Princess

                 WRITTEN BY

 MARIA VICTORIA “VICKY” T. MANALO

Pictures/Illustrations: Shutterstock, Pinterest, ClipArtOf,

ClipartPanda, CEIBS, Joe Kubert

     All Rights Reserved. P.E.R.K.S. Copy Wright ©

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        Oh! Hello there! I am Princess...I am here  to tell you about my life. I hope you like it because it’s not everyday that I get to tell it since I am only nine years old. It started on a rainy Sunday, Mama didn’t go to work in the factory because she’s not feeling well. Papa is getting ready for his summer job at a construction site, since he said “medyo malaki ang bigay nila sa akin doon” (“they give me a good pay there”). Papa, Mama and I held hands and thanked the Lord for our breakfast of fried rice and egg. After eating Papa went to work and Mama permitted me to play in the playground for a while. It’s really Fun since there are no kids around to bother me. I have this wonderful  place

for myself. Yipee! Haay! So tired am I, that I forgot about Mama.

          She said to go home right away since she’s not feeling well. Hmm! Oh! No! If I don’t go home fast, Mama will hit me in the behind with a “tambo” (“broom”). Yet when I got home, it’s weird! as if there’s nobody home.

Where did Mama go?

Hu! Hu! Hu! Mama is crying hard. I asked her what happened and  she didn’t say anything but just stared at me then cried again.  Aunt came and told me that Papa had an accident at the construction site. Oh! I don’t understand what she’s saying but what I only know is that I felt so sad… Papa, Papa, I will miss you so much!   I will miss you walking me at the park or the playground. I will miss your smile, your laughter and the way you make me laugh. I will cherish

every good thing you said. And I will remember to brush my teeth, take a bath and tend to Mama while you’re away!

          But, Papa! I can’t find Mama. When I came home from school, the house is uncleaned, Dinner is uncooked and I don’t know where to  find my dear mother. Good thing! Aunt stopped by and gave me “tocino” (“cured pork”)and rice.  I remembered our happy days together. Papa, wherever you are, I hope you’re thinking of me. I’m scared, Mama’s not here, I’m all alone! Papa, please come back!  Don’t leave me!

          I left home because nobody’s going to pay for the rent. Aunt invited me to her house with her children, my cousins. But it wasn’t easy,  yet I don’t really have a choice.  Most of the time I only eat if they have leftovers and pieces of crumbs on the table. Since I don’t work, I don’t have money to give Aunt for food. I even have  trouble

finding my “baon” (“money or food to have on recess”). So, I don’t really know what I need to do to stay alive.

One morning I came across a house. It’s not so big but very  decent. I remember “Kuya” (“Big Brother”), in my father’s wake. He’s one of the people who helped us to get through it all. I found out he too has his own family and we’re just neighbors. I got to know Ate (call naming a big sister), she is nice and smiles whenever she sees me. I befriended  her and every time I visit them, she gives me money or food. Her mom  who I call “Lola” (Grandmother), is always accommodating. She lets me in and give me luncheons that are quite delicious.

Yummy! Then Lola will let me play  with her granddaughter while watching television. I love watching Maine

and Alden, the little baby I’m playing with loves them too. Aldub nation

I went to visit Papa in the cemetery and to my surprise, I saw  Mama sleeping on top of Papa’s tomb. She has grease all over her body and her clothes worn out. I tried to wake her up and when she did, opened her eyes, she just stared at me as if not remembering then dozed off again. I wanted to speak to her, Mama! Mama!....but she  doesn’t seem to hear me. I miss Papa so much. And about my mother, I don’t understand  why she gave up and forgot me!  At school, my bestfriend helps me to cope with loneliness. Bessy is my bright and wonderful classmate/friend who often give me gifts to make me feel good, happy! We’re always together even in Facebook

we do selfies. I love her so much just like a sister. I never know what  I’ll do without her. We always have fun together even just by watching how the sun shines in the green open field where sky’s blue .How lovely this day is with Bessy!

Tired strolling with Bessy, I went to bed without eating my bread. I wish that my parents are here, I long for my Papa’s hug and the times when he cuddle me to bed. Mama then showers me with kisses and sings to put me to sleep. Now that Papa is gone and Mama is not around, I sleep on my own. I am scared of the dark but I always remember Papa saying, “God is  watching while you sleep and if he’s not, never fear, I’ll be here!” I believe Papa is

watching over me just like the moon so bright  tonight As if it’s smiling at me and saying good night! Good night!

On my pajamas I planted a flower, when it suddenly grew. It’s beautiful! Colours of red, yellow and  green,

it stood to greet me. Oh! How strange…then I woke up. Ha! Ha!  it’s just a dream, yet a lovely one! Other kids think I am a bit naïve. It’s true that I ask questions a lot. But I am just a young girl who wants to get to know the people I

meet, just like Ate.  She is different from the people I know. She is nice and always smiles when she sees me.

She takes care of her baby and goes to school just like me. I don’t know why she still does when she already has a family of her own! I just shrug my shoulders and wonder. I like to play with her daughter and talk with the family. Yet Ate is often busy, so I am only allowed to stay an hour or two, sometimes I am just outside their gate and  watch

T.V. since they own a big one, you can see the pictures passing  through the window, even from afar, it’s amazing!

          A woman from DSWD talked with Aunt about a place where I can  live and here they will look for a new family

to adopt me. But I don’t want to leave Mama. And if I come with them, I’ll not be able to visit Papa. Mama

will be left all alone. What can I do at a very young age? I don’t even understand why I was left on my own to decide

about my life.  Hmm! What to do???   Cribs,Q.C.      They say it’s okay to stay in this place. Where I can learn fun

games and activities with the other children. I wonder! Still, I didn’t go  with the nice lady. I wish Mama comes home soon!

                I need a P.E. uniform fast. I don’t have money to buy one, so I  decided to ask from Lola and Ate, our neighbors , for help. Lola gave me P250. for the uniform. The reason why I need it is because I’ll  sing in school. My teacher will not allow me to attend class and perform without wearing our P.E. uniform. Thank you Lola! I’ll buy a gift for her “apo” (“granddaughter”). Wow! These are cute! Maybe she’ll  like these!  I like bringing gifts for their little

baby, even if it cost me my “baon”. Ate says to save my money for my “baon” and food. But I’m happy to see “Bebe” smile whenever she sees me and know I have something for her. It’s the happiest feeling when she smiles at me. I

 wish I have a baby sister and a family like hers.

             My classmates love to read in school. I love to read and play with them too. But sometimes they make fun of me for I don’t have money to buy my own school uniform. I am very lucky, a friend of mine let me borrow her shirt for school though worn out.

             Some think I’m a bit crazy because I walk and ask neighbors for used cans, plastic bottles and old newspapers to sell for my “baon”.  Aunt said if I will not find a way to earn I will not have means to eat and pay for school. So I collect stuff to sell to earn for food.

              I don’t worry if I have nothing to eat for lunch after I come home from school, because God provides. He always does. Every time I  visit a neighbor, I am given a sumptuous meal and I love them for it. When I come home I’m so tired yet so full from my delicious lunch. I may not know what will happen to me and tomorrow, but

what  I’m sure of is this: God sends an Angel to help and protect me.

              Maybe the next one is YOU…

                                              “I am scared of the dark but I always

                                             remember Papa saying, “God is watching  "

                                                (All rights reserved. PERKS Copy wright)