Title Page and Episode 1-2

                    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.

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