Go-to Guys

Another long, pleasing weekend for us. My two attempts to edit my remaining AVP project for Trend have been postponed, twice. Technical difficulties could be a legit excuse. But anyway, that’s not my point. The point is that the weekend was a blast despite my not being able to follow my timetable to finish the project and to get tickets for the French Film Festival.

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I had been a little hyper this afternoon until we were inside the FX going to UP. We were betting against each other on a massage of our choice (I preferred foot, he wanted a full-body) if one of us could give the other the better hand massage (sort of a ritual, by the way). Between the two of us this afternoon, I can say he did a better job. I teasingly asked for my share of prize-- a foot massage-- which he politely cried off. My mood changed.

I wasn't sure. I was thinking, could it be because he turned me down? Later, I realized that it wasn’t. The mood swing was because I suddenly missed my father, who’s been in the province and happily managing his small convenience store-- an investment of his retirement benefit. Parang na-homesick ako bigla.

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Before my father suffered a stroke four years ago, he used to give me and my mother a foot or back massage. He did that whenever Ma was really worn-out from her 8-hour duty or every time I made "lambing", asking for it. The best massage ever. He would let us find our most comfortable nook and loosen up and watch TV so that he could begin his craft (aside from making the best coleslaw and cucumber salad, swimming really well, playing some good tennis matches, and dancing with me while I was stepping on his feet). Charming.

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"Lahat ng lalaki nagiging ganon eventually..." Leyn asserted when we were at the Pizza Hut Bistro in Eastwood last Monday, talking about a common friend. I said nooo. I have had proofs. Maybe a very few ones, but I believe they would pass as well-founded. My father is not like that, I told her. Even after 30 years, he still says I love you to my mother and embraces her in front of other people until Ma almost melts in embarrassment. That scene, for me, is awkwardly sweet. He still waits for Ma every meal to listen to her stories as they eat. And he still asks her for a date. At his age, he could still be that sappy.

Aside from Pa, my list includes my cousin Kuya Jun who fixed me a glass of juice every night when I was in college and prepares my breakfast whenever he can before I go to work, my closest guy friend Epa from HS whose respect for a commitment is striking, and my buddy who simply does everything.

"Di lahat ng lalaki ganon. Trust me. Because I’ve already met a few who aren’t." [And I'm adding the funny, imaginative Broe to my very short list. :) ]

*****
Buddy ko, remember when you asked me to give reasons why I love Pa (imitating the host of a talk show we were watching then) and I only said " I love him just because I love him"? I knew my reply didn't make an impression. But the truth is just because is too much to elaborate.

Today is father’s day.
To the best dad in the world-- I love you, Pa.