McCoy De Leon stars in the April 1 episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, “Regrets.” The Pinoy Big Brother star plays the role of a teenage boy named “Mon” who grows up always getting what he wants. His parents, Eleno (Christopher De Leon) and Mila (Tetchie Agbayani), do everything they can to live comfortably. Unfortunately, when their business begins to fail, they get into debt and lose their possessions. Mon, discontent with his life and unappreciative of his family, does not realize that he, too, is losing his parents.
McCoy De Leon as Mon Grows Up Spoiled, Mom Tolerates It
As a young boy, Mon gets sick with asthma. This caused Mon’s parents, specially his mom, to be overly caring. Each time he asks for something, be it a new toy or anything that he wants, it was bought for him. The father, Lino, does not agree with this. He feels that allowing his son to get everything he wants will only bring disadvantages. True enough, Lino was right.
Mon grew up discontent and unappreciative of everything. Mila, on the other hand, only keeps on tolerating such behavior. She always apologizes to Mon if he did not get what he wanted and she will always “make a way.” The time came when her promises are harder to fulfill. She denies the fact that she is no longer able to give everything the way she used to. The worst effect is that Mon does not know basic life skills – cooking, house chores, courtesy and gratitude. It saddens Lino to see his son grow up this way.
Mon Loses His Parents, Realizes Things Too Late
Mon seems to have a slight change of heart with his father’s condition but is not enough for him to have the initiative to help the family’s state. Because the medications of his father took a toll on them, they are forced to work doubly hard. Lino tells his son to promise him that when he is gone, Mon should take care of his mother. Mon said yes.
Sadly, after four months, Mon’s father passes away. Once again, the mother and son are forced to sell the only piece of land they have left. They decide to rent a small house. Mon, on the other hand, still does not get it. He complains, goes about drinking, not realizing that he has the opportunity to finish school even if it is in a vocational course. Despite her condition, Mila still does everything she can. This, however, did not last long. Due to complications to pneumonia, she was rushed to the hospital. Mon does not know what to do. When the last tank of oxygen ran out, Mon lost his mother. He is now an orphan.
Mon’s Life Has a Silver Lining
After Mon loses his mother, his uncle invites him to live with his family in Antique. Mon felt some sense of hope. His uncle mentioned that he will put Mon to school, but this did not happen. Instead, he became an all-around helper. He was mistreated greatly. This was the first time he felt unloved and unappreciated. He left his uncle’s house and moved to his father’s sister.
In Manila with her aunt’s family, Mon now realizes what he used to have with his family. In Manila, he experiences living in a home that is scarce of food and comfort. There is no bed, bathroom, living room, and the other things he took for granted. Regardless, he feels that it is better for him to stay there with that sense of family rather than in his uncle’s house where everyone was so cold.
Mon also began working as a fry cook in a fastfood restaurant. He had difficulty at first because he did not know how to fry, in the first place. When he was about to give up, he finds comfort in the memory of his parents. When his aunt encourages him, he decides to stand up on his feet. He does well in work and learns how to live. Slowly but surely, his life turns around.
He left his aunt’s house and moved to a boarding house near the fastfood restaurant he works in. He did this because he enrolled in college for his future. He would only drink water and crackers to survive. He would miss paying his rent but he still pressed on. His friends helped him out and his co-workers supported him. He did not give up. His labor paid off and he graduated with a special award as a working student. He can only imagine his parents being proud of him with his accomplishments. Mon now works in a bank in Pangasinan. He did his family proud.
Maalaala Mo Kaya’s April 1 episode is entitled, “Saklay”.