slacker mommy files

    A score and seven years ago, Bebe became a mother for the very first time. She was so happy for after four years and two miscarriages, she finally had a child of her own. Totoy, her husband, was equally ecstatic; now he had his own Papa’s girl. They named the child Kristine Ann, Kristine because she was born in the week of the Three Kings’ Day Celebration, and Ann after Totoy’s mother, Anacoreta. She was more or less like any other baby, attention-seeking and too cute to a fault, as babies tended to be. Eventually, she turned a year old and the family had a party. They invited all the kids in the neighbourhood, from the reasonably well-off to the snotty, dirt smeared ones living in the shanties. But for that young child in that small apartment house in Tondo, Manila, that was birthday paradise. She even had big smiles for the camera. And so it went on, year after year, as long as the family can afford it, they tried to give Tintin, as Kristine Ann was then nicknamed, the best birthday she could have. Until when inflation hit in the late 80′s when she was about eight and she had her last birthday party, with a box of a dozen doughnuts as her birthday on, there were no more birthday parties. Well, sometimes reality comes and practicality steps in. And the child Tintin learned that it is not a birthday prerequisite to throw a party every time you grow older. So during her 18th birthday, with the bonus allowance her parent gave her, she treated her friends to hamburgers in Jollibee. So what if she didn’t have the traditional debutante’s ball. Who cares? She didn’t. As long as she thinks she’s happy, as long as she is happy, to hell with parties. She’s not a party person anyway.

    And so, after nine years since the “party” in Jollibee, Tintin is now known as Kuting, aka Mamyaw, aka Mommy Myaw, aka the Slacker Mommy. And today is my birthday. I will not throw a party, nor will I give out birthday favours. Instead, I will thank everyone, my family, my friends, my acquaintances, even maybe my enemies (if I have any) for the roles they played in my life. I may not be the perfect person, but I think I am the best me I could be under the circumstances and allowing for the decisions I made and the paths I took. But I will not be me alone… you influenced me one way or another. whether or not I followed your advice, or did something for you, or made you smile in your sad time, or had you at me for whatever reason, it made an impression in my personality and character. I believe in the butterfly effect so I thank you for whatever you did to make me be me. It is the best thanks I could give. i would not be here if not for all you guys. So, thanks.