Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Gift giving!

Allow me to say something about my wife. We have been married for 19 years now. Well, if we add the two years of engagement while we were saving money for our wedding, then we've been together for 21 years now. In spite of these years, that produced 4 children, there are still little things, habits if you like, that we are just beginning to realize. But that is not what I wanted to talk about. This is about her sweetness and caring that she constantly gives me. Just to prove the point, here's a little anecdote I love telling my friends.

Just like any typical newly married couple, we used to give presents from time to time, especially during birthdays and special occasions. We seldom do that anymore. Not that our love for each other has waned but because we've become more practical and give gifts to the children instead.

I play the guitar. I've had three guitars from high schooI till college. The first one was a classical guitar brought home by my brother from Spain when I was in third year high school. However, this guitar got into a fight and was rammed into someone's head. You know, high school days... (I know, it doesn't speak well of me but...) The second one was a folk guitar which lasted a few years just because, well, it was cheap. When I got a job, the first thing I bought was another classical guitar as I got interested in learning how to read notes. Well, I did learn but not that well. I was self-taught. Let's just say, I can carry a tune. Again, because this guitar was a cheap-o, it didn't last long. However, Nitz got to see it and heard me play a few songs with it. During our engagement, my guitar broke, her dad offered to fix it and it was working fine again. It didn't last, though, as it has outlived its lifespan. So, I didn't have a guitar anymore when we got married. Didn't buy one anymore as there are more important things we can buy with the money. We are mere employees, remember?

Then came my first born. She loves singing songs. She memorized commercial jingles as soon as she can speak, learned songs from musicales and was singing Swing Out Sisters when she was three. When she was in Grade 3, Lisa Loeb's "Stay" was in the charts. Naturally, she learned the song and was singning it always. Then it came to me. Maybe I can learn the song and accompany her. So, what i did was record the song, borrowed my neighbor's guitar and tried to learn it. Soon enough, we were like that father and daughter duo of Tarzan and Baby Jane :-) (I guess nobody knows them ... hmm, maybe Batjay would)

That Christmas day about ten years ago, I was in my room preparing gifts for the teachers when I heard someone knocking on my door. I opened it and saw a well-dressed man. My first reaction was, "uh-oh, a parent. Maybe he's come to complain about a certain teacher..." Instead, this was what he said,"Good morning, are you Mr. delos Santos?" "Yes, what can I do for you?" What he said next was something I will always remember. "Hello, I'm Mr. _____________, I'm the GM of Yamaha Philippines and I have specific instructions from our Vice-President (a family friend of ours) to personally deliver this to you." He took out a package and put it on top of my table. Quivering, I opened it up. Lo and behold, it's a classical guitar that looks something like this!
He said, "just arrived from Japan, sir. Was personally handpicked by my boss."

That prompted me to call the local florist and send her a dozen roses. Isn't she a darling? That was one very happy Christmas. Wouldn't you agree?

29 comments:

batjay said...

oh man, that's a great story. ang galing galing naman. si misis ba ang pumili ng gitara mo. i too have the same guitar and i can tell you that it is expensive. but more than that is the gesture. ang sweet bossing. ayos na ayos.

of course i know tarzan and baby jane. i always watched them when they were on TV. actually i toured with them (sort of). my dad used to emcee a lot of fiesta shows with the artistas and the performers. especially pag fiesta season ng june. minsan sumasama ako sa daddy ko sa mga palabas. tarzan and baby jane were always there.

cathy said...

lucky you. minsan may nagregalo rin sa akin ng susi ng kotse. noong hinanap ko yong kotse, hindi raw kasama.
no wonder mahal mo si misis.

betsyg said...

Tito,

Alam ko kung bakit mo inilink sa internet yung hitsura niya. Para malaman namin na mahal nga siya..kidding aside, that was very thoughtful.

Anonymous said...

Sarap naman ng ganitong blog..di nakakasira ng damdamin..kundi nakakataba. Sige Tito, dagdagadan mo nga ng positivism ang iyong blog.

Anonymous said...

ayan..gandang topic 'neto.. tama na sana muna yung negativism kasi lalo akong na low low morale..di na nga maganda ang ayos ng ating bansa, dadagdagan pa natin ng walang makabuluhang pagsasayang ng oras..o di va mas maganda yung ganito na lang..napapasaya mo pa kami..meron ka yatang "calming charisma"..ano ba sekreto mo pati si Misis eh tumagal sa 'yo?

batjay said...

ang ibig ko palang sabihin ay:

"my dad used to emcee a lot of fiesta shows with the artistas and the performers during the 70's, especially pag fiesta season ng MAY."

ang eng-eng ko talaga. hehe

Sassy Lawyer said...

Ang sweet!!!!

Ako ang pinaka-memorable yung rocking chair na birthday gift sa akin just after giving birth to our firstborn.

Pero and favorite ko ay yung mother's day gift nya 3 years ago... yung iniregalo nyang bahay he he he

rolly said...

Here's the clincher. The children were already wondering about the guitar when I arrived home. Much more so when their mom arrived with a dozen roses. This made Kraiganne mutter, "Hmmm, ano kayo, maraming pera?" Yes, even in that early age, atrabida na yang anak ko na yan and she does it with one liners only, mind you.

Hi matapoor, yes, more than the value, it's the intention that counts. (Especially with us as our salaries combined is just enough for us to support our family)

BAtjay - hahaha I knew it! Kilala mo si Tarzan at Baby Jane. Here's another one for you. Lets see how much we can stretch your age. Remember the bands Red Fox, Balisawsaw and Maria Kafra? Pag alam mo pa rin yan, talagang konti lang ang tanda ko sayo.

Cathy, that's a keeper. LOL!!!!

Baguiogirl, no, don't get me wrong. That is not exactly the guitar I have. It's something similar. However, until now, I'm still wondering how many "gives" my wife took to pay it off, though.

Anonymouses, salamat naman at nagustuhan ninyo.

Sassy, whoa! Those were fantabulous gifts. Which reminds me, you were looking for a computer. That means your birthday is coming up! Advanced happy birthday, if you haven't celebrated it yet, that is.

Thank y'all for coming.

batjay said...

Maria Cafra, I know very well because their lead singer, Resty Fabunan is a good friend of my brother.

Personally, they were my favorite band during the late 70's and I used to watch their concerts.

rolly said...

Bayi, yes I'm lucky to have my family but I'm even luckier now that I've earned new friends through this medium. And you're one of them.:-)

Batjay, ah of course you know Maria Kafra. REsty Fabunan is one of the proponents of Pinoy rock together with your brother. Anyway, Red Fox evolved into Hotdog. Balisawsaw is a band that was rounding the concert scene at the time but disbanded even before they really got popular.

Anonymous said...

mari

tito rolly, ang sweet nyo naman. inggit ako hehe

Dr. Emer said...

Walk my way
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello
This magic I hear
I get misty
The moment you’re near

Kung ako sayo kakantahin ko ito, Tito Rolly. Just to say thanks and that her love for you is much appreciated. =)

jane said...

sir,

aba,aba,aba...napakwerte nyo nga kay misis. mga ganitong kwento, inspiring talaga.
naku at musikeo ka rin pala. ang mister ko, libangan din yang pagigitara. 3 na ang gitara niya dito, puro acoustic. sa ebay siya bumibili.
naku sir, pag-uwi ko, kelangan mag jamming tayo!
have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Kuya Rolly, ang sweet naman. =) Wish ko pag ako nag-asawa, ganito rin ang kahihinatnan. Naalala po ninyo yung sinulat ni Robert Browning? "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be. The last of life for which the first was made."

Belle

Dr. Emer said...

Bayi, those lines are taken from one of the most wonderful songs of the past century. The famous team of Errol Garner and Johnny Burke produced those lines. The title of the song is Misty, and it has been given justice and unique interpretations by Old Blue Eyes, Johnny Mathis, and Sarah Vaughan.

I used it here because I was so moved by the love shared between Tito Rolly and his wife.

I think those lines manage to somehow capture the sweetness of the moment that Tito Rolly shared with us. Thanks Tito Rolly! You continue to inspire us with your posts. =)

rolly said...

Doc Emer, Misty! Yes, that's an apt song. I used to sing. problem is, since i was operated on for tumors in both of my thyroid glands, and smoking, nasira na boses ko. I can't sing the high notes anymore. Sad. Galing mo, pati composer tandaan mo. Wasn't there a movie where this was the theme song? "Play misty for me?"

Joffin, I'll take you on that offer. I have to warn you, though. Matagal na kong hindi tumutugtog kaya ang mga alam ko medyo luma na. But I think I can manage to follow. Sana mahilig ka rin sa blues. Yon, kaya kong mag jam. open yon e. Sana nga nandito si Batjay, tagal ko nang walang ka jam e.

Belle, oh yes, Robert Browning. Ganda no. I'm sure your marriage won't be any different. It's just finding the right mate. No assurances but it's worth taking the risk.

Bayi, thanks for your comments.

rolly said...

Doc Emer, Misty! Yes, that's an apt song. I used to sing. problem is, since i was operated on for tumors in both of my thyroid glands, and smoking, nasira na boses ko. I can't sing the high notes anymore. Sad. Galing mo, pati composer tandaan mo. Wasn't there a movie where this was the theme song? "Play misty for me?"

Joffin, I'll take you on that offer. I have to warn you, though. Matagal na kong hindi tumutugtog kaya ang mga alam ko medyo luma na. But I think I can manage to follow. Sana mahilig ka rin sa blues. Yon, kaya kong mag jam. open yon e. Sana nga nandito si Batjay, tagal ko nang walang ka jam e.

Belle, oh yes, Robert Browning. Ganda no. I'm sure your marriage won't be any different. It's just finding the right mate. No assurances but it's worth taking the risk.

Bayi, thanks for your comments.

Jdavies said...

Seryoso ha pero naiyak ako sa sweetness, I've always wanted to have a guitar of my own kasi, and I remembered how much I wanted to have a guitar. I bought a good one for myself and I understand how it feels for somebody who loves music to finally hold the guitar on your hands and sit it on your lap. Imagine GM pa? Grabe. I'm such a sucker for romantics e, sirang romantiko din ako kaya ayun, hay... thanks for the anecdote! Thanks Thanks!

batjay said...

basta kantahan, especially pag live music, call ako anytime anywhere. piano o gitara lang masaya na ako.

Anonymous said...

Tito Rolly,

Alam ko kung gaano ka kasaya makatanggap ng ganyang regalo and it's from your loving wife. But I could imagine how even happier your wife was thinking on buying this gift, sending it and lastly how you would feel the moment you receive it.
Mahilig din ako sa gitara at marami na rin akong nasirang gitara, pero hanggang ngayon patipa-tipang di mo pa rin maintindihan. Naiingit ako sa mga magagaling tumugtog. In-born talent yata ito na nasa iyo na kahit di mo pag-aralan, kaysa doon sa mga nagpupumilit pero di talaga matuto (isa na ako doon). Ganon nga kaya yon?
- Santi

Jet said...

Ang sweet, sweet naman ng asawa nyo Tito. You know what, I can easily see the gesture coming from your wife, having seen her when you visited us in the hospital. I remember, she hardly said anything, but she was all smiles and pleasant aura, so unassuming and quietly listening, like she was just taking it all in. Somehow I can see how this trait would enable her to pick out the exact gift that would bring a smile to your heart. Feeling ko lang, her senses are so sound that she sees, listens and understands 100%, as opposed to people who can just look and hear and not much else.

Jay also gave me a surprise, just this weekend. There's this scent that I've been longing for since it came out about 2 years ago. Never thought of buying it cause it was quite expensive. But whenever we went to that store, I would ask the sales clerk if they still had the scent and then I would ask for a sample and I'd go off sniffing at it... hehe (I'm really an el cheapo). Last Saturday, we were in that store and as I was doing the same routine, he just said, 'Go ahead and buy it.'

Wasn't anywhere to go so I could use the scent kaya last night, I wore it to bed... hehe. Sobrang excited. :)

rolly said...

Jardine Davies, hehehe, I thought there are not too many male romantics here. Mali pala ko. At marami rin palang nag-gigitara. Sa susunod, jamming session naman ng mga bloggers. Say Christmas?

Batjay, gising na, RJ na!

Santi, tell you what. If you really like to be good at it, practice lang, read books about guitar playing and most of all, bumarkada ka sa magagaling. Marami kang mapupulot. Umpisa sa mga complicated chords until finally, nag-le-lead ka na. (Wala pa ko sa ganong stage.)

Jet, yes, my wife is like that. Just keeps on smiling. When we visited Canada, American friends came over to meet with us and Tom, one of our friends was teasing her, "Nitz, can you give me a frown even once?"

I am not surprised that Batjay bought that for you. I'm sure he'd do anything to please you. And with a good cause ha. Hopeless romantic din yan. I can see through his writings.

Thanks to all of you.

Anonymous said...

mari

hi tito rolly! that would be great..i mean, meeting all the nice people here. i've already met jay and jet last may and i hope to meet the rest of your guys. saya siguro non!

i love watching 2 people so deeply in love with one another. i ask myself, how did they do it and how were they able to sustain it? remains a mystery to me.

rolly said...

Hi mari, no mystery there. We just try to work things outm keep the lines of communication open, maintain a happy life filled with laughter and work hard not only for the sake of the kids, but more importantly,for ourselves. I know it's a tall order but we're still enjoying each other's company.

auee said...

Wow ang sweet naman! Grabe kung ako i-surprise ni hubby ng ganyan baka maiyak ako.

Anonymous said...

bilib naman ako sa kuwento ninyo tito rolly talagang nakaka incourage, speaking of tarzan and baby jane, kilala ko rin sila hindi lang si batjay, sabay yata kaming lumaki ni baby jane lalo na yuong show niya sa t.v with joey deleon and ian veneracion na "Joey and Son" kapag nakakakita nga ako ng mag ama na kumakanta ay sumsagi sila sa isip ko at kahit nandito na ako sa america ay palagi ko parin naririnig ang mga kanta ni baby jane na mga pamasko at talagang maaaliw ka.

rolly said...

anpnmymous Thank you. Siguro konti lang ang tanda ko sayo no? :-)

Anonymous said...

siguro matanda ka lang ng 15 years sa akin, he he he biro lang po, i just turn 40 last May and i think baby jane is 35 years old na siya ngayon dahil i think im 5 years older than her, i hope sumikat ka rin tulad nila :) siyangapala ako nga pala si james, matagal na ako rito sa america, halos kalahati ng buhay ko ay nandito na, miss ko ng umuwi ng pinas pero wala pang chances :)

Anonymous said...

siyangapala tito rolly, hindi ko nababggit sa iyo na isa rin ako sa mga laman ng stage shows nuong araw, pagka buwan ng mayo ay palagi kami sa mga fiesta at isa rin ako sa mga performer duon, isa rin akong singer, at siguro nakasama ko rin ang father ni batjay kaya lang hindi kona matandaan ang mukha niya, marami kasing emcee nuon eh!! pero sa tutoo lang miss ko na ang stage shows, wala kasi dito sa america nuon eh!!!:)