❤️
There is 8 years between us so we never really grew up together. She would even casually mention many times, "I do not remember you, Neng". Not to sound mean or anything but we never get to do things together when she was little. Not until we were grown ups and I moved away from home to build my own.
She would come here in Melbourne for a visit. She'd accompany me early for work and earlier for shopping sprees. We take trains, trams and buses and talk non-stop in Surigaonon. What fun! Revenge with some loud senior Europeans and God forgive them: noisy Asians screaming their way to get the full attention of someone sitting next to them. And that someone would scream back. Mga bungoy man siguro ini sila. Probably hearing impaired? But all of them in different trams? I don't know, but one thing for sure, it was absolutely annoying.
With Buding I do not have to sit, grin and bear the annoying people, I can be one. Kon todo katawa gajud and if we see mga upaw, kuyang rakan na mu-salute.
Buding is like Papa, disciplined, hard working, organized, loving, affectionate, wise with finances, well-dressed, great singer - all that, with a temper. They are also very kind, generous, funny and source of strength sa amo pamilya. One friend Toni,an American who lives and operates a Pub here in Australia said "OMG, Angie is sooo together, how can you look and smell this good in the morning!".
Buding is the self-appointed eldest now. Reversal of roles. Nabali an kalibutan as she is the youngest. She took over the affairs of the household, the school, the gym, family’s health, etc. She is able. Very able, in fact she'd forget herself to aid others. Much like Mama, too!
Sija an ako pinaka-love na sister. Not just because she is my one and only sister. If I had other sisters I'd still love her more. In times when I falter, she not only help me up but tells me off as well. "Neng, ako role sa kalibutan an madepressed. Dili imo." Just like Judge Judy, she tells me to get over it. She would send me messages of comfort and inspiration when I least expect it. Many times I beam and tell Rich- ako ini bubby sissy. Baby sister. She is also a fan "Neng, I like reading your words kay it is like reading a book, tuwaw dajun ko."
I love a few people but I like fewer. I love and like Buding.
One day once again, we can lie under the ceiling fan and belt out tunes that would bring any house down, raid the factory outlets for a dozen pairs of shoes, or organize a party in the house where over 15 Aussie youth played Pinoy games and broke my spoons, or we can sit in at the Conservatory for all you can eat steak, go to an outdoor zoo and ask for the rancher to put that snake on your neck…or just sit at church silently together and casually say "Neng, you smell like chorizo"…
Buding is one of a kind. No wonder she is Pare Bob’s favourite..
Come back soon Ding, and maybe stay longer, kay kalisod when I do not have anyone to sit in the hospital with. Simbako laman. Or maybe Rich and I can go for a trip again and stay there to savour once more barbq sa pier, sayongsong sa Ipil, dagat sa Mabua, lechon sa Togbongon, latik sa Lanuza. SM, Ayala, or stay up all night, as in all night because we consumed 2 liters of coca cola each, spread eagled on the banig and asked for heaven’s intervention: Diyos ko, Ginoo ko, pakatuyuga na kami!
And how about when we scared Mama of Papa visiting us that night, prompting her to drag her mattress on to the floor with us? Richard was oblivious of the commotion that happened that early dawn in Lanuza. Tuyog sija in the middle bed. The katawa and hagikhik, then tuwaw-tuwaw. Panga-useless gajud nato! Let’s do it again!
I do not really have a lot of friends, but with Buding, it's more than I need. Friendship is a blessing. I am more than blessed to have a sister and a friend in her. Ab yu my Bading. Happy, happy birthday! May our Heavenly Father bless you always, everyday and forever.
