My Christmases are usually spent with my family-- with my mom's immediate family particularly. I only have wonderful memories... unwrapping gifts, eating wonderful food that my Mamang and Mommie cooked and of course, playing with my cousins. That was how I spent my childhood Christmases.
Till it was my turn to wrap and give gifts to the younger ones, to cook the food for Christmas Eve, to give a little something to Mamang, to my wonderful aunts and cousins. All of my Christmases were spent with so much joy. Every year, I look forward to the funny gifts that my sister would give my Tita Jing and my cousin Mark. Unwrapping those gifts were the highlight of the Noche Buena.
This year it was different... really different. Until now as I write this entry, I still cannot believe my family went through this ordeal. We almost lost Bamba.
Bham is the youngest cousin of our "batch". I was born on 1981. Abbey, my sister was born on 1982. Mark or Mackey as we fondly call him, and the only guy cousin, was born on 1986 and Bham, our baby cousin was born on 1987. We were "batch mates". Born in the same decade, we grew up together. Yes, we may have other cousins, but the four of us are inseparable. We were like siblings born from different mothers. We shared a lot of happy memories, childish fights but we were always there for each other. My sister and Mackey were partners in crime while Bham and I were always the victims of their pranks. Although we didn't live in the same house, we were together everyday.
Christmas was and still is, the most exciting day of the year not only for the four of us, but also for the entire family. Last December 24, I attended the Christmas Eve Mass with Mark, Majen and Selene. As usual, the mass ended at 11 pm and we all went home to Mamang's house. Noche Buena this year was one of the best. For one, we were complete. We didn't have that much food but it was enough for everyone. Until it was time to unwrapped the gifts. My sister's gifts were crazy... she gave my tita jing jumping "testicles" and mark jumping "boobies". We were all laughing because of the gifts. We were so happy that night. We went home at around 2 am to sleep and rest since Christmas Day is a day of videoke.
Until Christmas morning came. I was wrapping Robbie's gift since I bought his last. My tita Susan was rushing to our house to tell us that my cousin Bamba is in pain because of her menstruation. She was bleeding. I was so calm and told her that it is usual for someone who didn't have her period for a long time to feel pain when her menstruation finally comes. I even gave her the hot bag so that my cousin could apply hot compress on her abdomen. Then my best friend Louella came to visit with my Godson Johann. My tita Susan came back, now more tensed and scared, she shouted, "Ten, may bata sa toilet!" I was shocked and at the same time cannot believe what I just heard. I dragged my best friend to come with me and check out what's happening. When I arrived, I immediately went to the bathroom to check on Bamba. She was still partially sitting on the toilet. I saw something... I looked again, I can't believe I'm seeing a baby's arm! That was the only time that I realized that Bam was actually pregnant and not just fat. I was shocked... and traumatized. I wanted to cry, wanted to run away. I can't believe and I've never imagined I'll see these things. I told Louella to get the baby while I get help. Everyone was crying, even my Tito Ruben. They were all shocked. I told myself that I have to be calm... but I was scared.
I went back home and told my mom about it. My mom dressed up immediately. I went to the neighbor to ask for help. Ate Teng and Kuya Chito were there. They went to their house to get their car. We took Bamba to UERM on Kuya Chito's car. While we were on our way, Bam was telling us that she's getting weaker. Mommie was holding baby Angelo and was seated in the front seat. Lala and I told Bam not to sleep. We arrived in the hospital 10 minutes later. We found out that baby Angelo had a slight head trauma and needs to be suctioned. Bam was still in pain. The doctors attended to her and were advised that she has to be stitched since there was a laceration.
Baby Angelo was born between 12 and 12:30 on December 25. Yep, he's a Christmas Baby and a miracle baby for that matter. Bham carried him for 9 months alone. Nobody knew that she was pregnant and according to her, she found out that she was pregnant around August this year. She was too scared to tell the family or anybody. She carried him alone until the last minute that he was born. The doctors were scolding and blaming Bham for what happened since it could have killed her or the baby. But the fact still remains: my cousin carried him alone, surviving all the physical, emotional and mental torture and pain pregnancy had brought her. As I look back, I never saw Bam sad, depressed or in pain. She was always happy, always laughing, smiling and eating. She never saw her situation as a disadvantage. For the longest time, since I was the eldest among the cousins, they always idolize me. But this time, I idolize her more. She was tough and ready despite the fact that she's child-like and immature sometimes. She earned my respect and I love her more.
Yes baby Angelo was born in a toilet. We almost lost him. But I guess God has his purpose... he lived. We named him Christ Angelo. He is my family's savior. He's a miracle. When he came out of Bham's womb and my uncle carried him out of the toilet, his umbilical chord was already cut. Nobody believed but we never touched him or did anything to him. Her delivery was a miracle.
While the doctors were attending to Angelo and Bham, my sister, Louella, Princess and I rushed to SM Centrepoint, the nearest mall, to buy baby stuffs. My sister, who is usually "kuripot" gave P1000 without hesitation. Then my mamang who is usually tensed never said any negative thing about the incident.
This incident changed our family's priorities. Suddenly, we have plans... a baptismal to save up for, a baby to take care and be proud of... a baby to buy stuffs for. This is a good thing. It felt like our lives made a big turn, a journey that we are all excited to take. I just pray his Newborn screening turns out to be ok. I thank God for giving us this miracle. This indeed changed our lives. We are all living testimonies to God's miracle.
