Puerto Galera May 1980
My sisters and I had just come back from hiking on other side of the mountain.
As we approached our camp I was surprised to see my mother and the woman sitting side by side.
Together, they were enjoying sliced green mango--dipping it in a savory shrimp paste.
While this may seem like a common scene from a Puerto Galera post card, this was far from ordinary.
I was dumbfounded.
My God fearing, Rosary toting, Puritan mother was actually breaking bread (well fruit actually) with Mimi-- a prostitute who was on vacation with her German customer.
Taking our cue from our mother, we became friendly to Mimi.
On Mimi's last day,
I remember standing by the shore waving to her until her banka was but a dot on the horizon.
Twelve years later, Steve was visiting me in Manila.
Gil Acuna, Elaine, Steve and I ended up in a pool hall on
infamous M.H.del Pilar Street.
That night, I spotted Ruth. She was sitting alone on a bar stool.
It was a slow night.
When our eyes met, she lowered her gaze immediately and pretended to be interested in the coke she was sipping very slowly.
I waited for her to look at me again and then I smiled at her.
I asked her if she wanted to join us.
She looked behind her to see if I was addressing someone else.
When she realized I was speaking to her, she said yes.
We had fun playing pool amidst drinks, food and camaraderie.
When we parted that night, Ruth said to me:
"Iba ka." (You are different)
My mother does not know this, but her treatment of Mimi in 1980 was a defining moment of my life.
It taught me to be accepting of different kinds of people.
To pause judgement and give benefits of the doubt.
Thank you, mom.
And Happy Mother's Day.
yep, that's me in my mother's arms