Ode to Monching

Dear Monching,

Dalawang buwang mahigit mong hinintay ang araw na’to. Alam kong, excited ka sa bagong mundo—malamang para sayo, ito ngayon ang real world. I saw your eagerness to learn, your desire to be free and of course, I know, you’re longing for new friends, too.

My kid Fiel Sigmund, then 3 years old, whom I endearingly call Monching.

I saw you so happy when mum have told you this morning that she has taken a leave from work so she could accompany you on your first day to school. I wish I am too, but Dad has some equally important work to do. Anyway, you know I can always catch up with you, awesome kiddo!

You see, yours is different from mine when I first set my foot in “real school.” Wala pang trolley bag na Cars o kaya Batman backpacks nung araw, o kung meron man, hindi pa uso, o kaya walang pambili si Nanay. Hindi rin uso ang hatid- sundo noon o school service. Kailangan magising at gumalaw ng maaga para sa halos isang kilometrong lakaran papuntang school. You see, old times are tough. Hindi katulad ngayon, almost everything is easier.

Mum and Dad graduated from the same university where we are sending you now. It’s a great school for amazing kids like you. Well, you are amazing because you have shown us remarkable cleverness and cunning attitude since you were born. You were thoughtful and sweet on your own ways, though you are exceptionally “makulit.”

You always say that you wanted to go to big school. At, ito na nga-- ang araw na iyong pinakahihintay. Mum and Dad are not expecting medals, ribbons, and certificates from you. You know those are only made of metals, satin sheets, and papers and sometimes they can be bought—ugh, somewhere else (like others do). But if you can bring home some “metals, satin sheets, and papers” those would be great compliment anyhow. We only ask you to make good on your studies, be diligent at all times, and that would sufficiently make us proud.

Ah, you may still get dirty and stinky or soil your school uniform ‘coz I know you don’t just do something without learning. Its okay, you can always play when it is time to play but, remember to be smart and tough as I have always taught you.

Hey kiddo, I am going to tell you some more on a weekend when we bike outdoors or jog at the stadium. Am sure you’d be glad to listen more of my pre- school stories or maybe interested to learn some stuff about “bullies” or boring subjects.

Bye for now. I love you kiddo!


Dad

PS: Don’t be late and forget not about our ‘deal.’