Strings of Memory

Extra 4

The Final Verse

Suzanne Vega, formerly known as Suzanne Almario, was a track and field athlete who competed in the Olympics and won a silver medal. She brought honor to the Philippines, and because of that, people started to revere her. She became so famous-almost everyone knew her. She was the talk of the town, appearing in numerous TV shows, mapa-interviews man o reality shows. That just goes to show how famous she is.

And being the daughter of someone famous? It's suffocating.

Yes, I'm proud of my mom for achieving something like that. I really am. I love her so much. But being her daughter comes with a price.

Our movements are constantly monitored by the people around us. The expectations they had for my mom shifted to me the moment I was born. They expect me to be just like her-and it hurts. It feels like something is weighing me down, making it hard to breathe.

All I ever wanted was to be my mother's daughter. I never wanted to be another version of her. I don't want to be her. I just want to be her daughter. Nothing else.

Dahil sa expectations ng mga tao, I would always escape and hide in my parents' room. The room was filled with my mother's trophies and... my father's CDs.

One time, while rummaging through his stuff, something caught my attention-a CD with a cover that immediately drew me in. It was an image of a girl with long, black, curly hair, her back turned to the viewer. She looked like she was running, her hair flowing behind her along with her white dress. May mga feather pang kasama sa cover, making her look almost like an angel.

Sumikip ang dibdib ko. Hindi ko mapigilang mainggit sa babaeng nasa cover. I couldn't even see her face, yet I could feel it-she was free. While me? I was imprisoned. Not physically, but mentally-trapped in the expectations of the people around me.

Dala na rin ng curiosity, kinuha ko ang player ni Papa at inilagay doon ang CD. I played it, and I don't know why, but the moment the song started, tears fell from my eyes.

The voice of the girl singing was cold, yet there was something else in it. A silent cry, almost. I couldn't explain it, but it hit me straight in the heart.

Whatever the message of the song was, it struck me. Hard.

Napatingin ako sa pinaglagyan ng CD at napansin kong may nakasulat doon-

The Reverie.

Bumaba ang tingin ko at napansin ko pang may isa pang nakasulat sa ibaba ng CD-

Dare to dream.

My heart pounded in my chest, as if it wanted to break free. I stared at the words, unable to look away, and before I knew it-ngumiti ako.

That's how I found The Reverie, and how their music inspired me to dream. It made me want to be in a band like them-to produce music and inspire people just like they did for me.

But having a dream and making it come true? That's another story.

"Anong pangarap mo, Luna?" tanong ng bisita ni Mama, smiling at me.

Finally, I had an answer. For the first time, I had a dream. So I smiled back. "I want to be in a band!" I said excitedly.

I expected him to smile back. To be happy for me. But instead, I was met with disappointment. Unti-unting nawala ang ngiti sa labi niya.

"Bakit mo gustong magbanda? Why are you trying to take a different path when you already have one you could follow? Just be like your mom! You could bring honor to this country just like her if you follow in her footsteps."