AMACon 3: Oikos - Children

Mama

WRITTEN BY:

thenataliagrace

24 September 2042

Mama Ten never dreamt that she would be standing there on the dais, attempting to sum up a person's life in just a few paragraphs. It was undoubtedly one of the hardest things that she has to go through.

"Ehem," she cleared her throat before repeatedly tapping on her microphone. When the room quieted, she said, "Good evening everyone. Thank you for being here today."

She looked around the room and noticed some familiar faces. But she couldn't quite bring herself to smile at them because they brought back memories, some of which she would rather forget.

"They say that there are three constants in life...change, choice and principles," she continued speaking. "But for me, there are four things in life that will never change. It's my beauty, sexiness, kindness, and love for the son I never had."

She stopped speaking for a moment as laughter and cheers sounded.

"Many of you remember him most as Alden Richards. The Pambansang Bae who had a schedule filled to the brim with tapings, endorsements, corporate engagements and the like. He headlined broadsheets and was the talk of the town along with Menggay," she recalled, pausing when a ringing phone interrupted her speech.

She glanced over and saw Maine Mendoza-Faulkerson scowling at her son who just answered his phone. Suddenly, she recalled the way she used to reprimand RJ when he loses his focus or whenever he plays a prank on her. The thought stopped her cold and she wanted to cry just then. But she couldn't. Not right now.

"But he wasn't just that," she struggled to keep her voice strong. "Before he was as a versatile actor, a diamond recording artist, and the better half of Yaya Dub, he was simply Richard Faulkerson Jr. — the boy who had to grow up too soon to fulfill his mother's dream and support his family."

Tears suddenly blurred her vision. She squeezed her eyes shut, gathering herself before speaking again.

"When I look back on my life with him. A choked sob tore from her throat. "Many unforgettable memories come to mind..."

***

March 04 2009

Everything happens for a reason, or so Mama Ten chose to believe. How else could she explain the number of curveballs that life decided to throw her way? How else could she justify why her dreams of becoming a beauty queen will remain just that? And how else could she accept the fact that she's working a number of odd jobs to survive each day?

Whatever the reason was, Mama Ten just hoped that all her efforts were not in vain. Especially right now.

"Beh, 'wag kang gumalaw!" Mama Ten reprimanded as she leaned in to apply more lipstick. "Wala na tayong oras para pagandahin ka ulit."

"Hoy, bakla! Natural ang ganda ko no," Jessica (formerly known as James) boasted with a grin, "Mas lalo lang akong pinapaganda ng makeup!"

"Echosera ka! Sino kaya iyung parang baliw na nagmakaawa sa akin na i-transform siya sa isang Diyosang tulad ko?"

"Tse! Wala ka ngang ebidensya no! Kilay ko pa lang, pamatay na kaya!"

Mama Ten finished and leaned back, allowing Jessica to peer in the mirror. Her face had been contoured and her blemishes were concealed with enormous amounts of makeup.