at times she’s quiet
at times she’s full of talk
at times she’s cranky
at times she’s a joy
these are the times
memories so full
one grandchild can only recall

way past midnight and yet she’s still awake
always looking for people
asking for something to eat
begging for a change of clothes
requesting for some companionship
why aren’t you sleeping?
the grandchild queries..
rest is what you need
and yet she raises her brows
looks at the grandchild with glazed eyes
saying nothing
yet conveying more

her body is in need of sleep
her soul is in need of affection,
fulfillment and love she so badly wanted
yet failed to have on those past 70 years
she really need not ask
yet some of her kin failed to understand
refused to see past the woman they call “nanay”
the “nanay” who never complained when they rebelled
the “nanay” who always understood their misfortunes and misgivings
the “nanay” who quietly cries when her children fight against the other

a grandchild, young and helpless watches her
hears her silent pleas
that peace befall upon them who seek chaos
sees her pained face
that reflects the scars ingrained through time
feels her transgression
that she could have done more
but it still wasn’t enough

and the grandchild gradually understands
that “nanay” has come full circle
eyes heavy
she clings on to the light
that as the secondhand on the clock moves
she struggles to remember images of long ago
holding on to it, hoping that all that had gone wrong
may find time to make it right
that she may not remember the names
yet she remembers how her heart was at that moment

she then went Home, to Him that awaits her
so that she can smile without worry
so that she can breathe without burdnen
that her soul be content
that her body be healed
and that at the end of everyday
sleep will not elude her..

hey gran!
sleeping well?

summer..
it comes but once
in a year of ’round three months
where children rest their books
and kites come off the hooks
when young adults don their water suits
marks the day when fun is just a hoot

sun’s supposed to shine brightest
wind’s supposed to rush farthest
but now where summer’s here
rain came; unsought.. how queer

’twas in the summer of 2005, april 18 to be exact;
where 48 individuals of various personalities and backgrounds
found themselves lumped together at the farthest end of the
company room awaiting their training

familiar faces, not necessarily friends grouped together..
forming little clans here and there .. mayhap, a mini west side story scenario
mini-groups based on the college/university the individual graduated
biases and hearsay beliefs that were handed down from generation-to-generation arise
thus, creating a faction even from the start
’twas nobody’s fault actually..it just happened and came to be..
no one tried to stop it..no one tried to hide it..
funny how we still co-existed even then.. hmm..a tough bunch aren’t we?

in between all of these, existed the individuals that decided to be by themselves..
they belong to none of the clans.. they don’t respond unless asked..
they do what they do.. but they were considerably civil and sometimes friendly to
everyone else..

it didn’t mean that we didn’t get along.. we do get along.. sometimes,
most of the times depending on the people we were with..
see? some people we really are.. we are so unique to the point of being picky..
ehehhee… but with good intentions..

we got along so much that heated discussions were spent on religion, current events and even the
decision on the batch name..
everyone of us will always remember how the batch name forty-eight came to be..ehhee..

it doesn’t mean that we are individuals that have very bad socializing skills…
bonding activities that involved all of us deem impossible.. what with our large number
and most specially our very unique individualities, where one has many things to say while
others just doesn’t say anything at all.. hehehheeh

but still there are memories to cherish..of the 4 years in our company..
we only celebrated 1 christmas party!!!heehehe..
among others.. (what are the others? hmm..ehehhe)

one interesting thing about us is that we’ve come a long away..
so long that some went on their own way finding fulfillment in other countries,
in other companies..
the 48 individuals back in 2005 became 18 survivors now in 2009..
a rate that is very fast compared to other batches..

just last saturday, we celebrated our 4th anniversary..
with only 18 remaining people, we’ve planned to celebrate..
and celebrate we should.. who knows who’s next to go?
to celebrate the coming and going of friends, batchmates, colleagues..
a reminder that who and what we have around us do not remain constant…
that there would always be change.. that all we have to do is survive..

we weathered it all and shall weather it still..
ganbatte to us 18!!! cheers to the rest of the 30 friends who
have gone before us finding their own success!!!

thanks 48!!!
in another year is our 5th anniversary.
how many shall we be?