Pandoraspace

Sometimes, specially when we are very busy, we forget who we are. If we are fortunate enough, however, something comes along to remind us about ourselves.

One of my parents’ friend who knew me as a child recently posted a picture of himself, Joe Sage, Bob Stone, my sister and me. This picture was probably taken by my dad. We were in Baguio; in the café owned by Briccio Santos that was in front of SPED, and I was just seven years old.

Although over twenty years had passed since the picture was taken, I vividly remember that afternoon in that café. My parents took my sister and I along as they met with friends. Although the café faced a busy street, the place felt relatively secluded because there were plants that shielded the café from the street. We sat on some tables outside and I remember looking down on the rich red earth and kicking some stones around. I also remember that it was a pleasant afternoon and the sun was out.

We must have been there for hours. At some point (most likely because I was bored), someone (either Joe or Bob) was teaching me how to play the flute. I was extremely frustrated because no sound was coming out of the flute even if I was getting a headache from expelling so much air. It was then that I realized that I had no talent whatsoever for music. This fact still hold true until today.

I do not know why I remembered that day vividly but looking at the picture now reminds me of who I am – the bored child who has no talent for music.  I miss that time in my life when I could spend a whole afternoon in Baguio doing seemingly meaningless things like sit in a cafe, kick stones and hopelessly attempt to play the flute.