In celebration of the National Children’s Month this November, I write about the fun and funny moments with my nephews and nieces when they were very young.. Some of them are young men and women now but the fun memories remain.
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After college, I lived with my older brother Arturo and his young family, his wife baby and young sons Ronnel and Randel. I stayed with them for about 5 years then I moved with my brothers who were single then, Abner and Hernani. After a few days of my transfer, my sister-in-law Baby told me that she heard Ronnel and Randel looking for letter T in the telephone directory because they wanted to call me. (This was before the time of cellphones so the directory was the yellow pages and even if cellphones were available then they were much too young for them anyway) They searched for T, because they called me Tita Joy (Auntie Joy)
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Hernani moved to the US and his kids grew up there. On one occasion that they were in the Philippines and the kids were playing with my other nephews and nieces, his son Andrew said, ” This move will surely defeat you, better call 911. My niece Cris who’s based in the Philippines said, “yehey, oorder ng pizza (we’ll order pizza) . The number of Pizza Hut in the Philippines was 911-11-11)
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In one of the visits of my brother Hernani and his family, we went to one of the malls. Erwin wanted to buy a toy but his dad said he already had a lot. Erwin protested, teary eyed, saying ” I have $2 at home”.
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I was singing Shalalalala mindlessly, and I thought softly, inside the car with my sister and some nieces. When I reached the part, ” My heart goes shalalalala”, we were all surprised when Matess clapped three times from the back (as the song goes).
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Then there’s Joseph (my cousin’s son) who challenged all his cousins to a dance showdown in one of our gatherings. He said he danced as well as Michael jack Stone. (Note: Jack Stone or “sintak” is a traditional Filipino game, he was referring to Michael Jackson)
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On mother’s day, my brother Abner and his family used to come to visit us to celebrate with our mother. The kids greeted my mother Happy Mother’s Day, one by one. When it was Myla’s turn, she couldn’t say it and asked my mother, “Lola , pwede Happy Birthday na lang? ( Lola, can I say Happy Birthday instead?” ) Of course my mother said Yes!
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My nephews and nieces, at a certain age invariably ask me,” How old are you? “I would always say 16. They would accept it without question. Then one time, when it was Rhoda who asked me and I said my usual answer, she paused and said ” Di ba 17 si Kuya Sigmund? (Isn’t Kuya Sigmund 17?”).
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When it was Lanie who asked how old I was, I gave my usual answer, She thought for a while , smiled at me and said “Siguro 26 ka (You’re probably 26)”. To a young child 26 is old ( I was in my 30s then)
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My sister and the young ones come to Manila from the province for the Christmas celebration/reunion. They usually stay at my house while in Manila. The kids wanted to play with my cat but I cautioned them, the cat didn’t know them, he might scratch them. They held back, then after a while Gio said to the cat, I am Gio, this is Yoyong , that’s Niel and proceeded to introduce the others.
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In one of our summer vacations in Caylabne Bay Resort, Ate Luisa carried Cris and walked around the site. There was a fountain in one area which looked like a church font. Cris dipped her hand and made the sign of the cross.
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One Christmas, I gifted one-year old Arben with a shirt with a necktie. His sister Myla when she saw my gift said, “Ay, pang office ni Arben (Oh, it’s Arben’s office wear)”
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A young Me-an , daughter of my brother Abner asked me, Tita Joy, ano mo si Lola? (Auntie Joy, what’s Lola to you?) I said, Nanay ko (She’s my mother). Her eyes widened and she exclaimed ‘Magkapatid kayo ni Daddy! (You and Daddy are brother and sister!)
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One day, my car had difficulty starting. I said, it’s probably the battery. My niece Rhoda said, low bat na Tita? (Low bat is a term usually used for cellphone batteries)
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When Lizette was an infant , I offered to watch over Lizette when I was at my brother Abner’s house, because my sister-in-law Merlie had to attend to some things. I took Lizette in my arms to rock her to sleep. She snuggled close and rubbed her face against me. I was so touched , until I saw some rashes on the side of her face which she was rubbing against me, she was probably feeling itchy.
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Kids are usually allowed to drink soft drinks only when there are special occasions like Christmas , birthdays and the like. In one of the visits of my brother Abner and his family to our home where my mother lived with me, I told him that there’s C-O-K-E in the refrigerator so the kids wouldn’t know about the soft drink.. Then when my sister-in-law came near me, I also spelled out coke. Myla, who was also near said “Gusto ko ng C-O-K ( I want C-O-K)”
Just Sharing 