Now Playing: “Mahna Mahna” by the Muppets

When I learned to read, I began to bury myself in books. I recall trying to read and understand Mom’s Physical Therapy textbooks (Mom was then a PT teacher in De La Salle University in Dasmariñas, Cavite) and Dad’s mission logs on his logbook (Dad is a pilot in the Philippine Air Force). I had many coloring pads, story books, and picture books.

I had no sense of balance in my toddler years. I fell down a lot, and when I do, instead of raising my arms to stop my fall, I use my forehead. That’s why I had a signature bump on my forehead. My friends all laughed at me. My lack of balance may have contributed to my indifference to sports.

Growing up, I got to bond with my relatives a lot. I had so many cousins that we call our family a clan now. We had enough to create two basketball teams, a cheering squad, and a rock band.

I was curious how Gary V and Ogie Alcasid made those hypnotic sounds they call “singing”. Whenever I hear those sounds, I try to mimic them. I also imitated them when I’m taking a bath or when in a room where my voice echoes. After some time, I developed a singing voice of my own. I kept it a secret until about the time I went to elementary school.

Now Playing: The first lyrics of “F.U.N. Song” from Spongebob Squarepants

“F is for friends who do stuff together, U is for you and me. N is for anything and anytime at all down here in the deep blue sea…”

The concept of “school” is weird for me. When there are no classes, I want to go to school, but in class, I wish that school was over. I could not make up my mind if I want to go to school or not.

I went to nursery school when I was three years old. It’s weird to be in a place where Mom isn’t, but I kind of liked it anyway. I made friends (although I don’t know them anymore), played with cheap, plastic toys, jumped around in the playground inside the school, and was taught the National Anthem. I was also taught manners and courtesy. It’s too bad I didn’t learn.

And then kindergarten comes. Well, actually, I never went to kindergarten, because I was accelerated. I skipped kindergarten and moved on to prep school. From prep school to the third grade, I attended Pag-Asa Elementary School in Cavite City, Cavite. It’s a private school owned by someone Chinese. As a result, we had “Chinese” as a subject (yes, even prep kids had to learn it). However, I don’t remember anything from it anymore except the numbers 1 to 10 in Chinese. I use them when I want to annoy my classmates when I’m counting.

Now Playing: The second part of “F.U.N. Song” from Spongebob Squarepants

“F if for fire than burns down buildings, U is for uranium rods. N is for no survivors-“

When I stepped up to the fourth grade, I transferred to Pamplona Elementary School Central in Pamplona, Las Piñas City. When you get to public school, you get the feel of being a street-smart kid. You learn the tools of surviving in the jungle we call the urban city.

I had my first best friend in the fifth grade. His name was Angelo. We were inseparable. We also had the same crush back then, but a different track will tell more about it later. He was a good listener, a song-making partner, and a real humble person.

Or so I thought. He began lampooning me when my arms got broken. I still don’t know why or how, but our relationship got ugly. But we made up on the sixth grade.

The song goes on a happier note come sixth grade. I really developed lasting friendships with my classmates, and up until now we still contact each other. I knew that they would always be with me.

*to be continued*