THE NEW ME

This is the new me you'll never expect. This is the new me you'll never want to see. I did
everything for you. I risked everything for you. I made everything right for you. I tried to
look beautiful. I stayed up late. I spent this much. I stepped. I rain. I fell. I crossed. I
climbed. I did everything. And it's all because of you.

I cried all night. I wasted my years. I prayed for a miracle but nothing happened. Nothing
I ever did ever made you like me. Not my messages, not my phone calls, not my gifts
nor my looks. Not my efforts, not my promises, not my soul or my life.

So this is the new me. This is the new me you have to see. Wait until you realize just
how much you hurt me. Did you know I fought for you? I would've killed for you. I
would've died for you.

But you could never love me.

It's sickening to know that one's efforts can never be appreciated. What is it about me
you couldn't like? Am I fat? Am I short? Am I boring? Is it because I'm boyish? Is it
because I'm garrulous? Is it because I'm knowledgeable? Is it because I don't like
parties and I'm not a nightlifer?
 
Then what was I supposed to do? This is me! ME! I can't change who I used to be. At
least, when I found out that you could never learn to love me, I realized... I realized... I
realized...
 
...just how much I've missed.

I lost my friends. I pushed my family away. I became cruel. I was being selfish.

So look at me now. I didn't change who I was. I simply exposed myself in different
activities. I became active. I learned to love myself. I don't need you.

This is the new me.

Honorable judge, gentlemen of the jury, people of the Philippines judge me, am I guilty
or not guilty?

But before you sentence me to death let me tell you my story.

There was a young girl seventeen years of age with curvaceous body 36, 24, 26, a long
hair and sizzling eyes being rich as she was she studied at an exclusive school.

Oh my gosh! I met this guy, he’s the best player in our basketball team, and he’s the
heartthrob of our school. OH my gosh! His name? Guess what? who? Robbie Satillian
isn’t sweet? Oh my gosh we became friends. We became friends. Later more than that
after one year of relationship, we decided to settle down the marriage that cut-off the
ties of our families and since his parents disagree that’s why he was not supported on
his studies. So I decided to give up my studies and work as a sales lady in the
supermarket.

Then one night he returned home, he asked for money but I can’t gave him for I just
gave him last night, so he walked out the door and the next day he returned home, he
was cold as ever and hard as a stone.

One day his graduation came I was so happy. I expected

Robbie to invite me but he never said a word. I didn’t mind it. I still attend his graduation
ceremony and when his name was called with a degree of medicine a suma cum laude
Robi Santillan, I shouted with glee! When i stood up I was shocked when another girl
stood up, and gave that medal to him. I’m supposed to give that medal and pin that
ribbon, because I’m his wife, I’m his wife right? I AM HIS WIFE!

With that unpleasant thought fain when he returned home that night, I confronted him.
“Robbie, who was that girl?” I asked. He answered, “It’s none of your business” he said
but Robbie I’m your wife, “You’re just my wife” Robbie how could you do this to me? I
gave up my studies and worked as a sales lady and this? This is how you payback? “I
have to leave”, he said and when he had packed his this things I decided to get my 45
mm revolver.

“Robbie, you can’t just leave me” (pointing the gun to his face) “You can just leave me,
Robbie.” “You can’t just do this honey. be calm, be calm”…….”No, no, no you can’t just
leave me, Robbie. You can’t just do this”.

But he still decided to go and I did threw worst in my whole painstaking life “Mr. Robbie
Santillian with a degree of medicine a Suma cumlaude you will pay all my labors and
sacrifices

“BANG! , BANG! I shot him Robbie…….I had killed him…….I had killed him with
my bare hands….. huhuhu… I’m so sorry.
And now honorable judge gentlemen of the jury people of the Philippines judge me am i
guilty or not guilty?

I’VE BEEN STOOD UP ON MY WEDDING DAY

I’ve been stood up on my wedding day!  Have you thought of anything more tragic than
that? Here comes the bride, all dressed in white!” – – but where is the groom?  My
Jonathan?

Father’s eyes were apprehensive – – “Madeline – – this is preposterous! – – – Didn’t I

But this is not how playwrights picture love.  Romeo died for Juliet, Pyramus for Thisbe,
Han Suyen called it a many splendored things!” – – – And Princess Margaret gave up
the crown for love!

Jonathan – – – wait till I get you.  I am determined to pursue an unceasing justification

I imagine what my gang mates would say – – – “Poor Madeline, she was almost a bride
– – -!”  “Jonathan must have found out that she’s a square!”  And all mother can say is –
– “This is most embarrassing!”

Indeed, it is.  I should have joined the crusaders for blessed singleness.  I should have
noted what my father confessor, Fr. Martin, said when I talked about Jonathan and
marriage.  “Madeline, you’re not ready for it.  I guess you have to listen to your parents
this time!”  But I didn’t!”  I was like a spoiled and stubborn child immensely carried away
by the now-generations’ indefatigable cry for self-assertion!  I was like Jane Fonda
speaking for the women’s lib movement.

That phone keeps on ringing.  Alright, Mother, alright, I’m answering it.  Hello – – – Hello
– – – Hello!! Don’t you darling me Mr. Jonathan Anderson – – – may I be privileged to
know where were you at nine o’clock sharp this morning?  What?  Do you know what
you did?  Well – – – if you don’t – – – then, you’ll never knew!!!

I’ve been stood up on my wedding day because my groom forgot and fell asleep. 
Marriage at eighteen – – – how do you like that?
A CALL FOR MOM AND DAD

Ring... ring... ring... is it the phone? My, it's two o'clock in the morning yet. But wait. It is
Dad. Has he just got home from the business meeting, maybe... poor Dad! He works so
hard for Mom and me.
I walked on tiptoe to the door (another honking was heard). Oh, is it Mom? Yes and
what happens? She looks drunk, swinging her way to the sala.

All I hope was to give them surprise but I get, instead the biggest surprise in my life.
Dad, my hero leads a Cassanova lifestyle: wine, women and party. And Mom, the lady
behind the recent fund-raising campaign is the exact opposite of the image she
projected in that last week's PTA event. A cheat, a liar. How could they do this to me?
"You brute," Mom shouted, you think you can always hide things from me? I saw you
with your secretary," and she started throwing things at Dad.

"Stop that, Matilde." And he pushes Mom hard enough to the wall.

Is this the home I was eagerly looking forward to return for a vacation? And Dad, is he
worth emulating? My Mom, what has gone with her? I got out from my place.

Mom, Dad what's wrong? Benjo, good you are here. Dad managed to say. We can no
longer go on this way anymore. It's no use of hiding things from you I must confess. I
love you son, You are the only reason of my staying here. Now it is for good. I must
leave the house. Son, please understand. He went up and in an instance he came down
with his luggage. Mom seemed to be in the state of shock. All she could do was cry.
Benjo, my son. I can no longer hide the truth. Your Dad and I are never happy. We have
to part ways. Please, Son try to understand.

I bite my lips to hold my tears but I held Mom by shoulders. Mom, why has this
happened to us? Have you ever thought of the effects on me? That happened a long
time ago.
I do not know where Dad is now. It took me long to gather the prices of my broken
dreams. All I know is I am very much affected by what happened to us.

To you fathers and mothers present in this hall now, I challenge you to step forward to
prove you are not cowards like my own Dad. I challenge you mothers to stay firm and
unwavering, never to let your family break.