Kawasaki: A Scrappy Life

Wearing a faded white t-shirt, and a knapsack in his back, Al walked with his shoulders dropped. Feeling withdrawn and
bashful, he settled down on his seat in their room, making sure to be unnoticed by any watchful eyes. Taking a deep
breath, he took a dusty notebook out of his ragged, shabby bag. Now old and patched, the worn out bag’s zipper
suddenly broke from his prying and shoving. Al also took his pen, something his mother bought two weeks ago. Slowly
writing his notes, he sighed upon seeing the broken lines. He needs to buy a new one.

Alias Al, a fourteen-year old grade 9 student, was always reluctant in showing his belongings every time he goes to
school. Having old school materials and clothing known in the Batonhon tongue as “kinawasan”, he was often ashamed
to display the things that he owns.

“Minsan nakasupog. Pero dae man ako ninda yakutya”, (Sometimes I feel ashamed. Lucky for me, they don’t insult me)
Al narrated in an interview. Being in a poor family of seven, and being the firstborn in five children, Al feels burdened to
take responsibility and be satisfied with what his family can give. “Si papa farmer, tapos si mama sa halong lang”, (My
father is a farmer, while my mom stays at home) he said. He also shared that the youngest in their family is only six
months old. This made him fully understand the situation he is in.

“Yung mga tao-tao lang ning tiya, kapit-bahay o kung sisay pa man. Ayos na kami doon. Pero minsan nakasupog man ta
ginamit na”, (The things given by my aunt, neighbors or just anybody. I’m fine with it. But sometimes I ashamed to use it
again), he admitted. Amidst all of these, Al sometimes ask for new things from his mother. His mother would simply say
to wait for the money given to 4Ps recipients. “Gatalam man ako kay mama na kung pwede maghagad ning bago. Sabi
niya pag 4Ps na”, (Sometimes I ask new things from my mother. She would say to wait for the money from the 4Ps) Al
said. “Pero dae man siyempre. Mas dakol na importante na dapat pagkagastusan”, (But still no new things will be given
to me. There are more important things needing money) he added.

In class, Al is a diligent student. “Masipag, masinop. Pusigido siya”, his class adviser said in an interview. Even in his
home, Al helps his parents in household chores and takes care of his other siblings. Budgeting his time in school and
family, he makes sure that everything is right.

In spite of all these drawbacks, Al still hope for a brighter future for himself. He may look thin but his conviction is
astounding. Like any student who has aspirations, the student wishes to become a doctor in the future. If fate favors, he
said. But if his parents can no longer send him to school, he said he will be fine with being a houseboy. “Ayos lang mam
maski makikatabang”, (I’m fine with being a houseboy) he said in a mild manner.

Kawasaki is no motorbike. They are the countless students who live by the adage “Kung maliit ang kumot, matutong
mamaluktot”. Always wishing to be unnoticed and wishing for well-off life, they look on to the privileged ones with envy.
Al clasped his hands together, probably praying for the far future. Someday, he uttered. Someday.