I WAS THERE

i sat by the sidewalk waiting for the streetdancing to start. then i stood up because it feels better. suddenly these group of oldies plus kids started sitting beside me. and i was forced to move far back sideways because there were a lot of them. none of them said -excuse me.

so i sat. so that other people who are like them won't push me more to the far end. then this kid opened his umbrella and he keeps on moving and moving it and it really annoys me and blocks my view. so i said- excuse me. and i was about to say -dayta payong. the kid looked at me in the meanest way. then said something i did not understand. then he looked at me again in the meanest way and said something to his sister that made the sister look at me too. -what did i do?! i do understand a bit of the dialect but mt. province again has divisions wherein there are different dialects with different versions and accents- how do i say that. i ignored the kid.

then this kid saw an uncle or something at the other side of the road. and he was shouting- pilak mo man!!! which means his asking for money. i don't know the kid ran to the man then leaving his space on the sidewalk vacant. then a lot more people came to fill that space. when the kid came back he cried when he saw his seat was taken. i was surprised he was able to obtain 100 pesos from the man!!! but he was crying without any tears.

then i stood up. i cannot take this. and i saw the parade has started. then this woman behind spoke. saying- __ dapat shak ti patugawem ta ada awit ko nga ubing. but then she was saying it to the woman beside me. what the? i was there i dont know if that meant- out of respect i-who belong in the younger generation should give a poor lady a place to sit. i think that'd be my choice ma'am.

still i have to take pictures and i want to enjoy the day. i left them all at that corner. tatta.

i don't know. i was taught to be polite. especially with other people. i was taught to say auntie and uncle; to say thank you, excuse me... to acknowledge people. to smile even if you no longer want to. i don't know what kind of pips they are. have i felt disrespected? yes. had that been baguio i would have spoken. should i have been surrounded by family and friends i would've corrected that. no. maybe i just did not feel like i belong. some of my roots were here too. but that is not me. or maybe they are just like that. but should that be the case forever? hell/ at least my grandparents who stay there are great people. it is them i want to ran to again.