Happy Birthday Amma!

It's my Amma's (translation: grandma, lola) 90th birthday today. I think giving her a tribute is just proper.


My Amma Adams is very special to me. I sometimes call her Amma Adams to differentiate her from my other Amma whom I call Amma Columbia. Adams and Columbia by the way are street names of where they live. I used to call Amma Columbia, Amma Kabignayan. Hehe In case you don't know, Kabignayan is in QC.


Amma is a superb cook. Her fresh lumpia, adobo, spare ribs, and miki are my top favorites. It is through her that I've learned to love avocado with milk and thin sliced saba topped with sugar. I miss her cooking terribly. I wished she was strong enough to teach us her secret recipes.


Most of my childhood memories come from my Amma's house. I remembered staying there often. We would always sleep at her room. We would eat breakfast together. We played while she would sew or take her afternoon siesta. Sometimes we'd also tag along with her to Unimart, Ongpin, or to the piggery. I remembered when I was sick with german measles, I stayed at my Amma for two weeks. She took care of me just so my sisters wouldn't get sick.


I will also always remember my Amma and her Chinese drama betamax tapes. This was her afternoon pastime. I would watch along with her sometimes even if I didn't understand a word. She would also have an assortment of biscuits and cookies at her side. And every time it was time to go, we would shout from below, 'Be ki lo Amma!' ('Bye! We're going Amma.') and she would always reply from the window, 'Cha ko lai!' ('Come back again.')


Amma isn't as strong and coherent as she used to be. I'm not sure if she still remembers me. It's difficult seeing her weak and all. She has always been there for us. I just wish I could do something, perhaps make her feel a litter more comfortable and better. I want to be there for her and somehow return back the favor in my own little way.

I love you Amma. I will always be here for you no matter what.