Tricia

I write about her because she is a notion in motion. I shall call her Tricia, as her grandfather called her, as I am a grandfather myself. Any grandfather would be proud of her. She did her country proud 2 years ago; Patricia Evangelista is the name, she who was 18 years old when she won the 2004 International Public Speaking contest sponsored by the English Speaking Union of London on 14 May, besting 59 other contestants, including those of the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. She is proof that English is not our second language – it is the first. Or that if we wish to be the best, our wish is our command.

Her Lolo lived in Carmel Subdivision. He was a good man, long in years and wisdom. When she was 5 or 6, one time she begged her Dad for a McDonald Sundae, but he was unmoved. Then Dad and Tricia had to go home. When she kissed her Lolo goodbye, something happened. Suddenly, from out of Lolo’s pocket came four 10-peso bills, and this became the irresistible force that elbowed the immovable object. And with that, Tricia elevated her Lolo to the status of Superman. Actually, Tricia, it was your kiss that became the irresistible force. We must love our grandfather – we never know when he can be an irresistible force to our immovable object.

Before she moved on, Tricia stayed with her grandfather and aunt a couple of months at Carmel. Everyday she would tell him, ‘I love you.’ And every time he would tell her, ‘Thank you.’ Every time, she wanted him to say, ‘I love you, too,’ but he never did. He always said, ‘Thank you.’ That was a puzzle Tricia couldn’t solve.

After her Lolo died on New Year’s Day this year, thinking of her stay at Carmel, she remembered something. There was this favorite movie of hers, The Princess Bride, starring the rich girl Buttercup and the poor boy Wesley. The girl would order the boy around as she pleased, and he would do as instructed, always saying ‘As you wish.’ Then one day Buttercup felt in love with Wesley, she had to ask in trepidation, ‘Farmboy, do you love me?’ And the boy smiled and said, ‘Every time you think I’m saying ‘As you wish,’ I’m actually saying ‘I love you.’ You just didn’t hear me.’

It was then she realized that when her Lolo was saying ‘Thank you, Tricia’ he was actually saying, ‘I love you, Tricia.’ We are not always listening even to the ones who always love us.

Thank you, Tricia.

Written by Lolo Frank, inspired by ‘Lolo Carmel,’ Patricia Evangelista’s 8 January 2006 story
in her Philippine Daiy Inquirer column Rebel Without A Clue.