As heavy rains suddenly poured and the streets of MetroManila were flooded with knee- deep or in some other areas higher waters, my daughter Mhyka was in the final hours of painful labor to give birth to her first son at the Mandaluyong Medical Center. When the rains stopped by evening and while the stranded commuters and pedestrians were waiting for the floods to subside outside the hospital, my grandson Dwayne Lawrence was born ( at 8:45pm) the normal way and robust at 3.5 kilograms inside the Medical Center’s spic and span delivery room.
Births are to me, always a blessed and joyous event no matter what Reproductive Health Law fans say. That is why I made it a point to join my daughter when she consulted her ob- gynaecologists for regular checks and consultations. I made it a point to be her adviser, reminding her of her regular vitamins to take, food to eat, other things to do and not to do as advised by her doctors. I was glad that she had such understanding doctors who took pains to explain in very ordinary terms to Mhyka each facet she was growing through. I thought that this was very helpful as Mhyka is quite young (at 18), unmarried but very intent in delivering a healthy baby at the end of her 9- month pregnant state. And because there was no husband or boyfriend (she was gutsy enough to break off with him considering her condition) around, Mhyka’s sister Marjorie and I were her support team as we took her to the hospital when she declared that the first pains were manifesting. I was even allowed by her doctors to see her as she was midway in labor to whisper words of encouragement, hugs and assurances that she will make it successfully to remind her that she and the child she will deliver soon are much loved by us.
Looking back at those nine months of her pregnant state, I can only imagine the loneliness and distress she must have felt but kept to herself at the state she found herself in. Only in her first year in the university, I would regard her as still the family’s baby, unwise to the ways of the world. When she requested permission from me to stay in a boarding house to concentrate in her other pursuits ( she decided to take a leave from school and start a show biz career), I allowed her but reminded her to be careful. Six months later, we learned of her pregnancy and her wish to opt out of marrying her boyfriend, the father of her son.
Quickly, I told her to be back at home- i uttered no recriminations, no I- told- you- so’s. She was back in the warmth of the love of her family. Everything will be alright, I assured her.
And everything is alright now. Dwayne Lawrence is growing bigger and bigger by the minute, being breastfed by her mom (Mandaluyong Medical Center encourages breastfeeding among their mother- patients. In fact, I never saw a single can or box of baby milk formula at any of the four corners of the big, bright airconditioned room where moms and their newborn are wheeled in after delivery to rest and recuperate.). Mhyka is also getting stronger everyday, readying herself to delve into a new homebased- business that she hopes to launch in a couple of months’ time. She is determined to bring up her son the best she could and to provide for his financial needs as well. I, together with my sisters Teresita and Joy (the three of us never gave birth to children but we are happy that we have five children just the same, no blood relations, but nevertheless, children of our hearts, much loved and cared for since the time the good Lord gifted them to us.) hover around her to help out- we hope we can make our own contributions in the little boy’s growing up- this includes washing his baby clothes, washing his pwet, bathing him, and placing him belly down in our bosoms as we help him expel out his gasses.
Today, wellwishers come to the house to welcome Dwayne Lawrence. They come from as far as Laurel in Batangas, home of my balae Jun Dagtay and Peling Agojo ( elder daughter Marjorie’’s byenans and in- laws) who brought some newly- harvested bangus from their fishpens in Lake Taal to make into sinigangs and pesas for Mhyka’s sinabawans (good for breastfeeding mothers especially when malunggay leaves are added) to as near as Farmers’ Market in Cubao where good friend Weng has a stall that sells fresh veggies- she brought a basketfull of these again for new mom Mhyka.
Yes, Everything will be alright when one is with family that has been made strong, united and loving because of past tests and challenges. Add to this the bonus of having friends who are steadfast and have room in their hearts for wholehearted understanding and acceptance and I am positive that life for Mhyka and Dwayne Lawrence will be more than fine in the years to come.
My deep and personal thanks to Bro. Jimmy,of the Office of Mayor Abalos of Mandaluyong City, Arnold Bondoc, Barbie, Joan and Jen of the office of the Medical Director and the medical team of Mandaluyong Medical Center (Drs. Margarethe Perez, Rinna Aguilar, Nanquil, Magtoto and others) and good friend Elena Empaz of Ch.4Manila for making this birthing experience of Mhyka a happy and memorable one.
THANK YOU, TORONTO!
