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| Manuel Jr |
By this time, if our dear father Manuel Sr., was only alive, he would have been proud that his handsome namesake is celebrating his birthday on the same day that our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was also born.
And I could not blame Tatay for you are in fact his better version from
the hair, to face, and for what you have achieved in life. But of course, it
doesn’t mean you are a better person than him. You are both good and
appreciated by your own separate set of friends, and us as your family.
Growing up, we were like a nemesis. Days will pass by without you
irritating me yet, you would always come home rushing and shouting my name for help
because you are in trouble with your playmates. And you have also endeared
yourself to the sports I used to love, volleyball. I played up to Palarong
Maynila back in high school, but you, you went as far as Palarong
Pambansa in your elementary years.
You treated my friends as your own, still, we were never closed. Until
last December 29, 2018, when our youngest brood—without warning bid us all
goodbye. He left us eternally. That phase of our life made me realized that I
have to appreciate our family more. That I should be vocal expressing my
affection towards you, Joseph and Nanay.
I have said this already, but I am repeating it again, I love you,
Sammy. We may have been detached for a couple of years but we still
have today to continuously connect and remain attached for as long as we can.
While we still can open our eyes and greet tomorrow, hello.