're doing well, Mama. Happy Mother's Day!

I love you, Mama.


Daddy

P.S.
Let me just share this old video I made for you, Mama. I hope you like it.

 Happy Mother's Day, Mama! I love you.

Dear Mama,

I was able to enroll Angel this morning. Next week, it will be Edgar's enrollment and Ralph also needs to buy things that he needs when he stays in Manila for his review. I just hope I can still survive this, Mama.

It will be Mother's Day on Sunday, Mama. Unfortunately, we will be celebrating it without a mother in our midst. I'm really sorry for the kids, Mama. I know I just can't fill up the space that you left for them.

I'm sorry... I'm going through it again. I better wrap up now before I start whining again. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you, Mama.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

My birthday went well, although it could have been better if only there was power. We had a long spell of brownout yesterday, Mama. Of course, since there's no electricity there's also no electric fan, plus it's still summer. Imagine how Angel was feeling yesterday.

We were supposed to eat out. We're supposed to go to Jollibee where EA is working. Unfortunately, we can't leave because Chuchi and Fluffy were fighting again. So Angel and I just went to EA while Ralph stayed home. We just ordered food for take-out and had dinner at home. Since it was brownout, it was dinner by candlelight, Mama.

We still enjoyed the dinner, in spite of what happened. The children even sang a happy birthday song for me before we ate, Mama. And it was Edgar's treat! Of course, I had to pitch in too. I won't allow him to use all his hard-earned money just for my birthday, Mama.

Still nothing good happening to me, Mama. Well, at least none of us sick. I guess I should be thankful for that.

Well, that's all for now Mama. Tomorrow will be Angel's enrollment. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I'm officially 45 today. I was waiting for you to visit me last night, Mama. I guess maybe because it was too hot in the house, I remember how you don't like it when it's too hot. I understand, Mama.

Well... that's it, Mama. I really do not have anything new to say. But I hope you will visit me soon.

Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you, Mama.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I'm sorry I was not able to visit you at La Pieta yesterday. We went to Concepcion for the wake of Ric, I'm sure you know by now that he passed away last Friday. His interment will be tomorrow, good thing it's a holiday here and I can attend the service.

My legs still hurt a little, Mama. I can't raise them high without assisting them with my hands. Otherwise I can walk fine. I guess I'm really getting old, Mama. Only 2 days from now and I'm officially 45 years old.

Well, that will be all for now, Mama. Until my next letter. Take care of yourself. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I can walk better now, I can lift my legs a little higher. Although I still feel pain Mama, but at least I feel better than how I was yesterday. I don't know what triggered it, Mama. Maybe it's my age. It must be my body's way of welcoming my 45th birthday next week.

Edgar will be working on graveyard shift tonight, Mama. I'm worried about him, but he said he can handle it. It will be his first graveyard schedule, I hope he'll be fine, Mama.

There's really nothing much I can say right now, Mama. Ralph and Angel are still staying at home, Fluffy is still not allowed to go outside because she'll fight with Chuchi.

Until my next letter, Mama. Take care of yourself. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

When I woke up this morning, I had a hard time standing up. I can't raise my feet, Mama. I have to lift them up with my arms before I can move them up. I can walk fine, Mama. But I can only walk on flat surfaces. When there's a raised step like stairs, I can't lift my feet Mama. Again, I had to lift them up. On my way to work, I had a difficult time getting on the jeepney. It was painful just getting on the jeepney. I don't remember eating anything to trigger this, Mama.

After work, I plan to walk on my way home Mama. Maybe I could numb this pain and then maybe I can walk better.

That will be all for now, Mama. Take care of yourself. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.


Daddy


P.S. Would you come visit me on my birthday, Mama?