Rosie has been 'busy' working on her school project for a number of days now. Everytime I'd offer to help, she'd turn me down.
"No, Mommy. It's a surprise. Ningnang Riza helps me na." All she told me was that her topic for Show and Tell at school was her dad.
"Why not, Mommy?"
"Teacher knows you na, Mommy. Di ba mag-punta ka in school all days?" She reasoned. "Mommy, will Daddy go to my Show and Tell? My classmate's daddy na-pu-pu-punta eh."
I hugged her. Alden already promised he would go and was already making arrangements.
"Okay, Mommy. Mommy, can you tell Ningnang Riza that mermaid and peoples sa under ng ocean are real? Di ba they're like Santa? Ningnang Riza is kulit."
I didn't know where this was coming from but I promised her I would.
Day of the Show and Tell
"Meng, bakit ako ang topic? Hindi ba madalas pets ang nasa Show and Tell?" Alden asked. We were seated at the back of the classroom with Riza and Daddy Bae, waiting for the teacher to signal start of the program.
"No naman, Love." I reassured. "Sabi daw ng teacher, basta yung mga love nila, she chose you. Be flattered. Ang tagal niyang pinaghihirapan yan."
"Oo nga, Kuya." Said Riza. "At, bilib naman ako na mahal na mahal ka ng anak mo."
I saw Alden tearing up already. "Psst. Huy. Wag ka nga. Hindi pa nagsisimula."
"Touched lang, bakit ba."
The teacher called the class to order and asked Rosie to step in the middle of the mini-stage and to begin her presentation. Our baby girl stood there, in pigtails again, her white short-sleeved school blouse and blue jumper and white sneakers. "My baby's so pretty." I gushed. Yes, I'm biased.
"My Daddy is an artista - that means you see him on TV and movies and sa road may big pictures siya dun. Si Daddy artista because pogi siya." She held up photos of him from his tv shows, movies and endorsements. I saw Alden slowly sinking in his chair. His ears already so red.
"Nung before nung hindi pa siya Daddy, mag-sa-sa-sali siya in contests and winner siya and the peoples say si Daddy yung the most pogi-est." She was now showing the class photos of his trophies and other prizes Alden got from his pageants.
"My Daddy is so pogi, mag-win siya ng contest in Laguna and under the sea."
We all looked puzzled. Then, she held up a photo of Alden in a pageant costume. He looked at me suspiciously. I said, "Hindi nga ako nagturo!"
"Susmaryosep."
Our little daughter had just declared, "My Daddy win din sa Most Handsomest Shokoy Contest."
