We got rained on

Dear Mama,

    Angel and I went to sell fish ball and other street foods yesterday. It was only the 2 of us because Ralph and Edgar went to Manila to attend the birthday of Dang Itang together with Nanay and their cousins and aunties in Sta. Teresita.

    It wasn't bad, even though there was a miscommunication with one customer who said she'll buy "10" which to our understanding was "10 sticks". She even added and said, "20 na po." So, Angel cooked 20 sticks of fish balls (200 pcs because there's 10 pcs per stick), only to say at the end that they were referring to pieces of fish balls and not stick. So, we ended up with so many cooked fish balls because they did not take them.

    And at around 7:30 p.m., the rain fell so, we had to pack up and go home. Good thing the 2 boys were already home by then and Edgar helped us.

    It wasn't such a bad sale, except for the rain and the fish balls which were not bought.

    I guess, Angel is learning from all this experiences, Mama.

    That will be all for now, Mama. Just sharing the experience we had last night.

    I miss you, Mama.

     I love you.

                                                                                                Daddy

Hong Kong trip :(

Dear Mama,

    My officemates are planning to go to Hong Kong this December. It will be a sort of Christmas party for us, Mama. You know how it is in the office, instead of having a party, since we're only few they opt to travel instead. This time, they are planning to go to Hong Kong.

    I know I'm duty bound to join because it's a sort of company activity. But it's too expensive, Mama. Our company will only shoulder our plane fare and accommodation. Everything we will spend there will be on us! Like food, travelling from one location to another, and other incidental expenses! I can't afford that, Mama!

    I have no savings. In fact I am almost financially depleted! I don't want to ask Ralph or Edgar for any subsidy because that would be unfair to them. How can I tell my officemates I can't go with them, Mama?

    Please help me!

                                                                                                            Daddy

Happy anniversary, Mama!

Dear Mama,

    We arrived home at around 7:30 to 8 p.m., our children and I. We went out to celebrate our anniversary, Mama. Ralph treated us to a steak dinner, because Angel has been wanting to eat steak for a long time now. It was a bit expensive, Mama and I'm getting worried and concerned about Ralph's spending.

    Anyway, as I've said we went to celebrate our anniversary, Mama. I still remember when you reluctantly said yes and agreed to be my girlfriend. Thank you for accepting me, Mama. Thank you for giving me a chance. Thank you for loving me.

    Happy anniversary, Mama!

    I miss you.

    I love you.

                                                                                                                Daddy 

The fish ball business, so far

Dear Mama,

    The fishball and kikiam business of Angel and Edgar is over 2 weeks old now. It's tiring, Mama. They got a spot near the main gate of Marisol, and I have to assist Angel everyday. She cannot bring the cart at the site by herself. She tried on the first day, but the cart fell down on her way because she cannot balance the weight. So, I helped her everyday. This affected my schedules. Good thing I am almost done with my Toastmasters duties. 

    Angel is enjoying the experience. Last night we had good sales, but not tonight, though. I guess that's really how business goes. I hope they're learning from all these experiences.

    I feel tired, though. Exhausted. Probably because I'm just not used to the activities.

    Anyway, that's all for now, Mama. Looking forward to be with you soon.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                    Daddy

 

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

Dear Mama,

    Happy Mother's Day!

    As I mentioned in my letter yesterday, it's Mother's Day today. Another Mother's Day without you beside us.

    I don't think I will ever get used to this, Mama. Holidays and celebrations without you. I just hope I am doing things right.

    Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

    I miss you.

    I love you.

                                                                                            Daddy

Post-birthday and pre-Mother's Day

Dear Mama,

    It's May 11 - 3 days after my birthday and 1 day before Mother's Day (tomorrow being the 2nd Sunday of May). 

    Our children are still sleeping, Mama although it's already past 10 a.m. As you know, Ralph is working graveyard while Edgar and Angel ended past 12 a.m. in their fishball and kikiam cart in front of our house. Angel actually slept at around 5 a.m., I'm not sure about Edgar, though, Probably around 2 a.m.

    I don't really have anything to say. I did the laundry earlier at 5 a.m., some of them might be dry already by now. Especially those I washed yesterday afternoon. It's hot again today, although it was a bit cloudy earlier.

    It will be our 17th Mother's Day tomorrow without you, Mama. If you only you are still here, I'm sure this would have been one of the most special occasion we celebrate during the day. I'm sorry, Mama. We were not able to celebrate you enough when you were still here.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                Daddy 

56 today

Dear Mama,

    It's official! I'm 56 years old today. I'm really old, Mama. It's inevitable. I'm not complaining. It's just that I wish there is something I can show for my getting old. Something that can make you proud of me, Mama.

    Anyway, our children and I went out to eat today as usual, Mama. It's automatic for us. Probably because we never really got use to having party at home, no matter how modest it can be. It was Ralph's treat, Mama. It's been like that lately, Mama. I hope we're not draining him financially.

    Angel and Edgar did not sell their fisball and kikiam tonight because we went out. Although we went home early (before 7 p.m.) Edgar decided they should take tonight as rest day. They will continue again, tomorrow.

    That's all for now, Mama. Tomorrow is not my birthday anymore. So, I guess it's back to (ab)normal.

    I really miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                           Daddy

Angel and Edgar

Dear Mama,

    It's past 9 p.m., Angel and Edgar our out in front of our gate, Mama. You remember Edgar's fish ball business I mentioned in my previous letter? They are there out now, selling. They started late, Mama. I think it was almost past 8 p.m. It was Angel's idea that they should start selling now. Actually, she wanted to do it herself, Mama. I just told Edgar to accompany her since it was idea anyway.

    I am not sure if they already have any sales, Mama. There's not much people passing around, and you know we don't really have a good relationship with our neighbors. That's why I was silently against it, but I did not stop them. 

    That's all I have to say right now, Mama. 2 more sleep and I'll be 56. I'm really getting old. I'm really starting to look old actually.

    Anyway, that's life. I'll be with you soon.

    I miss you, Mama. 

    I love you.

                                                                                                            Daddy

Why am I like this?

Dear Mama,

    It's Saturday morning, and I am done with the laundry. The sun's already hot considering it's only 8:30 a.m., but it's quite peaceful, Mama... so far. However, last night was not as peaceful. There were 2 motorcycles parked right in front of our gate. I mean, really right beside our gate, Mama. These were costumers of the grillery beside us. It wasn't the first time, Mama. Nor the second time. Last week, there was a pick-up truck parked also right beside our gate. We did not hear them parked because we do not have a dog. I just saw them when I woke up at around 12 midnight, Mama.

    Of course, I went out and asked the staff of the grillery to tell their customers to remove their vehicles. It is instances like this that stresses me out, Mama. Should I just let them be, and go back to my sleep? If I allow them, it will be repeated again and again, until they will think that it's normal. Am I wrong for standing up for my right, Mama?

    If only this grillery right beside us wasn't allowed in the first place, I won't be having these concerns. I won't be having these anxieties as night starts to fall in.  

    Is this all my fault, Mama?

                                                                                                        Daddy