After graduation, summer meant kite-flying under the sun until my eyes turned red. My father retired and brought home gifts, including a cassette recorder we mischievously used. I was sent to stay with relatives, doing chores and feeling lonely at times. Harsh words and a chase in the cornfield stayed with me. Another uncle took me in later, where I quietly helped in their food store. That summer taught me humility, resilience, and gratitude before finally coming home.
Summer fun after graduation
Kite-Flying
Summer had come around again, and for us children, one obsession ruled our days: kite flying. There was a wide, open space near our home where kids gathered to fly their colorful kites. There was a stunning variety: sinugong, sinapi, buwan-buwan (moon-shaped), sinayaw (modeled after the bird “sayaw”), binandera (flag-like), tinaro (a box-shape tin can), tawo-tawo (in human form), and many more. Even grown men joined in the fun, their eyes turned red by too much exposure to the sun, just like mine.
I spent so much time outside that my eyes turned red from the sun, and my skin grew dark and dry. My mother often scolded me for skipping meals, completely engrossed in my kite. I just couldn't help it, I loved to gaze at the sky endlessly (favorate color is skyblue), the wind, and the freedom I felt.
My Father's Early Retirement
It was during this summer, too, that I vividly remember my father returning home from Manila. He had just retired from the military and received a quite sum of money. I don't know if his couple of months pension was given in advance because later he received his monthly pension thereafter. With him, he brought home a cassette recorder, a beautiful wall clock, elegant watches for my older brother and sister, and a portable typewriter. We were amazed by the recorder, it was the first time we could capture our own voices or tape songs off the radio.
Of course, this novelty led to mischief. Whenever our parents or siblings had little fights or arguments, my brother Junjun would secretly record them and play the tapes later when everything had calmed down. We would just laugh, though it probably wasn’t funny at the time!
Sent to Uncle Metring’s House
But before summer ended, my mother sent me to stay with my Uncle Metring and his wife, Aunt Melba. She said it was just a vacation, but it felt more like I had become a houseboy. They had two small children, Atoy (Renante), who was incredibly naughty, and Banban (Giovanni), who already showed signs of being effeminate at just two years old. Now, he has come out as gay.
I was uneasy at first, since I didn’t know them well. Their house in Subangdaku, Mandaue City, sat beside rice and corn fields and was built from light materials with a nipa roof. My days were filled with chores, fetching water, cleaning, and watching the kids. I couldn’t say anything bad about Uncle Metring. He was kind, especially after a few drinks, when he'd open up and talk to me about many things. Aunt Melba, on the other hand, I realized, could be a bit of a nag.
A Harsh Comment
One day, I overheard her complaining to Uncle Metring about money. She even joked, at least, I hoped it was a joke, that maybe I was bringing them bad luck because I ate too much. I wasn't in front of them, but I heard it, and it hurt. I silently wished time would pass quickly so I could go home.
A Run-In in the Cornfield
One afternoon, I made a kite for the kids, and we excitedly ran through the dried cornfields. Suddenly, Lorenzo, the caretaker of the fields, came after us, shouting furiously and wielding a bolo. We ran as fast as we could and hid at the house while he yelled from outside. When Aunt Melba got home, she shouted back at him, claiming the land belonged to my great grandmother. But the truth is, my grandfather already sold his share of the lot, long time ago, when he was still alive, inspite of that, it didn’t stop her from defending us.
Lonely Moments and Radio Songs
Uncle Metring worked at a liquor company while aunt Melba was busy going from house-to-house with her work as a beautician. The house would often fall into a deep silence, especially when the kids were asleep. I had to open the wooden window, to let the cool breeze enter the house. But my eyes just gazed blankly across the wide field, and I felt lonely. So I’d turn on the transistor radio to keep me company. I still remember the songs playing back then, a song entitled “Good Friend” and “I’m Coming Home.” They became the soundtrack to that quiet, bittersweet summer.
Good Friend song:
I'm Coming Home song:
Another Family, Another Summer
Eventually, my parents came and took me home to Pardo. I was so happy to be back. But not long after, another uncle, Uncle Nilo, and his wife Aunt Daya, came to visit. They asked to take me with them, and I couldn’t say no. They ran a food store that catered to the workers at a nearby biscuit and candy factory. Just like before, I fetched water, helped with chores, and even sliced vegetables.
I remember drawing water from a pump owned by a grumpy old woman named Isang. I had to pay each time, and she always scolded me. Still, Aunt Daya and Uncle Nilo were very kind. Even when I made mistakes, they would just smile.
What I learned about myself
During those times, I learned something about myself, I became very quiet and shy whenever I was in someone else’s home. I kept everything to myself, almost not talking, always careful not to cause any trouble.
Coming Home Again
Finally, my parents arrived to take me home once again. Before I left, Uncle Nilo and Aunt Daya gave me some money. I felt grateful, not just for the money, but for the lessons, the kindness, and the understanding that came from a summer I would never forget.
And from that, I end my grade school life story.