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Faith in God, hard work, patience, and a  cheerful disposition are the key traits that Bunso have.  She also possesses an “UNLI”value that I shall deal with later. 

Una kong nasilayan si Bunso halos isat-kalahating taong na rin ang lumipas.  Bata pa talaga siya ng dumating sa Tumana. Hindi lang “may gatas pa sa bibig” kung titingnan, pede mo ring sabihing “mapanghe pa ang kumot”.  

True enough, her resume showed she was only 19 years of age. Huh? At the back of my mind, I was asking how could she be an B.S. Education graduate with six months teaching experience at this age?  Curiosity got the better of me and I interviewed her for the job opening at that time.

 DA INTERBYU :

 “Updated ba resume mo?”

 “Opo”…

 “Tama ba edad mo rito?”

 “Öpo..disenueve anyos po ako”…

 “Paano ka naka pagtapos at naka pagturo kung 19 ka pa lang?”

 “Accelerated po ako”….

 “Ah..ganun pala, so henyo ka?”

 “Sakto lang po”….

 “May asawa?”

 “Wala pa po…”

 “Pumapatol sa may-asawa..?”

 “Ay sir, ang kati!!!”

 “O sige, tanggap ka na!”

That interview was one of the more memorable ones for me.  I reminded myself that I should keep a close eye on this kid so she does not lose her way.

Unang araw ni Bunso sa Tumana.  Pag pasok niya ay medyo natigilin ang mga kasamahan naming..Hmmm…naka Tsalekong parang manga-ngam-panya.! Iba ito. Medyo wala pa sa porma ng isang taga Tumana. Di bale isang taon lang eh aayos din ang batang ito.  Paglipas ng mga linggo at buwan, nakaka sabay na rin si Bunso sa kalakaran dito sa Tumana.  Mahalay din naman palang mag-damit, may future!  Maboka siya at listo. Hindi ako nag kamali.  May angking alindog si Bunso kaya’t nabansagang “UNLI”or ang libog. 

Through a period of more than a year, she has developed good rapport and earned the respect of her peers.  She has touched us with stories of her band, brief teaching career, and Glen-the-Adonis!  She has this energetic laughter which I always tell her to tone down. I will miss that. She rides with me at least once a week aboard the “School Bus”.  She has opened up to me some of her fears and aspirations during those long trips when it was just the two of us. I have also shared to her some of my experiences and random thoughts.  She would never forget to say “Thank You and Good Night”…simple words of endearment that will forever be in my mind.

Malayo ang mararating ni Bunso. Hindi mo ma-aalis na kailangan niyang sumubok sa ibang larangan sa labas ng Tumana. Malungkot at Masaya. Dalawang emosyon na mararanasan naming mga iiwanan ni Bunso. Mas lamang siempre ang kasiyahan sapagkat mag sisimula na siya sa mas mainam na antas ng buhay.

She is just a few years older than my own daughter, that’s probably why there is a special affinity that I have grown fond of.  I am reminded of my daughter whenever Bunso is bouncing around the room with her contagious laughter and uncanny sense of humor.