I kept checking the time today, trying to stay awake for the Manila Marathon gun start. I kept talking about how awesome it was that people were about to run 42 kilometers. Then Dad asked, “Kanina pa ’yan, sino bang kasali do’n?”
I looked down at my phone. The excitement slowly washed away. And when the clock finally hit 11:30 PM, I found myself asking the same question:
“Sino nga bang kasali do’n? Kasali ba ako do’n? Kasali siya do’n, pero hindi ka kasali do’n.”
You’ve probably been doing “ensayo” for this marathon for months. You’ve probably excitedly prepared all your things for the run. You’ve probably messaged her about the butterflies in your stomach while making your way to the starting line. Maybe she joined you. Maybe she’ll be there waiting at the finish line.
Or maybe not.
Wala naman na akong alam sa buhay mo aside sa mga naririnig ko. Hindi na rin kita kilala.
But when I came across your shakeout run video on my FYP, I remembered that this had always been one of your dreams, to join different fun runs and marathons, to keep showing up for the miles, and to see just how far your legs could take you.
And now, you’re making it happen.
There’s one thing I know for sure:
I am proud of you.
And I’m sorry, bab, for all the times I lacked the courage and awareness to tell you those simple yet powerful words.
But yeah, I am proud of you.
I’ve always been.
And even now, from a distance, as strangers, I’m still quietly rooting for you. ((:
