Miguel and Rojo at Laiya, Batangas
My nephews are my "first children ". My life revolved around them when I was still in my singleton days. I have loved them as my own. I still do.
The young Miguel as sandwiched by his mommy and tita
Miguel is growing up to be a responsible big brother. It feels like only yesterday when sister and I would wonder when "Iggy" would start acting "his age". Iggy used to be so playful, always engaging his little brother Rojo and then later my son Juan, to some rough games. We would always find ourselves screaming on top of our lungs for him to stop, for fear of the little ones getting hurt. Today, Miguel is still playful but mindful of the fact that he has grown up. I have always believed Miguel is gifted. He can easily identify shapes of objects when he can barely talk. When a toddler, he could easily disassemble and then assemble his toy cars. Even as a sickly child as he would go in and out of hospital, he was not hard to take care of. He easily got used to needle injections and blood samplings showing exceptional bravery, the kind nobody can expect from a two year old lad. His IQ is superb and so is his EQ (Emotional Quotient). He doesn't easily get affected by negative things around him. I remember just one incident when I saw him cried pool of tears. My heart was bleeding at the sight of our Iggy weeping so badly. I knew how crushed he was that time. It was when he lost his school bag while playing inside Timezone. I was driving the car, him seated beside me while his mom was at the back, cursing and saying mean mean words against him. (I didn't know what got into my sister that time, but she later apologized and all was well between mother & son).
Today, our Iggy or Miguel as he prefers to be called now, is a 15 year old teenager. He plays guitar, plays basketball and sings very well and dreams of putting up a band. He is a loving young boy. He likes to hug and kiss. He kisses his brother, Juan, Andi and Nanay, his grandma the most. Can anyone blame nanay if Iggy is the favorite "apo"?
Titay (Me) and young Rojo
Now, on to the younger nephew Rojo- Don't be fooled by his built. He may be looking meek and weak but I can swear, that little guy can kick ass and how! Rojo is the serious type. He means business and a no nonsense little charmer. As a young toddler, he would always get away with just about anything. His armour? He would cry his lungs out until he gets what he wants. When he was less than a year old, during his first airplane ride, he almost cause the delay of the flight plan when he accidentally choked on an apple, making all nervous. The stewardess had to reprimand sister in public for her seemingly carelessness.
Today, Rojo is still his mommy's little guy, who demands that his mommy reports to him her whereabouts. He cant stand not seeing his mom soonest her work in the office ends. When his mom isn't around, my presence is a good substitute. I am his "second" mom after all. He affectionately calls me Titay. Slowly though, as he realizes that he is now a Big brother to my son Juan and Andi, he is starting to show maturity and independence. I am proud of how he has grown all these years. He's got some kind of finesse, not regular to boys his age. He talks with sense and acts like a young gentleman. Many times, I would hear him scold his kuya for some naughtiness, and would even "preach" his kuya of GMRC (good manners and right conduct). He too, like his kuya, is generous in giving my sons lots of kisses and hugs.
Andi may be too young to notice and feel but my elder one, Juan is so blessed to have his two Kuyas. While Juan idolizes his kuya Iggy much, Rojo is his sparring partner. Juan nowadays does not mind me not being around as long as his two kuyas are. All together, they explode of cuteness, naughtiness, wit and everything in between.- Our bunch of gangsters.
Kuya Iggy and Juan
Kuya Rojo and Juan
The Three Stooges
The Gang
.jpg)
