Dear Mama,

Went out last night with the kids, although Ralph was not with us. He choose to be with his friends for an overnight get-together. Angel, Edgar and I went out for pizza. Ralph is still not home yet right now. I think he'll come home at around 11 a.m., only to prepare his things and go back to Manila after taking lunch.

But the three of us had a great time last night, although it was really too late because Edgar only checked out from work at past 11 p.m. We went home at around 1 a.m. which is why they are still sleeping until now. Anyway, it's only 7 a.m. and today's Sunday. I will let them rest for a while, Mama.

It's raining right now, Mama. It's been raining since last night. We were lucky because the rain stopped for a while when we were out. Pampanga is under storm signal warning no. 2. I hope tomorrow gets better. It's really is the rainy season now, Mama.

I'm still waiting for the hot water so I can have my coffee now. I guess that will be all for now, Mama. Take care of yourself. I really miss you, Mama.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

Hi! I hope you're doing okay there, Mama. I was not feeling well yesterday. I don't know, but my head was throbbing, not sure if it's the eyeglass or it's from too much thinking. I hope its nothing serious, Mama.

Nothing new to tell, really. The kids are fine, Mama. Well, I guess that will be all for now. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

Edgar is still at work now. He'll be on duty until 11 p.m., Mama. I hope it won't be raining by that time. I haven't texted Ralph today, Mama. I'm controlling myself from texting him every now and then because I don't like him to feel that I'm breathing over his shoulders. Please look after him Mama while he's away from us.

I miss you, Mama. I don't know why I've been feeling so alone, lately. I hate it. I don't like going through these, I'm trying to ignore these, Mama. It's killing me, it's making me want to give up. I really wish I can hold your hands and embrace you right now. I'm afraid, Mama... I am.

Sorry, Mama. I'll stop now. Take care of yourself. I love you, Mama.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

These episodes are coming more often lately. Help me be strong, Mama. Please hold my hands so I won't give up. I just can't help but feel so alone.

Wish you were here, Mama.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

This morning I went to Museo Ning Angeles and submitted my resume. They said they really do not have an open position right now but they will try to see if they can work out something. From our discussion, they might need an archiver. I'm not really sure what the job covers Mama, but I think it has something to do with writing - research and documentation of the history of Angeles City. Sounds fun and challenging to me, Mama. I hope I get the job.

That's all I want to tell you right now, Mama. I wish you're here beside me so I can tell this to you personally. I miss you, Mama. Take care of yourself.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

It's rainy season once again, and I can't help but worry about the kids especially Ralph who is now in Manila. You know how bad it can get there during a heavy rain. It's a good thing he is on the 4th floor of their dormitory, they'll be safe there just in case there's flood. But he will have to go through floods when he goes to school. I hope he'll be fine there, Mama.

Of course, I'm worried about Angel and Edgar too. Edgar is now out to work, afterwards he'll go straight to his classes and will just go home this evening. Angel is also at school now, Mama. She'll be going home at around 5 p.m. I hope it won't rain when they are dismissed.

Still no good news for me, Mama. I hope I can find a better job soon. Help me pray for it, Mama.

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

I love you, Mama.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I took the kids out today. Ralph went home from Manila this morning and he'll be going back tomorrow afternoon, that's why we celebrated Father's Day today. I just took them to dine at the mall Mama, just a little bonding moment for us. After that, we just roamed around the mall and went home at around 8:30 p.m.

We're fine, Mama. Ralph seems to be doing well, so far. I hope you're doing okay too, Mama. I wish you were with us this afternoon.

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

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I want to have something nice to you right now, but I don't know what. Don't worry Mama, the kids are fine. They're doing okay.

I just feel lonely and alone right now. I wish I can be with you, Mama.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

Looks like it's not yet going to be okay. Not in the days to come, Mama. It may take longer. I hope I can be patient and strong enough for the kids. Help me not to give up, Mama.

If only you're still here by my side.

I need you, Mama.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

It's Ralph's second week in Manila now. So far he's doing okay. By his text messages, he said he is always reading handouts and reviewing his lessons. I would like to believe him. I hope he sustains his seriousness and keeps focused, Mama.

Edgar will start his class tomorrow. I'm worried about him, Mama. He likes to keep working. I'm praying he knows what should be his priorities. Angel, so far, is doing okay too. It's just their second week of class and she already has many stories and anecdotes to tell.

As for me, I'm trying to keep my head above water, Mama. I'm trying to be strong for our kids. Pray for me, Mama.

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

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

I'm getting worried about Ralph. He seems to be getting adventurous in Manila. He is asking me how to go to some places because he wants to know his way around there, Mama. I just told him not to hurry and try not to think about it. That he has lots of time to do that and he'll soon know his way around.

I am hoping he is being careful there, Mama.You know our son, he can be so trusting. Yes, he took upon you. Most of your characteristics are with him - talking to strangers, helping others, putting himself last, etc. He got them all from you, Mama. I know, those are good qualities but it's making me worried now that he is Manila. I just hope he'll be fine.

The two kids are sleeping now. Edgar worked late. He came home at past 11 p.m. Tomorrow, he'll have the same schedule. Next week, he will already have his classes. I told him to prioritize his studies, Mama.

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

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

We were able to visit Apo yesterday at Sta. Teresita. I was glad because Angel kissed her upon seeing her and before we left. Apo was happy to see her grandchildren, Angel and Edgar. I told her Ralph is in Manila for his review class. I also told Ralph that we visited Apo.

She looked better yesterday as compared to how she was when we saw her last Christmas. But she's no longer the same Ima that used to lived with us in Bagongbayan then. She's weak, because of her age and sickness. She was hospitalized twice this year. We weren't able to visit her because we were not informed, Mama. She's alone at the house. I hope her grandchildren who live within the compound are looking after her.

We talked about a lot of things, Mama. We even talked about Atching Ledy. Apo is aware of the money she owes you and told us the she will visit her and ask about it one of these days.

Ralph, I guess, is doing well in Manila. He is texting me once in a while to tell me what he's doing or what he's seeing there. I guess he appreciates his freedom. I hope he is learning from it, Mama.

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

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

We will be visiting Apo tonight after work. I told Angel yesterday that she's in Sta. Teresita. At first we thought of doing it this weekend but Apo might not be there again by then. So we decided to do it today to be sure that they will see her. Fortunately, Edgar do not have work today. I'm sure Apo will ask about Ralph because he won't be with us.

Still looking bleak for us, Mama. That's all I can say. All I can really do right now is to pray that things will get better for us soon... for the sake of the kids.

I guess that will be all for now, Mama. Will update you of our visit to Apo tomorrow. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

We still haven't received our salary yesterday although it was promised, as it has always been. My interest and penalties on my loans are piling up. I'm sorry I had to resort to borrowing money with interest again, Mama. I just need to find some means to support our kids' needs. I'm worried now about Ralph who is in Manila for his review because I only gave him a small amount for his allowance. Although in his last text, he said he's doing fine. If for anything, I think this is a good time for him to learn managing his finances.

I saw Lauro today at the jeepney I was riding on my way to work. He said Apo is now in Sta. Teresita, Angel has been wanting to see her but she wasn't staying there before. This weekend I will ask Angel if she wants to visit Apo.

I also asked Angel the other day Mama if it would be okay if I pay Atching Ledy a visit. She replied that it is not and added that it should be Atching Ledy who should be ashamed because we never heard again from her since you went home. Angel also said she'll go with me so she will be the one to tell her.

Honestly Mama, I am not really expecting those money she owe you but at this time I know the kids need them, especially Ralph.

I'm sorry Mama. All I think about is money lately. Well, I'm still adjusting now that Ralph is no longer living with us. Angel and Edgar seem to be adapting well. As usual, it's always me who is having a problem adjusting.

Anyway, I've said a mouthful already. I guess I will stop for now. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

Today is Angel's first day of school. She went to school early at around 6 a.m. Fortunately, she woke me up early and I was able to cook for her. It's also Ralph's first day of review class in Manila. I hope he'll be okay there, Mama. I'm always praying for his safety. I am trying my best not to worry.

Edgar won't have his class until next week. I still have this week to buy him notebooks and other things needed for his schooling. He also needs new pants, Mama. I hope we can receive our complete salary today so I can provide for all of those.

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

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

We arrived home tonight at past 8:00 after helping Ralph bring his things to his dormitory in Manila. Our son is already there now Mama with his friends. I cannot help but be worried. I hope he'll be fine there, Mama.

That's all I really want to say now, Mama. Goodnight for now. Take care yourself. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.


Daddy