What if I tried to give Armi Millare a fanmail? Naisip ko yan minsan. So I scribbled on my dear notebook. Ito ang mga kinalabasan:
First draft:
Dear Armi,
I am Epiphany Roque, a nineteen-year old Cavitea who’s currently taking up Fine Arts at UP-Diliman. I just want to tell you how you and your band’s music helped me throughout the past few years in my college life.
The first note of your every song up to the last one always inspire me and my craft…
Second:
Dear Armi,
Hello! I am Trinie Maldonado, a sixteen-year old Cavite. I am not in college because a certain occurrence stopped me from continuing my studies… You see, I am a cancer patient. A tumor formed in my brain. It’s even a miracle that I am still able to write to you right now…
Third:
Dear Armi,
Hi there! I am Yannah Salazar, a twenty-six-year old single mother of twins. I have been a loyal supporter of your band ever since the beginning and especially during your heyday. I just want to tell you how your music helped me keep my sanity during the darkest hours of my life.
I had an unwanted pregnancy.
It happened against my will, and I was even planning to abort my babies. When I found out I was pregnant with twins, it was more than enough to make me almost kill myself. If not for your music, I wouldn’t be here right now. At first, I felt nothing but disgust for my sons, especially for myself but your music soothed me and eventually helped me accept the things I cannot change and heal my wounds in the process…
Last one:
Dear Armi,
Please promise me one thing: that you’ll finish reading this letter before throwing it away or tearing it to pieces.
Hello. I am Trisha Maldonado. I am Epiphany Roque. I am Yannah Salazar. This isn’t a cryptic code and if it was, I’m sure you’ve already deciphered it by now.
In my past letters, I was a cancer patient, a single mother and a budding artist. I was just lying. Here’s the whole truth.
My name is Athena. I am half-Batangueña and half-Davaoeña .I’m not a Fine Arts student, but a BSPA one. I never had any severe disease and such. I’m a certified virgin and definitely not anyone’s mother. I know that I’ve written lies in most of my letters, but believe me, I was only hungry for your attention. If it’s of any consolation, there were truths among the lies you’ve read in the past few years.
I’m not dying, but I am waiting for my turn to die… but I rejoice every morning knowing that I am alive. I am not an artistic person, so there are no obra maestras at home that I can say were inspired by you. I am not a single mother. I don’t even have a sibling. I just tried getting your sympathy vote but I realized that there wasn’t an election to begin with. My past letters were disgusting and pathetic, I know. There are no excuses for them.
I realized later on that I can write to you, ordinary as I am.
You don't have to be a cancer patient's lifesaver to be special. you don't have to be a single mom's last string of hope to be called special. Or an aspiring UP Diliman artist's inpiration.
The mere fact that you've touched the heart of even the simplest person is more than enough to make you special. I'm not the president, but I say you are special and you really are.
Your music set me free. It released the demons that I have been keeping for a long time.
I never knew I could hide these monsters inside me for so long... but no more hiding...
I feel lighter. I feel sane.
All thanks to you.
With love,
Athena
