The Album & The Letter

Chapter 4 - Battery

Pam writes letters to her Father since she was 12, years after he was imprisoned. She doesn't visit him for she thinks she is not yet ready to see his face. A face she has already forgotten. Nevertheless, she keeps contact with him for she loves him eitherway.

An excerpt from Pam's conversation with her Father through written letters (2002)

“Appreciation goes so far for each other. But why do you repulse at the sight of seeing great things just outside of your home?“

“But it's.. disgusting.. it smells putrid outside and it's tiring in ways I can't even begin to imagine.. just to exit the door and take a step outside. I feel safer with Mommy."

"Pam, you have to explore! There's so many things that are waiting for you out there! You just have to make that terrifying jump.. and the rest will be intuitive and easy for you in the years to come.. I have read your poems and I am astonished by how much of a great writer my daughter is..."

NEAR ONE ESPLANADE, MOA AUGUST 2015

After a sweaty and tiring venture towards the Malls, the group fumbles to the ground. A young man wearing a dark blue puffy jacket stood triumphantly while a flock of startled white pigeons flew past unblocking Pam's view of the commotion. Beside him, a sickly look alike of Captain Jack Sparrow is being strangled by a young woman in very dark gothic clothing. Pam immediately recognizes who she is and steps back after. Behind all of them, a big round man with a beard, wearing blue long sleeves that says " PAPA BEAR" is trying to break up the altercation. A heavenly sight indeed.. and yet, Pam stares with a feeling of impending doom. She knows she is not yet ready for an interaction with such a group. She turns away slowly hoping that Jam doesn't notice her.

Jam: PAM!!!!!!!!

The Backbenchers: WHAT?!

Jam: Hm? Oh!! Guys, yan si Pam! She's a friend of mine at the Uni!

Jason: Siya ba yung kinukwento mo kanina?

Jam: Oo siya nga!!

Will: Ikaw Jam hah!!! YIEEE!! *Laughs*

Cess: So that's Pam *Punches Jason on the gut* ask her what she's doing here.

Pam is just in the background trying to process what she's looking at. She picks her composure up.. along with her jaw.

Jam walks to Pam and fixes her cardigan.

Jam: Pam! Bakit ka nga pala andito? Layo sa Quezon nito ah

Pam (awkward smile): Jam can we talk for a sec?

Jam: Oh sure- why? Is something wro- Oh!

Pam swiftly pulls Jam to a corner, still being visible by the rest of the band.

Pam: Si Cess ba yun?!

Jam: Kilala mo siya?!

Pam: Oo!!! I follow her sa Tumblr! I love her music!!!

Jam: What's Tumblr?

Pam: Ha? Di mo alam? Parang f*******: lang but it's a bit less known, people with niche interests dun sila nag p-post!

Jam: ... What's f*******:?

Pam: Ugh! Basta! Paano mo kilala si Cess?!

Jam: Oh.. She's my bandmate!

Pam: BAND?! SHE'S IN A BAND?! WITH YOU?!

Jam: Yeah! Cool right?

Pam: Jam.. Pakilala mo ako!

Jam: Of course!

Jam and Pam walk towards the Band. Without giving it a proper thought, Jam gently holds Pam's hand. Pam's reaction to it is casual, she did not see it as something other than a socially clueless person touching her. Cess notices Jam holding her hand and raises her eyebrow.

Will: So, Ganong katagal na kayo?

Jason: Oo nga! Ganong katagal na kayo ni... Pam.. *laughs with Will*

Jam (raises eyebrow): Like I said, we just met sa uni!

Jason: Hay nako Jam.

Cess: Hello Pa-

Jam: ABABABABA!! Ako na magpapakilala sainyo *winks at Cess* so guys! This is Pam! Pam, this is my band! *Points to himself* This is Jam! *Points to Cess* That's Cess!

Pam (Star struck): Hi Cess....

Jam: Ehem.. That's Jason and that's Will!

The Backbenchers: Hi Pam!

Jam: So Pam, bakit ka nga pala andito?

Pam: Oh! Well, yung mama ko kasi, she's around here somewhere..

Jam: Anong ginagawa niya dito?

Pam: Well.. sabi niya sakin kuhain ko daw siya eh.. nalasing kasi siya and I don't want her to be alone here..

Cess: Oh that's horrible Pam.. Want us to help you go look for her?

Jason: Hala! What about my gift?!

Cess: YOU'LL GET YOUR STUPID GIFT! Ehem.. So what do you say?

Jam: I think it's a great idea! But.. magkakaiba tayo ng goals eh.. Jason and Will wants to buy stuff, Cess.. I don't know why you're here to be honest and I need to buy a battery for my phone!

Cess: Well maybe we should split up then.

Pam: I'LL GO WITH CESS!

Will: I'll go with Jason then

Jam: Okay! Sounds great, I'll go with..

Everyone but Jam starts to walk away towards their own objectives.

Jam: Well.. I guess I'm going alone then.. That's okay!

Jam heads over the work shop he always goes to. He's friends with the owner there.

10 MINUTES LATER*

NEAR A FLOWER SHOP

Jason: Will! Halika dito! Tulungan mo ako pumili ng flowers!

Will: Jusko naman Jason para bulaklak lang eh! Bumili ka nalang ng rosas!

Jason: Sige na! Libre na nga kita ng jeans eh

Will: Oo nga pala pards, wag nalang jeans ibili mo sakin

Jason: Hah? Eh ano gusto mo?

Will: Bilhan mo nalang ako ng gamot

Jason: Gamot? May sakit ka ba? Pag may sakit ka sabihan mo kami ano ka ba!

Will: Hindi baliw! Para sa.. uhhh... Basta!

Jason: Eto talaga, diko na alam nangyayari sa buhay mo! Pero ito oh

Jason takes a few paper bills from his wallet and hands it to Will.

Will: Thank you boss!!!

Jason: Boss ka diyan, sige na! Ako na bahala dito

Will: Diyan lang ako

Jason enters the flower shop

Meanwhile, Pam and Cess are walking towards One esplanade to pick up Anika. Cess is curious to see how Pam would react to seeing her mother in such an irresponsible state. She is interested to see how a loving daughter reacts to an almost absent mother for she relates to the same feeling. Pam is sweating bullets just being around Cess that she starts to fidget around trying to look her best for her idol.

Cess: Pam?

Pam (Nervous): UH HUH?

Cess: *Laughs* You can quit the act, I'm not as great as you think you know?

Pam: What?! Nonsense! Your songs are written so brilliantly! As a writer myself, I can definitely say they're top tier!

Cess: Oh.. Thank you.. you know, we could use a writer like yourself in the band.

Pam: Oh! Well I- I'm not really.. haha, you know.. um..

Cess: *Laughs* I think you'd do well around the band, we're already talking like friends and plus, you're already friends with Jam..

Pam: Sabagay.. If you insist then yes! It would be an honor!

Cess: Oh shut it *laughs* oo nga pala Pam, about your Mom, is she the type to apologize by just.. giving stuff to you?

Pam: I wish! She doesn't even care about the things that I want, let alone give me stuff that I'd enjoy having.. she's more of an asshole friend to me than a mother.

Cess: .. I'm sorry Pam.

Pam: It's alright, what can I do but move forward? I still love her anyways..

Cess: You're.. right..

Pam: I think this is getting a bit too emotional haha.. I'm sorry, I really didn't want this happen to me.. and out of all the people na pwede ko makausap tungkol dito, ikaw pa talaga..

Cess: Don't worry Pam, the reason why I ask these things is kasi parehas tayo ng pinagdaanan. I too have an asshole mother.. atleast not in the same sense.. Mom.. she treats love as.. transactions more than honest feelings.

Pam: Oh.. I'm so sorry to hear that but thank you for being honest with me..

Infront of One esplanade

Cess: Now, let's get your asshole mother out of this place.

Pam: Tara!

Meanwhile, at the work shop. Jam enters coughing at the dust. Rust, oil and all uncleanness envelopes the shop that Jam loves to visit.

Jam: .. Ben? Tao po.. May tao ba diyan?

Ben: Hoy Jam!

Ben jumps down from a lifted car. Ben gives Jam a high five.

Jam: Ben!!! Ang linis mo ngayon hah.. pero ang asim parin!

Ben: Syempre! Mas maganda pang mabaho ang pera kesa sa marumi!

Jam: Mga kasabihan mo talaga ang lupit!

Ben: *Laughs* Nga pala Jam, ano kailangan mo? Di mo kasama yung iba hah

Jam: Ah oo! Andito rin sila pero may ginagawa silang iba kaya naghiwalay kami

Ben: Kami din naghiwalay eh pero di naman ako dumeretso sa mabahong garage!

Jam: Letche! *Laughs* oo nga pala Ben, May extra ka pa ba battery diyan?

Ben: Para saan?

Jam: Yung battery ng Ericsson ko kasi eh, nagloloko nanaman! Papalitan ko sana

Ben: Nagloko rin siya eh pero di ko naman pinalitan

Jam: Ahh!! Tangina mo!!

Both of them laugh hysterically.

FLASH FORWARD AROUND JULY, 2015

Cameraman: Teka teka teka, sino naman itong Ben?

Present Jam: Si Ben.. ano siya.. actually di ko rin alam kung ano siya dun sa talyer eh. Bumibisita lang kami don pag kailangan namin ng maintenance sa gamit namin. Most of the time andun kami sa talyer pag nasisira yung amplifier ni Cess. Kadalasan andun lang din ako para makipag-usap sakanya.. he's a very philosophical person that Ben. Yung gitara ko, the old pale telecaster na galing sa papa ko, puro siya parts na galing sa talyer ni Ben.. we get along together because of our sentimental values. Gustong gusto ni Cess pati nila Jason palitan yung gitara ko pero ayoko talaga eh *laughs* I love the sound it makes. That old fuzzy - tangy twang it gives..

SOMETIME AROUND AUGUST, 2010

ONE ESPLANADE MOA

Two big guards wearing barong Tagalog are blocking Cess and Pam from entering the premises of the event. They consider letting Pam inside for her style of clothing that closely resembles a maid of honor with her long pinkish dress and beige cardigan but at the same time, suspicious of Cess because of her very dark dress. They both ask them a question.

Guard 1: Ma'am, wala nga po nakapangalan na Anika sa listahan!

Guard 2: Ano po ba suot niya?

Pam: Hay nako kanina pa! Di ko nga alam! Papasukin niyo ako para makita ko kung asaan siya!

Cess: Pam I think di rin talaga nila alam..

The Guards looks at Cess from head to toe in a shameful manner.

Cess: Andito po yung mata ko.

Guard 2: Miss, ayaw po namin ng gulo dito, kung May problema po kayo sa bride bukas niyo nalang po pag usapan, kawawa naman!

Cess: HAH?!

Pam: Ayon! Mama!

Pam rushes inside, overtaking the guards while Cess talks back at them.

While Pam is crashing the wedding, Cess gets a phone call from Jason.

Jason: Hello?

Cess: HELLO?!

Jason: Cess! May tanong lang ako..

Cess: ANO?! DALIAN MO!

Jason: Relax lang! .. babae ka diba?

Cess: ...Jason I swear to God. Me and Pam are currently crashing a wedding venue AND I DON'T HAVE TIME TO-

Jason: Yeah yeah yeah, sounds great- ano kasi, from a lady perspective, what do you think is the best type of flowers to buy?

Jason: Hello?.. Hellooo... Huh, she hung up..

Cess: LISTEN HERE ASSHOLE, KAPAG DI MO KO PINAPASOK DIYAN AKO NA MISMO TITIGIL SA KASAL NA YAN!

The two guards agree to just let Cess in since Pam is already picking her mother up.

Meanwhile, at the flower shop.

Jason (thinking very hard): Hmmm...... HMMMM.....

Florist: .. Sir..?

Jason: Oh sorry sorry.. ang dami kasi pag pipilian eh *laughs*

Florist: *sigh* Para kanino po yung flowers?

Jason: Para sa Girlfriend ko po! Pero.. di ko po kasi alam kung alin dito eh..

Florist: Hindi niyo po ba natanong kung ano favorite flowers niya?

Outside the shop

Will (Counting): Okay.. Isang pack ng Acetaminophen.. check.. Tubig.. check.. Nss saline.. check.. Oresol.. check.. parang tubig lang naman lahat to maliban sa Paracetamol.. effective kaya to? Teka.. nasa loob parin si Jason?

Will peeks through the windows trying to catch Jason's attention.

Florist: Uhh sir may naghahanap ata sainyo sa labas

Jason: Hm? Oh kaibigan ko lang yan, anyways

Jason continues to ask the florist about flowers and tells him fun facts about them that he's confident enough to say. The florist is starting to get impatient of Jason because of his ridiculous vague questions such as "What does this flower represent?!" And "Will she marry me if I buy these flowers instead?!"

Florist: Ay may ire-recommend akong flowers sainyo! Para makapag rest in peace na kayo. Something that represents forever-ness in our memories..

Jason: Talaga?! Ano pa po?! Sa tingin niyo magugustuhan niya yun??

Florist: Ay oo naman po! I can assure you sir! She will feel the presence of the lord through these flowers!

Jason gets excited and buys the flowers.

Meanwhile at the work shop, Jam is helping Ben look for a battery for his Sony Ericsson.

Ben: Sorry Jam hah, pero parang wala talaga eh..

Jam: ITO OH!!

Ben: Meron? Ay... Jam kala-kalawang na yan! Baka masira yung phone mo

Jam: Hm.. HMMM...

Jam gets frustrated and accidentally drops his sling bag

Ben: Ano ka ba Jam!.. teka lang..

Jam: Bakit?

Ben: Jam, hindi naman to Sony Ericsson eh!!

Jam: Ah! Camera ni Cess yan! Nabasag ba? Nako yare ako sakanya niyan!

Ben: Grabe ang yaman ni Cess ano! Ang mahal kaya ng brand na to

Jam: Anong brand ba yan?

Ben: Archos 3 vision to eh! Bihira lang ang ganito!

Jam: ... Vision.. Vision... Vision...

Ben: Okay ka la-

Jam: ALAM KO NA!!!

Ben: Oh, ano?

Jam: BEN! May printer ka ba diyan?!

Meanwhile, near the flower shop.

Will: Grabe Jason, ang tagal mo!

Jason: Sorry pare! Priorities lang, you wouldn't get it *laughs*

Will: Ewan ko sayo! Patingin nga ako ng binili mo?

Jason: WAG NA!!! BAKA MAGULO!!!

Will: OKAY OKAY!! Jusko Jason!

Jason: Teka tawagan ko nga sila *Jason dials Jam's number* ayaw sumagot ni Jam.. di niya pa ata napapalitan yung battery ng phone niya

Will: Try mo sila Cess

Jason: Teka... *Jason dials Cess's number* ... Ayaw naman mag respond.. oh ayan, Hello? Cess? Kasama mo ba si Jam? Tapos na kasi kami dito eh-

Jason hears inaudible noises and a lot of shouting in the background.

Jason: Hello?? Okay lang ba kayo diyan?

Will: Akin na nga! Hello Cess? Pauwi na kami ni Jason, andyan parin ba kayo?

Cess: WILL..! PUN..TAHAN.. KAMI DITO.. PAM!!

Will: Hello Cess? Ang chappy mo.. Hello? Hah? Yung pandesal asinan ko?

Cess: YUNG KASAL PUNTAHAN NIYO TANGA!!! *Cuts off*

Will: Jason puntahan daw natin sila sa kasal!!

Jason: Hah?!

Will: Hatdog! Tara na dalian mo!

Jason and Will rushes towards One esplanade.

Meanwhile, at the work shop.

Jam: Malapit na ba Ben?

Ben: Oo ito na, oh mainit ah

Ben hands Jam a poorly printed photo from the old printer. The quality is off but enough to make out what's in the photo. While the photo was printing, Jam put together a few wooden scraps around the shop and turned it into a makeshift photo frame. He places the photo in the frame and writes something behind it.

Ben: Ang ganda Jam.. pero paano na yung battery mo niyan?

Jam: Ah, hayaan mo na yun, gawan ko nalang ng paraan!

Will enters the shop sweating while Jason is still running at the background.

Will: Ben?! Sabi na andito si Jam eh!

Ben: Hoy Will! Kamusta na? Si Jason ba yung tumatakbo?

Will: Ayos lang pare! Oo si Jason yon, Jam! Sabi ni Cess puntahan daw sila sa kasal! Parang May gulo ata!

Jam and Ben: Hah?! Anong kasal?!

Will (faceslaps): Ugh!! Basta!! Tara na!

Ben: Ay baka andun sila sa One esplanade! May kasal duon ngayon eh!

Jam: Oh tara na! Ben mauna na ako hah! Salamat!

Ben: Hoy ingat kayo! ... Heh, ang kukulit niyo talaga..

Jam: Hoy Jason!!

Jason (hinihingal): Hah?! ... Tangina... Woo!..

Will: Alam mo ba kung san ka pupunta?!

Jason: Hah?! Ewan! Tumakbo ka eh, tumakbo na rin ako!

Jam: Sa One esplanade daw sabi ni Ben!

Meanwhile at One esplanade, Pam and Cess is seen dragging a drunk Anika towards the door. The two guards from earlier are starting to panick and the newly wed couple, who has been eating with Anika at this point, begins to realize... Who the hell is this person?!

Groom: Teka sandali nga lang!

Cess and Pam stops what they're doing. Anika wakes up and the three of them stare at the couple with their eyes wide open. Pam feels absolutely embarassed. The host tries his best to lighten the situation and starts speaking on the mic.

Host: Mukhang may konting aberya pero magsikain parin kayo! Wala lang to!

Pam stands straight and inhales deeply.

Pam: Give me that damn mic!

Cess: Pam!

Anika: Anak?!

Pam: Mic check.. Hello everyone. Gusto ko lang sana sabihin.. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY WED COUPLE!!

The crowd claps and cheers

Bride: Thank you! Pero.. are you three invited at all?

Pam: Um.. *inhales* okay.. I'm so sorry pero I hope hindi po namin nagulo ang kasal niyo.. hindi ko rin alam kung bakit nakasama ang mama ko dito sa kasal.. pero hindi niyo ata siya kilala.. so before we leave, I just want to say, I am very very sorry..

Jam: ITIGIL ANG KASA-

Jason and Will: JAM!

Jam: Huh? Oh.. oh boy..

Pam weeps. The amalgamation of all of this craziness is enough to break a person's mind. It broke Pam's heart. To be ashamed by her own mother, Infront of her idol, her new friends.. inside a wedding venue.

The Newly wed couple felt sorry for Pam and they tell her to cheer up. She explains what happened in detail along with the Backbenchers and the couple tells her that they invited Anika because she was just outside in a good dress with a bottle of champagne.

They tell the group that they can stay if they want. All of them decided to stay. They played games, took turns singing karaoke, Ate till their stomach's full, drank till their faces turned red. Overall, it was a damn good wedding.

A few hours after, Will goes home and a few more hours after that, Jason follows. Later, Jam and Cess escorts Pam and Anika outside.

Pam: Congratulations!! Thank you again for letting us stay!!

Cess: Congrats guys.

Jam: Invite niyo ko ulit!! Congrats!!

As the four of them walk towards a taxi, Jam helps carry Anika with Pam. Cess follows.

Jam: Heyyy.. Pam..

Pam: Hey Jam..

Jam: .. So... How's your day going? *Smiles*

Pam: Honestly.. it's alright.. I mean sure, ang lala ng nangyari pero.. nag enjoy naman ako *laughs*

Jam: *laughs* Glad you're having fun, we should hang out sometime! Tutal.. magkaklase naman tayo!

Pam: Yeah.. Maybe.. pero ihatid muna natin to, naiinis na kasi ako eh

Cess thinks deeply about what happened. She tries her best to reflect and to apply the things she learned from Pam and her relationship with her Mother.

Pam and Anika gets inside the taxi.

Jam: Goodnight Guys!

Pam: Jam.. Thank you talaga hah..

Jam: You should thank this guy right here!

Cess: Stay safe Pam.

Pam: Thank you so much Cess! Ingat kayo!!

The taxi leaves and Jam and Cess are left alone to walk back home.

Jam: Kamusta naman araw mo Cess?

Cess: Hm? Ah, eto. Pagod.

Jam: Woah, bago yan ah!

Cess: Huh

Jam: Ah hindi, parati kasing "Good" or "It was nice" or "it's okay" or-

Cess: Gets ko na!

Jam: Sorry

Cess: Ewan ko sayo Jam. By the way, ang layo mo pa dito, dun ka nalang matulog sa garahe.

Jam: Tsaka nalang, Maglalakad nalang ako pauwi, konting lakad lang yan!

Cess: Wag ka na makulit

Jam: Ikaw yun eh!

Cess: Isa!

Jam: Dalawa!

Cess: Hay nako.

Jam tells Cess about how Jason was running like a mad man towards the venue after she called. They started laughing at what went down today. Half an hour later, they arrive at Cess' garage.

Cess: Uuwi ka talaga? Mag a-alas-dose na..

Jam: Oo nga, ang kulit ng Cess na to

Cess: Up to you Jam, teka diyan ka lang, bigyan kita ng baon bata ka

Jam: Okay!!!

Jam grabs the opportunity to secretly hang the picture frame he printed earlier from Ben's shop.

Cess: Anong ginagawa mo?

Jam: HUH?! ANG BILIS MO NAMAN!

Cess: Jam, ayun lang yung ref namin oh

Jam: Sabagay.. ano yan?

Cess: Sky flakes

Jam: Nanaman?

Cess: Wag ka nga choosy diyan, eto rin naman pinakain niyo sakin kanina.

Jam: Bahala na.. sabagay, ika nga naman, Malutong kahit anong ipatong!

Cess: Siraulo *laughs*

Jam goes home.

Flash forward to July 2015.

In the interview room, Pam is seen laying her head on the table and covering her head with her arms. Clearly, she is troubled.

Cameraman: ... Are you okay Pam?

Present Pam: Yeah.. it's just.. too much to handle you know?

Cameraman: We understand.. if you want, we can take a break for now and just continue tomorrow.. would like that?

Present Pam: No.. I'm fine, let's continue with the questions...

*END*