The Whole 9 Yards

“Gigisingin ako ni Margaux at Anton bukas, 6am”. My best friend sent me a video of my dad telling him that my younger brother and I are going to wake him up tomorrow at 6 am. He is drunk. It’s 3 am back home. My dad stayed up all night to drink with my brothers and my best friend Zac. My older brother spent the holidays in Manila. It is his last night home.

Zac sent me another video of my dad. He was now explaining why it’s so important for him to wake up at 6 am. He needs to go to the market at 6 am because he has to buy tahong (mussels) and liempo (pork belly).

In the background, my older brother and his wife are telling my dad that he doesn’t have to wake up early in the morning just to cook for them. In my dad’s defense, he does make the best baked tahong, paired with his classic inihaw na liempo.

I know my dad’s sad because kuya is leaving again.

My brothers and I have been doing this for as long as I remember. Saying bye to either mom or dad. Days together were always limited. We may have gotten used to it, but it hurts everytime.

Anyway, I hope Dad does wake up at 6 am. Kuya loves Dad’s cooking. And nothing compares to his baked tahong and inihaw na liempo.