11/02/18
Two years had passed since we went to Manila North Cemetery, one of the oldest and largest cemetery in the Philippines, and this is where my tatay (grandfather) was buried.
It did not changed at all, the overflowing crowd were still evident, food stalls were still there surrounding the area, even the popular fast food chains can be found, news broadcasters from different stations were also there, and we witnessed a policeman making rounds to assure the security and safety of the place.
I have mixed emotions when we finally reached tatay’s tomb. I am happy to be able to come back and visit him after years, yet saddened with the fact that only my family and my nanay (grandma) made it this year. Before, it was like an annual bonding for the whole clan every undas, because we were united as one. It was easy for everyone to come because almost all of us lived in a same compound. Everything has changed ever since each family moved and resided to different locations. It became difficult for us to go to tatay when we moved to Bocaue, Bulacan for good, most especially for nanay who find it hard to travel in far destinations.
We miss him so much. I remembered when I was a kid he saw me drew a flower and teased me by saying:
“Napakasimple naman ng bulaklak mo.”
He was laughing, then he showed me his own version of flower,
“Tignan mo ‘tong akin, ganito dapat. “
He said it with a proud smile. A kid like me was astonished by his drawing because I was used to his comedian side and thought that he was just joking me that time. Later on, he taught me how to do it and I am beyond grateful to him, because up to this day I still use it for my homeworks and stuffs.
With that, I realized that the flowers that we used to bring every undas resembling the flower he taught me when he was still alive. And I find it very beautiful and admirable.
When the dark was slowly embracing the light, my mother told me to scatter the petals already. It was like a tradition to our family to do that before leaving the cemetery because they said some opportunists may steal and resell it.
We offered our prayers to tatay and told him that we are planning to transfer him in Bulacan, nearer to us. In this way, it will be more convenient for us, especially to nanay, to visit him anytime.
I love you tatay, you know that I will always remember you, your flower, stories, jokes and even your goodbye.
The title of this blog is inspired by the song Remember Me of the 2017 movie “Coco”.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/genius.com/amp/Tiffany-young-remember-me-from-coco-lyrics
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