About the Author

MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY

By: Leslie B. Calibay

       I do believe that each of us has a different story and it is waiting to be told. Some maybe already been shared and been heard but some remain unspoken maybe because we don’t want to open up the lion’s cave yet.

           But in some point, it is better to speak not just to say out of nothing but to say something which can be a guidance to others and to know more about ourselves. Sharing it with others could be a portal to a better learning: the way of exploring more ourselves.

           And now, let me tell you something special about me.

           When I was just a little kid. I used to play with my father, mother, and siblings. We used to play marbles under to my grandma’s house. I remember when my father came home earlier than the usual time he came home from his work. He saw us playing marbles. His eyes widen and looked directly to us. “Hurry  up. I’ll chop the wood and you will fetch some water.”my brother said abruptly.

           I cannot blame him acting that way because I know how father warned us not to play before accomplishing the tasks assigned to us. But it came surprisingly to me when he said, “Where you going? Are you seeing a ghost? I’m your  father! Come here and let us play.”so we played then. And mother went down stairs to join us including my little brother and sisters.

            The other game we used to play is tagging. But that was different from any tagging you have seen. It because, we made our own style on how to start the game. And that style was, we blindfolded our mother’s eye automatically without playing the scissor-stoned game. After that, we ran, scattered and made different noises so she will be confused where to run into. And that game made our house like a festive castle at the middle of the jungle.

            But that was before, before I reached in high school. At that stage of my life everything was different. My father worked hard at the farm together with my mother. They both worked hard to sustain our daily needs. And they went home so seldom. They sleep most of the time at the little “kubo” beneath the farm.

            And that’s how my life changed. That moment turned me into a woman. Just imagine a single mom who take good care of her six children. I used to wake up early in the morning to cook for breakfast and to help them prepare to school then myself as well. After school, I went straight home to do many things that I needed to do in behalf of my parents.

            In this world, they are my treasures that I can surely called mine. So I respected and loved them in any ways. To show to them how thankful am I to be their daughter, I obeyed them, everything. And I still do until now and till of my last breath.

            Do you think that was fantastic and perfect? No. I had been tested by time. And they have been tested too. I stood up to my parents for the very first time and that made them shocked. My father did not able to handle his anger so he slapped me with his bear right hand. And with a great shocked and pain, I ran into my room and locked it up. After a while my father came to check if I’m okay and he apologized to me. Then after several minutes hiding in my room, I realized my mistake. So I came out then hugged him and I said sorry.  

             Through looking back to that dim scenario. I can say, that made our bond stronger. We passed the test and that shortcomings became as our stepping stone towards firmness of family relationship specially to a father-daughter relationship.

            And now, I’m feeling better. That is why sometimes, it is better to share experiences either it’s good or bad. And yes, before I used to hid myself inside the cave to  hide the pain. But now I open it up so you can hear me roaring clearly and loudly.http://ellise25.blogspot.com/
lesliecalibay@gmail.com