Attending the most popular store in a small farming barrio in southern Philippines is a pale-faced pregnant woman surrounded by farmers drinking tuba after a day of hard work in their agricultural lands amidst the scorching heat of the sun. It was still dusk, but the Christmas lights from some of the small bamboo and nipa houses were already illuminating the small village. To that pregnant woman in the store, December is special not only because of the Christmas carols, the gifts, and the time for “love and giving”, but also because it is the month she is expected to give life to her second child— at the age of twenty-one.
She met her husband in Marawi City—the only Islamic City in the Philippines—where she used to worked in a restaurant while attending school at the same time. The father of her soon to be two children is the nephew of the owner of the restaurant who stood against their relationship. Their relationship was against all odds. It was actually very brave of her to enter into a relationship with a Muslim man, given her Catholic bearing. Asked about this crucial decision of her life, she responds by quoting a line from a popular song: “love can move mountains.” Having been driven away by some of her husband’s immediate family members, she sought refuge from her family who accepted her and the father of her children. While her husband works as a private escort of a popular politician in the Muslim region, she helps in making both ends meet by running a small store.
Although quite uncertain about her growing family’s future, this woman—named Princesita because of princess-like features— lives her day in the most optimistic way. Because of financial constraints and motherhood responsibilities, she was forced to stop going to school, which eventually ended her dream of becoming a teacher someday. While pregnant, she rumbles about how her children are going to make her proud someday, and about how they will be a living proof of the good decisions she made in life. The people surrounding her are somewhat convinced, but most of them remains doubtful because of her husband, and the undesirable reputation Muslim people possess. Despite this, everyone in the village adores her because of her fine nature and strong character. They wish her nothing but the best.
Few days later, around 7 o’ clock in the morning, she finally gave birth to her son. It was December 17, 1987. She learned from her husband that her father-in-law wants the child to be named Rashid which is one of the ninety-nine beautiful names of Allah. Despite the misunderstanding and the rough relationship she has with her husband’s family, she never retaliated. She remains patient and friendly towards them. She readily agreed to the chosen name. Proud and excited, she cuddled the newly-born baby and whispered a silent prayer.
This is the story I made when as part of a classroom exercise, we were asked by our professor to write about how we envision our parents when they were our age.
She met her husband in Marawi City—the only Islamic City in the Philippines—where she used to worked in a restaurant while attending school at the same time. The father of her soon to be two children is the nephew of the owner of the restaurant who stood against their relationship. Their relationship was against all odds. It was actually very brave of her to enter into a relationship with a Muslim man, given her Catholic bearing. Asked about this crucial decision of her life, she responds by quoting a line from a popular song: “love can move mountains.” Having been driven away by some of her husband’s immediate family members, she sought refuge from her family who accepted her and the father of her children. While her husband works as a private escort of a popular politician in the Muslim region, she helps in making both ends meet by running a small store.
Although quite uncertain about her growing family’s future, this woman—named Princesita because of princess-like features— lives her day in the most optimistic way. Because of financial constraints and motherhood responsibilities, she was forced to stop going to school, which eventually ended her dream of becoming a teacher someday. While pregnant, she rumbles about how her children are going to make her proud someday, and about how they will be a living proof of the good decisions she made in life. The people surrounding her are somewhat convinced, but most of them remains doubtful because of her husband, and the undesirable reputation Muslim people possess. Despite this, everyone in the village adores her because of her fine nature and strong character. They wish her nothing but the best.
Few days later, around 7 o’ clock in the morning, she finally gave birth to her son. It was December 17, 1987. She learned from her husband that her father-in-law wants the child to be named Rashid which is one of the ninety-nine beautiful names of Allah. Despite the misunderstanding and the rough relationship she has with her husband’s family, she never retaliated. She remains patient and friendly towards them. She readily agreed to the chosen name. Proud and excited, she cuddled the newly-born baby and whispered a silent prayer.
This is the story I made when as part of a classroom exercise, we were asked by our professor to write about how we envision our parents when they were our age.At twenty-one, I live a very different life. Very different from what my mother and father have gone through.
At twenty-one, I hope that in my own little ways, I am able to make them proud and happy.
At twenty-one, I hope that I’m starting to make them feel that I deserve them as my parents.
At twenty-one, I hope that my mother starts to realize that she made the right decision when she married my father.
At twenty-one, I hope I make good decisions in life too.
At twenty-one, I hope that in my own little ways, I am able to make them proud and happy.
At twenty-one, I hope that I’m starting to make them feel that I deserve them as my parents.
At twenty-one, I hope that my mother starts to realize that she made the right decision when she married my father.
At twenty-one, I hope I make good decisions in life too.
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