Do You Love Me?

To my dearest Mother,

So many times I’ve written this in little notes to you, I’ve whispered this in sincere sentences for you to hear…from the day I was born up to this moment wherein I type…
I’ve said it out loud, and I’ve said it to myself. I’ve told the whole world, and I know - I KNOW - there’s no need to repeat myself. But mom, because you are my mother and I understand how wonderful it is to hear these words over and over again, I shall say (write) them again. I. LOVE. YOU. Mom, you are the greatest most special and beautiful.

Stop asking silly questions. You and I both know that you already know the answers.

wala kayo sa lolo ko.

ilang beses na ba natin narinig ang pangungusap na iyan?
pagalingan, patigasan, patagalan... "sino ba mas magaling? lolo mo o lolo ko?!"
sobrang karaniwan na nga ng usapang iyan na kahit sa telebisyon, ginagamit na bilang patawa. parte na rin sigro ito ng kultura natin.

pero teka, kung ako ang tatanungin ninyo...

talong-talo na kayo.
wala ata kayo sa lolo ko.

matalino na nga, gwapo pa. nakapagpalaki pa siya ng siyam na bata. ang ganda pa ng napili niyang lola!


sa araw na ito, ipinagdiriwang natin ang kaarawan ng aking Lolo.


Happy Birthday po Lolo Mario!
mahal na mahal ko po kayo.

juancho

the years have gone by so fast and i never thought that this day would come so soon.
today, my dear brother, you turn 13.

i have always seen a part of myself in you. especially in the way we share our like for art, as well as our "i'm not so sporty" line. i see that we're both o.c. when it comes to certain things, like keeping our personal space organized and neat. we're both particular when it comes to our wardrobe, i notice that we like the same shoes and that i always ask for your fashion opinion whenever i'm at a loss as to what to wear. we've both got round calluses on our right hand ring fingers. i think we've used them too much. we're both impatient and hot headed. there's no denying that. you like some of my things, i like some of yours. we share...or fight over it. we always reach a compromise.

But you've never walked in my shadow. that i know. because you've created an identity of your own. i remember you used to imitate the content of my ancient sketchpads. but now you've developed your own style of drawing. a style, ehem, that i am very very very proud of. you've shown me so many new things. i'm stuck in the world of traditional drawing, whereas you've been doing digital for quite some time now. you taught me how to make animations. you told me to explore the computer. it is you teaching me this time. i. follow. you. Know, my little brother, that i am a fan of your creativity. your mind bursts with imagination that makes everything so interesting. you have gone farther into the art world than i ever had. in a way, you are fulfilling whatever i was lacking. you are carrying on my dream. i too, envy you.

thirteen is a new world my baby brother. and puberty can be sometimes tricky. don't let those hormones get to you so much. they'll be there for quite some time. be the best that you can be. i know you'll make me proud.

Happy Birthday. i love you.

you know that, right?