"Intra na bala. Sige na!"
Was what my sister told me while we were talking on the phone. It means "Join. Please!".
I have 5 siblings and Genevieve is the fourth child. I am the fifth. She is my older sister. Redundant, yeah.
She was pushing me. Few days before the deadline she kept asking if I've already uploaded any entries. I was busy with work and other personal stuff so I didn't really have time to take what she said seriously. Not to mention my lack of resources. Heck, I didn't even have a PC. But I admire her persistence. If not for her, I wouldn't have joined.
I grabbed my guitar and played some of my songs.
"But they sound different."
I believe my compositions really sound unique.
"Why not give it a try?"
Two days before the deadline, I was with Jez traveling from Pateros to Alabang. Exhausted by commuting under the hot weather plus the feeling of anxiousness for nothing(or probably the cash that would soon fly away?), signs of hope and relief showed up the first time I stepped into the studio. The place is so inspiring - it's got everything that I needed. I guessed.
---
After my mind floated in fast recollection of the recent past, I sat there shaking hands with Patricia Hizon. She congratulated me and then hugged me. I was back from the trance. The present kind of reality was just the dream back then and now it was materializing.
"Sorry, I have hyperhidrosis."
"What's that?"
And I explained it. My geekiness had been exposed again as I saw the amused expression on the faces of the people around me.
"You are fine.", said Patricia.
I gained a little ground. Oh yeah, Patricia is the familiar face I had been watching in PBA. She used to be(?) that sportscaster way back in my high school. I remembered her now husband Vince "The Prince" proposed to her in the court during half-time. I bet this woman has got the personality most men would want for his wife. Not to mention her presence assured excitement and good fortune. LOL.
"What's the name of your sister?"
"Genevieve."
"Let's call her."
I gave Patricia my sister's cellphone number then she started to dial while on speaker.
"Hello, is this Genevieve?"
"Hi, yes."
"Hey, its Patricia. You heard about PhilPop?"
"Yup."
"Well, I've got good news for you. Your brother James is one of the 14 finalists!"
They exchanged some words for a quick while. I could feel the air of happiness of our home emanating from the speakerphone. I could picture my sister shouting and dancing, spreading the news to the people back home.
I then went straight to Glorietta not knowing what to do next. I noticed people were staring at me while I was walking with a smile on my face. Its not the usual. I dunno, maybe I looked so different. I had that bright yellow aura, the radiance of the sun. Or maybe I was floating. Was it magic?
I've been searching for this wisdom for a long time. The power to change things. The power to do anything. Since I was a child I was inspired by magic. But what does it have to do with all these?
