What
is the typical Filipino breakfast? A fried dish and a sunny side egg on the
side. Add coffee and it’s the perfect combination.
Somehow, waffles and coffee go well together too. Well maybe for
people on-the-go when there is no time to hit the brakes for a breakfast.
When I was in high school, I had an on-the-go lifestyle. When the
clock strikes six, students race to the university to get a first hand at
submitting assignments or else you are at risk of losing precious points.
This, however, led me to the most heavenly waffle on earth. It had
no brand name. It was on a simple aluminum cart with the price pasted on the
glass lining. It was at twelve bucks a piece. Seems like a fair good deal.
When students were rushing to get their good fates, manang was
busy making waffles for those who wish to catch a quick breakfast. She would
pour the batter on the special molder. Manong, on the other hand, waits for
customers as he reads the everyday paper.
Every day I drop by and make sure I hand them my twelve pesos in
exchange for a brown paper bag filled with goodness. I wasn’t the only one.
Teachers and school workers also had the same routine. The waffles were selling
like pancakes.
I breathe the familiar scent of the batter as the smoke rises from
the molder. The almost inaudible sound of the brush as butter is painted on the
waffle completes the masterpiece. I inhale in for the last time before sealing
the bag. Then I bid my thank you to manang and manong before entering the
university.
Sometime in my four years, they were featured by the university’s
school paper. It said that their marriage made them stronger as their main
source of income was the waffles. In fact, it has sent their children to finish
degrees in premier universities in Cebu. They narrated that they used to push
their waffle cart around downtown, in strategic areas where schools are near.
But because of their old age, they wanted to station in a university so dear to
them – Cebu Normal University (CNU).
But after our 2010 graduation, I
never saw manang and manong again. I never took the time to say goodbye.
Now that I have come a long way
since those childish years, I wanted to pay both of them a visit. This time,
with twenty four pesos in my hands. I was ready to give the other piece to my
colleagues in UP, to brag of their blissful waffle.
I approached the cart and saw
another person brushing the waffles. I questioned.
He said months after we
said goodbye to CNU’s walls, manong passed away because of a long time disease.
This left manang alone in their waffle business. But manang didn’t want to risk
her arthritis. It would be hard for her especially that her partner is not with
her anymore.
Tears fell. I never said goodbye
and my final thank you.
I could have said, “Thank you
manang, you make the best waffle in town.” I never even had the chance to get
their names. All this time I call them manang and manong.
It was a friendship left, a
hanging marriage.
They could have spent the last
moments together at the newly opened senior citizen’s park. They could have
enjoyed the company of fellow elderly without having to think about the
business that kept them running. It was a beautiful project they could have
made the most of.
It could have been a bit better.
Sooner or later, we’ll age and
evolve from waffles to scrambled eggs in the luxury of my own home.
But for now, I’d gladly take a
waffle bite and say, “Thank you manang and manong for making the best waffles
in town”.
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