Ang Masel ni Aling Maria

 Today we feature the poem Ang Masel ni Aling Maria, written by  German V. Gervacio. A three-time winner of the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature and a four-time winner of the Homelife Magazine National Poetry Competition,  he authored Hari Manawari, Si Tanya, ang Uwak na Gustong Pumuti, and 101 Bugtong na Hindi Alam ng Titser Mo. His works have been included in various anthologies and journals like CCP’s Ani 22 and UP Likhaan Anthologies. 

Ang Masel ni Aling Maria is a story of parenthood, motherhood in particular. Although there is already gender equality, the poem shows us still of the tasks a woman has to bear in order to support her family. Though we say, it is  a choice in the end, we would know it is the basic instinct of Maria to ascertain her children have food in the table as well as are sent to school. 

Let us read the poem and discover how our mothers, even fathers, are reflected and appreciated in the smallest gesture we oftentimes neglect- Acknowledgement of their efforts. 

Ang Masel ni Aling Maria

ni German V. Gervacio 

alas-tres ng madaling araw

habang ang bana'y naghihilik pa

babangon siya para makipag-agawan

sa mga ibabagsak na banyera ng isda

doon sa may talipapa

siya na rin ang bubuhat

papunta sa kanyang pwesto

dalawanpung taon siyang ganito!

tingnan mo tuloy ang kanyang braso

mahihiya si Popeye

maski na si Rambo

 

pero sa masel niya masasalamin

walong anak na iginagapang.

                isang kumakarera

               dalawa sa hayskul

               tatlo sa elementarya

               ang isa'y di pa nag-aaral

ang bunso'y pasususuhin pa

 

pagkagat ng dilim

 

saka pa lang huhupa ang masel niya

ang ulo niya'y nakasubsob sa unan

patalikod sa banang mapintog ang tiyan.

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Unang Pagpaningkamot

Dili ko sigurado ani nga pagsulat tungod kay sa dugay nga panahon ang akong mga amiga gakataw-an gayud ang akong binisaya. Ang uban ipatagalog na lang ko aron daw paspas, ang uban pud, magpasensya gayud ug tudlo taman nga matun-an nako ang sakto nga gamit sa isa ka pulong.

Ang akong kauban sa kinabuhai ikapila na usab ko niya gidasig nga musulat sa pinilungang binisaya tungod kay matod pa niya, malingaw gayud siya tungod siguro kay kabalo siya sa akong pagpaningkamot luyo sa kada patak sa tinta sa ball pen.

Busa karon ako na gayud buhaton ang pagmugna sa akong mga istorya gamit ang pinulungan sa isla nga ako ng gidak-an ug gimahal bisan pa man tuod ug ako gianak ug nagkabuot sa Luzon.

ang akong unang i-share mao ang panghitabo ganinang buntag kauban ang among gamay nga anak.

Nakamata ako sa paghalok sa gamay nga tiil nganhi sa akong nawong, masuko unta ko apan sa pagbuka sa akong mata, gitagbo ako sa mata sa gamay'g bata nga gangisi ug muingon "morning", nawala ang akong kaulit ug tuod man mitindog siya ug miambak nganho sa sa akong tiyan. aguy! kasakit! buot na maputol sa akong pasensya, apan kung ikaw kaha ang naa sa akong lugar unsa imong buhaton kung muduol siya ug kalit nimo daw muingon "yuyi... love,love, yuyi..." makuha pa kaha nimong masuko? Busa gaina nakaingon ako "Ginoon tagai ako ug igong kaisog ug self-control aron ang akong dili magpadayong dili ug ang among kasabutan maingon sa pagdisiplina mahimong magmalapuson sa pag-implementar.

Sa panghitabo gaina, nakasabot ako gamay nga ang mahimong inahan daghan gayud diay ang pangayuong sakripisyo, kalabot pa ang pagpugong sa kaugalingon nga mu-oo na lang pirmi sa iyang mga gusto:-)

Xanthia and her Memos of Love and Trust

My daughter, Xanthia, is growing very fast. Just a blink of an eye ago, I gave birth to her, now, I am learning a lot from her. I am not the very patient nanay like most of the mothers I know, but with her the gentlest part of me just flows in an unlimited energy and quantity. I am sure; every mother is amazed and is in awe with the power of our little angels in making us the gentlest yet sturdiest creature on earth. With all these and more thoughts of her brilliant, innocent and loving smile on my mind, I wish to share with you these adopted memoranda.

These memos always catch my attention whenever we go and pay her pediatrician, Dr. Mary Ann Alvisor, a visit. These memos teach and remind me of the biblical lines:

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)

15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. 17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. (Proverbs 29:15, 17)

With these memos, we mothers can learn a lot. It would remind us our children are also blessed with mind, heart and soul. And while time is our friend, let us build a good foundation so one day they would become good citizens of the world who thinks not of themselves alone, but of the world as well.

21 MEMOS FROM A CHILD

1. Don't spoil me.
I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for.


2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me.
I prefer it, it makes me feel secured.


3. Don't let me form bad habits.
I have to rely on you to detect them at the early stages.


4. Don't make me feel smaller than I am.
It only makes me feel stupidly "big".


5. Don't correct me in front of people, if you can help it.
It will take much more notice, if you talk more quietly with me in private.


6. Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins.
It upsets my sense of values.


7. Don't protect me from my consequences.
I need to learn the painful way sometimes.


8. Don't be too upset if I say "I hate you".
It isn't you I hate but your power to thwart me.


9. Don't take too much notice of my small ailments.
Sometimes they get me the attention I need.


10. Don't nag.
If you do, I shall protect myself by appearing deaf.


11. Don't forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like.
This is why I'm not always very accurate.


12. Don't tax my honesty too much.
I am easily frightened into telling lies.


13. Don't make rash promises.
Remember that I feel badly let down when promises are broken.


14. Don't be inconsistent.
That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.


15. Don't take my fear as silly.
They are terribly real and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.


16. Don't put me off when I ask questions.
If you do, you will find that I stop asking and seek information elsewhere.


17. Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible.
It gives me too great a shock when i discover you are neither.


18. Don't ever think it's beneath your dignity to apologize to me.
An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm towards you.


19. Don't forget how quickly I am growing up.
It must be very difficult to keep pace with me, but please do try.


20. Don't forget I am experimenting.
I couldn't get on without it so please put up with me.


21. Don't forget that I can't thrive without lots of understanding love, but I don't need to tell you, do I?

The First Heartbeat

Last Saturday, October 3, 2009, my hubby Glester and I went to visit my OB-Gyne, Dr. Richelle Acuna at the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital at Maramag, Bukidnon. We were to meet her at 1P.M. it was my monthly prenatal schedule.

So went our afternoon, Dr. Ging met us and she told me we would listen to our baby's heartbeat. We were four in the room, my doctor, my hubby and my mama, Rovi. i was not so certain what to feel but i am certain i am very excited. the Doppler instrument was then placed on my top my womb, and whoa! i heard a horse-like tramping in the wilderness. Believe me, i thought of a paradise when i heard the sound, i wan't so certain what that was as it was my first time to hear it. Dr. Ging said, "Siya na yon! (That is her/him, the gender of our baby wasn't known yet as she/he must be covering it yet-- maybe for surprise effect!)" MY! is it real? am i hearing it right? Can't believe up till now there is this precious life inside me! So this is it-- being a WOMAN!

In my glee, i looked at Glester who's face spells awe and happiness. I can read clearly his almond-shaped eyes saying "I love you and the baby!" i never thought, i'd feel this kind of joy.

So on the counting of the heartbeat go, and all of a sudden when i asked Glester, "Did you hear that?" He answered in his usual carefree way "Murag baki! Murag tingog sa baki!" (It sounds like frog! Like the sounds of frogs!" I can't help but laugh along in his good spirit! Indeed, the baby's heartbeat has the power to make you imagine a many thousand things... but on top all that, it makes you think of heaven here on earth!

The Little Miracle

i am a first time mommy on her fourth month on the family way. But then, though it is my first time, and my knowledge on the development of the baby inside me is primarily from the books and from my elders, still i would want to share with you tips i am learning on my journey to motherhood.

here are some things to remembers:

1. the baby inside you has the most crucial development on his/her first trimester(first three months upon conception),
2. the baby is going through a lot of changes and you do,
3. it isn't a shame to have morning sickness, what you and your baby feel is your prime concern
4. NEVER think you are ALONE in this journey, your husband, family and friends are around you, they are willing to extend a hand,
5. help yourself! observe what makes you feel good and what disturbs your senses, and
6. Read and PRAY aloud so your baby can hear you.

these will be all for now folks, on my next posting, i'd add more.