My Friend and My Sister

Growing up with two boys and being the youngest in the family made me sometimes wish that I had a younger sister. For some selfish reasons, I wanted a younger sister to bully or boss around. I wanted an ally against my two older brothers. It would have been wonderful if I had someone who can play girly games. It would have been a nice thought if I can pull her hair or slap her face whenever I feel like it. It would have been wonderful if I had a sister whom I could share my secrets with before going to bed. A sister whom I could share my things and clothes with. A sister who will stick by me because we're related and she just have to accept that fact I'm her big sis. Mwahahaha!

Of course this dream never came true. God knew my evils plans and decided that I can't have one. Not having a biological sister was compensated by the number of friends that I have. And I really treasure each of my friends. I have learned the meaning of understanding and acceptance.

For five years, God made me experience how to be like a big sister. A big sister who should set a good example to the younger ones. A big sister who will teach not only what is written in science books but the real meaning of LIFE. A big sister who will be there in good and bad times. A big sister who will listen and give the best advice for the good of everyone. A big sister who will protect and support her sibs. My sibs? They were my former students. Students? No, I consider them more as my friends. Most of them I consider my little sisters. I was always reminded not to be so close with them. I tried but these people are really my sisters.

One student of mine is very close to my heart and she's turning 18 today. She's none other than the daughter of Lally and Wowie, and sister to Ian and Chris, and the granddaughter of Lola Nene. Who? Pagod na ko. Dame ko ng nasulat. Kath Happy Birthday! Okay na 'to! Haba pa ng pasakalye babatiin lang kita ng happy birthday.

Seriously, I love Kathleen Basa Paz!!! I'm the greatest fan of your life.

Who would have thought that I'll be meeting someone who's gonna change and rock my world after college. As much as I wanted to look like a professional after college, with her I get to be me - goofy, playful, and fun. There's an underlying reason, of all students in that batch, there's someone who came from and comes home to San Mateo and she's in my class. Walang kawala! Sabi ni God, para daw may sabayan ako papasok. But wait, there's more. I was more than a rider to that posh L300. Friend ko yung may-are! I think the teacher-student status between us was broken after that lingering smell of her feet. Thank God the posh L300 wasn't air-conditioned.

When we're out and blocks away from St. Paul, I become Rhaych and she becomes Kathoy (but I still prefer calling her Fat Kath). In her four years at St. Paul, we've shared a lot of times together. Oh we call them as MISADVENTURES! I taught her a lot about surviving this world. Tignan nyo ang jologs nyan! Kahit san nyo iwan yan mabubuhay. I hope I can still recall some of those and bring smile to our faces.

Our MISADVENTURES (in random order):
1. We were seated in front of the posh L300 when I suddenly saw Richard Gutierrez driving a GMC along Green Meadows. I started to scream like hell and you were startled because you were kinda sleepy then.

2. There was heavy traffic in Meralco Ave and we can't get a ride. We were supposed to go to Mega and then take the MRT. We decided to walk and took a shortcut by passing near UA&P. But when we got to the MRT station, they were having technical difficulties and there was no train. We then decided to walk to Galle and just take the shuttle. Walking to Galle, MRT resumed its operation.

3. Sneaking in cinemas just to watch Tagalog films (sige na umamin na tayo). We always look around first before going in and also after watching just in case somebody catches us. Just in case someone we know sees us we will vehemently deny.

4. Watching Martha's play at Camp Aguinaldo 'til 10:30pm without any plans as to how we can get home.

5. Riding buses from Santolan or Sta. Lucia to San Mateo.

6. Waking up early just to get sure seats for a Gary V mallshow.

7. Seeing celebrities in malls and trying to follow where they were going.

8. When we watched The Gary V mallshow and my cellphone was almost stolen. I was in the security office of the mall trying to get my cellphone back from the robbers. Asan si Kath? Nakapila para magpa-autograph kay Gary V. I know she was also worried pero may picture sila together ni Gary V eh ako wala.

9. Our foodcourt trips. Si Kath na Paulinian at ako ang handang umamin na kumakain kame sa foodcourt at minsan hati pa kame sa budget meal dun.

10. Isaw adventures in UP, Modesta and Marvi.

11. Walang ligtas na Pares at masayang chibugan sa Rodics.

12. Remember the time that I told you that I read in an ad at Mercury Drug that we will not get fat if we try to chew our food for 20 times before we swallow? We tried that but on the third chew, we swallowed the burger.

If you notice, the last few misadventures had to do with food. We've made McDonald's wealthy in the four years that we were together. We even joked that if we had kept our receipts from McDo and calculated them, it would have been thousands of pesos. You're the reason that I gained so much weight. Pero sabi mo nga di bale masaya naman ako pag kumakain ako. If she eats something good, she would pause for a while, sometimes with eyes closed pa, and relish the taste. Aba magana! When I got my car, she became a regular rider and as long as the gas and budget permits, we would explore food destinations.

Kath has been part of my family. She addresses my parents as Tatay and Nanay. What's so remarkable about her is that she never fails to ask how my parents are doing, if they're feeling ok or not. She used to come to my house and she opens our ref to check if we had stock some Coke. If she was offered to eat, she will never say "no". Tirador yan ng kanin-lamig at isda at kahit anong sawsawan. She has slept in my house for a number of times. Sometimes she comes even without taking a bath at ito ka nag-mall kame na di pa sya naliligo. My titas and titos are so fond of her. On their first meeting, di na sya kinaya ng tita at tito ko sa mga out-of-this world questions nya. I'll never forget that she went to my Lola's wake and did not attend school the next day.

Sometimes she can be very hyper. For some reason, Kath and my best friend called and waved at Donita Rose at a Gary V. concert. She and Madel used to cut out pictures from magazines and pretend they're real. Kunware nag-iinuman sila. Tuwang-tuwa na sya nun. Ambababaw! For her not to forget her assignments, she writes them down on her legs or tummy. Have you seen her laugh? It's so contagious. Yung soundless with matching palo ng kanyang braso at hawak sa kanyang belly. She can really roll with laughter. Our laugh trips are the best. We would just sing and laugh inside my car. Yun nga lang she teases me every Friday when I listen to Magic Madness. Baduy ko daw! At kahit san mo yan yayain sasama yan. She would always accompany me when I go to mall sales and help me choose what to buy.

What makes her quiet? Nothing! Ay siguro pag tulog. She can sleep anywhere basta inantok. A very unforgettable moment was when we got caught in traffic in Libis. She decided to sleep and when she woke up, she looked around and started to cry. Syempre we were shocked. It's because we never moved a block from where we were when she slept. She can also keep quiet when she hears Gary V sing "Kailangan Kita". Sometimes may tears pa! She also keeps quiet when we don't have money to buy our snacks.

As a person, she's the best. She can be friends with anyone. She's very popular in her batch kase magaling makisama, madaling makibagay. Even in the streets, Kath can openly talk to anyone - vendors, bus drivers, cooks, fellow passengers, LAHAT! I sometimes tell her that it's too early to campaign for presidency. Ano nga yung sinagot mo nung leadership training nung first year ka, ano nga ba yung ambition mo? "I want to became a president!". Classic na sagot. Kath can reach out to anyone without being prejudice. I was telling her that if she auditined for PBB, she would have emerged as the winner because she can blend in any crowd. Wag lang masikip baka di magkasya.

Her intelligence is unquestionable. Have you seen her compositions? She can write very well. She can express herself. I hope she continues to write because it's such a rare gift. You'll be amazed. Sana lang di na sya nale-late kase for several times nya kong pinahamak sa pagiging late nya.

My friendship with Kath is extra-ordinary. She's seen me in my worst and best times. She has seen how comfortably I slept. Hehehe! Last December when I was so down, I had to release all my frustrations by playing badminton. Can you imagine, the volleyball player Kathoy tried to learn and play with me. She endured all my smashes. Between us, she's the matured one. I sometimes wonder where she gets her wisdom. We can talk about anything under the sun. More often than not, I listen more to her than she listens to me. I consult her with life decisions. During the times that I was down, she would always make me see the reason behind the situation. She always tries to make me realize that I was wrong and then gives me points on what I should do next. Everytime that I consult something with her and she knows that it's gonna be good for me, she'll always say "Go ahead!". She believes in me so much. She has always made me feel good about myself and I thank her for that. With her I'm a worthy and important person and I should continue to believe in who I am and what I can do. I am thankful to her.

Fat Kath has grown into a beautiful person and I only wish her nothing but the best in life. At kahit nag-La Salle sya (dahil sabi mo reason yun ni Lord para magkaron na ko ulet ng friend na La Sallista after how many years), I know she'll be so successful.

You are the sister I've been wishing for all this time. You are a blessing to me and to a lot of people.

I miss you Kath!

Happy, Happy 18th Birthday!

'Til the next Gary V concert. Dinner is on me!