Tita Mi Amore

My Tita Cynthia

It’s her birthday today (March 3), the woman who raised me since my first year (together with my Tito-Daddy!). During those years of growing up, she was my mother. Each morning she will send me to school, though my school during nursery and kindergarten was just across our street. She will shout (from our gate), “Tawid!” and I will gladly be crossing the street and wave her goodbye. 


I remember during my first grade, that I have to memorize the calendar rhyme or song that goes, ‘thirty days has September, April, June and November’ she will let me repeat it until I know it by heart and before the tricycle service arrive to fetch me that morning. Well, until now, I know it by heart! She is the mother-figure that I knew from the time I  learn how to tie my shoes, my socks in the right form and angle (because I always have the long white socks twisted). Sundays with her and Daddy will always be exciting because we will always go out, pig out and just stroll the mall. I won’t forget that time when I thought I lost them or that they left me in the middle of the mall (I am not sure what mall was that, if COD or Landmark), I know I was about to cry then, when I finally saw Daddy hiding behind the pillars of that mall. I saw them laughing at me. Gees! Trip kung trip!

look at my looong socks, i was in 2nd Grade

 I miss those days when we hang out together.  Those are the memories of my childhood remained in my heart.  I remembered my Tita being so supportive especially during Girl Scout of the Philippines’ (GSP) activity in school.  Imagine from grade one, I am always in my daintiest uniform until I finished my sixth grade.  My Tita knows how to iron well.  She’s really good at that.  Well, I was so proud when I graduated in Grade six that I became “Girl Scout of the Year!” that  medal was really for her.  She told me her stories being in GSP and she was really proud of it.  She knows where the headquarters are located and me as a child was so amazed because she knows it well.  She is so smart and strong, just like what a real girl scout should be.

me as a GSP member - with a white GSP hat (right); i was in 2nd or 3rd Grade 

Years have passed, we don’t talk about girlscouts now, and we now talk about the realities of life.  We haven’t talked in person for how many years now, only through skype, chats, phone and texts.  I miss her so much.  I miss being the girl she dresses and put shoes on.  I miss her spaghetti and pansit that really taste good, she can cook those with eyes closed.  I hope we can travel together and I promised myself that i should treat her to a spa sometime soon. Yup, she needs to pamper herself more.

me (praying?) from first row, 4th from right; i was in 4th grade

Our relationship is not that perfect if I may say.  During my highschool, that’s the time she really became strict and tears will always well up when she scolds me.  I even planned of running away from home because of those ‘struggles’ we have.  We’ve been through a lot, financially, emotionally, physically, name it, and I know she has to remain strong just for us to get it through. When I was entering college, she became a little subtle, I assumed it’s because she’s happy because I will be in college, imagine, her ‘favorite’ pamangkin (niece) will be in a university? Sa wakas (finally) all her sacrifices will be over.  Nonetheless, I graduated and I know I was her human-trophy of success, flesh and blood. I thank her for that.  What I have achieved is mainly because of her.  At times, I think maybe I disappointed her because up to this time (I feel) my life-pattern is not like hers who became the manager of a bank, etc.  I remember her saying to me (after I resigned from an Advertising Agency), ‘Why not work in a bank, it is stable there!’ then, I sent my resume (through her) and now I am working in a bank.  Stability, yes there is, but the growth of your career really takes years (I mean years!) unless you really shift departments or units and study postgraduate courses (you really have to invest in yourself).  Not everyone can afford that, especially during these times and with a ‘normal’ banker’s salary. (Anyway, that’s another story!).

Since today is my aunt’s birthday, I wish her all the best in everything.  She deserves more vacation, more rest from work (she really is a workaholic!).  She needs to control her emotional bursts because I know she’s been through a lot.  I hope she would really do that.  She is a prayerful person and I do admire her strong faith for I know these are the traits that keep her survive living alone abroad.  


Now that she’s with my Daddy and cousin, I know this year as a new chapter unfolds in her life, will be a different birthday for her.  All the burdens may all be alight as she aged another year.  May her smile be a radiance to everyone that she inspires, her laugh contagious enough to make the world happier and life be more meaningful through her.

with Kit (my cousin), my Tita & My Daddy (Tito); after five years, they are all together now in Canada 

As her ‘favorite’ pamangkin, I always include her in my prayers that she may have all the courage and strength since we are away from each other, that she may always be in good shape and healthy enough that her blood will not boost up.  I thank God for coming into her life that she is the ‘tita’ that He gave me.  I don’t think life will be this good without her during those times I started singing and uttering words. What our relationship now is more than the aunt-niece thing, we became the good friends over time.  She may not be my biological mother, but we won't deny that we have the same blood and we have the same blood type. Hahaha!

For now, let her enjoy this special day. We’ll just skype later. I also hope that she will always remember that I am here for her no matter what, not just a niece, but also her friend and that is for life! That's what a real girl scout should be, right, 'ta? 


Mwaah!!

Tidbits: Yes, i sobbed writing this!