the single mother's story (part two)

I was barely awake when my phone rang. The voice on the other line was trembling. "Maam, may picture po ba kayo ni Borek? Nawawala po kasi siya..." It was M, the mother I interviewed recently for a book project.

Her son Borek, diagnosed with Down syndrome, went missing. He left the house, went biking around the area and soon, he was nowhere to be found.

She was crying and crying. I didn't know what to say. "Yes, I have photos. I will ask the photographer, too. I will send them now," I answered. Was that the only thing I could do? Sigh.

I called Jes Aznar to break the sad news and to ask for the photos He was in Mindanao for a coverage. He was so shocked to hear the news.

We were just playing with Borek a few weekends ago. I barely finished my stories for that day. I was shocked, bothered and frustrated.

I thought of M's ordeal. You really can't protect your child from the world 24/7. Sometimes, bad things just happen.

Six hours later, I get a text message from M.

"God bless, nakita na po si Borek maam. Maraming salamat!"

And her story continues...

Michael Jackson

"Gone Too Soon"

Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon

dito, sa aking mundo

Sa wakas, nakakahinga na ako muli. Halos tatlong taon din akong hindi naka-apak sa aking mundo. Maraming dahilan pero hindi na importante yun ngayon dahil nakabalik na ako.

Kasama ko na muli ang mga kapwa mamahayag at kaibigan sa magdamagang huntahan, kwentuhan, tawanan at higit sa lahat, sa paghahanap ng mga makabuluhang kwento sa malawak na daigdig na ito.

Isang halimbawa ay ang aking byahe kahapon. Kasama ang isang kapwa mamahayag, inabot kami sa malayong lupain ng Ascoville para sa kwento ng isang mag-ina.

Napakasarap makinig. Napakasarap magsulat ng makabuluhang kwento. Napakasarap matuto. Napakasarap makabalik sa mundong ito.

Napakasarap makahinga muli.

the single mother's story

I was fighting back tears as I walked out of the building. Her story ripped my heart. How, I wonder, does she manage being a single mother to four children including one with Down Syndrome?

Her husband, their father, just walked away one day in the dead of night, leaving all the burden to her. One day, after so many years, he just showed up again. And then he left again. And then the cycle continued.

He breaks her heart again and again. And their children's hearts, too.

"It has become a joke among my children," she said during the interview.

"'Hey daddy is here. Let's cook dinner. Let's celebrate' My children would say in jest," she said.

Left with no choice, she had to give up two of her three daughters for adoption. She had to focus on taking care of the little one with Down.

Why did I cry?

Because I wonder how she could take it all. Her wrinkles and white hair could not conceal her pain. Yet she manages to smile. The strength of the human spirit is indeed unbelievable.

Music Is Language

All roads lead to the Metrowalk on Saturday, June 20, for this year's Fete dela Musique. I'm excited! I've an assignment to cover one band. I'm keeping my fingers crossed :) See you all!

on assignment: Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Crisologo Street, Vigan/June 2009

Went on a travel assignment to Vigan. Brought home with me bagnet, Ilocos blanket and muscovado. Yummy!

Next assignment, please.

Araw jams with the masters