I find myself sitting on a couch at my aunts’ apartment. They’re three old maids you see. My dad’s mom (paternal grandmother) lives with them. Needless to say, she’s the only living grand parent I have. All the rest have died without having known me or were too senile to even recognize who I am. Anyway, back on the couch, my “a-ma” (that’s grandmother in Chinese) would just look at my relatives and my mom as they yap about anything and everything.

Occasions like this always bring me back to my childhood. It’s always me going to where my a-ma lives (together with my aunts) and just sit there. Talking shop a few times with an elderly cousin or my dad’s oldest brother is expected. This is so Chinese of my dad’s family. Not that I don’t like it, in fact I find it interesting. It’s just that, I’m always not in the mood to be with them.

My cousins are different though. They’re all pretty amazing. I have a cousin who’s in the US Military service, just not sure which one. Anyway, he’s in California now. Another who works for Nissan as some VP or Head of something. The other cousins are either a diplomat, an architect, dentist, private school professor, etc. They’re all pretty accomplished. The cousin who’s closest to my age (I’m the youngest in our generation) works for Microsoft in Seattle and graduated from Carnegie Melon University. Gosh!

I’m not the least bit insecure of any of them. I am just really glad that our generation is doing well. You see, my dad’s family used to be part of the Chinese elite here in the Philippines. My mom told me once that my a-ma would shop at Rustan’s (the Barney’s of Manila) with several store personnel waiting on her, a socialite indeed. My dad and his siblings each had their own car, by the time they were 16. Let me remind you that this was back in the day… 1950s and 60s. Cars don’t come that easy for teenagers. My ang-kong (grandfather) was the chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Manila, which was why my dad’s family was accorded with much respect.

Also, I remember my mom told me my dad’s siblings are split in two, by where they were born, those who were born in China and those who were born here in the Philippines. My dad’s family had a mansion somewhere in China (I saw pictures, amazing). Before my dad was born, the family moved to the Philippines where my ang-kong had business growing. My a-ma also had family members here as she is also a member of an upper class nobleman whose business was in hardware and construction. Anyway, so all my dad’s siblings starting from him down (that’s my dad, and 2 younger brothers plus two younger sisters) were born here in Manila.

My mom explained that all the siblings born in China were stiff and responsible. The rest (my dad included) were reckless, undisciplined… and spoiled! Ha ha ha! I knew that much about my dad. He was the worst! Mama’s boy. My a-ma’s favorite. Was splurged with anything he wanted. He was like a prince. Owned more cars than any of the lot. Got into the University of the Philippines, got out coz he thought he was better than his professors. He never did get any scolding from that. He put up his own business. Traveled. That’s pretty much it really. I do remember pictures where he had this really large dog, a german shepherd I think. I always try to think where that dog could have been. Oh well.

More later on. :)