I’ve been out and about for a couple of days now. And I just checked my “comments” section and got one from no other than Mr. Jim Parades of the Apo Hiking Society! I was floored! Well, this story has been long overdue.
Photo courtesy of apojim.multiply.com
We dropped off mama and papa right in front of Araneta Coliseum at around 7:45PM on September 20, 2008, the traffic became turtle-ishly slow nearing the concert venue. I think everybody was going to watch the Apo Hiking Society tonight. I brought Sky with me, thinking that the show would most likely end at around 10:00 that night. Oh boy was I wrong!
After exhausting all of Sky’s energy, and still no text from them at 10:40PM – we stayed at a Starbucks near the entrance/exit area of the massive Coliseum.
It was past 11:00PM when a river of people came flowing from the gates. All beaming, like they came from a spa and not a concert. Mama and Papa we’re absolutely glowing when they came by.
“Oh kumusta naman yung concert?” My brother asked them.
“Hay ang ganda! Hindi na sila gumamit ng lighter ngayon, cellphone na! Lahat ng tao, nilabas cellphone nila dun sa isang kanta. Ang saya sa loob. Ano naman ginawa niyo, nagtagal kami eh noh?” Mama said. It was beautiful! The people didn’t use lighter’s anymore, they used their cellphones while singing one song. Everyone had a great time. What did you guys do, concert was longer than expected?)
“Hindi na namin kayo na-text, kahit matagal yung concert. Dinner lang sa Burgoo and pinagod si Sky sa Gateway.” I said. (We didn’t want to text you. We just had dinner at Burgoo and tired Sky out at Gateway.)
“Tatlong oras din silang kuma-kanta. Non-stop! Hindi sila nag-intermission!” Papa chimed in. (The Apo we’re singing for three hours! They didn’t go on a break!)
As we we’re waiting for Dante (the driver) to pick us up. My folks didn’t stop gushing. My brother and I we’re just listening and smiling. This was how WE we’re at the end of a concert when we we’re kids.
And when we got into the car, I said. “Papa, huwag ka munang masyadong mag-salita. Pahinga mo sandali yung throat mo. Malat ka na. Baka wala ka ng boses bukas.” (papa, don’t talk so much right now. Let your throat relax a little. You voice sounds hoarse. You might not have any voice tomorrow.)
“Pa-paanong hindi mawawalan ng boses yang Papa niyo? Kanta ng kanta!” Mama said. (How can he not have a hoarse voice? Your dad’s been singing all night long.)
“Pero, first time pala nila diyan sa Araneta mag-concert noh, after all these years?” Mama added. (It’s Apo’s first time to hold a concert there in Araneta, after all these years…)
“Oo, lagi sila sa Music museum lang noon.” My brother answered. (Yes, they typically hold their concerts at the Music museum.)
After we entered the house I placed Sky in bed while Papa was rummaging for food in the kitchen. He found and opened a can of vienna sausage and took at some bread from the refrigerator. Just then Mama joined Papa at the dining table.
“Hindi pa kayo inaantok?” I asked them. (you guys not sleepy yet?)
“Hindi pa eh. Nagutom din kami.” Papa replied. (Not yet, we’re starving.)
“Okay, tulog na ako, meron pa akong takbo sa PMI bukas.” I said. (Okay, I have to sleep, I still have a PMI race tomorrow.)
“No problem. Bakat tulog pa kami pag-alis mo. Ingat ka and Good luck ha.” Mama added. (No problem. We’ll probably be still asleep when you leave. Take care and good luck ha?”)
As I close the bedroom door, I can still hear my folks outside… “Ang kulit ni Danny noh? Ganda din nung suot nila, pero parang bitin pa din ako….” Papa’s voice trailed off when I closed the door… The night was so memorable for them and all I can do was smile…
