earthquake anniversary

mom was cooking and i just finished washing the dishes when dad texted everyone:

"kung kumpleto tayo last sunday, mas masaya kasi anniversary ng baguio earthquake [1990] and safe kayong lahat"

my reply:

"Yes. Thanks for reminding us. I remember mom running towards you and crying when she saw you with uncle dading and auntie rhoa."

we lived atop baguio's highest peak during the time. we had to relocate due to dad's reassignment in the company. mom and the four of us kids just got back to the apartment from school. she was in the kitchen and we were playing inside the room while changing from our school uniforms. and then mom called us one by one repeatedly. we didn't understand why she was like that and why all she said over and over again was to get into our shoes and go outside quick.

and the rest happened so fast.

http://www.geocities.com/lingayenbay/earthquake.html

doc and i could've sworn we saw the world turn upside down.

and so tonight i asked mom how she got hold of dad when the earthquake trembled everyone. she said she didn't. i can only imagine what she had felt. there must have been lots to cope up with. buti hindi siya naloka. and then one day, ayun na nga. dad, with an uncle and an aunt, came for us. it's one of the vividest images of my parents loving each other.

i know mother's day and father's day have gone by. but just the same, thanks mom. thanks dad.