Chiara
During my elementary days, after a long holiday break, babalik ka sa paaralan mo with your classmates asking; where did you spend your holidays? or what did you get for Christmas? So syempre, as a kid, you'll boast to others saying na; ay o look I got this, ah we tour around Europe, nothing fancy. Am I right?
Then, almost all of your teachers will ask you guys individually kung ano-ano ang mga natanggap niyong regalo at alin dun ang pinaka-paborito niyo. Kung ano iyong pinakagara, iyong pinakamahal, that would be our favorite, right?
But now, I'm not the 9-year old Chiara who'll throw tantrums whenever my Dad won't buy me a certain toy that I want. I'm now the 17-year old Chiara and my perspective against holiday spirit, totally changed.
If someone will ask me if what's my favorite thing about Christmas? It is seeing the smile plastered on my love ones faces, hindi ko na kailangan ng kung anong materyal na bagay, ito pa lang, masaya na ako.
Mariin akong napangiwi ng biglaang kumirot naman ang tiyan ko, I immediately stood up from sitting at the edge of my bed as I ran towards the bathroom sink. Sumuka ako ng sumuka, halos lahat ng kinain ko at lahat ng gamot na nainom ko, naisuka ko na.
It's no use at all, buhay nga ako pero araw-araw, pakiramdam ko naman, pinapatay na ako ng sakit kong 'to.
After throwing up, I fixed everything first at inayos muna ang sarili ko, I'm all dressed up but looks like something's missing..
Smile Chiara, smile. I tried my very best to smile, a sincere and real one. At nang maipinta ko na ang ngiti sa labi ko, lumabas na ako ng kwarto ko at dumiretso sa kwarto nina Mama.
"Mama, look!" I beamed at umikot pa sa harap niya, flaunting my off-shoulder red dress, perfect for holidays.
At dahil pasko ngayon, naglakas-loob akong maglagay ng sandamakmak na concealer sa katawan ko just to cover my bruises and so that, I can wear an appropriate clothe, rather than a sweater.
"You look fabulous Ate!" Mama exclaimed, I grinned as I gently flipped my well curled hair.
"I know right, nagmana sa pinagmanahan!" I confidently answered, nagkatinginan kami ni Mama and as if on a cue, we both ended up laughing at each other's remarks.
"O, anyare?" Dad asked nang pumasok siya sa kwarto nila ni Mama, he's also wearing a red polo while me and Mama are both wearing red dresses.
"Sabi ko Daddy maganda ako!" wika ko at umikot ulit, "You must be really proud to have me as your daughter Dad!" dagdag ko pa at kumindat kay Daddy, he acted like he was about to puke, making me frown.
"Saan nakatago ang mga electric fan d'yan sa katawan mo Chia? Hangin natin ah." natatawang komento nito, I rolled my eyeballs as I crossed my arms.
"Look who's talking, kanino pa ba iyan magamamana eh kundi sa'yo." Mama interrupted and this time, si Daddy naman ang napanguso. Hah, roasted! Under talaga kahit kailan!
"Oo na nga, maganda na kayo." he said as he glanced at his wristwatch, "We're running late, let's go?" dagdag pa nito, sabay kaming tumango ni Mama as the three of us made our way to our destination.
Today is December 25 and this is the first Christmas that I'm going to spend together with Mama, we're going to make this day memorable because who knows? This might be my last.
Pupunta kami sa simbahan ngayon then after that, there's a mini celebration in our village, Mama's invited so Daddy and me will come with her and surprise, surprise--- I'm going to play the piano.
It took Mama days to convince me, hindi man halata pero 'di porke't anak ako ng isang Lea Salonga, my confidence level is as high as her's. I have a stage fright because of some embarrassing experiences back then but now, I'll try my best not to ruin my image.
We arrived at the church minutes before the mass is intended to start, people are looking at us like hello, I'm with two famous people beside me.
The mass ended peacefully at gaya ng pinagusapan, didiretso na kami sa clubhouse dun sa village namin.
On our way there, pinagpapawisan ako kahit malamig naman. I am so damn nervous to perform in front of a huge crowd.
Idagdag mo pa na kinakabahan ako because, what if people won't like my performance and they will give bad comments about me? Nakakahiya, I don't want to be a disgrace to Mama and Daddy.
"Someone's nervous.." rinig kong wika ni Daddy who's now driving the car, katabi niya si Mama na nasa passenger seat while I'm alone at the back.
"Thank you sa support Dad, I appreciate it, really." I said sarcastically at umirap pa, he chuckled.
"But seriously, dont be nervous Chia, you'll do great." ani nito at kahit papano, parang gumaan naman ang pakiramdam ko.
"Thanks." I murmured as I sighed at tumingin na lang sa bintana. We're getting nearer and nearer, mas trumiple lalo ang kaba ko ng natanaw ko na ang clubhouse.
Oh well, good luck, Chia. You'll do great. You're not going to mess this up.Just, chill.
___
Lea
"Come on, baba na." I told Chiara as I opened the door at the back for her, she look at me with hesitation and pleading eyes. Sighing, I crossed my arms while facing her.
"Alam mo, during my first song recital when I was 6, I peed right in front of a huge crowd. I mess up the whole performance. That was embarrassing na I ended up not going to school for days dahil wala akong mukha na maihaharap sa mga tao." natatawa kong sambit as I reminisce those days.
Chiara frowned, "Is that true? Sorry but you and messed up performance doesn't match, try again Ma." she said na ikina-taas ng kilay ko. Hindi siya naniniwala? Is that really unbelievable?
"Ask Mommy, it's true." wika ko, "What I'm trying to point out is that you can do it Chia, you'll do great. Just stay calm and relax, isipin mo na lang na you're alone in a room and that, no one is watching you upang 'di ka kabahan." dagdag ko pa at umusog ng konti to give space para makadaan siya.
"Pero Ma, I'm nervous. Ayaw ko pong bigyan kayo ng kahihiyan ni Daddy." she said, kaya pala..
"Being my daughter, is it hard?" tanong ko, kumunot man ang noo niya dahil dun but she immediately nodded in response.
"Yeah, sometimes, mahirap po.." she replied.
"Bakit naman mahirap?" tanong ko ulit.
"Really Ma? You're asking me that? Of course, you're the great Lea Salonga. The adjective perfect suits you really well. Anak niyo ako ni Daddy so the expectation of other people about me is like, really high." aniya, "Pero syempre, maswerte pa rin ako na kayo ang naging mga magulang ko. You guys are the best!" she added at nag-thumbs up pa.
"Well thank you but you know what Chia? Huwag mong isipin ang mga iniisip ng ibang tao, they don't like you or your performance? Problema na nila iyon. Instead, prove them--- us na you can do it because I know you can." nakangiting ani ko, seconds later, I found her smiling back at me at tuluyan na siyang bumaba sa sasakyan as she clung at my arms.
"Stay near me so that if I mess it around, hihilain niyo na lang ako kaagad palabas." she exclaimed while laughing, napailing na lang ako as the both of us made our way inside, where Aga is actually waiting.
Indeed, there's a lot of people gathered at the function hall, cameras are flashing everywhere, sanay na ako dito pero si Chiara, napahigpit ang pagkakapit niya sa' kin, she seemed really nervous.
"Babes! Chia!" Aga called kaya lumapit kami sa kanya and there we have our table, front row at malapit sa stage, fortunately.
Naupo na kami, I'm beside Aga while Chiara is beside me, the lights turned off indicating na magsisimula na ang program. Actually, hindi lang si Chiara ang mag-peperform, a lot of them, may kakanta, sasayaw, play the violin and many more.
"Nanginginig siya babes." Aga whispered while chuckling, kaagad naman akong napatingin kay Chiara na ngayo'y nakayuko lang.
"Hayaan mo na, is this her first time?" mahinang tanong at sagot ko, Aga shrugged his head making my forehead creased.
"Playing the piano, yes but performing, no. Parte iyan ng drama club eh." he answered, "Hindi man niya sabihin pero kinakabahan siya dahil manonoud ka." dagdag pa nito na ikinatahimik ko. Big deal ba talaga iyon?
Aga heaved a deep breathe and smiled at me, "Kausapin at suyuin mo lang, makikinig iyan sa'yo."
Bumaling ako kay Chiara as I snapped my fingers, getting her attention.
"Po?" she uttered.
"Tandaan mo na your always making me proud no matter what." I told her, unti-unti siyang ngumiti at tumango, hindi na siya nagsalita pa kaya tinuon ko na lang ulit ang attensyon ko sa mga batang sumasayaw ngayon sa stage.
Minutes later, a woman approached us saying na si Chiara na ang susunod kaya kailangan nitong sumama sakanya. We wished her luck at tuluyan na siyang sumama sa babae.
When she left, kaagad kong sinandal ang ulo ko sa balikat ni Aga at bumuntong hininga.
"She'll do good babes, chill." wika niya habang pinaglalaruan ang kamay ko.
"Alam ko, sa' kin nagmana iyon eh." I confidently replied kaya napaubo naman siya dahil dun.
"Sa'yo? Sa' kin kaya, maganda boses 'nun eh, mana sakin." he exclaimed na ikinairap ko.
"Sino ang nagsabi na maganda boses mo at ipapatay ko?" I asked seriously, mahina siyang natawa at akmang sasagot pa but the girl performing on stage ended her performance, Chiara's next kaya napaayos naman ako ng upo as I took my phone from my bag at inilabas din ni Aga ang camera niya.
"Our next performer is Mr. Aga Muhlach and Ms. Lea Salonga's only daughter!" the host said, followed by the audiences loud applause, "Let's give it up for Chiara!" lumabas si Chiara mula sa backstage as she showed us her sweetest smile and wave her hands before sitting in front of the grand piano.
Maya-maya pa, she began playing the song Beauty and the Beast flawlessly and with passion. Nakatuon ang attensyon ng lahat sa kanya and seems like they're enjoying her performance, she did it!
We we're looking at her the whole time with admiration, she finished her piece by hitting the last note, nakangiti pa rin siya making the whole performance a lot lighter.
Tumayo na siya and I can see from here na she was about to cry, she bowed her head as everyone clapped their hands for giving them a heart-whelming performance.
"I did it!" she said happily ng nakabalik na ulit siya sa mesa namin. Tumayo siya sa gitna namin ng Daddy niya at halos mangiyak-ngiyak na because she can't believe na nagawa niya ito ng maayos at walang sablay.
"Sabi na eh, you made us so proud Chia." Aga said at ginulo ang buhok nito, instead of protesting, niyakap niya kami pareho.
"Thank you for believing that I can, the real essence of Christmas is seeing others happy, and that makes me happy too."
* * * * * *