Kidding

Kids kidding makes us laugh. But there are kids who make us laugh even if they don't mean to kid. Yet, the best laughs can sometimes come from the not-so-kid who act like a kid. Well, let these three kids testify.

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AJ's dede

This happened many years ago when my nephew with Anne, AJ, was about 4 years old. AJ, now 11, was everyone’s pet then being the youngest Sevilla living in the compound. He was a chubby, cute, big-eyed tot, who made everyone happy even just by being around.

It was one of those mornings. Lolo Coneng just arrived from his daily pasada (trip).

Having seen AJ around, he opted to stay outside first, and took a seat a few feet from where the apple of his eye was.

He then posed to get his wallet and summoned the kid who was then busy playing.

“AJ, halika rito.” (AJ, come here.)

The kid went to his Lolo (grandfather) at once.

“O, heto, bumili ka ng gatas (Here, buy some milk),” Lolo Coneng said as he handed him a hundred peso bill.

His prominent eyes could not hide the big question on his mind.

Apparently unable to help his wondering, innocent AJ popped in a question that made everyone around burst into laughter.

“Bakit Lolo Coneng, dedede ka?” (Why Lolo, need a feeding?)

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Kym's new mom

Anyone who would see Kym would describe her an innocent face—as innocent as her comments.

The death of her mom, Kaye (my first cousin), really brought her and younger sister Kia in deep sorrow. It was a difficult situation for the family to handle, and has been a real test for everyone. In God’s Grace, it was the kids’s own peaceful disposition that led them to gracefully deal with it—which include a good laugh even at the expense of the sad event.

Just before Kym turned seven last September, her Tita Che-che joked with the kid that her Itay (father) was getting a new wife so that they would have a new mom to take care of them.

“Ayoko nga, si Inay lang ang inay ko (I don't like, Inay is my only mother),” she immediately answered.

“E si Inay mo naman talaga ang inay mo. Kahit mag-asawa ang Itay mo siya pa rin ang Inay mo, kasi ang itatawag mo sa magiging asawa ni Itay ay Tita.” (Of course, she is your only mom. Even if your dad marries, she would still be your mom because you would call his new wife aunt.)

It was Che-che explaining, in her usual practicing-mother form. While Kym is someone who would usually pop innocent questions and comments, she did not expect that her statement would elicit a funnily analytical reaction from Kym.

“E ayoko lalo. E di magiging Tito ko na lang si Itay?” (The more that I don't like. Because if that happens Dad would just become my uncle.)

It was enough to make Che-che tongue-tied. That time she has become everyone’s laughing stock—and the loudest laughter came from Kym.

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Lola Tiba's grief

This is my all-time-favorite and the star of the grand comedy is my favorite kid at the moment, 94-year old Lola Tiba.

She has proven time and again that even in our moment of grief, she can always be our saving grace.

At Kaye’s funeral in May 2006, Lola Tiba insisted to join, defying her children’s wish for her to just stay at home to avoid risk of breaking down. She got their nod after promising that she would not get off from the car.

As usual, however, the charming old lady managed to not just get off the car but to even get to a good distance from Kaye’s grave. Everyone knew that it was not a safe distance for her.

True enough, when it was time to open the coffin for everyone to pay his final respects, she insisted to take her last look at Kaye, too.

“Sisilip ako. Gusto ko siya makita, gusto ko siya makita (I wanna see her. I wanna see her),” she begged her son as she pushed her way toward the area.

Suddenly, she became the center of the already grief-stricken circle of friends and family swamping around Kaye’s coffin.

Everyone who heard her sorrowful plea gave way for her. Easily, she was already beside her grandchild’s casket.

In no time a high wailing reverberated: “Che-cheeeeee, Che-cheeeeee…”

All of us, immediate relatives of Kaye, surrounding her almost in unison said:

“Lola, si Kaye ‘yan, 'La. (Grandma, that's Kaye)."

Too overwhelmed by her emotions, she apparently did not mind any of the murmurs she heard from us as she bawled louder.

“Che-cheeeeeeee… Bakit mo kami iniwan? Baaakeeeeeet? Che-cheeeeee. (Why did you leave us, why?)"

That time, we could no longer help laughing. And looking at our video and still pictures, we were one bunch in a comedy of error as we were all wearing big laughs while tears were falling from our eyes.

The comedy, however, suddenly turned into suspense when silver-gray haired granny reached her climax. As expected, she collapsed.

The next time we saw her she was already laughing—at herself, yes—after learning the story from her victim, Che-che.

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Hope you had a good laugh.