Happy new year, Mama!

Dear Mama,

    Happy new year!

    It's the first day of 2023, Mama. I haven't written for almost a month. I'm sorry, Mama. The kids are still in their beds, although Ralph is already awake, I think. We had our Medya Noche last night, prepared by Edgar. He was also the one who cooked for our Noche Buena last Christmas eve.

    We will be going to Sta. Teresita this afternoon for a get together with the Dela Cruz, Mama. I'm glad Angel agreed to come with us. Although I still do not know what we will be bringing there. I'm planning to just buy cake, because that's all I can afford right now, Mama.

    I was able to submit to my song entry to the Subli 2023 Songwriting contest, although I have not received any acknowledgment nor confirmation from them. I'm not sure if it will pass their standards You know I don't have a good singing voice, Mama. Plus I just recorded it on my phone. It's really a rather crude and raw version. I ran out of time to have it fixed and remixed. 

    There are still no results yet for the Himig Handog/PhilPop songwriting contest. That is on a national level, unlike Subli which is just local. So, the competition is definitely tougher. I'm not expecting, but I'm proud that I'm still trying again, Mama.

    I don't know what to look forward in 2023. I hope things will be better, especially in our neighborhood, Mama. That will be wishful thinking, though. Anyway, I'm just enjoying the peace so far while the construction in the resto bar beside us is not yet finished.

    Angel's birthday will be next Monday, Mama. I still haven't bought nor planned anything. She wanted a staycation, so I might book her in a hotel. I cannot join her, though. Somebody should stay in the house with the dogs.

    That will be all for now, Mama. Please continue watching and guiding us. I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Update on my song entry

Dear Mama,

    Yesterday, I was able to compose the chorus of my song for the songwriting contest. The deadline will be on the 31st of December, Mama. I need to finish it early so I can have it fixed by the digital engineers so it would at least sound decent. I'm not sure though how much will be the cost, or how long it will take, so I need to finish it fast. 

    The problem is, I am stuck at the chorus now. I cannot compose the melody for the verses. I've been trying since yesterday, but I cannot work out anything. It's difficult for me because I am not really musically talented. I hope I can finish it this week.

    There seems to be a lot of people at the grill house beside us now, Mama. There's no loud music, to be fair, although there were occasional shouting, or cheering, from the customers. But that's not really my concern now. Another problem with this business is that their customers are sometimes parking in front of our house. There's really nothing we can do about it because it's a public road, and we cannot tell them not to park. But because they are parking, our dogs are disturbed and they keep barking. Edgar also does not want them parking in front of our house. If only we can go away from here and move to somewhere more peaceful, Mama.

    Anyway, that will be my update for now, Mama. I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy