On TV Part 2: Si Baste

I came home one evening and caught my nephew, Morning, watching “I love New York." I honestly don’t like that telenovela, because Jennilyn Mercado’s over-acting and pitchy voice really irk me. But with wholesome Jolina Magdangal around, I found it all right and safe for Morning so I opted not to get in the way.

Instead, I thought of testing him if he really understood what he’s watching.

So, I asked the kid: “Sino ba 'yan?” (Who is he?)

“Si Baste ‘yan,” he replied referring to the character played by Mark Herras. (That's Baste.)

“Nasaan na siya? Pa’no siya napunta riyan?” I asked, as the TV screen shows Mark wandering the streets of New York. (Where is he? How did he get there?)

Morning readily replied: “Nasa Amerika na siya. Nanalo siya sa ‘Laban o Bawi’ kaya siya nakapuntang ibang bansa.” (He is in America. He won in a contest that's why he got to go there.)

“Bakit ba siya pumunta riyan.?” I followed up. (Why did he have to go there?)

“Hinahanap niya kasi nanay niya,” he said. (He's looking for his mother.)

Then came the scene where Baste was phoning somebody and suddenly turned gloomy.

I asked again: “Sinong tinawagan niya? Bakit nalungkot siya?” (Who is he calling? Why is he sad?)

“Hinahanap niya nga nanay niya. Kaso meron nang ibang pamilya nanay niya.” (He is looking for his mother. But his mother already has a different family.)

I was not sure if Morning, whose Papa is in Canada and whom he hasn’t seen for years, could relate to the story. Underestimating his sensitivity, I pushed to probe if he’s ever affected by Baste’s plight.

I asked him: “Bakit kung may pamilya ‘yung nanay niya, malungkot ba ‘yun?” (Why, if his mother has a new family, is that something to be sad about?)

He did not reply immediately.

But before I could conclude that he did not understand my question, he told me as his eyes gazed into nothingness: “Sana wala pang ibang pamilya si Papa.” (I hope Papa doesn't have a new family yet.)

For the nth time I was caught unprepared. I wanted to assure him that that wouldn’t happen, but I couldn’t. Because I also don’t know. I don’t even know where his father is.

That instance almost made me decide not to let him watch that telenovela or any show of that plot anymore, if only to shield him from any doubt, that in one way or another would cause him pain.

But I realized that I cannot do that forever. Instead, I thought, he needs to be exposed with the reality of life. That it is not perfect. That some of our hopes fail.

And yes, if it is any consolation, that in case the home he draws in his imagination just remains a drawing, he could somehow find comfort in the fact that he is not alone.

I’ve been trying to prepare myself for the day when Morning would not simply ask but demand an answer to never-ending questions about his father. I hope by then I would have the answer.

Better yet, God willing, that that time won't have to come because his father would already be around to tell him his story and his sorry with a vow to fulfill Morning's utmost hopes for a happy home.

In the meantime, my family will continue to fill the gap for Morning. We will not waver, we won’t get tired.

We may not be able to give him the quality of life that children in Canada enjoy, but Morning will grow up not a bit lacking in love.

That, I promise. And I hope everyone around him will all help us fulfill that promise.

***

DISCLAIMER: As a former member of abs-cbnnews.com, I am a proud and loyal Kapamilya. I would say, however, that I am the only Kapamilya at home, but only because our 20-year old TV doesn’t have a good feed of Channel 2. Ergo, our household is all glued to the Kapuso Channel—esp. when I am not around. So why the disclaimer? Well, just thought that I might get the ire of my friends along Eugenio Lopez Drive if I won't do so. Especially that guy on 14th floor, er, Gabby.