Today at mid-afternoon, I received a text message from my cousin… the text message reads: “Hi, how are you? Kev (my nephew) the other day after bath said, Mama where is Mommy Ping?” (That is how they call me, by my pet name Ping) . After I read the text message, I felt tears forming in my eyes as I was reminded of the short times I spent with them last April.

My first encounters with them was a little bit awkward since I am mending a broken heart… and the last place I would love to be around at would be a place full of screaming kids. With them so close by, it makes me happy just being around them to play some games, laugh with them, read to/with them, watch a movie with them and teach them. Go to the local park and see them so happy being out there to play with their carts and run all over the place like they never get tired.

I have spent several times with Steve when they come to Manila to visit, so he already knows me and is comfortable with a seemingly strict looking Aunt whom they fondly call Mommy Ping. Marcuz too grew up seeing me around, so it’s never really awkward for him to see me around. It’s Brandon, Kevin and Charles (boys) & (girls) Nicole and Keisha who were never used to seeing me around.  At first, they were too shy and they’d never talk. Of course, brilliant technologies like having a camera phone helped! I would sometimes let them play some car racing games on my cellular phone and next thing I know, they would already look for me! (What a pity though because most times they would look for me because they want to play car race on my cp!)

But here now, after reading the text message, it made me realize that they began to get to know me as me and not because of the cellphone games. That thought touched my heart like I wanted to get on the next flight available to be with them again… but of course, I have to stay where I’m at to do some work… so my dearest nieces and nephews, Mommy Ping will see you as soon as I get the time. See you when I see you my beloved nieces and nephews!”

Many thanks to Colette, OM Records - Ms. Lindsay Fagan and Mr. Garwin Lu, Colette's Manager Mr. Neil De Guzman of Republik Management, Warehouse 135 and Drivenmanila.com's Ms. May Legaspi, DJ's Miko Syquia, David Ardiente and Ali Nepomuceno, Sun Star Manila's Mr. Jonathan Fernandez and Ms. Jill Beltran, Remate's Ms. Vivian Fernandez who came to interview Colette in the middle of a stormy Friday night.

Warehouse 135's Sexy Friday was totally awesome!