CHRISTINE AND PHILLIP

C H R I S T I N E
April 26, 1994

Christine is in her early twenties but already she is a very active insurance agent. She drives an air-conditioned red Tamaraw and besides her at the front seat is a mess of everything: files of papers, handbag, attaché case, a cellular phone, a can of lady fingers and a lot of other things.
To give me space she gathered towards her everything, unmindful that the cell phone and the can o f cheese curls fell down under the seat.
She put on the radio in full blast and started singing with it, stopping every now and then to talk to me about anything under the sun.
She alternately nips a piece of lady finger, then a piece of cheese curls whether singing with the radio or talking to me.
She invites me often to examine her insurance applicants. Very seldom does she come on time but I enjoy her company. She is a Korina Sanches look-alike who laughs like a childe but her ambition and ideas are far advanced compared to others of her age.
She couldn’t figure out how to be a mother when she finally marries and have a baby of her own.
It is thrilling to be with Christine, not only because she is beautiful but because she is “carelessly” responsible.

PHILLIP
May 6 , 1994

Only 17 but Phillip is already burdened by more than 17 responsibilities. Being the eldest in a family of 12, Phillip has matured early.
His father, a contractor is out of the house most of the time and Phillip often takes over the responsibilities. He drives for his mother who is working as insurance agent. He also alternates with her in bringing and fetching his four sisters who go to Woodrose School, a exclusive school for girls at Ayala Alabang Village. He also does this to his three brothers who also go to another school for boys at Alabang Hills.
They live at Merville Park, Parañaque and from there he accompanies his sisters to Ayala Alabang then goes to Southridge School at Alabang Hills.
In spite of the many responsibilities that include watching his sisters and guarding them, Phillip manages to keep himself abreast with the barkadas without necessarily being affected by some of their negative values.
Phillip shows good breeding and a good sense of humor. He is not handsome by ordinary standards but he emits a kind of aura that attracts. I am writing about him because very few boys of his age can tackle the responsibilities that Phillip carries on his shoulders.