In a Filipino coffee brand commercial, its tagline asks: “Para kanino ka bumabangon?” My father, a regular coffee drinker, would answer: “Para sa asawa ko.”
In a small town outside Tarlac City, there lived a man who dreamed of a better life. At an early age, he worked alongside his father driving jeepneys in the streets. On the other side of town lived a princess who had everything except a father. She lived in luxury but managed to stay grounded. Midway through 1990’s, their paths crossed and intersected from then on.
‘Double-bladed’ lives
Because he was raised in a patriarchal-leaning household, the man was timid. He didn’t like social gatherings. The most people he’s ever been with is during Christmas when his family is complete. But the princess was raised in a family of politicians. People were always around her and there isn’t a hint of shyness in her.
The man works for a family of jeepney operators. The princess lives next door. Being timid, the man never spoke to the princess. But there is always an exchange of glances here and there. It’s hard not to see each other if the only thing that separates the household is a Golden Shower Tree. Days passed and there still is no connection between them. The man thinks that the princess will not like him. The princess thinks otherwise.
The princess is on her last year in college. One day, the man approached the princess and told her they will be studying in the same building. The princess, in shock of what the man said, asked him how it could be. The man was poor and lived off half a house. The man explains that he’s worked as a driver for the family next door to fulfill his dreams of studying. He took up Engineering. The princess dwelled in Accountancy. Their world became one because of the numbers that surround them.
Coffee stories
The man never lost connection with the princess. Between breaks, the man would look below the university’s balcony and look for the princess. The princess would smile in return when he sees her. A year has passed and the princess graduated from the university. The man is in his last semester. But in a swift change of plans, they chose to run away. The princess bore a child and went to work for the family they created. The man never finished college. He stayed at home and took care of the child then went back to driving jeepneys for the family next door.
In a span of 22 years living together, they were not a family. The princess never lived like a queen who controlled a nation. The man became better, but not the best. Although their story never ended like fantasy, they lived together in harmony. They now have three children. Destined to be a great wonder, one of the three is near to finish college.
In the mornings, the man wakes up earlier than the princess. He makes coffee for the both of them. But if you ask him: “Para kanino ka bumabangon?” The man would still answer: “Para sa asawa ko.” While he enjoys his cup of coffee with her.